You can use a cast iron skillet for a lot of different dishes, ranging from quick and easy snacks to rich and filling dinners.
However, if you’re vegan, you may be struggling to find tasty plant-based recipes which you can make in your skillet.
If this is the case, you’re in the right place!
We’ve listed our pick of the best-cast iron skillet recipes in this post – and they’re all 100% vegan(see also: 20 Amazing French Vegan Recipes)!
You’ll find a mix of flavorful lunches, lighter dishes, and hearty meals in our recipe roundup. No matter what your flavor preferences are, you’re sure to find a recipe that suits you below!
This vegan meatball recipe replicates the fresh flavors used in classic Italian American dishes.
Instead of meat, you’ll be blending black beans with garlic and shallots for intense flavors. Quinoa and tomato paste are then added to give the mixture more depth.
Once you’re done with the meatball mix, you’ll form the balls and use your skillet to give each meatball a nice crust, covering the dish with lots of marinara sauce – just delicious!
If you’re vegan and gluten-free, it can be hard to find dishes that suit your dietary needs, but this recipe changes that!
This pasta skillet uses gluten-free macaroni pasta, vegan bacon, and coconut yogurt to make a creamy, satisfying dish.
You’ll be placing the skillet in the oven for this recipe, as the pasta will bake with a crisp crust on the outside, with a creamy sauce on the inside.
Best of all, you’ll only need 20 minutes for this recipe!
Paella is the perfect solution when you want an impressive, yet filling dish that’s packed with flavor.
This recipe is full of tasty vegetables and spices, like mushrooms, lemons, and artichoke hearts. It’s sure to keep you satisfied until your next meal!
You’ll be making the whole recipe in your iron skillet, which means less washing up – hooray! Just remember to use short-grain Arborio rice, as longer grains will make the dish soft and mushy.
This baked bean recipe is a lot nicer than the ones you get from a tin! They’re also a lot more nutritious, as they’re free from oil and refined sugars.
The secret to this dish is liquid smoke, as it gives the beans a pleasant smoky touch. You’ll need around an hour to prepare the baked beans, so plan accordingly!
This taco recipe is full of vibrant colors that look as great as they taste! They use a mix of bold vegetables, including red cabbage, bell pepper, and red kale.
It’s a super simple recipe too! You just need to cook your chosen veggies in your skillet, then toss them with spices and fresh lime juice.
Serve inside a few tortilla wraps, add some toppings, then you’re done!
These tacos taste amazing with salsa and lime juice, but feel free to add whatever toppings you like.
This one-pot recipe is the perfect dish to whip up when you need comfort food. The insides are soft and savory, while the outer crumble coating is tangy and crisp.
If you don’t have pinto beans, you can use other large beans, like lima, kidney, and cannellini beans. Remember to soak the pinto beans overnight beforehand, as it’s easy to forget the step!
Naan is a classic Indian bread, but it’s often very high in calories, carbs, and fat. This recipe uses wheat flour, vegan butter, and vegan yogurt, making the naan a lot healthier as a result!
Your cast iron skillet is perfect for getting a round finish, but avoid letting it cook for too long on the pan, as it may become hard.
Here’s another colorful dish that’s sure to go down a treat!
This recipe arranges beets and rutabaga slices to make a gorgeous savory dish. You won’t need that many ingredients either – just olive oil, vinegar, thyme, and your root vegetables.
Serve straight out of the skillet with some thick bread slices and red wine!
This skillet recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and can be prepared in just 20 minutes!
It’s made with cashews, broccoli, and garlic, giving the dish a gentle Asian flavor. Sesame oil and low-sodium soy sauce add nice savory elements to the whole dish.
The dish is great to enjoy over some rice, but it tastes great straight out of the pan too.
Salsa verde is a tasty dip that is perfect for eating with tortilla chips. The main ingredients are avocados, tomatoes, and onions, which give the salsa lots of fresh flavors.
It’s best to enjoy the salsa soon after making it, as the avocados can start to turn brown after a little while!
Skillets are perfect for making stir fries, and this recipe is no exception! You can make this filling dish in one main skillet, so you won’t need to clean up much afterward.
A tip is to use fresh ginger and garlic in this stir fry, as powders and pastes won’t taste as fresh.
Indian dishes are sure to warm you up from the inside, especially comfort food examples like kitchari. Kitchari is often made when a person is feeling ill, as it’s calming and easy to digest.
Ingredients like ginger, tomatoes, and cardamom keep the dish flavorful without being overwhelming.
This recipe uses cauliflower rice to keep it grain-free, but you can swap this for basmati if you prefer.
This lasagna looks just like a meat dish, but it uses vegan beef crumble and noodles to keep it 100% vegan. It’s full of plant-based cheese substitutes which give it a creamy texture.
Marinara sauce and spinach add a nice contrast to the whole dish, while lasagna noodles will keep you full until your next meal.
Remember to add the spinach last to prevent it from wilting too much.
This recipe is best for those that like lighter dishes. It mixes quinoa, black beans, and corn kernels with distinct spices, creating a nutritious, yet tasty dish.
Don’t leave out the lime juice, as its zesty nature will bring out the flavors from the other ingredients.
Casseroles are perfect for sharing with others at the dinner table. This recipe uses a spiced chickpea base with a tater tot topping that’s sure to go down a treat!
You can also add other ingredients to the mix, like salsa, vegan cashew cream, and guacamole to give it a classic Tex-Mex feel.
Just make sure your cast iron skillet is oven safe for this recipe!
Hi, my name is Hazel Reed, and I’m the creator of Vegan Purist. I have been a vegan purist for nearly 5 years now, but have been a vegan for over 10 years.
Now, my mission is to make sure veganism is accessible to as many people as possible. I created veganpurist.com to help you find recipes and information that can ensure you too can live an ethical, vegan lifestyle!
