Meatless Monday is a global movement that encourages people to reduce meat in their diet for their health and the health of the planet. The campaign was started in 2003 by Sid Lerner, the Founder of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future.

The aim behind Meatless Monday is that we can all make a meaningful change in the world by eating meat-free for one designated day each week.

Jump to:

• Meatless Monday Recipes
• Celebrate Meatless Monday
• Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes
• Meatless Monday Breakfast Recipes
• Environmental Benefits of Meatless Monday and Plant-Based Eating

Meatless Monday Recipes

For those who want to get on board with this cause, or who already cook vegan or vegetarian all year round—this collection of meatless recipes will help inspire you in the kitchen.

Jazz up your Monday evening dining tables with a themed Meatless Monday Dinner Menu. Exploring the flavors and combinations of international cuisines brings more excitement and creativity to the table.

You can create your own weekly signature-themed menus. Each week you come back to the themed menu you can adapt it or add some new complementing side dishes to it for more variety. This keeps it all interesting, fresh, and ever-evolving.

When I ran the kitchens at United World College UWC, Phuket we had a different themed menu every week. We had students of 86 different nationalities enrolled in the school, so the celebration of international cuisines was an opportunity to learn and share from different cultures. Mexican Monday was by far the favorite!

Celebrate Meatless Monday

Rather than highlighting and discussing the negative impact of animal-based diets, I do suggest keeping conversations positive during dinner. Use the opportunity to learn about a new vegetable, herb, nut, seed, or fruit that you would not otherwise have tasted.

For me, eating plant-based is not about missing out. It's an abundant way of eating. It just takes a new perspective and an open mind. Rome was not built in a day.

Meatless Monday or Meat-free Monday is a very positive group, family, or personal initiative to partake in.

Meatless Monday Dinner Recipes

Going meatless for a day does not mean buying fake meat. No cheating here! Let's stay away from the tofurky, beyond burgers, and fake steaks!

1. Thai Green Curry

Everyone loves a good green curry. You can adapt this recipe to add whatever seasonal vegetables are available.

2. Mexican Chili 'Non' Carne

You would not even know there was no minced meat in this! This is a great way to get your weekly dose of legumes.

3. Italian Puttanesca

A simple classic Italian recipe. Simply omit the traditional anchovies with a sprinkle of dried seaweed for that 'taste of the sea'

4. Indian Chickpea Chana Masala

Chana masala is one of the most widely consumed recipes in the whole of India. It's cost-effective, highly nutritional, and goes well with lots of other side dishes and flatbreads

5. Moroccan Vegetable Tagine

Savor the flavors of North Africa with this hearty vegetable tagine, loaded with seasonal vegetables.

6. Beet & Bean Burger

Vegan burgers can be full of flavor and far more nutritional than their animal counterparts. Serve with burger buns and all your favorite toppings for a family burger night.

Meatless Monday Breakfast Recipes

Here are some of my favorite breakfast recipes - which happen to be all meat-free!

• Oat & Chia Seed Porridge
• Banana Pancakes
• Quinoa Porridge
• Teff Porridge
• Baked Carrot Cake Oats
• Bircher Muesli
• Coconut Chia Seed Pudding
• Homemade Crunchy Granola

Environmental Benefits of Meatless Monday and Plant-Based Eating

Research shows that meat and dairy consumptions are significant contributors to climate change and environmental resource issues, such as species decline, water scarcity, and soil health.

• Find free resources here for your school, office, or organization.
• See how Holistic Chef Academy supports climate change
• Check out my article on the Environmental impact of the food we choose to eat