Gordon Ramsay is no longer anti-vegan, and these delicious recipes from the top celebrity chef are the proof.
In 2022, on an episode of Masterchef: Back to Win, Gordon Ramsay revealed that he had “a secret so big,” he was “afraid to say it on national television.” The renowned British celebrity chef—known for Kitchen Nightmares, a love of swearing, and for being awarded 17 Michelin stars—confessed that he loved vegan food. Initially, it doesn’t sound like a ground-breaking revelation, but for Ramsay, who in the past claimed he was “allergic to vegans,” it was a big deal.
Two years on, and the popular chef is still promoting vegan food. It’s important to note that most of his recipe portfolio and restaurant menus are filled with animal-based options, but among all the steak-, pork-, fish-, and cheese-heavy dishes, there are a few delicious plant-based gems. Below, we’ve picked a few of our favorites.
1/ Vegan Summer BLT With Basil Aioli
There’s no doubt that a BLT is a universally loved sandwich, but we think this classic brunch dish tastes even better when there is no real bacon involved. If you want that delicious meaty, crispy, signature bacon taste without any actual meat, check out Ramsay’s recipe for vegan bacon strips, which involves combining ingredients like sriracha, nutritional yeast, liquid smoke, and maple syrup with tofu and rice paper. It’s best served with a generous dollop of the chef’s Summer Basil Aioli, vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes, and plenty of creamy avocado.
2/ Vegan Steakhouse Dinner
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel in 2022, Ramsay surprised everyone when he showed viewers how to transform eggplant into a tasty vegan steak alternative, and revealed he was “turning vegan, for lunch … only.” If you want to sample the dish that converted the meat-loving chef, you can, because he’s included a recipe for juicy eggplant steaks, which are served with wine-glazed mushrooms, charred vegetable melange demi-glace, and creamy roasted garlic mashed potatoes, on his website.
3/ Banana Ice Cream
Is this the simplest dessert of all time? It could be. Banana ice cream, often referred to as “nice cream,” is made with just one ingredient: bananas. According to the recipe, which was taken from Ramsay’s Ultimate Fit Food by Gordon Ramsay cookbook, all you need to do is slice the banana into chunks, freeze, and then blend—the result is a deliciously creamy and fruity soft serve.
4/ Simple Marinara
Marinara is an Italian staple. It’s a simple sauce, but it’s incredibly delicious when cooked well, and it will go with many different dishes, including pasta, pizza, gnocchi, and so much more. For the best results, Ramsay recommends opting for traditional San Marzano tomatoes if you can, but any canned tomatoes will work.
5/ Beet Wellington
Traditional Wellington recipes usually involve wrapping a beef fillet in puff pastry, before serving it with a rich, red wine gravy and creamy mashed potatoes. But, just like this recipe from Ramsay proves, this indulgent dish is just as delicious when made with beetroot instead of beef. The top chef recommends opting for the most “cylindrical” raw crapaudine beetroot you can find on the shelf to “improve the shape of your Wellington.”
6/ Vegan Rigatoni With Kale, Walnut Pesto & Cavolo Nero
This deliciously creamy, nourishing pasta recipe from Ramsay involves a unique kale sauce, walnut pesto, kalamata olives, and cavolo nero for a truly show-stopping dinner option. Your loved ones are guaranteed to be seriously impressed with this animal-free dinner—just be ready to make it again and again as the requests pile in.
7/ Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding
This recipe from Ramsay proves that eggs and butter aren’t really necessary when it comes to making a deliciously rich and hearty sticky toffee pudding. Instead, the chef uses vegan milk and dairy-free spread to make the iconic British treat. Serve with lashings of vegan
8/ Vegan Chocolate Truffle Torte
Transport yourself to vegan chocolate heaven by making Ramsay’s truffle torte recipe, which features a tasty, innovative blend of cornflakes, vegan chocolate, silken tofu, and strong coffee. Don’t forget to finish it off with a sprinkle of crunchy chopped pistachios and
9/ Charred Aubergine Vegan Pizza
It’s a common misconception that pizza needs to be
10/ Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower With Avocado Ranch Dressing
Forget buffalo chicken. This buffalo cauliflower is far superior (we think, anyway). It features a satisfyingly crunchy coating (thanks to cornflakes, again), a nice and spicy sauce (made with Frank’s Hot Sauce), and a creamy, cooling avocado ranch dressing. Put it to the test, you won’t be disappointed.
