Reduce your carbon footprint with these 5 climate-friendly recipes - The Washington Post

Earth Day may be around the corner, but it’s important to make climate-friendly food decisions year-round. Agriculture contributes about 25 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, so the choices we make about the food on our plates — and the food that winds up in the trash — matter. There’s plenty of advice swirling around about how to make those choices better, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help you turn this information into action — at least in the kitchen.

We’ve picked out recipes that feature eco-friendly, low-impact ingredients to show you that reducing your carbon footprint can both feel and taste good. For more dishes that feature legumes, vegetables and no-waste hacks, head to our archive of over 10,000 tested recipes.

1. Persian-Style Tomato and Lentil Soup

Above. We can’t get enough lentils, and for good reason. Beyond being delicious, the protein-rich legume is a resilient, efficient crop that generally doesn’t need irrigation to grow and helps improve soil quality. There are a million ways to cook with them, but one our favorite recipes is this simple soup. Get the recipe.

2. Italian Chopped Salad

Looking for the best foods to grow at home to cut down on your climate impact? A study in Iowa ranked the environmental impact of 18 vegetables and found that lettuce came out on top in terms of water use and net emissions. Of course, the best plants to grow will vary based on your geography, but if your garden has room for romaine, consider making this classic salad. It also features another high scorer: tomato. Get the recipe.

3. Tofu Piccata

It’s true that cutting down on animal products is helpful for the environment, but that doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or favorite dishes. This tofu piccata swaps out chicken but keeps all the bold vibrancy of the original dish thanks to a buttery lemon sauce. If you’re looking for more meatless Monday inspiration, be sure to also try this fantastic Mushroom and Lentil “Bolognese” recipe. Get the recipe.

4. Any Vegetable Minestra

Waste not, want not. Food waste is a major contributor to climate change, and it’s also bad for your wallet. This flexible recipe helps you avoid tossing out any languishing vegetables by adding them to this soup. Get the recipe.

5. Loaded Sweet Potatoes With Chili Black Beans

Potatoes are praised for their “astonishingly high yield,” says Unearthed columnist Tamar Haspel, providing millions of calories per acre. Sweet potatoes are one of our favorite tubers, and we love any excuse to make them the focal point of our meal. Here they get baked, then stuffed with your favorite toppings. Get the recipe.

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