Veganuary 2026 🌱

[DecafSoyaLatteExtraShotPlease]

I couldn't see a 2026 thread so thought I'd start one as a space for all - the long term vegans, first time vegans, the veg-curious, and the geberally open-minded.

Veganuary is all about trying something new, learning together and seeing how plant-based choices can fit into real life. Mistakes happen, intentions lapse and minds are changed. There’s no “perfect vegan” and no pressure, just curiosity and community. But please, however you've found this thread, be kind. If veganism isnt for you, just exit and move on.

I hope this can be a space where people can ask questions (no such thing as a silly question!), offer advice and guidance and share recipes and foody finds. Vegan supermarket choices were poor over Christmas, so I'm definitely on the look out for any exciting new finds!

And finally, happy veganniversary to others who also started their journey once upon a time one January 💚

I’m going into my 15th year of veganism and I’m still looking for recipe ideas 😅 if anyone wants to share any. I mostly like 30 minute and under recipes as I have a busy job and like healthy but quick food. I’m happy to share some of my favourites too.

Good luck to everyone giving it a go this year 🌱 Just under 19 years in here and one of my resolutions for 2026 is to do more cooking and baking and use the food processor I bought a year ago (think I’ve used it twice!).

Had a nice lunch today - I’ve got into summer rolls this year but as I’m crap at rolling the rice paper I now do the ‘naked’ version - lettuce, cucumber, carrot, peppers, chives, coriander, pineapple pieces, glass/rice noodles, tofu pieces (usually use Cauldron) & a peanut dipping sauce - just peanut butter turned into a sauce with a bit of hot water and a spoon! (Chilli flakes/splash of soy sauce optional.) Super quick & there are so many salad/veg/protein/herb options to mix it up.

I like the sound of this - do you mean you basically chuck it all together with the sauce and not in any kind of roll? Because that sounds so good 🤤

I definitely get stuck in a bit of a food rut, and frequently get what I've termed "decision fatigue" when it comes to meal planning, so hoping for some new (hopefully healthy!) ideas.

I think I'm 5 years on 1st Jan, I've lost track of things a bit!

My family is vegetarian, not fully vegan, but we’re trying not to each so much cheese next year so will be cooking more plant-based meals.

@ShellegerwenHere are some of my favourite vegan meals that take less than 30mins
Peanut butter noodles ) https://healthylivingjames.co.uk/speedy-satay-sauce-noodles/

Sticky soy and ginger tofu https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/sticky-soy-and-ginger-tofu-with-charred-broccoli.html

Caribbean curry https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegan/caribbean-style-black-bean-curry/

Tuscan bean stew https://www.olivemagazine.com/recipes/vegan/tuscan-bean-and-barley-stew/

I'm in! I do Veganuary every year, usually my veganism lasts into March when it dwindles into vegetarianism and by July I'm back eating burgers on the BBQ 🙈
I want to be vegan for environmental reasons but I struggle. So Veganuary is my nod towards trying!!
I love Tofu 😁

@DecafSoyaLatteExtraShotPlease Yes, exactly - just all on a plate but not in a roll & then I just dip everything in the sauce. The lazy version! I should persevere with the rolls though - I love how pretty these look for example: https://elavegan.com/vegan-summer-rolls-gluten-free-recipe/

Know what you mean about the food rut - so easy to get into one isn’t it! Happy veganniversary for Jan :)

This is me! 😆

Hi, I’d like to join too.

What are the staples/store cupboard basics I should always have in after a busy day at work? Thanks

Have you tried any of the meat replacement products? Some of them (looking at you, Beyond Burgers) are so realistic I can't eat them

What do you usually reach for? That's often a good place to start, you don't need to do a total overhaul and eat things you wouldn't normally, you can make changes to the typical things you normally eat if that makes sense.

Thanks. I eat a lot of porridge which i can buy oat milk for.

I don’t eat cheese much, except for xmas stilton!

I think I need an egg substitute instead of boiled eggs

Try https://www.patreon.com/EarthyGoodnessKitchen

Porridge is easy with a plant milk like you say, there are so many options too. Oat works well, personally I use soya for the higher protein content. Hazelnut or cashew milk make it particularly delicious, I'd forgotten about those until now!

instead of eggs, I have scrambled tofu most mornings for breakfast. I make up about a kilo and a half at a time (😳) and freeze in individual portions so I don't have the daily faff of making it.

I do like the fake meat! I like the Richmond burgers, they are close enough to the real thing once I've got onions, ketchup, gherkins etc ☺️

I also love a Greggs vegan sausage roll

I'd sell my only child for a Greggs sausage roll 🤤

Our new year's eve tradition is a cheese board so looking forward to that this evening, i have some new ones I've not tried before. Still haven't managed to get my hands on a La Fauxmagerie Brixton Blue though, may have to try another dash over to Waitrose before I start work

Happy veganuary

Le Fauxmagerie cheeses (you can get these from Waitrose) are amazing.

Oh these look lovely, I’m going to give these a go!

Has anyone made cashew cheese?? I keep seeing recipe reels on insta for it...

I haven't made it (barely have time to make toast!) but have bought it - Sophies Delight is usually my go to, discovered at a local vegan food festival one year. Best way in my mind as a new vegan to view alternative cheeses, is not as something trying to be cheese, but an alternative to 😊

I have! It’s delicious and easy. I make it in a big batch and freeze it in portions. Cashews are cheaper at Aldi/Lidl or international food stores. I have it on lasagna, enchiladas, pasta, salsa etc.

I think that about a lot of vegan alternatives 🤣 I really like "This Is Not Bacon" but they aren't lying - it's nothing like bacon!! Just a tasty product in its own right.
And yes I know all these fake meat things are ultra processed and therefore terrible 😣😜

Ultra processed, absolutely. But actual bacon is a literal carcinogen so 🤷‍♀️ I try to limit fake meat stuff to one meal a day, but definitely use them due to speed, convenience and an omnivore husband. I also have a daily protein goal and they really do help hit the macros!

Hello! 👋🏼 I'm on my 7 year veganniversary and I had no intention of going vegan permanently at that time but it just carried on.
I make home made sourdough bread and add 25g pea protein powder per 400g recipe and have that toast for breakfast. I eat a lot of tofu - Lidl do a variety of marinated ones which are great - just cut and cook in air fryer and add to stir fries, pasta, or just eat as a snack with chilli sauce. I have a ninja foodi and it's great to make a soup/stew/curry very quickly with the sauté then pressure cook function. You only need 2 minutes pressure cooking for vegetables. I buy packets of tomato lentils or lentil bolognese from Lidl and add a packet to my soups. Stir fries are a staple as very quick to cook. Tofu or seitan as a protein plus veg and rice or noodles, I batch make sauces and keep them in the freezer. I have one batch of pad Thai sauce, one of gojuchang and one amai sauce (Wagamama recipe) as DS loves that one as it's mild and sweet.

@WoahThreeAces I’ve been vegan a long time but just got around to making cashew cheese. It’s not horrible but not sure I’d bother again. My favs are I am Nut OK, La Fauxmagerie, Cathedral City and Philadelphia soft cheese. All nicer than what I made.