Dads are special and while we should honor them every day of the year, it’s nice to plan something extra-special for them come Father’s Day. Many people find it hard to buy gifts for their fathers. They probably don’t need another tie or more grilling utensils. Have you ever even seen him wear any of those bathrobes he’s gotten over the years?

Besides getting the day off from mowing the lawn and doing other chores around the house, any father would appreciate a good home-cooked meal. And not just fathers, we also celebrate fathers-in-law, uncles, brothers, grandfathers, sons, and nephews.

Let’s show Dad and all the men who have a place in our hearts our love with a meal that’s healthier and kinder, yet also indulgent and delicious. Let’s make vegan versions of Dad’s favorite recipes to enjoy on his day – Father’s Day.

1. Appetizers

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

If appetizers and bar food are Dad’s favorite dishes, show him he can have them all in healthier, vegan versions. Don’t worry – they will still be fun and tasty, just plant-based. Cook up a big plate of Buffalo wings that have nothing to do with chickens. Learn How to Make Epic Vegan BBQ Tofu Wings like these Buffalo Tofu Fries. Cauliflower is a great stand-in for wings. Dad will love these Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower Bites. Serve them with this dairy-free Blue Cheez Dressing. Other appetizer favorites include Baked Jalapeno Poppers, Vegan Mozzarella Sticks, Sticky Peanut Cauliflower Wings, Sesame Zucchini Fritters, Savory Stuffed Pepper Poppers, Healthy Stuffed Potato Skins and Smokey Avocado Fries. Make one or two or set up a whole buffet of just finger food to make Dad’s day fun and flavorful.

2. Sandwiches

Maple Sriracha Tempeh Bacon BLT with Creamy Dill Mayo

No need to order one of those 6-ft. subs filled with horrible and unhealthy cold cuts. Not when you can make Dad hearty sandwiches that will put those hazardous heroes to shame. Check out these 7 Super Vegan Sandwiches for the Superbowl for some incredible recipes like a Portobello Mushroom Philly Cheesesteak. For meaty choices, make him a huge Jackfruit Philly Cheesesteak or the Best Ever Vegan “Steak” Sandwich on the Planet. If meatball heroes are his favorite, indulge him with this Meatless Meatball Sub or this BBQ Lentil Meatball Sandwich with Sweet Miso Coleslaw. Other sandwiches that will make Dad’s day delicious include this Maple Sriracha Tempeh Bacon BLT with Creamy Dill Mayo, Magical Tempeh Reubens, Grilled Buffalo Tofu Po’ Boy with Apple Slaw, Bad Ass Vegan Fish Sandwich, and The Vegan Gutbuster Sandwich – Homemade Vegan Italian Sausage on a Baguette.

3. Burgers

Pizza Burgers

Give Dad the day off from doing the grilling and present him with a big, juicy vegan burger with all the toppings. He’ll love this Foolproof Mega Lentil Burger and this Kidney Bean and Kale BBQ Burger. Put out extra napkins when you serve these Stupid Simple Bean Burgers with Paprika Garlic Burger Sauce and these Eggplant Crunchburgers. Dad can have extra bacon when it’s the shitake bacon topping these Black Bean Apple Burgers with Caramelized Onion Chipotle BBQ Sauce. Is Dad a fast-food junkie? Convert him with this Vegan Burger King that’s so much better than any drive-thru. Other great burger choices include these Chicken-Less Burgers, Mexican Bean Burgers with Avocado Fries, and these yummy Pizza Burgers.

4. Pizza 

Tempeh Burger Pizza

Put down the phone and skip the take-out. Show Dad how much you care by making your pizza at home. Check out 10 Tips and Tricks for Rockin’ Vegan Pizza and then get your hands in the dough. See How to Make Thick Vegan Pizza Sauce and Fresh Vegan Moxarella Cheese. Use all of his favorite toppings, get him to try new ones, or set up a “pick your own toppings” bar. Make this Mushroom and Leek Flatbread Pizza, Tempeh Burger Pizza, Spelt Pizza with Roasted Veggies, Asparagus Potato Pizza with Kale Pesto, or this Whole-Wheat Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Figs, and Arugula. Other pizzeria favorites include this mini-calzone Puttanesca Panzarotti and these Gluten-Free Quinoa Garlic Bread Bites.

5. Meaty Dishes

Seitan Steak in Beurre Blanc Sauce

If Dad is a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy, that’s ok. It’s easy to make meaty meatless dishes that Dad will find delicious and satisfying. See 5 Tips to Make Meatless Food Taste Meaty and Your Favorite Beef Dishes Veganized. Dad can have a big juicy steak like this Seitan Steak in Beurre Blanc Sauce with Oven-Baked Fries, Portobello Mushroom Steaks, “Chicken-Fried” Tofu Steaks with Creamy Mashed Potatoes, or these Pan-Fried Tofu Steaks with Coriander Cream and Asparagus Spears. Make vegan “ribs” that have all the flavor and texture of the originals but none of the cruelty. For spicy, chewy, meaty vegan ribs, try these Balsamic BBQ Seitan and Tempeh Ribs or for the softer texture of short ribs, make these Braised Seitan Ribs in Spicy Chile Sauce. Other meaty dishes include Seitan Pot Roast, Seitan and Mushroom Bourguignon, Gluten-Free Tempeh Meatballs, Diner-Style Vegan Meatloaf, Vegan Shepherd’s Pie, and Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff.

6. Pasta

Pasta with Tempeh Bolognese

If Dad’s idea of a perfect dinner is a big bowl of pasta, he won’t be disappointed. Nothing says love like pasta, sauces, and lots of vegan cheese. Make his favorite or try something new like these 7 Variations on Vegan Pasta Sauce to Try. No one could resist a big bowl of this Pasta with Tempeh Bolognese, Artichoke and Shitake Pasta with Creamy Butternut Squash Tomato Sauce, Creamy Lemon Ziti with Roasted Asparagus, or Creamy Cashew Alfredo Pasta. Try a new pasta shape and make Dad this Orecchiette with Cauliflower, Bread Crumbs, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Creamy, Cheesy Homemade Ravioli, Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Rollups, Vegan Gnocchi with Thyme Vinaigrette and Cashew Cream, or Succulent Tortellini with Nut Cream and Wild Mushroom Sauce. This Ooey-Gooey Baked Ziti will make Dad the happiest man on earth as will this spicy Chili Tortilla Lasagna.

7. Dessert

Double Chocolate Layer Cake

End the meal with a bang by serving Dad an indulgent dessert that will appeal to his sweet tooth. Serve some Double Chocolate Berry Good Cookies or Vegan Italian Anise Cookies to have with his coffee. Give him a slice of this Gluten-Free Chocolate Cheesecake or this Double Chocolate Layer Cake. Knock his socks off with a Raw Matcha Coconut Cream Pie, Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting, or a Cinnamon Coconut New York Style Vegan Cheesecake. If Dad’s an ice cream lover, he’ll go crazy for this Chocolate Chunk Espresso Ice Cream, Crunchy Almond Butter Soft Serve Ice Cream, Salted Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches, or this Mindblowing Banana Chocolate Caramel Vegan Ice Cream Cake. Rather than buying Dad candy, you can make it for him yourself. He’ll be thrilled to get homemade versions of his favorites like these Vegan Snickers, Vegan Butterfinger Candy Bar, 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cups, and Almond Joy Bars.

It’s Dad’s day and he deserves a meal that’s just as special as he is. Show Dad and all the men in your life how much you care with a meal that’s healthy, compassionate, delicious, and homemade. Happy Father’s Day!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, and prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

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