Healthy Flexitarian Dinners
If you looking for flexitarian dinner ideas where we focus on plants and don’t sacrifice flavor you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore a variety of mouthwatering Flexitarian dinner ideas and recipes that strike the perfect balance between flavors, textures, and nutrition.
But first, a little more about Flexitarian Diets.
What is a Flexitarian Diet?
A flexitarian diet is a flexible and inclusive approach to eating that emphasizes plant-based foods while allowing for the occasional inclusion of meat or other animal products. The term “flexitarian” is a blend of “flexible” and “vegetarian,” capturing the essence of a dietary pattern that adapts to individual preferences and health goals.
Flexitarian Diet – Key Principles
Let’s keep things really simple with just three key principles
- Plant-focused healthy eating
- Occasional Inclusion of Meat, fish, or other animal products like milk, eggs, and yogurt.
- Balanced Nutrition with healthy recipes
Here are 23 Flexitarian Dinner Ideas
From hearty vegetable stir-fries to savory grain bowls and creatively crafted plant-centric dishes, flexitarian dinners celebrate the best of both worlds. Whether you’re a seasoned flexitarian or just exploring the concept, these healthy dinner ideas are sure to add vibrancy to your dining table.
Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, or something else, these meals will appeal to you on those busy weeknights.
Grain Bowl with Tofu
Savor the goodness of a Grain Bowl with Tofu where nutty grains meet savory tofu. Add some chopped fresh veggies with cucumber, onions, peppers, and greens for some added veggies.
Vegan Yakisoba-inspired Noodles
Embrace the flavors of Vegan Yakisoba-inspired noodles. This is a plant-based delight that is inspired by Japanese cuisine. Add lots of veggies like mushrooms, edamame, spinach, and onions. Round this recipe out with some baked tofu or tempeh.
Vegan Yakisoba-Inspired Noodles
Soft Boiled Eggs with Toast and Sliced Turnips
Make Breakfast for dinner with Air-fryer soft-boiled eggs served over whole wheat toast, sliced turnips, and avocado!
Jammy Soft Boiled Eggs in Air Fryer
Spicy Tahini Noodles with Jalapeno Pickled Eggs
I love spicy tahini noodles with jalapeno pickled eggs as an easy weeknight meal. Tahini sauces are simple to make and packed of flavor.
Noodles with Spicy Tahini Stir Fry Sauce
Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice
Spicy Tuna with Crispy Rice is one of my favorite easy weekday meals. Keep things even simpler buy serving this over a simple and quick sushi rice, no crisping needed!
Quick & Easy Doctored Up Instant Ramen
I have relied on instant ramen for an easy healthy meal since college. I love to add eggs, vegetables (like frozen veggies), and other flavorings for a super easy meal any time of the week.
Bonus! How to Upgrade Instant Ramen (5 Instant Ramen Hacks)
Southwest Quinoa Bowl with Marinated Chicken
Southwest Quinoa Bowls with Marinated Chicken offers a satisfying blend of flavors with lots of nutrients like fiber, and protein.
Easy Southwest Bowls with Marinated Chicken
Coconut Rice, Black Bean Mango Salad, and Grilled Shrimp
Option to enjoy the coconut rice and black bean mango salad without the shrimp for a vegetarian or vegan option for an easy weeknight dinner.
Grilled Shrimp with a Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Wild Rice and Black Bean Burger
Enjoy this burger with a whole wheat bun and either oven-roasted sweet potato wedges or a simple salad. I like to make extra burgers for future easy weeknight meals.
Wild Rice and Black Bean Burger Recipe
Black Bean Burger Salad
Another veggies burger recipe variation! Serve this burger, with lots of greens and veggies!
Jacob’s Black Bean Burger Salad
Pasta with Goat Cheese Bake
Like the Tik Tok Baked Feta Pasta, my Pasta with Goat Cheese Bake is full of tomatoes and is served with pasta. I like to add a dollop of Harissa for an extra spicy kick.
Layered Arugula Salad with Smoked Fish
Feeling fancy one weeknight? Make this Layered Arugula Salad. Option to pickle your own beets or grab store-bought. However, using the slightly sweet Apple Walnut Dressing is fantastic with the blend of flavors and the smoked fish.
Layered Arugula and Spinach Salad with Smoked Trout
Mushroom Quiche
Another breakfast-for-dinner recipe! I have a lovely mushroom quiche recipe that is heavenly.
Mexican Street Corn Soup
This is a Panera Copycat. My Mexican Street Corn Soup recipe is healthier and less expensive than eating out at Panera!
Copycat Panera Mexican Street Corn Soup
A Very Veggie Chili
I LOVE a veggie-packed chili. Honestly, I prefer this over any meat chilis. The secret ingredient in this chili is riced cauliflower. It’s bulky like ground meat but its cauliflower!
Secret Ingredient Vegan Vegetable Chili
Coconut Lime Chicken Chowder
This AIP-compliant meal was made for a friend. She was struggling to find a variety of AIP-compliant recipes. However, this recipe is so good, that no AIP-compliant restrictions are needed!
Coconut Lime Chicken Chowder (AIP-Compliant)
Butternut Squash Farro “Risotto”
I love this recipe on a cold night. Every bite of this Spicy Butternut Squash Farro “Risotto” is warming and nutritious. Looking for more protein? Serve this with some rotisserie chicken or some sausages.
Spicy Butternut Squash Farro “Risotto”
Kale Caesar with Baked Tofu
I have a delicious Cashew Caesar recipe that includes NO mayo! Add Baked tofu or shredded chicken for a boost of protein.
Veggie Packed Vegan Fried Rice
My vegan friend’s rice recipe uses a tofu scramble instead of eggs! I love to use leftover rice in this recipe from a previous meal in the week.
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwiches
One of my go-to meal prep recipes is a chicken salad. I love the addition of fruit adding a sweet crunch in every bite.
Air Fryer Wings with Salad
Air-Fryer Chicken Wings is a go-to air-fryer meal in my house. They are seriously better than at your local watering hole! Serve them alongside a Kale Apple Walnut Salad to round out the meal.
Arugula and Cottage Cheese Salad
I am a cottage cheese girly and cottage cheese has so many applications! This salad is a great way to get creative with cottage cheese, I love it with some fresh farmers’ market tomatoes.
Arugula and Cottage Cheese Salad with Sliced Tomatoes
Glass Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu
Finally, my Glass Noodle Salad with Crispy Tofu. I love to pack this with shredded veggies like carrots. Top this with some Nuoc Cham Sauce and lots of fresh herbs!
Interested in Learning More About Flexitarian Diets?
Check out these Resources on The Addy Bean!
The Cleveland Clinic article about this Semi-Vegetarian Diet – What Is the Flexitarian Diet?
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!
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