10 Soulful Vegan Soul Food Recipes

Hallelujah for vegan soul food! 🙌 Get ready to dive into a mouthwatering world of plant-based comfort that’ll make your taste buds sing and your heart happy. As a long-time vegan chef, I’ve teamed up with some of the coolest plant-based soul food experts to bring you 10 recipes that’ll knock your socks off. Whether you’re craving creamy mac and cheese, crispy fried “chicken,” or gooey cinnamon rolls, we’ve got you covered. These recipes are so flexible, you can whip them up for a cozy night in or impress the heck out of your omnivore friends at your next potluck. So grab your apron, crank up some Al Green, and let’s get cooking!

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

Oh. My. Goodness. Is there anything more comforting than a big ol’ bowl of mac and cheese? I think not!

This vegan version will make you forget all about the dairy-laden original.

The secret? A creamy sauce made from cashews, nutritional yeast, and a blend of spices that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Boil your favorite pasta (I’m partial to classic elbow macaroni), whip up the sauce in a blender, and mix it all together.

For an extra punch of flavor, try adding some smoky tempeh bacon bits or crispy breadcrumbs on top.

Trust me, this mac and cheese is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it straight out of the pot. (Not that I’ve ever done that… 😉)

Southern-Style Collard Greens

Y’all, these collard greens are so good, they’ll make you want to slap your grandma! (But please don’t actually do that. Violence is never the answer, especially against sweet old ladies.)

Traditionally, collard greens are cooked with ham hocks, but we’re keeping it plant-based and still packing in ALL the flavor.

Start by sautéing some onions and garlic in a big pot.

Then add your chopped collards, vegetable broth, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for that tangy kick.

Simmer until the greens are tender and infused with all that savory goodness.

Pro tip: Don’t you dare throw away that cooking liquid! That’s what we call “pot liquor,” and it’s liquid gold. Sop it up with some cornbread or drink it straight – I won’t judge!

Crispy Fried “Chicken”

Get ready to fool all your non-vegan friends with this crispy, juicy, finger-lickin’ good fried “chicken”!

We’re using seitan as our base here, folks. If you’ve never worked with seitan before, don’t be scared – it’s just wheat gluten, and it’s WAY easier to handle than a raw chicken breast. (Plus, no risk of salmonella. Win-win!)

Marinate your seitan pieces in a mixture of plant-based buttermilk (just add a splash of vinegar to your favorite non-dairy milk) and spices.

Then dredge in a seasoned flour mixture and fry until golden brown and crispy.

Serve with some vegan ranch or hot sauce, and prepare for your mind to be blown.

Who needs KFC when you can make this at home in your PJs?

Cornbread

Is it really a soul food feast without cornbread? I think not!

This vegan version is just as moist and delicious as the original, I promise.

Mix together cornmeal, flour, plant-based milk, a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water), and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness.

Pour it into a preheated cast-iron skillet for that crispy edge we all fight over.

Bake until golden brown and your kitchen smells like heaven.

Slather a warm piece with some vegan butter, and try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting. (If you do, I won’t tell anyone.)

Sweet Potato Pie

Move over, pumpkin pie – there’s a new sheriff in town, and its name is Sweet Potato Pie!

This Southern classic gets a vegan makeover, and let me tell you, it’s so good it might make you cry tears of joy.

Roast some sweet potatoes until they’re super soft and caramelized.

Blend them up with coconut milk, brown sugar, and a perfect blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Pour this dreamy mixture into a homemade (or store-bought, no judgment here) pie crust and bake until set.

Top with some coconut whipped cream, and prepare to enter dessert nirvana.

Fair warning: This pie has been known to cause spontaneous happy dances. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Vegan Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuits and gravy: the ultimate comfort food that’ll stick to your ribs and make you want to take a nap immediately after eating. (Is there any better way to spend a Sunday morning? I think not.)

For the biscuits, we’re using vegan butter to get that flaky, buttery goodness.

The secret to perfect biscuits? Don’t overwork the dough, and make sure everything is COLD.

For the gravy, we’re swapping out pork sausage for a savory mixture of mushrooms and plant-based ground “meat” simmered in a creamy cashew-based sauce.

Pile that gravy high on a warm biscuit, and get ready for a flavor explosion in your mouth.

Just make sure you’re wearing stretchy pants – you’re gonna need ’em.

Jambalaya

Let’s take a trip to New Orleans with this vegan jambalaya that’s so good, it’ll make you want to dance in the streets!

We’re keeping all the classic flavors but swapping out the meat for a mix of beans, plant-based sausage, and lots of veggies.

Start by sautéing the “holy trinity” of Cajun cooking: onions, celery, and bell peppers.

Add in some garlic, tomatoes, and your favorite Cajun spice blend. (Don’t be shy with the spices – we want flavor, not blandness!)

Toss in some rice and veggie broth, and let it all simmer until the rice is tender and has soaked up all that spicy, savory goodness.

This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd, or for meal prepping your lunches for the week. (But let’s be real, it probably won’t last that long.)

Peach Cobbler

Get ready for a dessert that’s so peachy, it’ll make you feel like you’re sitting on a front porch in Georgia, sipping sweet tea and watching the sunset. (Can you tell I have a thing for Southern living?)

This vegan peach cobbler is ridiculously easy to make, but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Toss some fresh (or frozen, we don’t judge) peaches with sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of lemon juice.

Top with a simple batter made from flour, plant-based milk, and a bit of sugar.

Bake until the top is golden brown and crispy, and the peaches are bubbling with syrupy goodness.

Serve warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, and try not to swoon from the sheer deliciousness.

Warning: This cobbler has been known to cause spontaneous marriage proposals. Proceed with caution!

Vegan Gumbo

Laissez les bon temps rouler with this vegan gumbo that’s packed with so much flavor, you’ll swear you’ve been transported to the French Quarter!

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Vegan gumbo? Is that even possible?” Trust me, it is, and it’s AMAZING.

We start with a dark roux (don’t be scared, just keep stirring!), then add in the holy trinity of veggies, some okra for that classic gumbo texture, and a mix of beans and plant-based sausage for protein.

Simmer it all in a rich vegetable broth spiked with file powder and your favorite hot sauce.

Serve over rice, and get ready for a party in your mouth.

Just be prepared – once you make this gumbo, all your friends will be begging you for the recipe!

Cinnamon Rolls

Last but certainly not least, let’s end on a sweet note with these ooey-gooey vegan cinnamon rolls that are so good, they should probably be illegal.

The dough is made with plant-based milk and vegan butter, but trust me, you won’t miss the dairy one bit.

Roll it out, slather it with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, and roll it up into that classic spiral shape.

While they’re baking, whip up a simple glaze with powdered sugar and a splash of plant-based milk.

When those rolls come out of the oven, all hot and fragrant, drizzle that glaze all over and watch it melt into every nook and cranny.

Try to wait at least 5 minutes before digging in, or risk burning your tongue. (Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything… 🙄)

These cinnamon rolls are perfect for a decadent weekend brunch, or for bribing your roommates to do the dishes. (Hey, we all have our methods!)

And there you have it, folks – 10 vegan soul food recipes that’ll make your taste buds sing and your heart happy. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or just dipping your toes into the plant-based pool, these dishes are sure to satisfy those comfort food cravings. So put on some Aretha Franklin, grab your apron, and get ready to cook up a storm. Your belly (and your friends) will thank you! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with a pan of cinnamon rolls… 😉