Where to find vegetarian recipes? Discover delicious options now!

Investing in vegetarian recipes is a way to include more vegetables in your diet and, thus, have a more balanced, healthy and nutrient-rich diet. 

In addition to being good for your health, a vegetarian diet (that is, one without meat) is also beneficial for the planet, as it helps to mitigate effects of global warming. 

In fact, this is a lifestyle that is increasingly gaining followers in Brazil: this article from G1 points out that more than 40 million people consider themselves vegetarians in the country — 20% of the national population!

Whether for health reasons, animal ethics or environmental concerns, more and more people are opting for a diet based on plants, fruits, legumes, grains and nuts. 

For many who are thinking about reducing their meat consumption and don't know very well how a vegetarian diet works, the idea of a diet without this ingredient may sound restrictive and tasteless.

But this is a big mistake! This cuisine is a universe of possibilities, rich in colors, aromas and textures that conquer even the most demanding palates: in addition to being a conscious choice, vegetarian dishes can be incredibly tasty and versatile.

Do you want to know how to find vegetarian recipes and what are the most classic meat-free dishes out there? Come with us!

Read too:

• What are the most requested vegetarians on iFood?
• Learn easy recipes for different occasions
• World Vegetarian Day: an overview of the current market

Where to find vegetarian recipes?

A good vegetarian recipe is anything but bland. After all, the different combinations that can be made with vegetables, legumes and oilseeds guarantee delicious and nutritious dishes.

To find vegetarian recipes, whether classic, unusual, sophisticated or simple, for everyday life, there are today a multitude of websites, blogs, books and videos available on the internet. 

In Portuguese, some websites and blogs that focus on meat-free dishes are Brazilian ones Vegetarian Ham, Veg with Care It is Vegan munchies, in addition to the Portuguese Made by Choice It is Leek.

Looking for vegetarian recipes can be a delicious way to browse books full of dishes, like Vegetarianizing, Vegetarian Recipes for Kids, Eat More Vegetables, My First Vegetarian Dinner It is Encyclopedia of Vegetarian Gastronomy. 

Amazing vegetarian recipes for you to try

Adopting a vegetarian diet brings several benefits to health and well-being: it reduces the risk of chronic diseases, improves weight control, increases nutrient intake and much more!

Still, it comes as no surprise to anyone that meat production generates significant environmental impacts; Therefore, reducing meat consumption contributes to preserving the environment.

Vegetarian cuisine offers an infinite variety of delicious and nutritious recipes for all tastes — and iFood has separated some good and simple recipes for you to try at home; check out:

1. Mushroom risotto

Risotto is a classic Italian dish that can easily be adapted into a vegetarian version!

For this recipe you will need:

• 1 cup of arborio rice;
• 4 cups of vegetable broth;
• 2 cups of chopped mushrooms (we recommend fresh portobellos);
• 1 small chopped onion;
• 2 chopped garlic cloves;
• ½ cup of white wine;
• ½ cup parmesan cheese (or a vegan alternative, if you prefer);
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil;
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Step by step:

1. Heat the vegetable broth in a pan and keep on low heat;
2. in another pan, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until soft;
3. add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes;
4. add the arborio rice to the pan and sauté for another 2 minutes;
5. deglaze the pan with white wine, stirring until the liquid is absorbed;
6. add a ladle of hot vegetable broth to the rice and stir until absorbed;
7. continue adding the broth little by little, stirring frequently, until the rice is cooked and creamy;
8. mix in the grated parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

2. Avocado and black bean tacos

Tacos are a versatile and fun option for a vegetarian meal. 

For this recipe you will need:

• 8 corn tortillas;
• 2 ripe avocados;
• 1 can of cooked black beans, drained and washed;
• 1 large tomato, chopped;
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced;
• fresh coriander to taste;
• 1 lemon juice;
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Step by step:

1. in a bowl, mash ripe avocados with lemon juice, salt and pepper;
2. heat the tortillas in a frying pan or in the oven until they are slightly crispy;
3. Assemble the tacos with mashed avocado, black beans, diced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion and fresh cilantro;
4. Serve the tacos with a generous helping of salsa or guacamole.

3. Vegetable curry

A vegetable curry is an explosion of flavors and aromas that is sure to please everyone — even those who are not vegetarians.

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes;
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into slices;
• 1 cup of broccoli florets;
• ½ cup fresh or frozen peas;
• 1 red pepper, cut into strips;
• 1 large onion, chopped;
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped;
• 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger;
• 1 can of coconut milk;
• 2 tablespoons of curry paste;
• fresh coriander for garnish;
• salt to taste;
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.

Step by step:

1. In a large pan, heat the coconut oil and sauté the onion, garlic and ginger until fragrant;
2. add the sweet potatoes, carrots and peppers and sauté for a few minutes;
3. mix the curry paste and coconut milk, and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are soft;
4. add the broccoli and peas, and cook for a few more minutes until they are al dente;
5. Season with salt to taste and serve the vegetable curry hot, garnished with fresh coriander on top.

4. Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables

This salad is a perfect combination of textures and flavors: and you will fall in love!

The ingredients are:

• 1 cup of quinoa;
• 1 large zucchini, cut into cubes;
• 1 large eggplant, cut into cubes;
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes;
• 1 red pepper, cut into strips;
• ¼ cup of olive oil;
• Salt and pepper to taste;
• arugula leaves to taste;
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (or vegan alternative);
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts;
• lemon and mustard sauce (mix lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper).

Step by step:

1. cook the quinoa according to the package instructions and let it cool;
2. preheat the oven to 200°C;
3. in a baking dish, place the zucchini, eggplant, cherry tomatoes and peppers;
4. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until golden;
5. In a large bowl, mix the roasted vegetables with the cooked quinoa;
6. add arugula leaves, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped walnuts to the quinoa and vegetable mixture;
7. Season the salad with the lemon and mustard dressing, mix well and serve.

Classic vegetarian dishes

There are classic vegetarian dishes that are often consumed without us realizing that they contain no meat or ingredients of animal origin. 

This is the case of classic Brazilian vegetarian dishes, such as rice and beans (without the meat, of course) and corn couscous, or international dishes, such as the French ratatouille, mexican guacamole, the Arabic hummus and the Indian dahl. 

There are also classic dishes in vegetarian versions, such as burgers, stroganoff, coxinha, escondidinho, moqueca and esfiha, among others. 

Check out some classic vegetarian dishes below:

Rice and beans

The basics of Brazilian daily life are naturally vegetarian and vegan because, in addition to not needing to contain meat, there is no other ingredient of animal origin. 

The rice can be white or brown, white, needle or parboiled. The most common beans, depending on where you live, are brown (carioca) or black.  

Vegetarian feijoada contains, instead of meat, vegetables, smoked tofu and/or mushrooms. 

Falafel and hummus

These Arabic dishes are two vegetarian classics made from chickpeas and widely consumed around the world. 

Falafel is a fried dumpling made with cooked chickpea dough, with fresh seasonings such as parsley and coriander, which gives the green color inside, olive oil, cumin and garlic. 

Hummus consists of a paste of cooked chickpeas and processed with tahini (sesame paste), olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. You can use other ingredients, such as beetroot, to give it a special color and flavor. 

Guacamole

Much appreciated in many places, the avocado paste typical of Mexican cuisine is a great accompaniment to different dishes or a super versatile starter. 

It is made with avocado puree, onion, chopped coriander leaves, chopped tomatoes and chili or jalapeño peppers and seasoned with olive oil, lemon and salt. 

Ratatouille

The classic French dish is made with slices of eggplant, zucchini, tomato and onion, which are roasted. It is served alone or as a side dish. 

The rustic dish emerged in the 18th century at the hands of peasants in the Provence region, who needed to use vegetables harvested in the summer before they spoiled. 

Dahl

O classic indian dish is a creamy stew that contains lentils and spices, such as ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and massala, as well as tomatoes, garlic and onion. 

To accompany it, Indian flat breads, known as chapati, are served. 

Tips for making a special vegetarian dinner

To prepare a special vegetarian dinner, invest in good ingredients, give preference to seasonal vegetables and use the right technique for each type of preparation. 

As a starter, choose a well-prepared salad with vegetables, fruits and/or oilseeds. Invest in a dressing made with olive oil, vinegar, honey, fruit juice and herbs. 

Pastes and sauces — such as babaganuche (smoked eggplant), hummus, curds, tapenade and caponata — served with toast and bread are also a good starter option.

For the main course, there are pastas, such as noodles in white sauce and mushroom ragú (with 3 types of mushrooms) or ravioli stuffed with pumpkin with sage butter. 

Risottos are also a great choice because they are versatile, guaranteeing a more sophisticated dish. It can be made from tomato confit and pesto, leeks, mushrooms and/or a variety of cheeses. 

If the idea is a themed dinner, choose a regional or national cuisine (for example, Northeastern, Minas Gerais, Pará or Arabic, Indian, Mexican), select uncomplicated recipes, look for the best ingredients and master the preparations!

Ovolactovegetarianism: recipes to make at home

Lacto-ovo vegetarianism consists of the consumption of vegetables, eggs and foods with eggs and milk and its derivatives, such as cheese, yogurt and curd. 

There are several possibilities for combinations and recipes with these ingredients. A choice for colder days are soups and creams, such as the classic Italian minestrone soup, which contains various vegetables, pasta or rice and white beans. 

French soup with melted cheese is another classic to warm you up on colder days. Cheese fondue is another French dish perfect for winter. 

Fries and omelets filled with vegetables and cheese are practical recipes for a quick dinner or lunch. The Spanish tortilla (omelet with potatoes) is also a good option. 

For hot days, it's worth investing in salads with different leaves, parmesan shavings, boiled eggs, grilled vegetables and seasonal fruits. It's a refreshing and healthy combination. 

How to find vegetarian food on iFood

If you're too lazy to go to the kitchen, there are many vegetarian food options on the iFood app — from hamburgers, hot dogs, esfiha, sushi and fit lunches to prepared dishes, including cakes, sweets and vegan pies. 

To find vegetarian food on iFood, open the app, click on “Search” at the bottom left of the screen and type “vegetarian” or “vegetarian sandwich” in the search field, for example. 

You can filter the search by rating, price, free delivery, shortest distance, price, delivery fee, payment method, partner restaurant, etc.

Now, if your thing is to cook a vegetarian meal, iFood is with you too: order supermarket delivery via the website or app! You select the ingredients you prefer and receive everything at home.

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