Planning something special for Father’s Day or the Superbowl? Check out these vegan food for dudes recipes!
By Lora O’Brien
A lot of us have been there, wanting to prepare vegan meals for our carnivorous dudes – be they friends, fathers or partners, but we’re too afraid to. Even if they love the idea of vegan food, they often complain: ‘it’s just not filling enough!’ or ‘but meat makes me feel so energised!’ And yeah, we get it – a hearty salad may do us good on a hot summer’s day, but a lot of guys sometimes still feel that they need to have second or even third helpings before they feel really full.
It may seem like a stereotype, but according to the BBC it’s true that men are more likely to be meat eaters than women. They claim that in almost every part of the globe, from Sweden to Australia – there are significantly fewer male vegans and vegetarians. In the US, one survey of 11,000 people found that just 24% of vegans are men. Most men, it seems reluctant to give up the flesh eating.
A a recent University of Illinois study backs that up. They learned that while women turn to chocolate and ice cream when they seek comfort, men often prefer warm, hearty, meat-related comfort foods, such as steak, pies and casseroles.
So, I searched around for traditionally ‘manly’ favourites. Basically, anything involving ‘meaty’ textures, carbs or frying. And guess what? There were plenty of options! They may not be the healthiest dishes on the planet, but I’m thinking these are treats for special occasions, like Father’s Day, birthdays, or weekends in.
Plus, you can always sub gluten free flours for the bread, pasta and pizza, or Xylitol for sugar (use the same proportions).
Without further ado, here is some of the best Vegan Food For Dudes recipes. They’re great for weekend brunches, when you have loads of male friends over for football games, or for when anyone in your household is just really hungry for something that truly hits the spot!
Vegan Food For Dudes: 26 ‘Manly’ Vegan Recipes
1. Spicy Vegan Breakfast Sausages
These have all the same flavour as the typical tube shaped sausages – but are even better! Smoky, crispy on the outside, softer on the inside, and packed with flavour! The biggest difference is that these tempeh-based sausages are actually good for you.
Get the recipe here.
2. Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
Kale. Sweet potatoes. Onions. Tomatoes. Eggy tofu. Herbs. This breakfast has it ALL going on! It’s obviously pretty filling as it is, but why not add some whole wheat toast and some hot coffee to make the best. Breakfast. Ever?
Get the recipe here.
3. Vegan Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
Who knows what vegan men want for breakfast? The Vegan Caveman does! And that would be a a savoury sarnie packed with plant based bacon, eggs and cheese, all (kinda!) held together in a homemade biscuit.
Get the recipe here.
4. Portobello Mushroom Bacon Sarnie
I don’t think I could do a recipe roundup of Vegan Food For Dudes without including something ‘bacon’ based!
The next best thing to bacon (if you’re into that salty, meaty taste) could well be Portobello mushrooms. And if you haven’t yet heard of or used liquid smoke, you should think about investing in some. It gives food that smoky taste that foods like bacon have. Save the pig! Try Portobello. (Hmm…not sure that slogan will catch on…?)
Get the recipe here.
5. Vegan Turkish Pizza
Hands up if you love pizza? Well, I certainly do and I was so thrilled to find this recipe. It looks like it’s packed full of meat, but there’s actually none in it. Yep, that’s right. That topping that looks like spicy ground beef is actually ground mushrooms and walnuts.
Mind blown? Mine definitely is!
Get the recipe here.
6. Mushroom Schnitzel
Yes, I know frying isn’t the healthiest way to cook. But it is possibly the tastiest! And this meaty, hearty ‘schnitzel’ can be made even tastier with some nice mashed potatoes (recipe below)…or if you want to go a bit healthier, mashed sweet potatoes. Add a salad, and voila!
Get the recipe here.
7. The Best Damn Vegan Mashed Potatoes
It’s a universal favourite, and a delicious comfort food. But mashed potatoes usually include a motherload of butter, milk or cream…thankfully, they’re easy to make vegan!
Get the recipe here.
8. Beer & Cheddar ‘Cheese’ Bread Bowl Dip
Got friends coming over? This dish is for sharing! It’s loaded with a tangy vegan cheddar cheese that is better than the real thing. All you need to do is rip off some chunks of bread and get in there!
Get the recipe here.
9. Gluten Free Vegan Mac’n’Cheese
Vegan Food For Dudes couldn’t leave out this comforting classic! This recipe looks so good, so creamy…and yet it’s gluten and dairy free! How is that even possible? Well, the Minimalist Baker has used garlic, nutritional yeast and olive oil to make this amazing creation.
Get the recipe here.
10. Vegan Reuben Sandwich
Don’t be put off by the fact this is not a strictly vegan recipe. A quick switch to vegan cheese (you can buy it online here or learn to make it here) and you’re good to go! Treat the man in your life to a delicious vegan take on the salty, crunchy, meaty Reuben sandwich – he’ll love it even more if you add some sweet potato fries to accompany it.
11. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich with Avocado Slaw
I’ve mentioned before the wondrous ways in which jackfruit can be used to replicate a vegan-friendly pulled pork, and this recipe is a great example. The base is a delicious and creamy avocado slaw, which adds some nice moisture to the sarnie.
12. Curried Carrot Chickpea Chia Burgers
This curried carrot and chickpea burger looks like something you’d get served in a fancy gastropub, am I right? Vegan burgers can be a little ‘same old’, so these curried ones are great if you’re looking to cook up something new.
Serve them with some vegetable crisps to make the plate even heartier.
13. Vegan ‘Meat’ Loaf
Let’s face it: vegan meatloaf doesn’t have the best reputation, thanks to hippies trying to pull a bone dry nut-and-breadcrumb mash off as something tasty. But I really think it’s time we change that!
When you’re vegan, sometimes you want something to serve up for a Sunday style dinner, and nut loaf is perfect. Plus it’s packed full of so much good stuff! Accompany it with some roasted ‘taters, heaps of veg and some vegan gravy to replicate that traditional roast.
Get the recipe here.
14. Easy Coconut Curry
Here in the UK, if you ask just about any guy what he’d like to order in on a Friday night, he’ll answer: ‘curry’! This one is so fast, you’ll have it ready practically before he finds the takeaway menu and picks up the phone.
This is super easy to make, and involves ingredients that almost everyone has on hand at any given time: potatoes, peas, lime, and chickpeas, for example. But you can also throw in whatever veggies you like!
Boil up some brown or jasmine rice and add a few threads of saffron, and you have yourself a meal in a bowl!
Get the recipe here.
15. Vegan Lasagna
How could we create a list without one of these? Italians, you may want to look away right now: this contains no ricotta or other cheese, just tofu. But you’d never guess it, it’s so damn delicious!
Get the recipe here.
16. Two Bite Vegan Baked Potatoes
Not only do these look the bomb, but they taste delicious, too, since there are myriad flavours and textures to keep the tastebuds happy. You could cook these up and serve them as either a starter, a side dish or even just as a little snack.
Get the recipe here.
17. Sesame Crusted Tofu with Nuoc Cham
For those who love a little Asian flavour, this recipe transforms bland old tofu into something a little more exciting. These little steaks taste a bit like breaded chicken. This recipe does call for an egg to coat the tofu in breadcrumbs, but it’s easy to use an egg replacement instead to make it fully vegan.
18. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Here’s a bit of trivia for you: did you know that Rolling Stone Keith Richard is a master of the Shepherd’s Pie? Apparently, he’s a bit obsessed with his own personal recipe, which we know contains carrots and spring onions, but is otherwise pretty meaty.
Get the recipe here. This version is just as hearty, but way more healthy. There’s another recipe we love that uses sweet potatoes, seen in the main pic. Click here for that.
19. BBQ Cauliflower ‘Chicken Wings’
I wish my local takeaway would deliver something like this! Dishes like this make it so easy to give up meat and go to show just how versatile a vegan diet can be. All you’ll need to go with this is some beer, a dip and a really good movie, and you’ve got the perfect chilled out Sunday evening.
Get the recipe here.
20. Vegan Beer Chili
What’s more macho than a chilli dish with a boozy edge? This beer chilli is a warm, comforting dish and it’s easy to make, too. Cook up a massive pot of this and serve it however you like. Serve over some rice or just straight up in a bowl. Either way, it’s going to go down a real treat. Did I mention it has beer in it?
Get the recipe here.
21. Beer Battered Onion Rings
Take onion rings to the next level this year – try beer battering them! Yeah, I know these are far from healthy, but who doesn’t love an onion ring every now and then?
Get the recipe here.
22. Fully Loaded Vegan Nachos
Sometimes, all you need in life is a beer in one hand, and a heaping bowl of nachos in the other. These shun the beef and cheese for some healthier options, namely jackfruit ‘meat’, but all the texture and Mexican flavour is still here. BTW: I have tried these without the jackfruit, and they’re still the bomb!
Get the recipe here.
23. Vegan Sloppy Joes
Big, messy, filling and tasty – these are the ultimate macho lunch or dinner fare. The meat substitute is basically lentils. Goes amazingly well with a nice, cold beer!
Get the recipe here.
24. Bread & Butter Pudding
Bread and butter pudding may be a bit old fashioned, but it’s still a family favourite in many households, so this is the perfect dish to serve up when surrounded by male kinfolk. You could serve it with a heap of soy ice cream, or even some plant based custard to make it even more decadent!
Get the recipe here.
25. Perfect Pecan Pie
Everything about this recipe makes my mouth water, from the candied pecans to the crunchy crust – and did I mention there’s no nasty corn syrup in this? I’d serve a huge wedge of this up with some dairy free ice cream. You won’t be able to stop people coming back for seconds!
Get the recipe here.
26. Vegan Waffles
This is a pretty basic dish that you can switch up in so many ways. Once you’ve made your waffles, you can truly get creative with the toppings. Fruit lovers could top with fresh berries and even make a really simple compote. Sweet tooth? Maple syrup is always a winner in my eyes.
Get the recipe here.
27. Vegan Apple Pie
Vegan Food For Dudes has to include a hearty dessert, and apple pie is a classic favourite. It just automatically gets people thinking of a visit to a grandparent’s house when the place was perfumed with the scent of baking apples and cinnamon…
Again, you can top this with dairy free ice cream, vegan custard or just enjoy it really hot, on its own.
Get the recipe here.
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Lora O'Brien
Food Editor at Eluxe Magazine
After graduating in Journalism from the University of Greenwich, Lora worked for Sugar and Healing Lifestyles magazines in London before being hired to write about food for Eluxe. She’s recently become a new mom to baby Lulla, and is writing a blog about the experience of being a new mom. See more about Lora here.
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