Cookbook Review: Mostly Meatless: Green Up Your Plate Without Totally Ditching the Meat by America’s Test Kitchen

America’s Test Kitchen

Mostly Meatless: Green Up Your Plate Without Totally Ditching the Meat by America’s Test Kitchen (2025) America’s Test Kitchen Publisher.

Like many of us, I’ve been increasingly focused on meal planning to reduce my meat consumption. Perhaps you’ve also explored “Meatless Mondays” or opted for lighter choices like chicken and fish over red meat, or even incorporated plant-based proteins such as black beans, lentils, or tofu. My goal is to find what works best for me and discover satisfying new plant-based meals.

America’s Test Kitchen’s new cookbook, “Mostly Meatless,” is an excellent resource for anyone like me who is looking to navigate this shift. This book features over 200 recipes primarily focused on vegetables, while still allowing for meat in smaller, occasional portions. It strikes a balance that can appeal to a wide range of eaters, from those looking to significantly cut back on meat to those simply wanting to incorporate more plant-based meals into their routine.

Beyond just recipes, “Mostly Meatless” offers valuable insights into nutrition and effective meat replacements. It helps you understand how to create meals that are satisfying and leave you feeling full without the need for a large meat component. Approximately half of the recipes include some form of meat, but the book importantly provides clear guidance on how to adapt these dishes to be entirely meatless if you prefer. This flexibility is a significant strength, making the cookbook versatile for varied dietary preferences.

The cookbook is divided into easy to access sections, making it easy to find recipes for any meal or occasion:

• Breakfast all day
• Soups Stews and Chili’s
• Salad and Bowls
• Burgers, Sandwiches, Tacos and More
• Everyday Dinners
• Sunday Suppers

I found several standout recipes that showcase the book’s diverse offerings. These include the Fried Egg Sandwiches with Hummus and Sprouts, Kale and Black Bean Breakfast Burritos, and Zucchini Noodle Salad with Tahini Ginger Dressing. For heartier options, there are Swiss Chard Enchiladas, Miso Dashi Soup with Udon and Halibut, Herby Roasted Cauliflower and Chicken with Quinoa Pilaf, and Mushroom Tea Rice. These examples highlight the creative and flavorful approaches taken by the America’s Test Kitchen team.

This book is a testament to the collaborative effort of the America’s Test Kitchen team, including Editorial Director Adam Kowitt, Executive Food Editor Dan Zuccarello, and photographers Steve Klise and Daniel J Van Ackere. Their combined expertise is evident in the quality and clarity of the recipes and the overall presentation.

There’s much more to “Mostly Meatless” than a short review can fully capture. I encourage you to check it out; you might find it transforms your approach to weekly shopping and cooking, leading to enjoyable and more plant-forward meals.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Good.

This is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to enjoy more plant-based meals, offering over 200 versatile recipes that highlight vegetables while still allowing for optional, smaller portions of meat. Beyond just recipes, this friendly guide also provides valuable insights on nutrition and clever meat replacements, making it easy to create satisfying and flexible meals for breakfast, soups, and everyday dinners, ensuring you can embrace plant-forward eating without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

The Bad: Nothing.

About the Well Seasoned Librarian

Hailing from San Diego and spending his teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean Jones has become a seasoned resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. A true foodie and lover of the written word, Dean wears many hats: librarian, cookbook reviewer, and writer.

Catch him at book festivals, farmers’ markets, bookstores, or savoring a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Dean’s passion for food and literature shines through his published works. You can find his reviews in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine” and his insightful articles on platforms like Medium’s “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors What Are You Reading?” Currently, Dean keeps Benicia Times Herald readers informed with his regular cookbook review column.

Connect with Dean:

• Email: wellseasonedlibrarian@gmail.com
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