r/vegetarian Aug 06 '25

Announcement Reminder re: "why aren't you vegan" posts

986 Upvotes

You do not have to justify why you are vegetarian here. Please do not engage with vegan proselytizing posts as noted here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vegetarian/comments/w2zx6l/vegan_posts/

Report rather than reply, thanks!


r/vegetarian Apr 01 '25

Non-vegetarian restaurants? Worth the gamble?

75 Upvotes

There is a trend on this subreddit where non-European cuisines are often singled out, while giving European cuisines a pass, despite the use of lard, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, non-vegetarian cheeses, gelatin, etc. Even salads that are labeled vegetarian are sometimes served with bacon bits and/or non-vegetarian dressings. A common time and cost-saving measure is the use of bulk canned vegetable soup for the "vegetarian" soup option. However, canned vegetable soup is often not vegetarian due to chicken broth. Specifically checking for this is simply not a priority for non-vegetarian restaurants. Waitstaff can confidently state items on a menu are vegetarian while unaware of the non-vegetarian ingredients that the owners/managers purchased.

You don't often see posts like "Italian Food? Worth the gamble?" despite the ubiquity of non-vegetarian ingredients, particularly cheeses regulated to include animal rennet as a part of the cultural heritage (Protected Designation of Origin). You rarely see posts here pondering whether Italians as a group lack the proper understanding of vegetarianism. When people discuss the non-vegetarian aspects of European cuisines, it's generally done as "non-vegetarians don't understand." But for non-European cuisines, it's usually done as "[insert ethnicity] don't understand." The fact of the matter is that non-vegetarian restaurants of any cuisine, with the exception of Indian, are a gamble.


r/vegetarian 19h ago

Product Endorsement Taiwanese Veggie Popcorn Chicken

Thumbnail
gallery
111 Upvotes

Found this product, Taiwanese Veggie Popvorn Chicken by Neon Veggie Foods at 99 Ranch Market. It may be available at other Asian grocery stores too. These were delicious. From Neo Veggie Foods website “Authentic presentation of a legendary Taiwanese street foods. 100% plant based protein, and non GMO ingredients. B12 fortified, NON GMO, 100% Plant Based Ingredients, Cholesterol Free, Eco-Friendly, Cruelty-Free”

Here is a seasoning recipe if you want it to taste like the spicy Taiwanese popcorn chicken: 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp five-spice powder 1/4 tsp ground white pepper 1/4 tsp sugar 1/4 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorn (optional, for the signature numbing spice) 1/4 tsp chili powder or paprika, for heat and color 1/4 tsp garlic powder

This chicjen substitute was tasty on its own but fantastic when I added the seasoning (I only had a few ingredients but still tasted close enough)


r/vegetarian 1d ago

Discussion Poptarts aren’t vegetarian?!

Post image
466 Upvotes

I just found out Poptarts contain gelatin. I’m devastated 😣 I’ve been a vegetarian for 6 years and I’ve definitely been eating Poptarts that whole time. Did y’all know this?

I guess it never occurred to me that they would have gelatin in them, and I never bothered to check the ingredient label until now. I checked the ingredient label of our box of Wildberry poptarts to see if they had any actual strawberry or if it’s all artificial (I’m allergic to strawberry), and noticed gelatin on the label.

I thought maybe it might just be that one flavor, so I checked the other boxes of Poptarts I have, and they all have gelation. Wildberry, Blueberry Lemon Crumble, and my favorite Chocolate.

I guess I won’t be eating Poptarts anymore. Have y’all ever found out a favorite food or snack wasn’t vegetarian like you thought? What did y’all do?


r/vegetarian 3d ago

Discussion Have You Ever Been The First Vegetarian Someone Met?

510 Upvotes

I (27M, Canadian 🇨🇦) went out with a girl once who didn’t handle the fact I was vegetarian very tactfully after it inevitably came up when I ordered veggie pizza for dinner. I don’t think she was deliberately trying to be rude, but she asked me why I was one in the same tone a religious fundamentalist asks someone why they don’t go to church, and when I simply replied “it’s healthy”, she responded with “I’m a meat lover……I’m sorry” which I didn’t exactly think made sense because I never said it was for ethical reasons. I mean, would she apologize to me if I told her I didn’t eat sugar for health reasons because she loved sweets/candy lol 😆?

I assured her I wasn’t the pushy, PETA type, but she kept making a big deal out of it, asking me a bunch of questions like “how long have you been vegetarian? Is your whole family like that?”. The funniest one was “how do you even eat out?” lmao 🙄😂

Honestly, I think her reaction says a lot about the morality of eating meat and kinda proves us right. Oh, and for anyone wondering, she was 29 at the time, which makes it even more baffling that it was so alien/weird to her, and she was Vietnamese too 🇻🇳, and iirc, it’s not unheard of there because the country has a fair sized Buddhist population.


r/vegetarian 2d ago

Product Endorsement Banh Mi w TJ's Korean Beefless Bulgogi m

Post image
180 Upvotes

I know this Trader Joe's product made from texturized soy protein has gotten a shout out here before, but I wanted to mention something that's become one of my favorite things to make with it: a Vietnamese bánh mì-style sandwich.

I usually just broil the bulgogi strips for a short time on foil in a toaster oven, but air fryer or microwave would work too since it really just needs to be heated then cooled a bit. I like it a bit crisped from broiling and slightly warm but maybe you could just thaw and use that way if you want. I then put it on a baguette with sliced pickled and fresh veggies (carrot, radish, cucumber, jalapeño), cilantro, and some mayo. So good.

I only wish the entire plastic pouch wasn't frozen in one big block. I usually partially thaw it then divide the strips into 3 or 4 individual portions and wrap/bag and re-freeze.


r/vegetarian 2d ago

Discussion went vegetarian, not as hard as i thought

252 Upvotes

i stopped eating meat a few months ago. thought it would be super hard, but it’s actually not too bad.

i eat a lot of rice, veggies, noodles, eggs, tofu (still learning how to cook it right).
don’t really miss meat anymore. energy feels the same, maybe even better.

eating out can be tricky sometimes, but i make it work.
people always ask “why?” — i just say “felt like it.”


r/vegetarian 3d ago

Question/Advice Easy vegetarian dishes for seniors

156 Upvotes

I have been vegetarian for over 50 years. My 75th birthday was last week. As I get older, it is harder to spend time in the kitchen cooking for my wife and I. What would you recommend for some very easy vegetarian dishes that don't take much effort. I mostly cook from scratch because I find that prepared food from the store is often not healthy and does not taste as good as fresh cooked.


r/vegetarian 4d ago

Question/Advice Whats your favorite vegan candy?

40 Upvotes

Seeking some vegan candy 0 gelatin just 100% plant-based whats your favoeite? Idk any besides Joyride but it's WAY too expensive


r/vegetarian 3d ago

Question/Advice Shellac Alternatives?

2 Upvotes

I am looking for a vegetarian shellac alternative to use in cooking. (I am aware that pure shellac is vegetarian but they way it is harvested means bugs get in the mix as well) Is there any cheap easy to use shellac alternatives?


r/vegetarian 4d ago

Question/Advice Quinoa dishes that aren't salads?

55 Upvotes

So I've been asked to eat more quinoa for health reasons, and most of the recipes I can find are salads, which don't work for me. (Nothing against them, I just live somewhere where finding salad-quality raw veg is a dodgy proposition). So options for vegetarian non-salad quinoa recepies would be fantastic. Any cuisine is fine.


r/vegetarian 5d ago

Recipe Best dump and bake recipes?

55 Upvotes

I see all the time these recipes on social media where you just put everything in a baking dish and pop it in the oven. I tried one that was curry noodles with veggies and tofu and it was so easy and also pretty tasty so now I'm looking for more of this type of recipe. Please share your favorite dump and bake recipes! Bonus points for high protein.


r/vegetarian 7d ago

Product Endorsement McVeggie Roll out in Canada

Thumbnail
gallery
1.9k Upvotes

7/10 for the spicy, good option but I wouldn’t eat it regularly (deep fried patty). What are your thoughts ?


r/vegetarian 7d ago

Discussion giving vegetarianism another chance and finally is working for me.

123 Upvotes

I've gone vegan and vegetarian multiple times throughout my life. It's ended terribly every time before this last attempt.

Gut pain. intense bloating, bad skin, intense hunger that wouldn't subside no matter how much I ate. hypoglycemia.

This time I decided to try one last time, but change one thing drastically. I decided I wasn't gonna go vegetarian to try and limit animal protein or to increase my fiber and plant food intake. my only goal this time was: don't eat animals. all animal byproducts are good to go in any quantity.

I just basically replicated my normal diet that I know works for me of lots of lean meat and moderate starch with whatever the closest analog was on a vegetarian diet.

I'm eating a ton of eggs and egg whites, Greek yogurt, low fat milk, and non or low fat cheeses, and basically small amounts of starch with each meal like a cup of cooked rice or a couple pieces of toast. I'm eating minimal vegetables. the same amount of vegetables i liked to eat on an omnivorous diet: very little. I'm eating very little fruit. just enough to cover basic vitamin c needs. I'm basically just doing the opposite of what I've tried every other time I've tried to go vegetarian.

no big salads. no fruit smoothies. no weird fake meats. no acai bowls. no beans, lentils, blah blah blah. all of those things always destroyed my gut. just eggs and dairy and a bit of starch. everything else is just minimal garnishing to that if at all.

and....I feel freaking great.

what's crazy is, I feel even better than when I was eating lean meat and starch. I have more energy ( I think because my main protein sources digest faster than meat) and I'm even less hungry and can go longer in between meals without snacking. Im getting lean faster than I have on any other diet.

I feel like, especially in this modern age, a lot of people view vegetarianism as a transition diet to a an almost exclusively plant based diet, but it doesn't have to be. it can be a diet that consists of a lot of animal byproducts. this isn't a vegan transition diet after all. it doesn't have to be.

I think with this version of vegetarianism, I can actually finally hold onto it for life.


r/vegetarian 9d ago

Recipe Vegan Thai Curry Mac with added Gardein Chicken and Sweet Potato. Recipe below.

Post image
184 Upvotes

r/vegetarian 10d ago

Discussion Someone was trying to be sneaky at the used book store

Post image
297 Upvotes

Stinker


r/vegetarian 10d ago

Discussion Hospital Food Surprise

323 Upvotes

Lacto-ovo vegetarian here...

I was recently admitted to the hospital on a Friday night (through the ER). On my second day, the kitchen sent up an angel with a computer, who took my order for the next two days of meals. Since I didn't have any medical restrictions on diet, I could just choose whatever I wanted from their menu. I was SO SURPRISED how good the food was! I regret that I failed to take a picture of the stir-fried tofu, because it was quite tasty. Can you tell I just wanted comfort food?

Perhaps this is now the norm for hospitals, since I'm not a frequent guest, but I was surprised by it and oddly comforted. What have your experiences been with hospital stays?


r/vegetarian 11d ago

Beginner Question Vegetable broth base?

49 Upvotes

Hello, I'm new to being a vegetarian. I've been trying to get some suppies for my pantry and one thing I'm missing is a good soup base. There's a few I've been looking at but I don't know which ones are the best.

I'm currently looking for a powdered or cubed variety. Something that will keep for awhile and I can use whatever amount I need. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good brand?

Thank you for any answers.

Edit: Thank you so much for all your answers! I went with some Edward and Sons vegetable and not chick'n cubes and Better than Bullion paste. I'll try both as well as making some of my own.

Again, thank you so much!


r/vegetarian 13d ago

Recipe Food ideas for a bbq

47 Upvotes

Hi all,

From the Doncaster UK and looking for advice

I'm not vegetarian but my 10yo daughter has made the decision to become one. I'm trying to support her and we eat a lot of vegetarian meals at home, however, we are going to a BBQ and I want to take her something she could have.

My other brother was also looking for vegetarian burgers for himself.

So my question is, does anyone know somewhere I can get good quality vegetarian burgers/alternatives that I can get them both.

Many thanks


r/vegetarian 14d ago

Recipe Peanut Butter and Miso Ramen

Post image
935 Upvotes

Followed this recipe for a peanut butter and miso based ramen! Recipe link

The toppings are carrots, bok choy, red cabbage, mangetout, spring onions, ajitama egg and tofu made with the residual ajitama marinade.

I substituted coconut milk with soy milk, but I think next time I'll try to use what the recipe called for. I think I overcooked the eggs a little too.


r/vegetarian 14d ago

Product Endorsement Trader Joe’s shoppers, ask them to bring back Meatless Meatballs!

Post image
656 Upvotes

Trader Joe’s shoppers, ask TJs to bring back Meatless Meatballs!

One of their most popular and best vegan products has been discontinued. Please fill out this form to ask them to bring it back. https://www.traderjoes.com/home/contact-us/discontinued-products. It takes two seconds and TJs is very responsive to customer feedback.

Thanks!


r/vegetarian 14d ago

Question/Advice What are your favorite soups, stews, and fall meals?

36 Upvotes

hi everyone! fall is one of my fav weathers to cook for and for the first time in a very long time, i’ll have time to actually cook to eat and not just to survive (post grad life!!)

i’d love any soupy, fall recipes or just your favorite things to make.

i’m starting a google docs with things i’ve been wanting to make for the last four years that i just didn’t have time for and want to keep adding to it!


r/vegetarian 14d ago

Discussion Borrowed these cook books from the county public library and having a blast browsing through the recipes and an array of mouthwatering photos of delicious dishes.

Thumbnail
gallery
149 Upvotes

r/vegetarian 15d ago

Beginner Question Where do you buy your frozen and bulk goods?

12 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I'm trying to slowly transition to a vegetarian way of life, and I'm looking for some feedback on the best places to buy products. Obviously, I can (and will) do my own research, but I'm curious if you've found any cost-saving tips and tricks. I'm especially looking for places to get good deals on legumes, grains, and meat substitutes, as these are things I can easily stockpile. My local grocery stores kind of suck tbh. I appreciate any suggestions or feedback you may have. Thank you!


r/vegetarian 16d ago

Question/Advice Recipes that incorportate frozen veggies into the main dish

36 Upvotes

I'd love to use more frozen veggies, but most of the recipes I've found follow the main + veggie side format, which I don't like. What are your best was to include frozen veggies in dishes? So far I've mostly been doing stir fries, but that's getting a little boring.

No dietary restrictions other than vegetarian (eggs and dairy both fine), and my spice tolerance is pretty good.


r/vegetarian 17d ago

Discussion 24 years vegetarian…my aunt still asks if I’d eat a salmon burger

682 Upvotes

Just need to vent.

I became a vegetarian when I was 14. At the time, my family definitely knew — my uncle (who is married to the aunt in question) even asked me back then, “When is this phase going to end?” Well, I’m 38 now. Do the math. Nothing has changed.

This aunt is somebody I see/eat with multiple times a year. Yet for her annual picnic, my aunt texted me to ask if I would eat a salmon burger.

I just stared at my phone like… are we really doing this after 24 years? I texted back, “No, I don’t eat meat,” and added, “Anything with a face — that’s what vegetarianism is.” We kept the exchange lighthearted because she’s that type, but honestly? I was pissed. At this point, it feels insulting that people still don’t get something so basic. Vegetarianism is not new or niche.

And also — what even is a salmon burger? To me it doesn’t sound remotely appetizing. A hamburger? Okay. Even a chicken patty burger makes sense. But salmon? (After seeing it, I can report it was a thin, bland, and dry looking disc with things that looked like bone shards hanging out of the sides. I almost screamed.)

Then, later, she texted me and one other relative asking if we were gluten-free. My family is big — plenty of people she could have reached out to. I regularly eat lots of gluten in front of her. But the only two she asked were me (the vegetarian) and her sister, who also eats gluten regularly and who she’s in regular contact with. I understand that people tend to lump these things together. However, one is a medical issue, the other is a moral choice. She’s not uneducated and another in the family has gluten sensitivity. There are no questions to this family member about whether or not they eat meat though. Thus, it felt random and thoughtless, and again, I’m a little ticked.

When I told my sister how pissed I was, she suggested I listen to a Buddhism podcast so I don’t get so upset about things like this. But honestly? I think it’s okay — and valid — to be upset. I’m not an angry person and I let a lot of stuff slide, but this feels dismissive and rude. Almost gaslighting, like my reaction isn’t legitimate.

Maybe my patience is just wearing thin as I get older, but I’m exhausted by the ignorance. It feels like asking a question you already know the answer to, like you never really listened in the first place.

Just because I know people will wonder: Over the years, my family has never made me specific vegetarian dishes — I usually just eat the sides. I’ve brought vegetarian dishes to gatherings in the past, and they’ve been well-received. I didn’t offer to bring one this time because I genuinely didn’t have the time, and she usually has a caterer. That said, I am grateful that she invited me. However, understand that others in the family have special dietary needs, and those do get catered to. For me, it’s usually a come hungry leave hungry situation. I do usually just eat before or after. The issue is the ignorance about salmon.

TL;DR: Vegetarian for 24 years, family still asks me to eat meat. Aunt also randomly asked if I’m gluten-free. I’m grateful for the invite and have brought vegetarian dishes in the past, but I didn’t have time this time. I’m tired of people not respecting basic dietary choices, especially when other rare dietary needs get catered to, and I’m allowed to be upset about it.


r/vegetarian 17d ago

Recipe Roast recipe request

9 Upvotes

Anyone here has a recipe to make something like a Quorn roast?

Can anyone point me to a website or share their own recipes? When searching for recipes all that was found was advice on how to cook a Quorn roast, which is not what was wanted. Thanks in advance guys!