10 Globally Inspired Recipes to Celebrate World Vegan Month

Excuse us as we state the obvious, but when you’re vegan, every day is vegan day. However, without a holiday to prompt us, many of us live within the comfortable patterns we have designed for ourselves—particularly when it comes to our food choices. But, with World Vegan Month upon us, let’s take advantage of the holiday and let it inspire us to try something new. In the spirit of celebrating all vegans, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorite global recipes so we can all spice it up in the kitchen.

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What is World Vegan Day?

On November 1, vegans around the world celebrate World Vegan Day. The annual holiday is usually spent eating delicious vegan food, hosting a potluck with friends, or spending time in nature. 

RELATED: How to Perfect Dal, the Simple Indian Whole Food Dish That Goes With Everything

What is World Vegan Month?

In addition to World Vegan Day, World Vegan Month (observed throughout November) is a global celebration of the vegan lifestyle throughout the entire month. World Vegan Month encourages people to explore plant-based alternatives, engage in meaningful discussions about the ethics of animal agriculture, and promote a sustainable and compassionate way of living. 

Why go vegan?

There are a myriad of reasons to go vegan whether it be for health, animals, or the planet. It is one of the best ways to ensure you’re staying healthy, saving the lives of countless animals, and making more sustainable choices for the environment. If you’re new to going vegan, check out our easy guide for beginners.

10 globally inspired vegan recipes

Savor every bite of these 10 global vegan recipes all month long.

Richa Hingle

1 Vegan South Indian Instant Pot Avial

Avial hails from the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, both in the south of India. It’s a thick, flavorful stew, packed with vegetables, fresh coconut, cumin seeds, and green chili for a spicy kick.
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Alejandra Graf

2 Vegan Mexican Pozole

Pozole is a fiery rich broth from Mexico. It’s usually made with meat, but this vegan version calls for oyster mushrooms instead. It’s robust, delicious, nutritious, and bursting with flavor.
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Nadia Fragnito

3 Vegan Italian Soft Polenta With Tomato Sugo Sauce

In Italy, polenta is a pantry staple. Made with boiled cornmeal, it’s simple, sweet, and creamy, and goes beautifully with another Italian classic: tomato sugo sauce, which is made with olive oil, garlic, basil, and crushed tomatoes.
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Yuki Sugiura

4 Vegan Jamaican Beet and Feta Panzanella Salad

The standout star of this dish is the Jamaican hard dough. It’s tender, chewy, sweet, and thick, and instantly makes this beet and vegan feta salad a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
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Maggie Zhu

5 Vegan Chinese Black Bean Sauce

If you’ve ever indulged in Chinese takeout (and who hasn’t?), you’re likely already familiar with black bean sauce, a rich, flavorful, slightly spicy, and incredibly versatile sauce. It goes with everything, from vegetable stir fry to tofu to vegan meat. 
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6 Vegan Filipinx Adobo With Tangy Soy Curls and Potatoes

Chicken adobo is the national dish of the Philippines. It’s juicy, it’s salty, it’s sour, and it’s sweet—yep, all at once—so you really don’t want to miss out on making it. Instead of the chicken, swap in soy curls and potatoes for a vegan dish bursting with flavor.
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Joanne Molinaro

7 Vegan Korean Kkwabaegi (Twisted Sugar Doughnuts)

These soft, fluffy twisted doughnuts are a popular treat in Korea. And it’s not hard to see why. Dust them with cinnamon and sugar, and enjoy them warm from the fryer.
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Antonis Achilleos

8 Vegan Cauliflower Rice Biryani With Mango Chutney

Biryani is often associated with India, where it is eaten in abundance, but this flavorful mix of rice, spices, and vegetables may actually have its roots in Iran, according to India Currents. Fun fact: the name actually comes from the Persian word “birian,” which means “fried before cooking.”
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Matt Russell

9 Classic Vegan Australian Lamingtons

In Australia, lamingtons are usually enjoyed with a mug of tea and friends. A sponge cake with chocolate icing and dried coconut, this vegan version is a delicious, indulgent treat.
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Rachel Ama

10 Fried Vegan Caribbean Jackfruit Fritters

In Jamaica, saltfish fritters are a popular appetizer. But, with this vegan recipe, you can get all the salty, fried goodness with none of the animal products by opting for jackfruit instead.
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