Sure, you like a nice steak as much as the rest of us, but you’re also looking to sneak more veggies into your diet. Did you know that there are a ton of accidentally vegan meals you can DIY at home?

In fact, you might already be making vegan choices without even knowing it! Which meals do you already make and which ones are on your list?

Accidentally Vegan Meals You Can DIY at Home

Adding more veggies to your diet can come with a host of health benefits, liked lowered cholesterol and weight loss. Increasing your vegetable intake can be super simple. Try these recipes to get started.

Chili with Rice

Grab your slow cooker and rice maker for this simple set it and forget it meal that cooks while you’re at work!

To make chili you’ll need:

• 3-4 cans beans of your choice
• 1 chopped onion
• 1-2 carrots, chopped (optional)
• 1 large can diced tomatoes (32 oz)
• 1/2 package frozen corn (optional)
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, pepper, paprika, cinnamon (it’s the secret ingredient!)

Literally just dump everything into the slow cooker and turn it to low. And that’s it.

Your chili will simmer and cook all day. You’ll come home to a yummy, hearty bowl of comforting chili.

Set up your rice cooker in the morning. Program the timer to delay cooking or pop it on the minute you step in the door.

Serve your chili over rice for a completely vegan meal.

Have leftovers? Bake up some potatoes and top with reheated chili for a second day of yummy food.

Pasta & Homemade Sauce

Spaghetti, shells or rotini served with a hearty tomato sauce is a staple food in many homes, Did you know that it is likely vegan, too?

According to PETA, most packaged pasta sold in grocery stores is completely vegan! Just check the box for any animal products, like eggs or milk.

To DIY your own vegan pasta and homemade sauce, you’ll need:

• 1-2 lbs of your favorite pasta
• 32 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 32 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 clove chopped garlic
• Salt, pepper, other herbs of your choice
• Optional: mushrooms, eggplant, olives, broccoli, other veggies you like

Cook your pasta to your preference. In a separate saucepan, carmelize the onions. Once they are cooked to your preference, combine the two cans of tomatoes and the garlic in the pan. Add in the herbs and spices. If you’re adding more veggies, pop those in the pot, too.

Stir and simmer until any additional veggies are tender and cooked through.

Serve the pasta with a generous portion of sauce!

Customized Rice Bowls

Sometimes simple is the best. And this vegan rice bowl is endlessly customizable! Seriously, add in whatever veggies and toppings you prefer.

To set up your own vegan rice bowls, you’ll need:

• Rice, cooked
• Veggies: avocadoes, tomatoes, carrots, onions, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, seriously – anything goes!
• Proteins: tofu, tempeh, beans
• Toppings: soy sauce, peanut sauce, tahini, Thai sweet pepper sauce

Cook your rice and divide into bowls. Set out your veggies and toppings buffet style. Let everyone make their own combination for customized rice bowl.

Best of all, this dish can be served cold or hot, making it perfect for packed lunches or leftovers.

Comforting Lentil Stew

You love stew, warm and comforting on a cold day. We serve ours with hunks of crusty, fresh bread and (vegan) butter. However, our stew isn’t meat-based. Instead, we use lentils to add depth of flavor and tons of protein!

To slow cook your own lentil stew, you’ll need:

• 1/2 to 1 lb lentil, any color (pre-soaking is optional)
• 1-2 cans beans, any type
• 3-4 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and chunked
• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• 32 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 turnip, peeled and chunked (optional)
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chunked (optional)
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 32 oz container of veggie broth or stock
• Seasoning: salt, pepper, paprika, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage

If you want more tender lentils, you can soak them overnight and then drain them in the morning. You can also just start with dried lentils, they’ll just be more crunchy or need to cook longer.

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker on high for 1-2 hours, then low for as long as you’d prefer. Taste test around the 6-hour mark for lentil doneness and to adjust the seasonings. Add the garlic at this time and stir.

Serve with fresh crusty bread and plenty of butter. This stew has a great broth base that’s perfect for dipping bread.

Have leftovers? Serve this reheated as is, the flavors get even better the next day! You could also pair the lentil stew with baked potatoes or rice for a hearty lunch or dinner.

What are your favorite accidentally vegan or vegetarian foods? Share a recipe in the comments!

It’s Fall, y’all! Which means it’s 100% time for warm, comforting meals made from simple ingredients. Even better: when these meals come together in a snap!

Easy Fall Feasts Start at Your Commissary!

The Commissary has all the best ingredients that you need to make simple autumn meals (and desserts) that come together quickly or can be slow cooked all day long.

Use these simple, easy recipes to fuel your fall with wholesome meals!

Slow Cooker Ribs

Nothing sticks to your ribs like, well, ribs! This recipe makes yummy ribs that slow cook all day long.

You’ll need:

• 1-2 racks ribs
• 1 can soda, Coke or Dr. Pepper
• 1-2 onions, sliced into rings
• 1-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 bottles of BBQ, any kind
• salt, pepper, cinnamon, paprika, ground cloves

To make your slow cooker ribs:

1. In your slow cooker, put a layer of sliced onions. Stack a layer of ribs on top.
2. Pour some BBQ sauce on top of the layer of ribs.
3. Repeat the onion/rib/sauce layering until you run out of ribs.
4. Pour the rest of the BBQ sauce over the contents of the slow cooker. Season generously with spices. Add 1/2 to the whole can of soda.
5. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the meat is tender and literally falls of the bone.

Serve with roasted potatoes, green beans, salad and cornbread!

Winner-Winner Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner

Come home to a classic Sunday chicken dinner, even on a Thursday! DIY this yummy dinner in your slow cooker!

You’ll need:

• roasting chicken
• russet potatoes, 1-2 lbs,
• whole carrots, 1-1.5 lbs
• 1-2 onions, quartered
• 2-3 garlic cloves, diced
• salt, pepper, bay leaves, paprika, rosemary, thyme, oregano
• small lemon or orange, sliced into quarters

To DIY your own slow cooker chicken dinner:

1. Spray non-stick spray on the inside of your slow cooker. Add your whole chicken. Squirt 1/4 lemon
2. Inside the cavity, stuff all lemon slices, 1 whole clove garlic, 1-2 bay leaves.
3. On the outside of the turkey, season generously with your spices.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When 2 hours remain, add your potatoes and carrots.

Serve with salad, green beans and cornbread.

Easy Peasy Rosemary Cornbread

Cornbread is yummy all on its own, but it’s something extra special when you add in a little spice!

You’ll need:

• your favorite cornbread mix
• ingredients noted on the package
• fresh or dried rosemary
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced very finely

To make your own rosemary cornbread:

1. Mix up the cornbread according to the package.
2. Chop or crumble your rosemary to a fine texture. Add to the batter along with the finely minced garlic.
3. Pour into a greased pan or skillet, bake according to the package directions.

Serve as a side to your slow cooker ribs or chicken dinner!

Comforting Vegan Sweet Squash Soup

All the hearty squash are coming into season right now. Which coincides so nicely with the start of soup season! You know, the time of year when you just want to curl up on the couch with a mug of soup on a chilly day? It’s right now!

You’ll need:

• winter squash, any type, halved and de-seeded
• 4-6 cupsvegetable stock
• 2 onions
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 whole carrots
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• paprika, salt, pepper
• olive oil

To make your own sweet squash soup:

1. Heat your oven to 350 and bake your squash for 30 min.
2. While squash is cooking, rinse the seeds and chop the carrots, onions, celery. Rough chopping is fine.
3. In a large stockpot, add the onions and cook until slightly clear and soft. Then add the carrots and celery. Cook until softened.
4. Scoop the squash flesh out of the skin and add to the pot. Season lightly with salt, pepper and paprika.
5. Add 4-6 cups vegetable stock to the stockpot, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 15 min.
6. While simmering, roast the cleaned squash seeds at 350 for 25-30 min, watching carefully to prevent burning.
7. After 15 min, use a stick blender to turn the soup into a bisque-type texture. Add maple syrup slowly, tasting often, to sweeten. Taste and then adjust seasoning to your preference.
8. Serve topped with the roasted squash seeds.

Make it a meal with bread, salad or a yummy sandwich!

Microwave Apple Crisp in a Mug

Dessert is the perfect way to end a fall meal, especially when it’s warm and cinnamony! Plus, this easy treat comes together in minutes and is microwave friendly!

You’ll need:

• apple, 1 cup diced OR canned apple pie filling
• 1/4c oatmeal
• 1 tbs brown sugar
• 2 tsp butter or non-dairy substitute
• cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg
• ice cream or whipped cream

To DIY your own microwave apple crisp:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the apples, 1 tbs of water and spices to taste.
2. Heat for 60-90 seconds or until softened.
3. On top of the softened, seasoned apples, add the oatmeal, sugar and the rest of the spices to taste. Dollop the butter on top of everything.
4. Heat for an additional 45-60 seconds.
5. Top with your favorite ice cream or whipped cream.

Serve with hot mulled cider or sparkling cider for a perfect ending to an autumn day!

What are your fall-themed easy comfort foods? We’d love to check out your recipes!

Skip the same old, same old burgers and hot dogs at your Memorial Day BBQ this year. Instead, go big or go home with incredibly easy recipes with ingredients straight from the local commissary!

Host an Epic Early Summer BBQ

These are some of my own go-to recipes for my own BBQs and cookouts. As a busy mom with two little kids, I default to things that I can make super quickly and easily, even sometimes with a little slow cooker support.

Easy Baked Beans

You’ll need:

• one can each beans: kidney, black, navy
• molasses to taste
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 lb bacon or salt pork
• 1 onion
• 1 red pepper
• 1 clove garlic
• spices: paprika, salt, pepper to taste

How to:

First, brown the bacon, let cool and roughly chop. Dice the onion and red pepper. Quickly saute in a hot pan. In a crock pot set on high, combine the beans, onions, red pepper, bacon, sugar, vinegar, molasses, garlic and spices.

Mix to combine. Cook on high for 1-2 hours, then turn to low or warm until serving.

Simple Juicy Ribs

You’ll need:

• rack of ribs
• brown sugar
• spices: salt, pepper, cinnamon, paprika, chili powder, nutmeg, cloves

How to:

Combine the brown sugar, amounts will vary but start with 3/4 cup, with the spices. Vary the amounts based on what spice to sweetness ratio you prefer. Add more paprika and chili powder for spicier ribs; pump up the cinnamon and sugar for sweetness.

Before you add the rub to the ribs, preheat the oven to 400. Now, spread the sugar mix over the ribs, over both sides, in a foil lined rimmed baking pan.

Pop the ribs in the oven for about 10-15 min to develop a crust. Then drop the heat to 350 for about an hour. At the end of the hour, preheat the grill.

Through the ribs on the grill for about 20 minutes to finish, flipping at least once.

Chop into individual ribs and serve hot.

Berry-licious Salad

You’ll Need:

• blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
• granny smith apple
• pecans or walnuts
• loose leaf spinach
• lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper

How to:

Rinse and roughly chop the apple. Rinse the berries and spinach, too. Chop the nuts. Toss the spinach, apple, berries and nuts in a large salad bowl.

Mix the lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper in a small container until combined. When ready to serve, add the dressing to the salad.

Yummy Peach-Berry Pie

You’ll need:

• 2 Pilsbury prepared pie crusts
• 1-2 bags frozen peaches
• 1-2 bags frozen berries of choice
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice to taste

How to:

Defrost the peaches and berries. It’s okay if they’re not 100% thawed out. Combine the fruit in a large bowl with the sugar, cinnamon, and spices. Mix well.

In a pie pan, unroll one pie crust and pat down gently. Spoon the fruit mixture into the pie crust. Top with the second crust. Use a fork to poke holes into the upper crust.

Bake for 10-15 minutes at 400. Lower the heat to 350 and keep baking until the top crust is golden brown and crispy, about 45-60 min.

Mix Up the Sides

You don’t need to DIY or homemake every single item at your epic BBQ. Far from it! With yummy pre-made sides and extras from the commissary, it’s simple to host a feast for your friends.

Add rolls baked fresh in the commissary bakery, plus some cold cuts and cheese from the deli, for an easy sandwich station. Spice it up with gourmet mustards, mayo, pickles, olives and sliced veggies for an extra dose of deliciousness.

Make your own chips and dips bar. Grab a ton of chips from the snack aisle. My faves are the Lime Tostitos and Lays Salt & Vinegar. My kids love dipping wavy chips into French onion dip! There are also a ton of options for salsa, guacamole and hummus.

You can also grab a ton of pre-made sides, like pasta and potato salads. It’s easy to add a little extra variety to your buffet with a few containers of these easy sides.

Don’t forget the produce section! Not everything has to be pre-packaged or made from scratch. Grab fresh veggies and fruits to make self-serve platters.

Make a fruit tray with sliced apples, pineapples, grapes and orange slices. You could make it more festive with a sweet fruit dip.

DIY a veggie platter with cucumber and carrot sticks, plus sliced bell peppers and broccoli. You could add some olives and cherry tomatoes, too.

Don’t make everything yourself. Ask your friends and family to pitch in and make it a potluck! You’ll be able to try some of their favorite BBQ dishes while sharing your specialties, too.

What are your go-to BBQ dishes to make, take or share during the summer? We’d love to steal your recipes!