Hi friends!
I'm Sam Turnbull, vegan recipe blogger, and bestselling cookbook author, writing to you from Toronto, Canada.
Here's my story...
Going vegan
You might be surprised to hear that the moment I decided I was going to go vegan, I was completely and utterly bummed about it.
Let me explain, I NEVER in a million years thought I would become vegan.
I grew up in a family of foodies, chefs, butchers, and hunters (yes, it's true). My household had a flock of chickens (both for eggs and for eating), the freezers were stocked full of meat, steaks were cooked rare, and there were even real animal heads decorating the walls (not that I ever liked the heads). Now, doesn't that just sound like the most vegan household you have ever heard of? Probably not. So, as I'm sure you can imagine, switching to veganism was a BIG change for me.
So what in the world happened?
As a kid I always loved animals. I had dogs, cats, gerbils, turtles, and even a rabbit named Gravy (no, I didn't realize how incredibly odd that was at the time). But even though I loved animals, I was still an avid meat eater. It made sense to me: animals were killed because we "needed" to eat meat and that seemed a-ok to me.
I thought vegetarians, and especially vegans, were so extreme and silly. They were all dying of protein deficiency for sure. (Insert eye roll here.) So, that's how I was coasting along through life. Loving my pets, being creeped out by fur and taxidermy, all while wearing leather and eating meat, eggs, and dairy.
Then…
One fine day in 2012, I made (what turned out to be) the best decision ever: to sit down and watch a documentary about being vegan called "Vegucated". And that triggered some uncomfortable questions in my brain.
So the next morning I woke up and decided to try being vegan. I cleaned out my cupboards and fridge of anything that wasn't vegan and started this crazy new adventure. I knew I wanted to try it, but I also knew I wasn't entirely convinced yet, so that night I watched "Forks Over Knives". And then I followed that up with every health, environment, and animal cruelty book and film I could get my hands on.
The result? You guessed it, here I am today, dun dun duuuuun! A vegan. (Hi!) 👋
By the end of my documentary and book binge-fest, two things were absolutely clear to me:
- I was officially going vegan.
- I didn't want to be vegan.
After all of my research, it made 100% logical sense to me to be vegan. It was better for my health, the environment, and, of course, the animals. The problem was, I actually hated the idea of adopting a vegan lifestyle. I remember being so frustrated, almost wishing I could unlearn all of the facts I had learned. I loved meat and cheese, and I really didn't want to be "that weird vegan girl." Well, I couldn't unlearn, so I had to come up with a new plan of attack: be the best damn vegan I could be!
Becoming the best damn vegan I could be...
I had always loved to cook, so I started researching vegan cooking. I stocked my cupboards with what the recipes required: hard-to-find, expensive, and odd ingredients such as arrowroot starch, brown rice syrup, xylitol, guar gum, spelt, hemp, and other things that I still have lingering in some back corner.
All the recipes had names that included the words "energy," "glow," "detox," or "power," and were mainly for bars, balls, juices, smoothies, and salads. They required hours of prep, dehydrating, and straining, and had a ton of steps.
Cookies were raw, chocolate was frozen, desserts were healthy, dinner was spiralized, grain bowls were a must, and everything had kale, quinoa, chia seeds, sprouts, avocado, and coconut oil in it. This, to me, was indeed boring food
Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with those kinds of recipes. They just weren't for me. Sometimes I love a smoothie or juice, but for the most part, I just want pancakes and pasta. Why did I have to become all sprouts and kale just because I was vegan?
So, I began playing around in the kitchen...
Not only were my new creations satisfying, hearty, full of flavour, and straight-up delicious, but they were just as easy to make as any other meal. With limitation came inspiration, and before I knew it, going vegan had become one of the best decisions I'd ever made!
As a sweet bonus, I saw my health improve. I didn't even know that I had been feeling bad until I learned what it felt like to truly feel great! Gone were the days of feeling bloated after eating, of having a sensitive stomach, of getting drowsy mid-afternoon, of unbuttoning my jeans after meals, and of feeling guilty and grossed out when I thought about what my dinner really was. I was now healthier, leaner, more energetic, and just overall happier.
The best and most surprising part of going vegan was that I absolutely loved it!
I started to document my recipes so I could make them again and again. At first, I was just taking quick snaps on my phone and jotted down the ingredients, but I decided a better plan was to (not so subtly) woo my friends, family, and anyone who would listen to the greener side by sharing my recipes online. And so this blog, It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken, was born. Hot dang, it worked! Friends, family, vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores from across the world were making my recipes - and raving about them!
As the feedback started rolling in, I fell in love with recipe writing. It was so fun, creative, and tasty! Not only that, but I was helping to show people that a plant-based diet can be totally delicious, easy, doable, and good for you! Now, fast forward 10 years, and I'm proud to be "that weird vegan girl". Haha. I have made it my full-time career to share all of my totally scrumptious, approachable, comfort food favorites, and everyday meals made vegan. No fussing about, just good ol' food that everyone will love, vegan or not.
This blog now gets millions of visitors every month, I have two bestselling and award-winning cookbooks, I run an online subscription meal planner called The Easy Vegan Meal Plan, I teach online cooking courses at The Ultimate Vegan Kitchen, and you could easily say that going vegan was one of the best decisions I ever made. 🙂
If you are new here...
If you're like me, a reluctant vegan, or if you are just looking to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, I'm here for you! I promise to help you fall in love with vegan food.
The best place to start is by signing up to receive my free eCookbook of the Top 30 Vegan Recipes! In this book, you will receive 30 fan-favorite, easy, and incredibly delicious vegan recipes. Whether you're new to plant-based cooking or not, you are going to love these recipes!
Just enter your name and email address below and get ready to start receiving a whole bunch of mouth-watering, easy-to-make vegan recipes.
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Sole says
Hi from Argentina! I have just watched COWSPIRACY and i feel i have to change. so searching for info on a planet based diet i found your blog and i love it!
Sam Turnbull says
Welcome, Sole! What a great movie. Thrilled you are making the switch. I have lots of easy recipes on my site that should help you, and let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support.
Beth says
Hi Sam! You are brand new to me today, and you are such an inspiration. I haven’t eaten meat since Christmas day, going strong and always looking for new ideas. I just watched your buffalo cauliflower video. Goind to make it soon, love it!
Beth
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Beth. Welcome!! Congrats on your new meat free life! I hope you love the buffalo cauliflower, and many more recipes 🙂
Christine says
Does your Cookbook have many low-fat, low-sugar recipes? Thanks.
Sam Turnbull says
Not really, it's probably not the book for you.
Sandy says
WHAT? Sam, just as you tweaked recipes to get your fabulous ones for us, they in turn can be modified for lower fat and sugar. Sometimes just a tsp of coconut oil or a bit of stevia or real maple syrup at the end of mixing works just fine. I can't have tofu (estrogen rich), but found Chickpea Tofu made from chickpea flour and water works as a substitute, it marinates, fries, adds lovely texture and flavor to recipes written to use tofu. Try gluten-free flour instead of regular, perhaps something equally delicious will result. Don't give up this cookbook and its wonderful ideas and recipes. Its very worth having it in your library. Thanks Sam. Food/recipe fiddler here too.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Sandy, so glad you are enjoying my recipes! If you are comfortable tweaking my recipes that's fabulous, but I know many people are not and I don't want to mislead people. Many of the main dishes can easily be made low fat, but the desserts would require a bit of creativity. FYI tofu doesn't actually contain estrogen, it contains phytoestrogen which is actually very good for you. Check out Nutrition Facts for more info. Thrilled you are enjoying my book so much!!
cathy berger says
Love your enthusiasm! I always bring a vegan dish to family events to help relatives realize it is not only compassionate and morally right but easy and delicious to eat without animal products.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much! That's wonderful 🙂
Heather Cohen says
January 1, 2018 and here I am with the possibility of making some life changes. I tried your Korean BBQ lentils during the summer of 2017 and was truly wowed by them. My daughter was experimenting with vegetarianism and I was more than happy to help her. The lentils knocked our socks off! While I might never become truly vegetarian or vegan, I very much appreciate your approach to meatless cooking and how you do not compromise taste and satiety for this lifestyle. I am looking forward to reading more of your blog and will search for your cookbook. Applause for you - YOU ROCK.
Sam Turnbull says
Aww shucks, thank you so much, Heather!! Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes so much. My cookbook is now available worldwide, woot woot! I'm afraid the stock in some stores is a little low as it is selling out, but the second print should be arriving soon. 🙂
Kiersten B says
Hi Sam!
Thank you for sharing your passion on this blog! I am a transitioning vegan; mainly vegan, but will eat seafood on occasion. I have the problem of saying no to others, to not come off as rude and to not waste food that has already been prepared. I began my journey into veganism in a very similar manner that you did and watched the same movies. I also read a book from farm sanctuary, They had some amazing facts and information in that book as well. Living the Farm Sanctuary Life: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Mindfully, Living Longer, and Feeling Better Every Day.
But anyway! Thanks again for the inspiration I will be making dinner tonight using one of your recipes, I cant wait to see how it turns out! I will share on Instagram the one I choose. So many choices!
Thank you for making eating healthy fun and affordable!
Have a Happy Holiday and Looking forward to all that have to offer!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Kiersten! Welcome! So thrilled you found me. Yes, it can be awkward at first to say no to others but it becomes much easier over time. Check out my video that I recently posted "5 Years Vegan". I talk about just that very thing. I hope you love the recipe you try!
Kiersten B says
I loved it! I made the mac n cheese; apple muffins, and your cheesy Broccoli soup! All were a great hits for my vegan and non vegan family members 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Woohoo! Thrilled to hear that!
Joe Olcese says
Hi Sam, I am interested in your meat substitute recipes, especially the ones using Jack Fruit. I love to grill and smoke, and thought this would be a healthy alternate to compare to my favorite recipes. looking foward to trying your pulled pork recipe since watching Easy Vegans video on youtube.
Thanks! Joe
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! I hope you love it, Joe 🙂
Alyssa Darden says
Hi Sam!
I really like your recipes, stumbled across them when looking up vegan breakfast options. Can't wait to try more!
Your website is REALLY well laid out and I just wanted to say you are doing an awesome job. Keep up the good work! By chance, does your book include any recipes catered to children?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Alyssa, thank you so very much!! 😀 Yes, my book has a ton of kid-friendly recipes such as: pancakes, waffles, muffins, granola bars, pizza pockets, broccoli soup, carrot dogs, 15 minute peanut noodles, mac and cheese, chocolate chip cookies, crispy caramel rice squares. I've heard kids love it 🙂
Rachel Ilagan says
Hi Sam,
Just found your blog. I’m excited to try out your recipes and check out your cookbook. You and your friends are very amusing in your cookbook ad! Best wishes for 2018!
Rach
Sam Turnbull says
Haha thank you so much, Rachel! It was fun to make that little infomercial 🙂
Ole says
Being Vegan is very bad for your health though... We were not designed to be Vegans, a lot of things lacks in a Vegan Diet, and that is something that will show further down the line i'm afraid! Good luck though 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
I'm afraid that's not what the science shows, Ole. I recommend checkout out the documentaries Forks Over Knives and What the Health (both are on Netflix), and the books How Not to Die, and Eat to Live. Better health is one of the main reasons I went vegan.
Mary Carroll says
I just found your website because my husband and I are planning our Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner and he needed a recipe for vegan cream of celery soup! He was also looking for a vegan pumpkin pie recipe which you have! Has your cookbook been published yet? I must order it for my husband (I don't know how to cook).
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Mary! Welcome 🙂 Yes, it sure has. You can check it out and pick up a copy here. I hope you and your husband love it!
Judith says
Hi Sam,
I just found your blog - wow! I love it. You are such an inspirational breath of fresh air - much needed in my life right now. I watched "What The Health" a few weeks ago and decided to go vegan (so did Hubby) but we somehow got sidetracked 🙁 Last night I watched "Forks Over Knives" - best doco ever (so far). This time I got up in the midst of the doco and emptied my cupboards of all the bad stuff and sorted out my fridge so I'd have no more temptations. Yay!
Today I started vegan and I don't want to stop. I'm sick of feeling fat, tired, and older than I am. I'm 58 but have been feeling more like 70. No more! Your blog has given me hope and inspiration. Other people's comments have also been encouraging. I'm excited to try your recipes, and buy your cookbook.
Thank you for being the vibrant cheerful person you are. You make me feel happy just looking at your photos.
Love, blessings and gratitude to you Sam xo
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Judith, Welcome! I did exactly the same thing after watching Forks Over Knives! I'm so happy you cleaned out your kitchen, having a completely vegan kitchen makes it 1000 times easier to transition. If all you have is vegan food around you, that's all you will eat. Keep up the awesome work. It's all about breaking old habits and replacing them with new ones. It can be a challenge in the beginning, simply because it is new, but once you get the swing of it, the only think you will wish for, is that you went vegan sooner. (That's what alllll vegans say)! So glad you found me. Please let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Mikel Maria says
I found this that you are hilarious. What tasty foodstuffs to devour as I laugh. Thanks for being vegan. ️
Sam Turnbull says
My pleasure 🙂
Marie says
Hi Sam my name is Marie and I'm being a vegan but I need advice it's hard for me to avoid stuff and I just wanted to see if u have any advice for that....
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Marie, are you looking for food replacements or do you need some inspiration? If you want some inspiration I recommend checking out the movies Forks Over Knives, What the Health, Cowspiracy, Vegucated (all are on Netflix), and Earthlings which you can watch here. Hope that helps!
Lauren says
Hi Sam,
I just wanted to thank you for creating your fuss free vegan cookbook. This is hands down the easiest and tastiest vegan cookbook ever! I love how easy all your recipes are and the low ingredient list. I even bought a copy for my friend who isn't vegan but is open to exploring those options. She immediately wanted to make the rice paper bacon! This is the first book I have been excited to show my non-vegan friends. Your honest intro is what made me decide this is a cookbook I could share with anyone. I am definitely going to be recommending this to everyone I know.
You are a godsend to the vegan cooking world. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes!!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Lauren,
Wow, thanks so much!!! I'm totally blushing over here! Overjoyed you love it so much, and that you are sharing it with your friends. Thank you 🙂
Haddie says
Hiya! I'm super inspired and grateful for your blog and recipes. My entire family had gone vegan since watching all of the documentaries there are on the Milk/Meat/Pharmaceutical Industries. (Have you seen What The Health, yet?) It sucks thay we've been dooped our entire lives into thinking we need animal products...but, I'm glad that I know all of this now so my husband and I can teach our daughter the healthiest way of life. Anyways, I'm really excited to try these delicious recipes. Mouth watering! Congratulations on all of your successes and your new book! Sooo happyyy
Sam Turnbull says
Welcome! Yes, What the Health is awesome! It's so weird that most have us have been led to believe animal products are good for us, but I do think the world is starting to change and become more aware. Thank you so much for your kind words, Haddie! I hope you enjoy my recipes and book. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support 🙂
Nicole says
I just bought your fuss-free vegan cookbook and I can honestly say I'm excited to make EVERYTHING in it! After a year of being vegan and eating the same recipes consistently your book gets me excited to cook again! Just wanted to say thank you for writing a down to earth cookbook with easy to follow recipes!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh yay!!! I'm so happy! Thank you for purchasing my book and even more so, for being so excited about it!!! I hope you love it as much as I loved creating it, Nicole 🙂
Minna Kääriäinen says
I just found your blog by following a Pinterest pin. Looking good.
I was wondering how you desided to give this name to your blog? Did someone say that to you at some point or how did you came up with that?
Greetings from Finland,
Minna
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Minna,
Welcome! It might not be a common expression in Finland, but saying something "tastes like chicken" is a common phrase people use when something is bland or doesn't really taste like anything. So with my blog name, I was making a little joke, saying it doesn't taste like chicken - it's the opposite of bland, and also of course that there is no meat involved 🙂
Simone says
Hello, Sam
I'm in the transition process from vegetarian to vegan, so I'm no strange to vegan recipe sites, blogs and the like.
I came across yours when looking for an easy vegan cheese recipe, and thought it was just another site about veganism.
But my goodness, your site is amazing! It's beautiful, well written, informative, inspirational...well done, and thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww shucks, thanks so much, Simone! Really happy you enjoy my site so much. Congrats on your new transition! Let me know if you ever have any recipe requests, questions, or need any support. Welcome! 🙂
Rebekah says
Hi! And wow you are amazing and adorable and I just think what you've done here is fab!
I've been vegan since 2012 too and I love your story/journey into veganism. I became vegan in Los Angeles, so as you can imagine I've been totally spoiled with the million vegan restaurants and amazing things in the supermarkets to choose from I never found it a challenge to find things to eat. Cut to 2017 when I suddenly found myself living in the north of England in the very quaint and quiet English countryside newly married to my English husband and very very very far from anythting close to a vegan restaurant and very spoiled on all things vegan, but now with none in sight.. not a vegan cheese for miles in any super market and definitely no nutritional yeast!!! Dumdumdum!!! I felt like I was going to die. Slowly over the past few months and by turning my husband vegan we have managed to slowly source out the things we need.. lots of long drives and lots of internet shopping, but we are happy to repot that we are alive. I found your blog just in time as I was starting to feel like I'd exhausted all my own ideas and needed a new injection of inspiration and hope! Thank goodness for you!! Your recipes are amazing and you don't rely on loads of fancy things I can't get my mits on... so you have saved us in so many ways!
I'm madly planning which things to cook first and want you to know how grateful I am that you work so hard to help feed us all..
I'm no longer a spoiled LA vegan just rolling into cafe after restaurant after cafe to eat till my hearts content.. I'm a clever self catering vegan feeding myself and my husband right out of my own kitchen and loving every minute of it... while only feeling a little homesick once in a while.
Thanks again.. you are the best ❤️
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Rebekah,
Thank you so much! Wow! What a great story! So happy you are loving my recipes and thrilled they are easier for you to make in your new home. Thanks so much for lovely compliments. Let me know if you ever have any questions or recipe requests 🙂
Marta says
Has anyone told you that you are absolutely amazing?! Came here googling vegan donuts and omg, I'm hooked! I love the way you run this blog, so many recipes I want to try (reading blog at work and want to finish asap and cook!!!). I'm your stalker now, follow you everywhere (social media only lol)
With love,
Polish girl in Scotland,
xxx
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha, aww shucks thank you, Marta! Delighted to have a Polish stalker in Scotland, hahaha. I hope you love the recipes when you get a chance to try them! 🙂