Vegan on a Budget: $25 Grocery Shopping List + Meal Ideas

My last post on a $50 budget shopping list for Trader Joe’s was such a hit – I received so many messages to keep writing posts similar to this. Challenge accepted! I’m always trying to stick to a food budget. I took it a step further than $50 this time and bought $25 worth of vegan food for the week at PriceRite – one of our best low-cost grocery stores (you can see a $50 shopping list for this store, here). I want to try and create posts like this for all budget types, because I truly believe that anyone can eat vegan. Honestly! It is totally doable. And after the list, I am also sharing meal ideas for this list – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The cost on these items will vary depending on where you are located, but if you shop at a similar grocery store, you may be able to snag the same deals. If something is more expensive than on this list, swap out for something similar for the same price (this mostly goes for fruit and veggies, because these prices fluctuate daily no matter where you are shopping). You don’t have to follow it to a t, but I hope it still inspires your budget-friendly list! Keep in mind, this is a budget for 1-2 people. I also eat leftovers a lot – so if I make a huge batch of lentil soup, I will usually get at least 5-8 servings out of it for the week. 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!

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$25 VEGAN SHOPPING LIST

For a grand total of $25.67, you can get:

• 3 russet potatoes – $1.26
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes – $1.09
• 1 can chickpeas – .$0.79
• 2 zucchinis – $1.39
• 1 large onion – $0.59
• 16 oz bag dough – $1.09
• 5 bananas – $0.75
• 1 lb bunch of spinach – $1.79
• 16 oz bag of lentils – $1.69
• 2 lb bag of brown rice – $1.39
• 42 oz container of quick oats – $2.59
• 32 oz carton of almond milk – $1.99
• 32 oz bag of carrots – $1.29
• Bag of celery – $1.39
• Loaf of whole wheat bread – $1.89
• 16 oz peanut butter – $2.69
• 3 mangoes – $2.00

TOTAL: $25.67

MEAL IDEAS

Breakfast:

• Whole wheat toast with peanut butter (and banana)
• Oatmeal made with almond milk and topped with peanut butter and banana
• Oatmeal made with almond milk and topped with mango (add cinnamon if you have it)
• Sautéed spinach with chickpeas, zucchini, onion, and spices you have at home
• Mango, spinach, banana, and almond milk smoothie
• Banana, spinach, peanut butter, and almond milk smoothie

Lunch:

• Mashed chickpea sandwich with spinach, carrots, and onion (use mayo with chickpeas like this recipe)
• Lentil stew using crushed tomatoes, onion, carrot, and celery
• Spinach salad topped with shredded carrot, chopped celery, and a squeeze of lemon juice (if you have lemons at home) and olive oil – add lentils for protein

Dinner:

• Stir-fry with zucchini, onion, carrots, and potatoes with a side of rice
• Minestrone soup with zucchini, onion, carrots, celery, spices, and rice
• Peanut lentil stew (omit red pepper) with a side of rice
• Veggie pizza with crushed tomatoes as sauce, spices, and veggies
• White pizza topped with olive oil (if you have already), potato slices, onion, and seasonings

(a lot of these dinner ideas could be lunch for the next day, too)

Snacks:

• Banana as is or with peanut butter
• Celery sticks as is or with peanut butter
• Roasted chickpeas
• Mango as is
• Baked potato with butter (if you have Earth Balance at home) or olive oil

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I hope this gives you some cheap and easy vegan shopping and meals ideas. Eating vegan isn’t always a luxury… it just depends on how creative you can be in the kitchen with few ingredients. For more information on how to save money on a plant-based diet, download my eBook: My Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Kitchen.

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