Recipes

The 10 Most Popular Vegetarian Recipes of 2021

Tofu, mushrooms, and cauliflower were our friends.
Image may contain Food Food Presentation Plate Cutlery and Fork
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime

While we may still be in denial that 2022 is right around the corner, there’s no denying that we took the timeless, age-old advice of “eat your veggies” very seriously last year. From speedy stir-fries to multipurpose vegan curry bases and sauces, these 10 recipes were the most loved vegetarian (and sometimes vegan!) recipes of 2021. When it came to ingredients, tofu, mushrooms, and cauliflower were the stars of the show—as were some crowd-pleasing favorites (looking at you, potatoes). 

Use the list below—which counts down from No. 10 to No. 1— to revisit old favorites and add new recipes to your rotation for the months to come. It might be a new year but vegetables aren't going out of style.

  • A spread of spiced mushroom tacos with toppings including lime wedges cilantro charred tortillas and more.
    Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks
    1/10

    10. Adobo Mushroom Tacos

    Meaty mushrooms get spiced to perfection and roasted until crisp before they're tucked into warm corn tortillas.

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  • Image may contain Food Food Presentation Plate Cutlery and Fork
    Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime
    2/10

    9. Coconut Tofu Stir-Fry

    Crispy, bite-sized green beans and coconutty tofu are a match made in heaven in this quick weeknight meal. 

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  • SaltandPepper Cauliflower recipe from chef Justin Lee of Fat Choy
    Photograph by Frank Frances, food styling by Lillian Chou, prop styling by Sophia Pappas
    3/10

    8. Salt-and-Pepper Cauliflower

    Leave the hassle of deep-frying cauliflower to the restaurants! You’ll still get beautifully crispy florets by popping them into the oven.

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  • Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman
    4/10

    7. Cashew Cream

    Vegan or not, this smooth and savory cream is the condiment, sauce, and dressing we want on everything.

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  • Image may contain Food and Breakfast
    Photograph by Chona Kasinger, prop styling by Callie Meyer
    5/10

    6. Garlic Fried Rice

    This is one of those times when just a few ingredients pay out big, resulting in a rice dish that bursts with garlic flavor.

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  • Smashed Cucumber Salad recipe
    Photograph by Frank Frances, food styling by Lillian Chou, prop styling by Sophia Pappas
    6/10

    5. Smashed Cucumber Salad

    This refreshing, saucy cucumber salad will cool you down all summer.

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  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Meatball and Platter
    Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    7/10

    4. Aloo Tikki With Hari Chutney

    Crispy, bronzed potato patties and a fiery green sauce to dip them in.

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  • All Purpose Coconut Curry
    Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman
    8/10

    3. All-Purpose Coconut Curry

    Here's a simple and versatile rich coconut curry to add to your meal prep rotation. This recipe makes enough sauce for three different dishes (Yellow Curry Chicken with Vegetables, Fish Curry, and Butternut Squash and Green Bean Stew).

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  • A plate of sesame tofu with broccoli topped with toasted sesame seeds and scallions.
    Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    9/10

    2. Sesame Tofu With Broccoli

    Tahini (an untraditional but logical addition) adds richness to this plant-based riff on sesame chicken.

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  • Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman
    10/10

    1. Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal

    This warm and cozy baked oatmeal studded with carrots, apples, and raisins is the make-ahead breakfast situation your busy mornings need.

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Antara is an associate editor at Bon Appétit whose work includes writing about the joys of cooking with South Asian spice blends, a review of Bad Bunny’s Miami restaurant, and plenty of ingredient and technique explainers to help level up your kitchen skills. She developed the “Part-Time Plant-Based” cooking column ... Read More
Associate Editor, Cooking