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Scottish Recipes for Vegans and Vegetarians

Easy Scottish recipes for vegetarians and vegans, both traditional and modern recipes.

A baking dish of rumbledethumps

BONNIE SCOTLAND


I was born and have lived in Scotland my whole life. 

It's a beautiful country, where you're never far from the coast with long sandy beaches where you can sometimes spot seals and dolphins if you're lucky or beautiful lochs surrounded by hills.

If you want to want to walk or hike, you don't have to go far to find open countryside, hills and mountains with spectacular views.

We're also surrounded with forests full of wildlife, with birds (including birds of prey), squirrels, foxes and deer making their homes there.

The food in Scotland is diverse with influences from all over the world.

Traditional Scottish food tends to be a bit simpler, using local seasonal produce to make hearty dishes that are usually quite cheap to make.

A springer spaniel paddling in Loch Ness


TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH FOOD


Traditional Scottish food, the type passed down through the generations tends to be comfort food. 

It's to do with the often bleak weather, where at any point in the year it can become dark and dreich with lots of rain.

The food of Scotland also reflects our climate and the crops.

Scottish raspberries

SCOTTISH BERRIES


The east coast of Scotland has the perfect climate for berries, with long daylight hours in summer and lots of sun, but not too hot for these sweet juicy fruits. 

Berries are abundant in the wild and free for the picking while you are out on walks too. Bramble bushes are very common and overflowing with blackberries or raspberries.

You will find a lot of berries in our baking and desserts.

SCOTTISH CROPS


Our main crops are wheat, rye, barley and oats, which are milled in Scotland.

The barley is used in soups and stews and the oats we use in porridge, bread, cakes and savoury recipes.

We also grow a lot of rapeseed to make the most glorious yellow oil that's much healthier than olive oil, with a much higher burning temperature.

three large carrots

SCOTTISH VEGETABLES


Most of the potatoes sold in the UK are grown in Scotland, the other main crops are carrots, leeks, turnips (swedes), parsnips, onions, brussels sprouts and peas.

You'll also find lots of kale, chard, broccoli, cauliflower, broad beans, beetroot and lettuce available.

Our main crops appear in many of our traditional dishes, with soups and stews topping the charts. I did say we cook mainly hearty food, didn't I?


SCOTTISH RECIPES FOR VEGANS AND VEGETARIANS


Many recipes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, but others can be easily adapted.

Tinned Tomatoes started off as a vegetarian blog, but as our diets changed it became vegan-based, so you will find both vegetarian and vegan dishes below.

All recipes can be easily tweaked for a vegetarian or vegan diet, just use your regular milk, butter and cheese.

Some are traditional dishes, some are traditional dishes with a modern twist and others are new dishes using traditional Scottish ingredients.

They are all easy to make and come with photos and printable (you can save them as PDFs too) recipe cards.

I hope you enjoy the recipes. If there is any traditional Scottish recipe you would like to see, leave me a comment or email me at tinnedtomatoes@googlemail.com. I'm always happy to chat.

V = vegetarian
Ve = vegan

   SCOTTISH BREAKFAST   


A Scottish breakfast is a thing of many parts. During the week it may be porridge, cereal or toast topped with jam. 

In a hurry, then it might be a slice of banana bread, a flapjack or a muffin on the go.

On a Sunday it's usually a more leisurely affair with homemade pancakes or a cooked breakfast, which can feature all or some of the following:


  • Tattie scones (potato scones) - an easy flatbread made with potatoes
  • veggie sausages
  • veggie haggis
  • fried potatoes (in slices)
  • fried mushrooms
  • grilled tomatoes
  • baked beans
  • scrambled or fried egg (if you're vegetarian)
  • wilted spinach (if you're pretending to be healthy)
  • toast (toasted or fried)

And for something sweet try these easy Scotch pancakes (or drop scones).

Make your own Easy Vegan Haggis


full cooked vegan breakfast - potato scones, veggie sausages, mushrooms and baked beans

TATTIE SCONES


Tattie scones, also known as potato scones or potato farls are a Scottish flatbread made from potatoes which are served for breakfast.

We mostly call them tattie scones as tattie is our Scottish word for potatoes or potato farls. 

Farls comes from the old Scots word fardel which means a quarter. Tattie scones or farls are usually shaped into a flat round and cut into quarters in triangles, then cooked.

I like to roll the dough out and cut into small rounds with a cookie cutter.

They are best made from freshly cooked potatoes which are mashed, but they can also be made with leftover mash.




overnight oats and porridge

PORRIDGE


Porridge is a staple on Scottish breakfast tables. It's easy to make from porridge oats (rolled oats) and you can eat it plain or add lots of fruit (fresh or dried).

It will fill you up until lunchtime and give you energy to get on with your day.

Traditionally it was made in crofts in pots over a fire with no fancy toppings.

My dad ate it every day of his life for breakfast. He made it with water and a pinch of salt, which is very Scottish.  

Many people in Scotland serve their porridge plain (made with milk or water) and often with a drizzle of honey.

I like it with some sweetness from a drizzle of maple syrup or fruit.

I now also make a modern version of oats, by serving it cold as overnight oats. It's really not Scottish, but it's my twist on a Scottish oat breakfast.

THESE ARE ALL SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS. Use your regular milk. The creme egg overnight oats can be made with or without the creme egg on top (both vegetarian and vegan versions are available to buy.



Scottish flapjacks

FLAPJACKS


Flapjacks are closely related to porridge. The first flapjacks were just cold porridge that had set. 

In crofts, porridge would be made in a pot over an open fire and poured into a porridge drawer, also known as a kist.

The porridge would be eaten hot for breakfast, then as it cooled in the drawer it would set and be cut into squares to eat and so the flapjack was born.

Today flapjacks are baked and can contain all sorts of spices, fruit and even chocolate.
.
THESE ARE ALL SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS.

BANANA BREAD


Banana bread is such an easy bake and it's a great way of using up over-ripe bananas that might end up in the bin.

It's great served fresh, but it's even better toasted for breakfast and served spread with butter or dairy-free spread.

THESE ARE ALL SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS.


3 varieties of scotch pancakes stacked up, the first with maple syrup and banana, the second with blueberry compote and the third with chocolate sauce

SCOTCH PANCAKES


Scottish pancakes are more like American pancakes when it comes to rise, but we tend to serve them smaller. 

Some people prefer crepes, from our auld friends the French, but wee fat Scotch pancakes remain the most popular.


   SCOTTISH LUNCH   


Soup and sandwiches are popular lunch choices in Scotland. 

We eat soup at home but also take soup to work in tubs to heat in the microwave or take it in flasks to drink when we are out and about. 

I'm including homemade bread recipes that are great served with a hearty bowl of Scottish soup and sandwiches.

We also like a sausage roll or something in pastry for lunch, so I've included a few recipes for vegetarian and vegan sausage rolls and pies.


3 Scottish soups

SCOTTISH SOUP


Soup is one of our most popular dishes in Scotland and we serve it up for lunch and dinner. 

It's cheap, easy to make and very filling. Even the most unused kitchen will often see a pot of soup on the go as it's easy even for beginners.

Our soups are usually made from our staple crops, onions, carrots, potatoes, turnip (swede), leek and broccoli. We also like to add pulses or grains to bulk soups out.

Scottish soup is usually hearty with a bit of texture but we do make some smooth soups too.

I know it's not polite, but we love to dunk bread into our soup!




WHAT TO SERVE WITH SCOTTISH SOUP


Here are a few ideas of what to serve with a pot of Scottish soup. They aren't all Scottish recipes but they go great with Scottish soup.

THE BREAD RECIPES ARE ALL SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS.

BREAD

SCONES

Cheese scones are often served with soup in Scotland. Cut in half and spread with a generous amount of butter.

TOASTIES

Toasties are often served with soup or on their own with some salad.



Sausages rolls and savoury pastries

SCOTTISH SAUSAGE ROLLS & OTHER PASTRY LUNCH PIES


Us Scots love a bit of pastry at lunchtime. Sausage rolls, bridies or pies. A lot of it is very meaty, but it's easy to make a vegetarian or vegan alternative.

   SCOTTISH DINNER   


A traditional Scottish family dinner is usually hearty fare with lots of stews and pies involved. Usually served with tatties (potatoes) and a selection of vegetables. 

If it's Sunday dinner or a special occasion, there may be a starter and dessert or pudding too.

Scottish starters - lentil soup, haggis bites and mushroom & chestnut pate

SCOTTISH STARTERS


Here are some ideas for a Scottish style starter. Serve them with a small side salad. You can check out the lunch section for more soup ideas.


Scottish main course - shepherd's pie, mushroom stew and haggis burgers

SCOTTISH MAIN COURSE


As I said, dinner tends to be a hearty affair and is usually served with tatties and veg. 

We serve our tatties mashed, boiled or roasted for dinner. We love our tatties! Oh and rumbledethumps as a side dish, you can't forget the rumbledethumps!

THESE ARE ALL SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS.

BURNS SUPPER


Slow cooker stovies, slow cooker savoury mince and rumbledethumps

SLOW COOKER

THESE ARE ALL SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS.

SIDE DISHES


   SCOTTISH DESSERTS & PUDDINGS   


We do love a pudding here in Scotland, served with custard, ice cream or pouring cream. We rarely say no to a dessert either.


Scottish desserts and puddings - cranachan, sticky toffee pudding and strawberry trifle


PUDDINGS


   SCOTTISH BAKING   


We do love our cakes and sweet treats in Scotland. When I was a child my mum was always baking or letting me help her make tray bakes and sweet treats. 



Scottish bakes - tiffin, gingerbread and rhubarb and custard cake

BISCUITS


CAKES


Blueberry Scones

SCONES


TRAYBAKES


TRUFFLES 


I hope you try some of these Scottish recipes, both traditional and modern.

LANG MAY YER LUM REEK!


29 comments

  1. What a comprehensive post! I've lived in Scotland more than half of my life. And I wouldn't live anywhere else. Such wonderful produce to use in so many vegan and vegetarian dishes. You've done so much to counter the "fried Mars bar" image with your lovely blog. Congratulations xx

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    1. You are so right, there are such great ingredients. Thanks so much for your kind words Kellie. I am sure you have a big repertoire of scottish recipes yourself now.

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  2. What a great collection of recipes Jacquline. I've already tried a few of them. I have fond memories of visiting an Aunt in Aberdeen as a child. I remember her making treats with us. We used to make truffles, which I remember were messy to make, that might just have been me and my brother and she made mars bar cake too.

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    1. Thanks and I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes. My mum used to make truffles and mars bar cake too, although she called it mars bar block. I think they were popular across Scotland, but had slightly different names. Nice memories to have.

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  3. Bookmarking this! I've lived in Scotland for five years and have fallen in love with not only the country, but it's food. The fact you've brought together so many recipes is fab! Such a good resource.

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    1. I bet you have good memories. I do hope you try some of the recipes.

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  4. Wowza - so many incredible meat-free Scottish recipes here to try!

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    1. Haha, thanks Kate and yes lots to try. I hope you do.

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  5. What a great collection of recipes!! I'm not vegan, but am trying to reduce the amount of meat eaten, so these are perfect!

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    1. Oh yes there is plenty here to try. I hope you do.

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  6. As a Scot living overseas, many of these recipes bring back memories! I'm not vegetarian so don't always focus on looking for those options, so you've given me a few ideas too. I agree, you get some great produce in Scotland and Scottish food os often about showing it off simple, I think.

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    1. Ah yes, you must recognise a lot of them and I bet they bring back memories. You are right, it is definitely about tasty food that is simple.

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  7. What a great primer on Scottish food! Scotland is definitely on my bucket list. I'm bookmarking your site so I can at least enjoy some healthy vegan Scottish food in the meantime!

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    1. Thanks Michelle. I do hope you try some of my Scottish recipes.

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  8. Wow what an impressive collection to showcase your recipes! I love that whilst reading this I could imagine hearing it in your Scottish accent!

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    1. Haha, I never think I have much of an accent, but I must do.

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  9. What a brilliant collection of Scottish recipes! I love that they are all veggie too. So many lovely things to try. I've only been to Scotland once but your post has made me want to move there!! Will have to make a visit soon.

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    1. Thanks Michelle. It is a good place to live. Lots of countryside to visit and enjoy too.

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  10. What a great collection of recipes! Love the different ideas for breakfast!

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  11. Wow! The options for vegan or vegetarian Scottish recipes are endless. I can't wait to try the Porridge for breakfast soon.

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    1. You can't beat a bowl of porridge to set you up for the day and it's so healthy and filling. So many toppings you can add too.

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  12. What a complete collection of recipes! I especially love the desserts!

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    1. Thanks Shadi and yes the desserts are epecially good.

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  13. You could be talking about my childhood diet in New Zealand in the 50s-60s. A very strong Scottish influence in our country. Porridge was a staple and my granddaughter loves hers with runny honey fruit and soy milk.
    Soup and cheese scones or cheese rolls a must for lunch in winter. I'm enjoying your website which I found today through your book in our local library here in NZ. Adrienne

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    1. Yes there are definitely strong Scottish routes in New Zealand. So many Scots travelled there to live last century. Nice to now the book travelled so far.

      I hope you find lots of inspiration. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.

      You might also enjoy my Facebook group Living on the Veg.

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    2. That should read roots. haha! Darn phone thinks it knows best!

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  14. Hi Jacqueline
    Thank you for organizing ALL your Scottish recipes in one place.

    I am making them ALL starting off my "first footing" with food.

    Thank you. sooo much.

    Happy Christmas and Hogmanay
    Wilma

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    1. Awww that's lovely to hear Wilma and thanks for the wonderful email. Lang may yer lumb reek x

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I love reading comments, so thank you for taking the time to leave one. Unfortunately, I'm bombarded with spam, so I've turned on comment moderation. I'll publish your comments as soon as I can and respond to them. Don't panic, they will disappear when you hit publish. Jac x