17 of the Best Vegan Cookbooks

Published: November 29, 2021

A lot of people are now becoming vegans. Some are starting to change because they realize that eating meat, dairy, and other pre-packaged foods are unhealthy. Others are doing it because they are worried about climate change causing the devastation of the rain forests, among other issues.

Some of you reading this may not even be vegan but want to know what is available and if it is the right choice for you.

We've created a list of the best vegan cookbooks for you here. Let us know if you like them and if there are others that you'd like to have added to them. Bon Appetit! 

Best Vegan Cookbooks

1. Afro-Vegan: Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean, and Southern Flavors Remixed

Afro-Vegan

Written by: Bryant Terry

Published: April 8th, 2014

Pages: 224

Bryan Terry is an Afro-Vegan chef who specializes in African, Caribbean, and Southern flavors. He grew up on his grandmother's farm in North Carolina, where he was surrounded by fresh fruits and vegetables that were grown right there on the property. Terry fell in love with cooking at an early age, but it wasn't until after college that he realized how much of an impact food could have on people's lives.

After this realization, Bryan pursued his culinary dreams and became one of the most sought-after vegan chefs today. His recipes are inspired by his heritage as well as global cuisines from all over the world. These dishes are full of flavor but also very healthy for you! We hope you enjoy them!

>> More amazing vegan cookbooks by black authors

2. The Friendly Vegan Cookbook: 100 Essential Recipes to Share with Vegans and Omnivores Alike

The Friendly Vegan Cookbook

Written by: Michelle Cehn and Toni Okamoto

Published: October 27th, 2020

The Friendly Vegan Cookbook is an excellent cookbook for everyone. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian, or an omnivore looking to try something new, this book has it all! It includes recipes that are healthy and easy to make while also being delicious. The book Michelle Cehn and Toni Okamoto authors want you to know that cooking can be fun too, even if you aren't vegan. 

We love that they include tips on starting your journey into veganism if you're not already there. These ladies have put their passion into this lovely collection of recipes that will leave even the pickiest eater satisfied! In addition to everything else, the photos of the food will make your mouth water. For those that want to introduce their non-vegans to something new, we consider this one of the best vegan cookbooks for that.

3. Vegan Pie in the Sky: 75 Out-of-This-World Recipes for Pies, Tarts, Cobblers, Crumbles, and More

Vegan Pie in the Sky

Written by: Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Published: October 25th, 2011

Pages: 224

Vegan Pie in the Sky is a cookbook full of vegan, gluten-free recipes for pies and tarts. The book has more than 200 pages of mouthwatering dessert recipes such as cherry pie, apple tart, chocolate cream pie, pumpkin custard pie, and pecan pie.  Some recipes are made with store-bought crusts, while others require homemade dough made from scratch or purchased at any grocery store.

We love that it has deserts that we'd never even heard of, like a "pandowdy" or a "Bettie." If you don't know about them, you'll be happy you bought this book and made them!  This cookbook is perfect for anyone who loves pies but wants an alternative containing animal products or processed sugars!

4. The Vegan Slow Cooker

The Vegan Slow Cooker

Written by: Kathy Hester

Published: October 1st, 2011

Pages: 224

Most people think of vegan cooking as a long, drawn-out, and tedious process that will be food tasting like cardboard. Kathy Hester is here to change your mind and prove that being vegan can be easy as pie by using a slow cooker!

The Vegan Slow Cooker has so many recipes made from scratch and doesn't require much prep time. It is all about healthy eating, and the slow cooker allows you to make hearty soups, stews, curries, and chilis without any fuss. Almost all the recipes take under 3 hours and are incredibly diverse. If you're not already using your crockpot as much as you could be, then this book will show you how! If you don’t have a lot of time to stand in front of a stove, then this is going to be one of the best vegan cookbooks on your shelf.

5. The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen

The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen

Written by: Donna Klein

Published: May 1st 2001

Pages: 272

As a vegan, Donna Klein knows that you don't have to give up delicious Mediterranean food just because you're avoiding animal products. In The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen, she proves this and more with loads of recipes for classic dishes like Spanakopita and Moussaka and new favorites like Turkish-style Shepherd's Pie and Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna. You will find recipes from Greece, Italy, Spain, and more countries.

She also includes helpful tips on how to stock your pantry, substitutions for common ingredients (like eggplants or feta cheese), and menu suggestions that make it easy to plan a dinner party where all the guests are vegans.

6. The Oh She Glows Cookbook: Over 100 Vegan Recipes to Glow from the Inside Out

The Oh She Glows Cookbook

Written by: Angela Liddon

Published:  March 4th, 2014

Pages: 336

Angela Liddon has become a vegan cooking maven and has numerous books to read and use, so it is hard to choose just one.  However, since this was her first one, we'd start with it and, if you enjoy it, you can read her others. She has created so many delicious recipes perfect for anyone who wants to eat more plants and less junk.

Her cookbook is filled with over 100 mouthwatering plant-based recipes made without any processed ingredients or meat substitutes. We know many vegans are always on the lookout for tasty meals that meat-eating friends, vegetarian friends, and other vegan friends will eat and love.

These vegan dishes look like they'll impress even the most skeptical, no matter what they prefer to eat. Her other books include Oh She Glows for Dinner, and Oh She Glows Every Day. She also has a great blog if you are interested in learning more about her.

7. Vegan Soul Food Cookbook: Plant-Based, No-Fuss Southern Favorites

Vegan Soul Food Cookbook: Plant-Based, No-Fuss Southern Favorites

Written by: Nadira Jenkins-El

Published: September 14th, 2021

Pages:  250

If you're looking for a way to introduce plant-based cooking into your culinary repertoire, look no further. Afro-Vegan Nadira Jenkins-El, author of Vegan Soul Food Cookbook: Plant-Based, No-Fuss Southern, is here to help! In this book, she provides over 100 recipes that will have your mouth watering and stomach grumbling. The possibilities are endless, from classics such as grits and cornbread to Banana Nut Waffles with Maple Syrup Glaze to Sweet Cornbread Muffins with Raspberry Butter Sauce!

There are 101 recipes, and you will want to try them all. Over and over again! As far as we are concerned, this cookbook is perfect whether you're vegan or not because who doesn't love a good plate of soul food? So, stop what you're doing, buy this book, and get cooking. This is one of the best vegan cookbooks for soul food that you will find anywhere.

8. The Vegan 8: 100 Simple, Delicious Recipes Made with 8 Ingredients or Less

The Vegan 8: 100 Simple, Delicious Recipes

Written by: Brandi Doming

Published:  October 16th, 2018

pages: 256

Our choice for book number 8 is, of course, The Vegan 8! If you think you won’t have the time to cook delicious vegan recipes, then Doming is here to help you out! Every recipe is made with 8 Ingredients, or Less is a cookbook that will show you how to create easy and delicious vegan dishes. If you are like Aram or me, we are always pressed for time and love that you can these meals with only eight ingredients and in under 30 minutes.

Whether it be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, this book has got it all covered. You'll find such favorites as Vegetable Fried Rice and Tofu Scramble on the Breakfast Menu; Thai Noodle Soup and Black Bean Burgers for Lunch; Spaghetti Bolognese and Chickpea Curry for Dinner; and Chocolate Hazelnut Tart and Banana Bread Pudding for Dessert.

If you are thinking of becoming a vegan, this will be an excellent book for you since you also get to learn a bit about Doming's choice of veganism along with her family.

9. The Taco Cleanse: The Tortilla-Based Diet Proven to Change Your Life

The Taco Cleanse

Written by: Wes Allison, Stephanie Bogdanich, Molly R. Frisinger, and

Jessica Morris

Published: December 1st, 2015

Pages:  224

If you want a little humor with your vegan choices, then this is the book for you. Instead of doing a cleanse that makes you hungry and grumpy, this one shows you how to reward yourself for eating more and more of what you already love. And to be honest, who doesn’t love tacos? Jill and I sure do!

This was initially planned as a “full 30-day cleanse”, but it was more to let people enjoy vegan food, lose weight, and not take themselves too seriously. Interestingly enough, numerous famous people have used it and swear by it, with many losing massive amounts of weight. So, not only can you have some fun, eat great food, but you may find yourself deciding to continue for the full 30 days. With more than 75 different recipes, you’ll have a lot of choices and variety. If you are looking for humor and great food, this is one of the best vegan cookbooks out there.

10. Green Kitchen Smoothies: Healthy and Colorful Smoothies for Every Day

Green Kitchen Smoothies

Written by: David Frenkel and Luise Vindahl

Published:  August 2016

Pages: 160

One of the first things people think of when they hear the word vegan is, "All they eat are smoothies all day!" To some degree, vegans do drink loads of smoothies, so we wanted to include this book to help others try some of them. Most people also think of smoothies only as a wake-up drink, but there is much more to them.

One of the best parts about smoothies is that you can add any fruit, vegetable, yogurt, yogurtsicle (a frozen fruit popsicle), ice cream, protein powder; the possibilities are endless! The recipes in this post include healthy green spinach-based smoothies like Spinach Pear Smoothie and Green Goddess Smoothie and other colorful fruits such as bananas and strawberry. Once you try a few of the authors' recipes, you can then adapt them and have fun creating new smoothie combinations that you love.

11. The Engine 2 Cookbook

The Engine 2 Cookbook

Written by: Rip Esselstyn and Jane Esselstyn

Published:  December 26th, 2017

Pages: 288

Although not specifically vegan, The Engine 2 Diet is a plant-based is a cookbook that needs to be on this list. It contains over 200 dishes like Creamy Tomato Soup, Black Bean Burgers, and No-Meat Balls. The book includes tips on making your seitan (a wheat gluten product often used as an alternative to meat) and other vegan ingredients. Author Rip Esselstyn shares his personal story about how he turned the first all-vegan fire station in the country into one of the best-performing fire departments in America. He explains why eating more plants can save lives, help fight climate change, and reverse heart disease.

The Engine 2 Cookbook is perfect for anyone looking to eat healthier or who wants to learn more about plant-based cooking! If you're going to get an idea of what the food tastes like, they have their "Engine 2" line of products at Whole Foods Market, so you know they are respectable. This is one of the best vegan cookbooks, especially if you want to combine it with the documentary.

12. Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans

Bake and Destroy

Written by: Natalie Slater

Published: August 6th, 2013

Pages: 192

Before we get to the “meat” of this book (pun intended), we’ll give you an idea of what you are going to get with it: The forward is written by Professional Wrestler C.M. Punk (these are the fake wrestlers who fly and jump), so you know you will have a blast with this cookbook. This book is great for vegans who are not vegan-y enough. Slater's cookbook, Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans, contains recipes that are both healthy and delicious, but they don't take themselves too seriously. Her goal was to create food that doesn't require a lot of time or money so you can enjoy your life when you're not baking in the kitchen.

She also wants all her readers to find everything in their local grocery store without having to go on an adventure through health food stores or online shops. This book would be perfect for any college student living off-campus because it is cheap and straightforward while still nutritious. You will honestly laugh constantly while cooking your meals.

13. The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets

The Joy of Vegan Baking

Written by: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Published: October 1st, 2007

Pages: 288

What are the joys of vegan baking? So many! From eating chocolate chip cookies with your kids to sharing banana bread with friends. Coconut macaroons dipped in dark chocolate, peanut butter blondies for a bake sale, or pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Or maybe you want to make something so decadent that you can't resist it even though it's not on the diet plan.

Vegan baking is about fun and pleasure and less about weight loss. However, even as you eat these treats and sweets, you’ll most likely find yourself getting thinner at the same time. There's no need to feel deprived when there are so many delicious things you can enjoy as a vegan baker—and this cookbook will show you how easy it is!

14. VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health . . . for Good

VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00

Written by: Mark Bittman

Published:  April 28th, 2013

Pages:  288

One of the most respected food writers of any diet is the legendary Mark Bittman. VB6 is a diet that will help you lose weight and improve your health. He explains how he started trying it in 2013 and challenged himself to do it for a month. He found that this simple approach to eating can be beneficial for both your body and mind. The original idea was that before 6:00 every day, he’d eat vegan foods. After 6:00 pm you can eat anything you like as long as it is not an animal product.

The recipes in this book are great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, so there's no need to worry about what you're going to make! We put this on our best vegan cookbooks list, even though it is also considered a "flexitarian diet" because it often leads people to be fully vegan after a very short time. Because Mark Bittman has become a legend in the food community, we count this as one of the best vegan cookbooks out there.

15. Plant-Based on a Budget: Delicious Vegan Recipes for Under $30 a Week, for Less Than 30 Minutes a Meal

Plant-Based on a Budget

Written by: Toni Okamoto

Published: May 14th, 2019

Pages: 275

Toni Okamoto was pretty much broke at age 20 and yet wanted to be healthier. She had thought that being vegan would break the bank, and she'd not have nearly enough food to eat. So, did she give up? Nope, she decided to create her recipes that take under 30 minutes and cost less than $30 a week!

We love this book because the recipes are so easy to adapt that you can make loads and loads all at once. She has over 100 recipes that range from breakfast to lunch to dinner to snacks and desserts. Toni Okamoto was featured in the incredible documentary movie What the Health?

16. PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook

PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook

Written by: Marta Holmberg and Starza Kolman

Published: April 5th, 2016

Pages: 336

PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook has a wide variety of recipes and tips for college students who are trying to live vegan. The book starts with the author's personal stories and how they got into veganism, which can be helpful to readers who may not understand the lifestyle at first glance.

Recipes range from breakfast foods like pancakes and waffles to appetizers like hummus and guacamole, main dishes such as macaroni and cheese or spaghetti pie, snacks like trail mix or pigs in a blanket, desserts including chocolate chip cookies or apple crumble bars.

So, for those who think they can't afford to live a vegan lifestyle on a budget, this is one of the best vegan cookbooks for college students trying to balance their budget vs. their health.

17. Forks Over Knives―The Cookbook: Over 300 Simple and Delicious Plant-Based Recipes to Help You Lose Weight, Be Healthier, and Feel Better Every Day

Forks Over Knives

Written by: Del Sroufe

Published: August 14th, 2012

Pages: 319 

Most people have either heard of or seen the film documentary Forks Over Knives at some point in the last ten years, and this is a cookbook that follows it. There are over 300 recipes for you to choose from, and all of them are delicious. Chef Del Sroufe's book has all the recipes you need for cooking without animal products and includes many helpful how-to tips.

The author discusses the benefits of going vegan and advises how to do it gradually over time. Some chapters include gluten-free recipes as well as those containing soy sauce or cornstarch. In addition, there are great side dish ideas such as mashed potatoes made from cauliflower instead of potatoes or roasted cashews with garlic and thyme, which make a delicious accompaniment to any meal.