When I first went vegan, I really struggled to find tasty, hearty recipes online. It seemed like every vegan on social media only ate tropical açaí bowls and avocado toast, and these meals just aren’t what I crave during the colder seasons. After nearly six years of plant-based eating and scouring the internet for the best vegan recipe inspo, I’ve compiled this list of some great YouTube channels to turn to when you’re craving comfort food. Here are my top seven:
- Madeleine Olivia
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Madeleine specializes in lots of cheap, easy meals for students and anyone living on a budget. Her channel was super helpful for me when I was a new vegan and didn’t want to attempt complicated recipes with loads of ingredients. As we enter the colder months, you can turn to her channel for soup, pasta and curry recipes that will keep you satiated without breaking the bank.
- Rachel Ama
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Rachel’s channel is filled with some of the best vegan comfort food recipes you’ll find. She doesn’t shy away from bold flavors and always includes protein sources to balance out her meals. Her channel has introduced me to so many creative, vegan Caribbean dishes that have broadened my cooking repertoire and made plant-based eating more exciting. This winter, I plan on trying out lots of her hearty stews and curries!
- Liv B
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This channel has been a go-to of mine for years. Liv makes quick, weekly recipe videos for everything from potstickers to muffins to stuffed crust pizza. No matter what you’re craving this winter, you’re sure to find a recipe for it on her channel. I especially enjoy all of the easy dessert recipes, like her mug cakes and the recent cinnamon sugar donut recipe video I’ve selected.
- Nikki Vegan
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Nikki’s videos make veganism really approachable, and her cozy recipes have carried me through this fall. Her channel is a great place to turn to if you’re looking for easy, vegan recipes to make for the upcoming holidays (like the green beans, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes she makes in the video I’ve selected). Nikki is also a member of the must-watch channel “The Vegan View” where they post reviews whenever new vegan products pop up on the market.
- Avant Garde Vegan
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Avant Garde Vegan is run by Gaz Oakley, a professional London-based Welsh chef. He has the most amazing restaurant-quality recipes, which require a bit more effort but are perfect for impressing even the staunchest of meat-eaters. On his channel, you’ll find realistic recreations of dishes like steak and fish and chips, high protein meal prep guides and tons of holiday recipes. In the video I’ve chosen, he makes vegan pot pies which would be a perfect winter dinner.
- Caitlin Shoemaker
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This channel is the source of so many of my staple, daily recipes. Caitlin makes lots of meal prep and budget-friendly recipe videos showing how veganism doesn’t have to be confusing and expensive. I especially enjoy watching her “What I Eat in a Day” videos each season to gather inspiration. I’ll definitely be eating these fluffy sweet potato breakfast bowls all winter.
- Hot For Food
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Lauren at Hot For Food has one of the widest ranges of vegan recipes you’ll find on YouTube. She can teach you how to make some comfort food basics, like the baked ziti pasta video I’ve selected, and she also has recipes for exciting dishes like pumpkin fondue and lasagna soup. This winter, I’m going to rely on lots of her recipes when cooking holiday dishes to put me in the festive, cozy mood.
Veganism isn’t just salads and smoothies; plant-cooking can be filling and delicious. Whether you’re vegan or not, these recipes are delicious and healthy nonetheless. Check out these YouTube channels for inspiration, and try out some new recipes this winter!