Comfort food recipes are the bedrock of Southern cuisine, whether you munch on fried chicken or dig into a bowl of shrimp and grits. The indulgent flavors warm your soul and remind you of your grandparents’ house. How can you make them vegetarian? Here are seven ways to reinvent Nashville classics with plant-based ingredients.
Hot chicken has been a Nashville staple for nearly a century, and places like Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack attract customers worldwide. Families can enjoy this Music City dish through meat, vegetables and seasoning blends. The exciting vegetarian options mean more people can indulge in the Southern spices.
Plant-based hot chicken recipes pack protein and amazing flavor. This recipe creates a homemade Nashville hot sauce with vegan butter, brown sugar and garlic. The cayenne pepper and chili powder elevate the condiment with heat that invigorates your taste buds. However, your mouth gets relief from the cool coleslaw and agave nectar on top.
Biscuits and sausage gravy epitomizes Southern comfort food recipes at breakfast. This classic dish makes you feel at home, whether you eat it traditionally or with plant-based ingredients. The primary difference includes swapping the pork sausage for vegan patties, though you still get the creamy white sauce on the biscuits.
Vegetarian sausage and gravy tastes like the meat-based version and often fools people without discerning taste buds. This recipe uses 8 ounces of veggie protein and 2.5 cups of whole milk, though you can use dairy-free ingredients. Seasonings make the dish unique as you sprinkle thyme, sage and parsley on top.
The Nashville burger scene is electric and among the South’s best. From Jack Brown’s to Tennessee Brew Works, the options for a beef patty between two buns are endless. Over the years, food experts have made these sandwiches accessible to more diets. Pick your favorite plant-based protein and add toppings to complete your veggie burger.
Plant-based meat may use beans and lentils to emulate the beefy taste while packing nutrients. Combine the ingredients with oat flour and breadcrumbs to help the patties remain intact when grilling. If you avoid eggs, slather vegan mayo, ketchup and mustard for a terrific sauce. The patties only need a few minutes in a cast-iron skillet to grill and satisfy your cravings.
The sights, smells and sounds of Nashville barbecue joints are enough to make anybody walk in the door. These restaurants are famous for their Southern comfort food recipes featuring brisket, beans and baked potatoes. Some chefs use jackfruit because of its vitamin richness and resemblance to shredded pork.
Barbecue jackfruit sandwiches are easy to make, requiring only a few minutes of preparation before placing the mixture in a slow cooker. Then, you need six hours before you can shred the fruit easily with a fork. Other key ingredients for the recipe include Vidalia onions, garlic and olive oil. Use your favorite barbecue sauce to bring out the best flavors.
Tennessee Titans fans pack Nissan Stadium each fall to watch their favorite team play. While they cheer, the crowd eats the delicious frankfurters from Daddy Dogs. The restaurant’s gourmet hot dogs take your taste buds from Nashville to North Carolina with unique recipes. These Southern favorites can easily turn into plant-based delicacies for your table.
Vegetarian hot dogs still include protein with peas and extra-firm tofu — just remember to press it beforehand. The key ingredient for this recipe is vital wheat gluten, which adds chewiness and improves the texture. Liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce are the cherries on top because they make the vegetarian ingredients taste more authentic.
Another staple at Nashville barbecue joints is brisket, which becomes tender after hours in slow cookers. The meat has experienced a popularity surge in the last decade thanks to higher-quality cuts. You can find the barbecue staple at Bridgestone Arena during Predators games or at Shotgun Willie’s north of downtown.
Oven-baked vegetarian brisket requires nearly an hour in the oven before finishing it on the grill. This recipe combines vital wheat gluten and chickpea flour to create seitan, one of the most popular plant-based meats. The wet mixture makes the concoction unique, combining maple syrup and soy sauce with marsala wine and tomato paste.
People worldwide travel to the South for shrimp and grits because of its richness. This dish is a staple from Tennessee to the South Carolina Lowcountry at breakfast and brunch restaurants. In Nashville, you can get a terrific bowl at Urban Grub, Rudie’s and 55 South. However, you can make it at home with vegetarian-friendly ingredients.
Vegetarian shrimp is uncommon at local restaurants, so make your own with vital wheat gluten and seasonings to improve the flavor. Besides a meat substitution, this recipe uses plant-based milk, cheese and butter to remove the dairy while still delivering excellent taste. Use vegetable broth instead of water for the grits to get the most from a classic Southern comfort food recipe.
Southerners take pride in their succulent dishes and family traditions. From cornbread to cobbler, these recipes take center stage at restaurants and homes across the region. Nashville’s contribution includes hot chicken and other decadent foods you can easily modify for vegetarian diets. Expanded plant-based options make these breakfasts and dinners more manageable for your household.
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