15 Best Vegan Cookbooks To Read In 2023

People seeking a healthy lifestyle often seek to redefine their relationship with food. Due to the popularity of the Meatless Mondays movement, many people are exploring a plant-based or vegan diet. Vegan and plant-based diets are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between the two diets. A vegan diet means eating a diet that consists of fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, cheese, and eggs, and animal-derived products like gelatin and honey. A plant-based diet is similar to a vegan diet but not as strict, and there is more wiggle room. People who follow a plant-based diet can eat dairy and animal products occasionally, but eating plants is the main focus.

Luckily more and more vegan products have hit the market, and more restaurants and fast food chains are adding vegan items to their menus, making it easier for anyone considering adopting a vegan lifestyle. Changing your diet takes time, and there is a learning curve for home chefs learning to cook with plants. Home chefs that want to add more vegan recipes to their weekly repertoire will likely enjoy reading through vegan cookbooks to learn tips for vegan cooking. Whether you are a long-time vegan looking for new recipes or new to the lifestyle and beginning your plant-based journey, cookbooks are a great way to learn more. There are several different incredible vegan cookbooks you can read to inspire you wherever you are on your vegan journey.

Completely overhauling your diet can be overwhelming, and it feels like there is no good place to start. That is where "Plant-based Diet Cookbook For Beginners 2023"comes in: It's a vegan/plant-based cookbook that's great for beginners. The book has easy-to-follow recipes, and because it is plant-based and not completely vegan, it offers an excellent way to explore all of the tasty vegan foods while still having some recipes with a little cheese or dairy.

The book focuses on healthy eating with recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even desserts. Eating healthy doesn't have to mean you can't eat any desserts. There are lots of delicious ways to feel indulgent while sticking to a plant-based/vegan diet. The instructions are clear, and even someone new to the kitchen can follow the straightforward steps.

93 percent of buyers on Amazon give it five out of five stars. Many commented that it helped them start cooking plant-based meals at home and eased them into the transition. If you are ready to get your feet wet and try plant-based/vegan cooking, check out "Plant-based Diet Cookbook For Beginners 2023" on Amazon for $14.97

Classic staples of the Latino kitchen, like guacamole and salsa, are already vegan, but many Latin and Caribbean dishes are fairly meat-heavy. But vegan food just got tastier thanks to author Karla Salinari, who wrote "Abuelita's Plant-Based Kitchen: Vegan Cuisine Inspired by Latin & Caribbean Family Recipes." This book is a game changer for vegan diners that miss their classic Latin-inspired cuisine. 

The author is a self-taught home chef who grew up between Miami and Puerto Rico, two places that have rich and distinct food cultures. She gravitated towards plant-based cooking and eating as a way to get healthier, and her cookbook offers a great approach to taking charge of your diet while still being able to eat childhood favorites. 

The book starts with a little about her own relatable journey on her path to a plant-based/vegan diet. She shares the struggle of eating healthy without feeling deprived of flavor. Then, she gives you a look inside her pantry with a list of spices and staples that are the base of her meals. Reading this book feels like talking with a friend: Her instructions are clear, and she makes the reader believe in her confidence as a recipe creator.

If you love the spices and flavors of Latin-inspired foods, then "Abuela's Plant-Based Kitchen: Vegan Cuisine Inspired by Latin & Caribbean Family Recipes" is a must-have for your vegan kitchen: Find it on Amazon for $29.96.

A big challenge for meat eaters transitioning to a vegan diet is giving up favorites like barbecue. Barbecue essentially entails cooking over a fire as the slow infusions of smoky flavors penetrate and tenderize thick cuts of meat. But those same sauces, marinades, and glazes also work on plant-based/vegan barbecue too. Celebrated chef Terry Sargent has created a cookbook that is truly one of a kind. He brings his cooking expertise and passion for vegan barbecue together to show the world that vegan barbecue can stand up to regular barbecue any day of the week. He first set up a vegan pop-up in Atlanta, and he has been showing off his vegan barbecue to diners since 2019.

This cookbook is inspiring and it covers sauces, salads, sandwiches, and main dishes. There is even a whole chapter devoted to grilling fruits to capture that flavorful smoky sweet contrast. Whether you are a part-time vegan or full-time vegan, you can be sure these recipes are not missing any barbecue flavor. If you love a good barbecue, check out "Vegan Barbecue: More Than 100 Recipes for Smoky and Satisfying Plant-Based BBQ": You won't be disappointed with the grilling ideas. You can purchase this book on Amazon for $24.99.

For anyone who may be skeptical about whether vegan food is good or is worried about making the transition, the "Anything You Can Cook, I Can Cook Vegan" cookbook is for you. The book is written by popular vegan blogger Richard Makin who has been developing vegan recipes since he transitioned from long-time vegetarianism to a completely vegan diet five years ago. The book is an extension of his blog School Night Vegan where he has been sharing vegan recipes since 2017. 

He takes the reader along with him as he looks at classic meat dishes and transforms them. The cookbook opens with a look at how to build a vegan pantry and his practical advice on how to ease into restocking your pantry. He goes on to explain what vegan cooking means to him and the exciting new challenge that vegan cooking has given him, as it has led to more creativity in his food. It is no wonder that he has such a big social media following; he is down to earth and approaches veganism with curiosity and confidence that can help anyone looking to explore the wide possibilities of vegan cuisine. You can purchase "Anything You Can Cook, I Can Cook Vegan" on Amazon for $32.50.

Learning new things takes time, and making lifestyle changes is no exception. According to the American Psychological Association, taking small steps toward positive changes is the best way to make those changes stick and create a new routine. Any home chef will tell you that if you can find easy recipes, you will be much more likely to try them at home. The "Simple and Delicious:101 Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes" is an excellent cookbook that helps home chefs develop their personal menus. The recipes are straightforward, and the explanations are simple. But most importantly, the food is impressive, with 93 percent of reviewers giving it five stars. 

The recipes, which range from taquitos to meatloaf to fettuccine Alfredo, are all vegan. The author Michaela Vais has been exploring a meat-free diet since the age of six, and her delicious cookbook is filled with recipes that you probably never knew could be vegan. If cooking vegan seems daunting, then this is the book for you. The "Simple and Delicious Vegan: 100 Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes" offers easy-to-follow vegan and plant-based recipes that are accompanied with clear instructions. Find it on Amazon for $27.99.

If you have spent any time across the pond, then you might already be familiar with the vegan fast food chain The Vurger Co., which serves vegan fast food at its four locations in England. The Vurger Co. has now released a cookbook to teach vegan home chefs how to make some satisfying vegan fast food at home.

The chain's cookbook "The Vurger Co. at Home: 80 soul-satisfying, indulgent, and delicious vegan fast foods recipes" is a hit with vegan and vegan-curious diners all over. The book has 4.5 out of 5 stars, and it's easy to understand why since it's filled with vegan recipes for dishes like butternut squash mac and cheese, vegan pulled pork sliders, and the classic vurger. Plus, the book understands the importance of sauces in making vegan dishes pop: The book includes all the best sauces from brick-and-mortar restaurants.

If you have been missing fast food, "The Vurger Co. at Home: 80 soul-satisfying, indulgent, and delicious vegan fast food recipes" is just what you need for fun and tasty vegan food. Buy it on Amazon for $29.99.

Just because you follow a plant-based doesn't mean you have to give up flavorful Korean favorites. And that's exactly what cookbook author Walle Khan felt when they transitioned to a vegan diet. Khan couldn't find a good vegan cookbook dedicated to Korean cuisine, so they decided to write one. "The Ultimate Korean Vegan Cookbook: Plant-Based Cookbook, From Kimchi to Bibimbap, Delicious, and Nutritious | A vegan Korean Recipes Cookbook" covers Korean classics like kimchi and bibimpap, plus creative appetizers, stews, and main dishes for hungry vegans who can't get enough Korean tastes onto their plates. 

The author is a dedicated vegan and foodie but not a professional chef. So, they can explain recipes and ingredients in a way that anyone new to the kitchen can understand and follow. Reviewers are loving this cookbook. It has 4.9 stars out of 5, with 95 percent of reviewers giving the book five stars. "The Ultimate Korean Vegan Cookbook 2023: Plant-Based Cookbook, From Kimchi to Bibimbap, Delicious and Nutritious | A vegan Korean Recipes Cookbook" shows you how to make Korean food in a new way without using animals or animal products. Find it on Amazon for $17.61.

Everyone has different reasons for turning to a plant-based vegan diet. It could be for health, environmental, or animal rights reasons, although for some people, it's as simple as not liking the taste of meat. But the "Fake Meat: Real Food for Vegan Appetites" is perfect for people who are vegan and miss meaty dishes. The book looks at the different versions of plant-based meats and considers how to cook them the right way. The author of the book, chef, restaurant owner, and author Isa Chandra Moskowitz, remakes classic meat dishes with seitan, tofu, and other vegan ingredients. 

She proves that it is possible to enjoy fake meat in all its glory with dishes like pastrami sandwiches, hot chicken, and lobster rolls. The author shares her path to veganism and the love of animals that got her there, and we are glad it did because the recipes are as meat-free as they are delicious. If you are looking for ways to explore all of the plant-based meat options in new and unique ways, "Fake Meat: Real Food for Vegan Appetites" is the book for you. Check it out on Amazon for $26.12.

If you love Helen Le's Vietnamese cooking show on YouTube, then you will be excited to know she has a cookbook called "Vegan Vietnamese: Over 60 Plant-Based Traditional Recipes." The cookbook explores the traditional flavors of Vietnamese cuisine with a vegan twist. She tackles the classic Vietnamese sandwich, the banh mi, which is one of the staples of Vietnamese food. 

And she isn't afraid to tamper with the classic Vietnamese national dish, pho, and remake it without meat. Her first book, "Simply Pho," helped her create a name for herself as an expert in Vietnamese cuisine. Now she is exploring those same dishes and flavors with vegan-friendly ingredients. Instead of salty meats, she uses a combination of spices to create a broth with a rich aroma as the base for her pho.

If you love Vietnamese food and also love being vegan, then the "Vegan Vietnamese: Over 60 Plant-Based Traditional Recipes" should be on your kitchen bookshelf. Find it on Amazon for $28.00.

Eating healthy and following a vegan diet is not just for the wealthy; healthy eating and a cruelty-free diet are accessible to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status,  and "Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy" proves that point. The author Toni Okamoto shows readers how to meal prep and batch-cook healthy vegan recipes that help save money and time. 

The first section is called "Start Where You Are," which sums up the author's realistic take on changing your diet and lifestyle. She pushes readers to celebrate their success however it looks. She is honest about becoming vegan and how jumping into a new diet can be overwhelming and frustrating, but she guides readers along a journey of discovering that cooking vegan meals at home can be manageable and, most importantly, tasty.

If you are on a budget, and most of us are, whether budgeting money or time, this book is for you. Find "Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy: 100 Fast, Healthy, Meal-Prep, Freezer-Friendly, and One-Pot Vegan Recipe" on Amazon for $23.99.

If you have never made Indian food at home, the book cover of "Indian Vegan: A Plant-Based Cookbook Through Spices, Aromas, and Culture" will inspire you to start. The book is filled with beautiful photos of bright, colorful dishes that capture the beauty of Indian cuisine. This vegan cookbook makes Indian food accessible for the home cook with a list of spices and an explanation of key components of Indian food. 

The recipes range from classic Indian dishes that are already vegan and vegetarian to rich gravies and spicy chutneys that are star players in Indian cuisine. The book even covers how to make popular Indian breads like chapati and naan. If you have a passion for Indian food and want to learn how to make vegan versions of your favorite Indian staples, then"Indian Vegan: A Plant-Based Cookbook Through Spices, Aromas, and Culture" is the book for you. You can purchase it on Amazon for $21.99.

People who are new to a vegan diet may be concerned about getting enough protein in their diet. Many people who are unfamiliar with plant-based protein may think of vegans as weak and thin. But nothing could be further from the truth, as fitness expert and author John Lewis and writer and editor Rachel Holtzman prove in "Badass Vegan: Fuel Your Body, Ph*ck the System, and Live Your Life Right."

John Lewis, the creator of Badass Vegan, went plant-based as a reaction to the chronic health problems he saw in his community. He has dedicated himself to educating others about the health benefits of going vegan. The book is filled with practical tips to get started and motivational information to keep you going. The recipes range from street tacos to sushi, but before he even gets to the recipes, he encourages readers to change their thinking about what vegan means and take a look at themselves and their diet.

This book is for anyone that wants to prioritize their health and step into a plant-based mindset and diet. Look for "Badass Vegan: Fuel Your Body, Ph*ck the System, and Live Your Life Right" and buy it on Amazon for $34.99.

Comfort food is usually high in carbohydrates and fats, which leads to that lovely, satisfying feeling. Sometimes comfort foods tap into nostalgia and bring back memories; other times, they just make us feel better, like a hot bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich on a rainy day. But comfort food doesn't have to be bad for us: Surprisingly, comfort food can be vegan.

Popular vegan blogger and author Lauren Boehme has demonstrated this through her cookbook "Delicious AF Vegan: 100 Simple Recipes for Wildly Flavorful Plant-Based Comfort Foods." The book takes a look at classic comfort foods and reimagines them for a vegan audience. The recipes are bold in flavor, with dishes like Spicy Lasagna Soup, Sweet Pepper Cheesesteak burritos, and Fried Green Chile Mac and Cheese Dippers.

If you are craving vegan comfort food that really hits the spot, reach for "Delicious AF Vegan: 100 Simple Recipes for Wildly Flavorful Plant-Based Comfort Foods." You can buy it on Amazon for $23.99.

Chinese food may not be the first cuisine you think of when you consider vegan dishes. Vegan Chinese food uses the same fragrant spices as regular Chinese food but has more umami-rich ingredients to give the dishes an exciting vibrancy of flavor. Author Hannah Che, who trained at the Guangzhou Vegetarian Culinary School, has written a unique cookbook that explores a long tradition of vegetarianism in Chinese culture. 

"The Vegan Chinese Kitchen: Recipes and Modern Stories from a Thousand-Year-Old Tradition: A Cookbook" is filled with exciting recipes that combine classic flavors like Sweet and Sour Tofu, Stir Fried Greens, and Stuffed Cabbage Rolls. Throughout the book, she takes her readers on a culinary tour of Chinese vegan recipes and storytelling about the history of the dishes and how she connects to them. In addition to the various foods and their stories, the book has beautiful photography that captures the brightness of her vegan dishes. If you are tired of take-out and drawn to learn your favorite vegan Chinese recipes, this is the book you have been waiting for. "The Vegan Chinese Kitchen: Recipes and Modern Stories from a Thousand-Year-Old Tradition: A Cookbook" is available on Amazon for $24.13.

Author Emma Hollingsworth has followed up her first vegan cookbook "Vegan Treats" with her second book dedicated to chocolate called "Vegan Chocolate Treats: 101 delicious dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free recipes." She explores every way to make chocolate goodies, from cookies, puddings, and ice cream to balls and bars; she leaves no chocolate stone unturned. The book is easy to follow, with some helpful tips right at the top about working with chocolate. 

A conversion table provides an explanation of key concepts. The book contains a plethora of information on making amazing vegan chocolate. The reviews do not get any better than the 100 percent five-star reviews that it has received. If a book has received that many rave reviews, you can be sure that it is worth its weight in gold. If you are a self-proclaimed chocoholic like the author, then buying "Vegan Chocolate Treats: 100 delicious dairy-free, gluten-free and refined-sugar-free recipes" on Amazon for $22.99 is the best way to get all the vegan chocolaty goodness available.