Craving classic American comfort food but want to keep it plant-based? This vegan American-themed dinner is packed with flavor, texture, and nostalgia, offering plant-based twists on some all-time favorites. From a hearty main dish to comforting sides and a sweet dessert, this meal will satisfy everyone at the table—vegan or not!
Menu
- Main Dish: BBQ Jackfruit Sliders with Coleslaw
- Sides: Loaded Sweet Potato Fries and Southern-Style Collard Greens
- Dessert: Mini Apple Pies with Coconut Whipped Cream
Recipes
1. BBQ Jackfruit Sliders with Coleslaw
These BBQ jackfruit sliders bring all the flavor and texture of pulled pork without any animal products! Paired with a tangy coleslaw, they’re the perfect main dish for a vegan American-themed dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 can young jackfruit in water or brine (about 15 oz)
- 1 cup vegan BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- Slider buns (gluten-free if needed)
Quick Coleslaw
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (purple or green)
- 1 carrot, shredded
- ¼ cup vegan mayo
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Jackfruit: Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Use a fork to shred it into pieces.
- Cook the Jackfruit: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft, then add shredded jackfruit, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes.
- Add BBQ Sauce: Pour in the BBQ sauce and stir. Let the jackfruit simmer for 10-15 minutes until it’s tender and flavorful.
- Make the Coleslaw: In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrot, vegan mayo, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Assemble the Sliders: Serve the BBQ jackfruit on slider buns with a generous spoonful of coleslaw.
2. Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
These loaded sweet potato fries are crispy, flavorful, and packed with toppings that make them the ultimate side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into fries
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper – to taste
Toppings
- ¼ cup vegan cheddar cheese – shredded
- ½ cup black beans – cooked or canned, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup green onions – chopped
- ¼ cup tomatoes, diced
- Vegan sour cream – optional, for drizzling
Instructions
- Bake the Fries: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the vegan cheddar cheese on top of the fries and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.
- Serve: Top with black beans, green onions, tomatoes, and a drizzle of vegan sour cream if desired.
3. Southern-Style Collard Greens
These savory, smoky collard greens make a delicious, healthy side and are a plant-based take on a Southern classic.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch collard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add Collard Greens: Add the chopped collard greens and smoked paprika to the skillet. Pour in the vegetable broth and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender.
- Season: Stir in apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Mini Apple Pies with Coconut Whipped Cream
Finish the meal with these adorable mini apple pies served with a dollop of coconut whipped cream. They’re perfectly sweet and a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 1 sheet vegan pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 apples – peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Coconut Whipped Cream
- 1 can coconut cream, chilled overnight
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin.
- Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, mix diced apples with coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch, and water.
- Assemble Mini Pies: Cut the pie crust into circles that fit into the muffin tin. Press each circle into a muffin cup and fill with the apple mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and apples are tender.
- Make Coconut Whipped Cream: Scoop the solid coconut cream into a bowl (discard any liquid) and whip with powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy.
- Serve: Top each mini pie with a dollop of coconut whipped cream.
Conclusion
This vegan American-themed dinner is packed with comfort food flavors and classic dishes, all made plant-based for everyone to enjoy. From BBQ jackfruit sliders to loaded sweet potato fries and a sweet apple pie finish, this meal brings all the best flavors of American classics with a healthy, plant-based twist. Give these recipes a try for your next family dinner or special occasion, and enjoy the tastes of American comfort food, vegan-style!