5 Vegan Meals To Make In A Van

Living in a van means a smaller kitchen space to cook in. In fact my “kitchen” only consists of this fridge, this hot plate, and this 3-in-1 microwave, air fryer, and convection oven.

Even though I only have a tiny kitchenette, that doesn’t stop me from cooking! As a vegan, it is so exciting to make and find new recipes! Here are my top 5 favorite vegan meals that I make in my van! 

1. Rice Bowl

2. Middle-Eastern Salad

3. Pita Sandwich

4. Pasta Salad

5. Veggie Wraps

1. Rice bowl

2 Servings

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown rice

1 cup of water

1/2 14-oz. block firm or extra-firm tofu

¼ cup soy vay marinade

1/2 head broccoli, cut into bite size pieces

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

salt/pepper

1 tbsp furikake

Preparation:

1. Preheat Toaster Oven to 400℉

2. Rinse the rice. Combine the water, rice, and salt in a pot and let sit until the water is absorbed in the rice. 

3. Squeeze the tofu to absorb all the water out. Cut the tofu into strips and let the tofu sit in the soy vay marinade for about 10 minutes.

4. While the tofu is sitting, spread the broccoli on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil, salt and pepper. Bake it for 20-30 minutes, mixing the broccoli half-way through.

5. Drizzle olive oil on a pan and place the tofu strips on top, leaving some space in between each piece. Cook the tofu for about 6 minutes on each side, or until crispy. DON’T DISCARD THE EXCESS SOY VAY.

6. Place the cooked rice on the bottom of the bowl and add the tofu and broccoli on top. Drizzle with the leftover soy vay and top with furikake.

2. Middle-Eastern Salad

2 Servings

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins

Ingredients:

3 persian cucumbers

1 ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes

½ cup vegan feta cheese

½ red onion 

2 tbsp pumpkin seeds

1 avocado

Dressing:

2 tbsp tahini

1 tbsp water

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

juice from ½ lemon

Salt/Pepper

Preparation: 

1. Half the cherry tomatoes. Cut the cucumbers to 1/4 inch thick pieces (option to peel the cucumbers). Peel and slice the red onion to half rounds. Cut avocado into cubes.

2. Place tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and avocado in a large bowl. Decorate with vegan feta cheese and pumpkin seeds.

3. For the dressing, mix the tahini, water, balsamic vinegar and lemon until tahini becomes a thick creamy consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

3. Pita Sandwich

2 Servings

Prep time: 10 mins

Toast Time: 3 mins
Total: 13 mins

Ingredients:

1 whole pita bread, sliced in half

¼ cup hummus

Handful baby spinach

4 slices of tofurky

2 Persian Cucumbers cut to strips

2 Tomatoes sliced

1 Avocado sliced

Preparation:

1. Toast the pita bread until warm (not crunchy!), about 3 minutes.

2. Cut the cucumbers to long strips. Slice the tomatoes. 

3. Smear the hummus on the inside of the pita.

4. Place the tofurky, cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach and avocado in your sandwich.

4. Pasta Salad

2 Servings

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins
Total: 25 mins

Ingredients:

1/4 pound of pasta (I used spirals)

1/4 cup of grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 can of sliced black olives

1/4 cup of vegan feta cheese

1 tbsp toasted pine nuts

1 tbsp of dried oregano

1 tbsp of basil (fresh or dried)

1 tbsp olive oil

Lemon zest to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Cook pasta according to directions on the box. Drain and let cool. 

2. While pasta is cooking, chop up your tomatoes and olives.

3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, olives, vegan feta, pine nuts, herbs, olive oil, and lemon zest, salt and pepper to taste.

5. Veggie Wraps

2 Servings

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins

Ingredients:

1 Tortilla

1/2 Can of chickpeas

1/4 cup of hummus

Handful of microgreens

1 Tomato sliced

1 Cucumber cut to strips

1 Carrot shredded

1 Avocado sliced

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat the toaster oven to 400℉.

2. Coat the chickpeas with olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper.

3. Bake the chickpeas for 30-35 mins, or until crispy.

4. While the chickpeas bake, cut all of the vegetables.

5. Smear the hummus on your tortilla.

6. Add in all of the vegetables.

7. Wrap the tortilla and cut in half.

These five meals never fail me if I want a quick and easy meal. Even though they are simple, they taste DELICIOUS! If I can make these vegan meals in my van, so can you!

Which meal was your favorite to make? Share it with me on my social media! I love hearing from you guys!