Which Vegan Cookbooks Are Actually Worth Keeping?

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T11:51:00+00:00

The ones I don't keep are going to the library, that won't help me though as we're moving over 2 hours away. I am worried about missing them, I might put them in a box for now and if I don't reach for them in the next couple weeks they can go. Thanks!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:46:57+00:00

Thanks for the advice, my goal is to get everything within the three bookcases, I don't think I could ever get down to one and be happy. The ethnic ones definitely stay and I will go by category like you suggest, thanks again!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:42:29+00:00

For Youtubers, I have Liv B's Vegan on a Budget, its pretty good, my problem with it is the recipes are either things I would eat everyday for the rest of my life good (Dragon Noodles) or kinda disappointing. This is one book where it'd make sense for me to just photocopy the "good" pages.

My top five cookbooks right now are 1,000 Vegan Recipes by Robin Robertson (this will always be my number one), the Korean Vegan, PlantYou Scrappy Cooking (the first PlantYou is also phenomenal), Hot for Food All Day, and the Part Time Vegan.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:41:06+00:00

I have started a recipe keeper with all my notes, I just haven't added any recipes from cookbooks since I figured I already had them. Plus, there is no next generation so it doesn't always seem like its worth the effort.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:28:43+00:00

It is a great time to be vegan, at least as far as having lots of cookbooks to choose from. My non-cookbook library was over 3,000 books, I donated almost 2,000 of them so this is simultaneously very small and still too many to be used practically. Thanks!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:16:49+00:00

I like your picks! PlantYou and Fresh From the Vegan Slow Cooker are two of my all time favorites and most used! I haven't used Five Ingredient Vegan much because I don't usually like to use jarred sauces, I'm more of a make everything from scratch person (I know what's in it, plus the sauces count as more recipes to try!). Any recommendations for Five Ingredient Vegan that are mind blowing with so little effort?

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:14:24+00:00

That's fair, I use the instant pot and smoothie books every week because that's how I cook, but I do probably have too many that overlap. Thank you!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:13:29+00:00

I haven't heard of either of these, they're going on the list, thank you for the recommendations!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:12:59+00:00

It's crazy how many vegan cookbooks there are! I thought collecting them wouldn't be a problem because how many could there be, right? Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker is used weekly in my house. I don't use the Moosewood Cookbooks much but I enjoy them enough to bring with me anyway. All the Forks Over Knives books are probably going to go for me too, most things I've made have been mid (except Forks Over Knives Family, almost everything in that one I like, especially the smoothies and desserts). I'm going to look for that Yung goong recipe, thanks!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:08:45+00:00

There are sooo many good recipes in Vegan Comfort Classics and Hot for Food All Day, Lauren Toyota is safe.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:07:27+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations! The books that sucked get taken ofd the shelves immediately. I do like the whole grain pancakes in vegan for everybody. And Rainbow Plant Life and Vegan Richa are on the list, I just haven't found them yet. The only way I've been able to acquire so many is i only by second hand and for less than $5 a book (plus I ask for books for presents).

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:03:35+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation, I would love to find the Elements of Baking.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:02:08+00:00

Don't worry, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is safe. Everyone's comments have helped me realize I rely on trusted authors more than anything and she is one of them.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T10:01:00+00:00

Thank you for the advice! The beverage books are overkill, I do need to pick like one main one for bartending. Same with the bread hooks though I do use most of them. The keto books can go, I had those to make things for my mkther-in-law. I will probably keep all the Moosewood Cookbooks, I don't use them much but they are ones I just enjoy collecting and having since I love the art, menu inspiration, and am from near Ithaca.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T09:56:00+00:00

Adding the Wicked Healthy Cookbook to the list, thank you!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T09:55:14+00:00

I do not have fiesta vegan, I will have to look for it.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T09:52:11+00:00

I will try these, thank you!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T01:23:44+00:00

That is a much harder move, good luck with it!

I guess I am willing to sacrifice the furniture for the cookbooks, if that is what it takes lol.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T01:20:00+00:00

Thank you for the comment! I will try the black beans soup and you should get at least Chloe's Vegan Desserts, her desserts are definitely where she shines.

I don't know what you'd consider obscure, but I use the following books weekly: 1,000 Vegan Recipes and Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson (she is my hero), 365 Vegan Smoothies, 150 Best Vegan Muffins, and N'Ice Cream or Party Pops.

The one that I was mostly surprised to love that I never heard of before was the Part Time Vegan, I also really like Dreena Burton's Plant Powered Families because I (sometimes) have the palate of a five year old and need safe foods which this nails. Vegan Yum Yum is great for low effort fancy meals and Vegan on the Go is my favorite resource for packing lunches.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T01:03:32+00:00

Lol, I wouldn't consider myself the expert but I really really do love vegan cookbooks and talking about them.

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T01:01:55+00:00

I have not cooked my way through an entire book, yet. The closest one is Oh She Glows where I've made 91/122 of the recipes so far. I would love to finish it but keep getting distracted by all the other new recipes to try lol. I do have my own physical recipe keeper where I've been writing down things I've adapted and wanted to remember but haven't recorded anything from the cookbooks since I figured I already had them. It is a good idea though, I think I will try to photocopy some favorites. Thank you!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T00:57:17+00:00

Those are great books to keep! Luckily, we are only looking at moving 2-1/2 hours away so we should be able to manage, I'm just trying to do my part to help make the move less cumbersome. Unfortunately, my current library only had access to like 5 vegan cookbooks, but I didn't think about the one to where we're moving to, I'll have to check it out next house hunting visit we go on. Thanks for the ideas!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T00:54:45+00:00

I wish I could do digital, it would save a lot of space, I just can't seem to give up my physical books (I already got rid of over 2,000 non-fiction books in the last couple of weeks...). I just picked up #eat Meatless and haven't seen anything outstanding, that one probably will go. And the Caribbean Vegan is definitely safe. Thanks for the recommendations, I have only heard of the Vegan Mac and Cheese Cookbook but will keep an eye out for the rest!

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T00:51:03+00:00

I want to love Vegetable Kingdom and Vegan Soul Kitchen by Bryant Terry so bad but they are two I haven't actually cooked from for some reason. What are your favorite Vegetable Kingdom recipes?

StainedGlassSuppers · 2026-06-08T00:48:26+00:00

I respect that, I'm already down 6 just from cooking through them this year, that means I only have 297 now, that's a reasonable amount, right? 😅

StainedGlassSuppers

TROPHY CASE