Deliciously Simple: Over 75 Plant-Based & Gluten-Free Pantry & Freezer Recipes

Discover an extensive collection of over 75 vibrant, vegan, and gluten-free recipes crafted from readily available plant-based ingredients typically found in your pantry and freezer. Dive into a world where delicious, healthy eating is accessible, even when fresh produce is scarce. Below, you’ll find helpful tips for ingredient substitutions to make these recipes work for you.

A vibrant collection of plant-based and gluten-free pantry recipes

Hello everyone, how are you truly doing in these unprecedented times? Like many of us, I’ve found myself navigating a “new normal” one day at a time, striving to find moments of joy and beauty amidst global challenges. It’s been incredibly inspiring to witness the resilience and connection within my online and local communities, offering encouragement, free resources, and much-needed humor. Despite physical distancing, I’ve felt a stronger sense of connection than ever before, proving that shared experiences and support can bridge any gap.

Recently, I reached out on Instagram to ask what kind of content would be most helpful as we all spend more time at home. Overwhelmingly, the request was for pantry and freezer-friendly recipes, and I couldn’t agree more! Stocking up on non-perishable and frozen ingredients has become a top priority for minimizing grocery trips and expanding my weekly menu possibilities. This comprehensive collection features over 75 Plant-Based & Gluten-Free Pantry-Friendly Recipes, all designed to be easily prepared with common pantry staples and frozen goods.

I’m continually expanding this collection with brand new content, so keep an eye out for fresh additions in the coming weeks. If you’re looking for a curated list of essential ingredients to kickstart your pantry, be sure to explore My Top Plant-Based & Gluten-Free Pantry Staples. Embracing more time at home provides a wonderful opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, experimenting with what you have and flexing those resourceful, minimalist muscles. Let’s transform those forgotten cans and bags of frozen vegetables into something delicious and comforting, shall we?

Why Embrace Pantry & Freezer Cooking?

Cooking from your pantry and freezer isn’t just a temporary solution; it’s a smart and sustainable way to approach meal preparation. It offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond simply reducing grocery runs. By focusing on shelf-stable and frozen ingredients, you empower yourself to create wholesome, delicious meals anytime, often saving money and reducing food waste in the process.

Convenience & Efficiency: Having staples on hand means fewer last-minute dashes to the store. You can whip up a meal without a detailed plan, making weeknights smoother.
Budget-Friendly Meals: Buying in bulk or stocking up on sales for items like dried beans, grains, and frozen vegetables can significantly cut down your food budget.
Reducing Food Waste: Utilizing ingredients with longer shelf lives means less spoilage, contributing to a more sustainable kitchen and reducing your environmental footprint.
Nutritional Benefits: Many pantry staples like legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are packed with fiber, protein, and essential nutrients. Frozen fruits and vegetables retain much of their nutritional value, sometimes even more than fresh produce that has traveled long distances.
Flexibility & Creativity: This style of cooking encourages improvisation. You’ll learn to adapt recipes and invent new ones based on what you have, fostering a more intuitive and creative approach to cooking.

Smart Substitutions Guide for Pantry & Freezer Cooking

One of the keys to successful pantry and freezer cooking is knowing how to make smart substitutions. Don’t let a recipe call for a fresh ingredient deter you if you only have a frozen or canned alternative. Here’s a quick guide to common swaps that will keep your meals delicious and stress-free:

Fresh vs. Frozen/Canned Vegetables: Most recipes calling for fresh vegetables can easily use frozen or canned counterparts. For frozen, simply add them directly to the pan (no need to thaw for most cooked dishes). For canned, drain and rinse before adding. Examples: frozen spinach for fresh, canned diced tomatoes for fresh, frozen corn for fresh.
Dried Herbs vs. Fresh Herbs: As a general rule, use one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. Dried herbs are more potent. For instance, if a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, use 1 teaspoon of dried parsley.
Nut Butters & Milks: Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk are excellent long-lasting alternatives for dairy. Various nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew, sunbutter) are versatile for both sweet and savory dishes.
Pasta Varieties: Feel free to swap out different shapes or types of pasta (e.g., chickpea pasta, brown rice pasta, lentil pasta, or your favorite gluten-free brand) if a recipe specifies a particular kind.
Legumes: Canned beans and lentils are fantastic time-savers. If a recipe calls for dried beans, remember to soak and cook them beforehand, or opt for canned for convenience.

Breakfast

Start your day right with a delicious and nourishing breakfast, often the easiest meal to make pantry-friendly. In recent weeks, I’ve explored various overnight oat combinations – simply pick your favorite flavors, mix, and let your fridge do the rest. This is also a fantastic opportunity to try making your own homemade granola if you haven’t already! Baked goods, like muffins or breakfast bars, are another wonderful option that will fill your home with an inviting aroma. If a recipe calls for fresh fruit, don’t hesitate to substitute with frozen fruit; it works beautifully and ensures you’re always stocked up.

Oatmeal Raisin SunButter Overnight Oats
PB&J Baked Breakfast Bars
Maple Tahini Overnight Oats
Strawberry Coconut Almond Butter Overnight Oats
Oil-Free Chunky Tahini Granola
Strawberry Banana Almond Butter Granola
Golden Oats with Butternut Squash
Blueberry Maple Baked Breakfast Bars
Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola
Raspberry Oat Crumble Bars
10-Minute Veggie Sausage Breakfast Tacos
Apple Butter Stovetop Oats
Oatmeal Tahini Chocolate Chip Scones
The Best Vegan & Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins

Check out more Breakfast recipes here.

Snacks

Snack time often takes on a new rhythm when we’re spending more time at home. Instead of reaching for processed, packaged pick-me-ups, why not try crafting your own wholesome and satisfying snacks? This collection features easy-to-make bars, energy balls, and trail mixes that will keep you fueled throughout the day. Most of these recipes are no-bake, require minimal prep time, and rely heavily on the non-perishable goods you likely already have stashed in your cabinets. Get creative and enjoy the process of making your own healthy treats!

Edible Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Grain-Free Apricot Almond Energy Bars
Creamy Peanut Butter Tahini Bites
SunButter Date Bliss Balls
Paleo Sweet Potato Snack Bowl
Raspberry Cashew Cheesecake Bliss Balls
My Go-To Trail Mix
Apple Chip Nachos with Date Caramel
No-Bake Tropical Protein Bars
Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding
Loaded Sweet Potato Chip Nachos with Sweet Potato Nacho Cheese
Chunky Monkey Superfood Banana Chip Bites

Check out more Snack recipes here.

Soups & Stews

There’s nothing quite as comforting and economical as a hearty bowl of homemade soup or stew, making this truly our season for simmering delights. Crafting your own soups and stews is an excellent strategy for utilizing pantry and freezer staples efficiently. I love the simplicity of combining canned beans, grains, and a medley of frozen vegetables with vegetable broth to create a cozy, DIY meal. Many recipes below traditionally call for fresh vegetables, but remember, you can easily swap these out for frozen or canned varieties without compromising flavor. These soups and stews often taste even better the next day, making them perfect for meal prepping a big batch to enjoy throughout the week.

Everyday Carrot Lentil Soup
The Quickest Vegan Curry
1-Pot Vegetable Chana Masala
White Bean & Kale Soup
Spicy Tempeh Bell Pepper Chili
“Clean Out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili
1-Pot Vegetable Minestrone
5-Spice Squash & Chickpea Stew

Check out more Soup recipes here.

Stir-Frys

When dinner needs to be quick, flavorful, and minimal effort, a stir-fry is always the answer! Heat up your skillet and explore these incredibly easy stir-fry recipes that are perfect for weeknights. Again, if you don’t have fresh vegetables on hand, frozen alternatives work perfectly and keep the cooking process simple. Consider these recipes and their delightful flavor profiles as a blueprint; feel free to customize them with whatever proteins and vegetables you have stocked in your freezer and pantry. This flexible approach is where new, favorite weeknight meals are often discovered!

Vegetable Quinoa “Fried” Rice with Edamame
Spicy Tempeh & Broccoli Stir-Fry
Easy Orange Chickpea Stir-Fry

Check out more Stir-Fry recipes here.

Pasta

Ah, pasta – a true culinary hug that many of us could use right about now! It’s that comforting, universally loved dish that feels like home. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has amassed an impressive collection of pasta boxes and jars of sauce, just in case, only to realize I had five more at home. Now is the perfect time to put those well-stocked shelves to good use! Just like with our other categories, any fresh vegetables listed in these pasta recipes can be effortlessly swapped for their frozen counterparts. If a recipe suggests a specific “veggie pasta,” feel free to use your favorite box of gluten-free pasta or whatever variety you have on hand.

Mac ‘N’ Peas Bowls with “Cheezy” Tahini Sauce
1-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta
Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Risotto
Creamy Cauliflower Rice Risotto
Chickpea & Hemp Heart Bolognese

Check out more Pasta recipes here.

Plant-Based Dinners

This “miscellaneous” dinner collection offers a delightful variety of hearty and satisfying plant-based meals perfect for any night of the week. Here, you’ll discover easy tofu marinades for those who keep tofu on hand, nourishing bean-based bowls, and creative stuffed vegetables. Consider stocking up on long-lasting root vegetables like sweet potatoes and various squashes, which can keep for several weeks on your counter if stored properly. As always, frozen vegetables are an excellent and convenient substitute for fresh produce. If a recipe calls for fresh herbs, feel free to simply omit them or use dried herbs instead, remembering the general rule of using one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh for equivalent flavor potency.

Lemon Pepper Tofu
Rosemary Balsamic Glazed Tofu & Asparagus
“Cheezy” Chickpea, Broccoli, & Cauliflower Rice Casserole
Smashed Burrito Bowls
Meal Prep Double Baked Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Tandoori Chickpeas
Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos

Check out more Plant-Based Dinner recipes here.

Dips & Spreads

This is the perfect moment to indulge in the world of delectable homemade dips and spreads! If you’re missing your favorite store-bought varieties, you might just find a new, even better, homemade version here. The beauty of these recipes is that you don’t need any fancy ingredients. All these spreads are either bean-based or nut-based, easily whipped up from canned beans or raw nuts – staples you likely already have. Grab your blender or food processor and prepare one of these savory or sweet creations for a satisfying snack or a delightful dessert. And for pantry-friendly dippers, don’t forget to check out the “snack” category in My Top Plant-Based & Gluten-Free Pantry Staples.

2-Ingredient Roasted Peanut-Cashew Butter
Spicy Black Bean Hummus
Date-Sweetened Dark Chocolate Hummus
Sunny SunButter Hummus
2-Ingredient Roasted Hazelnut Nutella
Easy Raw Cashew Cheese

Check out more Dips & Spreads recipes here.

Easy Desserts

Good news! Social distancing absolutely does not require distancing from dessert. I’ve poured extra love into this section, because I truly believe we all deserve a little something sweet and comforting right now. Plus, so many of these recipes are incredibly pantry-friendly, proving that wholesome treats are always within reach! All the delightful desserts below are made healthy and accessible with simple, everyday ingredients like nuts, coconut, dried fruit, quality dark chocolate, and various nut butters. Challenge yourself to try one new recipe a week and share the joy with your housemates. Welcome to the delectable and often surprisingly easy world of vegan and gluten-free baking and raw-vegan desserts!

Almond Flour Cashew Butter Snickerdoodles
Dark Chocolate Chunk Muesli Snack Cookies
SunButter Stuffed Dates
Cashew Butter Buckeye Brownies
Chocolate SunButter Rice Crispy Treats
5-Seed Trail Mix Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Red-Bean Pudding
White Bean Blondies
No-Bake Dark Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
Super Fudgey Vegan Brownies
Matcha Dusted Raw Brownies
Coconut Quinoa No-Bake Cookies
3-Ingredient Chocolate Strawberry Truffles
Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Skillet Cookie
Oatmeal Raisin Pecan Cookies
Paleo Cashew Butter Chocolate Chip Fudge
Coconut Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
Salted Cashew Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Check out more Dessert recipes here.

I genuinely hope this extensive list of over 75 Plant-Based & Gluten-Free Pantry-Friendly Recipes brings comfort, creativity, and delicious meals to your kitchen. If you try any of these recipes or find this guide helpful, please let me know! Share your culinary creations with a friend who might benefit from this information as well.

Don’t forget to give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to showcase your pantry-inspired masterpieces. For more recipe ideas and to save your favorites for later, visit my Pinterest page. If you loved this post and want to stay updated with new content, head over to my homepage and subscribe to have updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Remember, we’re in this together. We have each other, and we certainly have the power to create amazing food from what we have. Sending you and your loved ones my warmest well wishes now and always!

XO Lauren