22 quick vegan meals you can make in 30 minutes or less

Author: Rachel Smith

Need dinner in a hurry? Here are some healthy quick vegan meals that you can make in just 30 minutes or less that will save time and money.


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Need dinner in a hurry? Here are some delicious and quick vegan meals that you can make in just 30 minutes or less and will save you time and money.

Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen cooking fully plant-based meals? We’ve got you covered.

These quick vegan meals are on the table in just 30 minutes or less, meaning you’ve got more time to spend with your friends and family, and less time hovering over the stove.

Plus, with the cost of energy rising, these quick vegan meals will save you money too without compromising on taste.

With everything from a lentil bolognese to a butter tofu curry and even homemade vegan burger patties, there’s something for everyone.

So keep reading for some easy and quick vegan meals that will make dinner time a breeze.

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1. Butter Tofu Curry

The traditionally animal-based British curry house staple has been veganised here to create an indulgent weeknight dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes.

With crispy high-protein tofu in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce, it’s the perfect easy meal for a night-in on the sofa after a long day at work.

 Butter Tofu Curry - 30 minute vegan meals

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2. Vegan Sweet Potato, Aubergine & Chickpea Tagine

We love a good tagine recipe in the colder months. This one is packed with warming spices and comes together in no time at all. It makes great leftovers too and the flavours deepen over time so you don’t need to make dinner the next day if you’re cooking for two.

Vegan Sweet Potato, Aubergine & Chickpea Tagine

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3. Vegan Mushroom & Ale Stew

There’s something so cosy about a stew bubbling on the hob when the weather gets cold, but often they take hours to cook.

This comforting vegan mushroom and ale stew takes just 30 minutes to make so you can enjoy a warm bowl of food with the wait. Packed with vitamin D-rich mushrooms, it’s autumn comfort food at its finest.

Vegan Mushroom & Ale Stew

4. Vegan Chickpea, Spinach and Peanut Butter Curry

Chickpea and peanut butter curry is one of our all-time favourite quick vegan meals. The nutty, salty peanut butter makes it oh-so moreish and it’s great for meal-prepping as it tastes even more flavourful over time.

Vegan Chickpea, Spinach and Peanut Butter Curry

5. Ginger Sesame Tempeh Stir Fry

This deceptively simple stir fry comes together in a matter of minutes – featuring high protein tempeh, crunchy vegetables and powerhouse aromatics.

Serve with hot jasmine rice for a filling weeknight vegan dinner that will satisfy everyone’s tastebuds and stomachs.

Ginger Sesame Tempeh Stir Fry

6. Vegan Indonesian Tempeh Curry

Add a dash of sunshine to your day with this vibrantly-coloured tempeh curry. It’s full of fragrant flavours like lemongrass and lime that make it sing and good-for-you ingredients like broccoli, red pepper and carrots.

Vegan Indonesian Tempeh Curry

7. BBQ Hawaiian Pizza

It’s the age-old question – does pineapple belong on pizza? It’s a massive yes from us, and after trying this recipe any pineapple pizza haters will be converted.

This easy homemade flatbread base skips all the faff of resting and kneading pizza dough with a simple flour and yoghurt combo instead.

It’s then topped with a layer of BBQ sauce, fresh veggies and finally drizzled with a homemade vegan cheese sauce. What else could you need for vegan pizza night?

 BBQ Hawaiian Pizza

8. Vegan Pad Thai

This vegan version of the Thai classic is a great way to use up any stir fry vegetables lurking in the back of your fridge and makes an easy weeknight dinner after a tiring day in the office.

Top with a wedge of lime, fresh coriander and crushed roasted peanuts for a truly authentic feel.

vegan Pad Thai with chopsticks

9. Easy Vegan Mushroom & Pak Choi Ramen

When you need a quick vegan meal, ramen is always on hand to save the day in style!

It’s got pak choi and mushrooms to pack it with vitamins while star anise and ginger fill it with flavour. We like to top our ramen with some crispy tofu to give it some vegan protein too.

Easy Vegan Mushroom & Pak Choi Ramen - quick vegan meals

10. Vegan Teriyaki-Glazed King Oyster Mushrooms with Sticky Rice

This vegan teriyaki mushroom dish is the most delicious combination of sweet and salty flavours. It’s a great celebration of mushrooms as they taste amazing with their sticky glaze sauce.

Serve them on top of a pillowy bed of rice for an easy vegan dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes. If you want tips on how to get your rice fluffy, check out our guide on how to cook rice.

Vegan Teriyaki-Glazed King Oyster Mushrooms with Sticky Rice - quick vegan meals

11. Creamy Garlic Gnocchi with Walnut Pesto

Just the name of this vegan gnocchi dish alone is making our mouths water! The creamy garlic sauce and nutty walnut pesto takes gnocchi to the next level with punchy flavours that we can’t get enough of.

Although it might sound impressive, it only takes 15 minutes to make so is ideal for a quick vegan meal.

Creamy Garlic Gnocchi with Walnut Pesto - quick vegan meals

12. Quick & Easy Vegan Biryani with Aubergine

This speedy vegan biryani recipe is quick to make but it tastes like it takes hours as it has all the complex flavours of the classic dish.

Plus, it’s made in one pot so it saves you time washing up too.

Vegan Biryani with Aubergine - quick vegan meals

13. Spicy Vegan Thai Green Curry

Turn up the heat without turning on the heating with this fiery vegan Thai green curry! It’s full-flavoured with the fresh aroma of lemongrass and ginger and green curry paste bringing up the temperature.

It has a sweet, smoky taste as we’ve made it with smoked tofu to give it a meaty element that will leave you feeling satisfied.

Spicy Vegan Thai Green Curry Recipe - quick vegan meals

14. Vegan Pappardelle with Fennel, Courgette & Lemon

Pasta is always a great option for quick vegan dinners as it cooks in minutes and always tastes delicious.

This pasta recipe might be simple to make but the flavour is anything but. With fragrant fennel and zesty lemon ensuring each bite is loaded with taste, it’s simply delicious.

Vegan Pappardelle with Fennel, Courgette & Lemon

15. Vegan Pulled Jackfruit Burger with Barbecue Sauce

When you don’t have time to cook, it’s often tempting to order a takeaway. But this speedy pulled jackfruit burger is so quick to make it’s guaranteed to beat any delivery driver to the table.

With lashings of barbecue sauce and homemade coleslaw, it will soon become a family favourite.

Vegan Pulled Jackfruit Burger with Barbecue Sauce - quick vegan meals

16. Vegan Teriyaki Jackfruit

This tasty take on teriyaki uses whole chunks of jackfruit which are perfect for marinating as they soak up flavour beautifully. The combination of the sweet teriyaki glaze paired with the savoury fruit is a match made in culinary heaven.

Vegan Teriyaki Jackfruit - quick vegan meals

17. Vegan Sausage and Onion Casserole

This vegan sausage and onion casserole is a great, hearty meal. It works really well with any type of vegan sausages and is quick and easy to make so is ideal for busy midweek evenings.

Vegan Sausage and Onion Casserole

18. Vegan Garlic & Chilli Tofu

High in protein, big on flavour and quick to cook, this delicious vegan garlic and chilli tofu is perfect for a midweek meal or as part of an Asian feast at the weekend.

Vegan Garlic & Chilli Tofu

19. Vegan Udon Noodles with Shiitake & Pak Choi

This simple noodle dish is flavoursome and sweet, with some great earthy undertones from the shiitake mushrooms and soy sauce. It has all the elements you need to make an incredible dinner: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami – and it’s ready to eat in just 20 minutes.

Vegan Udon Noodles with Shiitake & Pak Choi

20. One-Pot Vegan Spaghetti Puttanesca

If you’re looking for an easy-to-make meal that won’t leave you with loads to clean up, look no further than this one-pot vegan spaghetti puttanesca!

With a rich tomato sauce, bursts of umami flavour, and just the right amount of spice, this pasta dish makes a super satisfying speedy dinner.

One Pot Vegan Spaghetti Puttanesca

21. Vegan Orecchiette with Pesto, Broccoli and Kale

This vegan orecchiette dish is super quick and simple which makes it perfect for those busy weekday evenings. The silken tofu makes a great, rich and creamy pesto sauce without all the saturated fat found in dairy cream – keeping this pasta dish healthy and delicious.

Vegan Orecchiette with Pesto, Broccoli and Kale - quick vegan meals

22. Vegan Sweet and Sour Fakeaway

This vegan sweet and sour recipe is easy to make at home with only a few basic ingredients. Why not add sesame toasts, spring rolls, and noodles for a real weekend treat?

Vegan Sweet and Sour Fakeaway - quick vegan meals

Looking for ways to cut cash without compromising?

Here are our favourite recipes for cheap vegan meals that taste delicious.

Written by

Rachel Smith

Having launched the brand's digital presence in 2015, Rachel shares her love for animals and the planet through her work as Vegan Food & Living’s Digital Editor. As a passionate vegan for over ten years, Rachel loves creating delicious vegan dessert recipes for her award-winning blog, Rawberry Fields. Rachel's recipes and photography have been featured in numerous international print and digital publications including the Daily Mail, Huffington Post, Thrive, and Buzzfeed. You can follow Rachel at @rawberryfields

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