Do you want to eat a more plant-forward diet but feel overwhelmed? I’m here for you! This Tuesday, I am sharing my 9 favorite hacks to make being a vegetarian easier. These hacks will have you prepping + cooking vegetarian foods like a pro!
Tara’s Tuesday Tips:
9 Hacks to Make Being a Vegetarian Easier
Being a vegetarian does not need to be difficult or time-consuming. All you need is a little planning, a splash of creativity, and my hacks to make your meat-free life stress-free! Let’s do this!
Get Comfortable with Dry Beans
This hack saves you time and money. It also makes your kitchen a little bit more planet friendly. Buying dry beans in bulk is the first step, cooking them and freezing them is the real hack.
New to cooking beans? Read these:
The Vegetarian’s Guide To Beans
Find Your Favorite Replacements
No meat does not mean no taste. You can still enjoy your food! There are countless plant-based versions of your favorite cheeses, butter, chick’n tenders, burgers, hot dogs, and even deli meats.
Read these: Guide To Plant-Based Meat Alternatives,
How To Choose A Dairy-Free Milk Alternative,
10 Easy Food Substitutions For Plant-Based Eating
Set Up Your Kitchen for Success
From cookware to appliances, even spices and dry goods. All of these things make a huge difference in your plant-based success. If your vegetarian life is not built on a solid foundation, it will crumble. You cannot be a successful cook without the basics in place.
Check these out: What’s In My Pantry, 10 Things On My Grocery List Every Week
Make Your Freezer Your Friend
Don’t be afraid of frozen veggies! Firstly, you can get produce that is not in season for a reasonable price. Secondly, remember those beans? Make lots and store them in glass containers in your freezer. Third, leftovers are a vegetarians best friend. Make a big batch of chili or eggplant meatballs and put them in the freezer for a busy weeknight.
Read these: Go-To Lazy Vegetarian Meals,
Guide To Frozen Vegetables (Myths + Methods!)
Learn to Make Go-To Sauces + Dressings
This perhaps could be my number one tip. Having a dressing, sauce, hummus, or dip that you can whip up in minutes or make on weekends to have on hand for weeknight salads is a key to vegetarian success. Using silken tofu is a hack in itself. It gives you that creamy dressing you love without using dairy.
Need help finding the perfect dressing?
Start here: The Vegetarian’s Guide to Silken Tofu,
How To Make The Best Homemade Oil-free Hummus,
All of Tara’s Dressing Recipes Click Here
Find Peace with Soy
Soy is not your enemy! Make peace with it. Soy is such a great food for vegetarians (or anyone!). Tofu, tempeh, edamame, all great choices.
Still not sure? Read this: Should I Be Eating Soy as a Vegetarian?
Eat Seasonal
Cost, flavor, availability, and so much more! Every season offers a new variety. If you can get local, seasonal produce, your meals will be cheaper, easier, and taste better. This is a hack that undoubtedly makes being a vegetarian easier!
Start here: Guide to Eating Seasonal in Autumn,
Guide To Eating Seasonally In Summer,
Guide To Eating Seasonally In Spring
Use Down Time as Prep Time
If you have stopped by here before, you know I don’t think a formal meal prep is necessary for everyone. You don’t need fancy containers and labels and rigid prep rules. However, you do need some sense of foresight into your day or your week. Kitchen failures typically happen when you are distracted or rushed. So, do some shopping, chopping, and freezing when you have extra time for it. Then, when your hunger is raging and there is no time, you are prepared.
Start here: 10 Things To Do On Weekends To Make Weeknight Cooking Easier
Make the Most of Leftovers
If you are looking to live a meat-free life, let me introduce you to the love of leftovers. Make extra and save it for lunchboxes, breakfast, busy nights or a plant-based snack. Trust me on this one! Learn to love leftovers, this is life-changing.
Start here: Make the Most of Leftovers,
Food For Thought
You can be vegetarian, vegan, plant-curious, flexitarian or anything in between. There is so much to love about a vegetarian lifestyle! Every time I am in my kitchen creating recipes, I remember how exciting it is to discover new flavors, use up seasonal produce, and know that I am doing it in such a mindful, health-conscious way. Cooking is supposed to be fun, that is why I love sharing these hacks. My hope is that you find love of meat-free cooking and have success in your plant-based kitchen too! These hacks are a great first step. Click around here, there are plenty of tips + hacks to help you continue to be plant-curious. Thanks for stopping by + remember to take the time to enjoy good food in the company of good people.
All the best,
Tara 👩🏻🍳💚
⭐️ Did you love learning 9 hacks to make being vegetarian easier? Leave a comment below! We love comments ⭐️
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