So you and your partner are ready to cook together, but there’s one little problem. One of you eats plants and beans, and the other can’t imagine a meal without chicken or beef. Maybe you’re the vegan, and your partner loves a good steak. Or maybe you’re the meat-eater, and you worry you’ll never get full on lettuce. Either way, you might feel stuck. How do you find a recipe that works for both of you? The answer is easier than you think. And honestly, it can bring you closer as a couple. When you figure out how to cook for two different diets, you’re not just making food. You’re learning to listen, compromise, and take care of each other. That’s what building a stronger relationship is all about.

First, stop trying to make one dish that perfectly pleases both of you. That’s too much pressure. Instead, look for meals where each person can build their own plate. Think tacos. Set out soft tortillas, black beans, grilled veggies, cheese, salsa, and some seasoned ground beef or tofu. You fill yours however you want. Your partner fills theirs. Everyone gets what they like, and you’re still eating the same meal together. Bowls work great too. Rice or quinoa at the bottom, then a bunch of toppings like roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, shredded chicken, or chickpeas. Let each person grab what they want. It’s fun, it’s flexible, and you don’t have to make two completely separate dinners.

Another trick is to start with a plant-based base and add meat on the side. For example, make a big veggie stir-fry with broccoli, peppers, and mushrooms in a simple soy sauce or ginger dressing. Cook some rice or noodles. Then, quickly fry up a chicken breast or a piece of salmon separately. Your partner can add meat to their bowl. You can enjoy the stir-fry as is. That way you’re sharing the same flavors and the same cooking time. You just prepare the meat last. It’s super easy and doesn’t make anyone feel left out. Salads are also perfect for this—pile on greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, nuts, and a grain like farro. Then top yours with beans, and top theirs with grilled shrimp or leftover steak. One salad, two happy people.

Sometimes the best way to find recipes that work is to explore new cuisines together. Mediterranean food is awesome for mixed diets. You can make falafel or lentil soup for the vegan, and add lamb or chicken skewers for the meat-eater. Hummus, pita, and roasted veggies are fair game for everyone. Asian cuisines are great too. Thai curries often use coconut milk and tofu, but you can also toss in shrimp or chicken for your partner. Indian food has tons of delicious vegan dals and vegetable curries, plus options like chicken tikka or butter chicken. Cooking new dishes together is a fun adventure. It takes the focus off what you can’t have and puts it on what you’re about to discover—together.

Don’t forget to talk about it. Seriously, just ask your partner what they love to eat and what they miss most. Maybe they love a good burger, and you love a big veggie bowl. You can make a burger night where they get a beef patty and you get a black bean patty on the same bun. Or you can do a pasta night with two sauces—one marinara with lentils, one creamy Alfredo with chicken. The key is to be open and not judge each other. You don’t have to eat the same thing to enjoy the same evening. The act of cooking side by side, chopping veggies together, and laughing about your differences is way more important than the food on your plate.

And here’s the best part: working through dietary differences teaches you how to be a team. You learn to ask for what you need without being pushy. You learn to give a little without feeling like you lost. Over time, you’ll find your own rhythm. Maybe you’ll start a tradition of “Build-Your-Own Friday” or “New Cuisine Sunday.” You’ll discover that cooking together is not about the perfect recipe. It’s about the two of you, figuring things out, and making each other feel cared for. So don’t let a vegan and a meat-eater label scare you. You can absolutely find recipes that make both of you happy. Start with something simple, like tacos, and see where the night takes you.