World Vegan Month may be over but we can still talk veganism!

Veganism has so many health and environmental benefits. The vegan diet is rich in nutrients and has been proven to lower blood sugar levels, improve kidney function, reduce risk of heart disease and certain cancers, and even help ease the pain associated with arthritis. All this while also helping the environment by reducing animal suffering, conserving water (the livestock industry is one of the world’s leading culprits in water wastage!), combating world hunger by reducing the amount of food needed to be fed to livestock (700 million tons yearly to be exact), AND cleaning our soil!

Plus, with all the vegan food options we have readily available today, becoming vegan is now easier AND tastier than ever. It’s sort of a win-win.

But, since COVID-19 has made visiting our favourite restaurants hard, and the bills that come along with our Uber Eats orders are definitely piling up and putting a dent in our bank accounts, it can be hard to switch over to a vegan diet.

Well, in honour of World Vegan Month and to help out you fellow student foodies, I’ve compiled a list of the yummiest veganized fast food recipes from your favourite takeout spots so you can save the animals and save your paycheque too.

Trust me, the environment, your wallet AND your taste buds will thank you for making these. Check it out!

Chipotle’s Sofritas Burrito Bowl

Does anybody else have an unhealthy obsession with Chipotle? I can practically live off of their cilantro-lime rice.

Luckily, Chipotle already has vegan options. And you can make your own delicious sofritas (tofu) burrito bowls at home!

PS: for once guac won’t be extra.

Here’s what you need:

SOFRITAS

• 1 Poblano pepper (roasted)
• 1 package firm tofu
• 2 tbsps Vegetable or Canola Oil
• 40g finely chopped onions
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
• 17g Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce, chopped
• 2 ½ tbsps cumin
• 2 tbsp chile powder
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 2 cups vegetable broth

TOMATILLO SALSA

• 5 tomatillos
• 50-60g Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp red wine vinegar

Recipe courtesy of Everyday Vegan Food

Taco Bells’ Crunchwrap Supreme

Impress your family and roommates on your next taco night. Not only is this vegan dupe delicious, but it’s also much healthier than the OG Crunchwrap too!

Better yet, it’s not as hard as it looks and you only need a handful of ingredients.

Here’s what you need:

BEANS

• Olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 400g tinned black beans
• 160g cherry tomatoes
• 50g sun-dried tomatoes 
• 50g walnuts
• 80g tinned sweetcorn
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp chile powder
• Salt

SALAD

• 6 lettuce leaves
• Handful of red cabbage
• Large handful of coriander
• 1 spring onion
• 1 lime
• Salt & pepper

ASSEMBLY

• 100g vegan cheese
• 2 large flour tortillas
• 4 small flour tortillas
• Chile sauce
• 1 avocado

SOUR CREAM (optional)

• 80g cashews
• ½ lime
• Salt & pepper

Recipe courtesy of So Vegan

McDonald’s Vegan Big Mac

I haven’t had McDonald’s in years thanks to their lack of vegan and vegetarian options here in Canada. Not even their FRIES are vegan, unfortunately, so many of us have been stuck without our Big Mac fix for quite some time.

Well, if you’re missing out on this guilty pleasure or just want to try a new tasty burger recipe, this is definitely the one to check out!

Here’s what you need:

BURGER

• 2 thin veggie burger patties or 1 Beyond Meat patty sliced in half to make two thin patties
• 1 large sesame seed hamburger bun or 1½ buns (use bottom for middle part of big mac)
• ½ small onion, minced
• ½ cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 2 vegan American-style cheese slices
• 6 pickle slices

BIG MAC SAUCE

• ½ cup vegan mayo
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 2 tsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish

Recipe courtesy of The Edgy Veg

Thai Express’ Vegan Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a staple take out dish that seems much more difficult to make than it actually is. 

With just a few ingredients, you can recreate a restaurant quality meal that will keep you hungry for more. This recipe is also super customizable, so feel free to make it how YOU want it.

Prefer to add some vegan chick’n over tofu? Go for it! Can’t handle the heat? Omit the chiles! Want some more veg? Veg it up!

Here’s what you need:

SAUCE

• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup vegan Worcestershire
• ¼ cup tamarind paste

PAD THAI

• 225g dried rice noodles
• 2 tbsp peanut oil
• ½ bunch green onion, or Chinese chives. sliced plus more for serving
• 2 red Thai chiles, sliced, plus more for serving
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled into ribbons
• ½ cup bean sprout
• ¼ cup roasted unsalted peanut
• 110g tofu cooked, cubed

Recipe courtesy of Tasty

Starbucks’ Vegan Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

I just HAD to include something sweet on this list and what better dupe to include than a copycat Starbucks drink! 

We’re all probably guilty of spending too much money on our daily Starbucks run, so here’s an easy and cost-effective way of fueling our caffeine addictions. All you need is grab a milk frother or blender and a few ingredients to become your very own barista!

Here’s what you need:

• 2 tsp pure pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• ¼ cup oat milk, coconut milk or almond milk 
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (add extra for sprinkling on top!)
• 1 cup cold-brewed coffee

Recipe courtesy of Forks and Gold

Whether you’re looking for a Meatless Monday recipe, are a seasoned vegan, are just curious about veganism, or are looking for a new tasty meal to try it, these recipes are sure to appease vegans and meat-eaters alike.

So, what are you waiting for? Try them out! And if you do, tag us on Instagram @sustainhumber so we can see your creations!