VEGAN PERSIAN RECIPES - Plant-Based Passport (2024)

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Are you transitioning to veganism, but can’t quit Persian flavors? We got you covered with this list of 6 vegan Persian recipes for you to try! We’ve also linked some of our recipe videos for your reference.

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Don’t fret, friends! You don’t have to give up your cultural foods if you’re going vegan or cutting down on your reliance on animal products. We get the apprehension, believe us. But we’ve been been working hard on veganizing our families’ recipes and preserving their traditions. And you know what? Along the way, we’ve learned that it isn’t the meat that makes our traditional dishes delicious; it’s the aromatics, seasonings, and LOVE.

So we hope you enjoy these Persian offerings — vegan style. We’ll be updating this list periodically, so check back for more!

Jump to:
  • 1. VEGAN PERSIAN ZERESHK POLO BA MORGH
  • 2. VEGAN SABZI POLO BA MAHI
  • 3. VEGAN ASH RESHTEH
  • 4. VEGAN PERSIAN POLO
  • 5. VEGAN PERSIAN KOTLET
  • 6. VEGAN KHORESH GHEYMEH

1. VEGAN PERSIAN ZERESHK POLO BA MORGH

Try our Vegan PersianZereshk Polo Ba Morgh(Persian barberry rice with chicken). It is healthy, hearty and full of tradition. This classic Persian dish was one of my favorite recipes growing up, so we were thrilled to come up with our own delicious vegan version of my mom’s recipe!

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Zereshk Polo Ba Morghis essentially a rice pilaf. The dish is traditionally composed of dried barberries (zereshk), chicken (morgh), and basmati rice (polo).The chicken sits on top of a bed of saffron rice studded with the tiny dried barberries. Our recipe includes options to use vegan chicken or jackfruit as the protein substitute. See our recipe video below!

2. VEGAN SABZI POLO BA MAHI

Ask any Persian, and they’ll tell you that Nowruz (Persian New Year) tastes like Sabzi Polo ba Mahi.

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Our Vegan Sabzi Polo ba Mahi ((Persian Herbed Rice with “Fish”) will fill your home with the aromas of a Persian kitchen as you buzz up a mountain of herbs! We use Gardien fishless filets in our recipe. See our recipe video below!

3. VEGAN ASH RESHTEH

Our Vegan Ash Reshteh is a thick Persian noodle soup packed with a cornucopia of herbs, lentils and beans. It’s nutritious, filling, and perfect for cold winter nights.

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Growing up, I could always tell when my mom was making ash. I’d come home from school and the entire kitchen would be filled with the aromatic scent of minced herbs. While making this recipe recently, I found myself fondly reminiscing about chilly afternoons spent in the living room. I’d be doing my homework and waiting for my mom to finish the Ash Reshteh so I could be the first to chow down on a bowl.

Ash (pronounced aash) is a variety of thick soup from Iran. While the word “ash” has become synonymous with the most popular variety—Ash Reshteh—there are more than 50 different types of ash in Iran. But more on that later.See our recipe video below!

4. VEGAN PERSIAN POLO

Persian Polo is an opulent preparation of long-grain basmati in which the rice is par-boiled, then steamed so that the individual grains don’t stick together, and the magical crunchy tahdig is formed at the bottom of the pot.

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Is it technically challenging to master? Perhaps a little. Is it worth the effort to taste the fluffiest rice imaginable and take a bite out of the gloriously crispy tahdig? You better believe it!

5. VEGAN PERSIAN KOTLET

Our Vegan Persian Kotlet are fried lentil and potato patties that are perfect as a snack or full meal.

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They’re crispy and delectable and super easy to throw together. You probably already have all the ingredients needed to whip them up in your house right now! See our recipe video below!

6. VEGAN KHORESH GHEYMEH

Our Vegan Khoresh Gheymeh is a meat-free take on an Iranian classic. It’s an aromatic and tangy stew that’s hella easy to make, with only a handful of ingredients. It comes together in under an hour. Also, did we mention it’s served with French fries?

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Khoresh Gheymehis a Persian stew traditionally made with lamb or beef, yellow split peas, onions, tomato paste, turmeric, cinnamon, fried potatoes and dried limes. It’s served over basmati rice, which is a long-grain white rice. For our veganized version, we nixed the beef and upped the amount of split peas.

Love,

Mani

Did you make this recipe? We’d love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. Share your dish with us on Instagram and tag us @plantbased.passport. We would love to seeing your delicious creations! Still hungry? Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest for more global vegan recipes and travel tips!🍴✈️

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    VEGAN PERSIAN RECIPES - Plant-Based Passport (2024)

    FAQs

    Is Iran vegan friendly? ›

    Persian cuisine includes a great number of vegan dishes. Even the well-known, non-vegan Persian cookbook “Joon: Persian Cooking Made Simple” includes more than 50 recipes for vegan Persian food.

    How to make vegan food satisfying? ›

    I highly recommend having a mixture of grains, protein, and vegetables — it provides a great balance not only with flavor/bulk but also texture. Grains and legumes help keep the meal filling while the vegetables bring everything together.

    How to be vegan without cooking? ›

    16 No-Cook Vegan Recipes to Beat the Heat
    1. Berry Overnight Oats.
    2. Chia Breakfast Parfait.
    3. Enchanted Smoothie Bowl.
    4. Chickpea Salad Rolls.
    5. Tofu "Egg" Salad Sandwich.
    6. Rainbow Hummus Sandwich.
    7. Thai Crunch Salad With Peanut Dressing.
    8. Rainbow Salad.
    Jul 21, 2022

    Is Persian food hard to make? ›

    Persian food is exceptionally delicious and with just a few key ingredients, you'll be able to have a Persian feast at the comfort of your home. Even though Persian food is known to be difficult to make, with my step-by-step recipes, you can make any of these dishes without any trouble.

    Which country is #1 for vegans? ›

    India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

    Why can't Iranians eat pork? ›

    Conversely, “Halal” denotes actions or substances that are considered lawful and permissible under Islamic law. This distinction between Halal and Haram is paramount in shaping societal norms and behaviors within Islamic communities. Among the unequivocal prohibitions in Islam are the consumption of alcohol and pork.

    Why do I feel so hungry on a vegan diet? ›

    Because vegan diets are more nutrient dense than calorically dense (meaning, you eat many nutrient rich plant foods with lower amounts of calories per serving), it is normal to feel hungry more frequently than non-vegans or non-vegetarians. Here's the good news – eat more!

    What are the most filling plant-based foods? ›

    Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds. Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber.

    Why are vegans so happy? ›

    It's a given that following a compassionate lifestyle that avoids harming animals will give you a clearer conscience, and studies show that vegans may actually be happier than meat-eaters. In fact, vegans and vegetarians had better scores on depression tests and mood profiles than those who ate fish and meat. 4.

    What not to do when going vegan? ›

    10 common mistakes to avoid when you go vegan
    1. Not eating enough. ...
    2. Forgetting to supplement B12. ...
    3. Not getting enough calcium. ...
    4. Not getting enough omega-3. ...
    5. Not planning ahead. ...
    6. Relying too much on mock meat and dairy. ...
    7. Neglecting protein. ...
    8. Rejecting foods too soon.
    Jan 3, 2024

    How to become 100% vegan? ›

    Cut out all animal derived ingredients and incorporate lots of whole grains, beans, legumes, tofu, nuts, and seeds for a healthy vegan diet. Swap out all of your favourite non-vegan items for vegan alternatives.

    What do Persians eat the most? ›

    Major staples of Iranian food that are usually eaten with every meal include rice, various herbs, cheese, a variety of flat breads, and some type of meat (usually poultry, beef, lamb, or fish). Stew over rice is by far the most popular dish, and the constitution of these vary by region.

    What is the king of Persian food? ›

    Considered the king of Persian stews, Khoresht-e Ghormeh Sabzi is a verdant masterpiece. Packed with a medley of fresh herbs, red beans, and tender chunks of meat, it is simmered to perfection. The blend of herbs, including parsley, cilantro, and fenugreek, creates a unique and earthy taste that lingers on the palate.

    What is the most famous Persian dish? ›

    1. Ghormeh Sabzi. An unequivocal jewel in the crown of Persian cuisine, Ghormeh Sabzi is a fragrant stew that's deeply rooted in Iranian culinary tradition. Believed to have been a staple for several hundred years, it is widely celebrated as one of the most prominent dishes served across Iran.

    Can Muslims go vegan? ›

    Can a Muslim be a vegetarian? In a word, yes. If a Muslim decides to become a vegetarian for personal reasons, such as not liking the taste, or having compassion for animals, with the understanding that only Allah (SWT) can prohibit or permit it, then vegetarianism and veganism sit comfortably within Islam.

    Is the Middle East vegan-friendly? ›

    So, is it possible to be vegan in Arabic culture? Although meat is very prominent in Middle Eastern dishes, there are actually quite a few vegan-friendly dishes, typically found in mezze platters.

    Is Saudi Arabia vegan? ›

    In the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the offering of a meat dish to guests is a deeply embedded cultural tradition, and a meat-based diet is the standard in Saudi Arabia.

    Do Iranians eat dairy? ›

    Various types of milk and milk products, mainly fermented types, have been produced in Iran for centuries such as yogurt, which is called Mast, sour buttermilk, Doogh, kefir, different cheeses, Kashk, Qareh-Qurut, and many others.

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