When you get an urge for Chinese food, it can be tempting to pick up the phone and call in an order for delivery or head to the local restaurant and get takeout. Well, hold your dumplings because there are so many vegan Chinese recipes that you can make at home super easily. It’s also healthier because you get to choose the ingredients, the amount of sodium, and the spice level.
Still not convinced? Don’t be intimidated. Learn all about the ingredients, flavor profiles and techniques in How to Make Your Own Vegan Chinese Dishes at Home. Get all the Secrets to Sautéing and Stir-Frying Veggies Chinese Style and you’ll be making your own dishes with no problems. Want to know more about sesame oil, 5-spice powder and ginger? Here’s how to Spike Up Your Meals With These Chinese Spices and Sauces. If you think there’s no way you could ever make tofu as crispy as the restaurants do, we can tell you The Secret to Making the Crispiest Tofu for All Your Dishes. By the end of reading these tips and trying out different vegan Chinese recipes, you will be a pro!
Sure it’s fun to go out and eat and when you do, we can tell you The Best Veggie Items on the Menu in a Chinese Restaurant. Making your own Chinese food at home, however, is fun, more economical, and healthier. So next time, skip the takeout and follow one of these 20 vegan Chinese recipes instead.
1. Scrambled Tofu Fried Rice
This is a quick and easy Tofu Scramble Fried Rice that tastes great and will keep you full for hours. The combination of spicy, sweet and salty flavors combine into a fabulous flavored dish that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
2. Chilled Peanut Noodles
Everyone loves Chilled Peanut Noodles and now you can have them in a snap. Whole grain noodles are tossed in a much healthier and tastier peanut sauce with scallion and chopped peanuts for crunch.
3. Sweet Potato Spring Rolls
Spring rolls are a great way to use leftover veggies. These Sweet Potato Spring Rolls are a creative twist on the usual appetizers with fresh basil and mint.
4. Vegetable Lo Mein With Creamy Peanut Sauce
This classic Chinese Vegetable Lo Mein becomes a fusion dish with its Thai-inspired creamy peanut sauce. Use your favorite veggies to create a masterpiece of color, texture and flavor.
5. Sweet and Sour Cauliflower
This Sweet and Sour Cauliflower is a lighter, healthier version of an old favorite. The crunchy cauliflower takes on all the Asian flavors with no breading or frying. The sweet and sour sauce is light and delicious.
6. Seared Asian Tofu With Chinese Eggplant and Baby Bok Choy
This Seared Asian Tofu with Chinese Eggplant and Baby Bok Choy is the perfect light summertime dinner with multiple layers of distinct Asian flavors. The tofu takes all those flavors in, leaving you with a fantastic, satisfying dish.
7. Vegan Sesame Tofu
This Sesame Tofu is so incredible, everyone will swear you got it from a really great Chinese restaurant. The tofu is that crispy and the sauce is that good.
8. Homemade Butternut Squash Potstickers That Beat Anything You can Find in a Restaurant
Home cooked perfection…these Butternut Squash Potstickers are better than any restaurant! Delicious hot or cold, these have a sweet filling and are perfect for dipping into the slightly spicy dipping sauce.
9. Blackened Bok Choy
This Blackened Bok Choy dish is simple and elegant. The little Chinese cabbages are cooked with no oil and topped with savory sauteed mushrooms and crunchy raw pepitas.
10. Sweet and Spicy Vegan Pork
This Sweet and Sour Vegan Pork tastes so authentic, no one will suspect it’s made with TVP. The sauce is sweet, sour, spicy and oh so good. It just proves that anything can be made plant-based.
11. Xi Jong Shi Chao ‘Jidan’ (Chinese Tofu Scramble)
Xi Jong Shi Chao “Jidan”, pronounced “she hung sure chow gee don,” this traditional Chinese dish made with eggs is very popular. This vegan version uses tofu for a global twist on the tofu scramble.
12. Asian Noodle Salad
This gluten-free Asian Noodle Salad is a lighter take on a traditional Chinese chicken salad. It’s made with “rice stick” noodles which give it really nice texture as does the red cabbage, shredded carrots and sesame seeds. This is a perfect dish for summer.
13. Cauliflower Fried Rice
The beauty of Cauliflower Fried Rice is the fact that you are eating all veggies even though it feels like a grain. Seasoned with Asian flavors and packed with vegetables, you can eat as much fried “rice” as you want because it is guilt-free!
14. Vegan Sweet and Sour ‘Chicken’
This dish is incredible – the mix of sweet and spicy – will make your taste buds happy! This Vegan Sweet and Sour “Chicken” goes perfectly over brown rice and satisfies that take-out craving without ever having to leave your house.
15. Egg-Free Fortune Cookies
These Vegan Fortune Cookies are the perfect way to finish up your favorite Chinese carry-out type meal. You can insert your own fortunes for your friends, family, and colleagues too. Not only are they completely vegan, they’re also naturally colored with beet juice.
16. Ultimate Teriyaki Stir-Fry
Making a delicious stir-fry is easier than you think. Use whatever veggies you like and add tofu or tempeh to boost the protein. This Ultimate Stir-Fry has a flavorful sauce that you’ll love.
17. Orange Cauliflower
Even the cauliflower hating, meat and potatoes friends of yours will love this Orange Cauliflower. The words “pretty damn good” and “the best way I have ever tasted cauliflower” will come out of their mouths.
18. Perfect Fried or Steamed Veggie Dumplings
No Chinese meal is complete without a few dumplings. These Perfect Veggie Dumplings can be fried or steamed. The sautéed mushrooms give the filling a hearty texture, while the cilantro and bell peppers add a fresh crunch. The fried dumplings, or pot stickers, are golden and crispy, while the steamed ones have a light and slightly chewy texture. A simple spicy sauce is the perfect partner for these savory snacks.
19. Steamed Chinese Bao With Peanut Butter
These Steamed Chinese Bao may not be traditional, but they’re really good. They’re filled with peanut butter but you can fill them with anything you like, sweet or savory. Once you make these, you’ll want to try them every which way.
20. Vegan Orange ‘Chicken’ With Zucchini Noodles
This Vegan Orange “Chicken” is crisp yet tender with an amazing orange flavor that mingles with the tamari, garlic and ginger for a dish that’s perfectly sweet and spicy. Serving it over rice is delicious, but serving it over zucchini noodles and making a sauce out of the leftover marinade really makes it extra light, extra easy and extra scrumptious.
Once you see how easy and delicious it is to make your own Chinese food, you may never get takeout again. For even more vegan Chinese recipes, see 25 EPIC Vegan Recipes for Chinese New Year.
Lead image source: Scrambled Tofu Fried Rice
