It would be great to have time to meal prep every day and ensure that we’re getting a healthy dose of protein, vitamins and fiber with every meal, but #RealTalk — ain’t nobody got time for that. We’ve got enough on our plates, which is why eating four square meals is a challenge to begin with. A meal that offers all of those goodies in a single helping is the bomb. You can get creative with quick quesadillas, one-pot pastas and over-the-top Ramen bowls if your heart so desires, but our personal favorite option is a hearty and flavorful stir-fry. Here are 15 meatless variations for you to chow down on #MeatlessMonday + #StirFriday.
1. Healthy Sesame-Orange Ginger Chickpea Stir-Fry: This meatless wonder is not only incredibly tasty, but healthy too! Adding chickpeas to the mix gives you a major dose of protein and fiber to accompany those veggies. (via Ambitious Kitchen)
2. Spicy Peanut Tofu Stir-Fry: Forget saving this dish solely for #MeatlessMonday, because you’ll be craving it all week long. Crispy tofu is tossed in a Thai-style peanut sauce and served with crunchy veggies. It’s lovely served atop quinoa or rice, but it’s also a hit on its own. (via Little Spice Jar)
3. Veggie Lo Mein With Soy Ginger Sauce: When a dish can be described as tasty, easy AND healthy, you add it to your weeknight dinner rotation stat. This veggie-packed lo mein is tossed with a tangy ginger sauce and, if you’re a sucker for snacking directly from the fridge, this bad boy is easy to enjoy cold. (via Well Plated)
4. Cauliflower “Rice” Stir-Fry Bowl: If you’re trying to cut carbs but find yourself hankering for a big bowl of fried rice, this dish will be your savior. Shredded cauliflower replaces your grains here, and this filling meal is ready to eat in just 20 minutes. (via Veggie Chick)
5. Vegan Mushroom Stir-Fry: A stir-fry packed with a plethora of vegetables is great and all, but mushroom lovers can attest to the fact that sometimes you just want to dig into a pile of tasty creminis, shiitakes and baby bellas. If this sounds like you, this stir-fry has your name on it. It makes for a great GF side dish and rice topper too.(via Avocado Pesto)
6. Japanese Burdock and Carrot Stir-Fry: This zingy and vegan-friendly medley of burdock and carrots can be ready in just TEN minutes! It makes a fantastic side, but who are we kidding? It’s so good, you’ll want to top off some rice with it and gobble it up as your main. (via Wandercooks)
7. 15-Minute Spicy Udon Stir-Fry: Nothing accompanies a scrumptious sauce better than big, fat and fresh udon noodles. This dish proves that a delicious and substantial meal does *not* need to be time consuming. (via Seasons and Suppers)
8. End-of-Summer Veggie Stir-Fry: If you’ve still got some summer veggies kickin’ around, there’s no better way to use them up than in a healthful stir-fry. A generous helping of cashews adds crunch and elevates the yum factor in this one. (via Oh My Veggies)
9. Seitan and Vegetable Stir-Fry: Seitan is becoming an increasingly popular meat substitute in veggie dishes, and there’s a reason for that — it’s magical. Smokey and packed with protein, seitan will ensure that you don’t miss the meat in this bad boy. (via Pickled Plum)
10. Pineapple Stir-Fry With Baked Tofu: This concoction is huge on flavors and textures — everything you want on your plate. Crunchy, fresh vegetables mingle with sweet pineapple bits and chewy baked tofu to offer up a dinner that’s OH-so delish. (via Veggie Inspired)
11. Simple Stir-Fried Noodles: These stir-fried noodles are an amazing thing to consider when your days are busy and your nights are needed for down time. The dish is so versatile, switching up the veggie combo will leave you with a different meal entirely. (via Love Is in My Tummy)
12. Cashew Tempeh Stir-Fry: This quick and easy stir-fry is what #MeatlessMonday is all about. Maple hoisin sauce makes this dish a cozy fall hit, and in just 20 minutes you can be digging into this sweet and crunchy goodness. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
13. Quick Buckwheat and Vegetable Stir-Fry: We don’t find buckwheat in stir-fry very often, but by looking at this bowl, we’re thinking it should be done on the reg. Hearty and bright, this meal is full of vitamins, potassium and antioxidants. (via Heavenlynn Healthy)
14. Eggplant Teriyaki Stir-Fry With Tofu: When eggplant is the star of a dish, it’s usually slathered in a delicious saucy and cheesy mess. In this dish, charred eggplant gets to shine in all of its glory after being tossed in a sticky and sweet sauce. (via Delish Knowledge)
15. Tofu Stir-Fry With Soy Sauce, Garlic and Ginger: This tofu is left to sit in a drool-worthy marinade soaking up the tangy flavors of ginger, garlic and soy sauce. Even if you’re a tofu skeptic, this dish could turn you into an addict very easily. (via Posh Journal)
