Plant-Based Takeout Copycat Recipes
Takeout is as much a part of the American food culture as grilling and apple pie. But what makes takeout food so special is that it often represents the diverse collection of culinary backgrounds that make the American food scene so unique and delicious.
Because of fast and affordable takeout restaurants, diners can experience different styles of cooking without having to travel too far from home. And although many takeout dishes are somewhat modified versions of the originals, they still retain the essence of the cuisine itself. However, takeout food isn’t always vegetarian or vegan friendly, which is why you may want to make a homemade version of your favorite that aligns with your dietary requirements or preferences.
This Monday, we’ve got a roundup of plant-based recipes of your favorite takeout orders. They’re all veggie-focused, but still manage to capture that signature comforting takeout flavor. From meatballs to spring rolls to lo mein, there’s something for everyone—which is the point of takeout food after all!
Coconut Curry Noodles
A good curry is a balance of sweet, spicy, and sour. This recipe uses coconut milk, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, and chili oil to achieve that perfect harmony of flavor. Mix in vegetables and cooked noodles into the sauce and garnish with spring onions. For the Coconut Curry Noodles recipe, click here.
Easy Vegan Eggplant Meatballs
These plant-based meatballs can be added to spaghetti or atop a hoagie roll to satisfy your Italian comfort-food cravings. The veggie meatballs are made with roasted mushrooms, eggplant, and onion and seasoned a blend of Mediterranean spices. Boil some pasta and top with your favorite marinara sauce. And don’t forget the garlic bread! For the Easy Vegan Eggplant Meatballs recipe, click here.
Easy Veggie Lo Mein
A lighter version of the ultimate takeout order, this easy veggie lo mein is quick to put together and packed with flavor. The sauce is made from sesame oil, fresh ginger, and chili garlic sauce. Make this dish heftier and more nutritious by adding in all types of sliced vegetables, like carrots, onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. For the Easy Veggie Lo Mein recipe, click here.
Grilled Vegetable Flatbread Pizza
Although it’s hard to recreate a bubbly slice of cheese straight from a hot pizza oven, this grilled vegetable flatbread is a pretty good alternative that you can make quickly in your kitchen or outside on your grill. Take some short cuts with a naan bread crust and a jarred pesto or tomato sauce. Finally, add your favorite vegetables and grill until crispy. For the Grilled Vegetable Flatbread Pizza recipe, click here.
Indian Butter Cauliflower
Butter chicken is a typical Indian takeout dish based primarily around a spicy tomato butter sauce. You can make this decadent meal without using any meat or dairy, by swapping out the chicken for cauliflower and using coconut cream in place of butter. The result is an aromatic and exciting blend of tastes and spices.
For the Indian Butter Cauliflower recipe, click here.
Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Peanut noodles are a crowd pleaser, and they can actually be part of a healthy meal when you add vegetables, like edamame, broccoli, and carrots. The peanut sauce is sweet and salty and nutty, and you’ll want to pour it on everything. For the Noodles with Peanut Sauce recipe, click here.
Orange Glazed Tofu
Orange chicken’s sweet tang and crispy coating has made it a takeout classic, but you can easily recreate this dish using ingredients that you have in your kitchen right now. The main component of this dish is the sauce, which only requires a mix of barbecue sauce, orange jam or marmalade, and soy sauce. Cook the tofu in a frying pan and coat with the glaze until it’s hot, sticky, and delicious. For the Orange Glazed Tofu recipe, click here.
Scallion Pancakes
There’s always room for scallion pancakes. This homemade version only requires three ingredients and a little bit of elbow grease. Rolling and folding the dough gives the scallion pancakes their signature flaky texture. For the Scallion Pancakes recipe, click here.
Spicy Vegan Burrito Bowls
No need to overpay for burrito bowls when you can just as easily make them at home for a fraction of the cost. The centerpiece of this takeout dish is a head of chipotle roasted cauliflower. Cook each component in big batches—the cauliflower, the lime rice, and the cumin black bean—so that you can eat burrito bowls throughout the week. For the Spicy Vegan Burrito Bowl recipe, click here.
Thai Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
A bite of a spring roll is a refreshing relief from the pungent flavors of a spicy curry or noodle dish. Spring rolls look difficult to make, but they’re actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Just soak the spring roll wrapper for a few seconds—or until pliable—in warm water. Lay your wrapper down and fill it with whatever vegetables or protein you have on hand. This recipe uses rice noodles, carrots, bean sprouts, avocado, tofu, and fresh herbs for a fresh and crunchy bite. For the Thai Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce recipe, click here.
Click here for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation.