50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (2024)

In every list of the healthiest vegetables you can eat, leafy greens, and particularly dark leafy greens always come out on top. They are nutritionally dense, low in calories and fat, full of fibre, protective against chronic disease, and pretty darn cheap. Unfortunately, they can also be boring af.

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (1)

Many people associate leafy greens with thepathetic iceberg lettuce side salad you get at a restaurant or that limp frozenspinach that mom used to defrost in the microwave when you were a kid. It canbe hard to come up with flavourful and interesting ways to incorporate moreleafy greens into your daily meals.

But it doesn’t have to be that way! The 50+recipes listed below will hopefully inspire you to the possibilities of theseversatile vegetables; from hearty vegan salads to pastas, tacos, burgersand stir fry, there are a multitude of creative and delicious ways to add moreleafy greens into your diet!

How much leafy greens should I be eating?

The USDA recommends eating 1 ½ - 2 cups (1 cup = 1 cup cooked or 2 cups raw) of dark green vegetables per week. Lol, who comes up with this stuff? Every plant-based doctor recommends DAILY, no weekly, consumption of leafy greens.

In How Not to Die, Dr. Greger recommends two daily serving sizes of 60 grams of raw greens or 90 grams of cooked greens and Dr. Esselstyn has spoken extensively of the importance of leafy greens in reversing (yes, reversing) heart disease with six fist-sized servings of leafy greens daily.

(If you don’t have heart disease you can eat less, but considering that 9 out of 10 Americans don’t even meet the USDA recommendations for total daily vegetable consumption, you almost certainly need to be eating more leafy greens than you do now!)

I’ve divided the recipes below into the following categories:

  • arugula / rocket
  • Swiss chard
  • kale
  • spinach
  • beet greens
  • collard greens
  • bok choy
  • lettuces
  • microgreens

However, the beauty of leafy greens is that they are often interchangeable in recipes. Don’t like kale? Sub in spinach or Swiss chard. Bought some turnips or radishes? Use the greens, too!

So take a look through the recipes belowand let them inspire you to get creative with your daily dose of leafy greens!

Arugula / Rocket

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (2)

Vegan Arugula Avocado Pesto Pasta - Lively Table

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (3)

Fresh Arugula and Black Bean Tacos (omit feta) - Cookie and Kate

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (4)

Roasted Eggplant Sandwiches with Arugula Walnut Pesto - This Savory Vegan

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (5)

Creamy Vegan Arugula Soup - Detoxinista

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (6)

Vegan Gnocchi with Arugula Pesto - Lauren Caris Cooks

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (7)

Arugula Lentil Salad - Hurry The Food Up

Swiss Chard

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (8)

Swiss Chard Mushroom Enchiladas - Making Thyme for Health

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (9)

Swiss Chard Gratin - From Scratch Fast

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (10)

Swiss Chard Soba Noodle Stir Fry - A Virtual Vegan

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (11)

Restorative Rainbow Chard and Leek Soup - Quite Good Food

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (12)

Swiss Chard with Crisp Apples - Fat Free Vegan

Kale

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (13)

White Bean and Kale Vegan Pot Pie - The Stingy Vegan

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (14)

Kale Quinoa - Veggie Chick

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (15)

Kale Chip Nachos with Black Beans and Sweet Potatoes - Minimalist Baker

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (16)

Kale Falafel (Baked, Not Fried!) - Yup... It's Vegan!

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (17)

Sweet Potato Kale Chili - Wallflower Kitchen

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (18)

Kale Brownies - Chocolate Covered Katie

Spinach

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (19)

Spanish Chickpea Stew - The Stingy Vegan

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (20)

Vegan Spinach Mac & Cheese - Love and Lemons

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (21)

Cheesy Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip - Minimalist Baker

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (22)

Vegan Spinach Blender Pancakes - Vibrant Plate

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (23)

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream - Wallflower Kitchen

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (24)

Vegan Spinach and Mushroom Pasta - Salt and Lavender

Beet Greens

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (25)

Beet Greens Lentil Burgers - Light Orange Bean

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (26)

Borscht with Beets and Beet Greens - Sharon Palmer

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (27)

Sweet Potato and Beet Greens Soup with Farro - Will Cook for Friends

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (28)

Beet Green Pesto - The Roasted Root

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (29)

Beet Pizza with Beet Leaf Pesto - Veggie Desserts

Collard Greens

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (30)

Southern Vegan Collard Greens - Sweet Potato Soul

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (31)

BBQ Black Eyed Pea Collard Rolls - Vanilla and Bean

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (32)

Healthy Vegan Collard Green Wraps - Feasting at Home

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (33)

Vegan Garlic Braised Collard Greens and Cabbage over Creamy Jalapeno Grits - Darius Cooks

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (34)

Vegan Lentil Stew with Sweet Potato and Collard Greens - Parsnips and Pasteries

Bok Choy

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (35)

Vegan Ramen with Creamy Sesame Broth - Cilantro and Citronella

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (36)

Black Pepper Tofu with Bok Choy - Feasting at Home

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (37)

Bok Choy Stir Fry - Love and Lemons

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (38)

Vegan Curry with Bok Choy - Sweet as Honey

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (39)

Garlicky Asparagus, Mushroom and Bok Choy Noodle Bowls - Vanilla and Bean

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (40)

Hot and Sour Soup with Bok Choy - Connoisseurus Veg

Lettuces

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (41)

Green Pizza with Herbed Vegan Cashew Cheese - The Stingy Vegan

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (42)

Grilled Romaine Salad with Corn, Fava Beans and Avocado - Feasting at Home

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (43)

Potato Mache Salad with Fried Capers - Gourmande in the Kitchen

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (44)

Fat-Free Pea and Lettuce Soup - Fuss Free Flavours

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (45)

Quinoa Salad with Apricots, Endive, Brussels Sprouts Leave and Toasted Almonds - She Likes Food

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (46)

Rosemary Garlic Cannellini Agnolotti with Mesclun Pesto - Well and Full

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (47)

Firecracker Vegan Lettuce Wraps - Pinch of Yum

Microgreens

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (48)

Green Goddess Spring Socca - The Full Helping

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (49)

Vegan Microgreens Salad - Garlic Matters

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (50)

Mushroom Potato Watercress Pie - Vegan Food and Living

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (51)

Vegan Alfredo with Watercress and Chives - Pickles & Honey

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (52)

15-Minute Watercress Soup - Wilde Orchard

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (53)

Avocado Hummus Toast with Microgreens - This Savory Vegan

50+ Vegan Leafy Greens Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the best leafy greens for vegans? ›

Healthy Tip: Powerhouse greens like kale, collards, spinach, and Swiss chard are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, folate, magnesium, iron, calcium, and fiber.

What are the healthiest leafy greens in the world? ›

Eight super-healthy leafy greens – and why you should eat them
  • Spinach. Spinach is easy to get all year round, and is chock full of iron, calcium, potassium and vitamins B6, C and K. ...
  • Kale. ...
  • Swiss chard. ...
  • Collard greens. ...
  • Rocket. ...
  • Romaine lettuce. ...
  • Watercress. ...
  • Bok choy.
Nov 14, 2023

How to make leafy greens taste good? ›

For sweet, you might go for a balsamic glaze. For sour, you could use lemon juice. Salty is, well, salt, but you could also try anchovies or a bit of bacon, says Devonshire. And parmesan is an umami king for greens, he says.

What vegetables are considered leafy greens? ›

List of leafy greens
  • Kale.
  • Collard greens. Like kale, collard greens, or simply collards, come from the cabbage family. ...
  • Spinach. Spinach is another leafy green that contains many vitamins and nutrients, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, folic acid, and calcium.
  • Cabbage. ...
  • Watercress. ...
  • Romaine lettuce. ...
  • Arugula. ...
  • Bok choy.
Sep 3, 2021

What 4 nutrients are vegans likely to miss? ›

These include vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and iodine.

What are the best anti inflammatory leafy greens? ›

One good inflammation-fighting choice most of us don't get enough of is dark, leafy greens. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, chard, arugula, endive, turnip greens, beet greens, and collard greens all contain significant concentrations of vitamins and other nutrients that have been found to reduce chronic inflammation.

What leafy green can you eat every day? ›

Healthy eating means consuming more dark green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy greens. Include more red or orange vegetables, such as carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and legumes, in your diet (dry beans and peas).

What greens are best for gut health? ›

Veggies like mushrooms, baby spinach, bean sprouts, lettuce, and peas can be good for boosting your gut health, specifically. These vegetables are great for your gut because of their fiber or water contents, or because they contain plant compounds called polyphenols.

What green is better than spinach? ›

Romaine lettuce is the next best option because it provides vitamins A and C, folic acid, and fiber, which are essential for a balanced diet. Romaine lettuce has a more robust and crisper flavor than spinach. It has long, heat-resistant leaves that are great for salads.

How do you take the bitterness out of Swiss chard? ›

It has a slightly bitter taste, but that can be resolved with adding a little acid, like lemon juice. Swiss chard is generally served cooked, as the leaves brighten nicely when sautéed in a bit of oil.

What can I add to greens to make it taste better? ›

12 Ways to Make Greens Powder Taste Better, According to a...
  1. Shake (with Ice), Don't Stir.
  2. Blend It Up in a Smoothie.
  3. Mix with Your Favorite Sweeter Beverage.
  4. Try Some Bubbles (and a Splash of Juice)
  5. Make Popsicles.
  6. Add It to an Energy Bite Recipe.
  7. Combine it with Your Go-to Warm Beverage.
Apr 22, 2024

Which lettuce is healthiest? ›

There are five different categories of lettuce: loose-leaf, cos/romaine, butterhead, crisphead, and asparagus-stem lettuce. Romaine lettuce and lettuce greens are the most nutritious types of lettuce.

Can you eat too much leafy greens? ›

Conclusion. So, can you eat too many leafy greens? Yes! It is scientifically possible to eat too many leafy greens and upset the balance of vitamin K or other fat-soluble vitamins in your body, leading to several health issues.

What vegetables are best to eat daily? ›

What are the most healthful vegetables?
  • Spinach.
  • Kale.
  • Broccoli.
  • Peas.
  • Sweet potatoes.
  • Beets.
  • Carrots.
  • Fermented vegetables.

What green superfood is suitable for vegans? ›

Each serving contains a blend of 6 powerful, nutrient dense Superfoods – Kale Leaf, Barleygrass, Chlorella, Spirulina, Maca, Baobab to offer the best nutritional value to the body. These super greens are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, chloraphyll and vegan protein!

What is the healthiest plant-based food? ›

Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber. Oats, quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, and bulgur are hearty and satisfying options. Healthy fats: avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil etc. Legumes: including green peas, chickpeas, beans, lentils, peanuts, and natural peanut butter.

What vegetables are good for vegans? ›

green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and okra, but not spinach (spinach does contain high levels of calcium but the body cannot digest it all) fortified unsweetened soya, pea and oat drinks. calcium-set tofu. sesame seeds and tahini.

What nutrients are hardest for vegans to get? ›

Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6083

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.