Father’s Day is officially here, and that means it’s time to start celebrating dads, grandads, and any other father figures we may have in our lives.
While you can always show your appreciation with a gift (we’ve got some great vegan gift ideas for the occasion!) or by doing an activity together, sometimes, nothing beats a home-cooked meal. If you’re not sure what to cook, we’ve got some great vegan recipe ideas below.
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What should you cook for Father’s Day?
Working out exactly what to cook on Father’s Day is subjective to the father figure in your life and their likes and dislikes. But choosing to opt for plant-based ingredients is a good place to start. After all, research suggests that plant-based foods are better for our health, the environment, and, of course, they’re kinder to animals, too.
Whether your dad likes things meaty, fishy, veggie-filled, or has a bit of a sweet tooth, we’ve got a recipe for you to try out below. And let’s face it, whatever you cook, they are likely going to love it anyway because it was made by you.
13 vegan Father’s Day recipe ideas
Whip up a plant-based feast this Father’s Day. Here are 13 recipes to get you started.
Dreena Burton
1 Summery Picnic Pasta Salad
Father’s Day is the perfect time of year for an outside picnic. Why not get together with your siblings and arrange to bring a dish each? Yours could be this easy, nutritious, tasty pasta salad dish. Just make sure you prepare enough, as everyone is guaranteed to ask for seconds.
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Trilogy Sanctuary
2 Spicy Cauliflower Wings
Father’s Day doesn’t have to be about making extravagant plans. Sometimes, it can just be about you, your dad, a great movie, and some delicious snacks. Add to the spread of chips and dip with these addictive spicy cauliflower wings, complete with pesto dipping sauce.
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Jeff Wysocarski
3 Vegan Sweet Potato and Sausage Enchiladas
If you’re dad loves Mexican food, we highly recommend treating him to these delicious enchiladas, which are filled with baked sweet potatoes, Mexican-style vegan sausages, and kidney beans. They’re easy to whip up, packed with flavor, and they’re nutritious, too.
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Quarry Books
4 Spicy Ancho-Spiced Barbecue Burgers With Caramelized Onions
For the meat-loving dad who loves a burger, check out these spicy ancho-spiced patties from the Veggie Burger Atelier cookbook. Despite the fact they’re made with black beans, they’re deliciously meaty, and, thanks to the ancho chili powder, a little spicy, too.
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Luke Albert
5 Crispy Vegan Beer-Battered Tofu Fish and Chips
The British classic fish and chips is the perfect Father’s Day treat, but it doesn’t have to be made with real seafood. Instead, follow this recipe from the Vegan Fakeout cookbook and beer batter some tofu instead.
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6 Vegan Miso-Glazed Eggplant Dengaku Donburi
In this traditional Japanese donburi recipe from The Everyday Vegan Cheat Sheet cookbook, meaty slices of eggplant and tofu are the stars of the show. But if you prefer, daikon radish or konjac will work just as well.
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Sam Turnbull
7 Garlicky Vegan Tuscan Bean Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Italian cuisine is always a hit. If your dad can’t get enough pasta, this garlicky, creamy spaghetti dish (from the Fast Easy Cheap Vegan cookbook) is loaded with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It’s sure to be a hit.
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Nourish Books
8 Vegan Mushroom and Truffled Zucchini Pizza
Pizza doesn’t always have to be loaded with cheese to be delicious. This simple recipe from the Virtually Vegan cookbook features ribbons of zucchini and slices of portabello mushrooms over a marinara base—vegan cheese not required.
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9 Garlicky Brussels Sprout Tacos
Make your Father’s Day celebration a taco night and whip your dad up these tasty, wholesome garlicky tacos, which are packed with Brussels sprouts, crispy tofu, and deliciously creamy avocado. Don’t forget the hot sauce.
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Maggie Zhu
10 Vegan Sichuan Eggplant Stir-Fry With Sweet and Spicy Sauce
Skip the takeout and show your dad that you can cook something just as delicious with this vegan Sichuan eggplant stir-fry recipe. The secret to the mouth-watering taste is the sticky, sweet, slightly spicy sauce.
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11Vegan Protein Pancakes With Spinach and Chia
Who said breakfast in bed was only for moms? Celebrate your dad with the ultimate breakfast or brunch spread! Start off with these green-hued, protein packed pancakes. Pair with syrup, fruit compote, fresh berries, and a dollop of whipped cream.
Brittany Berlin
12 Chocolaty Vegan Molten Lava Cake
The love for chocolate is universal, and there are definitely chocoholic dads out there. Go big with this chocolate explosion of a dessert. It may be the start of your annual vegan Father’s Day tradition.
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Lauren Toyota
13New York Cheesecake
Save the raw cheesecake for another time—if you’re trying to veganize your dad you’ll want to give him the real deal, no-frill, New York-style version first. Your search for the perfect vegan cheesecake stops here.
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For more vegan Father’s Day ideas, read:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
