The 25 Best Vegan Soul Food Recipes

Vegan Soul Food

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

What is soul food?

In the middle of the 1960s, when “soul” was a commonly used word to characterize African-American culture, the phrase “soul food” first appeared. Soul food, as defined by Millie Peartree & Felicia Lalomia, is fundamentally down-home cooking with origins in the rural South that has been passed down through many generations.
Soul food staples, including collard greens, black eyed peas, sweet potatoes, maize, peaches, and cornbread, are inexpensive leftover foods that were provided to slaves. Meat was pricey and hence scarce. Contrary to what many people think, black Americans are more likely to be vegetarians and vegans.

One one of these recipes might convince you to become vegan if you’re on the fence.
I strongly advise you to try these even if you don’t adhere to the lifestyle. Because these recipes are sure to please vegans and non-vegans alike.

vegan soul food

25 Food Recipes:

1 – Vegan Southern Soul Bowl

One one of these recipes might convince you to become vegan if you’re on the fence.
I strongly advise you to try these even if you don’t adhere to the lifestyle. Because these recipes are sure to please vegans and non-vegans alike.

2 – Vegan ‘Fried’ Chicken

The delights of a crispy fried chicken can now be enjoyed by vegans without actually consuming chicken thanks to human innovation.
Of course, the experience won’t be the same for a carnivore. However, if you’ve been a vegan for a while and have been hankering after some nice fried chicken, this won’t let you down.

Despite the fact that there are other recipes available, this one produces fried chicken with a crispy-crunchy skin and a moist, meaty, and delectable flesh.

3 – Classic Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

Making vegan mac and cheese can be a little challenging, but making vegetarian mac and cheese is simple. Because without cheese, mac and cheese cannot be made.
That is how, using this recipe! This food blogger made a really impressive mac and cheese that neither tastes nor feels like it is made of plants. The trick? dietary yeast.

4 – Vegan Collard Greens

This recipe is the best there is, a vibrant combination of collard greens and veggie tomatoes with garlic, onions, and spices.
It might not be the most interesting dish on its own. However, if you serve it with vegan mac and cheese and fried chicken, your lunch will be spectacular. vegan soul food

5 – Vegan Cornbread

The usual ingredients for cornbread and other bread recipes include milk, eggs, and buttermilk, but not in this case. However, the outcomes are still rather spectacular.

Just flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, oil, and almond milk are required to make the batter.
Take note of how simple it is to find the ingredients! Why not attempt the recipe now since I’m fairly certain you already have all of the ingredients on hand?

6 – Vegan Cheese Grits

Grits with no cheese in them? Even while it might not seem ideal to make a dish that calls for cheese vegan, it actually works.
There is nothing you can’t accomplish as long as you’re inventive in coming up with vegan substitutes for conventional products.
Instead of using conventional cheese in this recipe, you’ll use nutritional yeast and vegan cheddar cheese shreds. Issue is resolved.

7 – Vegan Gumbo

This vegan gumbo manages to taste fantastic despite lacking the traditional gumbo mainstays of pork and shrimp.
It makes up for the absence of flesh in flavor. It is guaranteed by the inclusion of beans, vegetables, mushrooms, and a flavorful broth that is rich and well-seasoned.

8 – Vegan Jambalaya

Another meal that your heart will love if it loves Creole food! Even though it isn’t authentic, this vegan jambalaya in the southern manner will make your taste buds jump with delight.
What’s not to love about this dish’s vibrant combination of hearty tomato rice, starchy beans, vegan sausages, and Cajun seasonings?
What’s more, compared to a typical recipe, this jambalaya can be prepared in just 30 minutes. vegan soul food

9 – Vegan Biscuits

Even without butter, these biscuits are buttery, flaky, flavorful, and fluffy.

Using non-dairy butter, such as Earth Balance, is the key. You can eat as many biscuits as you like now that there is a plant-based alternative.
These are great for brunch or breakfast. You can top them with your favorite jam or preserves or just slather them with vegan butter.

Any okra skeptic will be persuaded by how easy it is to prepare this vegan fried okra and how delicious this veggie can be!

10 – Vegan Fried Okra

I didn’t like this slimy vegetable before I tried this traditional southern recipe. These tiny nibbles, which also happen to be vegan, are highly addictive.
Garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper are added to the buttermilk, flour, and cornmeal batter before baking.
Because of this, the breading is simultaneously light and fluffy on the inside and deliciously crispy on the outside.

Hot sauce, spices, and a hidden ingredient give vegan black eyed peas a southern flavor boost.

11 – Southern-Style Vegan Black-Eyed Peas

Making black-eyed peas vegan can be a little challenging because they frequently contain meat flavoring.
But not with this recipe! The secret is to season the peas with liquid smoke, spicy sauce, and other seasonings.
Although the spices are excellent, the liquid smoke truly enhances the flavor of the peas. No one will even realize they are vegetarian since they are so delicious.

12 – Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Milk and butter give mashed potatoes a rich, creamy texture. But in this vegan version, you’ll omit the milk and make up for the flavor deficit with fresh chives and roasted garlic.

Additionally, you’ll substitute vegan butter for regular butter.

How much it tastes exactly like the real thing will amaze you!

vegan soul food

13 – Ultimate Vegan Chili

Although it’s difficult to picture chili without ground beef, give it a shot before you pass judgment. This vegan chili is so delectable that it might become a new family favorite.
This chili, which is brimming with beans, seasoned tofu, and seasonings, is the pinnacle of vegan comfort food.
Additionally, everything comes together in just an hour. Additionally, it freezes well, allowing you to enjoy a bowl of spicy chili whenever the urge hits.

14 – Crispy Vegan Deep-Fried Pickles

These deep-fried pickles have a crunchy exterior and a crunchy, juicy interior.
Additionally, the combination of sweet and acidic pickles with the salty, savory, and spicy breading will result in the ideal flavor balance.
All of those tastes and textures will be present in one bite. You won’t believe how addictive this food can be, in all seriousness.

15 – Vegan Pot Pie

A creamy and bubbly vegan stew is encased in a crispy, flaky, golden pastry crust. I may become a vegan if all vegan food is as wonderful!
I adore how this pot pie still tastes fantastically meaty despite lacking the normal meat component. Tofu and vegan sausage are effective.
Although the meat substitutes are fantastic, the variety of vegetables in this pot pie is really what makes it so great.
A beautiful combination of hues, flavors, and textures can be created by combining carrots, potatoes, butternut squash, celery, and cremini mushrooms.

16 – Vegan Chicken and Waffles

Nothing compares to smelling sweet waffles and flavorful fried chicken when you wake up on a Saturday morning! Waffles and chicken go together better than they do separately.
Although the chicken may not be authentic, the flavors and textures are unquestionably top notch.
I think nobody will even know it’s not genuine chicken if you serve it with waffles sprinkled with maple syrup and vegan butter.

17 – Vegan Beef Stew

How is beef stew included in a list of vegan dishes? This dish confused me as well, but it’s something you should try.
There are plenty of potatoes, carrots, and celery in this stew. This stew’s “beef” component is actually soy or TVP (textured vegetable protein).
Although these pieces may not taste exactly like beef, the delicious soup effectively hides the flavor.

vegan soul food

18 – Vegan Hoppin’ John

Has hoppin’ John ever come up? You’re in for a treat if not!
There are peas, veggies, and rice in this traditional southern cuisine. Although it appears straightforward, the flavors and textures will totally astound you.
Bacon, sausage, ham, or another form of meat are frequently found on a traditional plate of hoppin’ John. This one makes use of mushrooms.

19 – Vegan Corn Fritters

Not only are these fritters loaded with corn, but also with bell peppers and green onions. It is just as flavorful, crispy, and crunchy as you would expect it to be.

Serve this with your preferred vegan dip as a snack or with soup or salad for a well-rounded dinner.

20 – Vegan Potato Soup

This potato soup is obscenely creamy and rich. It is the sort of soup that is filling enough to serve as a supper by itself.
Serve it plain if you like, but that won’t be enjoyable, so pile on the vegan toppings instead!
I agree with the recipe’s suggestion to top the soup with slices of roasted potatoes, parsley, and tempeh bacon.

21 – Vegan Hush Puppies

The exterior and interior of these hush puppies are crispy and crunchy, respectively. Each mouthful is absolutely wonderful.
In addition to being vegan, they are also minimal in calories. These nasty boys are baked rather than deep-fried in oil. They will still taste as delicious as conventional, deep-fried hush puppies, so don’t worry.

22 – Vegan Baked Beans

In one bite, these baked beans deliver sweetness, tanginess, smokiness, savory flavor, and heat. It represents all southern BBQ side dishes at their finest!
The fact that the beans were simmered for hours is not the key to their incredible deliciousness. Actually, it just takes an hour to put this version together.
It consists of molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, sriracha, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. They’ll combine to provide a harmony of diverse flavors.

vegan soul food

23 – Vegan Pecan Pie

Dessert is ready! This luscious pecan pie is a great choice when it comes to vegan desserts.

This pie is incredible, to put it mildly, with a sweet and crumbly crust and a thick and sticky, caramel-like pecan filling.

24 – Vegan Banana Pudding

This banana pudding is silky, creamy, and ridiculously good thanks to a combination of bananas, plant-based milk, vanilla, turmeric, sugar, and vegan butter.
You might never want to prepare banana pudding in the same way again!

25 – Vegan Blueberry Cobbler

This cobbler is the epitome of dessert perfection, with a cake-like biscuit at the bottom, a crispy and crumbly topping on top, and sweet and juicy blueberries strewn all over.
It’s delicious on its own, but for that nice warm and cold temperature contrast, I advise serving it with a scoop of vegan ice cream.

vegan soul food

Vegan soul cuisine has the potential to be both tasty and nutritious. Vegetables serve as the base of soul food, with minimal amounts of meat added for flavor. The calorie intake can stay low without deep frying or the additional calories from heavy creams and butter. Right, but what about the favor? With aromatics like onion, garlic, peppers, spices, and herbs, you can still obtain all the taste you desire and need.