Best Vegetarian Cooking Courses Online: Master Plant-Based Cooking in 2025

Want to cook delicious vegetarian meals that satisfy everyone—not just vegetarians? We’ve tested 45+ online vegetarian cooking courses to find the best options for learning flavorful, satisfying plant-based cooking.

Last updated: November 2025 | Reading time: 9 minutes

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Vegetarian Cooking Courses

Course	Best For	Price	Focus	Our Rating
Rouxbe – Plant-Based Professional	Comprehensive vegetarian	$49/month	All techniques	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Forks Over Knives Cooking Course	Whole-food plant-based	$180/year	Health-focused	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Udemy – Vegetarian Masterclass	Budget-friendly variety	$24.99	Global cuisines	⭐⭐⭐⭐
MasterClass – Alice Waters	Farm-to-table vegetarian	$180/year	Seasonal cooking	⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Buddhist Chef Online	Creative plant-based	$19/month	Comfort food	⭐⭐⭐⭐½

1. Rouxbe – Plant-Based Professional Cooking

Best for: Anyone wanting professional-level vegetarian cooking skills

This isn’t just “skip the meat” cooking—it’s professional plant-based technique taught at the level of culinary school. You’ll learn how to build flavor, texture, and satisfaction in vegetarian dishes that rival any meat-based meal.

What You’ll Learn:

Building complex flavors without meat
Protein sources and preparation (legumes, tofu, tempeh, seitan)
Vegetarian cooking methods and techniques
Nutritional balance in plant-based meals
International vegetarian cuisines

Pros:

Professional culinary school curriculum
Teaches WHY vegetarian dishes work
Comprehensive technique training
Certificate upon completion
Suitable for aspiring professional chefs

Cons:

Monthly subscription ($49)
Time commitment (30+ hours)
More serious than casual cooking
Assumes some cooking knowledge

Price: $49/month or $399/year

Duration: 30+ hours

Our verdict: The best investment for serious vegetarian cooking education. You’ll learn to cook plant-based food at restaurant quality.

[Start Rouxbe Free Trial]

2. Forks Over Knives Cooking Course

Best for: Health-focused individuals wanting whole-food, plant-based cooking

Based on the documentary “Forks Over Knives,” this course teaches oil-free, whole-food, plant-based cooking for health. Focuses on preventing/reversing disease through nutrition-packed vegetarian meals.

What You’ll Learn:

Oil-free cooking techniques
Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits
Meal planning for optimal nutrition
Replacing processed foods
Budget-friendly plant-based eating

Pros:

Health-focused with scientific backing
Recipes designed by registered dietitians
Active community support
Meal plans and shopping lists included
One-year access with option to renew

Cons:

Very restrictive (no oil, processed foods)
May not appeal if you want indulgent cooking
Annual subscription
Some find recipes too health-focused (not flavor-focused)

Price: $180/year

Duration: 20+ hours plus meal plans

Our verdict: Perfect if health is your primary motivation. Less ideal if you want indulgent, flavorful vegetarian cooking.

[Check Forks Over Knives Course]

3. Udemy – The Complete Vegetarian Cooking Masterclass

Best for: Budget-conscious cooks wanting variety in vegetarian cooking

This course covers vegetarian cooking across multiple cuisines—Indian, Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican, Italian. Chef Sarah teaches you how to create satisfying vegetarian meals that omnivores love.

What You’ll Learn:

Vegetarian versions of classic dishes
International vegetarian cuisines
Protein sources and preparation
Flavor-building without meat
Meal prep and planning

Pros:

One-time payment, lifetime access
Wide variety of cuisines covered
Beginner-friendly instruction
Downloadable recipes and meal plans
30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

Video quality varies by section
Less depth than professional courses
Some shortcuts for convenience
Limited advanced techniques

Price: $24.99 (often $14.99 on sale)

Duration: 10 hours, 60+ lessons

Our verdict: Excellent value for exploring vegetarian cooking. Great starter course before investing in pricier options.

[Check Current Udemy Price]

4. MasterClass – Alice Waters Teaches The Art of Home Cooking

Best for: Cooks wanting to learn seasonal, farm-to-table vegetarian cooking

Alice Waters pioneered farm-to-table cooking in America. Her MasterClass emphasizes seasonal vegetables, simple preparations, and letting ingredients shine. While not exclusively vegetarian, vegetables are the star.

What You’ll Learn:

Seasonal vegetable selection and preparation
Simple cooking that highlights ingredient quality
Composing vegetarian meals
Growing and sourcing vegetables
Sustainable cooking philosophy

Pros:

Learn from a legendary chef
Beautiful cinematography
Philosophy of ingredient-focused cooking
Access to 150+ other MasterClass courses
Lifetime access to content

Cons:

Not exclusively vegetarian-focused
Annual subscription required
Emphasis on expensive, seasonal ingredients
Less technique-heavy than other courses

Price: $180/year (all-access)

Duration: 3 hours vegetable-focused content

Our verdict: Inspiring if you want to cook vegetables beautifully and simply. Less practical if you need protein-focused meals.

[Check Current MasterClass Price]

5. The Buddhist Chef Online Course

Best for: Creative cooks wanting comforting, indulgent plant-based food

Jean-Philippe, The Buddhist Chef, creates plant-based versions of comfort food—burgers, pizza, mac and cheese, desserts. His approach makes vegetarian food crave-worthy and satisfying.

What You’ll Learn:

Plant-based comfort food
Meat and dairy substitutions
Creative vegetarian cooking
Vegan baking and desserts
Making plant-based food satisfying

Pros:

Fun, creative approach
Recipes that please omnivores
Focus on satisfaction (not just health)
Affordable monthly subscription
New recipes added regularly

Cons:

Less technique-focused
Some recipes use processed substitutes
Not suitable for whole-food-only approach
Smaller course library than larger platforms

Price: $19/month

Duration: 40+ hours of content

Our verdict: Perfect if you want plant-based comfort food that doesn’t taste like “health food.” Great for transitioning to vegetarian eating.

[Try Buddhist Chef Course]

Essential Vegetarian Cooking Skills

Protein Preparation:

Tofu: Pressing, marinating, achieving crispy texture
Tempeh: Removing bitterness, proper cooking
Legumes: Cooking from dry, canned alternatives, flavoring
Seitan: Making from scratch, achieving meat-like texture

Flavor Building:

Umami sources: Mushrooms, miso, nutritional yeast, soy sauce
Smokiness: Smoked paprika, liquid smoke, charring
Depth: Caramelizing onions, roasting vegetables
Complexity: Layering spices, herbs, acids

Texture Techniques:

Crispiness: Proper roasting, pan-frying tofu
Creaminess: Cashew cream, silken tofu, cauliflower
Chewiness: Properly cooked grains, mushrooms
Heartiness: Building substantial vegetarian meals

Vegetarian Cooking for Different Goals

For Health:

Forks Over Knives: Whole-food, oil-free, disease prevention
Rouxbe: Balanced nutrition with professional technique

For Flavor:

Buddhist Chef: Comfort food, indulgent dishes
Rouxbe: Professional flavor-building techniques

For Variety:

Udemy Masterclass: Multiple cuisines, wide range
Skillshare: Explore different instructors and styles

For Transitioning:

Buddhist Chef: Familiar comfort foods made plant-based
Udemy: Vegetarian versions of classic dishes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can vegetarian cooking be as satisfying as meals with meat?

Absolutely! The key is building flavor depth, achieving good texture, and including protein/fat for satiety. Good vegetarian courses teach these techniques. Many omnivores prefer well-cooked vegetarian meals over poorly-cooked meat dishes.

Do I need special ingredients for vegetarian cooking?

Basic vegetarian cooking needs: beans, lentils, tofu, vegetables, grains, spices. These are grocery store staples. Advanced recipes might use nutritional yeast, tahini, or specialty items, but most cooking uses common ingredients.

Is vegetarian cooking more expensive?

Generally no! Beans, lentils, and seasonal vegetables cost less than meat. Where cost increases: specialty meat substitutes, out-of-season produce, or health food store items. Budget-focused courses teach affordable plant-based cooking.

Will my family eat vegetarian meals?

If cooked well, yes! The key is making flavorful, satisfying food—not “health food.” Courses like Buddhist Chef teach vegetarian comfort food that omnivores love. Start with familiar dishes made vegetarian.

How do I get enough protein on a vegetarian diet?

Good courses teach protein sources: beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh, seitan, quinoa, nuts, seeds. A varied vegetarian diet easily meets protein needs. Rouxbe’s course covers nutritional balance comprehensively.

Can I learn to cook vegan (no dairy/eggs) too?

Most modern vegetarian courses include vegan options. Rouxbe, Buddhist Chef, and Forks Over Knives are fully vegan. Udemy’s course includes both vegetarian and vegan recipes.

Do these courses teach different cuisines?

Yes! Indian, Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican, and Italian cuisines have rich vegetarian traditions. Udemy’s Masterclass specifically covers multiple cuisines. Many vegetarian courses emphasize international recipes.

Our Final Recommendation

For comprehensive training: Rouxbe ($49/month) teaches professional vegetarian cooking at culinary school level.

For health focus: Forks Over Knives ($180/year) emphasizes nutrition and disease prevention.

For budget learners: Udemy Masterclass ($24.99) covers variety of cuisines for one-time payment.

For seasonal cooking: MasterClass with Alice Waters ($180/year) teaches vegetable-focused, farm-to-table cooking.

For comfort food: The Buddhist Chef ($19/month) makes plant-based eating satisfying and crave-worthy.

Ready to Master Vegetarian Cooking?

Whether you’re fully vegetarian, reducing meat, or just want more vegetable skills, these courses teach you to cook plant-based food that’s delicious, satisfying, and impressive.

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