15 Vegan Southern Recipes That’ll Have You Ready to Hit That Ol’ Town Road

Is it possible to eat all of the delicious food that the South has to offer while being plant-based? YES. YES, IT IS. All of these recipes are Southern-inspired dishes that you can make in the comfort of your own home! They’re flavorful, delicious, and make a wonderful dish to bring to get-togethers with your family and friends! Don’t forget to check out these vegan southern recipes and many more on our Food Monster App!

1. Southern-Fried Tofu With Maple Dill Sauce

Source: Southern-Fried Tofu With Maple Dill Sauce

These Southern-Fried Tofu With Maple Dill Sauce by Marieke Gruwel can turn any tofu hater into a tofu lover. They are crunchy and indulgent are made even more tasty when dipped generously into the maple dill sauce. Boring, bland tofu no more!

2. Southern Pecan Caramel Sauce 

Source: Southern Pecan Caramel Sauce

A decadent caramel sauce that’s filled with toasted pecans and rich coconut milk. This Southern Pecan Caramel Sauce by Lisa Lotts tastes just like pecan pie filling, without the crust! Perfect on ice cream or straight from the spoon.

3. Southern Air-Fried Hush Puppies

Source: Southern Air-Fried Hush Puppies

Hush puppies are little balls of fried cornbread flecked with onions. They were originally made of a cornmeal batter that was used to coat fish. They really were given to the pups! This delicious Southern Air-Fried Hush Puppies by Kathy Hester is made vegan and healthier while still maintaining that crispy dense texture!

4. Smoky Southern Collard Greens

Source: Smoky Southern Collard Greens

Comfort food at its finest! Warm up your meal with a bowl of these spicy, healthy, oil-free collard greens. This Smoky Southern Collard Greens by Molly Patrick is a dish you won’t want to miss!

5. Southern-Style Pulled Mushroom Sandwich 

Source: Southern-Style Pulled Mushroom Sandwich

As far as comfort foods go, loaded sandwiches are among the best of the best. In this take on a Southern classic, shredded, meaty mushrooms are coated in barbecue sauce, and sandwiched between two crusty slices of bread with crunchy coleslaw. This Southern-Style Pulled Mushroom Sandwich by Ksenia Prints is a smoky, sweet, and creamy mess that will leave you giddy with joy.

6. Chicken and Waffles 

Source: Chicken and Waffles

Crispy fried “chicken” on top of a fluffy stack of waffles… What could be better?! Whether it’s the hot sauce baked into the tofu chicken, the sprinkle of rosemary, or the truffle oil in the waffles, this dish is full of tasty surprises. With such beautiful presentation, this Chicken and Waffles by Gabrielle St. Claire Chicken and Waffles by Gabrielle St. Claire is a must at your next weekend brunch. Don’t forget the maple syrup!

7. Vegan Fried Chicken Tenders 

Source: Vegan Fried Chicken Tenders

These Vegan Fried Chicken Tenders by Melanie Sorrentino are fried gloriousness! They are simple to make and the perfect snack for kids, adults, really anyone!

8. Jackfruit Fried Chicken 

Source: Jackfruit Fried Chicken

The stringy texture of young jackfruit lends itself perfectly for emulating pulled pork or chicken recipes. In this recipe for Jackfruit Fried Chicken by Sarah Pether, jackfruit is marinated in a creamy soy milk marinade, battered in zesty breadcrumbs, and fried to perfection. Enjoy these with your favorite vegan mayonnaise or ranch dip.

9. Oil-Free ‘Sausage’ Biscuits and Gravy 

Source: Oil-Free ‘Sausage’ Biscuits and Gravy

This plant-based recipe for the classic biscuits and gravy is full of flavor and makes a hearty breakfast for the whole family. You have to try this Oil-Free ‘Sausage’ Biscuits and Gravy by The China Study Family Cookbook!

10. Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy 

Source: Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy

Life can taste good with these fluffy, soft, gluten-free biscuits accompanied with mushroom gravy. It’s the ultimate comfort food side that will leave you craving for more. TheseBiscuits and Mushroom Gravy by Molly Patrick are great for dinner parties, but also make great leftover snacks/sides for yourself.

11. Tofu Scramble and Pulled Portobello Breakfast Tacos 

Source: Tofu Scramble and Pulled Portobello Breakfast Tacos

In this recipe, tofu is crumbled and transformed into a savory scramble and Portobello mushrooms are shredded and cooked in BBQ sauce until tender. Then both components are piled into soft tortillas, topped with radishes, spring onions, and a fresh squeeze of lime. It’s no doubt that this Tofu Scramble and Pulled Portobello Breakfast Tacos by Trine Rask is delicious!

12. Very Cheesy Mac ‘n’ Cheeze 

Source: Very Cheesy Mac ‘n’ Cheeze

Seriously, if you love Very Cheesy Mac ‘n’ Cheeze by Amber St. Peter, here’s a slightly spicy, flavorful, much healthier recreation of the old favorite. Loaded with secret ingredient goodies like nutritional yeast, tahini, and turmeric, it’s worth more than you’d expect, too. The cheezy sauce is chock full of B vitamins and anti-inflammatory power just waiting to be gobbled up!

13. Creamy Potato Salad 

Source: Creamy Potato Salad

Who doesn’t love potatoes? This Creamy Potato Salad by Olivia Budgen is simply dreamy – there is no other word for it. It makes the perfect side dish to any meal!

14. Cajun Tofu With Creamy Grits and Collard Greens 

Source: Cajun Tofu With Creamy Grits and Collard Greens

This recipe for Cajun Tofu With Creamy Grits and Collard Greens by Lauren Hartmann gives you three incredible dishes that form one epic meal. The tofu is marinated in a spicy, tangy, homemade Cajun spice mix and served with rich, creamy grits and garlicky greens. This meal will be a hit whenever you put it on the table.

15. Green Beans with Lemon Dressing

Source: Green Beans with Lemon Dressing

These Green Beans with Lemon Dressing by Melissa Tedesco can be made in 10 minutes. The dressing is so versatile and can be used on salads, almost any other vegetable, or as a marinade.

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!