Ugly Vegan Kitchen

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, […]
Savory Vegan Bread Pudding with Leeks and Rainbow Chard

Is savory bread pudding a side dish or a main course? Is it a casserole for breakfast, lunch or dinner? Basically, it is all of these things. I’ve eaten this savory vegan bread pudding recipe for breakfast and enjoyed it with a salad for dinner. It would make a great addition to a holiday spread […]
Asparagus Potato Salad with Fresh Dill and Horseradish

This easy recipe for vegan asparagus potato salad with fresh dill was an excuse to use horseradish. I love sneaking it into soup or a veggie burger recipe. And as I considered what to make for April, I thought, “Let’s make potato salad with horseradish!” Horseradish and fresh dill taste awesome with potatoes and asparagus. […]
Smoky Maple BBQ Popcorn

This is an easy vegan BBQ 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 BBQ flavored popcorn recipes do. In the end, it’s a homemade smoky maple […]
Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A few months ago, I scrawled down “strawberry salad poppy seed dressing” in a notebook. This month felt like a good time to circle back. It’s spring! So, here we are with an easy vegan strawberry spinach pasta salad recipe. A few things… ・This recipe uses UVK’s Vegan Poppy Seed Dressing in it. Whether you […]
Vegan Poppy Seed Dressing

This easy vegan poppy seed dressing recipe is sweet, tangy, and a bit savory. All it takes is a mixing bowl and a whisk. Two things… This recipe make ~2/3 cup. Keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I’ve always used it within 2-3 days, but at all times, use your best judgment […]
Beet Risotto

This vegan beet risotto recipe is a delightful blend of elements of Slavic borscht and Italian risotto. It’s flavorful and delicious. And while beauty is never a high priority, I cannot deny how lovely magenta vegan beetroot risotto looks! As I’ve mentioned in other vegan risotto recipes, making risotto takes time and vigilance. It’s not […]
Green Bean and Radish Salad

This vegan green bean and radish salad recipe has a very tasty orange-mint vinaigrette. It interacts very nicely with the veggies and barley. Dressings and sauces are 99% of what makes anything worth eating. Between chewy barley, crispy radish and green beans, and crunchy roasted pistachios, there’s a lot of nice things happening with the […]
Roasted Sweet Potato Soup

This is an easy vegan roasted sweet potato soup recipe. You roast the sweet potatoes, sauté the aromatics, simmer for 15 minutes, and combine in a blender. That’s it. Simple, spiced, creamy and delicious. It has it all! This vegan sweet potato soup makes 4 servings. Two things… ・Try to chop the sweet potatoes, so […]
Kale Tofu Salad with Spicy Tamari Dressing

For awhile, I debated titling this vegan kale tofu salad recipe either “Crunchy Tofu Salad” or “Super Seedy Tofu Kale Salad”. A generous helping of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds create a delightful texture that’s crunchy and satisfying. And they pair so nicely with the hot chili oil tamari dressing, the marinated baked […]
Roasted Breakfast Potatoes

My favorite part of a big breakfast is the potatoes. And this recipe for vegan roasted breakfast potatoes with rosemary does not disappoint. These beauties are roasted, spiced, salted and delicious, and make enough for 4-6 servings. Two things… ・This recipe was tested with Russet potatoes and then, with Yukon gold potatoes. Either worked well. […]
Vegan Stroganoff with Mushrooms and Seitan

About a decade ago, I came across a recipe for vegan stroganoff with tahini. Despite having no vegan sour cream in it, the sauce was great. Time passed, and I haven’t been able to locate it. And honestly, at this point, all I can recall is that it had tahini and cornstarch in it! Inspired, […]
Cannellini Bean Salad with Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

This easy recipe for vegan cannellini bean salad with roasted garlic vinaigrette is very flavorful and perfect year round. It holds up well. It’s great to pack for lunch or a road trip. And it tastes so nice with toast. While flavor is always the most important thing to me, I cannot deny it.. this […]
Vegan Guacamole

When I first moved to California, I went through a guacamole phase. I’d make a big bowl of vegan guac, and we’d eat it for dinner with tortilla chips. Yep, that was dinner. And now, I’m going to share that vegan guacamole recipe with you! This avocado dip is super easy. You mash up the […]
Vegan Black Bean Soup

Some black bean soup recipes use tomatoes, dried beans, and lots of time. This one uses none of these things. This easy vegan black bean soup recipe uses canned beans and orange juice. It’s simple, budget friendly, and comes together in about 30 minutes. My absolute favorite ingredient is the orange juice. Its sweetness works […]
Vegan Southwestern Casserole with Soy Curls, Sweet Corn and Hash Browns

Who doesn’t love a good vegan casserole dish? They’re usually the very definition of “ugly food” (visually unattractive, but oh so comforting), and easy to make. And if the flavor is done well, they’re a fast, family favorite. With frozen sweet corn, Southern-style hash browns, mild green chiles, and soy curls, I’m happy to report […]
Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

This super simple vegan sun-dried tomato pesto recipe uses walnuts, fresh basil, shallots, loads of garlic, a touch of balsamic vinegar, nutritional yeast and more. It’s very flavorful, makes ~¾ cup. Is sun-dried tomato pesto vegan? Pesto usually has a hard cheese in it, like parmesan or pecorino. When in doubt, read the label, ask […]
Vegan Potato and Onion Pierogi

As the holidays approach, I find that I want to do nothing but eat comfort food. To me, that’s vegan cabbage rolls, mounds of mashed potatoes, sauerkraut soups, cabbage and noodles, halušky, beet soup and yes, lots and lots of vegan pierogi. So, I couldn’t resist putting together this vegan potato and onion pierogi recipe! […]
Farro Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables

UVK has no shortage of excellent farro salad recipes, but this recipe for vegan farro salad with roasted root vegetables is one of the best! Loaded with chewy farro and roasted carrots, parsnips and beets, this farro salad is delicious warm or cold, and packs a flavorful punch with its orange balsamic vinaigrette. The dressing […]
Mushroom Lentil Pot Pie

Man, I love lentils. I love them in soups, burgers, and so many other vegan dishes. Maybe you love them too? It’s part of the reason I couldn’t resist putting together this vegan recipe for mushroom lentil pot pie! This simple, delicious, super savory vegan lentil pot pie recipe is the perfect comfort food for […]
Vegan Sauerkraut, White Bean and Barley Soup

Cabbage soup is very common in Slavic cuisine. The “cabbage” in cabbage soup can refer to fresh cabbage or sauerkraut. And Russians, Poles, Slovaks and Ukrainians eat it a lot. Inspired by preparations of the Polish soup, kapuśniak, this vegan sauerkraut bean and barley soup recipe shares many of the common ingredients, but does detour […]
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 […]
Vegan Brussels Sprout Slaw with Cranberries, Apples and Walnuts

This vegan Brussels sprout slaw recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, the holidays, or as a delicious winter salad. It’s easy. You blend the walnut-miso dressing, chop some ingredients, and mix it all up in a large bowl. Simple! The real showstopper here is the creamy vegan walnut-miso dressing. It’s oil free, gluten free and has […]
Vegan Stuffed Shells with Tofu Ricotta, Spinach and Fennel

This is an easy, baked vegan stuffed shells recipe with tofu ricotta, spinach and fennel bulb. It’s garlicky, savory and totally nut free (no cashews, no almonds). And best of all, they are super delicious and easy to make. It makes 24 jumbo shells or ~4-6 servings. A few things… This recipe for vegan stuffed […]