One of the most common inquiries I receive as a six-year vegan: aren't you tired of eating grass? A common misconception of veganism is that it exclusively consists of bland lettuce bowls and veggie plates. But *spoiler alert* that just isn't the case. Not only are we munching on much more than sad salads, but we've also got the latest and greatest of very tasty vegan cookbooks at our disposal — we're talking vibrant recipes after recipes that anyone, plant-based or not, can indulge in.
We did some major digging into the oversaturated market of internet-bred cookbooks and seized a collection of the most acclaimed and highly reviewed vegan iterations that 2020 has to offer. Ahead, thumb through everything from charming Southern-inspired flavors to easy one-pot meals and a few lavish undertakings that every food enthusiast can appreciate. Put a lid on those grass preconceptions by whipping them a real-good green meal they won't soon forget.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 334 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Gone are the days of stressing over how to please family and friends with different dietary needs. Bursting with knock-your-socks-off, mind-bogglingly tasty vegan recipes for Cinnamon Apple Crepes, Cheeseburger Pizza, Biscuits and Gravy, Churro Biscotti, and so much more."
Foodies Say: "I have a lot of vegan cookbooks. It is rare that I purchase one with so many good, easy recipes like this one. So far, I have made: cheeseburger pizza, grilled wedge salad, cauliflower casserole, glazed tofu ham, cheese blintzes, and fettuccine alfredo & broccoli. Everything has been amazing." – AS83, Amazon reviewer
Isa Chandra Moskowitz The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook, $, available at Amazon
Southern Vegan: Delicious Down-Home Recipes for Your Plant-Based Diet
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars and 508 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "In these 60 recipes, Lauren shows you how to make rich, buttery, decadent plant-based versions of all your favorite southern foods, so you never again have to miss out on the tastes you love."
Foodies Say: "So happy to have a Southern cookbook that has easy to prepare vegan comfort foods. No strange ingredients. Everything can be purchased from my local grocery store. Recipes are appealing not only to me but my kids too! This is Southern Mamma approved!" – Southernmama, Amazon reviewer
Lauren Hartmann Southern Vegan: Delicious Down-Home Recipes, $, available at Amazon
Sweet Potato Soul: 100 Easy Vegan Recipes
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 2,041 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Jenné Claiborne grew up in Atlanta eating classic Soul Food—fluffy biscuits, smoky sausage, Nana's sweet potato pie—but thought she'd have to give all that up when she went vegan. As a chef, she instead spent years tweaking and experimenting to infuse plant-based, life-giving, glow-worthy foods with the flavor and depth that feeds the soul."
Foodies Say: "Y’all, I made the Cheddar & Chives Biscuits, Sunflower Caesar Salad, and Jackfruit Jambalaya for my NON-VEGAN family and they LOVED it! All of it was amazingly delicious. I can’t wait to make more of the recipes! You won’t be disappointed in this cookbook." – Kayesimo, Amazon reviewer
Jenne Claiborne Sweet Potato Soul: 100 Easy Vegan Recipes, $, available at Amazon
Veganomicon, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 287 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Who knew vegetables could taste so good? Vegan powerhouses Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Romero bring a brand new edition of this beloved vegan cookbook to celebrate its 10th anniversary. You'll find 25 new dishes and updates throughout for more than 250 recipes (everything from basics to desserts), stunning color photos, and tips for making your kitchen a vegan paradise."
Foodies Say: "I bought this book as a gift for a colleague, but was so captivated that I bought other copies for myself and family members! The photos are enticing and the recipes themselves are divine!" – Rd, Amazon reviewer
Isa Chandra Moskowitz Veganomicon, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Ultimate Veg, $, available at Amazon
The Homemade Vegan Pantry: The Art of Making Your Own Staples
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars and 1,524 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Studded with full-color photos, The Homemade Vegan Pantry celebrates beautiful, handcrafted foods that don't take a ton of time, from ice cream and pizza dough to granola and breakfast sausage. Miyoko Schinner guides readers through the techniques for making French-style buttercreams, roasted tomatoes, and pasta without special equipment."
Foodies Say: "This is the book you need to get started creating vegan staples. If I could choose only one book out of all of the books I purchased last year, this would be the book I would keep." – Veganforest, Amazon reviewer
Miyoko Schinner The Homemade Vegan Pantry: The Art of Making Your Own S, $, available at Amazon
Afro-Vegan: Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern Flavors Remixed
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 1,399 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Renowned chef and food justice activist Bryant Terry reworks and remixes the favorite staples, ingredients, and classic dishes of the African Diaspora to present more than 100 wholly new, creative culinary combinations that will amaze vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike."
Foodies Say: "The meals I’ve made from Afro-Vegan have been delicious and were unlike any others I’ve encountered. I own about 30 vegan cookbooks, and this one contributes significantly to plant-based cuisine." – Howard Jacobson, Amazon reviewer
Bryant Terry Afro-Vegan: Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern, $, available at Amazon
Epic Vegan: Wild and Over-the-Top Plant-Based Recipes
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 220 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Are you into playing with your food? Epic Vegan does just that, encouraging home cooks to think outside of the box. Author Dustin Harder, host and creator of the original vegan travel culinary series, The Vegan Roadie, is your culinary coordinator for the adventure ahead, sharing recipes that everyone from beginner cooks to experienced chefs can create at home."
Foodies Say: "I can’t say enough good things about this book! Let’s start by saying that I’ve never been inspired by a cookbook. I’ve been mostly just winging it. Now that my partner is eating vegan food with me, I figured I better step my game up if I want him to stay on the green side with me." – Amazon reviewer
Dustin Harder Epic Vegan: Wild and Over-the-Top Plant-Based Recipes, $, available at Amazon
Vegan for Everybody: Foolproof Plant-Based Recipes
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 1,530 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Can vegan cooking be flavorful? Satisfying? Easy to make? Through rigorous testing on the science of vegan cooking, America's Test Kitchen addresses these questions head-on, finding great-tasting and filling vegan protein options, cooking without dairy, preparing different whole grains and vegetables, and even baking. Reimagine mealtime by celebrating vegetables at the center of the plate and in salads and grain bowls."
Foodies Say: "There is a lot in this fully comprehensive book. A great introduction for those not so much in the know about food, a very good intro to each recipe telling you why the flavors will work and how the recipe developers came to include certain flavors/processes. The flavors are very well thought through." – Lady AG, Amazon reviewer
America's Test Kitchen Vegan for Everybody: Foolproof Plant-Based Recipes, $, available at Amazon
Modern Vegan Baking: The Ultimate Resource for Sweet and Savory Baked Goods
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars and 422 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "With new ingredients like agave, arrowroot, and aquafaba, vegan baking is every bit as delicious and exciting as traditional baking. Mixing inventive ingredients and cutting-edge methods, professional vegan baker and blogger behind Gretchen’s Vegan Bakery Gretchen Price shows just how delicious substitution-free cooking can be."
Foodies Say: "It has absolutely delicious recipes down to a perfected science: cheesecakes, crepes, tarts, pies (Boston Cream even), layer cakes that hold shape and taste amazing, and much much more." – Kelly, Amazon reviewer
Gretchen Price Modern Vegan Baking: The Ultimate Resource for Sweets, $, available at Amazon
The Essential Vegan Air Fryer Cookbook: 75 Whole Food Recipes to Fry, Bake, and Roast
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 377 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "If you’re serious about eating a healthy, plant-based diet but still have cravings for the crispy crunch of fried foods―this book has good news for you. The Essential Vegan Air Fryer Cookbook serves up the most comprehensive collection of good-for-you vegan recipes that pack deep-fried taste―without all the guilt."
Foodies Say: "I'm loving this book already! The color codes are really helpful, as it reminds me of fueling properly. I also love all of the tips throughout the recipes. I'm a mess in the kitchen, and this book is written without all the 'code'! Recipes contain real ingredients I can find in the local grocery, clear language, and simple steps." – Melody Hodges, Amazon reviewer
Tess Challis The Essential Vegan Air Fryer Cookbook: 75 Whole Foods, $, available at Amazon
The Plant-Based Diet for Beginners: 75 Delicious, Healthy Whole Food Recipes
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 3,761 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Choosing a plant-based diet is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, your wallet, and the environment. Whether your doctor encouraged you to give up animal products or you’re simply exploring a new lifestyle, The Plant-Based Diet for Beginners is filled with tasty recipes that make it easy for you to adopt a whole-food diet free from meat, dairy, and eggs."
Foodies Say: "This book has some really tasty recipes that are easy to follow! He covers the ins and outs of becoming whole food, plant-based. This is a wonderful guide for beginners and experienced alike." – Lilia, Amazon reviewer
Gabriel Miller The Plant Based Diet for Beginners: 75 Delicious, Healt, $, available at Amazon
Forks Over Knives―The Cookbook: Over 300 Recipes for Plant-Based Eating
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars and 8,158 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Del Sroufe, the man behind some of the mouthwatering meals in the landmark documentary, proves that the Forks Over Knives philosophy is not about what you can’t eat, but what you can."
Foodies Say: "I wanted a plant-based recipe book that could show me all the various ways plants can be used. Also, I love oil, but I wanted to try oil-free, sugar-free cooking. To my delight, the recipes are so tasty. I love to cook, so exploring this cookbook is like a fun adventure for me." – Rocwithyou, Amazon reviewer
Del Sroufe Forks Over Knives―The Cookbook: Over 300 Recipes, $, available at Amazon
The Super Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars and 1,078 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Your slow cooker holds the key to eating healthy, plant-based meals that are flavorful, inexpensive, and convenient. The Super Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook features more than 100 simple slow cooker recipes for mouthwatering vegan dishes the whole family will love."
Foodies Say: "This is such an awesome cookbook! Every time I make something out of this book my husband says it's the best vegan dish he's ever tasted. It's simple enough for everyday dishes but not too simple that it's boring." – Katie, Amazon reviewer
Toni Okamoto The Super Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook, $, available at Amazon
Sakara Cookbook: Eat Clean, Play Dirty
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars and 339 reviews on Amazon
Excerpt: "Create 100 whole-food, plant-rich Sakara recipes at home using the healthiest, most hydrating and nourishing ingredients possible. Featuring a wide range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes, plus cocktails and desserts—no deprivation here."
Foodies Say: "It is the second book I have bought as a gift to my friends. They loved it. First, the pictures look beautiful and very appealing. Second, it gave the most diverse recipes you never think about. I also believe there will be a good message that will impact their eating habits and health in general. It's a great gift!" – Liliana M., Sakara reviewer
Sakara Cookbook: Eat Clean, Play Dirty, $, available at Sakara
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