Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes From Around the World

With Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics about to kick off, I was inspired to do a roundup of Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes From Around the World! I grouped some of my all-time favorites by their country of origin so you can try new cuisines as you cheer on teams from every part of the globe.

Putting this post together was really eye-opening. Some of my recipes are obviously influenced by other cultures; I knew I would have a lot of Italian, Greek, Indian, and Mexican dishes, since those are my favorites! Once I started doing a bit more research, though, I quickly realized how many of my favorites had roots all around the world.

This list of Vegan Recipes From Around the World isn't perfect or comprehensive, and many of these recipes aren't totally authentic, but I tried to group them by the country with the main influence! The best part is that they're all gluten-free, vegan (meat-free, dairy-free, and egg-free), soy-free, refined sugar-free and most (if not all!) can be made nut-free.

It's always my goal to have recipes that everyone can enjoy, no matter their allergies or diet! I hope you enjoy, and let me know in the comments: what kind of cuisine would you love to see added to the site?!

In this post, you'll find recipes from all over the world! I have dishes representing...

Argentina
Brazil
Canada
France
Germany
Great Britain
Greece
India
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Melting Pot: Lebanon, China, Vietnam, Spain, Russia, South Korea and Netherlands
Mexico
Morocco
Sweden
Thailand
Turkey
United States, plus a section of patriotic red, white and blue recipes for my US friends!

Team Argentina

The main Argentinian influence in my recipe collection is Chimichurri! This flavorful, thick condiment can be used as a dressing or sauce to add really incredible flavor to your favorite dishes. It's made with fresh herbs and spices, so it has a naturally bright green, eye-catching color that I absolutely love.

Team Brazil

Acai has been a staple for centuries in Brazil, but it only recently became trendy in the US. I'm so glad it did, because acai adds a tangy, sweet flavor and incredible color to smoothie bowls! While my Black Bean Soup isn't a traditional Feijoada Brazilian dish, it just might do the trick if you're craving a vegan version.

Creamy Vanilla Acai Smoothie Bowls
5-Minute Chocolate Protein Acai Bowl
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Acai Smoothie Bowls
Easy Vegan Black Bean Soup would be a great meat-free option if you're craving Feijoada!

Team Canada

I don't have a Poutine anywhere on the site, but I DO have tons and tons of recipes with a splash maple syrup! Pure maple syrup is made from only the sap of maple trees, and it's my favorite way to sweeten recipes and add a subtle, warm flavor. It's different from pancake or waffle syrup, which has a bunch of sugar and flavors added in. While Split Pea Soup has origins all over the world, it's especially popular in Quebec for a hearty, nutritious meal. I know I have many readers in Canada, so I'd love to know: which Canadian dishes would you love to see made vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened?!

Team France

While I don't have the expert touch of a French chef or baker, I definitely have an appreciation for the contributions the French have made to fine cuisine! Many of my favorite desserts originated in France, and as a self-declared Chocoholic, I will cheer on any country that invents Nutella! I also learned while assembling this post that carrot soup originated in France in the town Crécy. I'll be dreaming about an authentic bowl of Creamy Carrot Soup until I make it again!

Team Germany

I didn't think I had anything German, but it turns out some of my favorite cookies have German origins...along with potato salad! I love the sharp flavors and subtly spiced sweetness of both Snickerdoodles and Gingersnaps, so I was excited to include them as part of Team Germany with Vegan Foods from Around the World.

Team Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales)

I actually had to do some research here...what are traditional foods from Great Britain? It turns out that I totally have recipes influenced by these countries, and they're actually some of my favorites! While pudding was traditionally a savory dish, it's now used to describe both sweet and savory versions...and I love a dessert pudding, especially with a dollop of Coconut Whipped Cream! Roasties, or roasted potatoes, are beloved by the British, and the earliest known mashed potato recipe appeared in an English cookbook published in the mid-1700s. The earliest known shortcake dates all the way back to the 1500s before being made popular by Shakespeare himself. So cool!

Team Greece

My entire family loves Greek food, and it's super easy to prep as a weeknight meal. Quinoa or rice, roasted veggies, a handful of Kalamata olives, crispy chickpeas or a scoop of hummus...that's my favorite kind of bowl! Plus, if you ever need a reminder of just how beautiful the world is, start Googling pictures of Santorini and Mykonos. Your fingers will start itching to book a flight!

Vegan butter chickpeas served over rice alongside naan and garnished with lime wedges with a white marble background.

Team India

Curries and masalas?! Ooh, I love Indian food. These are the dishes I turn to when I'm feeling uninspired and I need FLAVOR! As a bonus, these recipes reheat really well. I love knowing a have Coconut Curry in the refrigerator ready to heat up for lunch...it's always delicious!

St. Patrick's Day Snack Board Vegan Gluten-Free

Team Ireland

I think cabbage is one of the more underrated veggies out there, and I have a few recipes that I count on to change people's minds about it! Cabbage is nutrient-dense and usually served with meat, but as a vegan, I've found ways to make it shine all by itself. Give it a try and enjoy!

Team Israel

Since my family is Jewish, a lot of our holiday dishes have origins in Israel! We also happen to LOVE all Middle Eastern food, especially falafel and hummus!

Simplified Israeli-Style Hummus or Quick & Easy Creamy Hummus (all my hummus recipes can be found here)
Hamantaschen
Crispy Quinoa Falafel Bowls (fun fact: falafel is generically Middle Eastern, having originated in Egypt before finding its way as far as Morocco and Saudi Arabia!)
Nana's Famous Apple-Walnut Charoset
Vegan Matzo Crack (Refined Sugar-Free) for Passover

Rosh Hashanah Recipes

Passover Recipes

Hanukkah Recipes

Team Italy

This section of Vegan Foods from Around the World could be twice as long because I have so many pasta recipes! I LOVE pasta and make it a couple times a week. My go-to brand for gluten-free is Jovial or Andean Dream, but you can get the full scoop in my Ultimate Gluten-Free Product Recommendations and Resources post.

The Ultimate Vegan & Gluten-Free Pasta Recipe Roundup

Team Japan

I love how bright and green these recipes are! I didn't think I'd have any Japanese recipes outside of my Soba Noodle Salad, but then I remembered that matcha, kabocha squash AND Panko are all Japanese. Check, check and check! I'm so happy to have some Japanese foods represented with these Vegan Recipes From Around the World.

Homemade Sushi
Soba Noodle Salad
Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash (Kabocha squash is Japanese pumpkin!)
Creamy Vegan Vanilla Bean Matcha Popsicles
Easy Gluten-Free Panko Breadcrumbs
Iced Vanilla Mint Moringa Latte (you can sub matcha here too!)
Creamy Citrus & Matcha Green Protein Smoothie

Melting Pot of Vegan Recipes From Around the World

While I definitely don't have a recipe for every single country competing in the Olympics (there are over 90 teams!), I have a couple recipes to bring some variety into this roundup of Vegan Recipes From Around the World. Check out the melting pot below and find a new favorite to try!

China: Vegan Stir-Fry
Lebanon: Instant Pot Lebanese Rice and Quinoa Tabbouleh (tabbouleh also originated from Syria)
Spain: Spanish Rice and Beans
Russia: Vegan Beet Tzatziki Salad (Russia has the third-largest Olympic team with 212 athletes!)
South Korea: Vegan Dalgona Whipped Matcha Latte
Netherlands: Garlic Cilantro Lime Coleslaw (No Mayo!) or Vegan Summer Slaw
Vietnam: Summer Rolls

Team Mexico

This is by far one of the biggest categories! I LOVE Mexican food, probably because it's full of flavor and easy to customize for many different allergies and diets. The 7-Layer Dip combines several of my favorite sauces and toppings, so it's a must-make when I'm craving a good appetizer! Add a classic margarita and I'm a happy camper.

More Mexican Recipes

Team Morocco

Moroccan food has influences from all over, and I love how they combine to create such flavorful foods! Some of my favorite dishes are Moroccan, and I would love to expand this section with more foods influenced by this fascinating country.

Team Sweden

The first thing I thought of when I considered Swedish food: meatballs! Luckily, I've made a Walnut-Mushroom meatball recipe that I think is absolutely phenomenal. I love using it to add plant-based protein to any meal, and for dessert, try my Thumbprint Cookies!

The Best Vegan Walnut-Mushroom Meatballs
Vegan and Paleo Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies (which originated in Sweden!)

Thailand

Easy Coconut Rice is one of my most-used recipes at home! It's the perfect base for any roasted veggie or plant-based protein, and I always make a double batch so I have extras on hand for lunches and leftovers. The Thai Coconut Curry Soup is perfect for sick days. You can add some spice to clear your sinuses, and it's creamy and comforting!

Cauliflower Chickpea Shawarma Quinoa Bowl

Team Turkey

Since Turkey, Greece, and Israel have a lot of overlapping foods, many of my favorites qualify for more than one category...but most of my research pointed at shawarma being right from Turkey! Shawarma is one of my favorite spice blends, and I love using it to add warmth and flavor to these dishes.

A grillable quinoa black bean veggie burger served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, avocado and vegan tzatziki with a white background.

Team United States

The US of A! Since Bobby loves watching football and we love entertaining, appetizers are some of our favorite foods and I am always brainstorming fun weekend dishes to make. Burgers, wings, and chili are top of the list, and those are all-American favorites!

Crispy Potato Wedges
Burgers: Grillable Quinoa Black Bean Veggie Burger, Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers, and Avocado Veggie Burger
Extra Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower Wings with The Best Vegan Paleo Homemade Ranch Dressing
Three Bean Chili and Pumpkin Chili
Best Ever Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup
BBQ Flavor: Best Crispy BBQ Roasted Cauliflower and Actually Crispy BBQ Roasted Chickpeas
Sweet Potato Quinoa Tots
Pop Tarts: Homemade Vegan Pop Tarts with Raspberry Jam or Vegan Hazelnut Toaster Pastries (Nutella Pop Tarts!)
Smoothies! Check out the FULL Smoothie Roundup for dozens of delicious smoothies, or grab my cookbook Rock Your Blender.

Click Here: The Ultimate Football Food Roundup!

Vegan Thanksgiving Foods

Healthy Comfort Food Recipes

Red White and Blue Recipes

For my friends in the United States who are cheering on Team USA, here are the red, white and blue recipes I pull out every year for the Fourth of July! I love using berries and vegan cream to make patriotic treats, and I think it would be so fun to have a themed evening while your favorite event is competing.

More Recipes & Resources for Plant-Based Eating

I hope this list adds some fun to your Olympic-viewing parties! Please tag me on Instagram so I can see the foods you're making and the events you're watching, plus don't forget to drop a review below any recipes you try!