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Vegetarianism and veganism are becoming more popular than ever before. These environmentally friendly and health-conscious diets are known for their lack of meat. Vegans also exclude other animal byproducts such as eggs, milk, gelatin, and in some cases, honey. 

If you're considering making the switch to vegetarianism, or you have a family member or friend who has, don't stress. We've rounded up a few ways to cook vegetarian meals that will surely satisfy even the most experienced vegetarian chefs. 

Cooking Vegetarian Meals

Since vegetarian meals rely heavily on plant-based ingredients, the most important thing to do is buy fresh produce. Once you have your ingredients, you can focus on finding the best meatless recipes. 

Here are four of our favorite methods of making vegetarian and vegan meals:

1. Slow Cooking

Crock-Pots and other slow cookers are standard kitchen tools used to make stews, soups, and other slow-cooked meals. These are fantastic for first-time cooks, as they handle the cooking for you. Simply place your ingredients inside the pot at the beginning of the day, and by dinnertime, you have a meal ready. 

Slow cookers are great options for cooking tougher vegetables like zucchini and squash. As they soften in the broth, they'll absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. If you find the right combination of spices, it's likely that these vegetables will become your favorite part of the meal. 

2. Pan Searing

Many vegetables are naturally softer and easier to eat raw or lightly cooked. In these cases, you don't want to overcook them and have them turn to mush. This is especially important when learning how to cook mushrooms and other soft vegetables. 

If you need to exercise more precise control over your cooking to keep your food from softening too much, cook it in a pan on the top of the stove. Keep a careful eye on the temperature and stir often.

3. Air Frying

Though ovens have had air convection technology for a while, air fryers have become a popular method of preparing food in the last few years. Air fryers are great for creating breaded sides and entrees, as well as any other recipes that boast a crunch. 

There are plenty of air fryer recipes that will appeal to vegetarians; check out this recipe for air-fried stuffed mushrooms, for example. If you’re looking instead for unusual mushroom recipes for your air fryer, like shiitakes or oyster mushrooms, a vegetable delivery service might help you out.

4. Oven Roasting

Even if you don't have much experience with cooking, you've likely tried a recipe or two in the oven. Despite the innovations made to cookware and cooking technology, the oven remains the best and most foolproof way of preparing your favorite meals. 

An oven-safe tray paired with a big produce delivery can provide you with many delicious dinners. Simply toss your favorite vegetables with olive oil and roast in the oven until they’re ready. 

Cooking for a vegetarian lifestyle can be daunting once you first begin, but over time you'll find your favorite methods to prepare your meals. Because most vegetables can be eaten raw, finding the "right" way to cook them is all about personal preference. Experiment with your veggies and find the best preparations for you and your family.