A good vegan cookbook can help you unlock the magic of eating affordable, healthy foods that don’t harm a soul. When you know how to make delicious dishes out of wholesome ingredients, you can enjoy sensational flavors and save money by skipping on restaurants and premium products. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or practically a chef, there’s a vegan cookbook out there tailored to your skill level. Here are some of our favorite vegan cookbooks to help get you started on your journey:

For Those Looking to Stretch Their Dollars

Plant-Based on a Budget by Toni Okamoto

The author of three vegan cookbooks, Toni Okamoto loves to offer tips and tricks for cooking thriftily and reducing waste. With recipes for delicious make-ahead meals, one-pot or one-pan dishes, casseroles, 30-minute mains, and simple desserts, this book is perfect for frugal cooks, and it would make a great gift for your favorite college student.

For Those With a Creative Flair

Nom Yourself  by Mary Mattern

With “think outside the box” recipes like Gingerbread French Toast, Sesame Tofu Tacos, Sweet Roasted Pumpkin Soup, and Whiskey Lady Cupcakes, this vegan cookbook will unearth new possibilities and help you see that the only limit in the kitchen is your own imagination.

For the New Vegan

Eat Like You Give a Damn by Michelle Schwegmann and Josh Hooten

Remembering what it’s like to be a brand-new vegan, Michelle Schwegmann and Josh Hooten are here to help simplify the switch. More than just a vegan cookbook, this beginner’s guide is packed with nutrition info, a rundown of pantry items, and answers to common questions—including that proverbial red herring “Where do you get your protein?” Recipes for dishes like Hungry Vegan Pot Pie, Sweet Potato Ravioli, and Chocolate Chip-Banana Bread Pudding help make for a very tasty transition to vegan living.

For Armchair Adventurers

Vegan Street Food by Jackie Kearney

Jackie Kearney, a finalist on BBC One’s MasterChef, and her family have eaten their way across Asia, and she gives readers a taste of their adventures in her vegan cookbook. Recipes for mouthwatering dishes like Banana & Pineapple Fritters with Orange Blossom Caramel, Banh Mi Buddha, Green Jackfruit Vindaloo, and Lemongrass Soup with Wontons will transport you to the Far East (while saving on airfare). Filled with gorgeous photos of Jackie’s travels from India to Indonesia, Vegan Street Food is a feast for the eyes as much as forthe mouth.

For the Injera Addict

Teff Love by Kittee Berns

Do you love Ethiopian food but feel too intimidated to try making it at home? Kittee Berns makes it easy! She takes the mystery out of injera (the sourdough staple), saucy wots, and spicy veggies—and shows readers how to create fusion fare like Ethiopian-style Mac ’n’ Cheesie seasoned with the classic berbere spice blend.

For Anyone Who Has Ever Said, ‘But I Could Never Go Vegan’

But I Could Never Go Vegan! by Kristy Turner

Anyone who thinks they can’t give up meat, eggs, and dairy will realize they have it all wrong after they try Kristy Turner’s Beer-Battered Faux Fish and Chips, Chickpea Scramble Breakfast Tacos, Roasted Root Veggie & Kale Salad with Cashew Blue Cheese, Sesame-Sriracha Tofu Sandwiches, or Dulce de Leche Ice Cream. As anyone curious about going vegan who uses this cookbook will soon discover, we don’t need to kill animals in order to eat yummy foods!

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Cooking can provide insight into different cultures and be a mindful and fulfilling activity that helps reduce stress and bring people together. Your kitchen creations can reunite the family, show your partner you love them, or wow your dinner party guests. It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby, embark on a new lifestyle, or master a new skill.