Whole-Food, Plant-Based Recipes to Make this Memorial Day Weekend

This hearty bean salad from Dreena Burton is perfect for sharing with friends and family—it's also good to munch on throughout the week! Hearty chickpeas, kidney beans, and black beans pair with lighter ingredients such as crisp apple, crunchy celery, and sweet bell pepper. A tangy vinaigrette soaks into the beans and veggies, making the medley taste even better the next day. A commenter shares, "Delicious! Bean salad was one of my favorite salads until I found out how much sugar is in traditional bean salads. I never thought I'd find a 3-bean salad I like without sugar!"

Pizza is always a winning option, and this contemporary plant-strong pie combines tender spiced cauliflower florets and a parsley-infused white bean spread with an aromatic whole wheat crust. A zesty tahini sauce featuring lemon juice and cumin powder adds an earthy-fresh flavor that perfectly complements the spicy cauliflower. As one reader notes, “This is seriously delicious.”

This colorful fruit tart travels well and looks stunning on the plate. Chunks of sweet pear soften rhubarb's tartness; fresh ginger adds a pop of heat, and maple syrup rounds out the flavors. The oat crust is gluten-free (if you use gluten-free oats), and a little almond butter and a few almonds add extra richness. Serve as is or with Vanilla Nice Cream or Aquafaba Whipped Cream.

For a breadless burger night, skip the bun and serve smoky grilled veggie patties and grilled vegetables over a bed of romaine lettuce and red quinoa with a drizzle of ranch dressing to tie it all together. This recipe uses plant-based burger patties from Mama Sezz, but our Five-Ingredient Veggie Burger, or any other whole-food, plant-based burger, would work well. Pro tip: For an easy grill-night meal, batch-cook veggie patties ahead of time and stash them in the freezer.

Orange sweet potatoes star in this luscious chocolate cake, adding natural sweetness and a moist texture. The batter is made with spelt flour (or a gluten-free flour mix) and gets extra chocolate flavor from cocoa and vegan chocolate chips. Serve as is, or top with frosting, fresh berries, edible flowers, or a dusting of powdered sugar—or all of the above. Shares a reviewer, "Made the cake as cupcakes. It doesn't need frosting. Very good."

A cookout isn’t a cookout without a potato salad, and this one is popping with vibrant spring produce sure to brighten up your Memorial Day spread. Fresh dill is the perfect flavor partner for horseradish.

Get the party started with this big beautiful vegetable platter. With a mix of sweet and tender roasted veggies, fresh and crisp raw veggies, and herb-infused hummus to dip, guests will munch their way through this in no time. We suggest using baby carrots, asparagus, radish, and sugar snap peas, but feel free to get creative and make this your own.

With floral lavender notes and a golden lemon filling, this scrumptious tart screams summer. An earthy oat, almond, and poppy seed crust uses mashed banana to sweeten and hold it together. Turmeric gives a yellow hue to the lemon and lavender filling, which also features plant milk for a creamy base and agar powder, a vegan substitute for gelatin, ensuring every bite has an appealing jelly-like consistency.

Looking for a party-worthy salad that looks amazing but is manageable to make? We've got you covered with this stand-out salad, which pairs crunchy jicama (or cucumber) with the tangy lilt of fresh strawberries. Sharp red onion and fresh cool mint add depth to the salad, and a drizzle of lime-infused Dijon mustard dressing, which features spicy red pepper flakes and sweet maple syrup, takes it over the top.

It's grill time! And what better way to add vibrant veggie goodness to your barbecue than with grilled herb-infused colorful baby carrots and asparagus. Top the veggies with a quick-and-easy gremolata featuring lemon zest, pine nuts, fresh parsley, and garlic. The flavors are incredible! Feel free to use other veggies and whatever fresh herbs you fancy.

These itty-bitty key-lime bites are a perfect party treat to pass around. Caramel-like dates, juicy raisins, and creamy sunflower butter add a chewy richness to earthy toasted oats, while Key lime zest and juice add bright flavor. A fan writes, "The taste is amazing … and the mouthfeel is nice … light and airy with the flavors."

This dairy-free spinach and artichoke dip has a delightfully creamy yet light taste and texture. Serve with crudités or baked chips.

This crowd-pleasing pâté features the earthy flavors of lentil, walnut, and oregano. Serve with whole grain crackers, mini toasts, and/or crudités.

You've got to try this fun, flavorful recipe. A smoky marinade infuses cooked whole carrots with tons of flavor.

Transport yourself to burger heaven with these hearty patties, soy-glazed grilled pineapple, and tangy veggie pickle. Serve on a lettuce leaf; no bun required!

Savory, simple, and so good for you, this easy recipe might just be your new go-to veggie burger.

The sweet, slightly smoky flavor of grilled veggies is a perennial summer delight. To infuse grilled veggies with herbal aromas, simply place water-drenched herbs directly on the hot coals when grilling.

Jalapeño, garlic, and lime juice lend a fresh and spicy flavor, and tomatoes add a sweet pop of red in this easy dip. Serve with toasted pita bread or corn tortillas.

In this vegan take on egg salad, tofu and potato are seasoned with nutritional yeast, mustard powder, and paprika to give it a delicious eggy flavor.

In this stunning strawberry-centric salad, fresh strawberries and grilled pineapple supply sweetness, while edamame and almonds add plenty of crunch.

Portobello mushrooms make a great vegan burger; they’re easy to prepare and they take on the flavor of whatever marinade you choose. And while you’ve got the grill fired up, throw on some bell peppers, onions, zucchini, corn, and any other veggies you fancy.

Basil-kale pesto is mixed into these hearty patties for a boost of bright flavor while the creamy cashew-garlic aioli is so good you’ll want to put it on everything! Pro tip: To make the burgers gluten free, be sure to use gluten free oats in the patties and serve them on gluten-free whole grain buns—or wrap them in large lettuce leaves instead.

All you need are sweet potatoes and a few spices to make this popular, classic recipe from Chef Del Sroufe.

New season potatoes get the royal treatment in this vegan potato salad; avocado adds creaminess, celery lends a satisfying crunch, and fresh dill rounds out the flavors.

Bursting with juicy strawberries, tender wheat berries, fresh herbs, and frisée salad greens, this delicious salad is easy to make and a great special occasion dish.

Cool down the party with these absolutely delicious vegan fruit popsicles. With no added sugar and just two ingredients—watermelon and kiwi—they're simple to make and affordable, too. You could also make straight watermelon or kiwi pops, or use other fruits such as grapes, pineapple, plums, berries, and bananas. Making fruit popsicles is a delicious way to use up ripe in-season fruit.

These dense, fudgy vegan brownies look great on the plate and have loads of melt-in-your-mouth raspberry yumminess. There is simply no way anyone will guess these are dairy-free and oil-free, so don’t go telling them!

In this stunning no-bake dessert, a date-sweetened oat base is the perfect pairing for the creamy cashew-mango filling. Top with your choice of fresh berries, chopped cashews, fresh mango slices, and/or fresh mint.