79 Vegan Staples

It’s been almost a year since I’ve gone vegan, and I have to say… I’ve tried more food in such a short period of time! Of course, a lot of the beans, fruits, and veggies have always been a part of my diet, but there are a ton of vegan staples that I would have never gave a shot. It’s not only forced me out of my “food comfort zone,” but has made me a much more creative chef than I was one year ago.

I thought it would be cool to jot down some of the items that I believe are vegan staples – including my favorite ways to use them. Some are basic (bananas – duh!) but I tried to offer a good mix of what I am constantly using and unique items that I keep on hand. Whether you are already a vegan, just starting out, or simply intrigued, it may inspire you! So without further adieu…

1. Agar Agar | use: gelatin sub
2. Agave Nectar | use: sweetener
3. Almond Butter | use: spread
4. Almond Meal | use: bread crumb
5. Almond Milk | use: baking
6. Apple Cider Vinegar | use: buttermilk sub
7. Avocado | use: sandwich spread
8. Balsamic Vinegar | use: dressing
9. Bananas | use: frozen for nice cream
10. Barley | use: base grain
11. Beans | use: homemade burgers
12. Berries | use: snack
13. Brown Rice | use: base grain
14. Cauliflower | use: cauliflower rice
15. Chia Seeds | use: smoothies
16. Chickpeas | use: roasted chickpeas
17. Coconut Oil | use: baking
18. Collard Greens | use: wraps
19. Crushed Tomatoes | use: marinara sauce
20. Curry Powder | use: crock pot dishes
21. Earth Balance Butter | use: butter
22. Edamame | use: snack
23. Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips | use: baking
24. Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread | use: sandwich
25. Dried Fruit | use: snack
26. Farro | use: soup grain
27. Flaxseed Oil | use: smoothies
28. Fresh Fruit | use: snack
29. Fresh Veggies | use: in all dishes
30. Frozen Fruit | use: smoothies & nice cream
31. Frozen Veggies | use: as is
32. Full-fat Coconut Milk | use: whipped cream
33. Garlic | use: basically everything
34. Green Tea | use: drink & smoothie
35. Ground Flaxseed | use: flax egg
36. Herbs & Spices | use: to season
37. Hummus | use: sandwich spread
38. Kale | use: salad
39. Lemons | use: lemon juice
40. Lentils | use: chili base
41. Liquid Smoke | use: tempeh bacon flavor
42. Medjool Dates | use: sweetener
43. Miso Paste | use: soup base
44. Nutritional Yeast | use: cheese sub
45. Olive Oil | use: cooking
46. Organic Maple Syrup | use: sweetener
47. Organic Peanut Butter | use: spread
48. Portobello Mushrooms | use: burger sub
49. Quinoa | use: base grain
50. Quinoa Pasta | use: pasta
51. Raw Almonds | use: snacking
52. Raw Cane Sugar | use: sweetener & baking
53. Raw Cashews | use: cashew cheese
54. Refried Black Beans | use: burritos
55. Rice Noodles | use: stir fry
56. Rice Vinegar | use: soup flavor
57. Romaine Lettuce | use: salad
58. Sea Salt | use: to season
59. Seitan | use: meat sub
60. Sesame Oil | use: stir fry
61. Soy Milk | use: ev-er-y-thing
62. Soy Sauce | use: stir fry
63. Spinach | use: green smoothies
64. Sriracha | use: hot sauce
65. Steel Cut Oats | use: oatmeal
66. Tahini | use: dressing
67. Tempeh | use: taco filling
68. Tofu | use: marinaded & baked
69. Tomato Paste | use: soup base
70. Tortillas | use: veggie wraps
71. Unsweetened Applesauce | use: baking
72. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder | use: smoothies & baking
73. Vanilla Extract | use: nana ice cream & baking
74. Veganaise | use: mayo sub
75. Vegetable Stock | use: soup base
76. White & Sweet Potatoes | use: as is
77. Whole Wheat Couscous | use: base grain
78. Whole Wheat Flour | use: baking
79. Zucchini | use: zoodles

What are some of your vegan staples at home? Would love to add to mine! xx Bianca