Orthodox Fast Recipes

Feb 25, 2026

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During Orthodox Christian fasting for Lent, meals 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 delicious) to plan, I 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 ingredients, satisfying flavors, and recipes that still feel special – even when meals are more pared back.

We’re including vegan meals, shellfish options if you include shellfish, and some dishes with easy swaps (swap oat butter for butter, I prefer the flavor, ingredient profile, and melt of oat butter) or avocado oil instead of olive oil.

Pastas and Noodles
Rice, Beans, Bowls and Sides
Vegan Sandwiches
Vegan Soups
Easy Vegetables
Easy Vegan Dinners
Shrimp & Shellfish Recipes

Pastas and Noodles

A close-up of a pan filled with perfectly cooked pasta featuring succulent shrimp, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and tender asparagus subtly infused with the rich aroma of garlic.

Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Delicious pasta packed with garlic and shrimp flavor, simply sub 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!

noodles tossed in peanut sause with sesame seeds, snap peas, carrots, chopped peanuts, and vegetables on a table with chopsticks

Spicy Peanut Noodles

This Asian inspired spicy peanut noodle dish is one of my easy, simple favorites full of crave-worthy flavor.

A close up of a vegan pasta salad with peppers.

Antipasti Pasta Salad

This delicious antipasti pasta salad has tons of bright, fresh flavor and is easy to make for a group!

A white bowl filled with rice and tomatoes, topped with basil pesto.

Orzo with Sun Dried Tomatoes

This easy orzo with sun dried tomatoes and pesto (use vegan pesto) recipe is inexpensive and super simple!

Rice, Beans, Bowls and Sides

A bowl of mixed grains topped with roasted eggplant, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and chopped herbs captures the essence of a vegan delight. Another bowl of Sabich-inspired ingredients sits partially visible in the background, enhancing the vibrant scene.

Sabich Bowls

Easy, delicious sabich bowls loaded with vegetables, rice, and fried eggplant.

A colorful poke bowl with cucumber, avocado, crab meat, seaweed, and rice, garnished with sesame seeds and spicy mayo.

California Roll Bowls

These delicious California Roll Bowls are simple to make and packed with flavor – just be sure to use a vegan mayo.

Lime rice in a white bowl with lime slices, Chipotle Knockoff.

Cilantro Lime Rice

If you love Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice, you will love our fresh, delicious take on the bright and simple side.

A bowl of couscous salad with zucchini, white beans, and artichoke hearts, garnished with herbs and red pepper flakes.

Spicy Lemon Zucchini Cous Cous

This zucchini cous cous has preserved lemon for a spicy Mediterranean flavor that is irresistible!

Zucchini Shallot Cous Cous

Delicious cous cous with zucchini, shallot, and fresh herbs for a comforting, simple side dish that doubles as a hearty main!

A bowl of seasoned butter beans garnished with fresh herbs and a hint of oregano, with a fork resting inside.

Garlic Oregano Butter Beans

Delicious, rich butter beans with garlic, oregano, and 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

Delicious spicy and salty garlicky pinto beans, packed with onion and chili flavor!

Vegan Sandwiches

Falafel

There is nothing better than perfect falafel balls with a crispy outside and perfect light and fluffy middle!

Sabich

This delicious easy vegan Sabich sandwich is creamy, hearty, and packed with fresh vegetable, eggplant, and mushroom flavor!

Tofu Tacos

Delicious, easy, flavor packed air fryer tofu tacos are a comfort food favorite!

Open-faced sandwich with tomatoes, onions, and melted cheese on whole grain bread, garnished with herbs.

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!

A spicy vegan portobello burger with peppers and beer on a wooden board.

Spicy Portobello Burgers

These Portobello burgers have a delicious Mexican-inspired twist, for a spicy meatless burger without meat alternatives!

A spicy vegan portobello burger on a plate.

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.

Three shrimp tacos with purple cabbage, cilantro, and creamy sauce on a black plate, accompanied by grilled lemon wedges.

Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Delicious shrimp tacos loaded with flavor – make sure to use a vegan crema.

A mouthwatering wooden cutting board presentation of roasted habanero tomatillo shrimp tacos.

Habanero Shrimp Tacos

Spicy shrimp tacos with habanero, tomatillo, shrimp, beans, and vegetables.

Vegan Soups

An easy instant pot vegan vegetable soup recipe displayed in front of an instant pot.

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

This delicious, easy Vegetable soup is budget friendly, can be made in minutes, and is completely vegan.

A bowl of vegetable soup garnished with lime and cilantro, served with slices of bread on the side.

Thai Chili

This delicious Thai Chili soup uses coconut to stay vegan – a favorite during Lent!

Spicy Mexican black bean soup in a bowl.

Spicy Black Bean Soup

Be sure to use vegetable broth for this delicious spicy Black Bean soup!

Potsticker soup

This simple potsticker soup can easily be made vegan for Lent – simply use vegetable stock instead of chicken, and swap pork or chicken dumplings for vegetable or mushroom!

Easy Vegetables

A close-up of roasted eggplant chunks showcases their golden-brown exterior, seasoned with herbs and spices, while visible seeds add texture.

Easy Roasted Eggplant

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Roasted eggplant dip with pomegranate and crackers on a wooden cutting board.

Roasted Tahini Eggplants

Whole roasted eggplant with tahini, pomegranate, mint, and herbs.

Roasted cauliflower with cranberries and almonds, topped with tahini.

Tahini Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower with tons of tahini, nuts, and a sweet pop of tangy craisin flavor.

A bowl of grilled bok choy with sesame seeds.

Grilled Sesame Ginger Bok Choy

Grilled bok choy with sesame and ginger is a light, delicious side that I also love to add to ramen!

Roasted asparagus with everything bagel seasoning on a baking sheet.

Everything Asparagus

Roasted asparagus with everything bagel seasoning – super easy, a little crunchy, and tons of crave-able flavor!

grilled cauliflower steak on a plate with roasted red pepper sauce

Cauliflower Steaks

Roasted Cauliflower steaks are tender, delicious, 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 just served as a side!

A plate of cooked broccolini with slightly charred edges, served on a white plate with a green rim.

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!

Easy Vegan Dinners

A bitten cauliflower on a plate tells the story of a whole roasted masterpiece.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Roasting whole cauliflower to tender produces a delicious, buttery and savory vegetable that works as a main dish.

Spicy vegan sausage dinner in a baking dish.

Vegan Chorizo Sheetpan Bake

If you love kielbasa and peppers, try this vegan chorizo and vegetable sheetpan bake – its super easy and loaded with flavor!

Vegan Taco Skillet

My 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!

A wooden bowl filled with pasta and vegetables, resembling a Greek salad.

Greek Pasta Salad

Simply omit the feta (and use avocado oil instead of olive oil) from this Greek Pasta Salad to make it a perfect swap for Lent!

A bowl of creamy red dip garnished with herbs and chili flakes, surrounded by round, crispy crackers.

White Bean Dip

If you love spicy red pepper tiroafkeri dip, try this vegan white bean dip (omit feta, double the beans) – I like it over pasta and vegetables for a complete dinner with extra protein from the beans! I often make it without the feta no matter the time of year, it is so delicious!