The 8 Best Vegan Cookbooks, Tailored to Your Priorities
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It is both fun and feel-good to enjoy a heaping plate of nourishing, flavorful plant-based food. It doesn’t matter whether the motivation is health, craving, planet, animals, eating local, or anything else: it’s just a joy when done right. And to that end, it’s nice to have exceptional vegan cookbooks on-hand to instruct and inspire. This post features the most highly-rated vegan cookbooks, and focuses on those with many reviews to ensure they check the ‘tried and true’ box.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook seeking plant-based inspiration, a beginner looking to learn the basics, or a gift giver in search of the perfect present, there’s a cookbook here for you. From budget-friendly to roll-your-sleeves-up-and-make-vegan-meat-from-scratch, any plant-based dish is possible with the help of these talented and passionate authors.
Summary of the Best Vegan Cookbooks
Best for vegan recipes that use 5 ingredients or fewer:
Best vegan cookbook for budget-friendly recipes:
Best for easy, oil-free recipes (NYT Bestseller):
Best for vegan instant pot recipes that don’t skimp on flavor:
Best for *mostly* gluten-free recipes from a beloved food blogger:
Best for Korean food and heart-warming stories:
Best for feel-good, measurement-free recipes:
Best for making vegan staples from scratch:
A Detailed Review of The Best Vegan Cookbooks
The cookbooks in this curated list are organized approximately by effort and skill required. So you’ll find the best vegan cookbooks for beginners towards the beginning, and those with more advanced or complicated recipes towards the end. The pros and cons for each cookbook are based on an analysis of Amazon reviews.
1. Five Ingredient Vegan
Katy Beskow
Overview: From Katy Beskow (best-selling author of 11 different vegan cookbooks!) comes Five Ingredient Vegan. It features 100 simple, approachable recipes that each use 5 ingredients or fewer. So if you’re new to vegan cooking, this book features easy-to-find ingredients and is sprinkled with helpful tips throughout.
Pros: Reviewers love how quick, simple, and easy – but still delicious – the recipes are, and that all required ingredients are readily available and not too expensive. Several people note that it makes the daunting task of going vegan, or just trying to eat more plants, much easier.
Cons: If you’re a seasoned cook, this cookbook is likely too basic for you. Some recipes may also benefit from a little sprucing up, as the 5-ingredient limit can leave some dishes in need of a flavor boost.
I have been enjoying this book for its quick and easy recipes. I am very busy, living on a tight budget, and new to veganism. This book has been an accessible and handy guide for inexpensive weeknight meals that are surprisingly tasty, too. The creamy mushroom pasta was heavenly! I’d recommend it for new vegans or anyone looking to supplement their omnivore diet with budget-friendly plant-based meals.
Sarah (Amazon reviewer)
2. Plant-Based on a Budget
Toni Okamoto
Overview: For anyone looking to eat plant-based without breaking the bank (or spending a ton of time cooking), Toni Okamoto’s Plant-Based on a Budget is the perfect option. The subtitle says it all, “Delicious Vegan Recipes for Under $30 a Week, in Less Than 30 Minutes a Meal.” This book is living proof that plant-based cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive!
Pros: Reviewers love these approachable, clear, easy-to-follow recipes. The ingredients called for are easy-to-find and, as promised, affordable, and the author offers various ideas for saving money throughout. People love that the author offers a “my tips” section with blank lines at the end of each recipe, enabling readers to easily add their own notes.
Cons: Some complain that the recipes in this cookbook are overly simplistic and lack creativity. (Oft-cited is the Avocado Bagel, because it’s such an intuitive thing to make and may not warrant a recipe.) Many of the recipes contain canola oil, which is a turn off for some reviewers.
Side Note: This cookbook is quite heavy on soup recipes, which could be a pro or con depending on your soup stance.
I have way too many cookbooks, mostly vegan/vegetarian, but am only compelled to write reviews for some of them. While I love to spend an afternoon buying unique ingredients from various ethnic stores followed by more hours in the kitchen making my own bread/tortillas, sauces, desserts, etc., medical school has greatly limited my free time to grocery shop and prepare healthy meals. This book has been a godsend to help me prepare simple, healthy, delicious meals, usually with ingredients I already have on hand, in a timely manner. Many of the recipes seem basic, but then surprise my husband and me with how they end up being more than the sum of their parts.
CC (Amazon reviewer)
3. PlantYou
Carleigh Bodrug
Overview: PlantYou is the debut cookbook from plant-based Instagram sensation Carleigh Bodrug. Widely praised for recipes that are delicious and well-organized, PlantYou is the perfect vegan cookbook for those seeking ease. Its 140+ recipes are all oil-free, brilliantly laid out, and span meal times, sauces, dressings, desserts, and more.
Pros: “Easy” and “delicious” are the words that come up again and again in reviews. Reviewers also rave about the layout of this book, which is unique in that each recipe features little images of all required ingredients, which is helpful for those of us who love a visual in addition to a list. People also appreciate that the ingredients are simple and easy-to-find.
Cons: Some reviewers complain that the recipes lack originality and creativity, and that they may be too basic unless you’re a beginner to cooking in general or to vegan cooking. Others find that some of the recipes lack flavor, so know that you may need to add additional spices and seasoning to some of these recipes to give them some extra oomph.
I started reading this book this morning. Oh my it’s beautifully written and well organized. I never thought about buying this type of book since I am a meat and potato gal but changes are needed in my life. I have read a few books but I lose interest after the first couple of pages. THIS book has kept my interest with colorful pictures and simple, down to earth recipes. Carleigh is down to earth as well. Thank you for creating this book.
Julie (Amazon reviewer)
4. The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook
Nisha Vora
Overview: If you’re familiar with Rainbow Plant Life, then you might know Nisha Vora. She is a powerhouse plant-based recipe author known for her vibrant creations, and Vegan Instant Pot is her debut cookbook. Filled with 90+ wholesome, easy, but still-super-flavorful recipes, it is sure to delight the convenience-oriented cook with high standards.
Pros: Nisha’s recipes are unique and interesting, and reviewers love the feeling of cooking something truly new. Even those who tend to let their cookbooks collect dust use this one frequently. The recipes are loved for offering not only great flavor but also, thanks to the Instant Pot, minimal clean up. The best of both worlds.
Cons: Some reviewers find the recipes salt heavy, so be mindful of that. There may also be instances where recipes call for an ingredient that then doesn’t appear in the directions, so reviewers recommend reading the recipe all the way through before starting to cook.
I absolutely adore this cookbook. I am a chef by profession and I almost never use cookbooks but I’m a new user to the instant pot (and a mom short on time these days) so investing in this particular cookbook seemed like a given. I am so happy that I did! I have owned it maybe a month and have made SO many things (easy dal, corn chowder, sweet potatoes with cashew sriracha sauce, almond curry, tempeh chili, frijoles, lentil Shepard’s pie, the west African peanut stew (which only dish I didn’t really love) but Nisha has included SO many delicious recipes I honestly have been trying a new recipe almost daily and am incredibly impressed. I can’t put it down- it’s my new go to for dinner & lunch prep ideas. The recipes are hearty, nutritious, and so satisfying. This is one of those MUST own cookbooks.
Jennfer (Amazon reviewer)
5. Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking
Dana Shultz
Overview: Minimalist Baker is among the most popular *largely vegan* food blogs out there, known for its A+ recipes and user-friendly interface. And now we have the Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking cookbook from the founder of the blog, Dana Shultz! With 101 completely plant-based and mostly gluten-free recipes, this cookbook shares easy dishes that: require 10 or fewer ingredients, can be made in a single bowl, or take 30 minutes (or less) to prepare. It’s full of entrees, breakfasts, sauces, and more, and goes well beyond just baking.
Pros: Reviewers just love these recipes! Much like they do from the Minimalist Baker blog. The “resources” section of the book, which teaches you basics like how to make a flax egg, is beloved. Several people remark that because they follow the blog, they thought the cookbook might be redundant, but after buying it they find the two resources to be complementary. People also rave about the gorgeous food photography.
Cons: Some reviewers complain that the recipes in this book are too complex to really be considered ‘minimalist.’ Relatedly, some suggest that they’re not as quick and easy as one might be led to believe and tend to require more time and effort than is suggested in the recipe descriptions. Those who take ‘baker’ in the title too literally may be disappointed that this cookbook is not baking-focused. Finally, the font in this book is courier (type writer style) and somewhat small, so some people find the readability to be a sticking point.
Awesome cookbook for fail-proof and easy cooking. I have followed Minimalist Baker online for a couple years and the recipes NEVER fail, always yummy. That’s a tough bill to fill, especially since cooking vegan and gluten-free has its hiccups. How wonderful to finally have a hard copy that I can flip through for inspiration in addition to her website/blog/emails. I believe that a good cookbook should have photos for each recipe given and this one does not disappoint. Enjoy this book in your cookbook collection. I certainly do.
SC (Amazon reviewer)
6. The Korean Vegan Cookbook
Joanne Lee Molinaro
Overview: An instant New York Times best seller and named one of the best cookbooks of the year by Epicurious, The Vegan Korean Cookbook is as much a work of culinary art as of storytelling. In it, author Joanne Lee Molinaro shares fully plant-based, off-the-charts flavorful Korean recipes. You will learn to make Korean Pear Salad, Pecan Paht Pie, and Omma’s BBQ sauce, while being engrossed in rich stories of family, love, and food. The stunning photography in this book also lends itself to gift giving.
Pros: Many reviewers mention having given this cookbook as a gift and the warm, enthusiastic reception it gets. Those who use it themselves find it well-written, easy-to-follow, and full of flavorful recipes. The storytelling around family history, culture, love, and being an immigrant are widely appreciated.
Cons: Reviewers note that the ingredients (e.g. perilla leaves, lions mane mushrooms, multiple types of kimchi) can be hard to find. Some also say that directions and ingredient measurements could be clearer, and take a little finessing to get right. If you’re well-versed in Korean cooking already, you may find the recipes on the more traditional side (minus animal ingredients) and less exciting.
This is a wonderful book filled not only with amazing, delicious recipes, but also beautiful stories of the author’s life and family. I’ve had it for just over two weeks and already cooked 11 recipes from the book. I haven’t been disappointed in any of them! In fact, there have been several that were so good I would’ve bought the book for that recipe alone! It continues to impress! The gamja jorim and the dooboo jorim are fantastic. The bulgogi and the jjajangmyun are a must. Pretty much always make a double batch of muffins, and don’t sleep on that eclair cake!
Danielle (Amazon reviewer)
7. Cooking from the Spirit
Tabitha Brown
Overview: From beloved vegan actress, Emmy-winning host, and social media personality Tabitha Brown comes Cooking from the Spirit. Filled with recipes that are flexible and encouraging, this is the perfect cookbook if you’re looking for inspiration without strict rules. It offers a gentle nudge to not overthink it and just cook!
Pros: Many reviewers adore Tabitha Brown (with good reason), and so it’s easy to love her cookbook because it’s so clearly an expression of her. Her distinct personality and voice shine through! Reviewers who find success with this vegan cookbook are those who embrace the ‘cook from the spirit’ ethos and let themselves let a little loose in the kitchen.
Cons: The number one complaint among reviewers is that some of the recipes offer a list of ingredients but no quantities or measurements. So if you’re a beginner cook or just count on more complete guidance from recipes, this won’t be the cookbook for you. Some also note that many of the recipes call for vegan meat and cheese, when they would prefer more whole food ingredients instead.
Tab has such a down home, warm inviting spirit & it shows in how she cooks. This isn’t an exact measurement recipe book. More like suggested ingredients & you use as much or less as you want. If you’re new to cooking this may be discouraging at first. But experiment & always taste. Then write your particular measurements / adjustments / additions / omissions in the margins making each recipe unique to you.
Ms. Silk (Amazon reviewer)
8. The Homemade Vegan Pantry
Miyoko Schinner
Overview: Author Miyoko Schinner is a pioneer in wholesome vegan cooking and food, and The Homemade Vegan Pantry showcases her vast knowledge and skill in easy-to-understand language. This cookbook is perfect for those who love the process of cooking, and the gratification of making things truly from scratch. From meat and dairy to condiments and desserts – and lots in between – this cookbook will guide cooks of any skill level through the process of handcrafting the basics.
Pros: Above all, reviews rave about the excellent recipes and the joy of eating something homemade, fresh, and clean. Many also note that making these basics oneself means big cost savings compared to buying their pre-made counterparts in-store. People RAVE about the mayo, butter, and ribs (and most everything else – though those three come up frequently). Admiration for Miyoko and her craft come through clearly in reviews.
Cons: The tradeoff for from-scratch cooking and eating is the major time investment. Some reviewers add that the recipes in this cookbook are for meal components rather than full meals, so even once you’re done cooking you may still not have a meal yet. Note that the meats are typically made with seitan, so may disappoint those seeking gluten-free options.
An essential. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to cook and wants to reduce cost and packaging for a vegan diet. Miyoko does a great job not just helping you make pantry essentials from scratch, but also telling you what to do with… the drained, mashed soybean paste left over from soymilk. Nothing goes to waste in this book. Not an “easy, quick” book by any means, but a mindful book full of recipes that leave you with a great sense of satisfaction upon completion.
Rowan (Amazon reviewer)
What’s your favorite vegan cookbook?
Let me know in the comments below!
