Just 22 Nutritious And Simple Recipes To Make If You're Trying To Eat Less Meat In 2022

Vegan or not — anyone could get behind these recipes.

2021 has officially come and gone — so you owe it to yourself to start 2022 on the most delicious note possible. 🥳

If you're looking to decrease your meat consumption in 2022, or remove it from your diet entirely, these scrumptious recipes (that just so happen to be 100% plant-based) will do the trick. 

We've got everything from simple, nutritious breakfasts to hearty, family-friendly dinners...and even some ridiculously easy lunches to meal prep in advance. No matter what you cook from this list, you truly can't go wrong.

1. Protein-Packed Roasted Vegetable Salad

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If you're looking for a protein-packed lunch that's super easy to throw together, this salad-in-a-jar will hit the spot. It hardly takes any time to put together, and it's jam-packed with delicious roasted veggies and a creamy, hummus-based dressing.

Recipe: Protein-Packed Vegetable Salad | Shop This Recipe

2. Plant-Based Cheeseburger

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Sometimes, a good cheeseburger is just the ultimate. This vegan-friendly version provides all the goodness you've come to love, with none of the meat. For the bit of effort you'll put into making these plant-based patties, you'll be rewarded with a meat-free burger that's so much better than store-bought.

Recipe: Plant-Based Cheeseburger | Shop This Recipe

3. Vegan Banana Pancakes

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For a crowd-pleasing weekend breakfast, banana pancakes are never a bad idea. This vegan-friendly version is easy to whip up and will satisfy everyone in the room — from kids to adults. Top with the fruit of your choice or a generous drizzle of maple syrup...or both.

Recipe: Vegan Banana Pancakes | Shop This Recipe

4. Protein-Packed Chili

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While this hearty, filling chili may be totally vegan-friendly, you won't miss the meat one bit. This recipe makes eight servings, so there's more than enough to feed your entire family (or chill for a solid week's worth of make-ahead lunches).

Recipe: Protein-Packed Chili | Shop This Recipe

5. Frozen Banana Ice Cream

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Banana ice cream (or "nice cream," as some like to call it) deserves a top spot on your must-make list — and this peanut butter version packs in all the flavor, too. All you need is a blender and three ingredients to make this simply delicious dessert.

Recipe: Frozen Banana Ice Cream | Shop This Recipe

6. Green Bean Caesar Salad With Zesty Torn Croutons

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For a quick, make-ahead lunch (while working from home or the office), there's nothing better than a Caesar salad. This amped-up version includes the easiest homemade croutons ever, plus plenty of green beans for a delightfully unexpected crunch. Making this salad 100% plant-based is as easy as omitting the shaved Parm — it'll still be totally delicious.

Recipe: Green Bean Caesar Salad With Zesty Torn Croutons | Shop This Recipe

7. Avocado Quinoa Power Salad

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Power through your day with this bright, veggie-packed quinoa salad. This recipe makes six servings, which makes it the perfect salad to throw together at the top of the week and devour when lunchtime rolls around. The longer it sits, the more delicious it gets.

Recipe: Avocado Quinoa Power Salad | Shop This Recipe

8. Chickpea Salad Sandwich

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This flavor-packed sandwich might just turn you into the world's biggest fan of chickpeas. The creamy chickpea salad is easily stored in the fridge for up to five days, so you can quickly assemble this hearty, plant-based sandwich whenever your stomach needs it most.

Recipe: Chickpea Salad Sandwich | Shop This Recipe

9. Protein-Packed Buddha Bowl

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A simple, veggie-filled Buddha Bowl is truly an A+ meal idea every single time. This delicious recipe packs in a whole lot of goodness with textures galore: from creamy avocado to the crispiest roasted chickpeas.

Recipe: Protein-Packed Buddha Bowl | Shop This Recipe

10. Slow Cooker Coconut Curry

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There's nothing better than a warm meal after a long day. This coconut curry — made entirely in your trusty slow cooker — will be ready to soothe your soul whenever you want it.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Coconut Curry | Shop This Recipe

11. Farro Lentil Salad

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Farro is an underrated grain, but it's nutty and delicious. This veggie-packed salad proves that tenfold. It can be stored in the fridge for up to five days, so feel free to make a big batch during your weekly meal prep session.

Recipe: Farro Lentil Salad | Shop This Recipe

12. Eggplant Potato Tomato Stew

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A delicious stew is the only sure-fire way to cure those winter blues. This hearty, veggie-focused version packs in all the eggplant, tomato, and potatoes your heart could ever desire.

Recipe: Eggplant Potato Tomato Stew | Shop This Recipe

13. Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

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Avocado lovers (I know you're all out there) — this one is for you. This salad is bursting with a wide array of textures and flavors, from creamy avocado to crunchy cucumbers...and even a subtle bite from thinly sliced red onion.

Recipe: Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad | Shop This Recipe

14. Chinese Takeout-Style Tofu and Broccoli

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The deliciousness (and convenience) of takeout isn't something to be argued with, but this quick and easy stir-fry can be made in a fraction of the time it would take to order delivery, anyway. Plus, everything comes together in just one skillet, which means cleanup is a total breeze.

Recipe: Chinese Takeout-Style Tofu and Broccoli | Shop This Recipe

15. Easy Vegan Pasta Salad

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Pasta salad is a totally delicious meal any time of year — you don't have to wait until summer to make this one! Chickpeas, carrots, tomatoes, and broccoli florets make up this scrumptious, easy-to-pack meal.

Recipe: Easy Vegan Pasta Salad | Shop This Recipe

16. Miso-Glazed Tofu and Noodle Salad

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This miso-glazed tofu and noodle dish is oh so delicious, and the perfect plant-based dish to serve dinner guests or your own family. Packed with chewy rice vermicelli and sticky-sweet tofu, these noodles will please just about any crowd.

Recipe: Miso-Glazed Tofu and Noodle Salad | Shop This Recipe

17. Veggie Garlic Noodles

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This garlic noodle recipe is seriously easy to put together and packs in all the veggies. After you try it, it just might become a staple in your weekly rotation...and for good reason!

Recipe: Veggie Garlic Noodles | Shop This Recipe

18. Vegan Butternut Squash Al Pastor Tacos

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This vegan taco recipe combines sweet pineapple and tender butternut squash for a simple at-home taco night you'll want to recreate again and again.

Recipe: Vegan Butternut Squash Al Pastor Tacos | Shop This Recipe

19. Roasted Chickpea and Avocado Salad

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Salads don't have to be boring — case in point, this one. It brings together crispy chickpeas, zesty lemon, and plenty of avocado for a super-satisfying lunch.

Recipe: Roasted Chickpea and Avocado Salad | Shop This Recipe

20. One-Pot Mexican Quinoa

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With plenty of black beans, corn, and a kick from store-bought salsa, this one-pot Mexican quinoa is as easy to make as it is delicious. It's also simple to pack in a container and bring along with you, no matter where your day takes you.

Recipe: One-Pot Mexican Quinoa | Shop This Recipe

21. Grilled Corn Pasta Salad

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Because the new year hits right in the middle of winter, why not recall warm summer days with this grilled corn and pasta salad? It's ready in under 30 minutes and includes an incredible cilantro-lime vinaigrette. Sign me up!

Recipe: Grilled Corn Pasta Salad | Shop This Recipe

22. Thai Coconut Vegetable Curry

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To round out your new year meals, this flavorful Thai coconut curry will do just the trick. Not only is it ready in under 30 minutes, it also serves up to eight people, so gather your friends around and celebrate the start of the new year with a delicious, warming meal.

Recipe: Thai Coconut Vegetable Curry | Shop This Recipe

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