Origins of the “Marry Me” Dish Trend
The phrase began with the wildly popular Marry Me Chicken—a creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato chicken dish that became viral for being "proposal-worthy." But vegan chefs have taken the concept and run with it, creating deeply flavorful dishes that are compassionate and delicious.
Key Traits of a “Marry Me” Vegan Dish
- Rich and creamy textures
- Complex, well-balanced flavors
- Visually appealing and aromatic
- Comforting yet gourmet
- Easy enough to cook, yet elegant enough to impress
The Essential Ingredients for Romantic Vegan Dishes
Creaminess Without Cream: Plant-Based Magic
Thanks to ingredients like:
- Cashews
- Coconut cream
- Almond milk
- Silken tofu
You can whip up sauces and bases that rival any dairy-based counterpart.
Umami and Flavor Depth: Spices, Nutritional Yeast, and More
Umami is the secret to heart-melting savory flavor. Use:
- Nutritional yeast
- Miso paste
- Mushrooms
- Smoked paprika
- Soy sauce or tamari
Aromatic Appeal: Fresh Herbs and Garlic
Nothing sets a romantic tone like the scent of sautéed garlic and herbs wafting through the air. Think:
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Top 15 Best Vegan Marry Me Recipes of All Time
Let’s dive into the stars of this article—these vegan recipes will leave your guests swooning.
1. Vegan Marry Me Chicken – Full of Plants
Chef Thomas Pagot recreates the classic Marry Me Chicken using homemade vegan cutlets, simmered in a velvety cashew-based cream sauce with garlic, Italian herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes. It's indulgent, elegant, and completely plant-based.
🔗 Read the recipe on Full of Plants
2. Marry Me Tofu – Nora Cooks
Nora’s recipe replaces chicken with crispy tofu. It’s cooked in a dreamy, dairy-free sun-dried tomato cream sauce that's so good, you might hear wedding bells after the first bite.
🔗 Read the recipe on Nora Cooks
3. Vegan Marry Me Pasta – PlantBaes
Sarah Cobacho’s viral TikTok favorite is loaded with plant protein from lentil pasta and butter beans, combined with a savory, rich cashew sauce. Perfect for a meal prep or date night.
🔗 Read the recipe on PlantBaes
4. Vegan Marry Me Chick’n – The Whole Food Plant Based Cooking Show
This baked vegan chick’n dish uses Meati cutlets or tofu, all drenched in a garlicky, sun-dried tomato cream sauce and topped with fresh basil. A showstopper.
5. Marry Me Tofu – It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
Sam Turnbull's version is simple, quick, and full of depth. A no-fuss, 30-minute dinner that delivers maximum flavor using basic pantry staples.
🔗 Read the recipe on It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
6. Marry Me Tofu by Sarah's Vegan Kitchen
Tofu steaks are dredged pan-fried to perfection and simmered in a flavorful sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Serve it atop rice or pasta for a satisfying meal that is deceptively simple to make
🔗 Read the recipe on Sarah's Vegan Kitchen
7. Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Vegan) - by The Forkful
This viral marry me chicken pasta recipe – but vegan, with tofu! – is definitely worth the hype. We’ve got crispy, spicy tofu served on top of a flavorful, spicy, creamy pasta sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and plant-based cream. It’s a one-pot pasta recipe that’s ready in under 20 minutes and is absolutely delicious.
🔗 Read the recipe on By The Forkful
8. Marry Me Crispy Tofu with Gnocchi – by Banana Diaries
This irresistibly rich and creamy vegan Marry Me Tofu is the perfect date night vegan dinner recipe. It features juicy crispy tofu cubes cooked in a creamy yet dairy free cheesy sun-dried tomato sauce and pillowy gnocchi- but so easy to make!
🔗 Read the recipe on Banana Diaries
9. ONE POT MARRY ME TOFU (VEGAN) - by Make it Dairy Free
This one pot marry me tofu is going to have someone popping you the question or recommitting their love to you! Easy, saucy, and packed full of Tuscan flavor vibes!
🔗 Read the recipe on Make It Dairy Free
10. VEGAN MARRY ME PASTA by That Vega Babe
This marry me pasta is a vegan take on the viral marry me chicken pasta. Crispy, spicy tofu is served on top of a savoury, creamy tomato sauce and finished with vegan Parmesan and fresh basil. Easy to put together in under 30 minutes, this high-protein marry me pasta is perfect for a satisfying lunch or weeknight pasta dinner. Serve with grilled veggies or a bowl of crisp green salad for a well-rounded, wholesome vegan meal that’s anything but boring.
🔗 Read the recipe on That Vegan Babe
11. Marry Me Tofu by Sweet Simple Vegan
This Marry Me Tofu is a quick and easy vegan twist on the viral Marry Me Chicken. Crispy tofu simmered in a rich, creamy cashew sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and vegan parmesan – perfect for an indulgent feeling weeknight dinner!
🔗 Read the recipe on Sweet Simple Vegan
12. THE ULTIMATE VEGAN MARRY ME RECIPE - Make Pure Thy Heart
With tofu, beans, and chickpeas as the star ingredients, this dish delivers a protein-packed, flavorful, and comforting meal that’s perfect for a special occasion or an easy weeknight dinner. Whether you're making it for a date night or simply to treat yourself, this "Marry Me Vegan" recipe is bound to impress.
🔗 Read the recipe on Makepurethyheart
13. VEGAN MARRY ME POT PIE - By Thee Burger Dude
All the savory flavors of Marry Me Chicken combined with the creamy and hearty decadence of a Pot Pie for a Vegan Marry Me Pot Pie!
🔗 Read the recipe on Thee Burger Dude
14. Marry Me Tofu - by Food With Feeling
This Marry Me Tofu is my take on the VIRAL chicken recipe that we’ve all been seeing on social media lately! It’s super easy to make and comes together all in ONE SKILLET which I love it for.
🔗 Read the recipe on Food with Feeling
15. Marry Me Mushrooms - by Make Pure Thy Heart
If you're looking for a cozy dinner with a burst of creamy, savory flavor, this Vegan Marry Me Mushroom dish is perfect for you! Inspired by the viral "Marry Me Chicken" recipe, this plant-based version uses hearty mushrooms and a rich coconut milk sauce to create a comforting, irresistible meal.
🔗 Read the recipe on Make Pure Thy Heart
FAQs About the "Marry Me" Recipe Trend
1. Who invented the original "Marry Me" recipe?
The original "Marry Me Chicken" recipe was created by Delish, a popular food media brand. It first appeared around 2016, crafted by one of their test kitchen editors. The name came from taste testers exclaiming, “I’d marry you for this!” after trying the creamy, sun-dried tomato chicken dish.
2. Why is it called “Marry Me” food?
The name reflects how incredibly delicious and comforting the dish is—so good that it might just prompt a marriage proposal. The dish combines rich creaminess, tangy tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, appealing to the heart and palate.
3. When did the vegan versions become popular?
Vegan versions of “Marry Me” recipes began surfacing around 2021-2023, with major plant-based blogs like Nora Cooks, Full of Plants, and It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken crafting their own dairy-free, meat-free renditions.
4. Is “Marry Me” a specific recipe or a category of dishes?
It started as a single dish but evolved into a recipe category. Today, "Marry Me" applies to any dish—often creamy, tomato-based, and crave-worthy—that's considered proposal-worthy.
5. What makes a dish a true “Marry Me” recipe?
Key characteristics include:
- Creamy texture (often with sun-dried tomatoes)
- Bold, comforting flavors
- Romantic presentation
- Memorable first bite
