13 Deceptively Vegan Sides Everyone Will Love

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13 Deceptively Vegan Sides Everyone Will Love

Get ready to wow your guests with sides so tasty, they won’t believe they’re vegan! These dishes are packed with flavor and fun, making them perfect for any gathering. Even the biggest meat lovers will be reaching for seconds, completely unaware they’re enjoying plant-based goodness. Impress everyone at the table with these 13 deceptively vegan sides everyone will love.

A baked casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, garnished with fresh herbs.
Vegetable Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

A bowl of Thai jasmine rice and chili peppers.
Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Not all rice is created equal, and Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice is the prima donna of the rice world, in all the best ways. Forget about the plain old sidekicks; this rice is the star of the plate, making every bite an aromatic little journey to the streets of Thailand. Fluff it up, serve it up, and watch your ordinary meal become an instant classic with just a scoop of this fragrant gem. It’s not just a meal; it’s a voyage for your senses, minus the jet lag.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Thai Jasmine Rice

Vegan Chicken Nuggets

Vegan chicken nuggets in a bowl with dip.
Vegan Chicken Nuggets. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Gone are the days of sad, veggie sides; Vegan Chicken Nuggets are here to take the spotlight and they’re not chicken out. Here’s to the fake-out that has everyone double-taking, wondering, “Is it chicken? Is it not? Who cares—it’s delicious!” They bring the fun back to dinnertime, proving that plants can dress up and party just as hard as their meaty counterparts. So, kudos to the plants; they’re not just sidekicks, they’re now the main event.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Chicken Nuggets

Asparagus and White Bean Risotto

A bowl of asparagus and white bean risotto.
Asparagus and White Bean Risotto. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Asparagus and White Bean Risotto are there for you when you want to be fancy without actually, you know, trying too hard. There’s something about stirring a pot of creamy risotto that just screams ‘chef’s kiss,’ even if your cooking skills are more microwave maestro than kitchen wizard. The white beans sneak in like quiet gate-crashers at a party, mingling with the asparagus to create a dish that’s as filling as it is fancy.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus and White Bean Risotto

Egg Rolls

Vegan egg rolls in a wooden tray.
Egg Rolls. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Who needs meat when Vegan Egg Rolls are strutting their stuff, packed with veggies and ready to rock your world? They’re the crunchy, dippable delights that’ll have you rolling with joy, proving once and for all that plants can throw a party, too. Each bite is a flavor-packed adventure; no fortune cookie is needed to predict that these will be a hit. Get ready to add ‘master of the egg roll’ to your kitchen resume, because these bad boys are the life of the dinner bash.
Get the Recipe: Egg Rolls

Sweet Corn and Leek Risotto

Sweet corn risotto in a skillet on a wooden cutting board.
Sweet Corn and Leek Risotto. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

With Sweet Corn and Leek Risotto on the menu, who needs dessert? This dish proves that sweetness has a place at the dinner table, especially when paired with the subtle charm of leeks. It’s like sunshine in a bowl, harnessing the power of summer regardless of what the weather’s doing outside. Packed with flavor, it’s the kind of meal that makes you want to build a fort out of cookbooks and declare yourself a risotto royalty.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn and Leek Risotto

Tasty Vegan Cauliflower Nuggets

Tasty Vegan Cauliflower Nuggets. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Tonight, let’s transform humble cauliflower into something that could rival a pop star—golden, crunchy, and ready for a photo-op. Thanks to the magic of the Vegan Cauliflower Nuggets, these nuggets come out of their crispy cocoon ready to party on your plate, no clucking necessary. Whether you’re twelve or twenty, these are the kind of finger food that won’t have anyone missing the chicken.
Get the Recipe: Tasty Vegan Cauliflower Nuggets

Baked Mushroom Rice

A plate of mushroom baked rice served next to a cast iron skillet.
Baked Mushroom Rice. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

If comfort had a flavor, it would taste like Baked Mushroom Rice—earthy, rich, and pleasing like a warm, fuzzy sweater on a cold day. It’s the silent hero of side dishes, unassuming yet always there to cradle your main dishes with open grains. Here’s to those lazy evenings when you throw everything in the oven, hoping for the best, and out comes a dish that’s like the perfect kitchen cuddle.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mushroom Rice

Yellow Lentil Dal

A bowl of yellow lentil dal with sour cream and a spoon.
Yellow Lentil Dal. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Who said lentils are boring? Not when they come alive in a dish that’s as comforting as a warm blanket on a chilly evening. Let’s be real, there’s nothing quite like cozying up with a bowl of something hearty, and when it’s this Yellow Lentil Dal, you’ll forget that dining solo is even a thing. It’s the kitchen equivalent of getting a big hug from your grandma—timeless, pleasing, and full of love.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Lentil Dal

Easy Cilantro Lime Rice

Close-up of a plate of rice garnished with chopped herbs and slices of lime.
Easy Cilantro Lime Rice. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Easy Cilantro Lime Rice is what happens when your average rice gets tired of being the bland sidekick and decides to live a little. It’s the zest-fest that’ll liven up any plate, making you wonder why you ever settled for plain rice in the first place. Scoop it, love it, and let each bite transport you to a breezy patio overlooking the ocean—even if you’re just chilling on your couch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cilantro Lime Rice

Gochujang Cabbage Steaks

A gochujang cabbage steak on a bed of white rice.
Gochujang Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Move over traditional steaks, the cabbage is claiming its moment in the spotlight, and it’s getting a fiery makeover with a slather of Gochujang Cabbage Steaks. It’s the ultimate dish for when you want to impress your dinner guests without actually working too hard in the kitchen. Think of it as the underdog of vegan dishes that scores big at the dinner table, turning skeptics into fans, one spicy slice at a time.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Cabbage Steaks

Air Fryer Asparagus

Air fried asparagus with garlic and parmesan on a white plate.
Air Fryer Asparagus. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

No need to stand over a pot of boiling water; the air fryer has become asparagus’s new best friend. Air Fryer Asparagus These green stalks don’t just give you an excuse to say you ate your veggies—they come out with all the crispy goodness that will have you reaching for seconds, or let’s be real, thirds. Asparagus in the air fryer is like giving your greens a gourmet makeover without the hassle of dressing up for a fancy restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Asparagus

Vegan Birria Tacos

A plate of tacos with a sauce on it.
Vegan Birria Tacos. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Let’s taco ’bout Vegan Birria Tacos, shall we? They’re the rebels of the taco world, ditching meat without losing an ounce of soul or flavor. So, rev up your engines and get ready for a fiesta in your mouth, where every bite is a celebration of plant-powered brilliance. Whether it’s a casual Tuesday or a fiesta Friday, these tacos will have you dancing to the rhythm of ‘delicious’ in no time.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Birria Tacos

Vegetable Casserole

A baked casserole with a golden breadcrumb topping, garnished with fresh herbs.
Vegetable Casserole. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Think of a Vegetable Casserole as that group project where everyone actually pulls their weight for once. It’s a mishmash of veggies coming together in perfect harmony, proving that there’s strength, and taste, in numbers. Every spoonful is an ensemble cast of flavors, textures, and a slight smugness from knowing you just ate something good for you. It’s the side dish with the main character’s energy, taking its rightful place in the limelight.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Casserole

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