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Go vegan for 30 days (Veganuary)

Last Modified: December 24, 2022

It will be a brand new year in about a week. Let us begin this year with a splendid Veganuary, shall we?  As cliched as it may sound, I really am wondering how the past year flew by. Having said that, here’s wishing you all a healthful, joyful and prosperous New Year. 

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Easy vegan meal ideas for Veganuary
Try these easy vegan recipes and go vegan for 30 days during Veganuary

The idea of going vegan may be daunting to some and to some, it may be something less delicious and appealing. But believe me when I say that vegan food is definitely not boring.

Every year, I try and go vegan for a few days in a year. Being a yogurt lover, it is very challenging for me to do this round the year. This is my way of giving back to this environment. 

While eating plant based and vegan food comes with a lot of benefits, we should also not forget that it may be a privilege for some of us out there.

With them in mind, may I suggest that you all try going vegan for 30 days with me?

Jump to:
  • What is Veganuary?
  • Plant based vs vegan
  • Meatless for 30 days
  • Vegan Indian food
  • 30 meals for Veganuary
  • Instant Pot Vegan Meals
  • Vegan breakfast ideas
  • Vegan Indian Meals
  • Easy vegan soups
  • Eat more veggies
  • Some Carbs
  • Asian vegan recipes

What is Veganuary?

For the uninitiated, Veganuary is an annual event in which people are encouraged to go vegan for the month of January. Since 2014, this has become quite a trend where thousands of people take part.

Plant based vs vegan

Both these terms are used interchangeably very often. However, they are different in terms of ideologies and principles.

Eating a plant based diet means eating largely foods that are derived from plants. It is also avoiding refined or processed foods. 

Veganism, on the other hand, is adopting a lifestyle in which no animal products or animal derivatives are used. This includes leather, honey and silk too. 

Often people think these are similar. However, that is not the case. 

Meatless for 30 days

As someone who has been an avid vegetarian throughout her life, eating vegan food is not very intimidating, but for the yogurt part (ahem…). 

Vegan Indian food

Did you know that most vegetarian food in India can easily be made vegan-friendly? Try adding some Indian food to your meal plans this January. Since Indian food has lots of flavors and spices, your meals will be tasty and appetizing, as well.

30 meals for Veganuary

Worried that you may not be able to eat only plant based/ vegan food for all the 30 days? Never mind. Take small steps. You can always start with one vegan meal a day.

Here are some delicious vegan recipes that you can try through this month. Most of these are freezer-friendly and ideal for batch cooking. Win-win, right?

Instant Pot Vegan Meals

You all know how much I love my Instant Pot, right? Here are some easy meals that you can whip up in the beloved IP. These are all freezer-friendly too.

Easy sweet potato and chickpeas curry
This one pot sweet potato and chickpeas curry is free from oil. It tastes great with Naan, any flatbread or rice.
Check out this recipe
vegan sweet potato and chickpea curry serve in an asymmetrical bowl placed over a similar asymmetrical deep plate. Kept on a burlap mat against a black backrdrop. Cilantro leaves scattered by the side.
Classic Chana Masala
This popular Indian gravy made with chickpeas is a delight in every bite. Freezer-friendly and gluten-free, you can enjoy this on its own or with a side of Chapatis or Poori.
Check out this recipe
Instant pot channa masala topped with onion rings, a slice of lemon and cilantro leaves in a black bowl. The bowl is placed on a marbled surface. Pooris and a mint pilaf at the back ground. Cilantro strewn all over.
Creamy vegan Dal Makhani
This silky lentil based curry is a splendid addition to any dinner table. Not that you should enjoy it just for dinner, right?
Check out this recipe
instant pot vegan dal makhani served in a black ladled bowl placed on an antique plate. Lemon wedges and onions with cumin rice by the side.
Whole Masoor Dal
Simple, wholesome and hearty brown lentils cooked till soft and mushy. Enjoy this for any meal you prefer. My bet is on hot Parathas and this for breakfast.
Check out this recipe
Instant pot whole masoor dal served with airfryer cauliflower and steamed rice
Zucchini Kootu
A simple South Indian inspired stew, this one features zucchini, coconut milk and moong lentils. Light and refreshing on its own as a soup or delicious with any flatbread of your choice.
Check out this recipe
Instant pot zucchini Kootu served in a wooden bowl placed over a burlap mat. A serving spoon by the side. Curry leaves scattered at the back ground.

Vegan breakfast ideas

We rely on smoothies for breakfast mostly in our house. Here are some delicious breakfast ideas for you to explore-

10 vegan smoothies

Pink Chia Pudding 

Chia pudding with berry compote

Mango coconut overnight oats

Avocado toast

Vegan zucchini bread

Vegan Indian Meals

Like I mentioned earlier, you can easily make most Indian vegetarian dishes vegan. For instance, in many dishes, the only non-vegan component will be ghee.

You can swap ghee with any neutral vegetable oil and the dish will become vegan. The South Indian Pongal is a very good example for this.

Check out these delicious Indian recipes that are vegan-friendly

Paruppu Thogayal
This South Indian equivalent of Hummus uses lentils, coconut and spices to create a flavorsome relish. Tastes yum with hot rice and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Check out this recipe
traditional South Indian style Paruppu thogayal served in a white bowl placed over a wooden table. A tempering has been added to the Thogayal
Bisi Bele Bath
A medley of rice and lentils, this makes for a wholesome and filling meal. Serve this with potato chips and a light salad.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Bisi Bele Bath served in a wooden bowl with garnishing of curry leaves and cashews. The bowl is placed over an antique platter and is surrounded by bowls of raita and fried okra.
Lauki Sabzi
This simple curry uses bottle gourd, also referred to as opo squash. Healthy and nutritious, this pairs well with hot Rotis or Jeera rice.
Check out this recipe
Delicious north Indian style lauki sabzi served in a bowl
Mushroom pepper fry
A simple south Indian style stir fry with button mushrooms and pepper as the main spice.
Check out this recipe
South-Indian-style-mushroom-pepper-fry
Aloo Gobi
Two classics- potato and cauliflower cooked together with spices and an onion tomato base, this never goes out of fashion.
Check out this recipe
a-bowl-of-aloo-gobi-served-in-a-black-shallow-bowl

Easy vegan soups

Dinner spells soups for me. I can never tire of soups. Soups are a fabulous way to sneak in vegetables and proteins. Try some of vegan soups and you will fall in love with them.

Thai Noodle Soup
Packed with vegetables and flavors, this noodle soup is neither too heavy nor too light. Just perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Check out this recipe
Instant pot vegan Thai noodle soup
Broccoli Almond Soup
This healthy soup uses pantry staples and no fancy ingredients. A fine example of simple stuff coming together to make something exemplary.
Check out this recipe
vegan broccoli almond soup served in a red soup bowl with a half eaten roll at the back.
Vegan Cauliflower Soup
Creamy and nutrient dense, this velvet textured soup is a treat in every spoon, in every weather.
Check out this recipe
Instant pot cauliflower soup garnished with thyme and served in wooden bowls placed on a burlap mat.
Hearty Garbanzo Soup
Italian inspired chickpea soup that is almost like a stew. Makes for a filling meal. Serve with toasted bread and a colorful salad to make it a complete meal.
Check out this recipe
a-bowl-of-soup-made-with-canned-ganrbanzo-beans-and-orzo
Easy Vegetable Soup
Light and refreshing soup with plenty of vegetables. This recipe is a great way to use up fridge scraps.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of Instant Pot vegetable soup and some bread

Eat more veggies

Use this as a good excuse to load your plate with colorful vegetables. If you think of it, sneaking in vegetables to your diet is not so hard. Try one of these quick recipes.

Roasted broccoli with chili crisp

Air fryer roasted cherry tomatoes

Mexican style cauliflower

Persian Shirazi Salad

South Indian Beans Stir Fry

Some Carbs

What is a meal without some carbs, eh? Let’s all admit it. We need carbs to make us satiated. While I am all about having low carb meals once a while, I do rotate my carbs. Pick from one of these easy sides to serve with your mains.

Jeera rice

Brown Sona Masuri Rice

Thai Basil Fried Rice

Cilantro lime rice

Mushroom rice

Vegan Naan

Asian vegan recipes

Asian food is packed with flavors that come from the liberal use of spices and herbs. Without any doubt, these recipes are on my weekly menu rotation.

  • Vegan Thai Yellow Curry
  • Asian inspired spring rolls
  • Air fryer Tofu
  • Orange tofu
  • Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

I hope you enjoy these plant-based and meatless meals during this Veganuary. If you find this post useful, please share it with your friends and family. 

If you find this post useful , please leave a STAR RATING (★★★★★) in the recipe card and tell us more in the comments.

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Hi! I m Anusha. A very warm welcome to my blog Tomato Blues. I m an advocate by profession and chose to become a food blogger later. I live in Singapore with my husband and daughter. Tomato Blues – About The Author

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