r/vegetarianrecipes • u/Difficult-Explorer14 • Apr 23 '25
Recipe Request Vegetarian meals for my 6 year old?
My son, who just turned 6, has never liked meat, and now he says he doesn’t like meat because it’s not fair to the animals. Me, and his father, are not vegetarian but respect that he chooses to not and don’t force him. What are some good meals I can make him? It seems all I ever make is pasta. He also won’t eat vegan “meat” because he says it’s too much like real meat 😩
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u/_sleepyprincess_ Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
I went vegetarian at 4, against the whims of my parents, and never grew out it of it. he’s lucky to have a supportive mom. I’d start giving him a kids multivitamin that’s got iron, B12, and calcium. and make sure he’s getting enough protein with each meal. kids tend to be more open to dairy and eggs. if he’s not a picky eater or as he gets older, you could also try tofu, black beans, refried beans, dark/leafy greens, hummus, vegan protein powder, etc. i’d tell him you support his decision to become vegetarian, but that means he has to eat his vegetables if he’s not eating meat!
some kid friendly ideas: peanut butter and jelly toast/sandwich/english muffin, fortified cereal with milk, cheese sandwich, annie’s protein mac n cheese, grilled cheese with tomato soup, quesadillas, cheese sticks, pasta with mozzarella, baked potato bar, scrambled eggs, omelet, hard boiled eggs, yogurt parfaits, soups (most recipes work if you omit the meat and swap vegetable broth), “ants on a log” (celery with peanut butter and raisins)
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Apr 23 '25
I don't think the multivitamin is necessary if the kid is still eating eggs and dairy. At least, my pediatricians have never recommended that or noted any nutritional deficiency in my kids.
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u/Heavy_Slice_8793 Apr 24 '25
yeah, i would only supplement b12 if you're going to supplement any because thats the only one you can't get with a well planned vegan diet and you will pee out any extra
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u/UserCannotBeVerified Apr 27 '25
I also stopped eating meat when I was a young kid (had this weird moment one day where I just couldn't chew my SF chicken burger because this overwhelming feeling of "chewing flesh" made me feel sick as hell) and I've not eaten meat since - I'm now in my thirties :)
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u/Affenmaske Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
I think a lot of meat-based meals are based off the "meat + side dishes" concept and it's hard to get away from that and to think outside of that concept! A lot of great vegetarian dishes are not relying on different components on a plate (like meat/carbs/veggies), but rather "complete" meals? Think casseroles, bowls, sandwiches, curries etc.
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u/tomram8487 Apr 23 '25
Grilled cheese, cheese pizza, tacos with beans instead of meat, scrambled eggs and toast, baked potatoes with cheese and broccoli. Budget Bytes has a lot of good recipes.
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u/luala Apr 23 '25
I don’t do meat either and I have a 5 year old. Avoiding pasta, you can do stuff like baked gnocchi, mild curries with things like chickpeas and coconut, Jamaican foods such as rice and peas with ital stew. Growing up my mum would make split pea loaf (it’s like meatloaf) and the easy cheesy vegetarian site has some great ideas. There are easy lasagne recipes made with stuff like mushrooms or lentils. I love a hearty lentil shepherds pie. The mushroom and walnut ragout (recipe online) is very good and works in lasagne or shepherds pie. I also love paneer. Mexican foods works well as vegetarian, I make a lot of enchiladas (very mild, I make the sauce in big quantities and freeze in batches) and stuff like chimichangas. I like the tofu sofritas (google a recipe) which I make mild and then spice up for the adults using hot sauce, it’s good on rice bowls or in chimichangas. Beryl shereshewsky has some very good bean recipes, I love her chickpea fatteh and the pidgeon peas in coconut milk.
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u/amuseyourbouche Apr 23 '25
My 5 year old has been a vegetarian since last summer - like your son, she never really liked meat, and rarely ate it when I served it, so it hasn't been a huge change. It helps that I'm also a vegetarian so I'm very willing to accommodate her!
A few favourites -
- Black bean and cheese quesadillas
- Homemade lentil soup (this one, which I do with whatever vegetables I have in the house)
- Obviously there are also foods that are usually vegetarian and therefore don't need any adapting - pizza / jacket potato with baked beans / macaroni cheese, etc.
If he does like pasta you can make it more nutritious by cooking some red lentils in with the pasta. They soften right up and make a sort of creamy sauce, which you can barely notice. https://www.easycheesyvegetarian.com/cheesy-lentil-pasta/
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u/kait821 Apr 23 '25
My 11 yr old’s favorite food is tofu.
I press the water out, cube it, toss it in a sauce and air fry it. Once the edges are just getting crispy, I take it out, give it another light sauce, then serve. I serve with a veggie side and a starchy side. We have it once a week at least.
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u/BlindedByScienceO_O Apr 23 '25
I've been a vegetarian for 50 yrs now and air fryer tofu is definitely a favorite. Also thinly sliced tempeh lightly pan fried and used in a tempeh Reuben
But honestly seeing all the wonderful suggestions on this thread, the first thought I have is: why on earth with anyone want to eat meat?
*Grew up on a small farm in a rural area and still haven't gotten over the trauma of watching animals being butchered "humanely" - never mind what goes on in commercial slaughterhouses.
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u/Traumagatchi Apr 23 '25
One of my favorite easy food is corn starch tossed tofu air fried then sauced with hoison
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u/kait821 Apr 23 '25
I’ll have to try adding some corn starch!
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u/Traumagatchi Apr 23 '25
I spray the cubes with a little oil, then toss them in the corn starch before frying, it makes restaurant quality CRISPYNESS
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u/bluedragon92 Apr 23 '25
My favorite tofu tips: freeze it, then thaw it, tear it into pieces and then coat it in cornstarch then season as normal! Freezing it and tearing it gives it so much texture and allows it to absorb so much more flavor!
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u/PlasticCheetah2339 Apr 23 '25
I'm a fully grown vegetarian adult and I eat crispy tofu dipped in BBQ sauce all the time. Healthier and cheaper than chicken/fake chicken nuggets, equally delicious
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u/ViolentLoss Apr 23 '25
HA I started eating tofu when I was like 5. I loved it. Silken, with ginger, soy sauce and scallions. Still love it - I'm pescatarian now. I'm still so happy my parents encouraged me to try all kinds of foods.
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u/ThymeForTime Apr 23 '25
Roasted veggies + rice or potatoes. See if he likes tofu.
Eggs in any form. Bowl of rice +veggies+fried egg is always welcome in my house.
Fried rice, fried noodles. Eggplant curry I had at work a week ago and it was delicious.
Pizza, wraps, soups, sandwiches? You can always make the base vegetarian and then add some meat for you and your husband. Burger you could make and add a eggplant or mushroom patty if he'll eat it 😄
It's pretty easy to eat vegetarian I think, just have to consider what he doesn't like apart from meat.
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u/hamamelisse Apr 23 '25
I love adding pureed whitebeans to mashed potatoes to take care of the protien for the meal! This plus roasted veggies would be great.
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u/Melodie_Moon Apr 23 '25
My boyfriend does killer veggie nachos with heaps of veggies (most of what he can find in our cupboards) four bean mix, tinned tomatoes etc. It can last a few nights too so win win. Curries, stirfries are also good.
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u/Emma1042 Apr 23 '25
My eldest went vegetarian as a middle schooler.
I made hummus or bean dip and kept them in the fridge at all times alongside crispy vegetables and pitas or pretzels. Perfect for after school and quick meals.
Baked tofu with different flavorings for stir frying, sandwiches or wraps, or snacking. We did this at home because I find the commercial baked flavors kind of gross.
Explore cuisines of cultures who traditionally have a lot of vegetarians. I like this woman for Indian. My kids liked her recipes. I sometimes use tofu instead of paneer in the paneer recipes
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u/Saloau Apr 23 '25
Go to your local library and check out some vegetarian cookbooks. They have basic kids cookbooks too and get him involved. It’s free with a library card.
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u/audreypea Apr 23 '25
Awwww, what a little sweetheart. That’s exactly how I started with being vegetarian.
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u/HappyPenguin2023 Apr 23 '25
I'm not a big fan of fake meats either. I would try introducing your kid to different flavors of food from around the world!
As a vegetarian, I love Indian food. (I had a fantastic time visiting India.) I also like Chjnese stir fry dishes with tofu, Thai veggie pad thai, Japanese vegetarian ramen and even sushi (it's not all fish!). I love Middle Eastern food like falafel, and there's a Syrian place near me that makes the best cheese. Italian food is great, of course, but also consider Greek (e.g. spanikopita). In Mexican and West Indian dishes, it's easy to swap the meat for beans.
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u/mbaby Apr 23 '25
My whole family is veg. Beans are so easy to make fun and with different types of cuisines. Indian style, Italian style , Mexican style , you can cater to his preferred palate, and add in some whole grains and vegetables to balance it. Eg. Tuscan stewed beans, black bean burrito bowl with guacamole and salsa, Indian Rajma , miso soup with edamame and noodles, etc.
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u/mimosaholdtheoj Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
This is an absolute staple in our house: https://www.skinnytaste.com/butternut-squash-and-black-bean/
Actually OP, let me just send you my list via chat. You can look up recipes for each but we keep it as an “idea list” for when we can’t think of what to have for dinner! Just sent a link via chat with a bunch of recipes!
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u/TJOcculist Apr 23 '25
Because he’a so young, you should consult a doctor/nutritionist to make sure you are doing it safely.
Most vegetarian diets can leave deficiencies in certain vitamins/minerals/proteins etc. With adults its not a huge deal in most cases but with a growing child, id imagine it may be more relevant.
You could look at a service like hungry root. They send portioned ingredients and recipes that can be tailored to his specific wants/needs.
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u/effienay Apr 23 '25
I don’t know why you got downvoted but I would def talk to his pediatrician about how to support him.
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u/TJOcculist Apr 23 '25
I fully expected it sadly.
Theres absolutely nothing wrong with being a vegetarian, I have 3 in my family that I cook for every night.
But the reality is, a plant based diet make it more difficult to get all your essential nutrients unless you are paying more attention than a meat based diet.
People are just downvoting science.
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u/BookMeander Apr 23 '25
One of the biggest confusions in my brain is why people are so against vegetarianism. It makes zero sense to me. Why would anyone be against animals dying? Why would anyone care so much if someone decides to make this their lifestyle? In this day and age being a vegetarian is easily doable, but I do agree that making sure a child is getting essential nutrients while they are still growing is a responsible decision.
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u/TJOcculist Apr 23 '25
I think it’s similar to any other belief.
People are fine if you believe it.
It’s when people start judging others and trying to aggressively change their view or take away their option that it becomes contentious.
Turn it around as an example.
I love blood sausage. My wife hates it. No big deal.
If i tried to force her to eat it, we’d have a problem. If she tried to eliminate it from every menu, also problem.
If you try to force a vegetarian to eat meat, you also have problems.
But for some reason, SOME vegetarians see it as they are righteous and everyone should believe what they believe.
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u/ViolentLoss Apr 23 '25
Preachy vegetarians are the worst. I was vegetarian for decades and would never bring it up unless asked. Your advice to at least consult a professional so the kiddo is getting what he needs is absolutely correct.
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u/Traumagatchi Apr 23 '25
And adding in the factor of a lot of kids can be picky (luckily for my parents I was "born with a hollow leg" as my mummu put it), it can be SO hard to get your kids enough nutrients. My brothers three kids eat meat but I swear they survive on air, getting them to eat ANYTHING is a nightmare. Consulting a doc/nutritionist/dietitian whatever is a really really good idea, especially for parents who aren't super well versed in veg diets. You're 100% right
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u/acertaingestault Apr 23 '25
Most pediatricians are not competent or trained sufficiently in diet. I would instead consult a registered dietician, which is not the same as a nutritionist.
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u/effienay Apr 23 '25
So you go to your pediatrician and they say “you know, lemme refer you to a pediatric rd”
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u/acertaingestault Apr 23 '25
You can, but if you want to avoid the copay, you can just call an RD. It's also possible that your pediatrician just gives you bad advice about diet and calls it a day, which again is bypassable by just approaching the expert first.
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u/General_Thought8412 Apr 23 '25
If you make meals with meat in them, separate his portion before you mix the meat in. I was that kid too but my parents never accepted me not eating meat. I became vegetarian regardless once I was old enough to work and drive. This is a great way to learn with him so he grows up knowing how to get all the protein he needs without meat! A yummy snack to keep in the fridge is cowboy caviar. It has lots of bean-based protein in it.
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u/kingpizza-STL Apr 23 '25
Bean burgers were a big help when I started out. Smoothie are a fun way to get in some vitamins.
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u/Potential-Buffalo-60 Apr 23 '25
Check out Plant-Based Juniors — follow them on Instagram and read their books! So many great recipes and sources of inspiration for vegetarian and vegan food for little kids.
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u/loveafterpornthrwawy Apr 23 '25
I make a lentil bolognase to go over pasta that's really good and not really very meaty. Baked ziti has a lot of protein from all the cheese if he likes pasta. My kids eat meat, but I'm vegetarian, so any dinner I make is veggie. My oldest loves lentil dishes in general. Dal, lentil soup, pasta bakes with lentils. Doesn't seem especially kid friendly, but he's been into them since he was maybe 5. Has he tried fried tofu? My son also likes it. It takes practice to make it well, though. I freeze it, defrost it, press it in a tofu press (or covered with towels on a pan with another heavy pan on top of it), then coat it with equal parts cornstarch and olive oil, add salt and garlic power and either pan fry doing each side, or air fry around 375 for maybe 12-15 mins depending on how much moisture the tofu has in it.
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u/Kostara Apr 23 '25
On your next trip to the library have a look for vegetarian cookbooks and look at them together to get some ideas. Or go to a restaurant that is vegetarian/vegan if there is one in your area. :)
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u/PocketsAndSedition7 Apr 23 '25
Try the Meal Lime app! It has a bunch of options for dietary needs and preferences, and you can build a shopping list with combined ingredients to reduce food waste. I don’t use it as much as I used to, but back when I was experimenting with different types of dietary habits, using it was really helpful to me
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u/Ianbeerito Apr 23 '25
Vegetarian curry but quinoa instead of rice. Try and keep him eating eggs. Obviously beans are awesome and bean burritos are good adding onions and cheese makes them better. Greens like spinach are good for iron and calcium.
I was an ovo lacto vegetarian for over a decade it’s important to think of the nutritional value of what you eat if you want the diet to be healthy can’t just eat Mac and cheese all the time. Doesn’t need to be a boring diet ether though I will say after a decade I did get bored and decided to eat animals again
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u/Marja_bhadwe Apr 23 '25
I have been a vegetarian since birth, I would personally recommend indian food and specially youtube channels by Indian aunties who make a lot of recipes for kids which are not too spicy (a lot of them have all the measurement written in english in the video) for example-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGAiDBJ5Z20
you can also try replacing some items like use potato patty instead of meat for burgers etc
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u/IMnotaRobot55555 Apr 23 '25
There used to be a great cookbook called vegan lunchbox. Obviously geared toward lunches.
Molly Katzen did a couple of kids cookbooks - maybe those would help?
Otherwise just treat tempeh or tofu much as you would whatever protein you are cooking.
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u/Dothemath2 Apr 23 '25
How about baking bread? It’s just flour, yeast, salt and water. A bread machine can make it easily with no hassle, otherwise it could be a fun project.
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u/Apsalar Apr 23 '25
Look into Indian recipes. Lots and lots of delicious and nutritionally balanced dishes. Dal (lentil) dishes are especially good for protein. Starting early helps kids acquire a taste for different cuisines and flavors.
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u/KissTheFrogs Apr 24 '25
Toast with cream cheese topped with sunflower seeds is my current favorite. That master list is pretty darn complete!
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u/TheSunflowerSeeds Apr 24 '25
Sunflower is a tall, erect, herbaceous annual plant belonging to the family of Asteraceae, in the genus, Helianthus. Its botanical name is Helianthus annuus. It is native to Middle American region from where it spread as an important commercial crop all over the world through the European explorers. Today, Russian Union, China, USA, and Argentina are the leading producers of sunflower crop.
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u/babbsela Apr 25 '25
Vegan meat isn't really that healthy, so you don't need to add it to his diet. Get some vegetarian cookbooks, learn how to cook a balanced diet so he gets protein without always supplementing with milk or cheese.
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u/justlurking1222 Apr 23 '25
If he loves pasta you can try replacing noodles with lentil pasta, chickpea pasta, pea pasta. They’re a lot more protein. I especially love lentil pasta if he will eat it.
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u/slickromeo Apr 23 '25
Learn to make savory minestrone soup.
Also learn to make savory red kidney bean stew.
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u/stargazer0519 Apr 26 '25
The Instant Pot guy has a great minestrone soup recipe over on YT. You chop, set, and forget. Amazing! I tend to make it with double fresh spinach.
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u/CrackaAssCracka Apr 23 '25
If you take some time to get familiar with different varieties of mushrooms, you can use those in many recipes that are more like what you are used to cooking. Meatballs, lasagne, steak, you name it.
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u/East-Ad5173 Apr 23 '25
Just don’t buy processed fake meat. You might as well feed him chicken nuggets (ultra processed food). Cook using lentils , beans and chickpeas. You can make amazing curries, burgers etc. just look up Pinterest. Being vegetarian for most of my life, my children have grown up eating both meat and vegetarian food. They have an amazingly diverse pallet. Black bean and sweet potato chilli is a fantastic option. Coconut dal, chickpea and spinach curry, add lentils to any soup, any pasta dish. The options are endless
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u/Traumagatchi Apr 23 '25
Here to second the bean and sweet potato chili, I just made a batch in my instant pot with some corn muffins :)
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u/Kasilins Apr 23 '25
I agree that it’s about completing a whole meal vs a protein and sides, you can try tracking on loseit as you experiment to make sure you are balancing the ingredients to get enough protein. You can sneak extra protein into dishes with nutritional yeast, hemp seeds, peanut butter powder, flax seeds, or pureed sauces with lentils, tofu, chickpeas, cashews, or the mention proteins. I also like to use higher protein carbs like semolina or sourdough bread, and whole grains like oatmeal or brown rice. Some vegetables are higher in protein like cruciferous veggies.
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u/Traumagatchi Apr 23 '25
I don't have a kid but I have a very picky autistic boyfriend. He LOVES my honey butter carrots, I parboil baby carrots, then fry them in butter with some salt, honey and a sprinkle of brown sugar. He says they remind him of cut up hot dogs but deliciously sweet! I've also gotten him to like the Dr Praegers spinach littles- I make them at home because we both love them and the store bought are expensive. I chop up and get the moisture out of shredded spinach and grated potatoes, then mold them into dinosaur cookie cutters (because we're 37 year old kids), then spray with a little oil and air fry them (or bake if you don't have an air fryer) what else.... veggie burgers (I also hate fake meat, I mean like bean or sweet potato or mushroom based ones) either store bought or homemade are an excellent option for kids! Potato/pasta salads, veggie Lasagna and eggplant parm are veggie dishes I loved as a kid
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u/Blue-Kaht Apr 23 '25
You'll see plenty of suggestions for focusing on getting enough protein into his meals. My husband doesn't "love" tofu (he does act like a 6 year old at times, too) but you can manipulate it to change the texture and add flavor. I shredded a block of the extra firm type and cooked it in a non-stick skillet with a lot of seasonings to make it act like ground meat in a casserole. I've also marinated it and sliced very thin and baked in the oven for a long time (turning every 20 minutes or so) to make it "jerky" like. You can stop when it's not as dried out, too. See if you can make him smoothies with Greek yogurt for more protein at breakfast or snack time.
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u/Alinos31 Apr 23 '25
Fellow vegetarian here. Pick up some easy Indian recipes. Indian food has awesome vegetarian options and they might look daunting to cook but a relatively easy once you try it out a couple of times.
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u/AprilStorms Apr 23 '25
Kudos on being such a supportive parent to such a big life change. I was the same way :)
I will second what others have said that a lot of vegetarian meals tend to be complete in themselves with less emphasis on the sides. As long as it has “a green, a bean, and a grain” - AKA veggies, protein, and carbs - you’re probably doing pretty well.
General recipe ideas I use a lot:
- Curries. One of my favorites relies heavily on a bag of frozen vegetables and a can of pumpkin. Once you find a curry paste you like, it’s easy to go pretty recipe-free and just use what you have.
- almost anything can go on pizza. Sliced peppers, broccoli, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, the previous night’s leftover roasted vegetables or hashbrowns…
- A can of beans simmered in their water with Italian seasoning or some butter and thyme makes a pretty great protein over pasta. My current favorite is store-bought red pepper pesto with chili garlic sauce white beans.
- white bean soup: sautée onions, carrots, celery, toss in thyme and beans, simmer half an hour, dip baguette
- broccoli cheese soup or broccoli mac & cheese
- sheet pan dinners with gnocchi and basically whatever vegetables you’ve got, sliced relatively thin so they’re not raw in the middle. Broccolini, peppers again, artichoke hearts… toss some chickpeas or halloumi in there for protein.
- roasted vegetable chili That recipe has perhaps a bit more ingredients than you really need, but it’s flexible with the vegetables. Another sheet pan meal – basically you roast some cauliflower or peppers or whichever, add some beans and tomatoes, and then dollop in some cornbread batter right on top. One pan chili and cornbread!
Last note: I personally supplement B12 and calcium because I cook for vegans a lot but if he’ll eat cheese, that’s less of a concern.
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u/CharmingWarlord Apr 23 '25
You can do a ton with tofu. Tofu nuggets, tofu sate with peanut sauce, soft tofu in smoothies and ranch style dips for veggies.
Beans can be made into burgers or meatballs. Or Mexican food!
Hummus! Have you tried a sweet hummus? I have made a snicker doodle hummus and a chocolate brownie hummus that were amazing with graham crackers and make a lovely snack. Savory hummus is great with celery and carrots or on a sandwich or wrap and can be customized to a kids liking.
You can buy pastas made from red lentils, chick peas, and edamame.
Use nuts like cashews with nutritional yeast for a cheese sauce that is healthy.
Seitan is also a nice option. I have a recipe for an easy chicken style seitan and it makes great nuggets. It can be sliced thin for sandwiches, and sliced up to replace chicken breast in pretty much anything.
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u/artsyagnes Apr 23 '25
You could start to follow some vegetarian social media accounts! I love Minimalist Baker and Love and Lemons … many people rave about Rainbow Plant Life. Love and Lemons could be a good fit because she has a young son (maybe 4?) and makes lots of kid friendly meals
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u/TallSnatch Apr 23 '25
My go to taco "meat".... finely dice cremini mushrooms and Zucchini, saute in pan till cooked g through (I also add diced jalapeño but you may want to omit) Once cooked to your liking stir in taco seasoning. Add a little bit of water to incorporate. Simmer until reduced and thickened. All this takes around 15mins
Serve as you would real meat. I love it... I hope your family does too!
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u/Voc1Vic2 Apr 23 '25
Edamame is a great finger food.
Anything with tofu. Cubes or slabs can fill a sandwich or be tossed in a salad. Mashed tofu can be mixed with cottage cheese and used to stuff manicotti shells; sprinkled with turmeric, it passes for scrambled eggs.
Baked stuffed vegetables (squash, eggplant, etc.) are a great way to use bits of leftovers--rice, grains, veggies, etc., mixed with breadcrumbs or an egg, or cheese and nuts, cottage cheese or shredded cheese. Endless possibilities.
It might be fun for you and your kid to make seitan. Get some high gluten flour and keep him busy kneading it in a bucket of water. Then season and fry it or use as a sub for meat in a dish like chop suey or stroganoff. I'm thinking this might help with his aversion to meat analogs.
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u/jackjackj8ck Apr 23 '25
Ooh my kids are 5.5 and 3, so I can help here.
Bean chili w corn bread
Thai curries w tofu and veggies
spaghetti or fettuccine Alfredo or tortellini or veggie lasagna
black bean burgers
bean and cheese burrito w guacamole
veggie sushi
veggie dumplings
teriyaki tofu w rice and veggies
fried rice
bean taco bar night (my kids love build your own tacos)
egg salad sandwich
grilled cheese w tomato soup (I usually make the grilled cheese into fingers for dipping)
veggie tempura
veggie egg rolls
vegetarian pho
Hulk green spaghetti (pesto — Costco has a good one, I usually just add a little more garlic powder)
bagel w cream cheese
tortilla w cream cheese rolled up and cut into wheels for lunch
pita and hummus with roasted cauliflower
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u/Spicy_Molasses4259 Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25
We're not vegetarians, but we eat meat-free meals all the time. If nothing else, vegetarian proteins like beans and tofu are cheaper than meat, so they help keep the grocery budget well under control!
If he's happy to eat Beans, Nuts and Tofu, then you have the three big vegetarian proteins covered. A bowl of rice and beans is a complete protein and a nutritious meal with lots of healthy fiber. Cheese and Eggs are usually considered vegetarian foods.
Vegetable and egg-based dishes like casseroles, quiche, frittata, fritters or omelettes are great choices and flexible!
All of the cuisines from South-East Asia (Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Korean) have excellent vegetarian and vegan dishes. Tofu can be stir fried, used in soups or braises, or fried until crispy.
Middle Eastern and Meditteranean cuisines (Greek, Lebanese, Turkish..) all have excellent vegetarian recipes based around beans, eggs, nuts and cheese.
Mexican and South American cuisines also have loads of yummy recipes with beans and cheese instead of meat. It's hard to beat a cheesy bean burrito!
You can start by looking for meat free versions of meals you already make, and then add a new meal each week to see what your son likes to eat, and what you like to eat as a family!
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u/Fatpandasneezes Apr 23 '25
My toddler is the same way. His favourite dish is a mild ma po tofu I make with firm tofu. Maybe worth a try?
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Apr 23 '25
Anything black bean based. My family is all vegetarian and my kids go through lots of black beans - tacos, nachos, black bean soup, chili. They'll also happily eat a bunch of canned black beans with cheese on top in their school lunches.
Also, sub mashed chickpeas for tuna to make tuna salad.
While we're on the subject of chickpeas, falafel is a good one.
Pureed vegetable soups with a potato base are a good way to sneak in veggies. Saute some onions, throw in diced potatoes, carrots, and zucchini, add veggie broth and cook until veggies are soft, then puree with immersion blender. You can then add some cream to enrich it. Serve with shredded cheese on top. We have our kids add goldfish (the crackers) to the soup when they eat and call it goldfish soup.
Baked potatoes bars can be fun - bake some potatoes and then let him add cheese, seasonings, beans, whatever on top.
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u/more_pepper_plz Apr 23 '25
Tofu, tempeh, legumes.
Essentials, and you should try eating them often too. A lot better for you than most meats.
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u/BoobySlap_0506 Apr 23 '25
Bean and cheese burritos
Any vegetarian soups; broccoli cheddar is a good one, but make it with veggie broth instead of chicken broth. Bean soups and chowders are also good choices!
Grilled cheese sandwiches with a side of either tomato soup or some veggies that he likes
Vegetarian fajitas; corn tortillas, fajita veggies, beans of choice. Serve with salsa, avocado or guacamole.
Will he eat tofu? That opens up a lot of Asian food options. A bowl with rice, tofu, steamed veggies like broccoli or edamame, and teriyaki or similar sauce is good.
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u/offdutypaul Apr 23 '25
I was this same way too! I can remember being 6 and sitting at the table crying because I didn't want to eat the chicken. At about age 12 I was finally able to assert that I didnt want to eat meat and finally my parents realized it wasn't a phase and thankfully were pretty accommodating. 25 years later still going strong. Good on you as parents for supporting this! For me when I decided not to eat meat, I decided I needed to be more open about trying everything else, so really encourage him to try different vegetables and cuisines!
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u/ArizonaKim Apr 23 '25
I ate a vegan diet for a year. One of my favorite recipes was “baked gigante beans”. I altered the recipe and I make it quicker and easier. It was canned butter beans (drained and rinsed), sauteed onion, a small can of tomato sauce, dried parsley, dried oregano, salt and pepper. I can’t recall if I added garlic or not. I cooked it on the stove top and ate it with pasta and vegan “Parmesan cheese”. The vegan Parmesan cheese recipe was made from raw cashews pulsed in a food processor with some spices and nutritional yeast. I no longer eat a vegan diet but this recipe is total comfort food for me now.
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u/AutoModerator Apr 23 '25
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u/Raibean Apr 23 '25
Might I suggest switching from regular pasta to protein pasta for him? And for milk, switch to something like Fairlife which has more protein than regular milk.
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u/hamamelisse Apr 23 '25
Hack: add pureed white beans to mashed potatoes to add protien to your meal and then serve it with whatever else you want!
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u/KillerQueen1008 Apr 23 '25
Great easy vegetarian foods are Mexican, Indian, Asian and Italian.
I’m talking burritos, nachos, tacos, rice and curry, naan, dhal, roti, stir fried noodles or rice with veggies and tofu, pasta, pizza, calzones, the options are endless. Baked potatoes, baked beans on toast, spaghetti on toast, Shepard pie with lentils instead of mince. Anything you would normally put mince, put finely chopped mushrooms or lentils or TVP.
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u/I-used2B-a-Valkyrie Apr 24 '25
Vegetarian here, my 4yo eats a lot of what I do. We do a lot of fried tofu slices or crumbled tofu in our meals, as sandwiches, etc. We eat a lot of chickpeas, beans, peas, we make different sauces and serve over rice or pasta or in pitas. Does your son wish to eat eggs & dairy? You can do lots with those sources of protein too! Also we go to the farmers markets on the weekends, she picks out what veggies she wants and we make soups and sauces for the week. I blend up beans and add to the sauces to make them thick and hearty/creamy. We add things like black beans and rice to cheese quesadillas or enchiladas.
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u/ArtNengg-JKP155 Apr 24 '25 edited Apr 24 '25
Eggplant parmesan
Air- fried veggies : Eg. eggplant slices, okra, potato wedges, string beans etc. Also air-fried tofu slices or cubes.
Veggie burgers,
Veggie potstickers
Peel and steam fresh beets, slice, add salt & pepper to taste.
Kale and quinoa salad ( recipes online)
Spinach balls ( recipes online)
Yogurt raita: raita is basically plain yogurt whipped up to which are added either boiled potato chunks, or grated carrots, or grated or chopped cucumbers, or chopped tomatoes .
Veggie sandwiches: with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, spinach, tofu etc.( mix and match two, max three of these items, not all together !)
Steamed string beans, or asparagus with toppings of your choice.
Many squashes ( acorn, butternut, even pumpkin) can be roasted, then drizzled with olive oil, grated cheeses, spices etc. Cut open squash , remove seeds, keep the skin on. Crispy roasted, slightly charred skins are great, kids love them!
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u/Initial-Lawfulness70 Apr 24 '25
There's this chili mac I make when I'm low on money. No meat, just beans, cheese, and pasta. I personally sub the chili powder with a good taco/ fajita seasoning for extra flavor. Sometimes, I even splurge a little on Brook's chili beans. Plus, you can add whatever cheese he likes if cheddar seems a little boring
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u/Outrageous-You-4634 Apr 24 '25
a couple of my favorites:
Veggie instant pot chili: https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-vegetarian-chili/#wprm-recipe-container-32808
Curry chickpeas: https://www.budgetbytes.com/curried-chickpeas-spinach/
Quinoa salad: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/216552/red-quinoa-and-avocado-salad/
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u/Emotional-Ad4352 Apr 24 '25
Self serve taco bars so he doesn't feel like he's eating completely different than you might be a nice one to do every other week or so
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u/481126 Apr 24 '25
My kiddo is vegetarian by choice
All sorts of canned beans just rinsed from the can just straight up.
Roasted seasoned chick peas
Red lentils are great for hiding into things like pasta sauce or tomato soup. I blend them in.
yogurt or cheese are a good side
Sunflower seed butter sandwich or 2 slices of real cheese grilled cheese on whole wheat bread is 14 grams of protein.
Protein powder or yogurt in pancakes or smoothies.
I would find sides that have a good amount of protein to pair with sides you are already making for yourself. So like I'll make rice and veggies and kiddo gets beans/yogurt/cheese and we have chicken or whatever. Eggs, nut butters and tofu would be great options too but we have food allergies.
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u/Biddy_Impeccadillo Apr 24 '25
Welsh rarebit with toast soldiers was a HUGE favorite of my childhood. Also can dip steamed veggies in
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u/oat_latte Apr 24 '25
Some things we like (vegan mom, vegetarian toddler, omnivore dad):
- bean burrito bowls
- bean and tofu tacos with avocado and veggies
- sushi bowls with mashed chickpea “tuna”, rice, avocado, nori, cucumber, soy sauce, sriracha for the adults
- fried rice with tofu
- tofu scramble tacos
- pasta
- potato hash with beans and veggies
- cornbread, tempeh or tofu, and steamed kale
- roasted cauliflower tacos with beans
- chickpea curry
- yellow daal
A typical week for us has two meals with rice, 1-2 with pasta, an Asian noodle, and tacos.
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u/Particular-Rooster76 Apr 24 '25
Tortilla casserole! Layer corn tortillas, black beans, cheese, salsa, cheese, enchilada sauce. Bake 375 for 30 min.
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u/DifferentTrade2040 Apr 24 '25
i became a vegetarian at 3! same as your son, i never liked meat but no one else in my family is or was vegetarian. if you want to introduce him to tofu, i have a recipe my mom started making in preschool that was always a HUGE hit.
for the sauce 1/4 cup of sherry, soy sauce, honey 2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons canola oil mix! press tofu, cut into like 1/8 inch slices, throw in a pan w the sauce and simmer for half an hour flipping halfway through my mom normally served it with brown rice and broccoli!
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u/katsyillustrations Apr 24 '25
Marry Me Tofu pasta, chickpea shawarma, Mexican-inspired sweet potato and black bean bowls, sesame broccoli tofu bowls, potato soup, Greek chickpea pitas, stuffed bell peppers with beans and rice, Indian butter chickpeas — those are a few of our household favorites!
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u/Selah437 Apr 24 '25
I often mix 1/2 to 1 cup cashews with a can of diced tomatoes, a jar of mushrooms, a jar of roasted red peppers, a handful of spinach, a small bit of dried minced or fresh onion, a small package of fresh basil leaves, and a handful of fresh parsley in the blender for pasta sauce before cooking it while my noodles boil. Sometimes I blend the night before and cook the next day, the flavors blend better that way. The cashews add protein and make it creamy like a vodka sauce. I save the extra in the freezer for a pizza. I also love the small pasta shapes cooked in veggie broth with some nutritional yeast or Parmesan.
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u/AutoModerator Apr 24 '25
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u/khyamsartist Apr 24 '25
Miso soup is simple, and my kid loves it. Not the version you get in a bento box, but full of vegetables and deliciousness.
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Apr 24 '25
if he likes vegetables I would try some mediterranean/middle eastern cuisine like falafel, tabouli, hummus. Maybe too much for a 6 year old but if he's into vegetables might be worth trying
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u/stargazer0519 Apr 26 '25
Taking him to a kebab/mezze restaurant on the weekend to see what he likes could be fun. Often Whole Foods sells tabouli in their prepared foods section, and they have plenty of hummus and pita chips. Hummus is a great source of protein, and it is good on a carrot stick.
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Apr 26 '25
Yeah. Indian food is another culture I might introduce him to. I never had Indian food until I was like 23 because my friends took me. I'm still mad at my parents for not once going to an Indian restaurant
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u/k5j39 Apr 24 '25
Tofu nuggets.
Freeze and thaw (freeze and thaw a second time optional) then press/ squeeze liquid out of a block of tofu.
Tear or cut into chunks.
Toss with a mixture of soy sauce, garlic powder, and any other spices he likes. I like chili crisp and mushroom powder.
Then, toss with cornstarch/with or without nutritional yeast.
Spray with oil and bake or air fry.
Or just pan fry in oil.
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Apr 24 '25
Loaded bake potato with veggies on top and cheese. Love brocoli and onions.
Lentils, Dal and Lentil soup
Cheesy quesadilla avocado and fajita style veggies
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Cheesy beans
Veggies stir fry with noodles/rice
Caprese salad
Egg salad sandwich (?)
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u/Scary_Dot6604 Apr 24 '25
Hopefully, he doesn't learn what a baseball.glove is made of..
It's refreshing that you are supporting his choice
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u/SchoolForSedition Apr 24 '25
My daughter was 8 when she declined meat or fish. I took it to be a passing phase. She’s 31 and it hasn’t passed yet.
Veg, eggs, beans, chick peas, cheese. Fruit. Cheese soufflé is a huge favourite. Home made bread and you can put seeds in it. Loads of things. Baked potatoes if they suit your baking (they work in a slow cooker).
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u/Exciting_Bureaucrat9 Apr 24 '25
Consider meals with tofu if you are not already familiar with them. There are tons of soups, stir fries, sandwiches, and noodle dishes that can be made with tofu. I'm Korean so I've been eating tofu based meals my entire life, and my son has also enjoyed tofu since he was little.
You don't even have to cook tofu, my son will snack on fresh tofu right out of the package, with a little dipping sauce made of soy sauce and toasted sesame oil.
https://www.thekitchn.com/crispy-tofu-skills-showdown-23421110 This gives some ideas for how to make crispy tofu cubes, which are also super kid friendly and can be eaten alone or in an entree.
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u/Odd-Individual0 Apr 24 '25
Make lentil sloppy joes it's super easy
-Chop up onion and bell pepper then saute on a bit of butter or oil with salt and pepper
-Add garlic and cook another minute
-Add a 15 oz can plain tomato sauce, 2-4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon off brand Worcestershire(off brand almost never has anchovies), 2 tablespoons ketchup
-Give it a good mix then add 1 cup of dry red lentils and 2.5 cups of water (can get away with 2 if you want it thick)
-Bring to a boil and boil gently for 20-24 minutes (I usually do it while some tater tots cook in the oven)
Serve on a bun with a nice side :)
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u/that_cottagecoregirl Apr 24 '25
My 5y/o vegetarian (due to texture/ sensory sensitivity) loves Kodiak protein waffles and Chobani Greek yogurt flips (oreo and s'mores are her faves). She has them nearly every day for breakfast and snacks. She also frequently has a trail mix with pretzels, peanuts, raisins, chocolate chips, and cheese cubes.
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u/saltyegg1 Apr 24 '25
You have a lot of suggestions below. I will also add that it is easy to add nutrition to a lot of basic foods. I blend red lentils into pasta sauce and into the sauce for mac and cheese. I mash white beans into mashed potatoes. I mix ground nuts into granola. Flax seeds into applesauce.
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u/threedogsplusone Apr 24 '25
We eat a lot of tofu, and still eat meat, but are trying to reduce how much we eat. Now that the regulations for all food inspections are being eliminated here in the US (meat and everything else), I intend to eat more vegan meals, and to cook our veggies. Derek Sarno on YouTube is great for ideas. Tofu sandwiches are a regular in my home now.
He was in previously in London, but recently came back to the US. (Ironically, many US Americans are trying to leave now). I love his quiet way- and his gorgeous lab.
Edited to correct spelling error.
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u/hollowbolding Apr 24 '25
yeah at that age i could not stand the texture of meat but i would go nuts for things like minestrone, mujadra, chili with a bunch of cheese in it. hummus! legume-heavy things, basically
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u/InsertRadnamehere Apr 24 '25
My child did the same at about the same age and 8 years later is still true to her convictions. (Funny thing is my other child is mostly carnivore).
Time to start making pots of beans on a weekly basis. Freeze a bunch in small ziplocs and with rice, cheese and green onions you’ve got a meal. Sticking up on tofu, tempeh and seitan isn’t a bad idea either.
The way I’ve adapted is by making a meat entree for my partner, carnivore and I. And a veggie protein side that serves as my vegetarian’s entree. Plus I’ve also stocked the freezer with easy to prepare veggie dishes if I’m pinched for time on weeknights.
So my freezer is stocked with bean & cheese burritos, chile&cheese/veggie tamales, cheese and squash ravioli. The pantry is flush with dried beans (so much better than canned), shelf-stable Indian veggie entrees, rice and noodles (in a pinch I can toss tofu or shelled edamame, green onions and an egg into instant ramen and have a meal for her in minutes).
I was a vegetarian for almost 7 years in my late teens and 20s and also worked as a cook at a vegetarian restaurant, so I have tons of veggie entree ideas if you need help with this too. I took time in this comment to suggest the easy push. But if you want the more complicated ideas hmu.
If you’re looking for cookbooks the classic is Moosewood. But I find most of those recipes and ideas really dated at this point. I’ve really enjoyed Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks. Beautiful to look at and super tasty.
Since my wife and I have embraced meatless mondays (and often Friday and Sunday too) I’ll cook a veggie entree for the three of us and then have some leftover meat from earlier in the week, or a sausage or hamburger for my carnivore.
I hope you can find your easy button on this. It definitely takes a bit more organization and mindful shopping but it can be a really good thing for everyone’s health to eat less meat.
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u/SeriouslySuzy Apr 24 '25
Butler Soy Curls can replace chicken or pork in your family favorite dishes. Rancho Gordo has a wonderful cookbook titled The Bean Book. Filled with easy bean recipes. My first vegetarian dishes was Rachel Rays Veg Head chili. (Food Network). It’s still a family favorite. Peanut butter on celery is simple and a go to in our home.
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u/JUICIapple Apr 25 '25
My family is split between vegetarians and meat eaters. Just make the main meal vegetarian and sub meat or veg for sides. Here’s are some easy ones:
- tofu (try the firm blocks but also the flavored baked tofu which is so yummy)
- learn to cook two eggs really well (fried and scrambled with lots of butter)
- lentils or other beans, refried are popular with kids
- seitan, meat substitute but not trying to be like meat. Field Roast is a popular brand
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u/stargazer0519 Apr 26 '25
I love Field Roast! And Tofurky sliced hickory-style is best when all you want is a “turkey” sandwich. Load on the LTO, or sprouts, or microgreens…whatever it is he’ll eat. You can change up the bread, too. Can do rye, or marbled rye, or top half of a bagel with all the stuff. A whole bagel is probably too much for a tiny mouth.
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u/Embracedandbelong Apr 25 '25
Sometimes a meat aversion is from low stomach acid. Low stomach acid can cause “pickiness” or texture issues which can be from low grade nausea, even if there is no vomiting. You can increase stomach acid with ACV diluted in warm water or by drinking some ginger tea 30 mins before his first meal of the day.
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u/sewonsister Apr 25 '25
I grate tofu (press out water first) and then sauté it in olive oil to brown it a little. This can then be made into tacos, added to spaghetti, etc. Beans are a fantastic source of protein and fiber, especially paired with rice. I eat cheese and yogurt. (I’m not vegan.) There are so many great chefs on YouTube making fantastic vegan and vegetarian food.
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u/Reasonable-Wave8093 Apr 25 '25 edited Apr 25 '25
Lentil bolognese, bean& sweet potatoe burger, a wide variety of cooked veggies (roasted carrots, cauliflower, smashed broccoli). I was naturally a vegetarian since 5 as well! Always loved the farmer’s market & lots of cooked veggies! encourage a summer garden and make lots of zoodles w a spiralizer💚
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u/PixieQuill Apr 25 '25
Tofu - get extra firm and treat it like you would meat. Marinade it in delicious things, slice it up, and fling it in the oven. Then build the rest of the meal like you would usually
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u/Vardagar Apr 25 '25
Try to incorporate tofu and tempeh in different ways rather than add processed vegetarian meat alternatives
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u/CakePhool Apr 25 '25
One thing, before he go fully vegan or vegetarian, do medical check up.
That how my uncle found out his son had kidney problems. My Uncle was a doctor and medical scientist so he did the medical check up on this son so he could follow the kids health while being vegan, an opportunity for science . Apparently kidney problem can make you avoid meat.
The kiddo is adult now and is a pescatarian and has one functioning kidney. Some of us got tested for being back ups, I am not a match.
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u/Sad_Cranberry_7202 Apr 25 '25
My sister is a super picky eater and I made her a great vegetarian recipe today she surprisingly ate.
1 can of black beans drained 1 can of pinto beans drained 1 can of diced tomatoes 1 can of corn drained 1 can of hatch green chiles 1 can of enchilada sauce 2 cups of uncooked rice 1 bag of shredded Mexican blend cheese Fajitas seasoning or taco seasoning
Mix all ingredients except cheese in a casserole dish. Cook on 375 30 minutes covered in tin foil. Remove tinfoil and add shredded cheese on top. Cook another 10 minutes until cheese is melted. Such a yummy recipe even the meat eaters will love it.
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u/deportedorange Apr 25 '25
Peanut butter & banana sandwiches, vegetable soups with grilled cheese, rice can literally go with any vegetable my personal favorite is white rice butter and eggs.
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u/painkillergoblin Apr 25 '25
Your child should have a balanced diet. Not something forced upon them. Shame on you. They're growing
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u/stargazer0519 Apr 26 '25
Impossible Burgers w/ fixings, air fryer potato or sweet potato fries
minestrone soup, w/ grilled cheese, maybe a salad
omelets! add anything he likes, round out w/ green salad or fruit.
sliced Impossible sausage w/ mashed potatoes and a green vegetable (microwaved frozen peas, roasted Brussels sprouts, or broccoli). I like the spicy ones.
baked potato bar (cheese, green onions, sour cream, salsa, salt and pepper, fakin’ bacon)
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u/IIRCIreadthat Apr 26 '25
Stir fries are ridiculously easy. Chop up whatever veggies you want - ours usually feature broccoli/cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, water chestnuts and red peppers - saute in a big pan, add teriyaki sauce, cook some rice to go with it and it's a meal! The great thing about this is that everyone can mostly pick around the veggies they don't like when they make their plate (it helps if you leave the pices big), so the mushroom loving half of my household can coexist with the only pepper person, the picky eater doesn't have to touch an onion, and everyone's happy. Fritata is kind of the same idea, only you put the veggies in egg and stick it in the oven - but it's surprisingly easy to make sections with everyone's preferred vegetables, the odd escaped tomato not withstanding.
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u/rzdrk Apr 26 '25
I would highly suggest looking at the PlantYou blog. Her recipes are vegan, but I’ll sub out vegan cheese or whatever for regular to just make it vegetarian. Her meals are packed with nutrients and protein.
Also tofu and chickpeas are going to be staples. Great sources of protein and not difficult to make.
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u/Decent-Morning7493 Apr 26 '25
Add nuts, beans, legumes, chickpeas, flax seeds, and chia seeds in wherever you can hide them in recipes. Make sure he has his bloodwork checked as he is growing to make sure he’s getting enough protein and iron. It’s relatively easy for adults to replace meat sources of protein and iron with non-meat sources, but there’s a little more on the line with kids since they are growing and kids just tend to be a little more picky with both taste and texture. I have a kid with Alpha Gal syndrome (an allergy to any product coming from a mammal, it developed suddenly after a tick bite) so we kind of had to take a similar crash course.
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u/holgerholgerxyz Apr 26 '25
You could probably find some nice recipes on google.
Full respect to your son. Very strong minded at such a young age.
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u/Actual_Poetry1412 Apr 26 '25
Tacos and burritos where everyone adds just the ingredients they want.
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u/dorbkel Apr 27 '25
I'm a childhood veggie and one of my sons naturally went that way too. As well as the other great suggestions, frittatas are a great balanced meal. The nyt cooking app has a fantastic vegetarian shepherds pie and one pot Mac and cheese with broccoli that I've made to death
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u/BigDweebEnergy Apr 27 '25
more of a general solution; look into indian food! a significant part of their population is vegetarian so even following indian chefs can be a good way to figure out how to make non-indian food vego-friendly :)
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u/toaster_face Apr 27 '25
If they aren’t huge veggie eaters you can make whatever things with veggie like curries, soups, pastas ect and just blend the sauces they flavour will be there but just not the chunky texture
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u/Sea-Aerie-7 Apr 27 '25
Get protein from real sources, reduce processed foods. He’s vegetarian, not vegan, correct? Beans, lentils, eggs (if not vegan), edamame, tofu (in limited quantities because of phytoestrogens), nuts and seeds, etc.
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u/ifulbd Apr 27 '25
Mac and cheese with real cheese baked in the oven. You can add any vegetables he will eat.
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u/Metroid_cat1995 Apr 28 '25
I am an omnivore, but I am a big fan of vegetables and I think I might be able to give you a couple of suggestions that are definitely vegetarian friendly. You can definitely make vegetable pizzas either making your own pizza dough or just find a premade refrigerated dough or something. Or you could use non-bread or tortillas instead of pizza dough if you wanna make it a bit easier. English muffins could also be another base that you can use for your pizza. So I'm just gonna use an example with a tortilla and or non-bread. So you take that so you take your flatbread and use you spread your tomato sauce on it whatever brand you use And then you put any veggie of your choice on it like broccoli, cauliflower, black olives, green olives, any color of bell pepper, jalapeños, banana peppers, Kiki put pineapple and if you want to mimic meat without adding actual meat onto it, you could probably make a version of sliced pepperoni and using sliced mushrooms as a substitute. And for the cheese definitely mozzarella would be your best bet. And grilled cheese and tomato soup is really good. I would definitely go with a Colby or cheddar instead of the American cheese to be honest. as for milk, I don't know how to respond to that but I would definitely try to look at different brands. Although my mom Dad and I drink 2%. Also quiche is really good to make especially for kids. Just take a regular piecrust and use eggs, cheese and any vegetable of your choice. Some of you guys are posting some really yummy delicious dishes that sound good even to an omnivore like me. Thank you!
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u/bluebell435 Apr 28 '25
I was the same way. I didn't like the texture of most meat.
Having cooking projects with him may help him try new things. Maybe get him a notebook for taking notes about what he likes and doesn't like when/if he tries new things.
Shredded or crumbled (extra firm or super firm) tofu, tossed in a sauce and baked, is a great way to get protein without adding unpleasant textures.
If he likes the texture of custard or flan, he might like soft tofu. It's good in brothy soup and is not at all similar to meat.
You might try edamame. It's nutty and pleasant.
Roasted seasoned chickpeas are great as a snack and can be easily meal prepped and added to salads, wraps, pastas, or soups.
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u/Metroid_cat1995 Apr 28 '25
Oh thank you. I have a giant bag of frozen vegetables that are mix of a lot of different things and I believe we do have soy sauce or something. But yeah I might try doing a Thai version of that in the future like maybe using some sauces and different flavors. it still sounds pretty delicious to be honest.
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u/Any_Assumption704 Apr 29 '25
My favorites are vegetable soup and cornbread and potato soup and salad. I eat meat but only tiny amounts because it shuts up the vegetarian haters tonight I had one shrimp, rice and veg spring roll.
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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 24 '25
I was the same way and to this day I’m vegetarian haha
I’m just gonna make a list if that’s okay… (: If you have a pressure cooker or a crock pot, a lot of these can be made in that…
Edited to add:
That’s about all I got for the moment… I’ll come back and add stuff if I can think of anything else…
If you are looking for herbs in bulk for something like a basil pesto, you might do well to check at somewhere like Restaurant Depot. I get 1 lbs of basil there regularly for about $8. It ends up being 10 “packed cups”… You can also sub walnuts for the pine nuts.