When I first switched to eating a vegan diet, it was tough. Not easy. I felt like I was giving up so many times, until one day a friend introduced me to a few vegan food blogs. I started making their recipes and doing some experimenting of my own in the kitchen, and in no time at all, I was no longer feeling deprived. Far from it, actually!
I also bought a few vegan cookbooks in the beginning (#3, #7 and #10), because I love cookbooks so much more than just browsing around aimlessly online. I’ve since added a bunch more cookbooks to my collection, and have also checked a few out from the library to help inspire me in the kitchen.
The following are my top 10 favourite vegan cookbooks that I’ve used (listed in no particular order). I recommend them to anyone starting out (or just want some inspiration) with vegan eating. They have been invaluable to a semi-new vegan like me!
1. Thrive Energy Cookbook by Brendan Brazier
150 Functional, Plant-Based Whole Food Recipes
2. The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Andrea Liddon
Vegan Recipes to Glow From the Inside Out
3. Isa Does It by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Amazingly Easy, Wildly Delicious Vegan Recipes for Every Day of the Week
4. Fresh From the Vegan Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson
200 Ultra-Convenient, Super-Tasty, Completely Animal-Free Recipes
5. Let Them Eat Vegan! by Dreena Burton
200 Deliciously Satisfying Plant-Powered Recipes for the Whole Family
6. Vegan Planet, Revised Edition by Robin Robertson
425 Irresistible Recipes with Fantastic Flavors from Home and Around the World
7. The China Study by LeAnne Campbell
Over 120 Whole Food, Plant-Based Recipes
8. The Happy Herbivore by Lindsay S. Nixon
Over 175 Delicious Fat-Free and Low-Fat Vegan Recipes
9. Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook by Kim Barnouin
Crazy Delicious Recipes that Are Good to the Earth and Great for Your Bod
10. The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone
A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight and Saving the Planet
So there you have it, the top 10 vegan cookbooks that have helped me on my vegan journey. There are so many incredible recipes and information in all of these cookbooks, that it would be impossible for me to pick a favourite. I love them all and think that they each provide great value to you, as a reader.
When you start a new way of eating, it can be difficult to come up with new ideas for food. That’s why I think it’s incredibly important to ensure you are surrounded with inspiration, like food blogs and cookbooks. That way you’ll always have some good ideas for meals to try!
Do you have a favourite vegan cookbook? Please share in the comments!
Mylie Warlick says
January 29, 2017 at 1:50 PMJust recently started a vegan diet, and loving it! My issue is my super unhealthy relationship with food, making me want to eat constantly. So, I’ve been trying lots of recipes online in my downtime, but like you, I prefer to browse a book. I came across the cookbook, Thug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F*ck (no really…that’s the name). It has made the transition to veganism so easy!
This post is so helpful, can’t wait to buy some more cookbooks!
Dolores says
April 1, 2017 at 8:08 AMHi Mylie….
I believe most of us who have/have had weight issues can relate to an unhealthy relationship with food. There is more to weight loss management and healthy eating than just buying a cookbook (but it helps a tremendous amount when the foods we eat are healthy and flavorful). A cookbook addresses the healthy aspect of eating but not learned unhealthy eating behaviors. Emotions are inextricably linked to eating, portion control has become exaggerated… and the most important thing, being in touch with your TRUE hunger cues. Many of us have tried dieting as an approach to weight loss but this just desensitized us to our own unique physiological needs and ignore true hunger or eat when we’re not hungry. We hunger at different times, we crave crunch, sweet, creamy at different times….the point is to take charge of your thoughts reaching out for food and connect to your personal hunger cues and let that be your guide. Good book: Intuitive Eating. (in addition to others). I have lost 114 lbs unlearning unhealthy unloving eating behavior that undermine health, understanding the importance of an active lifestyle and eating foods that Dreena (and countless like her) recommends.
Marcia says
October 14, 2016 at 8:13 PMThank you for all your suggestions! I’m familiar with a number of them but there are also a few rubies! We recently purchased a Fagor Chef 6-qt. pressure cooker to replace our old, 10-qt. Fagor. What a difference! I use this just about every day and still marvel at how fantastic a job (not to mention FAST) it does, and it’s so much easier than our old one.
All that said, I now needed a new cookbook that catered to our plant-based diet. The cookbook that came with the old one sounded like it was right out of the South and I could her my Mama talking to me when I was reading it. Lots of meat, chicken, lamb, fish, pork, and, and, and. There was also an excess of fat. Oh well, it did a great job cooking bean dishes and a variety of rice dishes. Then it happened…
While perusing the Internet, I came across “Vegan Under Pressure” by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN. It was the perfect book and she is an incredible teacher! I learned so much (and I’m still learning) from her and delight in finding new and different things to cook. She has organized the book in such a way that it makes it a breeze when looking for things. She gave us recipes for making our own spices and all sorts of extra information that I’ve not seen anywhere else. Aaaand, she gives a nod to those that are in love with their Hot Pot vs. those of us who prefer using the stove…in each recipe!
I don’t know if you are at all interested in trying or are already using a pressure cooker, but give this a chance. They have evolved from the one my Mother had that actually blew its top a few times, to the Fagor Chef, which is (currently) the top of the line. Imagine, Kasha in 3 minutes; Quinoa in 5 minutes, Cornmeal, coarse (polenta or grits, mmmm!) in 5 minutes and that’s not even scratching the top of the list. As with all pressure cookers, those times are after they have come to pressure, but that really doesn’t take that long either.
Sorry to write a book, but I’m really enjoying the pressure cooker and of course, the cookbook, Vegan Under Pressure. Give them a chance, you’ll be glad you did!
Marcia (pronounced like Garcia with an M!)
Marcia says
October 14, 2016 at 8:15 PMThat should have read newbies, not rubies! I didn’t realize the computer changed it for me!
Jayda says
April 3, 2016 at 9:28 PMI enjoy “V is for Vegan” by Kerstin Rodgers. She has a unique and creative gourmet twist on a lot of my favorite vegan foods!
Cassie says
April 4, 2016 at 8:21 AMThanks for sharing! I’ll have to check that one out!
Geri says
November 3, 2014 at 11:48 PMLove these recipes! Have you thought about putting together a cookbook using your weekly planner?
Peggi says
August 29, 2014 at 11:05 AMI will have to check out some of these cookbooks. I own the China Study, but not its cookbook. I won’t go completely vegan, but I am a vegetarian and do love many vegan recipes. Thanks for sharing your favorite books.
Cassie says
September 1, 2014 at 8:35 AMThanks, Peggi! There are many tasty vegan recipes out there.