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

Is it possible to live on a plant-based diet on a budget? ›

A cheap plant-based diet for beginners IS possible. With the proper planning, a plant-based diet can be cheaper than a diet with an abundance of animal products.

How to eat super cheap vegan? ›

Vegan on a budget
  1. tinned beans and dried pulses of various kinds.
  2. vegetables (particularly seasonal ones)
  3. potatoes.
  4. egg-free pasta and noodles.
  5. rice.
  6. bread (wholemeal is ideal from a health point of view)
  7. dried herbs and spices.
  8. seasonal fruit.

How do you make a plant-based meal? ›

It's a good idea to stock up on canned and dried beans and lentils—they're shelf-stable and a handy pantry item to have on hand. For protein, focus on minimally processed sources like beans, lentils, nuts and whole grains and try to limit heavily processed vegetarian proteins like soy "hot dogs" or imitation meats.

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

Plant-based diets carry some risk of inadequate protein, vitamin, and mineral intake. But these risks are readily overcome by choosing the right vegetarian foods and, when necessary, supplements. For example, soy, quinoa, and nuts are good sources of protein, and tofu, lentils, and spinach are good sources of iron.

Will I lose weight on a plant-based diet? ›

Looking at observational, interventional, and meta-analytic research, it appears that plant-based diets are effective tools for losing body weight and maintaining lower body weight.

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

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

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.

How to be vegan when you're broke? ›

Staple vegan foods such as oats, lentils, pasta, rice and chickpeas are among the cheapest foods and are in *a lot* of vegan recipes, so should definitely make an appearance on your list. Oh, and avoid shopping whilst hungry.

What does Gordon Ramsay think of vegan food? ›

Chef Gordon Ramsay, who has been known for teasing vegans, confessed on TV that he actually "loves" plant-based food. The British TV personality and the world-famous chef made his vegan confession on the US series of Masterchef: Back to Win.

What is the best homemade plant food? ›

Five Affordable and Easy DIY Organic Fertilizers You Can Find Right In Your Home
  • Eggshells. Save your eggshells people, I cannot stress this enough. ...
  • Rice Water. If you aren't washing your rice before you cook it, you should really try it...and then save the water for your house plants! ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Potato Water. ...
  • Banana Peels.
Aug 3, 2023

What 5 foods do you eat that are plant-based? ›

Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts are the stars of all plant-based diets. More and more people seem to be making the switch to plant-based diet foods.

Is pasta OK on a plant-based diet? ›

Pasta dishes make an excellent option for those adhering to a plant-based diet for several reasons. To start, pasta is a natural plant-based food made simply from grain, and it is also and easy food to incorporate other plant-based foods into, like veggies and beans.

Is it cheaper to eat a plant-based diet? ›

Is a vegan diet really expensive? Honestly, it doesn't have to be. A study by Oxford University discovered that plant-based eating is actually the most affordable diet. It also found that a vegan diet reduced food costs by up to one-third due to the use of whole foods over meat and meat replacements.

Can you survive on a plant only diet? ›

Yes. A plant-based diet is considered to be nutrient-dense and packed with fiber, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is a very healthy way of eating and can meet all of your nutrient needs.

How long can you live on a plant-based diet? ›

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.

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