Ugly Vegan Kitchen

Vegan Tater Tot Hotdish

Inspired by the classic dish from the U.S. Upper Midwest, this easy vegan tater tot hotdish recipe has ground seitan, a flavorful homemade mushroom sauce and frozen mixed vegetables. It’s one hearty, savory seitan casserole that keeps you coming back for more. Across the U.S.’s Upper Midwest, hotdishes are commonly served at potlucks, family gatherings,…
Vegan Loose Meat Sandwich with Lentils and Mushrooms

Raised in the U.S.’s Midwest, I couldn’t deny giving loose meat sandwiches a vegan overhaul. UVK’s vegan loose meat sandwich recipe uses lentils and mushrooms. And thus, it’s more of a loose “lentil meat” sandwich recipe. What is a loose meat sandwich? Originating in Iowa, it’s a sandwich filling that’s loose like a sloppy joe,…
Smoky Maple BBQ Popcorn

This is an easy vegan BBQ flavored popcorn recipe with maple syrup, smoked paprika, chipotle powder and more. It’s smoky, sweet, spicy, and savory. It’s texture is crunchy and light. As you snack, it doesn’t leave seasoning all over your fingers, as some recipes do. In the end, it’s flavor dares you not to finish…
26 Great Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

When I started this blog in 2017, I had no idea that it would become what it is today. Then, as now, my biggest concerns have been pursuing delicious flavor, and making easy vegan “ugly food” or vegan comfort food. I want to thank you for supporting Ugly Vegan Kitchen (UVK) along the way. As…
Slow Cooker Tempeh Sauerkraut Stew

This is an easy recipe for vegan slow cooker smoky tempeh sauerkraut stew with liquid smoke, smoked paprika, caraway seeds and more. One of my favorite parts is the way the it smells, as it simmers. It’s smoky, savory goodness! And there’s really nothing like kraut and potatoes, so serving this stew over a pile…
White Bean Jackfruit Chili

As the kiddos go back to school, I can’t help but think of chili. It tastes great on it’s own, or loaded up with vegan sour cream, scallions, avocado, or with a bit of shredded plant based cheese. For the contrast in textures, I like a few crushed tortilla chips in mine. So, here’s a tasty…
Orangy Quinoa Salad with Cranberries, Pears and Pumpkin Seeds

Recently, I learned that you can cook quinoa in fruit juice. Who knew? Immediately, I was inspired to put together a vegan recipe for orange quinoa salad with cranberries, pears, spinach and toasted pumpkin seeds. It packs a lot of flavor and stores well. And it works well as a Thanksgiving dish, as a side,…
Semolina Porridge

While there isn’t much to the ingredients for this creamy vegan semolina porridge (or pudding) recipe, it does take a bit of technique to pull-off without lumps. The secrets are lots of whisking and staggering when you add the plant based milk. It comes together in about 2-3 minutes, and is ready for all kinds…
Seitan Fajitas

Inspired by the Tex-Mex classic, this vegan seitan fajitas recipe has bell peppers, onions, garlic, cumin, lime juice and more. They were an important part of my mom’s meal rotation in the late 80’s. These days, I break them out on occasion, but have changed the recipe up a bit. Whether you make them out…
Vegan Shopska Salad

Almost a year ago, I was listening to The Slavic Connexion interview with Dr. Mary Neuburger, Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin and Director of the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (CREES). She discussed her book, Ingredients of Change: The History and Culture of Food in Modern Bulgaria.…
Vegan Cucumber Mint Sandwiches

Inspired by Thai flavors, this is an easy recipe for vegan cucumber mint sandwiches with almond butter, cilantro, jalapeño slices and pickled red onion. It hits all the right notes–salty, sweet, bitter, sour and spicy. And it takes very little effort to make, which couldn’t be more fitting for summer. At Chez UVK, I often…
Cold Mango Soup

One of my favorite summer treats is cold fruit sprinkled with Tajín. For a person, who hardly tolerates fruit, the chili pepper, lime and salt seasoning is a game changer. I actually look forward to it! So, with this in mind, I created a refreshing vegan cold mango soup recipe with pineapple, cucumber, red bell…
Grilled Red Pepper Spread

I’m lucky enough to live very close to a grocery store stocked with delights from Ukraine, Poland, Romania, the Balkans, and more. One of my favorite things is trying all the spreads! Over the last couple months, I’ve tried so many delicious savory vegetable spreads, but one that really stands out is Bulgarian lyutenitsa (or…
Tofu Sushi Rolls with Asparagus, Avocado, Cucumber and Vegan Wasabi Mayo

I like plant based sushi rolls to taste like something. I need sauces that are going to highlight the filling in the best ways. So using wasabi mayo, I put together this delicious vegan tofu sushi roll recipe with asparagus, avocado, and cucumber. Think of it as an AAC roll, but up a notch. This…
Vegan Wasabi Mayo

Looking for a sauce to take your plant based sushi to the next level? Maybe you’re stick of the same old, same old veggie burger condiments? Or perhaps, you want your next coleslaw to have a bit more pizzazz? Have I got the thing for you! It’s an easy vegan wasabi mayo sauce recipe with…
Vegan Tofu Burger with Indian Spices and Green Peas

At the beginning of the year, I purchased a copy of Plant-Based India by Dr. Sheil Shukla. Let me just say, there’s a reason this cookbook was voted one of the best of 2022 by the New York Times. It is incredibly good! There isn’t a recipe that isn’t a showstopper. And after cooking out…
Vegan Granola Bars

If you love vanilla chai, this homemade no bake vegan granola bars recipe with maple syrup, almond butter, rice krispies, quick oats, cinnamon and more is for you! They don’t take a lot of effort, but they’re really good. They work well as a snack, as nourishment on a hike, toted along on a camping…
Curried Cauliflower Soup

Inspired by the flavors of India, this is a vegan curried cauliflower soup recipe with potatoes, green peas, carrots and coconut cream. One of the chief ingredients is madras curry powder, which is a personal favorite. If you love curries, I hope you’ll find this soup is warming, nourishing and has a tasty flavor to…
Vegan Taco Pasta Casserole

I had three things on my mind–Taco Bell Crunchy Tacos, Hamburger Helper, and Frito Pie. And that is how I arrived at this easy vegan taco pasta casserole recipe. Seriously, what if a classic hard shell TVP taco was completely deconstructed, combined with pasta and black beans, and baked in the oven? As it turns…
Lemon Puffs with Almond Ricotta

This is an easy vegan recipe for lemon puffs with homemade almond ricotta, garlic and store bought pastry. They’re refreshing, light and savory, and work well as an appetizer or snack. And while they look a bit fancy, that’s just the power of microgreens (they make everything look fancy). These babies are super simple to…
Roasted Baby Carrots with Leeks, Lemon Zest and Parsley

Looking for an easy veggie side dish? Well, look no further than this recipe for vegan roasted baby carrots with leeks, lemon zest and parsley. It proves once again that simple can be very tasty! This recipe makes ~4-6 servings. A few things… These roasted baby carrots are great for Easter or spring holiday spreads…
Stuffed Turnips

Slovenes have a tradition of stuffing turnips with millet porridge and cottage cheese, and then, baking them in the oven. To this day, Slovenia’s dish, loška smojka, is considered by some to be a classic part of their cuisine. Inspired by this dish, I decided to create a spin-off vegan recipe for stuffed turnips with…
White Bean Hummus with Roasted Garlic and Crispy Sage

One of my friends has an allergy to peas and lentils. Due to this, he cannot eat chickpeas without consequences. For years, he had to forego hummus. As it became in vogue to make hummus out of everything, his world started opening up. And so with this in mind, I put together this easy white…
Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes with Apple Cinnamon Topping

This is an easy vegan buckwheat pancakes recipe with an apple cinnamon topping. The pancakes use everyday kitchen pantry staples. The topping uses green apples, cinnamon, ginger, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Together, it’s heavenly! But even if you skip the topping and just make the hotcakes, you’ll find they’re are fluffy, nutty and moist.…
Vegan Chicken and Rice Soup

This is a Mexican-inspired vegan chicken and rice soup recipe with soy curls, cilantro, jalapeño, carrots and more. It’s hearty, warming and comforting. Plus, as an added bonus, it is a great way to use up leftover cooked rice. This recipe makes ~4-6 servings. A few things… Vegan Chicken and Rice Soup 2 cups water…
Vegan Soba Noodle Salad

I go through ingredient obsessions. And for me, the ingredient of the moment is buckwheat. In the past months, I’ve explored using it in many recipes. So, without further adieu, I share with you this delightfully creamy, super easy, cold vegan soba noodle salad recipe with shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and a ginger tahini dressing. It…
Slow Cooker Vegan Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

Across the U.S., but particularly in the South, there’s a tradition of eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day to bring good luck. The peas represent good luck, health and plenty. The greens symbolize the green of currency, and are meant to bring financial gain in the year ahead. Looking for a…
Vegan Roasted Buckwheat Mushroom Patties

Buckwheat is an important grain-like seed that’s sustained Slavic people for a thousand years. To highlight this delicious pseudocereal and Slavic flavors, I’ve put together this recipe for vegan roasted buckwheat mushroom patties topped with caramelized onions and fresh dill. Roasted buckwheat groats (sometimes, called “kasha”) are combined with potatoes, mushrooms, onions, leeks and more.…
Vegan Beet Pierogi

When there’s a chill in the air, it’s time to make pierogi! And this is a delicious vegan (or vegetarian) beet pierogi recipe with potatoes, caramelized onions and fresh dill. It takes time to execute, but if the weather outside is frightful, why not make a dish that’s oh so delightful? Enjoy these dumplings for…
Arugula and Butternut Squash Salad

This is an easy recipe for vegan arugula and roasted butternut squash salad with cinnamon maple vinaigrette dressing, toasted walnuts, crisp apples and pomegranate seeds. My favorite part is the vinaigrette with it’s hint of vanilla extract and touch of ground ginger. This arugula and butternut squash salad recipe makes ~6-8 servings. It’s a great…