Struggling to find cheap vegan meals? I've got you covered! These 15 budget vegan recipes will have you eating well without breaking the bank. Plus get tips on saving money, where to get your groceries, and more!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
One of the biggest reasons people are hesitant to switch over to a vegan diet is money. There is false understanding that vegan food is more expensive and, for that reason, out of reach.
I am here to tell you that is simply not the case!
Yes, there are some expensive vegan products. Artisan vegan cheese, high-quality meat substitutes, and organic superfoods are all pricy. But you don't need any of those things to eat a healthy, satisfying, and delicious vegan diet.
Today, I’m sharing 15 cheap vegan meals than everyone can enjoy. But first, let's look at some tips and tricks I've learned over the years on how to eat vegan on a budget.
Pantry Items To Stock Up On
Here are a few things I like to always have on hand. For more information, check out my full list on stocking a vegan pantry.
- Grains & Pasta – Brown and white rice, quinoa, and pasta are great to have on hand. You can buy these foods in bulk to save even more money. Grains are cheap, have a super long shelf life, and are very versatile. They can add protein, fiber, and calories to any meal.
- Beans & Legumes – I cook with a lot of chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, and lentils. For the most part, I buy my beans canned but to save more money, you can buy dried beans.
- Jarred & Canned Goods – I like to keep a variety of canned vegetables, tomatoes, marinara sauce, coconut milk, and vegetable broth on hand. While fresh vegetables and sauces are great, buying canned (especially when they are on sale) is super cheap and a great way to stock up.
- Pantry Essentials – I also like to keep a variety of shelf-stable products like nut butter, soy curls, non-dairy milk, and a variety of oils, vinegar, and spices. Look for these when they are on sale and stock up!
Tips And Tricks
- Use frozen and canned vegetables. Fresh veggies are great and when you can afford it, go for it! But when you are on a tight budget frozen and canned vegetables are way cheaper while still good for you.
- Buy dried beans. I'm not sure if there is a better nutrition to price ratio than dried beans. Using dried beans takes some planning, but once you get used to it, you won't look back. Oh, and they taste incredible. Become an expert on cooking dried beans.
- Swap fresh herbs for dried. Fresh herbs are more expensive than dried. If a recipe calls for fresh herbs you can often swap it out for dried herbs. A good ratio is 1:⅓ fresh to dry. So if I recipe calls for 1 tablespoon chopped basil, swap it out for 1 teaspoon dried basil.
- Enjoy those leftovers. Don't throw out anything. Leftovers, when stored properly can be enjoyed for days. See individual recipes for storing suggestions.
- Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk is one of the simplest ways to save money. Several of my favorite places to buy in bulk are Bob's Red Mill, Amazon, and Bulk Foods Box (use this referral link to get $15 off your first order!).
- Buy Store bought sauces. Some recipes call for homemade sauces which require having a lot of ingredients on hand. If you don't already have them, use a store bought alternative.
Where Do I Get My Groceries?
Because I love saving money, I am particular about where I get my groceries. There are so many non-conventional ways to save money when grocery shopping!
Here are two places that I recommend.
Thrive Market
For most of my non-perishable items, I shop at Thrive Market. Thrive Market is an online marketplace that is on a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone. Thrive Market has thousands of best-selling organic foods and natural products and they are priced 25-50% lower than traditional retail prices!
How do they do that? By getting their food at wholesale prices, Thrive Market is able to cut out the middleman and provide awesome goods at a HUGE discount! Cheaper prices, better foods, and the convenience of it being shipped right to your door! Thrive Market has saved me a ton of money and time and I HIGHLY recommend checking it out.
Choose a free gift (up to $24 in value) with your order and a FREE 30-Day Trial to Thrive Market. (<<affiliate link)
Imperfect Foods
Imperfect Foods buys food that is not sellable - that means items that were discontinued, have cosmetic imperfections, happened to be in surplus, etc. and offers it to you at an incredibly discounted price. You control what goes in your box and, once a week, your cheap groceries are delivered right to your door.
Imperfect foods believe no one should be priced out of good food. They donate thousands of pounds of food to food banks each week and they offer a reduced box program for individuals and families struggling to afford healthy food. All while preventing a TON of food waste!
This is the perfect way to eat cheap AND do good! With Imperfect Produce, I spend about $20 a week on all the fresh produce my family of four can eat.
Get $10 off your first box and try them out today! (<<referral link)
Budget Vegan Recipes
These 15 budget vegan recipes are quick, easy, and filling. They rely on whole foods, grains, beans, lentils, and seasonal produce for satisfying meals that don't break the bank.
Here are my favorite cheap vegan recipes.
More Vegan Recipe Roundups
- Vegan Freezer Meals
- 11 Kid-Friendly Meals
- 31 Vegan Breakfast Recipes
- Vegan Pantry Staples Meals
- Easy Work From Home Lunches
There you have it! 15 Budget Vegan Recipes that will fill you up and satisfy your taste buds.
Written by Sarah McMinn.
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the
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