In 2014, a non-profit group called Veganuary set out to change the world one month at a time. Banking on the fact that the new year often comes with a set of resolutions, the founders challenged those who wanted to make a positive change to eat a vegan diet for the month of January. Veganuary has seen its pledge numbers increase every year, and in 2020, over 400,000 people spread over nearly every country on the planet signed up for the 31-day campaign.
In recent years, the trend towards a more plant-based diet has been centered on three things—improving personal health, improving the health of the planet, and improving animal welfare. Whatever a person is seeking to improve by opting out of animal products, one thing's for sure—it doesn't have to be hard! The world is full of flavorful vegan cuisine that satisfies every craving. Prepare to make a grocery list because these global plant-based dishes are ready to make their way into your rotation.
10 Muhammara - Syria
Nothing beats a good dip, and Middle Eastern Muhammara ticks every box. Broiled red peppers give the dip its smoky flavor. The peppers are pulsed with breadcrumbs, toasted walnuts, olive oil, and tahini for a satisfying mouth-feel, and a pinch of Aleppo chili flakes adds a nice kick of heat. Muhammara is topped with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses and a sprinkling of arils. The finished product is tangy-sweet and savory and pairs perfectly with warm pita bread.
9 Ajapsandali - Georgia
A bowl of hearty soup or stew is especially satisfying during the winter months, and Georgian Ajapsandali is guaranteed to warm its eaters from the inside out. This one-pot meal comes together quickly and is packed with antioxidant-rich vegetables perfect for warding off seasonal colds.
Sautéed onions and garlic are combined with tomato paste, eggplant, green and sweet red bell peppers, jalapeño, and diced tomato. As it cooks, the vegetables soften and release moisture to create a chunky stew. Ajapsandali is topped with a healthy sprinkling of cilantro for some freshness to round out the dish. The best thing about it is that it's even better the next day after the flavors have married and equally delicious when eaten cold.
8 Chana Masala - India
The complex flavors of Indian cuisine are in full force in vegan-friendly Chana Masala. A base of protein-rich, nutrient-dense chickpeas is stewed with a purée of onions, garlic, tomatoes, ginger, chili powder, and turmeric. If that's not enough flavor, keep on reading.
A gravy made with cinnamon, clove, garam masala, cardamom, and tomato paste combines with the chickpea mixture for another multi-dimensional layer of flavor. The result is a rich and saucy curry that's impeccably filling when served over a generous helping of rice.
7 Buddha's Delight
No one will judge when a person goes back for a second or third helping of the delicious Chinese dish known as Buddha's Delight. The meal was created by Buddhist monks whose tenant to do no harm led them to adopt a vegetarian diet.
The versatile dish is all about the sauce—a thickened, slightly sweet blend of vegetable stock, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a sweetener like sugar or honey. Eaters can choose any veggies they like to stir fry, but popular choices are shiitake mushrooms, Napa cabbage, tofu, baby corn, and bamboo shoots.
6 Tabbouleh - Lebanon
The fresh flavors of Tabbouleh are sure to brighten the spirits of anyone who decides to try it. Cooked bulgur wheat is mixed with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and green onion. The stars of the show are vitamin-packed parsley and refreshing mint, which are finely chopped and stirred into the mix. A dressing made from olive oil, fresh garlic, and the zest and juice of lemon finishes the salad, and every bite is as bright as the last.
5 Mayak Gimbap - South Korea
South Korean Mayak Gimbap is the perfect healthy snack or light meal. The popular street food consists of rice, julienned daikon radish and carrots, and sautéed spinach wrapped in a sheet of iodine-rich nori seaweed. The mini rolls are lightly brushed with sesame oil for another dimension of flavor and dipped in an easy sauce made from rice vinegar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and sugar.
4 Dal Bhat - Nepal
The delicious dish Dal Bhat is a staple in Nepal. A side of rice accompanies a lentil stew flavored with coriander seeds, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and red chili powder. The dish is traditionally served with a vegan-friendly vegetable curry and papadums, a deep-fried dough as satisfying as a potato chip.
3 Carciofi Alla Giudia - Italy
Diners won't be able to get over the delightful crunch of the Roman-Jewish dish Carciofi Alla Giudia, or fried artichokes. Trimmed artichokes soaked in lemon water are lightly fried, their leaves pulled apart to resemble rosebuds, and tossed back into the oil until the edges turn a beautifully crisp golden color. Served with lemon wedges for an extra hit of flavor, Carciofi Alla Giudia is a simply delicious appetizer sure to impress.
2 Gado Gado - Indonesia
Like Buddha's Delight, Indonesian Gado Gado is an easily tweakable dish that will satisfy the cravings of even the pickiest eaters. Strips of protein-packed tempeh, a meaty-textured, slightly nutty-flavored fermented soy product, are fried until crispy and served alongside the eater's choice of vegetables (popular options are spinach, potatoes, and bean sprouts.) The dish comes alive with the sauce, a blend of creamy peanut butter, red curry paste, soy sauce, coconut milk, and lime juice. Topped with some chopped peanuts for an extra crunch, Gado Gado packs some serious flavor punch.
1 Gazpacho - Spain
Gazpacho is a refreshing pick-me-up with centuries-old roots in Spain. The traditional cold soup features a blend of raw tomato, onion, garlic, cucumber, and green pepper thickened with bread crumbs and enhanced by a splash of olive oil and vinegar. There are all types of gazpacho out there these days, including mango, watermelon, and sweet corn (just to name a few.) In any of its forms, gazpacho is an easy way to get those vitamins in.