How Tiffani Thiessen Makes Plant-Based Family Meals: The 27 Essential Recipes

Many remember Tiffani Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski, the It Girl of the teen ‘90s sitcom Saved By the Bell, or perhaps Valerie Malone on the long-running high school drama Beverly Hills 90210. 

While Thiessen spent most of her childhood as an actress, these days, the 50-year-old spends her time sharing her recipes—through her cookbooks and website—with fans and family. 

Tiffani Thiessen/Facebook

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Her vast repertoire includes a surprising selection of plant-forward (and fully plant-based) recipes that inspire us to get back into the kitchen after a hot, lazy summer. 

Tiffany Thiessen’s must-make plant-based recipes

With the holiday season just around the corner, we’re ready to be saved by Thiessen’s plant-based family recipes. Here are 27 we’re excited to make.

Rebecca Sanabria

1Teriyaki Tofu With Chile Crisp, Roasted Scallions, and Mushrooms

This simple, flavorful recipe features broiled tofu, mushrooms, and scallions, all coated in a rich teriyaki sauce and topped with chile crisp for a bold, savory kick. 
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2Herbed Hummus With Wild Mushrooms

A creamy hummus infused with herbs, topped with caramelized wild mushrooms, offers a rich and earthy twist on traditional hummus. This dish is ideal as a dip or a spread for sandwiches.
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3Pumpkin Hummus

A seasonal take on classic hummus, this recipe blends garbanzo beans with pumpkin purée, garlic, and chili powder for a creamy, flavorful dip. Thiessen pairs this with her homemade Pumpernickel Pita Crackers for a perfect fall-inspired snack or appetizer.
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Rebecca Sanabria

4Colorful Corn and Bean Salad

Packed with vibrant colors and textures, this salad combines diced avocado, jicama, red onion, and bell pepper with sweet corn and black beans. Tossed with lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, cumin, and pepper, this refreshing dish serves between 10 and 12 people. 
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5Romanesco Fennel and Kumquat Salad

This unique salad pairs the nutty flavor of romanesco with the crispness of fennel and the sweet-tart bite of kumquats. It’s a refreshing option for those looking to add more fresh produce to their dinner table. Swap the honey with agave for a fully plant-based dish. 
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6Seed Crackers

These crispy seed crackers are a perfect plant-based snack or a crunchy side to pair with dips, such as the herbed hummus. With ingredients such as pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, and flax seeds, they are packed with nutrients and flavor, making them ideal for healthy snacking.
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7Homemade Bagels

For family breakfasts, nothing beats a bagel spread—especially when they’re homemade. Thiessen’s bagel recipe delivers fresh, chewy bagels that the entire family can enjoy. Serve with plant-based spreads, such as vegan cream cheese, or alongside some of the hummus options for a hearty breakfast.
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Rebecca Sanabria

8Savory Lentils

This simple yet comforting lentil dish is seasoned to perfection and works well as a side or a protein-packed main. Lentils provide a hearty base, while parsnips, shallots, Tuscan kale, and coconut milk give this dish a depth of flavor.
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9Melon Gazpacho

A cool, refreshing melon gazpacho is perfect for those random warm fall days. This sweet and savory soup is easy to make and adds a light, fresh course to any family meal.
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10Roasted Tomato Soup

Classic comfort food at its finest, this roasted tomato soup is made by slow-roasting tomatoes to deepen their flavor before blending them into a creamy, delicious bowl of goodness.
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11Kumquat Jam

This sweet-tart kumquat jam can be spread on toast, bagels, or crackers for a zesty addition to breakfast or snack time. You can pair some store-bought vegan baked goods like scones or croissants with a bit of this unique jam.
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Rebecca Sanabria

12Chocolate-Dipped Dried Fruit

For this easy dessert, Thiessen dips an array of dried fruits—think mango, kiwi, and papaya— into melted chocolate before garnishing with a bit of shredded coconut. To keep this plant-based, opt for plant-based chocolate chips, such as those from Enjoy Life or Toll House.
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13Watermelon Champagne Cocktail 

A refreshing watermelon and champagne cocktail, this drink is perfect for outdoor gatherings, offering a light, bubbly treat for adults while the kids enjoy non-alcoholic refreshments.
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14Paloma Cocktail 

This classic cocktail combines tequila and grapefruit soda for a zesty and refreshing drink, perfect for unwinding at the end of a busy day spent preparing a family meal.
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Rebecca Sanabria

15Passionfruit Daiquiri

A tropical delight, this daiquiri blends vodka with tart passion fruit juice, offering a sweet and tangy escape for adults during family gatherings.
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16Kombucha Moscow Mule 

This twist on a traditional Moscow Mule adds kombucha for a probiotic boost. The gingery cocktail is a refreshing option for those looking for a healthier drink alternative with some gut benefits with enough vodka to keep everyone happy.
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17Piña Colada Frozé 

Frozen piña colada flavors—drawn from grilled pineapple and coconut cream—combine with dark rum wine for a playful, tropical-inspired cocktail that is sure to please the adults at any family dinner.
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Rebecca Sanabria

18Turmeric Almond Milk Latte

For a caffeine-free, anti-inflammatory boost, this turmeric almond milk latte makes a cozy drink for both adults and kids. It’s perfect for winding down after dinner or a cozy way starting the day.
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19Beet Tartare

A creative take on traditional tartare, this swaps beef for beets which deliver a vibrant color and earthy flavors. This dish gets its tangy complexity from pickled jalapeños, mustard seeds, cornichons, and whole grain mustard. The egg yolk is totally optional, and we’d leave it off for a plant-based dish.  
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20Beet Fritters

These crispy beet fritters are a fun, veggie-packed addition to the table. Swap Just Egg (or another plant-based egg) in place of the chicken eggs and pick a dairy-free plain yogurt for the herbaceous dip.
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Rebecca Sanabria

21Beet Burgers With Special Sauce

These hearty burgers feature beets and black beans that are held together with a cashew emulsion instead of eggs and topped with pickled jalapeno for some spice. However, remember to use a plant-based mayo in the special sauce to keep it vegan.
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22Spring Pappardelle

This light and fresh pappardelle dish highlights verdant asparagus and peas. Note that some fresh kinds of pasta may contain eggs in the dough, so swap for a dried pappardelle and top with grated dairy-free Parmesan cheese. 
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23Chilled Corn and Cantaloupe Soup

A unique blend of sweet and savory, this chilled soup is a refreshing dish that highlights the flavors of cantaloupe and corn. It’s naturally plant-based and perfect for warm-weather meals. Garnish with dairy-free feta crumbles if you want to follow the recipe exactly.
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Brandon Kidd

24Ratatouille

This quintessential French dish is typically fully plant-based but Thiessen’s recipe uses pancetta. However, leaving it off would return it to its classic, plant-based origins making this combination of stewed vegetables a versatile main or side.
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25Smoked Honey Carrots & Parsnips

Carrots and parsnips are roasted with a smoky touch, apple juice for depth of flavor, and a bit of roasted pistachios for added crunch and mint for freshness. Swap the honey for a plant-based alternative, such as agave syrup or bee-free honey, to keep it vegan-friendly.
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Rebecca Sanabria

26Grilled Pasta Salad

This grilled pasta salad is a hearty and unique option for outdoor meals that features charred corn and tomatoes. The cooled spaghetti here is tossed with a light red wine vinaigrette, along with feta crumbles—dairy-free recommended, of course.  
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27Piña Colada Shaved Ice

For a sweet finish to a family meal, this easy tropical dessert features the classic flavors of piña colada, tied together with a generous drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. For a dairy-free version, opt for these vegan condensed milk options instead. 
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