Whether you’ve opted for a completely plant-based diet, or are simply trying to include more plant-based recipes into your meals, we love seeing you add more plants into your life. But when you first start experimenting with plant-based meals at home, the process of creating flavorful meals can feel a little overwhelming. So we’re here to help you discover just how easy and delicious plant-based cooking can be!
Choose High Quality Ingredients
Any meal is going to be as good as the ingredients you make it with. So when it comes to cooking your own plant-based meals at home, try your best to select seasonal and organic ingredients full of flavor and nutrition.
Don’t Forget About Spices & Seasoning
Adequately seasoning your plant-based meals is essential to making them flavorful and satisfying. Don’t forget that a little salt and pepper can really amplify the flavors in your dish, and don’t be afraid to play around with more flavorful spices like cumin, paprika, cinnamon, red pepper, oregano, and garlic. When used in the right ways, these ingredients can really help bring your flavors to the next level.
Include Pre-Seasoned Plant Based Meal Starters
Adding pre-seasoned meal starters like these jackfruit options is a great way to simplify your plant-based cooking! Simply heat your favorite pre-seasoned meal starter, and use it instead of meat in stuffed peppers, tacos, enchiladas, pulled pork sandwiches, burrito bowls, or anything else you’re craving.
Add A Plant Based Fat Source
Adding a high-quality plant-based fat source like olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, nuts or seeds is one of the best ways to increase the satiety of your plant-based meals, and really enhance the flavor. Because fat amplifies flavor and helps you stay full longer, a few tablespoons of a plant-based fat source in every meal is key!
Pair Complementary Foods Together
Something you will hear often when it comes to plant-based cooking is to consider how complementary foods pair well together in a meal. For example, rice and beans together provide a complete source of protein in a plant-based meal. Similarly, when preparing plant-based meals, consider how you can balance the meal as a whole by including a source of fiber (fruits/vegetables/grains), carbohydrate (grains/beans/fruit/vegetables), fat (olive oil/coconut/nuts/avocado), and protein (beans/quinoa/soy). This will help you create a meal that supports balanced blood sugar, long-term satiety, and improved digestion.
Follow these five simple tips, and you’ll be whipping up nourishing and flavor-rich plant-based meals in no time. When it comes to plant-based cooking, the options are endless so don’t be afraid to experiment with new ingredients (like jackfruit!), spices, and cultural foods. The best way to become a better plant-based home cook is to just keep having fun in the kitchen. Before you know it, you’ll be a master of plant-based cooking—and you’ll feel good knowing that you’re doing something healthy for yourself and the planet.
For more plant-based recipe ideas, head to our recipe page, where there are dozens of plant-based recipes to help inspire you in the kitchen.