Fresh, Fast & Vegan: 13 Meals to Add to Your Rotation

Looking to keep your meals light, flavorful, and 100% plant-based? You’re in the right place. Whether you're a full-time vegan or just dabbling in meatless Mondays, this roundup of fresh and fast vegan meals will add serious variety to your weekly menu. Let’s dig in!

Three Sisters Soup

This hearty soup combines the traditional three sisters – corn, beans, and squash – with tomatoes, spices, and fresh herbs. The recipe is vegan and gluten-free, making it a perfect option for various dietary preferences. These ingredients come together in the Instant Pot for a quick, flavorful, and comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Three Sisters Soup

Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili

This warm and hearty chili features roasted acorn squash combined with beans, tomatoes, and a rich blend of spices. The dish is filling, satisfying, and perfect for the colder months. These simple ingredients create a vegan and gluten-free meal full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Vegan Acorn Squash Chili

Mango Habanero Salsa

This salsa brings together the sweetness of ripe mangoes with the heat of habanero peppers, balanced by fresh lime and cilantro. It’s a perfect topping for tacos, grilled meats, or as a standalone snack with chips. These bold flavors will add a zesty kick to any dish.
Get the Recipe: Mango Habanero Salsa

Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

A glass bowl filled with quinoa, dried cranberries, and pecans. — Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

This vibrant quinoa salad combines earthy quinoa with crunchy pecans and sweet dried cranberries, tossed in a light dressing. It’s perfect as a side dish or a light main, offering both texture and flavor. These ingredients create a nutritious and delicious option for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cranberry Quinoa Salad

Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta

A plate of pasta topped with rich, creamy Italian walnut sauce, garnished with fresh herbs and grated cheese. — Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

This pasta features a creamy, vegan walnut sauce made with walnuts, garlic, and herbs, tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s a rich and satisfying dish that’s both dairy-free and full of flavor. These ingredients make for a comforting meal with a nutty twist.
Get the Recipe: Italian Walnut Sauce Pasta

Easy Vegan Yellow Lentil Dal

Image shows a bowl of Vegan Yellow Dentil Dal with a spoon. — Easy Vegan Yellow Lentil Dal. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

This dal features tender yellow lentils cooked in a flavorful combination of spices, including turmeric, cumin, and coriander. It’s a simple yet nourishing dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. These spices create a warming, vegan meal that’s hearty and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Yellow Lentil Dal

Vegan Ratatouille

This vegan ratatouille is a colorful medley of roasted vegetables, including eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes, all seasoned with fresh herbs. It’s a flavorful, low-maintenance dish that showcases the best of summer produce. These vegetables come together for a healthy and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Ratatouille

Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)

Overhead view of hand lifting a spoon of salad. — Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This traditional Russian salad features a tangy mix of root vegetables, pickles, and peas, all dressed in a vinaigrette sauce. It’s a refreshing and hearty side dish that’s perfect for any meal. These ingredients make a great addition to a cold salad spread or a satisfying meal on their own.
Get the Recipe: Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)

Sauteed Rainbow Chard

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs. — Sauteed Rainbow Chard. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This simple sauté features vibrant Swiss rainbow chard cooked with garlic, olive oil, and a touch of lemon juice. It’s a quick and healthy side dish that pairs well with almost any meal. These fresh greens are packed with nutrients and offer a beautiful pop of color to your plate.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Rainbow Chard

Vegan Couscous Salad

This refreshing couscous salad combines tender couscous with fresh vegetables, chickpeas, and a tangy lemon dressing. It’s light yet filling, making it the perfect side dish or light lunch. These ingredients come together for a delicious and satisfying vegan meal.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Couscous Salad

Spaghetti Squash Hash Browns

This creative recipe transforms spaghetti squash into crispy, golden hash browns, perfect for breakfast or a savory side. It’s a low-carb and gluten-free alternative to traditional hash browns. These crispy strands make for a delicious, healthier twist on a classic comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash Hash Browns

Purple Yam Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

A bowl of purple yam soup with garnish. — Purple Yam Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This soup features purple yams, creating a creamy and vibrant base that’s both flavorful and comforting. Infused with aromatic spices, it’s a perfect dish for colder days. These yams bring a unique color and flavor to this vegan and gluten-free soup.
Get the Recipe: Purple Yam Soup: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

Vegan Vietnamese Papaya Salad Recipe: Crisp & Tangy

A colorful plate of fresh vietnamese salad featuring vibrant carrots, juicy tomatoes, and green papaya. — Vegan Vietnamese Papaya Salad Recipe: Crisp & Tangy. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This fresh papaya salad is packed with crisp vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing, offering a refreshing balance of sweet and sour. It’s light yet filling, making it the perfect appetizer or side dish. These ingredients make for a vibrant, healthy salad with a kick of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Vietnamese Papaya Salad Recipe: Crisp & Tangy