5 Vegan and Vegetarian Cookbooks Even Meat-Eaters Will Love
In recent years, vegan and vegetarian food has kind of had a rebrand. But seriously, plant-based dishes aren’t just for vegans and vegetarians anymore. Anyone can enjoy them just as they would any other cuisine. It’s also a great way to try something new and get your veggies in at the same time. Looking to cook some delicious vegan and vegetarian treats? Here are the best vegan and vegetarian cookbooks that omnivores will appreciate.

Best vegan and vegetarian cookbooks
Love Is Served: Inspired Plant-Based Recipes from Southern California by Seizan Dreux Ellis: This cookbook features recipes from Southern California’s famed Cafe Gratitude restaurants. With dishes named for affirmations including I Am Open Hearted, I Am Fearless and I Am Starving, (I’m kidding!), this staple for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike is known for its delicious food. At more than 300 pages, reviewers note the recipes are complex and probably best for aspiring home chefs. Still, because the restaurant even appeals to those who aren’t into this type of cuisine, those up for the challenge should expect delicious results.
How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman: However, if you’re looking for an easy vegetarian cookbook, Kam Talebi, CEO of The Butcher’s Tale, tells me How to Cook Everything Vegetarian changed his outlook on vegetarian food many years ago. “The recipes are all simple enough for the average at-home chef but also delicious,” he says. “The author also gives variations on the recipes to keep them vegan but why skip the butter? For anyone considering going vegetarian, or just looking for some simple recipes for themselves, it’s a great read with easy recipes you’ll find yourself cooking for years.” With 832 pages, “everything” may be quite literal.
Your Super Life: 100+ Delicious, Plant-Based Recipes Made With Nature’s Most Powerful Superfoods by Michael Kuech and Kristel de Groot: If you’re into health and a big fan of superfoods, you’re going to love Your Super Life. This book is designed to make healthier eating easier. It also includes an explanation of the benefits of specific superfoods as well as helpful shopping lists. One of the best things about this book is there’s an entire section on breakfast as well as multiple sections on snacks. Who doesn’t love a healthy snack? There are also lots of delicious smoothies. Packed with information, it’s also worth noting the simplicity of the recipes and directions.
Bad Manners: The Official Cookbook: Eat Like You Give a F*ck by Michelle Davis and Matt Holloway: If you want to cook vegan on a budget and have a sense of humor, this cookbook is for you. Food blogger Tara Orcutt highly recommends it. “In order to teach everyone how to take control of their plates and prepare some proper food, Bad Manners launched their massively successful website,” she tells me. “Their debut cookbook has grown to become a must in every kitchen and is now adored by millions. For novice cooks to home chefs, it provides more than 100 recipes for their favorite meals, snacks, and sides. Also, this cookbook provides you with all the knowledge and skills required to buy on a budget and gain confidence in the kitchen.”
The Friendly Vegan Cookbook by Toni Okamoto and Michelle Cehn: If vegan comfort food sounds appealing to you, The Friendly Vegan Cookbook is probably going to be a favorite. “We wanted to create the perfect inviting cookbook that even the most staunch meat lovers would find comfort in,” Cehn tells me. “It’s packed with familiar favorites like Stuffed Shells and Fettuccini Alfredo, vegan staples like Tofu Scramble and Chia Pudding Parfaits, and even nostalgic American favorites like Toaster Pastries (our spin on Pop Tarts) and shockingly simple dairy-free Ice Cream Cake. All are perfected using plant-based ingredients even your grandma can recognize.”
Purple Carrot: Technically not a cookbook but a meal kit delivery service, Purple Carrot is a smart choice for anyone looking to eat more plant-based meals and expand their repertoire. Like similar services, you’re sent pre-portioned ingredients for each recipe along with a book. I recently tried this and was impressed with not only how delicious the meals were but also how easy they were to make. If you get intimated cooking new dishes, Purple Carrot is worth exploring.