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!

The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes - Veggie Vagabonds (21)

The Best Traditional French Vegan Recipes

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

FAQs

What is the most vegan city in France? ›

Paris is by far the most vegan friendly city in France but other cities like Lyon and Bordeaux also boast many vegan establishments. On your way outside of major cities, pile up on local Vegan Snacks for your trip and for the first few hours at your destination until you can orient yourself.

How vegan friendly is France? ›

The availability of accidentally vegan food in France is quite limited. However, there are a few options to explore within Provençal cuisine, originating from the region of Provence, that are either already vegan or can be easily adapted.

Can you buy tofu in France? ›

Most French supermarkets even carry non-dairy milk, yoghurts and tofu. You may be surprised by the selection you find in even the smallest of supermarkets. Many shops also have a selection of natural, bio/organic and gluten- and sugar-free products, usually grouped together into one section.

What is the vegan capital of the world? ›

Though Portland received the top spot in 2021 and previous years as the best in the world for vegans, the Chef's Pencil's 2022 ranking, however, shows the seaside town of Brighton, UK is the new vegan capital of the world. It's the first time that any city other than Portland or Bristol has taken the top spot.

What is the vegan food capital of the world? ›

Topping the list once again are London and Berlin. These cities boast approximately 2,000 listings each in HappyCow's database, within their metropolitan areas. London has previously been named the number one four years in a row. It currently has 161 fully vegan restaurants and over 350 fully vegan establishments.

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 nationality has the most vegans? ›

Veganism by Country 2024
  • United Kingdom. Compared to all the countries in the world, the UK has the most vegans. ...
  • Australia. The country with the second-most vegans is Australia. ...
  • Israel. Nearly 5% of all Israel citizens identify as vegan and will only eat vegan food. ...
  • New Zealand. ...
  • Switzerland. ...
  • Austria and Germany. ...
  • Sweden.

What country has the highest vegan rate? ›

India is the leading nation by share of vegans. A total of eleven percent of the Indian population are vegans. In even the most developed Western markets, this figure only reaches two to three percent, while in many countries in Europe only around one or two percent of the population is vegan.

Are French fries vegan friendly? ›

While most fries are vegan, there are a few that actually contain animal ingredients: McDonald's: These fries are cooked in oil with “natural beef flavoring,” which doesn't contain any actual meat, but it does contain dairy.

What is the French word for tofu? ›

le tofu : tofu (a food made of fermented soy beans) nom masculin.

How to eat vegan in Paris? ›

  1. 1 VG Patisserie. VG Pattiserie takes pride in being the first plant-based pastry shop in Paris. ...
  2. 2 Land & Monkeys. ...
  3. 3 The Friendly Kitchen. ...
  4. 4 Grounded. ...
  5. 5 Aujourd'hui Demain (Today Tomorrow) ...
  6. 6 Cloud Cakes. ...
  7. 7 Le Potager du Marais. ...
  8. 8 Hank Burger.
Mar 13, 2024

What city has the most vegans? ›

The top 20 vegan cities in the US
  • Portland, Oregon.
  • Los Angeles, California.
  • Orlando, Florida.
  • San Diego, California.
  • Phoenix, Arizona.
  • San Francisco, California.
  • Seattle, Washington.
  • Miami, Florida.
Nov 13, 2023

What city has the highest percentage of vegans? ›

Contributor. When it comes to veg-friendly cuisine, few cities have as much to offer as Portland, Oregon. It's the best city for vegans and vegetarians in the U.S. for the fifth year in a row, according to new research from the financial website WalletHub.

Is vegan popular in France? ›

During a survey carried out between January and December 2023, approximately 7 percent of French people aged between 18 and 19 said they were following a vegan diet. The share of vegans among respondents aged between 40 and 49 was at three percent.

What cities have the most vegans? ›

Most Vegetarian- & Vegan-Friendly Cities
Overall RankCityVegetarian Lifestyle
1Portland, OR8
2Los Angeles, CA5
3Orlando, FL13
4San Diego, CA27
75 more rows
Sep 25, 2023

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