Best Southern Vegan Recipes (2024)

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posted by Gina Dickson on October 5, 2020 (last updated Aug 3, 2021)

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Y’all are going to love these best southern vegan recipes that are inspired by enjoying real southern comfort food with a down-home feeling and a healthy twist.

Best Southern Vegan Recipes (1)

What is vegan southern food?

Southern food is a reflection of many different cultures and is influenced by their family history. Southern dishes are foods we love all across this country. It’s comfortable with a hint of indulgence. Big breakfast served with a side of grits and cheese, spicy soups and stews, and plenty of fried foods. Vegetables consist of,fried green tomatoes, okra, blackeyed peas, and collards. My favorite part is southern scratch biscuits and cornbread. Top this all off with desserts, like cobblers, pies, and banana pudding.

What are easy and healty vegan subsitures?

Fried chicken: Substitute the chicken for batter-fried cauliflower. After all the best part is the outside crunchy layer anyway.

Mac and cheese: A good substitute for that cheesy flavor is adding a healthy amount of nutritional yeast which lends a deep cheesy flavor.

Pulled pork BBQ: instead of pork use pulled jackfruit

Cornbread: substitute the egg for applesauce

Mashed potato: try my Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Biscuits and gravy: substitute the buttermilk for almond milk with a little vinegar. Substitute coconut oil for lard.

Creamy grits: substitute milk for almond milk and a little coconut cream for the butter. Add nutritional yeast for the cheesy flavor.

Collards: No ham hock but smoked paprika, soy sauce, tomato, and garlic for a deep, rich, savory flavor.

Southern vegan appetizers

Creamy Boiled Peanut Hummus

Y'all are going to love this Boiled Peanut Hummus! A smooth, nutty flavor with a punch of lemon and garlic makes this a southern hummus boiled peanut recipe you will make again and again.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (2)

Canned Boiled Peanuts: Step-By-Step Guide

Canned boiled peanuts are a salty southern treat that are easy to can. If you are from the south you know that summer brings boiled peanut stands, selling warm salty goodness in a paper bag. Canning your own at home is easy and makes for a great snack all year long.

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Southern salads

Black Eyed Pea Salad

Enjoy black eyed pea salad as a salad, salsa, or a side dish. It’s vegan, delicious, and packed with nutrition. Eat for good luck in the new year!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (4)

Vegan soups

Vegan Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Kick off the New Year the right way with this hearty and flavorful smoky black-eyed pea and collard green soup!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (5)

Vegan Jambalaya | The Stingy Vegan

Vegan jambalaya is full of spice, flavour and a great one-pot meal. Beans and mushrooms stand in for a totally plant-based, gluten-free and oil-free meal.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (6)

Vegan Gumbo | Cilantro and Citronella

This vegan gumbo recipe is hearty, savory, filling and warming. With a mix of beans, mushrooms and okra, this vegetarian gumbo is cheap to make and full of flavour.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (7)

Sourthern sandwiches

Amazing Vegan Tortas with BBQ Seitan Ribs | Yum Vegan Blog

Busting with flavors, textures, and colors, this delicious vegan sandwich is our take on a Mexican torta. Stuffed with amazing seitan, refried beans, avocado, salsa and more, this sandwich will satisfy any cravings for a filling, meaty sandwich. Try out these vegan tortas and you’ll keep coming bac…

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (8)

Vegan Buffalo Chicken Sandwich | BBQ Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich

This vegan buffalo chicken sandwich is crispy and delicious. It is made possible with the humble cauliflower. Packed with the right amount of spice, flavour and crunch, this buffalo cauliflower sandwich is one for the favourites.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (9)

Vegan cornbread and biscuits

30 Minute Vegan Cornbread

Super moist, and lightly sweet (with no refined sugar), this vegan cornbread is my all time favorite! Perfect every time!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (10)

Vegan Sweet Potato Biscuits

Soft, sweet and buttery homemade Vegan Sweet Potato Biscuits. Quick and easy to make and perfectly tall, flaky and tender. Comfort food at it’s best!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (11)

Dairy-Free Biscuits (Vegan Friendly)

These light dairy free biscuits are crisp on the outside, and moist and fluffy on the inside. Serve with your favorite jam, and a pat of vegan butter. Perfect for your breakfast sandwiches or as a side dish for your holiday meal!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (12)

Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe

This Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe will have them running to the dinner table. It’s moist on the inside with a crispy & buttery outside.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (13)

Vegan mac-cheese

Silky Vegan Mac and Cheese • Happy Kitchen

Silky and cheesy Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe: Delicious vegan take on an ultimate comfort food classic, packed with veggies and made in just 30 minutes!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (14)

Vegan Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese | Eat With Clarity

Easy, cheesy, but entirely dairy free, this sweet potato vegan mac and cheese is sure to bea family favorite. It’s rich, creamy gluten free!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (15)

Vegan Mac And Cheese | Easy Instant Pot Recipe

A comforting classic, this vegan version of homemade mac and cheese tastes just like mama used to make, minus the milk and cheese!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (16)

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese– the epitome of comfort food! Loaded with rich, cheesy and buttery goodness that’ll have you coming back for seconds.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (17)

Southern vegetables

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Looking for how to make mashed potatoes without butter but still has a creamy texture? Then you need to try theseolive oil mashed potatoes.They are smooth, light, and fluffy with a hint of Tuscan herbs. These vegan mashed potatoes are so rich and tasty no one will miss the dairy.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (18)

Vegan fried green tomatoes in the air fryer or stove

The only thing that could make vegan fried green tomatoes more inviting are these 3 words – potato chip crusted. They can be made in an air fryer or skillet.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (19)

Easy collard greens – tender & garlicky

This is my go-to recipe for vegan collard greens. These easy collard greens have a richness about them and a melt-in-your-mouth quality. Vegan & gluten-free side dish.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (20)

Vegetarian Black Eyed Peas Recipe – Hoppin’ John – The Picky Eater

This vegetarian black eyed peas recipe for Hoppin’ John is a healthy and meatless version of the southern classic. It’s a complete meal in one pan!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (21)

Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potatoes – Southern & Modern

Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potatoes are the perfect addition to a harvest bowl and are amazing as a standalone side. Easy to adjust the spice.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (22)

Easy Baked Okra

This is a simple, flavorful, and easy,Baked Okra recipe. Seasoned with paprika, salt, and a pinch of cayenne, this okra makes a great snack or side dish.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (23)

Authentic Vegan Red Beans & Rice | Eat With Clarity

These vegan red beans and rice are a plant-based version of the Louisiana classic, but still with just as much flavor as the traditional dish.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (24)

Instant Pot Brandy Glazed Carrots | Recipes From A Pantry

Instant Pot Carrots are a quick, easy and flavorful side dish. Make these carrots Instant pot for busy weeknight dinners and your special holiday meals.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (25)

Roasted Cajun Okra

A 20 minute side dish recipe of Roasted Cajun Okra. Add this to your vegetable side dish rotation! Plus read my tips on how to make okra not slimy!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (26)

Fried Green Tomatoes – Vegan Recipe – This Wife Cooks

Fried Green Tomatoes ~The Southern classic made with all plant-based ingredients. Cajun seasoning adds a Louisiana-style kick!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (27)

Vegan Squash Casserole

Vegan squash casserole is made with seasonal yellow squash, a creamy sauce and a classic buttery cracker topping! This is a great side dish any time of the year.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (28)

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES – Cook with Kushi

Roasted Sweet Potatoes are simple to make yet so delicious & addictive vegan gluten free side dish that is cripsy on the outside, soft delicate on inside

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (29)

Smothered Okra and Tomatoes

Call it smothered or stewed, make this non-slimy version of a Southern favorite! Ready in 35-minutes and full of vitamins and nutrients!

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (30)

Down-home southern desserts

Peach Cobbler Recipe with Premade Pie Crust

Using a premade pie crust makes the best peach cobbler in just 15 minutes of prep time. You can use fresh or frozen peaches for a perfectly tasting southern peach cobbler.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (31)

Gluten-Free Vegan Pecan Pie

This Gluten-Free Vegan Pecan Pie has a crispy, buttery crust,a fudgy, gooey filling and is loaded with toasty pecans. Refined sugar free.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (32)

Vegan Sweet Potato Pie (Gluten-Free)

This Vegan Sweet Potato Pie is super creamy, warmly spiced, and has a flaky, crispy crust. Gluten-free and refined sugar free.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (33)

Grits recipes

Vegan Cheesy Grits Breakfast Bowl with Crispy Chickpeas

This Vegan Cheesy Grits Breakfast Bowl with Crispy Chickpeas and garlicky collard greens couldn’t be any more cozy and delicious.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (34)

Savory Southern Vegan Grits – Vegetarian South

Savory Southern Vegan Grits are amazing because they are very filling and work equally well for breakfast or dinner.

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (35)

Cornmeal Porridge – A Blissful Vegan Breakfast (Quick and Gluten-Free)

First-time cornmeal porridge conversations tend to go something like this, at least in my experience. ‘Hmm, that’s… interesting.’. Followed by: ‘That’s quite nice actually, I’m starting to enjoy this. I like the way the sweet and savoury mix in naturally together’. And finished with: ’Ar that was de…

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (36)

Vegan southern cookbooks

Southern Vegan

Best Southern Vegan Recipes (37)Best Southern Vegan Recipes (38)

Mississippi Vegan: Stories from a Southern Boy’s Heart

Best Southern Vegan Recipes (39)Best Southern Vegan Recipes (40)

Sweet Potato Soul

Best Southern Vegan Recipes (41)Best Southern Vegan Recipes (42)

Vegan Soul Food Cookbook: Plant-Based, No-Fuss Southern Favorites

Best Southern Vegan Recipes (43)Best Southern Vegan Recipes (44)

More recipe ideas

36 Exotic Asian Fruits With Recipes You Need To Try

For easy entertaining ideas be sure and visit my VEGAN FOOD BAR IDEAS

Best Southern Vegan Recipes (45)

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Best Southern Vegan Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most eaten vegan food? ›

Most vegan diets include beans in at least one meal per day, including lentils, chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans and many more. Many vegans consume soy-based proteins such as tofu and tempeh; their mild flavor makes them a great substitute for meat in stir-fries, soups and stews.

What vegan food is good for stomach aches? ›

Gut-friendly vegan recipes
  • Black beans & avocado on toast. A star rating of 4.9 out of 5. ...
  • Sri Lankan braised roots stew & coconut dhal dumplings. ...
  • Vegan mayonnaise. ...
  • Vegan chickpea curry jacket potatoes. ...
  • Vegan banh mi. ...
  • Beetroot & red cabbage sauerkraut. ...
  • Aubergine & chickpea bites. ...
  • Seitan & black bean stir-fry.

How to be a frugal vegan? ›

Vegan on a budget
  1. tinned beans and dried pulses of various kinds.
  2. vegetables (particularly seasonal ones)
  3. potatoes.
  4. egg-free pasta and noodles.
  5. rice.
  6. bread (wholemeal is ideal from a health point of view)
  7. dried herbs and spices.
  8. seasonal fruit.

Does Gordon Ramsay have vegan recipes? ›

Cooking a meat and dairy free meal doesn't mean you have to settle for anything less than delicious. Our collection of tantalising and varied vegan recipes will have vegans and meat eaters alike coming back for more.

What is the most unhealthy vegan food? ›

Mock meats and cheeses: These processed foods generally contain lots of additives. They also provide you with far fewer vitamins and minerals than whole, protein-rich plant foods like beans, lentils, peas, nuts and seeds. Some dairy-free milks: Sweetened dairy-free milks generally contain a good amount of added sugar.

Are vegans generally healthier than meat-eaters? ›

There is relatively little direct evidence on the long-term health of vegans, but studies so far suggest that, compared with otherwise similar people who are meat-eaters, they have a lower risk of some digestive tract disorders such as diverticular disease and a somewhat higher risk of bone fractures, perhaps due to ...

Can going vegan heal your gut? ›

The gut benefits of a vegan diet

Research has found that there is a reduction in inflammatory gut bacteria, as well as an increase in the protective species of bacteria. This is likely due to the higher fibre content of the average vegan diet.

Do vegans have good gut health? ›

The Pros. The good news is that a vegan diet tends to be higher in prebiotics, the fuel used by good bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics supports the bacteria that are already living in the digestive tract; you'll find prebiotics in plant foods such as apples, onions, garlic, leek, beans, and grains.

How do vegans deal with gas? ›

Start with smaller amounts of beans or cruciferous vegetables in meals, and try alternating whole grains with refined grains,” she says. “Some people find lentils to cause less gas than other beans, although this varies from person to person.

What do vegans struggle with the most? ›

10 Vegan deficiencies to be aware of - and how to nix them
  • Iron. ...
  • Vitamin B12. ...
  • Omega-3. ...
  • Zinc. ...
  • Choline. ...
  • Iodine. ...
  • Vitamin D. Who isn't a little bit deficient in the 'Sunshine Vitamin'? ...
  • Protein. 'This nutrient is not an issue in most people's diets especially those who eat meat, fish and eggs,' says Hobson.
Dec 22, 2022

Will I live longer if I become vegan? ›

Want to live longer? Go vegan! In 2020, two studies found that following a mostly plant-based diet can improve longevity. One study by Harvard and Tehran University researchers found that people who consumed 3 per cent more protein from a plant-based diet reduced their risk of premature death by 5 per cent.

What do vegans struggle to get? ›

Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.

What chef cuts meat in front of vegans? ›

After weeks of vegan activists protesting in front of his nose-to-tail bistro, chef Michael Hunter decided to make a statement by butchering a freshly-killed deer's leg in the window of his Toronto restaurant, Antler Kitchen & Bar, right in front of the demonstrators.

Why did Gordon Ramsay become vegan? ›

Health considerations: The potential health benefits associated with a vegan diet may motivate Ramsay, as they have for many individuals who adopt plant-based eating to promote personal well-being.

Who is a vegan chef? ›

In a nutshell, vegan chefs prepare dishes that are free of animal products. This might take the form of working within a dedicated plant-based kitchen. It could mean cooking specific vegan menu items – appetizers, entrees, or desserts – in a restaurant that otherwise serves animal products.

Which country is #1 for vegans? ›

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

What foods do vegans love? ›

Protein from beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh and seitan, along with healthy fats from avocado, nuts, seeds, and coconut and olive oils, can also keep your blood sugar stable. High-protein vegan diet: Protein is one of the nutrients often lacking in a vegan diet.

Are Oreos vegan? ›

Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense. Plant-based cookies and cream lovers rejoice!

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