If you’re looking for delicious cheap vegan meal ideas, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, I’m sharing some of the best cheap vegan meals that you can make at home without breaking the bank. From hearty pastas and soups to flavorful stir-fry dishes, these recipes are not only budget-friendly, but easy to prepare with minimal ingredients. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
To keep these recipes organized, I’ve organized them into 5 categories. These meals are some of the most affordable you can make and can help you lower your grocery bill every month by hundreds of dollars.
Pasta dishes: Pasta is a budget-friendly meal that can be cooked in a variety of ways with different sauces and toppings.
Soups and stews: Soups and stews are hearty and filling meals that can be made with inexpensive ingredients like beans, lentils, and vegetables.
Rice dishes: Rice is one of the most affordable and versatile ingredients that can be used to make a variety of dishes like fried rice, risotto, paella, and rice pilaf.
Sandwiches and wraps: Sandwiches and wraps are quick and easy meals that can be made with a variety of cheap vegan fillings. You can never go wrong with a simple peanut butter and jelly.
Stir-fry dishes and Buddha bowls: Stir-fry dishes are a great way to use up leftover vegetables and can be made with a variety of proteins like tofu, tempeh, or seitan.
Tips for Cooking Cheap Meals
Shop your own pantry first: Before heading to the grocery store, take a look in your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what ingredients you already have on hand. This will help you avoid buying unnecessary items and make use of what you already have.
Plan your meals: Planning your meals for the week can help you stay organized and avoid buying too much food. Look for recipes that use similar ingredients, so you can buy in bulk and save money.
Buy in-season produce: Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season is not only cheaper but also more flavorful and nutritious. Check out your local farmer’s market or grocery store flyer for deals on seasonal produce. New deals at grocery stores usually come out every Wednesday!
Buy in bulk: Buying staples like rice, beans, lentils and pasta in bulk can save you money in the long run. Look for discounts at bulk stores like Costco or Sam’s Club or purchase larger packages at regular grocery stores.
Use canned or frozen fruits and vegetables: Canned or frozen fruits and vegetables are often cheaper than fresh produce and often just as nutritious. They are also convenient since they have a longer shelf life and can be used in a variety of recipes.
Make your own plant-based milk and cheese: Plant-based milk and cheese can be expensive, but they are easy to make at home with ingredients like nuts, seeds, and oats (my personal favorite!).
Get creative with leftovers: Don’t let leftovers go to waste! Turn them into new meals by adding fresh ingredients or repurposing them into different dishes. Check out the Buddha bowls section below for inspiration on pairing flavors together.
Now use these tips and the recipe ideas below to cook delicious vegan meals on a budget.
These easy 10 Minute Peanut Noodles are tossed in a delicious peanut sauce and served while warm and creamy. They’re wholesome, comforting, and my favorite last minute dinner! Vegan, Gluten-free option, Oil-free option. These Peanut Noodles are made with your favorite noodles, a few simple sauce ing…
This One-Pot Pasta is the fuss-free, easy dinner that’ll save the day on busy weeknights! It’s easy to make, packed with fresh flavors and made with 10 simple ingredients in just 15 minutes.
This Italian pasta with lentils is the best nourishing meals you can cook using cupboard staples such as dried lentils and pasta. Healthy, cheap, delicious!
Cauliflower Alfredo sauce is a creamy vegan, gluten-free, nut-free homemade Alfredo sauce with less fat & less calories as compared with the original recipe
Instant Pot Black Bean Soup (10 Ingredients!) by From My Bowl
This Instant Pot Black Bean Soup is healthy, hearty, and easy to make! It’s perfect for Meal Prep and freezes well. All you need is 10 plant-based ingredients, an Instant Pot, and an empty stomach.
This Healthy Crockpot Taco Soup recipe is a quick and easy weeknight meal made from simple ingredients and pantry staples. It's rich in flavor, high in protein, and easy to customize to suit your family's taste buds. Throw the ingredients in your crockpot tonight and set it and forget it!
20-Minute Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup) by From My Bowl
This Sopa de Fideo is a comforting Mexican Noodle soup made with fideo pasta, tomato broth, and simple aromatics. Oil-free option. This Sopa de Fideo recipe is made in just 20 minutes, in one-pot, with only 8 plant-based ingredients. This flavorful Mexican noodle soup recipe is everything you’re loo…
Cozy, hearty, and comforting — what more could you ask for in a winter meal? Easy, too? You’ve got it! This 1-pot white bean and mushroom stew is all that
This Vegan Leek and Potato Soup only requires 7 healthy ingredients, one pot and less than an hour! It's ultra creamy, oil-free, and gluten free. Make this soup in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop for the best creamy comfort food!
Enchilada Rice (Quick + Easy Recipe) by The Simple Veganista
Enchilada Rice is a tasty Mexican inspired recipe featuring veggies, black beans, rice and enchilada sauce! Instant Pot + stovetop methods. Vegan recipe.
This 30-Minute Crispy Peanut Tofu is made with tofu that's been air fried until golden brown and crispy, then tossed in a quick and easy vegan peanut sauce. Oven-baking and pan frying methods included!
These colourful vegan rice bowls feature tofu, edamame, brown rice, cabbage, carrot and delicious almond satay sauce. Enjoy for a filling, flavourful and nutritious plant-based meal.
This Buffalo Chickpea Wrap is a super simple and flavor-packed meal that is incredibly easy to put together! It’s great on the go, even as a quick snack, or post workout meal. Enjoy!
Hearty, flavorful Vegan Sloppy Joes made with fresh, simple ingredients, naturally sweetened, and they require just 30 minutes! Savory, smoky, perfectly sweet — a delicious plant-based meal!
This vegan meatball sub is the ultimate comfort food! It’s filled with protein, has hidden veggies and is easy to freeze and pull out for those busy nights!
Quick Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry by Food Sharing Vegan
This Vegan Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry is the perfect quick mid-week meal that you can enjoy in just 20 minutes! It’s packed with plant protein, tons of flavor, and healthy veggies!
Frozen Vegetable Stir Fry is an effortless one-pan, 20-minute meal. All you need are pre-cut frozen vegetables, my homemade stir fry sauce, and some rice!
This Vegan Peanut Noodle Stir Fry is a great takeout style dish that takes just 30 minutes to make and is made with the easy at home vegan peanut sauce. All you need is 11 ingredients, including udon noodles, soy curls, shredded cabbage and carrots.
This Vegan Taco Salad is inspired by the Southwestern Tex-Mex flavors in the Santa Fe Salad. Crispy romaine lettuce, black beans, cherry tomatoes, corn, crushed tortilla chips, and tempeh taco meat all drizzled with the best creamy, vegan taco salad dressing. Try this recipe for easy vegan meal prep or quick weeknight dinners!
Roasted Vegetable & Quinoa Harvest Bowls by Minimalist Baker
Hearty and flavorful harvest bowls with roasted vegetables, quinoa, and a creamy, 3-ingredient tahini dressing! A healthy, plant-based, gluten-free meal!