About Us

Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.), the organization behind Vegan Indian Food, was founded by a Chicanx and longtime vegan activist, lauren Ornelas. Inspired by Indian board member Sharanya Krishna Prasad, F.E.P. decided to launch VeganIndianFood.org to highlight Indian foods that do not include animal ingredients and to model that it is possible to eat vegan and still incorporate our comfort foods.

Animals have a special significance in many Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many Hindu texts consider vegetarianism essential for moksha (liberation of the soul). Most Indian states ban cow slaughter as cows are especially sacred to Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. Due to these religious traditions and histories, nearly 40% of all Indian adults consider themselves vegetarian, and a majority of people in India’s six largest religious groups follow some restriction of “meat” in their diet or do not consume animals at all.

English colonialism had a lasting impact on Indian diets and the lives of animals. With no respect for the religious significance of cows or Indians’ traditional foodways and agricultural practices, English colonizers built hundreds of slaughterhouses in India between the 19th and 20th century, seeking to make “meat” and dairy consumption more widespread. 

This site was created to showcase the diversity of flavors and dishes from India, many of which are traditionally made without harming animals. Indian cuisine utilizes plant protein sources such as nuts, rices, and legumes, fragrant spices and herbs, and fresh vegetables. The dishes featured on this site are a patchwork of family recipes and cultural tradition. They demonstrate how vegan food is for anyone and everyone. 

Vegan foods do not contain animal ingredients, including “meat,” sea life, eggs, dairy, and honey, all of which are products of suffering and exploitation. Of course, the produce we all eat is picked by farm workers, who often suffer and are treated unfairly, so we need to recognize just how important it is to support these workers whenever possible. F.E.P. continues to raise awareness about the labor conditions of produce workers while simultaneously working with them to advance their rights by supporting corporate, legislative, and regulatory changes.

We created VeganIndianFood.org to be a user-friendly resource for vegans and the vegan-curious alike, as well as the Indian community and beyond. We hope that you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!

VeganIndianFood.org is a collaborative effort, and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed: those who submitted original recipes; those who tested recipes; and those who cooked, styled, and photographed each dish!

More about Food Empowerment Project

Food Empowerment Project is a vegan food justice organization that seeks to create a more just and sustainable world by recognizing the power of one’s food choices. We encourage healthy food choices that reflect a more compassionate society by spotlighting the abuse of animals on farms; the unavailability of healthy foods in low-income areas; unfair working conditions for produce workers; and the worst forms of child labor, including slavery, in the chocolate industry. By making informed choices, we can prevent injustices against animals, humans, and the environment. To learn more about F.E.P., our work, or how to go vegan, please visit our website.

Food Empowerment Project is a vegan food justice organization and a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The VIF logo is influenced by colors and traditions that are uniquely Indian. The combination of bright orange, fuschia, and yellow is reminiscent of the popular festival Holi, during which Indians celebrate love, good over evil, and the emergence of spring. The letters are overlaid with a pattern inspired by henna, a type of body art commonly associated with important celebrations, and is thought to bring blessings, good luck, and joy. Together, these elements of color and pattern can also be read as patterned fabric, such as the embroidery on a sari or lehenga. Finally, the logo colors represent the vibrance of food across India: orange as symbolic of chili peppers and spice, fuschia for exotic dragonfruit, and yellow for turmeric, which is a quintessential ingredient in many Indian recipes.