Looking for budget-friendly recipes? These cheap vegan meals are perfect for students, families and people trying to save
Recent research from Kantar found that vegan meals eaten at home cost 40% less than those based on meat and fish. In fact, staple vegan foods such as oats, lentils, pasta and chickpeas are among the cheapest foods around.
Whether you’re looking for healthy, protein-packed breakfasts or hearty dinner recipes you can batch cook and freeze, we’ve got you covered.
Budget-Friendly Ingredients
There are many budget-friendly ingredients you can stock up on and use to create an array of plant-based meals. Here are some kitchen basics to use as building blocks for cheap dishes:
- Oats
- Lentils
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Pasta and spaghetti
- Beans
- Chickpeas
- Tofu (some supermarkets offer cheaper prices)
- Tinned produce, especially tomatoes
- Potatoes
Cheap Vegan Meal Ideas
Some of our go-to vegan meals on a budget are:
- One-pot dishes such as curry, chilli, bolognese or stew
- Jacket potatoes topped with chickpea tuna, baked beans or chilli
- Overnight oats
- Homemade granola or muesli
- Stir fries (frozen veggies work just as well)
- Homemade soups
- And when all else fails, beans on toast!
10 Budget Vegan Recipes
1. Spiced Apple Porridge & Grilled Pears
If you ask us, oats are among the most versatile breakfast foods. As well as being delicious and filling, they’re rich in fibre, iron, B vitamins and other important nutrients.
There are endless ways to customise porridge and overnight oats, but this spiced apple porridge will leave you feeling full and super-charged.
2. Easy Peasy Vegan Muesli
Shop-bought muesli can be expensive and loaded with added sugars, so making your own can save you money as well as being healthier.
Our muesli recipe is simple to make and full of nutritious ingredients, including oats, dried fruit and seeds.
3. Garlicky Butterbean Toast Topper
Want to jazz up beans on toast without breaking the bank? This recipe includes just a few kitchen basics and it’s full of plant-powered goodness.
Butterbeans are delicious on toast, especially when combined with mushrooms, garlic, spring onions and spinach.
4. Coronation Chickpea Sandwich
Sometimes, the vegan twist on a traditional dish is better than the original. This is one of those times!
In this recipe, chickpeas and sultanas substitute chicken, giving you a delicious, protein-packed lunch that doesn’t cost a fortune.
5. Chickpea Tuna Sandwiches
This alternative to tuna mayo is one of our most popular recipes, and when you try it, you’ll see why.
It’s quick and easy to make the chickpea ‘tuna’ by mashing chickpeas with a fork and adding a few basic flavours. The mixture keeps well in the fridge for a few days, making it ideal for packed lunches throughout the week.
6. Tofu and Edamame Stir Fry
Tofu makes it easy to get protein in a vegan diet and you can use it in so many dishes. Combine with stir fry noodles, edamame and veggies for a seriously yummy meal full of protein and fibre.
7. Red Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is another classic British dish that can be made vegan with a few simple swaps. In this recipe, the lentils replace mince, making it a hearty evening meal or leftover lunch. It’s also suitable for batch cooking and freezing.
8. Spaghetti Bolognese
Is there anything more comforting than a spaghetti Bolognese? This is among the many cheap vegan meals you can rely on again and again, as it’s filling and quick to prepare. You can use either lentils or meat-free mince to recreate this classic dish.
9. Warm Dal With Spinach
You really can’t go wrong with dal, the ultimate winter warmer. This recipe is full of enticing aromas and flavours and can be made inexpensively.
10. Roasted Aubergine Lasagne
This herby lasagne is the ultimate family meal. The combination of puy lentils and aubergines replace the meat in this recipe, making it a tasty alternative to this iconic dish. If you’d like to keep the meaty texture, you can swap lentils for a vegan mince.
Find more cheap vegan meal ideas in our budget recipe section.
