There are so many ways to enjoy creative vegan meatballs recipes, whether making them yourself or using a ready-made product. Here you’ll find many tempting options for making plant-based meatballs from scratch — the biggest quandary is which to try first! Plus, you’ll find an array of irresistible recipes incorporating homemade or prepared vegan meatballs.
Here are lots of ways to make well-seasoned, protein-packed vegan meatballs using beans, lentils, tempeh, TVP, plant-based ground, and more. Or, if you’re not inclined to DIY, explore the shortcut of using one of the many brands of vegan meatballs available at well-stocked supermarkets and natural foods stores.
Homemade Vegan Meatball recipes
Easy Vegan Meatballs (with a subtle BBQ flavor): Made with your choice of lentils, red beans, tempeh, or packaged plant-based ground, the tempting flavor note of these vegan meatballs is provided by a double dose of barbecue flavor — sauce and seasoning blend. And because they’re baked, only a little bit of oil is needed.
Gluten-Free Vegan Meatballs: From Zardy Plants, these tender and delicious vegan meatballs are the easiest ever, and they’re also gluten-free! These little bean balls are great in any kind of sauce (an optional sweet-and-sour sauce is provided0, whether part of your entree or served with toothpicks as a party food. Liz suggests using these meatballs in her Vegan Swedish Meatballs recipe, though she gives the option of using store-bought plant based meatballs in it as well.
Easy Lentil Meatballs: From Ascension Kitchen, wholesome and easy lentil-based meatballs with buckwheat, fresh herbs and spices. Soft and flavorful, these are perfect on a bed of spiralized zucchini.
Vegan Sicilian-Style Lentil Meatballs:From No Sweat Vegan, another take on lentil meatballs, this time full of Italian herbs and spices. Currants offer a touch of sweetness, pine nuts add earthiness and bite, and red pepper flakes give a little spicy kick.
Umami Seitan Meatballs: From BittersweetBlog, here are meatballs that come together in a matter of minutes with a shortcut seitan formula that’s easy to master. The mixture is first steamed to become plump and juicy, then quickly seared for a crisp, golden brown exterior.
Easy Vegan TVP Meatballs: My Pure Plants serves up vegan meatballs using high-protein TVP with the best juicy texture, seasoned with Italian spices and served with a hearty marinara sauce.
Tempeh Meatless Meatballs: Tempeh, a protein-packed soy food, is a fantastic way to make meatless meatballs for classic pasta dishes and other preparations. Lisa Dawn Angerame of Lisa’s Project: Vegan contributed this recipe from her book Wait, That’s Vegan?
Italian Black Bean Meatballs: From Running to the Kitchen, Italian-flavored black bean meatballs that make a delicious and hearty plant-based alternative to traditional meatballs. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce over pasta or zoodles (zucchini noodles) for a comforting healthful meal.
Vegan Swedish Meatballs: From Vegan Huggs, these delicious Vegan Swedish Meatballs are reminiscent of the classic IKEA version. Made with a plant-based ground that’s perfectly textured and seasoned with warm spices, they’re then smothered in a rich and creamy gravy that is the epitome of comfort.
Vegan Teriyaki Meatballs: From This Wife Cooks, 5-ingredient plant-based meatballs are pan-fried in toasted sesame oil then cooked in a sweet and simple homemade teriyaki sauce, for a delightful Asian spin.
Buffalo Chickpea Meatballs: From Watch Learn Eat comes a recipe for gluten-free and vegan Buffalo Chickpea Meatballs that make a perfect party appetizer! You can also make them into a meal by serving over rice or quinoa. Drizzle with vegan ranch or blue cheese dressing for the ultimate flavor combination.
Recipes using vegan meatballs
Some of these recipes call for homemade vegan meatballs, and some suggest packaged. In the case of the latter, if you’re not in a hurry you can choose from any of the options in the homemade list above.
Vegan Italian Wedding Soup: Veganizing this classic soup isn’t much of a stretch. Don’t be daunted by the ingredient list; everything just gets tossed into the soup pot. And because overcooked veggies aren’t appealing, the cook time for this soup is surprisingly quick.
Quinoa Soup with Mini Vegan Meatballs: From Watch Learn Eat, this gluten-free quinoa soup with mini vegan meatballs is a hearty, satisfying and comforting meal that’s perfect for the whole family.
Vegan Thai Coconut Curry Meatballs: This saucy Thai-inspired coconut curry is a plant-based take on a home-style dish. When a dish requires a curry backdrop, I rely on readymade Indian simmer sauces, since these miracles in a jar do the job much better than the average Western cook can to create amazingly complex flavors.
Kofta Curry with Plant-Based Meatballs: From Cookilicious, here’s a classic kofta curry made with the best plant-based meatballs! These easy-to-make kebabs give this vegan meatball curry a tasty and authentic flavor. Plus, you can serve this for dinner in just 30 minutes!
Pasta Puttanesca with Vegan Meatballs: The Italian classic pasta puttanesca is made more substantial with vegan meatballs for a hearty main dish. It’s easy enough for weeknights and festive enough for special weekend meals.
Budget-Friendly Vegan Pasta Primavera: The generous amount of veggies make a heaping helping of vegan pasta primavera, even though it uses less than a full pound of pasta. Pretty enough to serve to company, you can use homemade or packaged meatballs.
Gluten-Free Air Fryer Meatballs with Spaghetti Marinara: From xoxo Bella, these air-fryer vegan meatballs with spaghetti marinara make a quick dinner that’s a crowd pleaser. They’re full of spice and flavor, and pair beautifully with a tasty marinara sauce.
Vegan Lentil Meatball Stroganoff: From This Wife Cooks, homemade pan-seared lentil meatballs are tossed in a vegan sour cream-and-mushroom sauce and served over wide fusilli pasta.
Vegan Meatball Sub: From the Comfort of My Bowl presents a vegan meatball sub that’s one of the most satisfying sandwiches to make. Lentil meatballs in a toasted hoagie roll are topped with marinara and homemade vegan cheese sauce.
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