40 Lazy Vegan Recipes For Busy Days
A common misconception is that preparing healthy plant-based meals requires a lot of time and effort spent in the kitchen, but the following Lazy Vegan Recipes completely bust that myth!
If you’re wondering what in the world to make when you get home from work that is both vegan and healthy, then take a look at the easy vegan recipes below that can be made in under 30 minutes. We have included everything from banana oat pancakes for breakfast to vegetable barley soup for dinner. Also, be sure to check out our 30-minute or less easy vegan recipes category page as well!
With only about 15 minutes, you can even meal-prep these easy Asian Mason Jar Soups or Mexican Jar Soup to have on hand for grab-and-go meals where you only need to add water.
Reasons you will love these recipes
- Quick and Convenient: These easy vegan recipes are ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy days or last-minute meals.
- Healthy and Oil-Free: Packed with wholesome ingredients, these dishes skip the oil without sacrificing flavor.
- Minimal Effort: Designed for the lazy chef, these recipes are simple, fuss-free, and require little cleanup.
- Deliciously Versatile: From hearty mains to satisfying snacks, these recipes are perfect for any time of day and loved by everyone!
These are not strange meals that no one will like. They are meals like veggie pizza that is dairy-free and gluten-free, vegan miso soup, salads, and even a few plant-based breakfast recipes that will delight your taste buds.
What to cook on a lazy day
There are two different scenarios for not wanting to spend time in the kitchen, and I think most of us find ourselves in one or both of them from time to time. I know I sure do!
Can’t you relate? You’ve had a crazy busy day at work or you’re still in your pajamas at 2 p.m. on a lazy Saturday or Sunday and just have no desire to be in the kitchen. The problem is that you still get hungry and need to eat.
#1 Too tired to cook
There is a surefire way to avoid getting trapped in the pitfall of running through a drive-through window because you think making a meal will take too long after an exhausting day at work.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s NOT too time-consuming or expensive to eat vegan/plant-based. The simple vegan recipes below don’t require any fancy ingredients and most–if not all–can be found in your average grocery store.
#2 Lazy vegan
I mean no disrespect here because goodness knows there are days that I too fall into this category of being a lazy vegan.
It’s not always about not having time, sometimes I’m just not in a cooking mood. Oftentimes, I would rather be outside taking a walk, reading a good book, or binge-watching a great show.
That’s completely okay, especially when there are healthy vegan meals I can pull together in only a few minutes to get me back to the things I’d rather be doing.
Keeping ingredients on hand
The key here is to try a few of these recipes to find the ones your family really likes, and then keep the ingredients on hand so that you can pull it all together quickly and be sitting with your family at the table enjoying dinner in minutes.
I’m all about fast and convenient, and these recipes are a great example of how my family keeps it simple and quick. You will find a bunch of new recipes here for your family to fall in love with that will keep you all healthy and feeling great!
While you’re at it, be sure to take a peek at these Easy Vegan Sandwich Ideas that are great for lazy days and even picnics!
The Bottom Line
These lazy vegan recipes prove that eating plant-based can be both easy and delicious. From hearty vegetable soups and flavorful salads to quick vegan stir-fries and satisfying sandwiches, there’s something for every taste and occasion.
Whether you’re new to veganism or a seasoned pro, these simple and fuss-free recipes will make your meal planning a breeze. So, embrace the convenience of these lazy vegan recipes and enjoy nourishing, flavorful meals without the hassle. Happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Lazy vegan recipes are simple, quick meals that require minimal effort, time, and ingredients—perfect for anyone who wants delicious plant-based food without the hassle.
Absolutely! That’s all we do here! Many lazy vegan recipes focus on wholesome, nutrient-dense ingredients like fresh vegetables, beans, and whole grains while skipping processed foods.
Definitely! Many of these recipes can be made in batches and stored in the fridge or freezer for quick, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week.
For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!
Lazy Vegan Recipes
No time to cook? No problem! With these lazy vegan recipes, there's no need to be in the kitchen for more than a few minutes.
Healthy meals just don’t get any easier than with these easy veggie wraps layered with hummus or mayo and piled high with fresh veggies like lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, and anything else you can think of.
No meat? No problem! This vegan Black Bean Chili recipe has all the taste of hearty chili and can be ready to eat in 15 minutes or less.
Easy homemade vegan mac chili is made with wholesome ingredients like beans, whole grain pasta, and lots of veggies with warm spices. It simple to make and can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
This cashew-based vegan alfredo sauce has a rich creamy flavor that is delicious on pasta, baked potatoes, and even roasted vegetables.
I make this delicious Avocado Sandwich frequently when time is rushed and we need a quick healthy meal. It's made with fresh avocado, juicy tomato, crunchy purple onion, flavorful spices, and my homemade vegan spicy mayo (aka special sauce) all piled high on toasted sourdough bread.
Sometimes I’m just tired and don’t feel like cooking. On those days at my house, we are very likely to make this gluten-free vegan pizza recipe.
We cook large quantities of rice on a regular basis and that means there are often leftovers in our refrigerator. This super simple vegan fried rice recipe is a great way to use up that leftover rice!
This fabulous Chickpea Tuna Salad recipe is from Straight Up Food's very own Cathy Fisher. Made with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and seasonings, this vegan tuna is going to delight your taste buds!
Chickpea Avocado Salad is by far my favorite vegan sandwich of all time. Something about the flavors of lime, avocado, and cilantro just thrill my taste buds.
This amazing vegan BBQ made with soy curls is so delicious and perfect for summertime festivities and the Fourth of July because it delivers a smoky, savory flavor that rivals traditional BBQ, pleasing both vegans and meat-eaters! Use the quick-cooking method for under 30 minutes.
This Vegan Egg Salad is super simple to make without even needing to boil or peel eggs. Great for lunch, dinner, and picnics!
Cucumber Sandwiches are perfect for appetizers, luncheons, bridal or baby showers, picnics, and even just for a healthy meal. They are fresh, light, and so delicious!
If you’re looking for a quick lunch or appetizer, this recipe for vegan garden pinwheels from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine will do the trick.
This delicious vegan Miso Soup is chock full of wholesome ingredients and can be on the dinner table in about 20-minutes flat!
Tired of a boring sandwich? Let me help you fix that with this Ultimate Veggie Hummus Sandwich that is piled high with crunchy vegetables and creamy hummus and can be ready in 15 minutes or less.
This Tofu Stir Fry with Sweet Ginger Sesame Sauce glazed over seared tofu and veggies is an easy stir fry that will make the whole family rush to the table.
These simple 15-minute Veggie Bowl Recipes are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner in a hurry. Different variations can even be prepared ahead of time to eat throughout the week when you don’t have time to meal plan.
This Udon Noodle Stir Fry with veggies is delicious! The noodles have a naturally sweet flavor that requires very little extra seasoning.
This Kale Quinoa Salad with orange miso citrus dressing is crazy delicious and so easy to make.
These super-simple English Muffin Pizzas are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a snack. They are versatile for even the pickiest of eaters, including the kids!
When I need a quick crowd-pleasing dish that doesn’t require any cooking, my first go-to is this simple Black Bean and Corn Salad recipe.
This vegan broccoli salad is so creamy and light, even broccoli haters will like it. Broccoli slaw salad lovers will never realize it has a fraction of the fat and calories of the traditional recipe they are used to.
This Mexican kale salad is so good because it’s packed with bold, zesty flavors from fresh ingredients like salsa, lemon, and cilantro, making it a delicious and nutritious twist on a classic salad. With hearty kale as the base, it’s both satisfying and full of vibrant textures.
Cucumber tomato salad is one of the most popular summer salads and with good reason. It’s light, refreshing, and the perfect side dish for any meal.
Creamy, rich, and hearty, this delicious Vegan Mushroom Soup is healthy and bursting with flavor!
I love soup for so many reasons! Not only is it easy to make and super filling, but it reheats and freezes well too. This barley vegetable soup recipe is also super healthy and loaded with wholesome ingredients. It can be a one-pot recipe for the stovetop or even made in a slow cooker.
Thick, juicy, tender, and hearty, these are the ribeyes of veggie burgers! Grilled or baked in the oven, you can’t go wrong with a vegan Portobello Mushroom Burger.
Many people have never even heard of chickpea burgers, and that needs to change. These easy and delicious Chickpea Burgers are a great veggie burger option.
These Garden Spring Rolls are one of our favorite recipes. Add a big bowl of steamed rice, and we’ve got dinner!
I believe my love of creamy potato soup developed in childhood. It’s deep-rooted comfort food for me. Even now, it doesn’t have to be cold outside. We eat the vegan potato soup recipe year-round.
It’s so easy to make these Stir Fry Veggies, and they can be on the dinner table in less than 30-minutes. This dish is simple and very versatile since you can use whichever vegetables you happen to have on hand.
Any given Saturday morning is likely to be a vegan pancake morning at my house with these delicious banana oat flour pancakes. They are light and fluffy, sugar-free, and gluten-free!
Weekend mornings we have certain breakfasts that we love, and Smoked Tempeh Breakfast Sandwich is a favorite vegan breakfast sandwich for us.
These vegan waffles are healthy, gluten-free, and delicious! They are light and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
If you need a fast, easy, filling breakfast that will hold you for hours, look no further! In only 10-minutes, you’ve got an ultimate waffle potato. Or any meal really.
On weekends, this amazing tofu breakfast scramble is one of our favorite vegan breakfast options that we eat on a regular basis.
Hash browns are one of my favorites! One thing I really love is making them in a waffle iron, quesadilla maker, or panini press because it cooks both sides at one time. No flipping required!
Grits are a delicious and nutritious breakfast that can be ready to eat in minutes. Making healthy grits is all determined by how they are seasoned, so let me show you some awesomely flavorful options.
These easy breakfast potatoes make a savory and hearty breakfast that the entire family will enjoy and even be begging for more!
This vegan chocolate pie recipe can be made in less than 15 minutes flat, with only 5 ingredients that you're likely to already have on-hand. And it's so unbelievably creamy and sweet!
So easy to make and absolutely delicious, these Air Fryer Banana Boats can even be made in your oven, on the grill, or over a campfire.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of lazy vegan recipes and found plenty of inspiration to whip up quick, healthy meals for your family. These recipes make plant-based eating effortless and delicious!
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
