The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes - Veggie Vagabonds (2024)

Didn’t think you could find any French vegan recipes? Well, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

You may know it already but traditional French food isn’t that vegan friendly. Actually, it can be pretty terrible for us herbivores. As vegans, we don’t think we should miss out on any country’s cuisine, and so we’ve compiled this list of delicious French traditional food that is completely veganised!

Pedalling our way through France has worked up a hefty appetite. It’s a good thing that all this cycling is quite the workout as we always indulge to our heart’s content whilst exploring a country. Initially, it seemed like vegans in France would really struggle but we have managed to find some accidentally vegan foods, supermarket finds and fresh produce markets, plus we’ve been whipping up some triumphs on the camp stove!

Traditional French food, however, is really not that vegan friendly. When wandering past restaurants we’ve kept our eyes peeled for potential things to try but never find things completely free from some type of animal product. Whilst staying with hosts we’ve asked them what traditional French foods we can try only to be met with puzzled faces and being told that “you cannot find ANY traditional dish without meat, cheese or egg!”.

This had to change!

One of the best ways to experience a culture is through its cuisine, so this seemed like bad news. Determined not to miss, and to share a famous cuisine with the vegan community, we’ve compiled a list of the best vegan French recipes so they can be enjoyed by all.

We’ve covered all bases from starters to mains, and sauces to desserts. Take a peep at the list and tell us which is your favourite!

Smaller Vegan Bites

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Crustless Mini Vegan Quiche

One of our favourite French vegan recipes, these mini French quiches are great as a starter or served as a side. They can also be eaten hot or cold and work nicely to accompany light lunches.

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Warm French Vegan Lentil Salad

A simple recipe that’s full of nutrients, flavour and can be rustled up quickly. The lentils are full of protein, so this is a good vegan French recipe if you’re fueling an active lifestyle!

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Vegan Coquilles Saint Jacques

French traditional food at its finest! This vegan take on coquilles saint Jacques is rich and creamy much like the original, which would combine nicely with one of the lighter salad options.

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Easy Vegan-Friendly French Potato Salad

Another easy vegan recipe that you can make quickly from scratch but is oozing with flavour!

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Vegan French Onion Soup

One of the iconic French recipes that has been enjoyed for centuries all over the country and the world. Give this vegan-friendly version a go, you won’t regret it!

Vegan Main Dishes

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Vegan Seitan Bourguignon

Another traditional French dish which is steeped in history and culture. This vegan recipe is made using seitan which adds delicious flavour and lots of nutrients too.

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Smokey Portobello Mushroom Vegan Cassoulet

This one is a great winter warmer and French food recipe if you’re looking for some comfort eating. Portobello mushrooms, mmmm…

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Smokey Tempeh Vegan Quiche with Aubergine Crust

Want to make some vegan French food that will impress? This smokey tempeh quiche stands out from the crowd with an aubergine crust instead of pastry and also makes it lighter and full of flavour. Plus, who doesn’t love smokey tempeh!?!?

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Vegan Choucroute Garnie

We first tried this traditional recipe from a French vegan cookbook and it’s delicious. It originated from the Alsace region near the German border and is a fusion from both cultures.

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Vegan Ratatouille Recipe

Ratatouille is one of the very few classic French recipes that doesn’t need to much veganising. This recipe shows this dish at its finest.

Vegan Sauces & Dips

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Vegan Hollandaise Sauce

This Hollandaise sauce is perfect to pour over your French veg recipes. Add a little to the potato salad and you’re on to a winner!

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Vegan Dijon Mustard Sauce with Herbs

Another French vegan food which can be found all over the world and is naturally plant-based too. This recipe is delicious to add to salads and dressings.

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Vegan Lentil and Walnut Dip

This dip is perfect smothered over some fresh French baguette and with some salad vegetables.

Vegan French Desserts

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Mint Chocolate Vegan Pots de Creme

Like a chocolate cloud in your mouth, this vegan French recipe is creamy, damn tasty and guilt free!

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Aquafaba Meringue Nests with Coconut Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries

Vegan meringue is probably the quickest way to our heart and this scrummy recipe, topped with an array of fruits and chocolate, is hard to beat!

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Vegan Cherry Clafoutis

A veganised version of the traditional French dessert that contains no eggs or butter but has the same melt in your mouth consistency.

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Vegan French Croissants

The most popular of all French pastries and a speciality you’ll find all over the world. This vegan croissant recipe means you can make the most of your continental breakfasts with a clear conscience.

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Vegan French Crepes

French crepes are something we’ve probably all enjoyed, both savoury and sweet, and this vegan crepe recipe is perfect to avoid any animal-products.

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Gluten-Free Mini-Eclairs

On the more intricate side of recipe-creating but worth the fuss for these delicious vegan eclairs. Damn they’re moreish!

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Vegan Apple Tart

Inspired by French market pastries from her childhood, Sophie created this beautiful vegan apple tart recipe.

What was your favourite recipe? Or are there others we should add to the list?

Tell us in the comments below! Want to find out about our latest articles? Sign up for our mailing list here!

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The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes

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The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes - Veggie Vagabonds (2024)

FAQs

Is veganism popular in France? ›

France. Around 5% of the French are vegetarian and another 1% vegan, and the meat-free trend is growing among the young – 11% of 18-19-year-olds in France say they are vegan, compared to just 3% in both Germany and Italy.

Do the French cater for vegans? ›

Destination, Vegan France

However, the culinary landscape in this beautiful country has been evolving, making it an increasingly attractive destination for plant-based travelers. From traditional French vegan dishes to a surge in vegan options, this guide will help you navigate the world of veganism in France.

Can you buy vegan food in French supermarkets? ›

Shopping for vegan food in France

Several supermarket chains offer a range of vegan products in France. I LOVE the fresh fruit and vegetable selection you get in Grand Frais stores but the specialised vegan ingredients are a bit limited. Carrefours, E.

How to cook for vegan guests? ›

Your houseguest would most likely be happy with oatmeal or granola with almond milk and fruit for breakfast, nut butters, hummus, salads with beans, fruits and vegetables, and nuts for lunch, and grilled or sautéed veggies with a whole grain like quinoa are for dinner.

Which country is #1 for vegans? ›

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

What is the best city in France for vegans? ›

Montpellier is a beautiful city in the south of France. It has wonderful weather and lots of green spaces. It's also a great place for vegans because it's one of the most vegan-friendly cities in France. You'll find many restaurants in Montpellier that offer vegan dishes and vegetarian options.

What cuisine is the most vegan-friendly? ›

When dining out, Middle Eastern restaurants offer the most consistently vegan-friendly menus. Nearly everything that isn't meat is commonly vegan, especially falafel, hummus, tahini dressing, tabbouleh salad, and lavash bread or pita.

Are McDonald's fries vegan in France? ›

Europe vs the USA. Unlike the McDonald's branches in the United States, the fries from European restaurants are entirely vegan and have the Vegetarian society's approval. They use potatoes and a mixture of rapeseed and sunflower oil, and cooks use separate fats without animal products.

Are baguettes in France vegan? ›

Vegans can enjoy French Baguettes. Vegans have an abundance of choices when it comes to vegan-friendly breads. As always, check the label to confirm your bread is animal-product-free. Bagel (Most, but certainly not all, varieties are vegan.)

What does Gordon Ramsay think of vegan food? ›

Chef Gordon Ramsay, who has been known for teasing vegans, confessed on TV that he actually "loves" plant-based food. The British TV personality and the world-famous chef made his vegan confession on the US series of Masterchef: Back to Win.

Which foods are surprisingly vegan? ›

Top 10 surprising vegan foods
  • Crumpets. This might be an obvious one to some, but a quick poll with our vegan and dairy-free friends shows many mistakenly believe crumpets contained dairy. ...
  • Dark chocolate. Chocoholics assemble! ...
  • Cream crackers. ...
  • (Some) biscuits. ...
  • (Some) crisps. ...
  • Ice Cream. ...
  • Pasta. ...
  • Peanut butter.

What European country is best for vegans? ›

11 of the best cities for vegans in Europe
  1. London, England. unsplash @lucamicheli. ...
  2. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. via Facebook @veganjunkfood. ...
  3. Warsaw, Poland. iStock Marcus Lindstrom. ...
  4. Paris, France. iStock Orbon Alija. ...
  5. Berlin, Germany. via Facebook @brammibalsdonuts. ...
  6. Budapest, Hungary. ...
  7. Prague, Czech Republic. ...
  8. Gothenburg, Sweden.

How vegan-friendly is Paris? ›

It's no surprise that Paris is often called a vegan-friendly destination. So if you're looking for something a little bit different, be sure to do your research before you go. With a little bit of effort, you're sure to find the perfect meal – bon appétit! Not sure where to start?

How popular is veganism in Europe? ›

There are an estimated 6.62 million vegans in selected parts of the EU as of 2023, a number that's forecast to rise to about 8.25 million, according to data gatherers Statista.

Is veganism popular in Italy? ›

According to the survey, 6.5 percent of respondents declared to be vegetarian in 2014. Whereas, this value went down to 4.2 percent in 2023. On the other hand, the share of Italian vegan individuals more than tripled during this period. For instance, 2.4 percent of the interviewees claimed to be vegan in Italy in 2023.

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