Best Vegan Cookbooks……Here’s a confession: I am not vegan. I once ate an entire brisket sandwich the size of my head and still had room for fries. But—here’s the kicker—I love cooking out of the best vegan cookbooks. And not in a “ugh fine, let’s eat rabbit food” kind of way. I mean in the holy crap, I’d eat this every day even if bacon didn’t exist kind of way.
And that’s why this list of the best vegan cookbooks (even carnivores love them) is legit. These are the books I actually use. The ones that made me realize chickpeas aren’t just the mushy things you avoid in bad salads and tofu can actually be crispy (like addictive crunchy-level crispy).
Funny story—when I first bought one of these, my husband rolled his eyes. “So… we’re eating kale now?” Fast-forward to him sneaking spoonfuls of vegan queso straight from the blender. Yeah, the man who once claimed cheese was a “non-negotiable food group.”
So, if you’re curious about cooking plant-based food without feeling like you’ve signed up for culinary punishment, buckle up. These are the cookbooks that have converted me, my meat-loving family, and even my skeptical friends.
1. Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero
This one’s basically the Beyoncé of vegan cookbooks. It’s thick, it’s confident, it knows what it’s doing. The first recipe I tried was their chickpea cutlets, and I swear even my brother (who thinks Doritos are a food group) admitted they were good.
The writing’s got personality, too. You know when a cookbook makes you laugh? Yeah, this one does that. Plus, the recipes actually work. That’s not always a given, believe me.
2. BOSH! by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby
If food had hype men, these guys would be it. Their recipes scream “party food,” but make it plant-based. Burgers, brownies, curries—stuff you’d actually make on a weeknight and not just for bragging rights.
I made their mushroom wellington for Christmas once. My uncle (who literally smokes ribs for fun) went back for seconds. SECONDS. That was the moment I knew this book deserved a permanent spot on the counter.
3. Isa Does It by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Yes, Isa’s on this list twice. No, I’m not sorry. This one is pure comfort food—like mac and cheese, soups, pasta dishes. The first time I made her creamy tomato soup with cashew cream, I ate it standing over the stove with a wooden spoon. Burned my tongue, worth it.
4. The Korean Vegan Cookbook by Joanne Lee Molinaro
Listen. This book isn’t just recipes. It’s stories. Joanne’s writing will make you cry and then make you sprint to the kitchen to make kimchi fried rice. Her flavors? Bold, punchy, unapologetic.
My carnivore friend tried her doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and said—and I quote—“I don’t miss the meat. At all.” That’s basically a mic drop.
5. Thug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F** *
Okay, this one’s a little controversial (the authors aren’t vegan anymore), but the recipes? Still fire. Their tortilla soup is legendary in my house. The tone is brash, a little chaotic, but honestly… it works.
Imagine your funniest, slightly inappropriate friend yelling at you to eat more vegetables—and actually giving you recipes that slap. That’s this book.
6. Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi
Technically, not 100% vegan (lots of vegetarian recipes), but so many dishes can be veganized it’s silly not to include it. Ottolenghi has a way of making vegetables taste… fancy. Like, roasted cauliflower suddenly feels like something you’d serve at a wedding.
His eggplant recipes alone? Worth buying the book.
7. The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook by Nisha Vora
True story: I bought an Instant Pot, cooked rice badly in it once, and then it sat in my cabinet for two years. Enter Nisha. Her recipes are foolproof and made me fall back in love with the gadget.
The vegan butter “chicken” (made with cauliflower and chickpeas) is my go-to on rainy nights. Even my toddler eats it without bribery.
8. Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry
This one is so much more than a cookbook. It’s food, culture, history, music (he literally gives you playlists to cook with). And the flavors? They pop. Collard greens with peanuts. Plantain dishes that taste like sunshine.
Cooking from this book feels like an experience, not just a meal.
9. Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking by Dana Shultz
Quick. Simple. No 37-ingredient lists. This is the book for when you’re hungry now and don’t feel like foraging for exotic spices.
Her vegan nacho cheese is a staple in my fridge. You’d never guess it’s made from cashews, and I’ve seen meat-lovers demolish it without asking what’s in it.
10. East Meets Vegan by Sasha Gill
This one’s underrated but so good. Curries, noodles, stir-fries, dumplings—all packed with flavor. Sasha makes recipes that feel doable even if your spice cabinet consists of… salt.
Her pad thai recipe saved me from a $40 takeout bill more times than I care to admit.
Why Even Carnivores Love These Best Vegan Cookbooks
Because here’s the secret: good food is good food. Full stop. It doesn’t matter if it’s got beef or beans, cheese or cashews. These vegan cookbooks deliver flavor, comfort, and the kind of meals people actually want to eat.
My dad (a lifelong steak guy) once told me, “If this is vegan food, I’d eat vegan more often.” High praise from the man who once grilled in a snowstorm.
So no, you don’t have to “go vegan” to love these books. You just have to like food. And maybe be open to the idea that lentils aren’t the enemy.
Suggested Outbound Links:
- A fun piece on travel-inspired movies to pair with these books
- A quirky personal blog about [accidentally booking the wrong flight](https://www.the Everywhereist.com/)
