The Top 7 Vegetarian Cookbooks

It used to be that any mention of vegetarian cuisine evoked images of raw veggies, basic salads, dull tofu, and plenty (and lots) of beans.

Not any longer! The breadth of plant-based eating is quickly growing as a result of new cooking technology, increased product availability, and an unbelievable amount of shared vegetarian culinary expertise.

Whether you are a seasoned vegetarian, trying out a vegetarian diet for the first time, or simply want to incorporate more veggie-centric meals into your life, this list of our favorite vegetarian cookbooks will undoubtedly teach you a few new recipes and broaden your horizons in the world of plant-based eating.

1. Best Health-Conscious Vegetarian Cookbook: Vegetarian Mediterranean Cookbook: 125+ Simple, Healthy Recipes for Living Well

by Sanaa Abourezk

Abourezk, who is originally from Syria, moved to the United States to study all she could about cooking. She went on to start Sanaas Gourmet, an award-winning Mediterranean restaurant in Sioux Falls, and is now looking to bring her traditional food into homes and kitchens throughout the country. The Vegetarian Mediterranean Cookbook brings together all of Sanaa’s knowledge and authenticity in one place, while also merging two health-focused eating programs into one.

A Peek Inside Vegetarian Mediterranean Cookbook:

The Mediterranean diet seems to be everywhere these days, in headlines, medical publications, and, of course, cookbooks. This selection of vegetarian Mediterranean diet dishes genuinely represents the finest that the area has to offer. This book explores the vast diversity of cuisines and ingredients that comprise the Mediterranean, from eggplant moussaka to Moroccan style vegetable tagine.

The Vegetarian Mediterranean Cookbook is conveniently separated into sections, making it easy to find any dish. The recipes are also created such that regular items are used, eliminating the need for specialist stores or special orders. In the unlikely event that an item is unavailable, Sanaa provides alternative choices to ensure that your dish is a success no matter what! This cookbook has a concentrate on olive oils as well as a handy reference to pesticides and other useful information, in addition to a plethora of vegetarian dishes.

Despite the wealth and beauty of the Mediterranean area, there aren’t many recipe images in this cookbook, so be prepared to use your imagination! However, maybe in an attempt to be healthier, several dishes seem to be low in flavor. Therefore keep in mind that you may need to add your own flavorings to spice things up a little.

Pros:

• In one book, the great health advantages of vegetarianism and Mediterranean cookery are combined.
• Recipes are conveniently organized into easy-to-find categories.
• Recipes are created in such a way that items may be easily obtained from your local market.
• When an ingredient is difficult to find, substitution choices are provided.
• Contains extra useful information and culinary suggestions to make cooking simpler and healthier.

Cons:

• There are no recipe images throughout the book.
• Recipes are often moderately seasoned and may need modification to suit your preferences.

 

2. Best Vegetarian Cookbook for Newbies: How to Cook Everything Vegetarian: Completely Revised Tenth Anniversary Edition

by Mark Bittman

How to Cook Anything Vegetarian was initially released in 2007 and quickly became one of the top vegetarian cookbooks on the market. This tenth anniversary version has been revised to reflect changes in culinary culture, technology, and vegetarianism. Author Mark Bittman is well-known for his thoroughly informative books on cooking (and eating! ), and this title is another in his How to series, giving excellent direction on the ins and outs of vegetarian cookery.

A Peek Inside How to Cook Everything Vegetarian:

This cookbook is encyclopedic in character, with lots of well-organized information, ideas, recipes, and reference material for all things vegetarian, in classic Mark Bittman style. This makes it an ideal guide for anybody who is new to the vegetarian diet or has just dabbled with it. It covers a wide range of topics and culinary methods, enabling the reader to learn as they cook and establish their own tastes.

This version of How to Cook Anything Vegetarian contains stunning new color photography that brings Bittman’s concepts to life while also providing a visual feast. It also contains several vegan recipes, making it a helpful resource for vegan and vegetarian diet followers, as well as those wishing to add more plant-based meals into their diet. You’ll also discover lots of helpful hints and notes along the way, from how to create a fantastic salad to how to spice up a vegetarian burger and even how to make your own tofu!

With all of this information, it’s no surprise that this book is fairly thick (almost 4.5 pounds!) and heavy, making it difficult to use while cooking. Also, this book does not seem to give much direction on the notion of putting a dinner together; rather, it includes a lot of information that is unique to an item or dish, allowing you to pick what fits with what.

Pros:

• An encyclopedic compendium of useful material in a well-organized, structured fashion.
• Includes a wide variety of ingredients, meals, cuisines, and methods.
• Recipes and ingredients are beautifully photographed.
• There are several recipe suggestions, tactics, notes, and variants.
• The inclusion of vegan dishes makes this a fantastic guidebook for vegans!

Cons

• Because of its size and weight, it is difficult to use while cooking.
• It does not provide as much information on how to put together full meals as it does on how to prepare specific ingredients, components, and dishes.

 

3. Best Mexican Vegetarian Cookbook: La Vida Verde: Plant-Based Mexican Cooking with Authentic Flavor 

by Jocelyn Ramirez

Jocelyn Ramirez has a tremendous appreciation for cooking Mexican cuisine because to her Abuela (grandmother!). With La Vida Verde, she transforms classic cuisine into vegetarian contemporary choices while retaining their originality and, of course, taste.

A Peek Inside La Vida Verde:

La Vida Verde is a cookbook that was created to be utilized while cooking. The pages include full-color photographs of each meal, and the book is designed with a binding that enables it to rest flat when open. They may seem to be little matters, but when your hands are full with chile de arbol or fresh tortillas and you need to double-check a measurement or the next step, these minor nuances make a big impact.

With dishes like Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos, Tortilla Soup with Cashew Cream, Hearts of Palm Ceviche, and Mushrooms with Green Mole, this cookbook will undoubtedly fulfill your desires for all of those great Mexican tastes. The dishes are simple to prepare and are ideal for individuals who are new to cooking Mexican cuisine or those looking for some quick weekday meals.

Be aware that certain items may be difficult to get depending on where you live, so be prepared to find your nearest Hispanic grocery shop or make some alternatives. La Vida Verde is also heavy on meat substitute dishes, which, although useful and essential for feeding hungry plant-based diners, may get tedious after a while.

Pros:

• Each recipe has full-color photographs.
• It is simple to use while cooking since it rests flat when open; no placeholder or paperweight is required.
• Vegetarian adaptations of traditional Mexican dishes are available.
• Discover how to create highly convincing meat and dairy product substitutes.
• Recipes that are simple to follow and prepare

Cons

• Certain components may be difficult to locate depending on where you reside.
• There are many recipes that concentrate on making a convincing meat or dairy substitute rather than showcasing the plant-based components themselves.

 

4. Most Approachable Vegetarian Cookbook: The Vegetarian Kitchen: Essential Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

by Prue Leith & Peta Leith

Prue Leith is best known for her stint as a judge on the TV program The Great British Bake Off! As if that weren’t enough, Prue is a talented chef who has launched a Michelin-starred restaurant, founded a catering business, written multiple books, and advocated for better diets in schools throughout her career. Her niece, Peta, who is an outstanding chef in her own right, is her co-author on this cookbook. Peta worked as a pastry chef at London restaurants and bakeries after graduating from the French Culinary School. These aunt and niece team together at The Vegetarian Kitchen, giving a wealth of knowledge to vegetarian chefs and bakers alike.

A Peek Inside The Vegetarian Kitchen:

Prue and Peta made pains to write their cookbook in a relaxed, conversational language that is simple to follownot something you would expect from cooks with as much technical knowledge as these two! The writers manage to keep things light throughout, and you will feel as if you have two pals in the kitchen with you. The recipes are planned with easy shopping in mind, with the ultimate objective of simple, basic vegetarian foods that don’t take too much time or effort to prepare. Vegetable Chili with black beans, Banana Bread with Chocolate, Bread Pudding with Spinach and Goat Cheese, and Roasted Mediterranean Tart are just a few of the delectable dishes. There are even some recipes for you to try your hand at bread making, which is not something you usually find in vegetarian cookbooks!

This book is largely focused on baking and sweets, since one of the two writers is an outstanding pastry chef. And, although there’s nothing wrong with discovering new sweet dishes (there is! ), if you’re searching for additional supper or meal ideas, you may be disappointed. Vegans may have some difficulty using this cookbook since many of the recipes in The Vegetarian Kitchen call for eggs and cheese, although vegan substitutions are provided.

Pros:

• The writing style is fun and cheerful, as if you were cooking with friends!
• Ingredients are readily available.
• The recipes are simple to follow, not too complicated or time demanding.
• Recipes for uncommon products such as bread are included, as well as a variety of dessert alternatives.

Cons

• rather than dinners or meals, baking recipes Desserts make up a big chunk of the cookbook.
• or milk Not suitable for vegetarians, since many recipes include eggs.

 

5. Best Vegetarian Cookbook for Indian Cuisine: Prashad At Home: Indian Cooking From Our Vegetarian Kitchen

by Kaushy Patel

Chef Kaushy Patel and her husband own Prashad, a very popular and award-winning Indian vegetarian restaurant in West Yorkshire, UK. Patel discovered her passion for cooking while growing up on her grandmother’s farm in India, subsequently extending her knowledge to the United Kingdom, where she first founded a deli and then various eateries. Patel, known for her vegetarian dishes with bold spices, makes genuine Indian cuisine accessible to everyone through Prashad at Home.

A Peek Inside Prashad at Home:

While being named after a lively restaurant, this cookbook is far from filled with restaurant fare. Spiced Savory Tapioca, Steamed Dumplings, and lots more warm curry dishes to try are among the easy recipes featured here. Each dish is carefully labeled for several dietary categories, such as vegan, wheat free, onion & garlic free, nut free, or healthy alternatives, to help keep things organized.

Like with any dish from a certain cuisine, you may come across some unfamiliar components, but Patel chooses her ingredients with accessibility in mind and gives plenty of explanation and alternative when an ingredient is difficult to locate. You’ll be delighted to know that most of the meals in this cookbook use the same fundamental set of ingredients, with the goal that after you’ve built your pantry, buying for each recipe will only take a small number of products.

The dishes in Prashad at Home, as you would anticipate, contain strong tastes and hefty seasoning, not necessarily with spice, but always with flavor. If you have a sensitive palate or are uncertain of your tolerance for heat, go low on the spice until you have a feel for it. However, since this cookbook was created and published in the United Kingdom, certain items, phrases, and measures may need some translation and conversion for readers from other countries.

Pros:

• This comprehensive cookbook includes recipes for major courses, basic accompaniments such as rice dishes and chutneys, as well as desserts and snacks.
• Each recipe is properly labeled to ensure compliance with various dietary categories.
• Recipes are developed precisely to employ readily available ingredients while keeping traditional tastes.
• Most meals use the same basic components.

Cons

• Since the recipes include strong tastes and hefty seasoning, if you are not used to spice and heat, start slowly!
• Since this is a UK-published cookbook, certain phrases and measures may need to be translated and converted.

 

6. Most Classic Vegetarian Cookbook: The Moosewood Cookbook: 40th Anniversary Edition 

by Mollie Katzen

Chef Mollie Katzen handwrote and self-published the first Moosewood Cookbook in 1974, never expecting it to become one of the most basic vegetarian cookbooks ever created. Moosewood is now one of the best-selling cookbooks of all time, over a half-century later! This 40th anniversary edition of Katzen’s Moosewood Cookbook is careful to keep the charm of Katzen’s original creation, but with some thoughtful adjustments, new recipes, and ingredient updates.

A Peek Inside The Moosewood Cookbook:

Without a doubt, Katzen’s handwritten style, beautiful illustrations, and general look of this cookbook are appealing. Thumbing through the recipes will leave you feeling as though you’ve stumbled onto someone’s most prized recipe files, finally able to uncover their well hidden culinary secrets. When you turn the pages, traditional foods like Hot Tomato Soup mix with intriguing names like Polenta Pie and Marinated Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli.

The recipes are intended to make family-size portions, and many of them are naturally gluten-free or can be simply changed to fulfill the need. Moreover, many of the recipes will provide a variety of alternative versions you may choose from, based on your particular tastes as well as the items you have on hand. After all, the purpose of cookbooks is to make cooking simpler, not to need you to make numerous excursions to the market!

Moosewood was pioneering when it first came out, but some readers now may believe that the recipes and taste combinations lack novelty or enthusiasm. Remember! This book is approximately 50 years old, long before food television and social media were commonplace. The dishes are tried and true classics, but if you want innovative and fashionable vegetarian cuisine, you won’t find them here. Moreover, the only images in this book are of the hand drawn sort. Extremely adorable! Yet, it is less than useful if you are seeking for a notion of how your completed meal should appear. It’s also worth mentioning that this cookbook is entirely vegetarian. It is not ideal for vegan cookery since it contains animal ingredients such as dairy and eggs.

Pros:

• A genuinely classic cookbook and, perhaps, a must-have resource for any vegetarian kitchen.
• Handwritten recipes and remarks provide a personal touch to this cookbook.
• The recipes are intended to provide family-sized dinners.
• Contains gluten-free recipes as well as ones that are easily gluten-free adapted.
• Many recipes feature many versions to accommodate personal preferences or ingredients.

Cons

• The recipes are a little basic, with a dearth of contemporary cuisine trends and tastes.
• There will be no photographs, just sketches!
• Dairy and eggs are often utilized, making this a poor choice for vegan cookery.

 

7. Best Quick & Easy Vegetarian Cookbook: Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless: 100 Surprising Vegetarian Meals Straight from the Oven

by Raquel Pelzel

Raquel Pelzel, a classically trained pastry chef, has written and co-written several publications and worked for culinary organizations such as Cooks Illustrated, Saveur, and Fine Cooking, to mention a few. They are just a handful of her many honors; her list of achievements is lengthy! Pelzel’s cookbook Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless seeks to make mealtime simpler and quicker for both busy families and single home cooks.

A Peek Inside Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless:

Sheet Pan Suppers Meatless gives vegetarian cuisine a taste of the sheet pan dinners trend by maximizing the utilization of your oven while reducing the work necessary to make a meal. Who can resist recipes with names like No-Boil Mac & Cheese or Roasted Vegetable Lasagna? Despite its title, this book is not entirely about suppers. Quiche with Spinach, Goat Cheese, and Caramelized Onions is one morning choice, and there are also some child (and adult!) friendly snacks like Pizza Twists.

Whatever the dinner, this book is intended for busy individuals who want to be able to slip a nutritious, enjoyable food into the oven with minimum cleaning. Another remarkable aspect is how this cookbook has the potential to broaden your kitchen imagination by forcing you to think about your culinary utensils in whole new ways. Who says spaghetti has to be cooked on the stovetop? When it comes to cooking, there are several methods to get the same result, which is a valuable lesson in and of itself.

Although this cookbook demonstrates that practically everything can be cooked on a sheet pan in the oven, it isn’t always convincing that this is the best approach. Certain recipes, like the I Can’t Believe It’s Mushroom Risotto, need regular stirring and the addition of liquid many times during cooking. Not so simple when you’re constantly moving a hot oven rack in and out. In some circumstances, the ingredient list for a dish seems a little excessive, but this may be part of the price for convenience cooking. Unfortunately, not every recipe is accompanied by a photograph.

Pros:

• Recipes are intended to make the work of preparing a meal quick and easy, with little mess.
• There are recipes for snacks, breakfasts, lunches, and desserts in addition to suppers.
• The cookbook was purposefully intended to be both family friendly and healthful.
• Encourages creativity, out-of-the-box cooking, and will test your knowledge of culinary techniques.

Cons

• Some recipes are more labor involved than others, making them unsuitable for baking on a sheet pan in the oven.
• Some recipes seem to have excessively long ingredient lists.
• Not all recipes have accompanying photographs.

 

Best Vegetarian Cookbooks: The Takeaway

As you can see, it is now simpler than ever to transform plant-based ingredients into imaginative dishes and delectable dinners. There is certainly a cookbook full of vegetarian recipes to meet any set of demands, from easy cooking to nutritious foods to Indian cuisine and beyond.

Several of these vegetarian cookbooks also include wonderful vegan recipes, which is useful if you are not a staunch adherent of one diet or the other, but rather are interested in plant-based cuisine in general. Whatever your regular diet is, any of the options on our list of the best vegetarian cookbooks will have you cooking veggies with confidence in no time.