Afro-Vegan

A James Beard Award-winning chef’s exploration of plant-based cooking through the lens of the African diaspora. Bryant Terry draws on the food traditions of Africa, the Caribbean, and the American South to create over 100 vegan recipes that feel rooted in history and culture, not in dietary restriction.

Why Start Here

If Isa Does It teaches you the practical side of vegan weeknights, Afro-Vegan teaches you the cultural side of plant-based eating. Terry’s central insight is that many of the world’s most flavorful cuisines have always been largely plant-based, not because people were following a trend, but because vegetables, grains, and legumes were the foundation of everyday cooking for centuries.

The recipes remix traditional dishes with fresh produce and bold seasoning: smashed potatoes with chile-garlic oil inspired by Kenyan irio, cinnamon-soaked wheat berry salad drawn from Moroccan tagine traditions, and creamy coconut-cashew soup that nods to West African groundnut stew. Each recipe includes a suggested soundtrack and reading recommendation, weaving food into a broader cultural conversation.

What to Expect

A beautifully designed 224-page cookbook with full-color photography. The recipes are accessible but sometimes ask for a bit more attention than a 30-minute weeknight meal. Expect warm spices, fresh greens, whole grains, and combinations that feel both familiar and surprising. Winner of an NAACP Image Award and recognized by Bon Appetit as one of the best vegetarian cookbooks of all time.