The chilly weather sparks serious comfort food cravings, and vegans don't have to be left out in the cold. With a slew of meat alternatives, convincing vegan cheese, and a lot of creativity from vegan cooks, eating a vegan meal can be every bit as satisfying as traditional comfort food fare. Whether you’re craving filling pot pie or rich mac and cheese, these 23 vegan comfort food recipes will deliver when you need something a little more indulgent.
Minimalist Baker
Jackfruit is that magical produce that seems to perfectly replicate meat in almost any dish. Thanks to its growing popularity, it's become relatively easy to find in grocery stores. Just make sure you buy a young green jackfruit in water, not brine or syrup. This is the key to achieving proper flavor and texture. Then all you need to do is sauté and add A LOT of barbecue sauce. (via Minimalist Baker)
Natural Girl, Modern World
Balance cozy carbs with nourishing vegetables in this mushroom stroganoff and you get the best of both worlds.
Ela Vegan
When you mix chickpeas with eggplant, coconut milk, Indian spices, and rice you'll end up with the most satisfying vegan curry. When spicing your curry, be sure to select a blend that incorporates fresh spices to give you the maximum amount of health benefits and flavor.
Nutritional Foodie
It can be difficult to cut back on carbs when you’re vegan (or for anybody, really). Thankfully, sweet potato tortilla chips are here to solve that problem. Things get serious when you coat them in vegan cheese sauce and then pile them high with your favorite nacho toppings.
Hot for Food
Calling all ambitious chefs with leftover corn on the cob: This corn chowder is a bit involved to make but the results are 100 percent worth it. Corn kernels thicken the chowder that's scented with smoked paprika and thyme for a soothing bite with every spoonful.
Vegan in the Freezer
Potatoes baked into a casserole that's covered in a creamy white sauce is comfort food at its best. All you need to do is sprinkle a few herbs on top for a little somethin' extra.
Pinch of Yum
This spiced bowl will soon be your new go-to for an ultra comforting, super nutritious, plant-based meal. There's so much deliciousness packed into this recipe that it'll be hard to pick your favorite part. Moroccan-spiced chickpeas are simmered in a sauce of fire-roasted tomatoes and then spooned atop couscous that's cooked and fluffed to perfection. Oh yeah, and there’s cucumber salad, some lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs to the max.
Vegetarian Ventures
By this point in winter you probably want soup for every meal, and that's where this white chili comes in. It’s warm, filling, tasty, and not average in any way. Pro tip: Add lots of toppings for a wide variety of texture in your bowl.
This Savory Vegan
If you dream about a mac and cheese without the taste of nutritional yeast, this recipe will make your dreams come true. It turns out that the answer is vegan cream cheese and a dash of hot sauce. Who knew?! Now that the secret is out, feel free to share — and don’t forget to make seconds!
Fooduzzi
Buffalo sauce and chicken is a match made in heaven. Buffalo sauce with roasted chickpeas is pretty darn good too. With a buffalo hummus base that incorporates just the right amount of spice, and a crispy cheesy topping, this recipe is about to be your new obsession.
Lazy Cat Kitchen
Pad Thai is one of the easiest dishes to veganize because it already comes layered with an array of crunchy vegetables and cubes of tofu. The tricky part is substituting the fish sauce, but this is actually easier than it seems. You can either buy a non-fish-based fish sauce, or simply prepare your own by infusing soy sauce (or tamari) with a bit of seaweed and dried mushrooms.
Feasting on Fruit
Recreate a comforting, nostalgic childhood favorite with these gluten-free, vegan treats. You may even find you like them better than the original.
Veggies Don't Bite
You’ll thank us later when you realize that this vegan pizza burrito is pretty much heaven wrapped in a burrito and placed on a plate. It’s also handy to grab when you have to eat on the run.
Munaty Cooking
Indian food is great because so much of it is already vegan. And samosas might be the ultimate choice because they can be an appetizer, a finger food, or a meal. Plus, they're concocted with a host of spices and dipping sauces that will keep your taste buds intrigued and wanting more.
Minimalist Baker
If you never had sloppy joes growing up, there's no time like the present to give them a try. This warm sandwich is sweet, smokey, and savory all at once, and it can be made with everyday pantry items. This vegan version uses lentils instead of beef and is no less satisfying for it.
The Fitchen
Creamy veggies hide beneath a crispy cornbread crust in this quintessential comfort food dish. There will be nothing more satisfying than breaking through the cornbread with a spoon to enjoy that perfect filling-to-crust ratio.
The Works of Life
Just when you think that everyone and their mother is tired of cauliflower recipes, General Tso’s cauliflower is here to revive the obsession. The cauliflower is marinated and then dusted in cornstarch and sesame seeds to form that crispy crust we all love. Now vegans and carnivores alike can get in on some of that General Tso’s action.
No Recipes
A blend of soft tofu with raw cashew nuts creates a satiny texture that's complemented by the spinach for an appetizer that tastes indulgent but won't have you regretting your snack choices.
Peas & Crayons
Something about that ooey-gooey yumminess of grilled cheese is simply unbeatable. But the best part of this sandwich isn't even the cheese; it's the ability to be a blank canvas onto which you can add an array of herbs, spices, chutneys, pickles, and jellies. The world is your oyster here — go wild!
Karissa's Vegan Kitchen
When you wrap chickpea meatballs in carbs, smother them with marinara sauce, and top with a sprinkle of vegan Parm, the result is irresistible. If you make a huge batch of meatballs and then freeze them, this recipe becomes so simple that there's a high probability it will become your fave Friday night staple.
Gluten-Free Vegan Pantry
There's almost nothing better than veganized mac and cheese. This cheesy delight is a hug in a bowl and the exact thing you require on those days when you’re in need of a pick-me-up.
Minimalist Baker
This blogger says it all: “Delicious, flaky, veggie-packed vegan pot pies in less than one hour. That’s all you need to know."
Ambitious Kitchen
Comfort food includes cupcakes. Opt for a magical combination like lemon, blueberry, and pistachio and watch the sparks fly.
If you can't get enough vegan comfort food in your life, follow us on Pinterest for more recipes!
This post has been updated.
Outer Banks season 4 part 1 gave us everything we had hoped for: action, adventure, and plenty of JJ and Kiara couple goodness. And a return to the OBX allows this senior season to recapture the first season's magic. “There’s all this action and adventure, but it’s really about the bond between the friends,” co-creator Shannon Burke tells Tudum.
After premiering on October 10, the series is still holding the number one spot on the Netflix Top 10. And the good news is we're only halfway through the season! The less-than-great news? We have to wait a little longer before we can watch the second five episodes. Here's everything you need to know about Outer Banks season 4 part 2.
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
After the part 2 trailer dropped, fans immediately wondered if Sarah will announce a pregnancy. After all, Kiara's shock is exactly how I've responded to my BFF's telling me they're pregnant...And now that we know season 5will be the final installment of the show, I'm more convinced than ever this theory could be true.
The central plot and drama of each season has focused on a different character since the pilot: season 1 was about John B., season 2 was about Pope, season 3 revolved around Kiara, and now season 4 places JJ at the center. That means season 5 will probably focus on Sarah like never before — and creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke told Tudum that the feature-length finale sets up season 5 perfectly. TLDR; I'm expecting us to get some serious Sarah Cameron drama!
Madelyn Cline actually told People that she's excited to see Sarah and John B. get some good news for a change. "We've had enough [drama]. We have 3 seasons worth," she joked. "I feel like they have been fighting each other quite a bit and I've been tired of it. Because I'm tired of people coming for me."
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
Yes, Outer Banks season 4 is dropping on Netflix in two parts, and part 2 will arrive on November 7. While this isn't the same effect as watching episodes weekly, it still provides time for fans to talk about their theories, and even rewatch the first part before the second premieres!
Netflix
Outer Banks season 4 part 2 will premiere on Netflix November 7. Part 1 is available to stream now.
Netflix
Part 2 will have five episodes, meaning Outer Banks season 4 will have 10 episodes total. Here are the part 2 episode titles!
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
The cast of Outer Banks includes Chase Stokes as John B., Madelyn Cline as Sarah, Madison Bailey as Kiara, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Rudy Pankow as JJ, Carlacia Grant as Cleo, Drew Starkey as Rafe, and Austin North as Topper. We'll also see Fiona Palomo will star as Sofia, J. Anthony Crane as Chandler Groff, Pollyanna McIntosh as Dalia, Brianna Brown as Hollis Robinson, Rigo Sanchez as Lightner, Mia Challis as Ruthie, and Cullen Moss as Shoupe.
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
Outer Banks season 4 part 1 ends with Pope and Sarah trapped in a crypt, Cleo and John B. recovering from a fight with Lightener, and JJ reeling from the revelation his birth father is a Kook. So, needless to say, part 2 is starting off with a bang.
Jonathan Daviss promises we'll see “explosions, craziness, Pogue activity" when part 2 drops next month. "A lot going on the cliffhanger, a lot of revelations happening, those things will be continued to be explored," he tells The Hollywood Reporter.
“I think it’s an identity crisis in Part Two," Rudy Pankow says of JJ's discovery. “Like, who am I? Where do I stand? What kind of person am I now? Are my friends gonna judge me? And who do I look up to now? I think that’s how it’s going to play out.”
But Madison Bailey is certain that Kiara will be there for JJ no matter what. “They are two people who are so independent that that’s why they work together and just being themselves and giving the space for the other person to be themselves," she says. "So, as long as there’s never a hold-up on that, then I think they’ll be alright.”
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
Fans have been making JJ x Kiara edits to Taylor Swift songs since the show premiered in 2020, and Madison Bailey just revealed the ultimate Jiara song comes from Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department: “‘But Daddy I Love Him,’ that’s literally Kiara,” she tells Elite Daily. “I think Kiara’s just trying to keep up, honestly. She knows her boy is crazy. And does she stand by him? Yes.”
Meanwhile one relationship that has yet to be healed (if it ever will be) is Rafe and Sarah. After their father's death at the end of season 3, Madelyn Cline is convinced Rafe blames Sarah. “I think she feels a lot of guilt," Cline admits to The Hollywood Reporter. "It’s all very heavy and way too heavy for just a single conversation. It’s something that has to happen over time.”
“I think [Rafe's] accepting some responsibility," Drew Starkey adds. "I think he realizes how alone he is, and he wants to mend bridges and build connections again. So yeah, I don’t think he’s ever been able to fully express [himself], and he’s still struggling to express that in a certain way.”
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
JJ's biological father is Chandler Groff, who married Wes Genrette's daughter Larissa. That means JJ has been a Kook this whole time — and he's related to Frances Genrette, the man responsible for Blackbeard's death.
Getty Images for Netflix
Yes, Outer Banks is coming back for season 5, which will also be the last season of the show. "With a little sadness, but also excitement, we're putting Season Four behind us and turning to Season Five, in which we hope to bring our beloved Pogues home in the way we imagined and planned years ago," Josh & Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke say in an official letter. "Season Five will be our last season, and we think it will be our best yet. We hope you'll join us for one more paddle out to the surf break."
And the fact the creators have “always known from the beginning what the last scene would be”makes me more excited than ever.
The season 5 announcement comes after the seven-city Pogue tour that included Brazil; Seattle Washington; Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Toronto, Canada; and Santa Monica, California. The cast revealed the show had been renewed for season 4 during last year's event.
Stay tuned for the latest Outer Banks season 4 part 2 updates. Stream part 1 on Netflix now, and read up on Outer Banks' Rudy Pankow Just Shut Down Those Viral Breakup Rumors for more info on the cast.
This post has been updated.
All those fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds in a plant-based diet is no doubt good for your health, but even the most committed vegans out there crave comfort food classics once in a while, like gooey Mac and cheese or a juicy burger. So whether you're looking to warm up on a chilly day with a bowl of noodle soup or step up game night with sloppy joes made with a vegan twist, these plant-powered comfort food recipes are sure to satisfy.
Brit + Co
Before we get into peppermint hot chocolate season, give this pumpkin hot cocoa a try. It features a dose of dark rum but if you want to leave that out, it will still taste amazing.
Brit + Co
Roasted eggplants get an extra dose of flavor with a tomato sauce featuring onion and garlic. Chickpeas also add another texture.
Birt + Co
These fries add some healthy fat into your diet while also keeping things gluten-free. Sounds good to us.
Brit + Co
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food as far as we're concerned. Making it in the slow cooker makes it easier than ever.
Brit + Co
This might be your average comfort food but it's got two of the most important elements: dough and cheese. The spice adds a nice flavor contrast as well.
Brit + Co
Pasta dishes make for excellent weeknight dinners because they're easy, warm, and filling.
Brit + Co
The next time you go to bake cookies, get a lesson from chocolatier Jacques Torres with this recipe. Our favorite part of the recipe? Adding a little bit of salt on top.
Brit + Co
There's no need to use the stove top for this streamlined baked ziti recipe that only requires a few ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight meal.
Savory Tooth
This easy and soul-warming soup — perfect on a cold, rainy day — gets a flavor boost from smoked paprika.
Minimalist Baker
Don't be put off by the time and labor required to make this recipe: These savory, rich and creamy veggie-packed potpies topped with flaky vegan biscuits are totally worth it!
The Savory Vegan
When only creamy, decadent mac and cheese will satisfy your desire for classic comfort food, this recipe featuring vegan cream cheese and vegan parmesan hits the spot. Plus, it's ready in 20 minutes! Add your favorite veggies, like broccoli, peas or carrots, to get more "plants" into your dish.
Omnivore's Cookbook
With a complex and flavorful broth spiked with ginger, cloves, star anise, white peppercorns and coriander seeds, this Vietnamese-inspired soup is pure comfort in a bowl.
Connoisseurus Veg
This vegan version of classic French onion soup evokes the rich, satisfying flavor of the original, thanks to the savory broth made with caramelized onions, red wine and soy sauce and croutons topped with gooey cashew cheese.
Brit + Co
Loaded up with your favorite toppings and condiments, these easy kidney bean burgers will be your new game night go-to. Bonus points: The recipe requires only five ingredients!
Brit + Co
Tuck into a bowl of creamy coconut milk-infused chickpea curry spiked with Indian spices—so yummy over basmati rice!
Pinch of Yum
This super satisfying one-pot meal features a layer of creamy mashed potatoes atop gravy-laden veggies that have been sautéed with red wine and fresh herbs. Make it vegan by using olive oil instead of the butter and a splash of nondairy milk in the potatoes.
Gena Hamshaw Food52
An old-school favorite gets a new school update: Sweet, tangy spiced lentils take the place of ground beef in this hearty plant-based take on sloppy Joes. Try it with a side of vegan slaw—yum!
Brit + Co
Banana bread is already delicious, but add in chocolate *and* pumpkin and you have something that is unbeatable.
Let us know your favorite plant-based comfort food in the comments, and follow us on Pinterest for more recipe ideas!
This post has been updated.
Foodies – you know 'em, and you love 'em. They're the ones that always bring food to the function, making sure everyone's well-fed. They're constantly breaking a sweat in the kitchen when they're whipping up those elaborate dinner recipes that you just can't stop craving. This season, return the favor of those curated dinner parties and lively happy hours by giving your favorite foodie one of these unique foodie gifts. From kitchen accessories to home goods, apparel to cookbooks, your food-loving pal is going to love these tasteful picks.
Our favorite foodie gift ideas for 2024:
Lisa Says Gah!
Winter nails will never be the same after they get a tasty treatment from these food-themed nail stickers. We're obsessing over the martini glasses!
Amazon
This bold book by cool cookin' girl, Molly Baz, encourages risk-taking in the kitchen and a pure "cooking for fun" mentality, which we could all use a heaping serving of, no?
Amazon
Your local astrology-loving foodie will instantly want to noodle with this super fun deck. The cards' themes are rooted in the authors' queer Italian American identities, offering an insightful and unique take on tarot.
Marianna Fierro
For the big brine fan, behold this bold olive art print. Bonus points for gifting this pick with a frame for them to hang in the kitchen!
Areaware
Though you could snag this 12x12-inch puzzle in French fry form, we just can't get enough of this vintage-esque rainbow jelly!
Amazon
Salt, fat, acid, and heat are the four main building blocks of creating an excellent dish. If your foodie friend is seeking more guidance, Samin Nosrat lays out the process simply and deliciously.
Dusen Dusen
Bet they've never had a standout oven mitt like this one! It's 100% cotton and 100% eye-catching. When kitchen gear gifts can double as decor like this, you've nailed gift-giving.
Boy Smells
This dessert-inspired home scent is so good, you may just wanna eat it. Seriously – it smells like something's baking, even though all you did was strike a match.
Amazon
We owe a lot to eggs – omelets, deviled eggs, cakes, cookies – the list goes on and on. This soft, palm-sized plush is an adorable tribute to the great egg!
Amazon
This pasta timer (AKA Mr. Al Dente) sings whenever your pot of pasta's done cooking. It may be a more gimmicky foodie gift, but it can really spare you from throwing noodles at the wall.
Anastasia Inciardi
These snacky stickers are the ultimate water bottle or laptop decoration for the famed foodie in your life.
Amazon
Maldon salt has unknowingly become the top salt choice for the Cool Kids™️ in the kitchen. The chunky flakes are perfectly balanced in flavor. Sprinkle some on a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and you'll never go back.
Amazon
Take it from baking queen Claire Saffitz for tips on creating a sweet little treat.
Hedley & Bennett
If they practically live in the kitchen, an apron or smock is a must for eliminating stains and messes. This one comes in a ton of different colors to suit any chef in your life!
Pon the Store
For the foodie who can't resist a good cocktail, these printed napkins make for the perfect complement to a drink – plus, they set the tone for a night full of sippin'.
Material Kitchen
This super sleek sphere serves to store salt and other essential seasonings.
Williams Sonoma
Tomato confit will get even tastier once it's made inside this tomato-y piece of cookware.
Match South
This double-wicked candle emits the smells of warm spices and syrup, eliciting nothing other than the sweet nostalgia of going to Waffle House. Burns well with freshly-cooked waffles, of course!
Uncommon Goods
With this iron mold, they can bring the iconic Japanese street food, taiyaki, to brunches and breakfasts.
We've got gift ideas coming your way all season long. Sign up for our newsletter for more inspiration!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
Have you ever read a book that changed your life? Whether it helps you empathize with other people better or it simply gets you to read a genre you never thought you would, new books hold so much power. That was my experience reading Emily Henry's People We Meet On Vacation the first time. I had never loved rom-coms before I was introduced to Emily Henry, and suddenly my world became so much more fun and romantic than it was before. And on July 9, the author announced her newest book Funny Story would be getting the movie treatment! Here's everything we know about the upcoming adaptation.
Dia Dipasupil/Amy Sussman/Getty Images
We don't have an official cast for the Funny Story movie yet, but my pick for Daphne is Lily Collins. And for Miles? Like most of the internet, I'm hoping we see Dylan O'Brien as Miles! He has the earnest, free spirit that make Miles so special — and he's totally down to do the movie if he gets the chance.
"I'm a fan of Emily Henry's, I've had friends who've turned me on to her books and I know a lot of them are now just beginning to get brought to the screen," he says on an episode of the Silence on Set podcast. "[Starring in Funny Story] is certainly not a no for me, I love the rom-com space, I've always wanted to do a rom-com and I feel like we're finally entering a little bit of a Renaissance with that...[But] I have no emails. Unless I've missed one."
Amazon
Yes, we're getting a movie inspired by Emily Henry's Funny Story! The story follows children's librarian Daphne, who is stuck in her ex's hometown when he breaks off their engagement to get together with his childhood best friend Petra. With nowhere left to turn, Daphne moves in with Petra's ex Miles. Their friendship starts on shaky ground, but it doesn't take long for Daphne and Miles to come up with a plan to get back at their exes — if they don't fall for each other first.
Emily Henry is writing the script for the Funny Story movie! She knows the material better than anyone so this script is going to capture the magic of the book perfectly.
While Funny Story doesn't have a director yet, we do know that Lyrical Media’s Alexander Black & Natalie Sellers and Ryder Picture Company's Aaron Ryder & Andrew Swett will produce.
Funny Story was released on April 23, 2024.
Let us know who you want to see in the Funny Story movie, and check out news on all The Emily Henry Books Being Turned Into Movies for more!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated.
