The 10 Tastiest Veganuary Recipes To Try For 2023

Swapping out meat and dairy for a vegan diet this January? We love to see it.

If you’re stuck with what to cook then you need to take a read of our guide on the 10 tastiest veganuary recipes, with flavours for everyone’s tastes, you can’t beat ’em!

Forget about struggling to think of meal ideas, we’ve got you covered so you can release your inner chef and wow your friends, even if they are meat eaters.

We have every option listed here when it comes to vegan food, so carry on reading and find some plant-based goodness to cook up in your student accommodation.

You never know, you might just find a new favourite to keep cooking after the month is over.

1. Vegan Carbonara

The first veganuary recipe on our list is a plant-based carbonara made with paprika mushrooms, nutritional yeast, and a few other ingredients to create a creamy and delicious sauce.

The best part? This comforting dish can be ready in just 15-minutes so forget about having to stand in the kitchen for ages!

For all you Italian food lovers out there, you don’t need to miss out on some tasty carbonara when you’re on a plant based diet, give this recipe a go and see what you make of it.

Below you can find everything you’ll need, once you try this hearty bowl of goodness you’ll be making it again and again.

Ingredients: 

• 360g wholewheat spaghetti
• 85g unsalted cashew nuts
• 2 tsp bouillon powder
• 2 tsp English mustard powder
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 200g baby chestnut mushrooms
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 courgettes
• 4 tsp nutritional yeast flakes (optional)
• 320g spinach

You can find a step by step on how to cook this carbonara on the BBC foods website.

2. Orange Tofu Rice Bowl

This next veganuary recipe is inspired from TikTok creator @bensvegankitchen cos’ after all, who doesn’t love a simple step by step video showing you how to cook something good? We sure do.

This orange tofu rice bowl looks amazing with sweet and tangy flavours, just because you’re not eating meat doesn’t mean you can’t whip up a storm in the kitchen – what’s not to love!

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this recipe:

• 1 cup of uncooked white rice
• 1 block of tofu, cut into small triangles
• 2.5 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tsp agave or maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp msg (optional)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• Some minced garlic, ginger & chopped chilli
• 200ml orange juice
• Zest of 1/2 orange
• Chopped green onions, for garnish

Wanting to make it yourself? Give the TikTok video a watch and make the ultimate comfort food at home.

3. Spinach Basil Gnocchi

Bring restaurant quality food to your student flat with this veganuary recipe which we absolutely LOVE.

This spinach basil gnocchi is for sure one to try when pledging to eat a vegan diet for the month and only requires a few ingredients – simple is always better, eh?

Just make sure to get vegan gnocchi as many store bought products aren’t actually plant based or, make your own using potatoes!

You can make it however you like, but if you’re stuck for ingredients follow this list below:

• 1 clove of garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 cup of spinach
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 5-6 tbsp of olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

Let’s be real, who doesn’t like pesto? It’s so easy to make and just a godsend whilst you’re at uni.

Try making your own and cook up a gnocchi dish, there’s a full recipe on Thank You Berry Much.

4. Vegan Thai Curried Coconut Soup

Everyone has different tastes which is why we’ve included a variety of veganuary recipes, with this next Thai curried coconut soup being a strong contender for one of the tastiest.

If you’re looking for something a little different to try and want to put yourself up to the challenge, this recipe is simply mouthwatering and healthy too!

With creamy and spicy flavours, if you’re a fan of Thai foods then we’re sure you’ll enjoy this recipe by Vegan Punks.

Wondering what you’ll need to stock up on? Find out below.

For the paste:

• 2 shallots – halved
• 1.5 tbsp fresh ginger – chopped into a few big slices
• 1 tbsp fresh turmeric* – chopped into a few big slices. (or 0.5 tbsp ground turmeric)
• 1.5 tbsp coriander seeds
• 4 cardamom pods – remove the pods to leave just the seeds
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp fermented soybean paste (or 1 tbsp of nori/seaweed, or just omit altogether)
• 4 tbsp water

For the vegan khao soi:

• All of the above paste
• 400g flat rice noodles
• 2-3 sweet potatoes (~600g) – peeled and chopped into bite-size chunks
• 400ml coconut milk
• 3 cups (750ml) of vegan chicken or vegetable stock
• 400g extra-firm tofu – chopped into bite-size chunks
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp vegan fish sauce or soy sauce
• 100g spring greens – roughly chopped

We’ll be honest, there’s definitely a lot more ingredients needed for this vegan recipe, but if you’re after something to really wow your friends, this one’s worth the effort.

5. Caramelized Onion Pasta

Try something new this Veganuary with this caramelised onion pasta.

This next recipe is from TikTok because we just can’t get enough, there’s so many tasty dishes out there to try.

Picture this, it’s a cold winter’s night and you’ve just finished uni for the day, you’re after a nice heartwarming yet flavourful dinner to treat yourself to whilst doing veganuary, it’s gotta be this caramelised onion pasta!

Psst, the trick to caramelising onions is to deglaze the pan every few minutes with a few spoons of water.

The ingredient rundown: 

• 1 tablespoons olive oil or water
• 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 sun dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cups pasta water
• 12 oz farfalle pasta
• 1/2 cup cashew cream or vegan cream
• 1 handful spinach
• Salt & pepper

Interested in making it yourself? Watch the TikTok by @plantyou to follow her simple step by step video, you’ll have your own yummy dish in no time!

6. Salt & Pepper Tofu

For those air-fryer faves you need to make this salt and pepper tofu, yep that’s right, you don’t need to go without your favourite Chinese dish for the month, just veganise it!

It’s super easy and quick to make without lacking in flavour and you can simply pop it into the air fryer and bob’s your uncle, you’ve got takeaway style food right at home.

Feeling like it’s too good to be true? Give this recipe by @bosh.tv a go and see for yourself how tasty it really is, you could even pair it with some fluffy rice for a delicious dinner.

Everything you’ll need to make it is listed below:

For the tofu:

• 2 280g blocks extra firm tofu
• 6 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp white pepper
• ½ tsp chinese five spice
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the sauce: 

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 spring onions
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 chillies
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp white pepper
• ½ tsp chinese five spice
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

For a full step by step breakdown on how to make this crispy seasoned vegan chicken, head over to the BOSH! website.

7. One Pot Tomato Orzo

If you’re looking for something that’s made in one pot for those midweek teas, we urge you to give this one a go.

This tomato orzo is jam packed with flavour and can be ready in just 15 minutes, it’s an absolute winner for trying out a plant based diet – talk about comfort food!

This recipe inspired by @lucyandlentis is pretty budget friendly too for your student bank account as you only need a few bits and bobs to cook it up.

Discover what you’ll need below: 

• 1 mug of orzo pasta (250g)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 shallots
• 420 g tomatoes
• 3 large cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 25g fresh basil or parsley
• Large pinch of salt and pepper

Follow the TikTok video to make this incredibly simple one pot wonder at home – talk about an easy meal!

8. Tofu Sushi Rolls

We’ve got good news for all you sushi fanatics out there, you can still enjoy the Japanese favourite with a vegan friendly alternative.

This tofu sushi roll recipe is ideal for those looking to meal prep as you can bring your lunch into uni with you and it requires little faff to make either.

Or, pair it with some rice or noodles and have it for a nice dinner after being out and about – it’s incredibly delicious!

All the stuff you’ll need is below: 

• 150g Sushi rice
• 300g Tofu
• 2 tbsp Peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp Mirin
• 1 tsp Sesame oil
• 1 Garlic clove
• ½ Avocado
• 1 Carrot
• 10g sesame seeds
• 1.5 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• ½ tsp white sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 pack Nori sheets

If you’re curious to follow this simple recipe, head to the Veganuary website.

9. Vegan Butter Chick’N

Did someone say vegan butter chicken? They sure did!

It’s about time we included an Indian dish on our list of vegan meals to try this January, because let’s be real, everybody loves a good curry.

This recipe by TikTok user @pengveganmunch puts a vegan twist on the Indian favourite.

If you have a craving for butter chicken curry whilst hopping on the plant based challenge, you’ve got to give it a go.

Find out the bits you’ll need to get to cook this super creamy, spicy and aromatic dish here:

• 2 tbsp vegan butter
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 large white onion
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 2 tsp curry powder
• Pinch of dried fenugreek leaves
• 1/2 cup vegan cream
• Salt to taste
• 1 pack tofu

Watch the TikTok video and make this gorgeous curry in your student flat – all your friends will certainly be impressed!

10. Jerk Cauliflower

Winner winner vegan dinner, our last veganuary recipe you need to try for 2023 is jerk cauliflower.

We did say there’d be something in this guide for everyone’s tastes and this Caribbean inspired vegan dish is a must-try.

If you’re looking for something simple to make that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients, then you’ll love this alternative to jerk chicken – it’s seriously so good!

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• Half a head of cauliflower, broken into bite-size florets
• 1 – 2 Tbsp Jerk seasoning
• 2 Tbsp oil
• Spring onions, finely chopped
• Vegan mayonnaise
• Chives for serving

Looking for the method for making this recipe? Head on over to the veganuary website.

There’s so many recipes for veganuary out there for you to try this month, start off with the ones we’ve recommended or go out there and find your own vegan recipes!

You never know, you might just go on a vegan journey after the month is up as there’s so many surprisingly good foods out there to make.

If you make some tasty recipes for #veganuary make sure to tag us @universalstudentliving.

Check out next: Tips And Tricks When Choosing Flatmates For Second Year.