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.
Sign up here
(And of course, we respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time).
Denise says
Congratulations on being awarded Best Vegan Blog! I love your blog and your cookbook. You and your story have been inspirational to me. Thank you!
One question - I am allergic to coconut so I can’t use whole fat coconut milk. What would you recommend as a substitute? I’ve tried a couple online suggestions but I wonder what you suggest.
Sincerely,
Denise
ABig Vegan Fan!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thank you!! I would suggest making cashew cream, 1 part water, 1 part raw cashews, blend until smooth and creamy. 🙂
Bev and Doug says
CONGRATULATIONS SAM, ON BEING VOTED THE BEST BLOG BY VEG NEWS READERS!
You so deserve this recognition! Besides the delicious, creative, artfully photographed and easy-to prepare recipes you share, you also seem to be an honest, sincere and kind human being. Humble, too, since there's nothing (yet) about this award on your blog. Be sure to let the world know!!
We are all fortunate that you share your heart and talents with us. You are making a difference!
Sam Turnbull says
Awww thank you so much Bev and Doug!! So thrilled you love my content so very much 🙂 I will post about it soon!
Sandra says
Any plans for a second cookbook? We have devoured your first one, it’s the absolute best and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of your recipes!! We have yet to be disappointed and I’m really hoping there’s plans for another cookbook. Thanks for all the great recipes (cookbook and website), you make being vegan easy peasy and we appreciate all of your hard work. Thanks Sam!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thank you so much, Sandra!! So thrilled you are loving all my recipes so much 😀
VICKI says
**********Confidential to Sam*************
Hi Sam-I found information about you and your awesome recipes looking at Pinterest. My youngest son has been vegan for around 8+ years so I sent in his email address for him to receive your information. He has been more than impressed with what he has received from you and can't wait to try everything he receives.
I wish there were a way to introduce the 2 of you! He is 34 year old, never married and enjoys life fully.
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, thank you Vicki! I'm happily in a committed relationship tho 😉
Jeffrey L Brumley says
Any chance you will go lecturing or a book tour in the USA? I am a long time vegetarian but a new vegan, around 3 monts now.
I don't think I could have done it without your cookbook and awesome recipes.
Thank you! Your awesome!
Jeff
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's wonderful Jeff!! So thrilled you're loving my recipes so much. I don't have anything booked in the USA right now, but make sure you're subscribed to my newsletter and/or follow me on Instagram @itdoesnttastelikechicken as I share all of that kind of info there. 🙂
Emma says
Your merry energy just bursts out of these photos. Between that and the smiley, adorable chicken of your logo, just BEING on your site makes me feel happy. New visitor but I'll be coming back again (and again, and again, and again).
Sam Turnbull says
Awww I love that!! THank you Emma!!
Karen says
I am so glad I found your site. My husband and I are newly vegan. Most of the recipes I found were too off beat for me. I spent one whole Saturday cooking, and didn't like any of the meals I made. I have loved everything I have made from your site so far. Bonus that the recipes are so easy! I might even be able to get my teenagers to like some of them! Thanks for your great recipes! You make being a vegan a whole lot more palatable 🙂
Heather Gilbert says
HI Sam!
I have a question regarding the almond cow machine. We purchased the one you use and would like to know how to get the milk creamy, as it is right now it comes out more like skim milk.
Thanks,
Heather
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Heather, try reducing the amount of water or adding more nuts/seeds/oats etc. Enjoy!
Heather says
How long do you soak your almonds that go into the almond cow machine? We've tried soaking them an hour and then over night with the same results - skim milk. We have been using a nut bag previously and the milk comes out nice and creamy, so we were hoping for the same results with the almond cow. We have tried the min water mark and still the same results. We do like that it takes very little time and the easy clean up.
Sam Turnbull says
I would either try reducing the amount of water or increasing the number of almonds. I also like to run the machine twice to get the maximum out of the nuts. Hope that helps!
Cathy says
Watched gamechanger and am now ready to go vegan when I get back from holiday. I came across your cookbook and the reviews are stellar and the recipes look delicious! I ordered your cookbook and am super excited; however, I didn't see whether or not the nutrional info will be listed with each recipe. I'm trying to slim down a bit while going vegan and know that it will probably happen, because its all plant-based; however, I still want to know my caloric intake to ease my mind :).
Also, I was wondering if you have any brands you recommend for things like butter aka your go to ingredients to make these amazing recipes. I am so excited to get this book and read it on vacay and get ready to do it when I get home. Thanks for doing all the work for all of us!
Sam Turnbull says
Congrats on your new veganism Cathy!! I hope you love my book when you get it 🙂 The recipes in the book do not contain the nutritional info (the recipes here on my site do tho). My go-to vegan butter is Earth Balance. Other than that you will see that my recipes include pretty normal ingredients, and brands don't matter much. Hope that helps!
Cathy says
Thanks Sam! I watched that doc and I'm ready starting in 2020, I even have my carinvore dom partner willing to go at least a month with me
I'm sure I can put the amounts you're using in each recipe on some kind of calorie app somewhere on the web, no worries! Quick question about the cals on the recipes here.. I was researching kcal and I kept getting different answers. Take for example your awesome buffalo cauliflower it said 260kcal and when I went to convert that it said 1000 calories for each serving and I went ahhhhh impossible, its cauliflower a bit of flour and hot sauce. Can you clarify the kcal conversion? I read your story and I believe that when you became vegan you lost weight and felt better, was that eating these foods or was that from the crazy balls and bars you used to create?
Last, super excited that earth balance is the brand for butter. Any recommendations on vegan cheese, cheese spread, and/or meat subsitute brands or do you stay away from those ingredients in your recipes? I saw good reviewes on Beyond, Lightlife and a few others. If you could give any recommendations, that would be awesome! Luckily I live in Ann Arbor Michigan near a world-renowed university, therefore my vegan selection is vast!
Thanks for your help and answering my NUMEROUS quesitons. Also I really appreciate the kind words! I'm excited to join the vegan ranks real soon! Happy Holidays!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Cathy, 1 Calorie is equivalent to 1 kilocalorie, so the cauliflower would be 260 calories. I lost weight and maintain it eating the foods I make and just maintaining my vegan diet. I don't use meat or cheese substitutes in my recipes as everyone has access to different ingredients, and instead to use more basic ingredients. But feel free to play around and see what you like! Best of luck and happy new year!
Shannon says
Hi Cathy!!!! I grew up in Michigan near East Lansing but i have always been a huge U of M fan! I live in Wisconsin now but. I will always be a Michigander! Anyways i went vegan in 2012 and lost 80 pounds in less than a year. I was driving taxi at the time and my activity level never changed. It was just from going vegan. And i was eating e crappiest food of he time. Vegan chips and cookies!! Lol!! I went to being just vegetarian again and started eating dairy again and i gained all the weight back and then some!! All of Sam's recipes i have tried are delicious and they are getting me back on track!! You can do this!!! Don't worry to much about calories!! If you eat a healthy vegan diet the weight will come off!!!! I am doing this too!!! Thanks too Sam for being creative!!! I appreciate everything you do!!!
Shannon says
Oh another benefit i noticed when i was vegan is insomnia went away my periods went from about 7 days down to 3 days and all of my joint pain was gone!! It is all back once i added dairy back!! Not saying that will happen for you or anyone else. That is my experience! I am so happy to be vegan again for the animals and my health!
Leanne says
Hi Sam,
I stumbled across your website last night while searching for healthy dog treat recipes. I just adopted a senior dog with a lot of skin allergies and she hates the recommended dog food unfortunately. I thought if I could at least find a treat for her that may entice her. Well I made the pumpkin & peanut butter treats and all the dogs were sitting and watching. Lol. I had purchased a silicone dog bone tray to make treats. They are thick and take about 45 min to cook, but they all love them. I made another batch and before cooking I gave them some of the “cookie” doe— gotta do that! I thought maybe mixing that in with the food would help. My goodness that was the trick. I can’t wait to make more. I’m not vegan, but am really interested in trying your recipes. Keep doing what you’re doing, it’s awesome.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much, Leanne! Thrilled your dogs enjoyed the treats so much 🙂
Beth says
OMG! I think because of you I may finally be able to REALLY SERIOUSLY become vegan... I love easy recipes... just made the chocolate muffins, yum! Making sweet Korean lentils tonight! Thank you!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww yay!!!!! That makes me so happy, Beth!! Congrats on your new veganism 🙂
Tony low says
Sam i love your recipe's. So easy to follow, i don't always master them, but have fun trying. Every meal is delicious.
So glad i found your site, looking forward to buying your book for Christmas.
Bon appevegan
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thanks so much Tony! SO happy you're having so much fun cooking 🙂
Mackenzie B Foust says
Oh my goodness you are the cutest thing ever! LOVE your recipes and LOVE your honesty about becoming vegan, because I felt the same way! I am currently using your tricks to try to wean my husband and 4 kids over to plant-based eating. Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so very much, Mackenzie!!! Haha!! Good luck 🙂
Jonathan Fast says
Sam, just bought your cookbook and love it! Vegeterian Cheese Cake is awesome.
I have 2 questions.
1) Parchment paper should not be used at temperatures >425 degrees (flammability, I think.) Your Barbecue cauliflower suggests bake at 450. I put it on aluminum foil instead of parchment (big mistake?) and the coating had the consistency of leather.
2) Do you correct temp or duration of cooking if you use convection?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Jonathan, so happy you love my book! I always use parchment paper without a problem but I imagine aluminium foil should be fine. The coating is supposed to be a bit chewy to give the cauliflower a meat-like texture but perhaps it cooked a little long and got too tough. It's difficult to know without being in the kitchen with you. I don't use convection so I'm afraid I can't advise on that. Enjoy!
Jennifer says
Hi Sam,
I love your YouTube videos but you haven't made in a while. Are you stopping YouTube? I hope not, I love your enthusiasm and energy.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Not stopping completely, just taking a break, but I hope to make a new one soon 🙂
Sean M. Goodman says
I had my ten-year vegan-versary back in June and it was awesome! I was at Trader Joe's and the lady at the sample counter recognized me as "that vegan guy." She asked me how long I'd been vegan and, being bad with dates, I had to check my calendar. And sure enough, that very day was my tenth year to the day! She gave me an apple.
I got to the front, to check out my fully-vegan cart, and the cashier asked me about my t-shirt (I love Bob Ross), and we got to talking about how I'm vegan, and how I just found out that it was my tenth-year to the day, so she runs away ("be right back!") and brings me a vegan-marked banana bread.
Yay perks! (Plus, the animals!)
Can't wait to try your tiramisu. Hooray!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Amazing!! Happy 10 years 🙂
Tony Salerno says
I love your website, I love your recipes, I love your energy. My daughter is an environmental scientist and she has shown me that there are many compelling reasons to adopt a vegan diet. My children gave me your cookbook yesterday for Father's Day. So many recipes I can't wait to try!
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing! Welcome, Tony. 🙂 I hope you enjoy many recipes 🙂
Lee says
Wow! We are so similar! I too went vegan overnight after watching Vegucated. The first week was hard, but my motivation was clear. That was six years ago, May 9, 2013. I was about to turn 58 (never too old to start). I live with a carnivore (who recently lost 100lbs thru bypass surgery) and his teen daughter (vegan?? never!).
Becoming vegan was the easiest and best decision I ever made. I love your videos! You’re kookie, like me! First up, Butter Chicken.
Thank you for being you, and for helping other vegans, and vegan-curious, to discover life beyond kale (which I hate, even massaged or lacinto).
Sam Turnbull says
Wow that's so cool!! So happy you are enjoying my recipes, and even better, loving being vegan!! 😀
Robin Tella says
Sam, you rock!
I am a new vegan as a result of recently discovered food allergies. For awhile I thought I'd never get to eat "normal" again LOL. I saw one of your recipes on Pinterest so I bought your cookbook. The first recipe I made was the tofu scramble - it is so easy and SO delicious. I am totally in love with eating again!
Thanks for all you do to make it easier for people like me!
Blessings,
Robin
Sam Turnbull says
Aww that's so wonderful, Robin!! So happy you get to eat and enjoy again!
Bob says
Thank you for your great recipes and website. I would like to mention one possible oversight. The recipe category “Mains” is mostly not “Mains”. Are the rest of the “Mains” somewhere else? Thanks again.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Bob, you can find all of my recipes here. Enjoy!
Cheryl says
Hi Sam, I’ve just found your site and ordered your cookbook. Amazon will deliver tomorrow. Excited to try your recipes!
Thanks and enjoy your day 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! Thank you so much for your support, Cheryl! I hope you love the recipes 😀