Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)
Smooth Turkish red lentil soup with vegetables and lemon
What vegan means, and what it does not automatically imply
A vegan recipe is made without meat, fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs and other animal-derived ingredients. In everyday cooking, the practical challenge is that animal products are used in different roles: eggs set custards and bind batters; dairy adds richness and browning; gelatine sets some desserts; and cheese can be both seasoning and structure.
Vegan also does not automatically mean a recipe is free from other allergens such as nuts, sesame, soy or gluten. Many vegan staples rely on these ingredients for protein and texture. Treat vegan as one clear boundary, then make separate decisions for any additional needs in your kitchen.
Top picks in Vegan
Arabic Cardamom Coffee (Gahwa)
Arabic coffee gently brewed with green cardamom
Nimbu Pani (Indian Lemonade)
Indian lemonade with lemon juice, black salt and roasted cumin
Arroz de Tomate (Portuguese Tomato Rice)
Portuguese tomato rice simmered with onion, garlic and stock
Arroz Caldoso (Spanish Brothy Rice)
Spanish brothy rice cooked in saffron stock with tomato sofrito
Salade de Lentilles du Puy (French Lentil Salad with Mustard Dressing)
Warm French lentil salad with mustard dressing, shallot and parsley
Choose vegan recipes by the job the animal ingredient used to do
When you are selecting vegan recipes, it helps to think about what would otherwise be doing the heavy lifting. For creamy textures, look for recipes built around blended vegetables, pulses, coconut, or plant-based creams, rather than those that simply omit dairy. For baking, notice whether the recipe depends on eggs for lift and structure, or whether it is closer to a quick bread or biscuit where other binders can work.
For savoury depth, many vegan dishes lean on slow-cooked onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, fermented ingredients and toasted spices. If you want a cheese-like finish, some recipes use nut or seed bases, while others rely on sharpness and salt from ingredients such as pickles, capers or olives. The best fit depends on the dish, not on a single universal substitute.
All recipes in Vegan
Loubia (Moroccan White Bean Stew)
Moroccan white bean stew in a tomato sauce with cumin
Harira (Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup)
Moroccan lentil and chickpea soup with tomatoes and coriander
Passion Fruit Juice (Fresh Tropical Juice)
Strained passion fruit juice with lime, caster sugar and ice
Mango Salad with Black Beans, Sweetcorn and Lime
Mango salad with black beans, sweetcorn and lime
Lemongrass Iced Tea
Iced black tea infused with lemongrass and sweetened
Oksusu-cha (Korean Corn Tea)
Korean corn tea simmered from toasted sweetcorn kernels
Kongnamul Muchim (Korean Seasoned Soybean Sprouts)
Blanched soybean sprouts tossed with soy sauce and sesame
Sweet Soy Braised Tofu (Hong Shao Tofu)
Pan-fried tofu braised in a glossy sweet soy sauce
Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Tea) with Lime
Chilled hibiscus tea drink sweetened and finished with lime
Genmaicha (Roasted Rice Green Tea)
Japanese green tea blended with toasted rice
Kompot z Suszu (Polish Dried Fruit Drink)
Polish dried fruit drink simmered with spices, served warm or chilled
Aquavit-Style Spiced Spirit (Caraway, Dill and Lemon)
Spiced vodka infused with caraway, dill seed, fennel and lemon
Label checks for packaged foods and “accidental” animal ingredients
Vegan suitability often hinges on packaged ingredients. Check labels for milk powders, whey, casein, egg, gelatine, honey and animal-derived colourings or flavourings, which can appear in sweets, crisps, sauces and bread products. Because formulations change, it is worth checking even familiar brands.
A vegan label also does not guarantee suitability for allergies. If you are avoiding allergens such as nuts, sesame or soy, read the full ingredient list and consider cross-contact statements where relevant to your household.
Where to look next
Ingredient pages can help you compare plant-based alternatives, such as different milks, creams and egg replacers, because they behave differently in sauces, baking and desserts. Allergen guidance is also a sensible next step if you need vegan recipes that are additionally mindful of nuts, sesame, soy or other common allergens.
Air Fryer Thai Chicken Satay Skewers
Air-fried chicken satay skewers with coconut marinade and peanut sauce.
Linseneintopf (German Lentil Stew)
German lentil stew with root vegetables, bacon and sausage
Glühwein (German Mulled Wine with Orange and Spices)
German mulled wine with orange and warming spices
One-Pan Baked Gnocchi
One-pan gnocchi baked in tomato sauce with mozzarella
Eggs
Lentilles du Puy with Poached Egg and Dijon Dressing
Warm Puy lentils with poached egg and Dijon dressing
Fish
Sole à la Normande (Sole with Cream and Mussels)
Poached sole with mussels in a creamy white wine sauce
Milk
Chopped Greek-American Salad with Pepperoncini
Chopped romaine salad with feta, olives and pepperoncini
Eggs
Millefoglie con Crema Pasticcera (Italian Mille-Feuille)
Crisp puff pastry layered with vanilla custard
Frequently asked questions
Is vegan the same as dairy-free?
No. Vegan avoids all animal-derived ingredients, including eggs and honey, not just dairy. A dairy-free recipe may still contain eggs, fish or meat.
Do vegan recipes contain honey?
Typically no. Honey is animal-derived, so it is usually excluded in vegan cooking. Check labels on dressings, granola and baked goods where honey is sometimes used.
What are common non-obvious animal ingredients to watch for?
Whey and milk powders, casein, egg in pasta or baked goods, gelatine in some desserts and sweets, and butter used for finishing are common examples.
Can I swap cow’s milk for any plant milk in a recipe?
Not always. Some plant milks are sweeter, thinner or more prone to splitting. For cooking, choose a plant milk that suits the job, and be cautious with flavoured or sweetened versions.
How do I replace eggs in baking?
It depends on the role of the egg. Some recipes use flax or chia “eggs” for binding, others use aquafaba for foaming, and some rely on baking powder and the right batter balance. It is often easiest to choose a recipe developed to be vegan rather than converting an egg-heavy bake.
Are vegan recipes automatically nut-free?
No. Nuts and seeds are common in vegan cooking for richness and protein. If you need to avoid nuts, treat that as a separate check.
Start with clear ingredients, then choose the right substitute
Vegan cooking is most reliable when the recipe is built around plant ingredients from the start, with substitutions chosen for function: setting, binding, emulsifying or adding richness. Keep label-checking in the routine, especially for packaged foods and finishing touches.
