Easy ways to cut down your meat consumption
These tools make plant-based eating a breeze
When I first went vegan in 2013, the world of meat-free cuisine wasn’t having the moment it is now. Beyond and Impossible meat alternatives didn’t exist yet, plant-based meal kit services hadn’t hit the scene, and misinformation about how to stay healthy while cutting out meat ran rampant.
What that meant for me and my decade-long plant-based journey was a lot of trial and error – figuring out what tools I really needed, finding resources that were actually valuable, and working out how to cut meat from my diet in a healthy, uncomplicated way.
As tricky as it was to figure things out for myself, I’m glad I did – with all of the options and information flooding the market these days, I’ve narrowed down what the actual essentials are to helping you eat less meat. These are eight tried and true ways to get your meat-free journey started. Find out what kitchen tools are actually must-haves, where to find recipes you love, and more tips and tricks to make eating less meat the easiest, tastiest thing you’ve ever done.
1. Experiment with new meat-free recipes
Vegetarian and vegan recipes have never been more accessible – from cookbooks to food blogs, there are countless ways to get creative with cutting out meat. Deliciously Ella is a plantbased food blogger with eight cookbooks full of recipes sorted by meal type, prep time, and more. Every recipe includes how many people it serves, how long it will take to make, and what nutrients the recipe is full of.
Don’t want cookbooks taking up your counterspace? Download the Deliciously Ella app for a selection of free recipes! It’s the perfect source of food-inspiration on days when you’re feeling lackluster in the kitchen.
Deliciously Ella Quick & Easy: Plant-based Deliciousness
$23 at Amazon
Deliciously Ella snacks
Shop at Thrive Market
2. Use a tofu press
Tofu is one of the most versatile foods out there. It can be scrambled, roasted, fried, and flavored in just about every way imaginable. Full of protein, it’s a staple in a meat-free diet.
The key to unlocking tofu’s potential is all in the prep – specifically, pressing your tofu. When you buy tofu, it typically comes packaged in a bit of water. That moisture keeps the tofu fresh, but it has to be pressed out in order for the tofu to be seasoned and cooked properly.
Over the years, I’ve had to get... creative when it comes to pressing tofu. Picture a block of tofu wrapped in paper towels with a plate, cookbook, and wine bottle all precariously stacked on top. But there’s no need to go through that kind of hassle when tofu presses exist.
These small and easy-to-use gadgets drain the excess moisture from your tofu in 15 to 20 minutes, giving your tofu just the right texture to be cooked to perfection. When we tested several popular brands, the Noya tofu press came out on top for pressing tofu quickly and efficiently – plus it comes with helpful accessories like a lid for storage and builtin pour spout.
Noya Tofu Press
$22 at Amazon
3. Try Purple Carrot meal kits
If exploring new recipes on your own feels like too much of a hassle, let a meal kit delivery service bring the recipes – and ingredients – to you.
Purple Carrot is a fully plant-based meal delivery service that brings delicious, healthy, and filling meals right to your door. It offers meal kits that provide you with recipes and all of the necessary ingredients to prepare them, as well as ready-to-heat meals. Each meal is loaded with protein to keep you full, plus plenty of veggies and nutrients to stay energized all day long.
Purple Carrot
Sign up at purplecarrot.com
4. Find your new favorite restaurant
Cutting down on meat doesn’t have to be all about cooking – it’s also an opportunity to explore new restaurants! Happy Cow is a website and app that
Our pick for the best plant-based meal kit delivery service makes cooking vegan meals a breeze. helps you find vegan-and-vegetarianfriendly restaurants near you.
All you have to do is input your zip code to view restaurants in your area that offer delicious, plant-based menu options. The website also includes restaurant reviews and price ranges, so you can have all the information before deciding where to dine.
Happy Cow
Browse at happycow.net
5. Invest in a great air fryer
The Ninja Speedi is the best air fryer we’ve ever tested – and a great way to spice up your meat-free meals. It’s perfect for making super crispy tofu and delicious cauliflower wings with 75% less fat than traditional frying.
But the Speedi also comes with unexpected capabilities that make meatless cooking a breeze. The appliance has 12-in-1 functionality, including options for crisping, baking, dehydrating, sauteing, broiling, and more.
The Speedi Meals function is a standout feature, as it allows you to cook one-pot meals in as little as 15 minutes. It’s perfect for when you’re short on time, or have leftover ingredients you’re not sure what to do with. Whether you have extra veggies from the new recipe you tried or leftovers of a new meat alternative like tempeh, the right air fryer will make sure those don’t go to waste.
Ninja Speedi
$120 at Amazon
6. Get creative with your protein sources
When eating less meat, getting enough protein can be a concern. But don’t worry! There’s an abundance of protein in unexpected places – like bread, for example.
Dave’s Killer Bread has five grams of protein per slice, which would add an extra 10 grams to whatever sandwich you make with it.
The bread is made with super grains, including quinoa, spelt, rye, millet, and barley, making it a delicious and versatile protein source.
Use it for avocado toast (with added hemp seeds) or tofurky sandwiches and you’ll be hitting your protein goals in no time.
Dave’s Killer Bread
$6 at Target
Tofurky Plant
Smoked Deli Slices
$4 at Target
Based
Hickory
7. Take advantage of a food processor
Cutting down on meat means upping your fruit and vegetable intake, and there’s no better way to incorporate more produce into your meals than with a good food processor.
Whether you’re making homemade hummus, blending a delicious sauce, or chopping fresh veggies for a salad, the KitchenAid 13-cup Food Processor is essential for plant-based cooking.
With a 13-cup capacity, this multipurpose appliance comes with several blade accessories for kneading, slicing, and shredding so that you can seamlessly prep your fruits and veggies however you need.
Whether you’re making your own almond flour, slicing potatoes for a recipe, or blending a pasta sauce full of hidden veggies, this food processor allows you to get creative with your recipes without having to worry about time-consuming prep or frustrating clean-up. KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor $145 at Amazon
8. Swap in meat-free alternatives
One of my favorite ways to easily try meat alternatives is with recipes where meat isn’t the centerpiece of the meal.
When you’re just beginning to remove meat from your diet, it can be tempting to go big – to commit to cooking up a decadent, faux-meat focused dinner. And while that’s surely a fun (and delicious) undertaking, it might be easier to start slowly, by revamping recipes that aren’t totally centered around meat.
Impossible Plant Based Ground Meat
$7 at Target
Adding Impossible ground beef to your favorite pasta sauce, topping your taco salad with pre-seasoned jackfruit, or adding plant-based bacon to your breakfast sandwich are all small ways you can try out new meat alternatives without totally centering your meals around them.
It’s also the perfect way to sneakily convince your skeptical family members that meat-alternatives can be just as delicious as the real thing!
The Jackfruit Company Tex-Mex Jackfruit
$6 at Instacart
Morningstar Farms Veggie Breakfast Bacon Frozen Strips
$5 at Target
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
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