For nearly two decades now, Holy Cow Vegan has been the go-to destination online for discerning cooks looking for Indian and vegan recipes that are authentic yet modern, full of flavor and easy to make.
I'm Vaishali and I started this blog in 2007 to help demystify the intricacies of Indian cooking and adapt its many, many delicious recipes to a vegan diet. As a former omnivore who grew up in Mumbai eating diverse Indian cuisines, I love to transform the meat- and dairy-based dishes I once enjoyed into plant-based versions that taste authentic and are healthier.
There are more than 1,200 recipes on the blog that I've created, perfected, and shared over the years. I hope you will find something here that you and your family will love. Just bring your curiosity and creativity to the party! If you're new to Indian food, I'd start with an easy recipe like this 30-minute, one-pot vegetable curry. But if your soul begs for crunchy, savory food like mine does, you might want to jump straight to the samosas or vegetable pakoras) 😉 .
Thanks for stopping by!
What you'll find on Holy Cow Vegan
- Easy, quick, healthy and hassle-free plant-based recipes, many Indian. This is food you can cook whether you are a novice or an expert, and food you will love whether you are an omnivore or a vegan or somewhere in between. All recipes use clean, wholesome, natural ingredients, most of which are already in your pantry.
- Recipes for special diets. More than half the recipes on this blog are gluten-free (including lots of gluten-free vegan desserts!). You will also find many recipes suited to a low-carb and keto vegan diet.
- Kid-friendly recipes. As a mom, I focus on creating recipes that are kid-friendly as well as adult-friendly!
- Global recipes. We love to travel, so I often post recipes from around the world, including Mexican, Italian, Irish, African and Mediterranean. You can also browse tons of vegan Indian recipes, ranging from restaurant favorites like chana masala and vegan butter chicken to more modern dishes with my own spin, like this tasty vegetable curry and chickpea curry.
- Vegan baked goods. I love to bake, so you'll find lots of recipes for homemade vegan cakes, vegan cookies, vegan pies and vegan breads. I've been baking with sourdough and nurturing a sourdough starter long before it became trendy to do so.
Frequently asked questions
I add new recipes once or twice every week. You can sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss a single recipe, or you can follow Holy Cow Vegan on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
The blog's name calls out the dichotomy in the Indian diet and religious belief system. Cows are worshipped as holy but hundreds of thousands of cows are also tortured in factory farms to supply India's love for milk and milk products. I try to show, through this blog, that Indian food can be just as delicious without the dairy.
Yes! Indian food might appear difficult but there are many recipes that are quite easy, like this basic but delicious dal or this easy vegetable curry. You will need a few spices that can easily be found at Indian grocery stores or through online retailers. In the recipe card for each recipe, you will find Amazon affiliate links to most ingredients I use. If you are new to Indian cooking or looking to scale up your skills, read my ultimate guide to vegan Indian cooking where I share lots of tips, techniques and recipes for veganizing Indian food.
You can leave a comment on the recipe (it's the quickest way to get a response and I read and appreciate every comment). Or you can email me at MyVeganWorld@gmail.com. If you'd like to share a photo of the recipe please post it on Instagram and tag me #HolyCowVegan.
Useful links
- Recipe Index
- All Recipes (by date)
- Vegan Baked Goods and Breads
- Vegan Baking Substitutes
- Sourdough Baking
Some of my top recipes
Publications
The blog and my recipes have been featured in dozens of print and online publications, including the following:
- Vegan Food and Living
- The Washington Post
- Domicile DC
- All Animals (magazine of the Humane Society of the United States)
- Parade
- VegNews
- One Green Planet
- Self
- Yahoo!
- CNet
- Everyday Health
- The Oregonian
- Boston magazine
Peter Walford says
I tried your sourdough rolls recipe, with a different starter. It was hopeless. I religiously followed your recipe for a sourdough starter from scratch. By the 7th day it was overflowing out of the jar. I realized it was ready. I followed your recipe. It was just the same as the other attempt the next morning.
So what am I doing wrong?
Vaishali Honawar says
Hi Peter, Sorry to hear. What happened exactly? Did the rolls not rise? You have to give sourdough dough time to proof correctly and it can take more or less time depending on your weather. It's also possible you might have over proofed them - left them to rise for too long. Over proofing can also cause bread to fall flat in the oven. Usually when sourdough bread does not rise it either is because the starter is not strong enough or you let them rise for too little or too much time.
Patty Collins says
Thank you so much for your intrepid efforts and outlook! My sister and I are both fans and so appreciate the healthier meals you've helped us create for out loved ones...thanks again, Vaishali!
Vaishali Honawar says
That's so sweet to hear! Thanks for your kind words, Patty!
JOHN says
I am so sorry to learn about your son's moving on. My heart goes out to you both
Your son has returned to the Golden Light and has fulfilled/is fulfilling his Divinely instated rôle, though that may be almost impossible for us to understand and to bear
My father moved on when I was nine, I was in turmoil and didn't cry for 20 years - & now decades later, I understand and accept and in fact, embrace - sometimes even with joy
Thank you both for your Good Guidance written & visual
My goal is even beyond vegan LOL❗
BERESHIS/GENESIS 1:29
with all my love
🌿JOHN🌿🕊❤
Vaishali Honawar says
Thanks, John.
Lynn says
You made my day with this guide. It worked perfectly and saved me time. I’m grateful for how detailed yet simple your post was. More content like this is needed online. Keep up the good work!
Rick says
Hello Vaishali, so happy to have found your website. I too enjoy a diverse palate of foods depending on my mood, internet, TV, or Food & Wine magazine that I’m thumbing through. Can’t wait to try your recipes.
Your newest subscriber, Richard
Vaishali says
Welcome to the blog, Richard. So happy to have you here!
kelly perkowicz says
i have a question with sourdough [SD]. how can i increase the amount of my starter. i followed your starter recipe and its now on day 8 and ive made bread and its in the fridge. but i was thinking while its raining today and i cant work i couldve tried another type of SD recipe but i dont know if id have enough. can the quantity be increased into the same starter.
thanks kelly
Vaishali says
Yes, just feed the starter with more dough and water in the proportions given.
Simone says
Do you have a hard copy cookbook, with pictures? I like to see if what I cooked looks like the picture!!
Amy says
Same! I'd purchase a cookbook with all her recipes! 🙂
Ron says
Yours is my absolute favorite recipe site on the internet. I cook from your recipes at least once a week, sometimes more often. Thank you.
Vaishali says
That's the best thing to hear! Thanks so much Ron. I am happy you've enjoyed the recipes.
Marilyn Lowe says
What a wonderful story! Thank you for creating your website. Is there a way I can get regular emails from you?
Thank you!
Marilyn
Vaishali says
Thanks, Marilyn! ❤️ You can sign up for my emails here https://holycowvegan.net/subscribe/
Raye says
Just discovered your website. I was a vegetarian for 30 years and became a vegan in the last 10. All for animals. I just made your cream of mushroom soup - very nice. I will now follow your site and try more delicious recipes. Thank you.
Vaishali says
Yay! So great to hear you made the mushroom soup - one of my all-time favorites. Thanks for the kind words. ❤️
POOVIZHISELVI says
Hi dearie,
I'm Bobbie ( nick name), ZEN Buddhist from Tamilnadu, India,
Your story of vegan life n mine r same , I love my fur kids ❤️ Love u sweetie sis 😘 💖
Johnny Kesselschmidt says
I love your recipes!
Vaishali says
Thank you Johnny! ❤️