Cheap Vegan: Trader Joe’s Shopping List Under $50 + Meal Ideas

I wrote one of these posts in the past, and it seems to be something a lot of readers are interested in. So, here is another one with more items and meal ideas! Trader Joe’s is a vegan/plant-based dream… so many great products at an affordable price. If you are on a budget, you definitely have some options here.

If this post is something you like, definitely let me know in the comments and I’ll try to put together more of them.

Please note: I am choosing products while assuming you have the essentials at home already (you know, oil, vinegar, butter, spices, and various other condiments). I hope that makes sense… but of course, swap out items and add in anything you may need. This is just a template, and a little proof that it’s possible to shop frugal and eat well!

Trader Joe’s Vegan Shopping List Under $50

For a grand total of $49.04, you can buy:

• romaine lettuce (3 heads) – $1.99
• plum tomatoes (2) – .58 cents
• bag carrots – .79 cents
• baby spinach – $1.99
• avocado – $1.00
• white button mushrooms box – $1.99
• bag of sweet potatoes – $1.79
• onion – .99 cents
• bananas (4) – .76 cents
• container of strawberries – $4.49
• quinoa – $2.99
• creamy almond butter – $5.99
• tofu – $1.99
• pasta – .99 cents
• almond milk – $2.99
• roasted garlic hummus – $1.79
• can of organic white beans – $1.19
• whole wheat bread – $1.99
• marinara sauce – $1.99
• salsa – $1.99
• rolled oats – $3.99
• watermelon – $2.99
• frozen edamame – $1.79

Prices may vary depending on your area/store, but this is what it came out to be at our local Trader Joe’s.

Meal Ideas

Breakfast:

• Toast with almond butter (+ banana)
• Oatmeal with almond butter and strawberries
• Banana, strawberry, almond butter, and almond milk smoothie
• Toast with mashed avocado (optional addition of salsa)
• Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and onion with a side of avocado
• Tofu scramble with your choice veggies, avocado, salsa, + toast
• Sautéed spinach and avocado between bread for a breakfast sandwich (optional addition of salsa)
• Oatmeal, banana, and almond butter smoothie
• Spinach, banana, and avocado smoothie
• Toast with hummus (optional addition of tomato slices)
• Breakfast quinoa bowl with peanut butter and banana

Lunch:

• Baked sweet potato with beans and avocado
• Sandwich made with mashed white beans, hummus, and topped with tomato and spinach
• Sandwich made with hummus, lettuce, tomato, shredded carrots, and avocado
• Large salad topped with veggies of your choice and baked tofu
• Almond butter and banana sandwich (optional addition of strawberries)
• Sweet potato with chopped tomato and hummus

Dinner:

• Warm quinoa salad – spinach layered with quinoa, white beans, tomatoes, shaved carrots, avocado, and salsa
• Baked tofu steaks with a side of mashed sweet potatoes and sautéed spinach
• Pasta with marinara sauce (add mushroom and onions to sauce to jazz it up)
• Pasta with marinara, onions, and white beans
• Pasta with avocado sauce (just avocado blended with a squeeze of lemon if you have it, water, and salt)
• Sautéed veggies with a side of quinoa, topped with salsa

Snacks:

• Carrot sticks and hummus
• Banana with almond butter
• Watermelon as is
• Strawberries as is
• Frozen edamame