Even if you’ve found the best cookware for induction cooktops and the most ethical faux meat, vegan cooking can end up awfully bland if you haven’t yet mastered the tricks to creating flavor profiles that pop. The animals and the planet may be happy, but your taste buds are down in the dumps.
If that sounds depressingly relatable, don’t worry! Vegan food offers a world of exciting flavors and discoveries – it just takes time to unlock them all. The following tips should get you on the path to improving the taste of your vegan meals:
1. Spicy in All the Right Ways
Spices and herbs work wonders, enhancing vegan basics like beans, legumes, veggies, soups, and stews. You can elevate your seasoning game by embracing:
- Nooch;
- Liquid smoke;
- Tahini;
- Tamari;
- Allspice;
Look for new sauces, sprinkles, and condiments that bring that coveted umami flavor to your dishes. The depth and deliciousness will make you wonder why meat and dairy were on the menu.
2. Buy High-Quality Base Ingredients
Spend money on higher-quality ingredients that deliver more flavor. A good example is delicious homegrown tomatoes which are far more flavorful and aromatic than cheap and bland supermarket tomatoes.
You won’t notice a flavor difference with items like legumes or beans, so buy those cheap while investing in organic, pesticide-free ripe, and seasonal produce that elevates your meals.
3. Get the Basics Right
Around a quarter of Americans say they struggle to make simple recipes like pasta and pancakes. So, when you go vegan, getting the basics right should be the first thing you do to ensure you’re not missing out. Keep persevering – you can build on these base recipes.
4. Experiment!
Once you have the basics right, it’s time to experiment! Studies say that the global vegan and plant-based food market grows between 20% and 50% annually, so new products are coming out by the month – all you have to do is get stuck in and try them!
5. Add Indulgence
In the 1930s, soy milk was the only plant-based milk option, and at the time, it was known for being tough on the digestive system. It was still very much in its infancy and took a good few decades of improvement to become mainstream.
Nowadays, there are cashew, coconut, and soy cream cheeses and vegan yogurt in an astonishing variety of flavors. You’ll find vegan steak, vegan fish, and even vegan haggis! Go to any coffee shop, and you can usually choose from multiple dairy-free milks with your brew. All of these options mean you don’t have to have bland food. Instead, you can add indulgence with ease.
Imagine enjoying cream and cheese-loaded soups or jacket potatoes, sticky seitan ribs to top your ramen, crispy bacon for your bean burger – all of this and more is possible! Veganism is mainstream, so add a touch of indulgence to your meals.
6. Let the Flavors Develop
Flavors need time to develop in vegan food to ensure you get depth and richness. So, try slow-cooking stews, soups, chilis, and sauces, allowing the spices and herbs to work their magic. Allow foods to get deliciously brown on the stovetop or in the oven. You’ll be rewarded with the depth of flavor only patiently cooked food has.
Are You Ready to Cook Up a Vegan Storm?
The tips above can help you take your plant-based meals from barely-there boringness to lip-smacking party-in-your-mouth perfection. Vegan food is a world of tasty delights – you just have to unleash your creativity and dedicate yourself to the journey. We promise it’s worth the effort.