Healthy Eating Made Easy with Green Chef's Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes in 2023

Eating plant-based has never been easier – or tastier! Green Chef is a meal kit delivery service that specializes in vegan and vegetarian recipes. With their help, you can enjoy delicious, nutritious meals without the hassle of grocery shopping and recipe hunting.

In 2023, Green Chef is making it even better with their selection of new vegan and vegetarian recipes. From hearty mains to flavorful sides and snacks, they have something for everyone. We’re taking a look at some of their most popular dishes so you can get an idea of what to expect from this amazing meal delivery service.

Benefits of eating vegan and vegetarian meals

Health Benefits

Eating vegan and vegetarian meals has become increasingly popular over the past decade, due to its many health benefits. Studies have shown that people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet are less likely to suffer from obesity, heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.

Additionally, these diets can help reduce cholesterol levels and improve overall nutrition intake by providing more fiber, vitamins and minerals than a traditional meat-based diet.

Furthermore, vegan and vegetarian meals tend to be much lower in calories than their non-vegetarian counterparts; this makes them an excellent choice for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Environmental Benefits

Reducing animal consumption is beneficial for the environment because of its positive impacts on climate change. The production of animal-based foods like beef and dairy, as well as other products that use animals, produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases.

These emissions contribute significantly to global warming and other environmental issues such as ocean acidification. Reducing animal consumption means reducing these emissions, which in turn can help combat climate change and create a healthier planet.

Additionally, reducing animal consumption may result in lower levels of water pollution since the production of meat requires more water than fruits and vegetables do.

Furthermore, it can reduce deforestation caused by large-scale cattle farms or factory farming operations that need land to graze their animals.

Top Five Green Chef recipes in 2023

1. Wild Mushroom & Butternut Squash Ragu

Green Chef's Wild Mushroom & Butternut Squash Ragu is a vegan and vegetarian-friendly meal that is sure to delight all eaters. This dish features an array of earthy flavors, thanks to its combination of seasonal vegetables and savory mushrooms.

With a few simple ingredients, this ragu can be put together in no time.

Ingredients

The ingredients you'll need to make this vegan and vegetarian ragu are as follows: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 small onion, 4 garlic cloves, 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, 4 ounces oyster mushrooms (or more cremini), 1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds), ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 2 cups vegetable broth.

Preparation

To begin the recipe, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and stir to combine. Cook for 4 or 5 minutes until the mushrooms begin to brown, stirring occasionally.

Next, add the butternut squash and stir to combine. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the pepper flakes (if using) and black pepper and stir to combine. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes or until everything is cooked through and the squash is tender.

Once done, remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving. Serve with vegan sour cream or Greek yogurt for a delicious meal! Enjoy!

We really enjoyed this Green Chef recipe – it was easy to make but packed with flavor. The combination of vegetables plus the pepper flakes gave it a nice kick of heat, and the vegan sour cream or Greek yogurt added a delicious finishing touch. It’s definitely one of our favorite vegan and vegetarian recipes from Green Chef yet! Try it out for yourself today and let us know what you think. Bon Appetit!

2. BBQ Cauliflower Tacos with Creamy Cashew Spread

Green Chef's BBQ Cauliflower Tacos with Creamy Cashew Spread is an ideal vegan and vegetarian dish for those looking for something creative and flavorful. The tacos feature grilled cauliflower marinated in a smoky sweet BBQ sauce, topped with a creamy cashew-based spread and served with warm tortillas.

Ingredients

To make this delicious meal, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup vegan BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 small tortillas
• Creamy Cashew Spread:
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

To make the tacos, preheat your grill to medium heat. In a large bowl, combine the BBQ sauce and olive oil. Add the cauliflower florets to the bowl and gently toss to coat in the sauce. Place the florets on the preheated grill and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 5-6 minutes or until lightly charred, turning once during cooking time.

Meanwhile, make the Creamy Cashew Spread by blending all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth. Once you’ve finished grilling the florets, place them back into the bowl with the BBQ sauce and toss to coat.

To assemble your tacos, place some of the florets onto a warm corn tortilla. Top with avocado slices, red onion, cilantro and Creamy Cashew Spread. Drizzle with additional BBQ sauce and a squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy!

3. Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Chili Bowls

Green Chef's Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Chili Bowls are a delicious and healthy vegan meal that is sure to satisfy anyone looking for plant-based nutrition. This dish combines quinoa with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, and black beans to create a flavorful and hearty chili.

This dish is seasoned with chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin to bring out the flavor of the vegetables.

To finish it off, a generous helping of shredded vegan cheese tops this meal for an extra kick of flavor.

Ingredients

The ingredients needed to make Green Chef's Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Chili Bowls include: quinoa, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, jalapeños, black beans, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and vegan cheese. All of these ingredients are easy to find at most supermarkets or health food stores.

Preparation

This dish takes less than an hour to make and serves four people. It can easily be made ahead of time and reheated when you're ready to eat. The quinoa provides a great source of protein, the vegetables provide vitamins and minerals, and the vegan cheese adds a creamy texture that really ties it all together.

The taste of this dish is bold and flavorful. The combination of spices pairs well with the vegetables, while the vegan cheese offers an extra layer of richness. We found that a tablespoon or two of hot sauce could be added if you like it spicy.

Overall, this Green Chef vegan and vegetarian recipe is an easy to make, nutritious meal suitable for any night of the week. It's packed with flavor and a great alternative to traditional meat-based dishes.

4. Mediterranean Orzo Salad Bowls

Green Chef's Mediterranean Orzo Salad Bowls are a delicious vegan and vegetarian dish prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The ingredients needed for this delicious meal include orzo pasta, grape tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, red onion, feta cheese, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

This dish is full of delicious flavor and texture. The orzo pasta is cooked al dente, creating a slightly chewy texture that pairs well with the fresh tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion and feta cheese. The olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper add a bright, zesty flavor to the dish, while the parsley adds a light herbal note. Altogether, this meal is an enjoyable combination of sweet, savory and tangy flavors that will leave you wanting more!

5. Thai Green Curry Veggie Bowls

Green Chef's Thai Green Curry Veggie Bowls are a delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian dish that can be prepared in the comfort of your own kitchen. The flavorful and easy-to-prepare bowls are made from a combination of fragrant Thai green curry paste, coconut milk, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.

To top it off, the dish also includes a medley of fresh cilantro and lime, adding a zesty finish.

Ingredients

Green Chef provides all the ingredients you need to make this delicious vegan and vegetarian meal at home: Thai green curry paste, coconut milk, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, cilantro, and lime. The ingredients are all pre-measured and pre-cut for convenience.

Preparation

To prepare the Curry Veggie Bowls, start by sautéing the vegetables in a pan with some oil or water over medium heat until they become lightly browned and softened. Then add in the Thai green curry paste and coconut milk and cook for an additional few minutes until everything is hot, fragrant, and creamy.

Once done, scoop the cooked vegetables into bowls and garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately for the best flavor!

Green Chef's Curry Veggie Bowls make for a delicious vegan or vegetarian meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. With all ingredients pre-measured and pre-cut, there's no need to go grocery shopping beforehand and clean up is a snap. The flavors are bold and satisfying, making this dish a great option for anyone looking for an easy, flavorful meal that won't take much time to prepare.

5 key tips for how to make the most out of your Green Chef subscription

1. Experiment with new recipes every week

Green Chef offers a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian recipes to choose from, so it’s important to experiment with new dishes each week and get the most out of your subscription. Exploring different flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques can help you create delicious meals that suit your dietary needs.

2. Shop local for extra ingredients

Although Green Chef provides you with most of the ingredients you need for each recipe, they won’t have everything that you may want to add for extra flavor or texture. Shopping locally can help you find unique vegan and vegetarian-friendly items that will take your meals from average to extraordinary. Check out local farmers markets, health food stores, and co-ops to find fresh produce, unique spices, sauces, and more.

3. Make meals that can be enjoyed by everyone

Green Chef’s vegan and vegetarian recipes are full of flavor and make it easy to create delicious meals even for meat eaters. By including ingredients like mushrooms, beans, and tofu, you can make sure that everyone enjoys the meal regardless of their dietary preferences.

4. Explore new flavors

Green Chef’s recipes come from all over the world with flavors like Mexican, Thai, Mediterranean and beyond. Each recipe has its own unique combination of herbs and spices to bring out a variety of flavors. You can even try out new ingredients like quinoa or tempeh for a delightful culinary experience.

5. Spend less time in the kitchen

With Green Chef’s easy-to-follow instructions, you don’t have to spend hours prepping your food. Most recipes take 45 minutes or less to make and all you have to do is follow the simple steps. This allows you to maximize your time in the kitchen and save on ingredients as well.

Can a Green Chef subscription help you save money?

Having a Green Chef subscription helps you save money by providing pre-measured ingredients for vegan and vegetarian meals which are already discounted in bulk. This also eliminates the need to purchase excess ingredients, since only what is necessary for the dish is sent.

The convenience of having all of the needed items delivered right to your doorstep reduces trips to the store, as well as time wasted searching for recipes or deciding what type of meal you want.

Additionally, there are often coupon codes and special discounts offered directly from Green Chef which adds even more savings.

All these factors together make a Green Chef subscription an easy and cost-effective way to enjoy delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes on a budget!

Read Our Full GreenChef Review

Some Downsides of using a meal delivery service

While meal delivery companies can be an excellent meal solution for many, it's worth bearing in mind that there can be some downsides too.

1. Cost

The cost of using a meal delivery service for vegan and vegetarian diets can be expensive, when compared to the costs associated with preparing meals on your own. Additionally, many subscription plans require customers to commit to a certain number of meals per week or month, which can result in significant financial waste if customers are unable to use all of the meals provided.

2. Limited Variety

While vegan and vegetarian meal delivery services provide access to a variety of dishes, they often do not offer the same level of variety as preparing meals on your own. The quality and taste of some recipes can also vary depending on the ingredients used, which may cause customers to become bored with the same meals over time.

3. Allergens and Dietary Restrictions

Some vegan and vegetarian meal delivery services may not provide enough options to suit all dietary needs, such as allergies or food sensitivities. Additionally, some ingredients may be processed in a shared facility that handles common allergens like wheat or dairy, making it difficult to find allergen-free vegan or vegetarian meals.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Green Chef Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes offer a convenient way to bring healthy meals into your home. Their wide selection of recipes makes it easy for customers with dietary restrictions or allergies to find something they can enjoy. With the added convenience of their delivery services, you don’t have to worry about shopping for ingredients or spending hours in the kitchen preparing meals.

The meals they offer are all certified organic and free of any added hormones, antibiotics, or other additives. Many of their vegan and vegetarian recipes also include the use of fresh seasonal produce, so you know you are getting the right nutrition for your body. They also provide a wide variety of gluten-free options as well as creative ones like their vegan mac and cheese.

Another great thing about Green Chef is that they provide detailed information on each meal, including cooking instructions, a full ingredients list, and nutritional information. This allows you to make sure the meals you choose are in line with your dietary needs without having to do any additional research.

Whether you are looking for a quick meal solution or wanting delicious vegan and vegetarian options that meet all of your dietary needs, Green Chef will make sure you get what you need in 2023!