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  • 10 Best Vegetarian Cookbooks UK 2024 1
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10 Best Vegetarian Cookbooks UK 2024

With over 1/3 of Brits reported to be vegetarian or vegan, there is now a great demand for meat-free meals in supermarkets and restaurants. But what about those of us that want to create affordable, delicious and quick meals at home from scratch, without being overwhelmed by complicated techniques and ingredients?

From cookbooks offering recipes based on Chinese or Indian cuisine to those with dishes aimed at beginners or children, there is a wide range of high-quality, best-selling books to consider. In this guide, we will help you choose the best veggie resources for you, whether you are completely new to the world of plant-based cooking or a long term legume lover. Let’s get cooking!
Last updated 26/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Vegetarian Cookbook in the UK – Buying Guide

The good news is that there is now a huge range of meat-free cookbooks available online. But how do you choose the perfect culinary companion for yourself? Below we will list some points you should take into consideration before you buy.
1

Beginner or Master Chef: What Kind of Cook Are You?

Firstly, you should identify your culinary skill level, and particularly with vegetarian cuisine. This is important to help you to find a truly useful cookbook with dishes you can really see yourself making and eating regularly.

New to Cooking? Look for Books with Explanations, Cooking Techniques and Pictures

New to Cooking? Look for Books with Explanations, Cooking Techniques and Pictures

Be honest with yourself about your skills and resources. If you are a total novice, you should look for titles that portray this, as well as content such as explanations of ingredients that may be new to you. Some now even include menu planning guides and shopping lists, which will help you identify and buy the ingredients you need, as well as guiding you to feel more confident preparing vegetarian food.


Books with plenty of attractive and informative photos to demonstrate how the food should look are also useful for beginners, especially if there are dishes that are new to you. You'll be able to refer to the photographs to aid you in everything from chopping the veggies in a certain way to seeing how to serve the elements of the dish on the plate for maximum eating enjoyment.

Confident Chefs Should Try the Latest Releases or Those By Online Bloggers

Confident Chefs Should Try the Latest Releases or Those By Online Bloggers
If you are confident that you know your tofu from your tempeh, then a good tip is to look for books that are recently published – vegetarian chefs are always trying to develop interesting and exciting ways to prepare and serve veggies, and you will likely be able to pick up some fresh new ideas to challenge your creativity.


Similarly, cookbooks by authors who began as online bloggers are a good idea for the confident home cook – they are often up to speed with the latest food trends and include innovative ideas and processes. Of course, the online world is a very visual one, so if artistic presentation and colourful dishes are your thing, look to these types of veggie chefs for inspiration.

2

Who Are You Cooking For? Look for Recipes Suited to Their Tastebuds

Now let’s think about who will be enjoying the vegetarian food you're going to make. You will want to choose a book that contains recipes suited to the tastes of both yourself and whoever else will be eating, so scan the contents page for a list of the dishes inside to be sure.

Cooking for Little Ones: Child-Friendly Recipes

Cooking for Little Ones: Child-Friendly Recipes
If you're feeding kids, look for books with recipes and ideas that suit children’s taste buds – familiar dishes made vegetarian will be popular. You will be more likely to continue to cook at home if you don’t have to adapt for every family member! As speed is often important, try also to find books with recipes denoting ’30 minutes or less’, if not in the title already.


Also keep an eye out for recipes with fewer complicated processes. The benefits of simple recipes are not only that you can whip them up whilst you are juggling other parental tasks, but also that you can have fun getting the kids involved in cooking and learning about vegetarian food.

Cooking for Yourself: One-Pot Wonder Meals

Cooking for Yourself: One-Pot Wonder Meals
We all know it's sometimes difficult to find the motivation to cook a meal if it’s just for yourself, so a good tip is to look for cookbooks with ‘one-pot’ style recipes that will be much simpler to throw together. 

The other great thing about simple dishes, particularly vegetarian, is that you can add other ingredients or components and transform them into a different dish if you are feeling creative.


One-pot dishes will also ensure you have minimal wastage, and any remaining food can be easily compacted and stored in the fridge or freezer for another meal.

Cooking for Friends and Family: Hearty Meals to Replace Meat

Cooking for Friends and Family: Hearty Meals to Replace Meat
One of the joys of cooking is being able to serve your food to others and see them enjoy a delicious meal that you've lovingly prepared. Because there is a possibility you will be serving your vegetarian food to carnivores, and perhaps those sceptical about how tasty it can be without meat, you’ll need to check out cookbooks that contain hearty dishes that are flavour packed.


This can also include recipes with meat replacements such as soya mince, veggie sausages or seitan, or simply using vegetables that mimic the texture and satisfaction of meat – using mushrooms in place of beef in a stew, for example. 

3

Want a Nutritious Meal? Find Books With Nutritional Information and Healthy Dishes

Want a Nutritious Meal? Find Books With Nutritional Information and Healthy Dishes
We all know we should be doing our best to eat mostly wholesome, non-processed food for a healthy body and mind, and cooking vegetarian at home is the perfect way to pack our plates with nutrients. With more of a focus on the benefits of a whole-foods diet in the UK than ever, there are many cookbooks dedicated to healthy plant based eating – look for the keywords in the titles.


If a low calorie or low fat diet is important, you should chose books with included nutritional information – often cookbooks targeted at healthy living will include calorie count next to each recipe, as well as content at the start or end of the book explaining simple ways to swap traditional ingredients for their lower-fat or more nutrient dense counterparts.


Most health-centred cookbooks will also have useful information about the nutrition of ingredients specific to vegetarian cooking. If you're concerned about getting a balanced diet with all the key nutrients for yourself and your family, check for this too.

4

Make Sure You Can Buy The Ingredients Locally

Make Sure You Can Buy The Ingredients Locally
Whilst some older vegetarian cookbooks use mostly vegetables as the base ingredients, some of the more modern and recently published ones may include some ingredients you have not used before or even heard of, especially if you are trying out vegetarian cooking for the first time. They also may not be easily accessible depending on where in the UK you live, especially in rural areas.


These could include ingredients native to countries such as India or China, or specialist vegetarian ingredients such as meat substitutes and different types of seasonings. Have a scan through a few of the recipes in the cookbook to see if you are familiar with most of the ingredients, and look for them next time you are out shopping – this way you can also check prices.


But don’t forget that it could be a great learning process to get stuck into vegetarian cuisine and find out about a few new ingredients to get creative with, so try looking in your local Asian food store or vegetarian web stores for these specialist ingredients.

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Top 10 Best Vegetarian Cookbooks in the UK

A good vegetarian cookbook should be easy to understand (regardless of skill level!), informative, varied in its content, and full of tasty recipes that you will want to cook again and again. Here are our top 10 recommendations for cookbooks that you can buy online.
Popularity
Products
Image
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Price
Key features
1

Henry Firth & Ian Theasby

1. Henry Firth & Ian Theasby – BOSH!

Henry Firth & Ian Theasby 1. Henry Firth & Ian Theasby – BOSH! 1

£7.99

Low Mid

The Ultimate Plant Based Cooking Bible

2

David & Stephen Flynn

2. David & Stephen Flynn – The Happy Pear: Recipes for Happiness

David & Stephen Flynn 2. David & Stephen Flynn – The Happy Pear: Recipes for Happiness 1

£14.21

Mid

Plant Powered and Nutritious Comfort Food Classics

3

Matt Pritchard

3. Matt Pritchard – Dirty Vegan

Matt Pritchard  3. Matt Pritchard – Dirty Vegan 1

£8.00

Low Mid

Big Plates of Proper Tasty Grub

4

Roxy Pope & Ben Pook

4. Roxy Pope & Ben Pook – So Vegan in 5

Roxy Pope & Ben Pook  4. Roxy Pope & Ben Pook – So Vegan in 5 1

£14.92

High Mid

Effortless, Speedy Plant Based Meals For Everyone

5

Meera Sodha

5. Meera Sodha – Fresh India

Meera Sodha 5. Meera Sodha – Fresh India 1

£14.81

High Mid

Better Than Takeaway: Fresh and Vibrant Curries

6

Hairy Bikers

6. Hairy Bikers – The Hairy Dieters Go Veggie

Hairy Bikers 6. Hairy Bikers – The Hairy Dieters Go Veggie 1

£11.99

Mid

Hearty Comfort Food Goes Low Calorie

7

Joe Wicks

7. Joe Wicks – Veggie Lean in 15

Joe Wicks  7. Joe Wicks – Veggie Lean in 15 1

£10.00

Low Mid

Quick and Tasty Meals for the Fitness Fanatic

8

Rukmini Iyer

8. Rukmini Iyer – The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners

Rukmini Iyer 8. Rukmini Iyer – The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners 1

£12.99

Mid

Fuss Free One Pot Meals For Busy People

9

Deliciously Ella

9. Deliciously Ella – The Plant Based Cookbook

Deliciously Ella 9. Deliciously Ella – The Plant Based Cookbook 1

£17.89

High Mid

Simple, Clean Eating Meals Without Meat, Gluten or Dairy

10

Leon

10. Leon – Fast Vegetarian

Leon 10. Leon – Fast Vegetarian 1

£17.48

High Mid

Gourmet Healthy Fast Food

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Henry Firth & Ian Theasby1. Henry Firth & Ian Theasby – BOSH!

1. Henry Firth & Ian Theasby – BOSH! 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£7.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£7.99
Low Mid

The Ultimate Plant Based Cooking Bible

Dubbed the fastest selling vegan cookbook of all time, this book delivers on all counts – flavour-packed, hugely satisfying, familiar and creative recipes that will appeal to everyone from beginners to kitchen whizzes, and will be sure to impress even the most doubtful of family and friends.

Also an online vlog, each delicious recipe can be found online with an instructional video, and there are sections for quick meals and cupboard must-haves, all accompanied by high quality photographs. We can guarantee you will be cooking your best vegetarian food yet with this fabulous book.
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No.2

David & Stephen Flynn2. David & Stephen Flynn – The Happy Pear: Recipes for Happiness

2. David & Stephen Flynn – The Happy Pear: Recipes for Happiness 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£14.21
Mid
Reference price
£14.21
Mid

Plant Powered and Nutritious Comfort Food Classics

Packed with healthy plant based versions of favourites such as mac n cheese, French toast, roast dinners and black forest gateau, this book uses ingredients you probably already have at home to create satisfying, fresh, and nutritious meals for the whole family.

Including sections on healthy living, kid friendly meals, and a thorough pantry and equipment staples list, the recipes in this book are so delicious that you won’t even notice you are eating healthily, and are so simple that you will want to pick up this book time and time again.
No.3

Matt Pritchard 3. Matt Pritchard – Dirty Vegan

3. Matt Pritchard – Dirty Vegan 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£8.00
Low Mid
Reference price
£8.00
Low Mid

Big Plates of Proper Tasty Grub

From the first meat free BBC cooking show, Matt’s book eschews the lettuce-munching veggie stereotype by bringing us hearty, indulgent, flavour packed meals from around the world, with a section on veganism for nutritional value. It offers great photos with every recipe, a humorous slant and an eye catching design.

A great mix of balanced meals and gourmet treats without too many intimidating or expensive ingredients, this book will appeal to the young and trendy and those who love making meat free versions of restaurant favourites – it even includes a vegan ‘hangover cure’ fry up.
No.4

Roxy Pope & Ben Pook 4. Roxy Pope & Ben Pook – So Vegan in 5

4. Roxy Pope & Ben Pook – So Vegan in 5 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£14.92
High Mid
Reference price
£14.92
High Mid

Effortless, Speedy Plant Based Meals For Everyone

From their online cooking show, these authors bring their modern guide to vegan cooking using quick recipes with just 5 easy to find ingredients, aiming to show meatless meals can still be satisfying and bursting with flavour. Very easy to use and presented well, it also includes meals on a budget and nutritional information.

Appealing to both the younger and student generation of veggies as well as the time-pressed professional, this book is also a great all-rounder whether you want to challenge yourself to eat plant based once a week, or are a seasoned veggie looking for a quick and tasty fix.
No.5

Meera Sodha5. Meera Sodha – Fresh India

5. Meera Sodha – Fresh India 1
Source:ebay.co.uk
Reference price
£14.81
High Mid
Reference price
£14.81
High Mid

Better Than Takeaway: Fresh and Vibrant Curries

A modern and healthier take on Indian food often utilising seasonal British ingredients, this book contains simple recipes to create your own Indian feast at home. Including tips for dinner parties, presentation, and batch/freezer cooking, this book is also beautifully illustrated and would make a great gift.

Best for cooks who have a knowledge and love of Indian cuisine and a cupboard full of spices already to hand, this book would suit those who like to cook to impress, or an intermediate cook who wants to add fresh ideas to their repertoire.
No.6

Hairy Bikers6. Hairy Bikers – The Hairy Dieters Go Veggie

6. Hairy Bikers – The Hairy Dieters Go Veggie 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.99
Mid
Reference price
£11.99
Mid

Hearty Comfort Food Goes Low Calorie

Much loved British chefs known for their hearty food, The Hairy Bikers show us we can still eat classics such as Lancashire hotpot, chilli con carne and pies whilst losing weight, mostly by subbing ingredients for their low fat versions.

In addition to recipes showing calories per serving, there are also lunch prep tips to stay on track, and plenty of nutritional info for vegetarian kids and adults alike. Good for beginners and those missing meat, but mainly for those who like simple British staples rather than the flavour adventurous.
No.7

Joe Wicks 7. Joe Wicks – Veggie Lean in 15

7. Joe Wicks – Veggie Lean in 15 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£10.00
Low Mid
Reference price
£10.00
Low Mid

Quick and Tasty Meals for the Fitness Fanatic

A great choice for fans of Joe’s videos, this cookbook contains healthy versions of favourites such as nachos, burgers and lasagne, mostly made in 15 minutes, with a focus on macronutrients as opposed to calorie counting. It also includes a workout plan and nutritional and meal prep advice.

The meals are mostly intended to be used as part of a training plan, so may not be as useful for the average eater, but the ingredients are simple and familiar: perfect if you are embarking on a veggie fitness journey.
No.8

Rukmini Iyer8. Rukmini Iyer – The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners

8. Rukmini Iyer – The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian One Dish Dinners 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£12.99
Mid
Reference price
£12.99
Mid

Fuss Free One Pot Meals For Busy People

As the name suggests, this book includes meals you can make in one dish that you simply throw in the oven until done, from a variety of cuisines including pasta bakes, curries and tarts. Great for beginners, busy parents, students with minimal equipment and space, and late night suppers on the fly.

Unfortunately this book includes no sweet or dessert recipes, which some may find disappointing. Although the theme is handy for simplicity, more adventurous cooks may find their creativity a little limited.
No.9

Deliciously Ella9. Deliciously Ella – The Plant Based Cookbook

9. Deliciously Ella – The Plant Based Cookbook 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£17.89
High Mid
Reference price
£17.89
High Mid

Simple, Clean Eating Meals Without Meat, Gluten or Dairy

Starting as an online blog, Ella Woodward’s latest book contains meals one can make from scratch such as comforting stews, curries, and salads, as well as desserts free from refined sugar and gluten which don’t compromise on flavour. She also includes content on the effect our food choices have on the environment and how to live a healthy lifestyle.

The book also includes personal diary entries based on Ella’s illness and journey, which some readers may see as unnecessary. Although refined sugar and processed food free, dieters may be put off by the large amounts of maple syrup, fat and so on, as well as the cost and accessibility for some of the more expensive wholefoods ingredients.
No.10

Leon10. Leon – Fast Vegetarian

10. Leon – Fast Vegetarian 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£17.48
High Mid
Reference price
£17.48
High Mid

Gourmet Healthy Fast Food

British restaurant chain Leon have created a vegetarian cookbook following their ‘healthy fast food’ philosophy so that you can recreate their dishes at home. With a strong focus on ‘real food’ and plenty of tips on home and allotment grown food, as well as making pickles and chutneys, this is English country cooking with a twist.

A helpful feature at the end categorises the recipes into ‘Low Calorie/GI/Gluten Free’ etc, and the contents include a kid-friendly section, but we found some of the menu ideas and styles may be intimidating to the beginner or new veggie cook, especially if on a budget.

More Cookbooks to Add to the Collection

More Cookbooks to Add to the Collection

While we can find endless numbers of recipes online nowadays, there's still something nice about having a collection of recipes in a book on the shelf which you can browse through anytime. If you're interested in other types of cooking besides vegetarian recipes, check out these other articles of ours! 

Summary

With such a varied choice available to the vegetarian home cook nowadays, especially if you are new to either cooking or the meat free diet, it can be difficult to narrow down which one to spend your hard earned cash on, and which you will actually use.


Hopefully this guide will help you distinguish your needs and preferences and give you a good idea of what is available online right now, so you can start creating sumptuous vegetarian suppers in no time.


Author: Natasha Dziubajlo

Top 5 Vegetarian Cookbooks

No. 1: Henry Firth & Ian Theasby1. Henry Firth & Ian Theasby – BOSH!

No. 2: David & Stephen Flynn2. David & Stephen Flynn – The Happy Pear: Recipes for Happiness

No. 3: Matt Pritchard 3. Matt Pritchard – Dirty Vegan

No. 4: Roxy Pope & Ben Pook 4. Roxy Pope & Ben Pook – So Vegan in 5

No. 5: Meera Sodha5. Meera Sodha – Fresh India

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