15 Plant-Based Recipes With Affordable Ingredients (2024)

Right now is a difficult time for many, as entire businesses are shutting down and many people are out of work due to the spread of COVID-19. As we social distance and get through this incredibly difficult time, we hope this list of 15 affordable vegan recipes will help ease up some of the stress and keep you healthy.

We also highly recommend downloading theFood Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! And, don’t forget to check out our Budget Friendly Archives!

1. Smashed White Bean Avocado and Basil Sandwich


Source:Smashed White Bean Avocado and Basil Sandwich

Instead of your typical chickpea salad, white beans are the star of this Smashed White Bean Avocado and Basil Sandwich byLiz Martone. They’re mashed together with creamy avocado, whole grain mustard, lemon, and fresh basil. Leaving the beans slightly chunky gives them the perfect texture as a base for creamy avocado and crisp, fresh lettuce. Mixed with all those fresh flavors and tangy mustard, this easy sandwich is the perfect lunchtime staple for anybody.

2. Easy Cheesy Broccoli and Brown Rice Bake

Source:Easy Cheesy Broccoli and Brown Rice Bake

ThisBroccoli and Brown Rice Bakeis easy and nourishing. It’s easy as can be, especially if you cook the brown rice in advance. Lots of broccoli-rice dishes require pre-blanching the broccoli or sautéing garlic and onions, but this recipe byKelly Williamsdoesn’t call for that many steps. No, this dish is just about as simple as it gets! You pretty much just mix brown rice and broccoli in a casserole dish and stir it up with a basic cheesy sauce. Easy peasy.

3. 6-Ingredient Oil-Free Kidney Bean Burger

Source:6-Ingredient Oil-Free Kidney Bean Burger

These are the best and simplestBean Burgers! Made with kidney beans and a total of six ingredients, these bean burgers byAnnie Markowitzare gluten-free, oil-free, and full of flavor. You can serve them on any bun you like, make a wrap, or them as a salad topping, too. They cook in just 20 minutes, so they’re perfect for those busy days.

4. Sweet Potato Fries With Maple-Tahini Garlic Dip

Source: Sweet Potato Fries With Maple-Tahini Garlic Dip

TheseSweet Potato Fries With Maple-Tahini Garlic Dip by Christina Bedettacontain an amazing combination of flavors, but you can easily omit or substitute any of the flavorings to make fries that are ideal for your taste buds.

5. Baked Vegetables With Rice

Source: Baked Vegetables With Rice

This recipe forBaked Vegetables With Rice by Gabriela Lupuis perfect in the summer or winter! Just an all around amazing dish.

6. French Onion Soup

15 Plant-Based Recipes With Affordable Ingredients (6)

Source: French Onion Soup

The vegan version ofFrench Onion SoupfromMaryke Wyldeis just as good! This is not a quick soup to make – you need some time, as time is the key to making this delicious. A good one to have simmering away while you are working on other things. Keeps well in the freezer. The bonus is that onions are so good for you (anti-inflammatory, increase bone density, improve immune system, regulate blood sugar, skin and hair health etc)!

7. Blanched Collard Wraps

Source:Blanched Collard Wraps

We really likeBlanched Collard WrapsbyMolly Patrickwraps. They are full of nutrients and they’re fun to eat. Sometimes they fall apart and that’s okay.

8. Cilantro Lime Glazed Chickpeas With Mango Salsa

Source:Cilantro Lime Glazed Chickpeas With Mango Salsa

Listen up…this recipe forCilantro Lime Glazed Chickpeas With Mango SalsabyTaavi Moorewill leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied after a long day. It is extremely easy and quick while not sacrificing any flavor. Chickpeas are tossed in a quick cilantro lime sauce and then topped with a mango salsa consisting of mango, red onion, cilantro, lime, and salt.

9. Arancini: Fried Risotto Balls


Source:Arancini: Fried Risotto Balls

More famously known as arancini, theseArancini: Fried Risotto BallsbyKristen Gentonare a magical food that everyone needs to make at least once in their life! They are quite time consuming, but it’s well worth the effort.

10. Roasted Red Pepper, Chickpea, and Spinach Curry

Source:Roasted Red Pepper, Chickpea, and Spinach Curry

Sonja Trurnit‘sRoasted Red Pepper, Chickpea, and Spinach Curry is to die for! Chickpeas and spinach are blanketed in a rich, red pepper and coconut sauce. Not only is it spicy and fragrant, it is also good for you. If you’re looking for something that is rich in iron, look no further. What more could you want for dinner?

11. Super-Simple Sweet Potato and Quinoa Sliders

Source:Super-Simple Sweet Potato and Quinoa Sliders

Meet your new go-to dinner:Aurora Steen‘sSweet Potato and Quinoa Sliders! Only six ingredients (three if you don’t count the spices and salt) and three steps to make… amazing! They’re super tasty, too – quinoa, sweet potato, and lentils are a perfect trio!

12. Creamy Coconut Curry Noodles

Source:Creamy Coconut Curry Noodles

This vegan red curry is fantastic! So flavorful and delicious! These one-pot veganCoconut Curry NoodlesbyLenny Wuare basically heaven in your mouth –– creamy, spicy, savory, you-name-it. Cook up a batch for your dinner meal prep!

13. Vegan Steak and Eggs


Source:Vegan Steak and Eggs

ThisVegan Steak and EggsbyDesiree Rodriguezmakes a wonderful breakfast! Hearty, filling, tasty, yet healthier than the original.

14. One-Pot Potato, Spinach and Lentil Dal

Source:One-Pot Potato, Spinach and Lentil Dal

Made with dry red football lentils, ripe tomatoes, small tender potatoes and lots of fresh spinach leaves, this fragrantOne-Pot Potato, Spinach and Lentil DalbyJulie Zimmeris a healthy, simple meal in one pot. Once your potatoes have been partially cooked in the microwave for 2 minutes and your ingredients are measured and ready to go, it can be made in 25 minutes

15. Nourishing Barley Minestrone Soup

Source:Nourishing Barley Minestrone Soup

ThisNourishing Barley Minestrone SoupbyLaine Rudolfais heartwarming! It’s filled with straightening veggies like potatoes, carrots and kale. Barley adds its dose of minerals and will keep you satisfied for longer.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help withchronic inflammation,heart health,mental wellbeing,fitness goals,nutritional needs,allergies,gut healthandmore!Dairy consumption also has been linked many health problems, includingacne,hormonal imbalance,cancer,prostate cancerand has manyside effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading theFood Monster App— with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about theenvironmentalandhealth benefitsof aplant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

  • Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
  • Plant-Based Health Resources
  • Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
  • The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
  • Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
  • High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
  • Plant-Based Meal Prep

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to theOne Green Planet Newsletter!Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please considersupporting usby donating!

15 Plant-Based Recipes With Affordable Ingredients (2024)

FAQs

What are examples of plant based meals? ›

41 Easy Plant-Based Recipes You'll Make Again and Again
  • Green Bean Pasta with Cashew Pesto. ...
  • Thai Rice Salad Bowls. ...
  • Tex-Mex Pita Pizzas. ...
  • Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust (Gluten-Free), Plus Topping Ideas. ...
  • Sneaky Chickpea Burgers. ...
  • Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Kale Arrabbiata-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. ...
  • Hearty Vegan Red Bean Chili.
Oct 31, 2022

How to make vegan food cheaper? ›

By simply swapping meat and processed vegan alternatives for more whole food equivalents, such as lentils and chickpeas (great in curries or stews), cooking becomes more cost-effective without sacrificing flavour.

Can you be vegetarian on a budget? ›

Think soups, lasagna, pot pies, and hearty lunch bowls (protein + whole grain + veggies). Check your local farmers' market, where you can usually be sure everything you see is seasonal. (And make friends with vegetables that are always cheap, regardless of the time of year: carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, broccoli.)

How do you make a plant based meal? ›

An example meal plan:
  1. 2x smoothies: frozen mango, frozen kale, fresh pear, protein powder, oat milk, orange juice, ground flax and chia seeds.
  2. 2x peanut butter and jam toasts.
  3. Avocado and refried bean bowl with tortilla chips.
  4. Rice bowl with baked tofu, cashew, and soy sauce.
  5. Random handfuls of raw spinach and fruits.
Mar 30, 2023

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

What could 30 plant points look like?
  • Green beans.
  • Beetroot.
  • Rocket.
  • Sweet potato.
  • Courgettes.
  • Carrots.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Red pepper.
Mar 3, 2023

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

How do you eat Whole foods plant-based on a budget? ›

How to Eat a Satisfying Plant-Based Diet on a Budget
  1. Managing the Money.
  2. Fruits and Vegetables: 50% of the Budget.
  3. Primary Pantry: Whole Grains, Beans, Pulses, Nuts and Seeds: 20% of the Budget.
  4. Discretionary Pantry: 20% of the Budget.
  5. Plant-based Dairy and Meat: 10% of the budget.

What are cheap vegan foods? ›

Frozen vegetables like spinach, broccoli, green beans, and mixed veggies can stay preserved for a long time and can be added to just about any meal. Uncooked beans and legumes are also cheap, versatile, and protein-rich. Uncooked pastas and grains can last for a long time in the cupboard, too.

Can a poor person be vegan? ›

A Vegan Poverty Food Diet is Delicious and Nutritious

When you see first-hand how outrageous your monthly spending is on unhealthy foods, you will see that going plant-based and vegan is much easier and does not cost more. Think about other things that you spend money on, and consider what you could do without.

Do vegetarians live longer than people who eat meat? ›

A team of researchers at Loma Linda University in the United States has shown vegetarian men live for an average of 10 years longer than non-vegetarian men — 83 years compared to 73 years. For women, being vegetarian added an extra 6 years to their lives, helping them reach 85 years on average.

How many vegetarians go back to eating meat? ›

If you recently decided that being vegan isn't for you, you probably have questions about how to reintroduce meat. Fortunately, you're not alone. Research shows that 84 percent of people return to eating meat. And with delicious crispy chicken, buttery steaks and juicy baby back ribs, we can see why!

Do vegetarians weigh less? ›

If you read weight loss advice in diet books, magazines, or on the Internet, you might conclude that a vegetarian diet is a guaranteed way to lose weight. Although surveys show that vegetarians tend to weigh less than meat-eaters, you may not experience sustained weight loss by turning vegetarian.

What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

Some studies have shown that those on a plant-based diet are found to have lower plasma vitamin B12 levels and higher levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than those who consume animal products. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in DNA synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia and severe neurological dysfunction.

What is 1 meal a day plant-based? ›

The Bounty of Plant-Based Eating.

Through small shifts big change can happen. One Meal a Day, or OMD, believes that every meal is an opportunity to nourish your body, your community and our wild living planet one delicious plant-based meal at a time.

Can you eat pasta on a plant-based diet? ›

You can eat true 100 percent whole-grain cereals, pasta, and bread and follow a WFPB diet, but you also need to be careful and read labels closely. Foods labeled as multi-grain, made with whole grain and 100 percent wheat are not pure 100 percent whole-grain foods.

Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

In other words, plants were paired with protein sources, like eggs, to make a nutritious and well rounded meal. Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Can you eat chicken on a plant-based diet? ›

There are a lot of great plant-based protein sources, including tofu, lentils, beans, nuts and nut butters, seeds, and quinoa. Don't forget: Dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, and fish are allowed on the plant-based diet, they just shouldn't be the center of the meal.

Is pizza part of a plant-based diet? ›

Pizza is still a staple among those following a meat-free or completely plant-based diet. Here's our guide to how to enjoy pizza while changing your diet. Now if you're a vegetarian, you can still enjoy cheese on your pie.

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