24 Meatless Recipes that Carnivores Will Love
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on May 4, 2025
By carnivores, I mean the diehard meat lovers, of course. The ones who donโt believe dinner is complete without it. My brother is one, and I love him, so Iโm not passing judgment here. One of the best compliments I hear on the blog is that your beloved โcarnivoreโ enjoyed one of my recipes so much, he (or she!) didnโt even miss the meat.
Below, Iโve listed the hearty meatless dishes that get the most accolades from meat lovers. Youโll notice a few common threadsโtheyโre presented in a familiar form (like tacos, enchiladas, casseroles) and include hearty ingredients like beans, lots of veggies, quinoa and nuts. None of them are trying toย beย a meat dish, mind you, and you wonโt find any meat substitutes with funny ingredients here.
One of the most common myths about meatless meals is that they wonโt fill you up. When youโre cooking hearty vegetarian recipes made with fiber- and nutrient-rich whole foods, I dare you not to feel full!
Protein comes in many forms, such as whole grains, nuts and seeds, dairy, eggs, tofu and even kale. Furthermore, most Americans consume more than enough protein in their diets. Iโve been a vegetarian for over ten years now, and Iโm stronger than ever (no thanks to protein powders)! Letโs get on to the recipes.
Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Youโre going to love this vegetarian lentil tacos recipe. Roasted cauliflower, seasoned lentils and creamy chipotle sauce combine to make a delicious taco! Recipe yields 8 modestly portioned tacos.
Roasted Veggie Enchilada Casserole
This roasted veggie enchilada casserole recipe is a hearty, vegetable-packed dinner loaded with fresh Mexican flavors! Itโs a great gluten-free main dish. Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings.
Hearty Spaghetti with Lentils & Marinara Sauce
This wholesome dinner features hearty lentils, marinara sauce and spaghetti. This vegetarian dinner is easy to make, affordable and delicious! Recipe yields 4 servings.
Vegetable Paella
The best vegetable paella recipe! Itโs loaded with vegetables, chickpeas, and savory, smoky rice. This Spanish dish is perfect for serving at dinner parties, since itโs vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. Recipe yields 6 hearty servings.
Tex-Mex Migas
This Tex-Mex migas recipe features cheesy scrambled eggs mixed with crumbled tortilla chips, sautรฉed peppers and onion, and toppings of your choice! Enjoy a taste of Austin, Texas with these delicious homemade migas. Recipe yields 4 bowls (or 8 to 12 migas tacos).
Spinach Lasagna
Make this spinach lasagna for a special occasion or just because! This lasagna tastes even better the next day. Recipe yields one 9-inch square lasagna, which is enough for 8 to 9 servings.
Classic Minestrone Soup
Warm up with this vegetarian minestrone soup! This classic minestrone soup recipe is healthy, easy to make, and tastes incredible. Itโs vegan, too, if you donโt top it with cheese. Recipe yields 6 bowls or 8 cups of soup.
Kale, Black Bean & Avocado Burrito Bowl
A fresh burrito bowl with super flavorful componentsโlime marinated kale, seasoned black beans, brown rice and avocado salsa verde. This recipe is both gluten free and vegan.
Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas & Herbed Crรจme Fraรฎche
This roasted carrot recipe looks gourmet, but itโs surprisingly easy to make! It would be a lovely dish on your holiday table or a great weeknight dinner on its own. Recipe yields 4 main dish servings to 8 side servings, depending on portions.
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos with Avocado-Pepita Dip
These roasted sweet potato tacos feature spicy black beans and avocado-pepita dip. So delicious! This taco recipe is vegetarian (easily vegan) and gluten-free (see recipe notes for details). Recipe yields 8 to 10 hearty tacos, enough for at least 4 servings.
Best Lentil Soup
This simple vegan lentil soup recipe comes together quickly with mostly pantry ingredients. Be sure to have your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking! Recipe yields four large bowls of soup, or six more modest servings.
Spinach Artichoke Enchiladas
Hearty spinach artichoke enchiladas with a simple homemade red sauce! These lightened-up vegetarian enchiladas include black beans, a modest amount of sour cream and some golden cheese on top. Recipe yields 6 large enchiladas. You might as well make a double batch of the sauce and freeze it for later!
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Thai-style sweet and spicy pineapple fried rice with red bell pepper, cashews and cilantro. This is a healthy and quick, vegetarian weeknight dinner! This dish comes together very quickly, so be sure to have your ingredients (including chilled leftover rice) prepped in advance. Recipe yields 2 large, restaurant-sized portions or 4 more modest portions.
Easy Brown Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Fresh Oregano
Creamy, delicious, healthier baked brown rice risotto with minimal stirring required! This recipe is designed for brown arborio/short grain brown rice so any grain substitutions will affect baking time. (White arborio rice will only need to be baked for 40 to 45 minutes.) Look for brown arborio/short-grain brown rice at well-stocked grocery stores or health food stores. Skip the wine if you donโt drink, but it adds a lovely depth of flavor. Recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.
Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado
Hearty, spicy and sweet vegetarian chili made with butternut squash and black beans. Top with creamy avocado for an easy meal that satisfies vegans, carnivores and gluten-free eaters alike. This recipe yields about 12 cups, enough for 4 to 6 bowls. This chili is very hearty, but feel free to add another can of tomatoes or more vegetable broth if you want to thin it out a bit. Double the recipe for a crowd.
Mango โBurritoโ Bowls with Crispy Tofu and Peanut Sauce
Think of these mango bowls as a Thai spin on your favorite burrito bowl. This recipe features brown rice, fresh mango, tofu and peanut sauce. You will have time to prepare the produce while the tofu and rice cook, so get started on those elements first. Recipe yields 4 bowls.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Crispy Tofu with Honey-Sesame Glaze
Tender, caramelized brussels sprouts with extra crispy tofu and brown rice, topped with an irresistible sweet-and-spicy glaze. This meal requires some prep work, but once youโre ready, you can cook the rice, sprouts and tofu in about 30 minutes, while making the glaze in the meantime.
Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas
Amazing vegetarian enchiladas stuffed with black beans, broccoli, bell pepper and spinach, topped with homemade red sauce. My favorite enchilada recipe! Recipe yields 8 enchiladas, enough for about 4 servings.
Spicy Kale and Coconut Fried Rice
A vegetarian weeknight fried rice with sautรฉed kale, coconut flakes and rice. The dish is finished with Thai flavors like lime, cilantro and sriracha. For best results, cook your rice in advance and refrigerate until youโre ready to start cooking (see note). This dish comes together very quicklyโbe sure to have your ingredients prepped ahead of time and placed near the stove, along with a big empty bowl for the cooked components. Recipe yields 2 servings.
Tortilla Soup
Warm up with a bowl of vegetarian tortilla soup, made with black beans instead of chicken. This soup recipe is so fresh and satisfying! Recipe yields 4 servings.
Vegetarian โBLTโ Sandwich
Try this vegetarian riff on a BLT sandwich! Instead of bacon, this recipe uses pan-fried halloumi cheese, which is similarly chewy, salty, golden and tasty. Recipe yields 2 large or 3 medium sandwiches, depending on the size of your bread.
Pasta alla Norma
Pasta alla Norma is a delicious Sicilian pasta dish with eggplant, marinara and basil. This amazing recipe features roasted eggplant, not fried! Recipe yields 4 entrรฉe servings.
Homemade Vegetarian Chili
The smoky, complex flavor of this simple vegetarian chili comes from basic pantry ingredients, vegetables and spices! It makes great leftovers, too. Recipe yields 4 large or 6 moderate servings of chili.
Favorite Veggie Burgers
These sweet and spicy veggie burgers are both vegan and gluten free. You can bake them, grill them, or cook them on the stovetop! For best results when choosing the grill or stovetop method, prepare the burger mixture in advance and let it chill in the refrigerator (you can let it chill overnight or longer if youโd like). Recipe yields 8 patties.
More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
Yep! Those are some of my carnivore husbands favorites, especially the veggie burgers! We will have to try the others :)
Hooray, happy to hear that! Thank you, Sarah.
Iโm a meat eater and I already love the look of these recipes! The roasted Brussel sprouts with crispy baked tofu and vegan lentil soup especially look amazing!
Thanks, Cassie! Great picks. :)
Thank you for all the lovely recipes. I wish they werenโt so long, but I enjoy them.
These all look amazing! I canโt wait to make some and have my family try them! :)
Hi Kate, thank you so much for compiling this list. Itโs a great idea. I will make sure to try all these recipes. Iโve just tried the โSweet Potato & Black Bean Veggie Burgersโ last week and I liked it so much that I made it again this week.
Thank you! Iโm so glad you enjoyed the veggie burgers!
Iโve been a vegetarian my whole life and not getting enough protein has never been an issue. I think itโs an Americanized way of thinking. Half of the Indian population is vegetarian and they get their protein from their Indian diet which is rich in lentils and beans. great post! xoxo
Agreed! I naturally started eating more lentils and beans after I gave up meat. I think itโs really easy to get enough protein as long as youโre eating plenty of whole foods. Processed foods all the time would leave me hungry, all the time!
These look like such flavorful and delicious options!
Kate,
This roundup is fabulous! My daughter, who will be returning home from college in a few weeks, has informed me that she wants to โtryโ going vegan. Gulp! Youโve given me a good head start! Thank you!
Thanks, Lisa! Hope you both enjoy these recipes!
perfect timing. my father in law is coming to stay for 2 weeks and iโve been having anxiety about what to feed us that will be healthy, yet appeal to his meat-eating sensibilities. thanks!
Glad to help. I hope he enjoys these recipes!
Portobello and Poblano Fajitas is my favorite dish. Happy to see that in your list.
I have made most of these and they were all delicious! I am vegetarian but my husband is not. He especially likes the quinoa black bean tacos and the sweet potato veggie burger.
Thank you, Maisie! Iโm so glad you both enjoy my recipes. :)
What a great list! I just had to comment to say that you forgot one ;). Iโve found that your West African Peanut Stew is always a hit with friends who generally prefer meat.
Itโs rich and spicy โ and if I serve it over brown rice, itโs very filling and satisfying. I even have meat-eating friends frequently ask for the recipe. Iโm always glad to refer them to your site, because Iโve found that you, more than many vegetarian sites, have a knack for recipes with a broad appeal.
Thank you so much, Carol! Thatโs really nice to hear. Iโm including an even more hearty version of that stew in my cookbook!
I have tried so many of these recipes already! I canโt decide which one is my favorite! I have definitely made the black bean, sweet potato, and kale burrito bowls several times, absolutely smothered in your avocado sauce of course :) I have been meaning to try out one of your enchilada recipes! That spinach and artichoke one sounds to die for!
Thank you, Jessie! So glad to hear youโve been enjoying these. :)
My boyfriend is an extremely picky eater. He wonโt touch anything green. I am vegan and he says he wants to be. I have actually gotten him to like vegan desserts. However, those do not make a meal. His go to foods are chicken sandwiches, fries, pizzaโฆ you get the picture. What do I do? What are some recipes of things that he will actually even consider eating?
Hi Karen, thatโs a tough situation. Maybe you could show him this post and something will appeal to him?
Ah! My husband does not like to eat anything green. Except maybe a green grape, lol. He usually likes to eat chicken/pork with a spicy sauce or a creamy sauce, with white rice. He will not eat brown rice, and he doesnโt like sweet potato and barely touches a butternut pumpkin. I donโt think Iโve ever seen him eat any vegetables raw, ever.
I like to eat whole-foods-plant-based, and Iโm trying to cut out sugar oil and salt as much as possible as well. He feels itโs extreme, and I can understand, as perhaps it is extreme! Iโm willing to compromise on oil and sugar and salt, but I want it to still be overall relatively healthy. He will cook for me something but it is usually full of oil and salt. Iโd really like to be able to cook something I find is healthy and that he will love. He just doesnโt seem to want to try anything that looks remotely like it was just picked from the ground. No salad whatsoever. Itโs very frustrating. I feel like there is an amazing world of food full of variety and colour and flavour, and all he sees is not being able to enjoy food ever again. Iโm going to try one or two of these recipes in the hope we can find some common ground. The good news is that he will eat cauliflower and some lentils, onions, mushroom, the occasional zucchini and a couple of other things. Says he hates beans. hates risotto. Hates sweet potato. What do I do? I feel like the only way we can live together is if I give in to his way of eating, at least sometimes. Perhaps my diet is extreme! But I donโt want to eat meat and dairy and the high fat and salt makes me lethargic where I feel I have to sleep after every meal.
Then your husband isnt taking into consideration your feelings and wants in life. Very selfish of him. and you giving in all the time only confirms his selfishness as an OK attitude.
I make my carnivore hubby food and he eats what I cook. If he doesnt like it or wants something else, he cooks for himself.
I am a meat and potatoes girl, but Iโm trying to decrease the amount of meat my family eats. This week I have prepared your Roasted Cauliflower and lentil tacos, Black bean & Kale -avocado bowl, and the Spinach& Artichoke Lasagna. The tacos and the lasagna are now part of my menu rotation! Next, Iโm preparing your Butternut Squash Chili. Awesome recipes!!
Iโm so happy you like those, Dawn! Good luck on reducing meat in your dietโthe benefits are very much worth it!
I have been a pescatarian for almost 12 years now and Iโve been trying to get my husband to go vegetarian with me, since I donโt even eat much seafood anyways. Theses recipes seem like a great way to help ease him into it! The fajitas and lasagna are on the list first, I think heโs going to be very happy and surprised, considering he says he โcanโt live without meat!โ I also love that you include your pup! We are huge animal lovers, which is why I changed my eating habits to begin with! Thank you for sharing these recipes and I look forward to trying them all!
Let me know what he (and you) think, Miranda! Good luck!
I love your recipes and have saved them, especially since I have friends who are vegans. I have severe diverticulitis/ My question is, can any of your recipes be โdumbed downโ for my problem and still be presentably delicious for my vegan friends?
Hi Julie, Iโm glad you are loving the site! I wish I had an answer for you, but Iโm not an expert with your needs and wouldnโt want to speak incorrectly.
Is everyone that commented on this site married to a meat eater. โMy husband.โ was mentioned in every comment I read. Sheesh. lol That said, I am going to try as many of these delicious sounding meals as I can muster. Wish me luck.
well honestly the term of โcarnivoresโ is sounds rude, iโm is a meat and also veggie lover i eat both of them on the other side my wife is a vegan and i respect her even though sometimes she always forces me to be a completely herbivore. but yeah i like your lasagna & risotto looks great & nice
Hi Dwiki, Iโm sorry that title frustrates you. I appreciate your feedback.
Sometimes she always i is a bad speller even thou i sounds smarts. Karen and Kyle they Both agree. Thanks, Dwiki for eating on both sides of your wife. Iโm sure Julie is too busy for your nonsense.
I just purchased your cookbook on Amazon โ are all of these recipies in your book? If so, I will save some time (and ink) printing all of them out! :) Thanks! :)
Hi Kimberly! My cookbook contains a different batch of recipes developed specifically for the cookbook. I hope you love it!
My husband is a big meat eater, but one of his favorite meals is West African Peanut Soup. He doesnโt like sweet potatoes or chickpeas, but he loves that soup!!
Do you have a recipe for tofu turkey?
I donโt, sorry! You can try my How to Make Crispy Baked Tofu.