13 Easy and New Ways to Eat Your Greens

You don’t have to love greens to be vegan, and even the die-hard fans of dark leafy greens can get bored of kale. However, it’s important to work them into your diet, as they provide essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, fiber, and more. Instead of forcing yourself to swallow another bite of steamed spinach, revamp your preparation. From simple yet crave-worthy salads to kale-infused ice cream, you’ll want to stock up your produce drawer to make these 13 fantastic recipes.

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Why are green vegetables good for you?

As mentioned above, green vegetables are a good source of essential nutrients. In fact, according to the CDC, they supply 10 percent or more of the daily value of 17 nutrients per 100 calories. They’re also a good source of antioxidants, like beta-carotene, for example. Antioxidants are vital for our health, as research suggests they help to protect and repair cells that have been damaged by harmful disease-contributing molecules called free radicals.

RELATED: Dark Leafy Greens are a ‘Powerhouse’ of Nutrition. Here’s Why

13 new ways to eat your greens

There are many creative ways to get greens, and all of their nutrients, into your diet, as these 13 recipes show. Soon, you’ll actually be craving your veggies instead of forcing them down.

Bri Beaudoin

1 Vegan Firecracker Tofu With Broccolini and Chili Garlic Oil

Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, and it’s loaded with nutrients, including calcium, fiber, folate, and vitamin C. It’s also pretty tasty, especially when it’s baked with plenty of chili oil and salt and served with crispy tofu.
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Alexandra Shytsman

2 Miso-Mustard Tempeh With Roasted Baby Bok Choy

Bok choy, which is also known as pak choi, is a type of Chinese cabbage. It’s loaded with nutrients, and, as you might have guessed, it has a mild, fresh, cabbage-like flavor. In this tasty recipe, it’s roasted with tamari and sunflower oil and served with miso-mustard tempeh, and the results are delicious.
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Katy Beskow

3Vegan Spinach, Chickpea, and Lemon Pilaf

This flavorful pilaf, which is best served with a side of grilled flatbreads and cooling vegan yogurt, is an easy weekday meal choice, because it only requires one pot to make. Thanks to the spinach and chickpeas, it’s loaded with plenty of plant-based goodness. 
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Ashley Madden

4Vegan Tahini Caesar Salad With Smoked Chickpeas

The secret to delicious kale is to bake it in the oven, with plenty of oil and salt, until the leaves are crispy. After that, mix it with plenty of flavorful ingredients, like miso, mustard, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, chickpeas, and sourdough, and whip up a delicious nutritious vegan caesar salad. 
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So Vegan

5 Creamy Vegan Spinach Ravioli With Cashew Cheese Filling

For a show-stopping, vibrant main that looks as good as it tastes, check out this recipe for vegan spinach ravioli with cashew cheese. It’s creamy, it’s bursting with flavor, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit, every time.
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6 Vegan Spicy Spinach Chili Pālak Tofu

Garlic and spinach compliment each other perfectly in this nutritious, delicious Indian gravy dish, which also features turmeric tofu. For a thicker, creamier result, don’t be afraid to stir in some extra cashew cream, too.
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Lettuce Grow

7 Green and Fruity Vegan Farmers’ Market Smoothie

If you’re not a fan of eating your greens, why not try drinking them instead? This refreshing, flavorful smoothie masks the taste of kale and celery with ingredients like strawberries, cucumber, coconut water, and mint.
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Danielle Keith

8 Oil-Free Vegan Kale Pesto Pasta

If you’re in a hurry, this super simple pasta recipe, which is loaded with goodness thanks to the kale pesto, is quick to make. In fact, it all comes together in just 15 minutes.
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9 Zesty Vegan Spinach Salad With Blackened Chickpeas

Roasted blackened chickpeas add an addictive crunchy element to this leafy green salad, which is packed with 11 cups of torn spinach. Roasted yellow bell peppers, lemon zest, and a creamy herb dressing add a boost of flavor, making this salad a delicious lunchtime treat.
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Jessica Randhawa

10 Vegan Ginger Garlic Noodle Soup With Bok Choy

This hearty fragrant soup is ideal for the colder months. It’s warming, full of flavor, and loaded with plant-based goodness, thanks to ingredients like bok choy, fresh ginger, green onions, and cremini mushrooms.
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Shanika Graham-White

11 Cajun Coconut Sweet Potato Rigatoni With Kale

Eating your greens doesn’t have to mean skipping out on decadent pasta. Add more kale than the recipe calls for for an extra nutritious boost.
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Shanika Graham-White

12 Vegan Buffalo Roasted Chickpea Kale Salad

Ready to wow your coworkers at the next potluck? Make these golden chickpeas atop a bed of kale for a healthy yet satisfyingly crunchy appetizer. 
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Marisa Miller Wolfson and Laura Delhauer

13Vegan Protein Pancakes With Spinach and Chia

Spinach in your pancakes? It’s worth a try! These delicious spinach-packed flapjacks will soon become a breakfast favorite.
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