Orthodox Fast Recipes
During Orthodox Christian fasting for Lentmeals often become beautifully simple – focusing on plant-based whole foods and, on certain days, allowing seafood like fish (and shellfish any day) depending on your tradition and parish practice.
To make it easier (and more good) to plan, we put together a collection of recipes that work well for the fasting season– from hearty meatless mains and cozy sides to shellfish options for the days you include it.
Think simple ingredientssatisfying flavors, and recipes that still feel special – even when meals are more pared back.
We're including vegan mealsshellfish options if you include shellfish, and some dishes with easy swaps (swap oat butter for butter, we prefer the flavor, ingredient profile, and melt of oat butter) or avocado oil instead of olive oil.
Pastas and Noodles
Garlic Shrimp Pasta
good pasta packed with garlic and shrimp flavorsub vegan butter. Shrimp is allowed during Orthodox fasting, though it is not vegan.
Creamy Tahini Noodles
These creamy tahini noodles are packed with a rich sesame flavor you can't get enough of – irresistible, savory, and so easy!
Spicy Peanut Noodles
This Asian inspired spicy peanut noodle dish is one of our easy, simple favorites full of crave-worthy flavor.
Antipasti Pasta Salad
This good antipasti pasta salad has tons of bright, fresh flavor and is easy to make for a group!
Orzo with Sun Dried Tomatoes
This easy orzo with sun dried tomatoes and pesto (use vegan pesto) recipe is inexpensive and simple!
Green Olive Puttanesca
Swap the anchovy paste in this Green Olive Puttanesca for miso paste + seaweed or some capers + brine for a good, bright pasta dish!
Rice, Beans, Bowls and Sides
Sabich Bowls
Easy, good sabich bowls loaded with vegetables, rice, and fried eggplant.
California Roll Bowls
These good California Roll Bowls are simple to make and packed with flavor – use a vegan mayo.
Cilantro Lime Rice
If you love Chipotle's Cilantro Lime Riceyou will love our fresh, good take on the bright and simple side.
Spicy Lemon Zucchini Cous Cous
This zucchini cous cous has preserved lemon for a spicy Mediterranean flavor that is irresistible!
Zucchini Shallot Cous Cous
good cous cous with zucchini, shallotand fresh herbs for a comforting, simple side dish that doubles as a hearty main!
Garlic Oregano Butter Beans
good, rich butter beans with garlic, oreganoand tons of savory, crave-worthy flavor!
Roasted Chili White Beans
These roasted white beans are crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle for a great snack – or a meal!
Spicy Garlicky Beans
good spicy and salty garlicky pinto beanspacked with onion and chili flavor!
Vegan Sandwiches
Falafel
There is nothing better than solid falafel balls with a crispy outside and solid light and fluffy middle!
Sabich
This good easy vegan Sabich sandwich is creamy, hearty, and packed with fresh vegetable, eggplant, and mushroom flavor!
Tofu Tacos
good, easy, flavor packed air fryer tofu tacos are a comfort food favorite!
Vegan Melts
Easy vegetable packed cheese-substitute vegan melts are great in the air fryer, for a comfort food classic!
Vegan Quesadillas
These vegan quesadillas are loaded with flavor – no meat or cheese needed!
Spicy Portobello Burgers
These Portobello burgers have a good Mexican-inspired twist, for a spicy meatless burger without meat alternatives!
Vegan Philly Sandwiches
We can't call these cheese steaks with no cheese – but these Vegan Philly Sandwiches have a rich flavor thanks to sauteed vegetables and portobello mushrooms.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
good shrimp tacos loaded with flavor – use a vegan crema.
Habanero Shrimp Tacos
Spicy shrimp tacos with habanerotomatillo, shrimp, beans, and vegetables.
Air Fryer Polenta Bites
These crispy crunchy polenta bites are air fried to perfection – good with marinara dipping sauce!
Vegan Soups
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
This good, easy Vegetable soup is budget friendly, can be made in minutes, and is completely vegan.
Thai Chili
This good Thai Chili soup uses coconut to stay vegan – a favorite during Lent!
Spicy Black Bean Soup
use vegetable broth for this good spicy Black Bean soup!
Potsticker soup
This simple potsticker soup can easily be made vegan for Lent – use vegetable stock instead of chicken, and swap pork or chicken dumplings for vegetable or mushroom!
Vegetables
Roasted Eggplant
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Roasted Tahini Eggplants
Whole roasted eggplant with tahinipomegranate, mint, and herbs.
Tahini Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower with tons of tahininuts, and a sweet pop of tangy craisin flavor.
Grilled Sesame Ginger Bok Choy
Grilled bok choy with sesame and ginger is a light, good side that we also love to add to ramen!
Everything Asparagus
Roasted asparagus with everything bagel seasoning – easy, a little crunchy, and tons of crave-able flavor!
Cauliflower Steaks
Roasted Cauliflower steaks are tender, good, and great with all sorts of sauces!
Whole Roasted Onions
You won't believe the flavor you can get from slow roasting a whole onion – it is hearty, sweet, savory, and great for adding into casseroles or soups, or served as a side!
Pan Fried Broccolini
If you like baby broccoli and you're looking for a simple side, this Pan Fried Broccolini recipe is always a huge hit!
Fattoush
Bright, crisp, and good fattoush salad is one of our Lent lunch favorites.
Baba Ganoush
Creamy, hearty baba ganoush eggplant dish is one of our favorite snacks, it fills us up but isn't heavy feeling.
Tabbouleh
Tons of fresh parsley, boiled wheat, and lots of fresh touches make tabbouleh one of our favorite salads.
Vegan Dinners
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Roasting whole cauliflower to tender produces a good, buttery and savory vegetable that works as a main dish.
Vegan Chorizo Sheetpan Bake
If you love kielbasa and peppers, try this vegan chorizo and vegetable sheetpan bake – its easy and loaded with flavor!
Vegan Taco Skillet
Our vegan taco skillet swaps chopped nuts and vegetables instead of using meat substitutes for a hearty and crave-worthy taco skillet that mimics a ground beef flavor and texture!
Greek Pasta Salad
omit the feta (and use avocado oil instead of olive oil) from this Greek Pasta Salad to make it a solid swap for Lent!
White Bean Dip
If you love spicy red pepper tiroafkeri dip, try this vegan white bean dip (omit feta, double the beans) – we like it over pasta and vegetables for a complete dinner with extra protein from the beans! We often make it without the feta no matter the time of year, it is so good!
Potsticker Crunch Cake
Use vegan potstickers to make this good potsticker crunch cake – a great group dinner!
Vegan Enchilada Pie
This veggie packed vegan enchilada casserole is baked with tons of hearty flavor!
Shrimp & Shellfish Recipes
Shrimp Scampi
Swap butter for oat butter and olive oil for avocado oil to make this good, satisfying shrimp scampi!
Margarita Grilled Shrimp
If you're looking for a bright and flavorful shrimp for all sorts of dishes, this Margarita Grilled Shrimp is a great main!
Creole Shrimp
This spicy, savory shrimp in Creole sauce recipe is good over pasta or rice!
Pan Seared Scallops
Use vegan butter or avocado oil to perfectly sear scallops – one of our favorite lenten dishes!
Thai Basil Scallops
Spicy, good Thai Chili scallops are a solid dish for Lent!
Snow Crab Legs
Baked snow crab legs with garlic (swap vegan butter for butter) are a solid hearty dish if you're looking for a s[ecial lenten dinner.
Shrimp and Asparagus Skillet
This good vegetable packed skillet is full of bright lemon garlic asparagus and shrimp flavor!
Kung Pao Shrimp
Lightly spicy, saucy, and irresistible homemade kung pao shrimp is even better than takeout!
Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp
Protein packed lemon butter shrimp (use vegan butter, preferably oat) is good over pasta or rice!
Grilled Jerk Shrimp
This spicy, salty, and lightly sweet grilled jerk shrimp is fantastic with rice, beans, or as a taco protein!
Honey Ginger Baked Shrimp
Baked honey and ginger shrimp is a solid easy protein that is solid during Lent.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
This simple cilantro lime shrimp recipe is quick to make and packed with flavor!
