Best Plant-Based Cookbooks to Hit Shelves This Year (So Far)
by Erin Lem
Going vegetarian—or even vegan—is no longer just a fad. Plant-based diets are here to stay, evidenced by the many new cookbooks debuting in 2019 on this very topic. So whether your family is already vegetarian or you’re looking to incorporate more vegetables into your routine, check out these cookbooks that make it doable and delicious, even for families not accustomed to going meatless. Scroll down for the best plant-based cookbooks to hit shelves this year.
30-Minute Vegan Dinners by Megan Sadd Hits shelves February 2019
Leave it to a busy mom to come up with 30-minute, approachable dinner ideas. New mama Sadd, the creator of Carrots & Flowers, breaks down recipes like Chipotle Black Bean and Plantain Quesadillas, Crispy Eggplant Parmesan Stacks, and Sticky Orange Cauliflower into easy-to-follow steps with fresh tips like ways to make the dish healthier or substitutions you can swap in. You’ll love the intro. where Sadd outlines tips for multi-tasking, like how she stays organized and ideas for streamlining dinner prep. Couple this all with full-page photos and this book is a clear winner.
The Ultimate Age-Defying Plan: The Plant-Based Way to Stay Mentally Sharp and Physically Fit by Mark Reinfeld and Ashley Boudet Hits shelves February 2019
Staying mentally sharp and physically fit as a parent is no easy feat, and in their new book authors Mark Reinfeld and Ashley Boudet try to convince us tired parents otherwise. The dynamic duo are husband and wife with kids so they know the deal of parenthood, and in this monster 350+ page book they provide practical tools to make smarter diet choices. From explaining the health benefits of a plant-based diet to providing 175 recipes all with seven ingredients or less, this is one cookbook you’ll refer to again and again for both the recipes, and health and wellness advice.
Recipes for Your Perfectly Imperfect Life by Kimberly Snyder C.N. Hits shelves February 2019
Half life lessons about embracing your perfectly imperfect life, and half cookbook, this new plant-based release from Kimberly Snyder of the Beauty Detox series toes the line between advice column and pragmatic recipes. If you’re looking for the latter, hop a third of the way through the book to the recipes, which are laid out in chapters from mains to sides and starters to kid eats where you’ll find dishes like chicken-less nuggets and I love you flatbread pizza.
Deliciously Ella: The Plant-Based Cookbook by Ella Mills Woodward Hits shelves April 2019
Don’t let the fancy names of the recipes like Sweet Potato and Courgette Stew or Smoky Aubergine Dip fool you. This cookbook is full of accessible recipes for the busy homecook (that’s you!). With 100 brand-new plant-based dishes sorted into six chapters—from breakfast to warming soups to sweets—Deliciously Ella will win you over with its gorgeous full-page color photos, easy-to-follow directions and tasty dishes.
Good to know: many of the ingredient lists are measured in the metric system or weight in grams. While there’s a conversion table at the end of the book, you’ll want to read the recipe in-full and measure out your ingredients before getting started.
The Art of the Smoothie Bowl by Nicole Gaffney Hits shelves April 2019
Even if you have a kid who will eat anything, with three meals plus snacks to serve up every day, sometimes you have to break out of your cooking mold and get creative. So whether you want to ditch your green juice routine or need a savvy way to sneak in those vitamins to junior’s diet, The Art of the Smoothie Bowl has you covered. Recipe highlights include classic acai, watermelon creamsicle and pom-berry yogurt. With enticing names like those, what kid could resist?
Love & Lemons Everyday: More Than 100 Bright, Plant-Forward Recipes for Every Meal by Jeanine Donofrio Hits shelves April 2019
You may know Jeanine of Love & Lemons from her impeccably curated Instagram feed or her equally as gorgeous blog also dubbed Love & Lemons. And just like her blog, this new cookbook boasts plant-based recipes that are actually easy to pull off. The book is full of cooking tips, ideas for using common vegetable scraps and alternatives for dietary restrictions. Plus, it’s packed with over 100 totally fresh plant-based recipes. As one reviewer wrote on Amazon, Donofrio’s recipes are “vegetarian without sacrificing anything,” and we couldn’t agree more.
