Named after a charity of the same name, Veganuary is an event celebrated every year. People participating in Veganuary commit to eating a plant-based diet for the whole month of January.
Our Baker Street Sliced Loaves, Rye Breads, Burger Buns and Hot Dog Rolls are suitable for vegans, so naturally we’re really excited about Veganuary this year!
Take a look at Baker Street’s full rundown of Veganuary including what you need to know, and some delicious recipe ideas to try out at home for the whole family with our products.
Whether you’re normally vegetarian, flexitarian or a meat-eater for the rest of the year, Veganuary is considered a chance to be both healthier and more eco-friendly.
VEGANUARY FACTS
When is Veganuary?
Veganuary starts on 1st January every year, and lasts until the end of the month!
When did Veganuary start?
The first Veganuary was January 2014 and the event has taken place every year since then. Each year more and more people have taken part in it – the first year there were around 3,000 people doing Veganuary, while by 2022 there were almost 630,000!
What are the benefits of Veganuary?
Lots of people like to take part in Veganuary because of the benefits for health and the environment as well as moving away from an animal-based diet.
According to the Veganuary website, a healthy vegan diet is easy and they have a handy page on nutrition tips so that you can ensure you’re choosing the right vegan foods to get the nutrients your body needs.
They have also compiled some handy blog posts & guides to ensure you can try a healthy vegan diet during Veganuary, including…
January, of course, comes after the festive season, and all of the excesses of Christmas and New Year, so adopting a vegan diet for January can be a great way for you and your family to get back into a healthier eating routine.
Eating vegan food and plant-based recipes is also a good option for the environment. On the Veganuary website, for the 2022 event, the organisation said that the month-long initiative helped to save over 2.16 million animals in just one month. There are various other environment-related resources on their website which explain how adopting a vegan diet can help towards causes such as protecting nature and reducing pollution.
Try Baker Street’s favourite vegan recipe ideas
Whether you’re a vegan with lots of Veganuary experience or are trying it this year for the first time, we want to help. Which is why we’ve put together some of our favourite, tried and tested vegan recipes using a range of Baker Street products to help inspire your Veganuary experience.
Chickpeas with Sweet Potato & Spinach
Nothing is more appealing during the colder months that a family-friendly winter warmer, packed with plenty of hearty flavours. This chickpeas with spices, sweet potato and spinach dish makes for a comforting vegan dinner the whole family will love, and any leftovers you have make a great lunch option too.
Check here the full recipe.
We’ve served this easy vegan recipe idea with our Baker Street Rye & Wheat Bread – because it’s stone baked, the Rye & Wheat Bread has a rich & hearty flavour, but it has a unique, light texture compared to traditional rye breads. It’s also low in fat, has no added sugars and is a source of fibre.
Deep-Filled Rainbow Sandwich
One of the best things about Veganuary meals is that they can be packed full of flavour and colour, and these Rainbow Sandwiches fit that bill. Featuring creamy red pepper houmous, slices of avocado & cucumber, grated carrot, juicy tomato slices and baby spinach leaves we’ve opted for our Sliced Brown Loaf to be the base of this Rainbow Sandwich.
When it comes to making a Rainbow Sandwich, there are no rules as to what ingredients you should use.
Check here for the full recipe.
So whether you have a picky eater that doesn’t like some of these fillings, or just don’t have them to hand, use whatever you have in your fridge or cupboards to make this vegan-friendly colourful creation.
Houmous & Roasted Vegetables Open Sandwich
Our Baker Street Seeded Rye Bread is the perfect base for this open sandwich idea. Packed with linseeds, sunflower seeds, barley and oats, it’s a source of fibre and protein.
Lightly toast, then top with a layer of creamy houmous and any roasted vegetables you like – we’ve opted for peppers, courgettes and red onion – and top withfsome toasted pine nuts if you have any to hand. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a handful of basil leaves for the perfect vegan-friendly lunch.
Check here for the full recipe.
Veganuary Top Tip
If these toppings for an open sandwich don’t take your fancy, why not give some of these other ideas a go…
- Vegan goat cheese and beetroot
- Vegan cheddar cheese and tomato
- Sauteed mushrooms and spinach
Minestrone Soup with White Beans & Croutons
During the colder months, turn to your favourite vegan soup recipe. We think a classic like minestrone soup with white beans goes perfectly with some crunchy croutons and bread for dipping. Our Sliced White Loaf is perfect for dunking in soups, and using any leftover slices to whip up some croutons is a quick idea that’s a tasty no brainer.
Check the full recipe here.
Veganuary Top Tip
Never made croutons before? Fret not, we’ve got an easy step-by-step guide for you to follow that’s fool proof and will have croutons on your dining table in no time at all…
- Slice up your bread into small pieces
- Toss in a bowl with a little oil and seasoning
- Bake in a pre-heated oven at 190°C, 170°C Fan or Gas Mark 5, for about 15 minutes or until lightly toasted.
Make sure you head over to our Food Waste page for more handy hints like this to use any leftover Baker Street bread:
Breaded Veggie Burgers
Veganuary diets don’t mean you have to miss out on your favourites! Use our Burger Buns to jazz up a veggie burger with lots of vegan toppings. You could buy pre-made veggie burgers, or try making your own at home with the kids.
However you do it, be sure to use our Burger Buns and lightly toast them before you start piling the burger on with all your favourite toppings.
Check her for the full recipe.
Veganuary Top Tip
Similar to the croutons above, you can easily use any leftover slices of our White Sliced Loaf to create breadcrumbs to coat burger patties, make breaded chicken tenders or even use as a topping for dishes like mac and cheese.
Take a look at our handy guide below to see how easy it is to make breadcrumbs:
Bhaji Burger with Mango Chutney & Vegan Raita
For something a little more exciting to spice up your Veganuary, try our take on a fusion burger. For a quick and tasty dinner fill these Seeded Burger Buns with mango chutney and vegan raita topped with shop bought onion bhaji’s. You and the family will forget that these epic burgers are vegan as they pack a flavour punch.
Check here for the full recipe.
Veganuary Top Tip
If burgers are a big hit in your household and you want to test the waters with some vegan varieties, take a look at some of our tried and tested Baker Street vegan burger ideas for Veganuary…
- Bubble & Squeak Burger
- BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Burger
- Portobello Mushroom Burger
Cauliflower Satay Rolls with Cucumber & Spring Onions
Upgrade the standard hot dog using our Hot Dog Rolls to recreate your favourite dishes. Try this Asian-inspired cauliflower satay roll with cucumber and spring onions. You could add some extra heat to anyone’s rolls that are feeling a little brave with some extra sliced chilli.
Check here for the full recipe.
How to do Veganuary
When it comes to Veganuary, it can be helpful to plan ahead. Making sure you’ve got a shopping list, the right ingredients and the correct tools is essential. It’s also a good idea to think about a vegan meal plan, so you don’t have to constantly come up with meal ideas on the spot and can relax knowing your week’s meals are taken care of.
Of course, everyone is different and prefers different styles, foods and cuisines. So, have a think about the sort of things you’ll want to buy and eat and sit down ahead of each week to do a bit of meal prep and planning.
We’ve put together some easy vegan meal plan ideas and tips to help kickstart your Veganuary:
Plan your meal schedule
It might seem obvious, but you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a variety of ideas for different breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Plant-based meal prep is just the same as any other – so you’ll want to consider ways to maximise fresh ingredients and re-use certain elements. For example, using a bag of sweet potatoes for veggie fries one day and in a stew the next.
Also make sure to think about snacks and desserts too. Lots of the things we often find ourselves reaching for – from chocolate to crisps to pre-packaged snacks – may not always be vegan-friendly foods.
So, do a bit of research on the ingredients and snack ideas you have in your local store. And, consider healthy snacks and vegan dessert ideas that you can keep on hand to switch up throughout your meal plan.
Veganuary Top Tip
As there are plenty of products in the Baker Street range that are suitable for vegans, we have plenty of recipes and meal ideas that may help you to create your own Veganuary meal plan. Some of our recipes also have tips included to make them suitable for vegans or vegetarians, so you’re not having to think of too many recipe alternatives for Veganuary.
Head over to our recipes page to find out more:
Shop Seasonally
Seasonal eating and shopping is something you should think about year-round, not just during Veganuary. Not only can it save you money by buying produce on sale, but it often also means you’ll be getting the best quality and most nutritious food.
Some of the best vegan-friendly foods in season for Veganuary include:
- Apples
- Brussels sprouts
- Kale
- Leeks
- Parsnips
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Shallots
Cook smart
January is often a bit of a difficult time of year – it’s after all the fun of the festive season, it’s cold, it’s dark. So, make your life as easy as possible and super-charge your vegan meal plan by reusing elements and batch cooking.
Veganuary meals, of course, are vegetable-heavy. So, instead of cooking a separate portion of potatoes or root veg to go with each meal, consider batch-cooking a larger portion on Sunday night for the week ahead.
We like to chop up our favourites (often a mix of carrots, onions, parsnips, courgettes, etc) and toss them in oil before roasting in the oven. Once cooled, you can store them safely in the fridge for the next few days.
Veganuary Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start Veganuary?
Wondering how to start Veganuary? The best tip is to plan it in advance. Perhaps start in December, swapping out one or two meals a week for a plant-based alternative. That way, you can start to get used to the change in diet and find out which vegan alternatives you like the most.
You can make small changes to your regular food shopping too – from changing to vegan butter to stocking up on vegan sauces and staples like vegan pesto and peanut butter.
Is it healthier to be vegan?
Vegan diets are often typically healthier than an omnivorous diet (when you eat meat and dairy products). This is because they’re often lower in cholesterol and have more fibre. Because you’ll eat more fruit and vegetables, you’ll also be getting more nutrients and vitamins too.
However, it’s important to consider your personal health and circumstances before making any big changes to your diet. If you’re considering switching to veganism, it might be a good idea to chat to your doctor or GP first.
How do vegans avoid fatigue?
Sometimes people on a vegan diet or trying Veganuary can experience fatigue, tiredness and lack of energy. To avoid fatigue eating vegan food, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, simply upping the amount of food you eat to consume more calories can help. You should also make sure to pack your diet with things like whole grains, lentils, nuts and seeds. There are also plant-based supplements you can try.
Making sure you get a good night’s sleep is also really important to help keep your energy levels up during Veganuary. Elsewhere, make sure to keep exercising and avoid too much processed food.
Veganuary and Food Waste
One of the main benefits of meal planning and batch cooking for Veganuary is the positive impact on food waste. Our Baker Street products are designed to be not just delicious, but help combat food waste. Our cleverly packed products have been lovingly baked to ensure you and your family have tasty products that last longer, so that less bread goes in the bin. Find out more about what Baker Street is doing about food waste.
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