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Welcome to CheapQuickVegan! Budget-friendly, beginner-friendly vegan cooking awaits. Whether you're totally new to food or just want faster plant-based meals, you'll find simple recipes, grocery tips, and ideas to cook without stress.
My goal: maximize flavor with as few steps as possible.
Less chopping, fewer dishes, and meals that taste like you spent way more time than you actually did.
What You'll Find Here
- Cheap, quick, and simple vegan recipes 🌱
- Ingredients available at any grocery store 🛒
- Tips to help beginner cooks build confidence 💪
- Free guides to eat well on a budget 💰
Perfect First Recipes
Vegan Coconut Red Curry
Creamy, fragrant, and easy for weeknights
Spinach, Tofu & Sesame Stir-Fry
Quick, nutrient-packed, and full of flavor
Potato & Leek Soup
Warm, comforting, and budget-friendly
Vegan Agadashi Tofu
Crispy tofu in a savory umami broth
These recipes are beginner-friendly and crafted to make plant-based cooking easy and joyful.
Your Beginner Checklist ✅
- Stock your pantry basics 🥫
- Try your first recipe 🍛
- Prep a batch of grains 🍚
- Experiment with 1 new veggie 🥬
The Complete Beginner Vegan Grocery List: Essential Plant-Based Staples
No huge pantry needed - start with these affordable beginner vegan staples, organized by store section, for cheap and quick meal prep:
🍏 Fresh Produce & Aromatics
Aromatics:
- 🧄 Garlic (or bottled)
- 🧅 Onion
Veggies:
- 🌶️ Bell Peppers
- 🥬 Spinach
- 🥔 Potatoes
Citrus & Herbs:
- 🍋 Lemon juice and/or Lime juice
- 🌿 Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, etc.)
🧈 Refrigerated Plant-Based Alternatives
Vegan Proteins:
- ⬜ 4x Firm Tofu
- 🍳 Mini box of Just Egg / Eggs from Plants
Milks & Creams:
- 🥛 2x Oat Milk
- 🥄 Vegan Yogurt (plain coconut)
- 🧀 Vegan Cream Cheese (Myokos)
Fats & Shredded Cheese:
- 🧈 Vegan Butter (Smart Balance/Earth Balance)
- 🧀 Vegan Cheese (shredded mozzarella)
🥫 Essential Pantry Staples
Cooking Oils:
- 🫒 Olive oil
- 🥡 Sesame oil
- 🥥 Coconut oil
Cans & Jars:
- 🍅 Canned Crushed Tomato (Tutto Rosso)
- 🥥 Canned Coconut Milk
- 🥒 Jar of Pickles
- 🥫 Kidney Beans
- 🥫 Refried Beans
- 🌶️ Salsa
Grains & Nut Butters:
- 🍚 Basmati/Brown Rice
- 🍝 Pasta noodles
- 🥜 Natural peanut butter
- 🥣 Tahini
Flavor Boosters & Condiments:
- 🍄 Nutritional Yeast
- Knorr Bouillon cubes
- 🍶 Soy Sauce
- 🍶 Mirin
- 🧪 White Vinegar
- 🌶️ Curry Paste
- 🔥 Liquid Smoke
- 🌰 Pistachios (ideally no shells)
Snacks:
- 🍟 Tortilla chips
- 🍜 Vegan ramen
- 🍿 Popcorn kernels
✨ Baking, Flours & Sweeteners
Flours & Binders:
- 🍞 All-purpose flour
- 🥖 Bread flour
- 🥄 Corn starch
- 🥚 Ground flax seed
Leavening:
- 🥄 Instant yeast or sourdough discard
Sweeteners & Treats:
- 🥄 Sugar
- 🍁 Maple Syrup
- 🍫 Vegan chocolate chips
🍞 Breads, Bagels & Wraps
- 🥯 2 packs of Everything Bagels (1 can be frozen)
- 🌮 Large Flour Tortillas
- 🌮 Small Corn Tortillas
🧂 Spices & Flavoring Agents
- 🧂 Salt
- 🧂 Pepper
- 💛 Turmeric
- 🌶️ Cumin
- 🧄 Garlic Powder
- 🔥 Smoked Paprika
- 🌿 Rosemary
- 🌿 Basil
❄️ Frozen Vegan Proteins & Meals
Bulk Proteins:
- 🚫🥩 4x Vegan Ground Beef (Morningstar/Gardein)
- 🍔 2x Beyond Burger patties
- 🌭 Vegan sausage
Quick Meals:
- 🚫🐔 2x Vegan Chicken Strips
- 🚫🐔 1x Large Vegan Chicken Nuggets
- 🍕 3x Daiya pizzas
Dessert:
- 🫐 2x Frozen Blueberries (plus small organic bag)
💡 Tip: Buy beans and lentils in bulk—they’re cheap, last forever, and make cooking stress-free!
My Cooking Philosophy
- ⚡ Simple ingredients can still provide a lot of flavor
- 🍲 Use pantry staples across multiple meals
- 😌 Taste throughout, no perfection needed
Easy Meal Prep Formula
Feeling overwhelmed? Try this template:
- Pick 1 grain — rice, pasta, or quinoa
- Pick 1 protein — lentils, tofu, or beans
- Add 1-2 vegetables
- Finish with a simple sauce (pesto, tahini, soy garlic, etc.)
Have Questions?
I'm always happy to help. Email me anytime at cheapquickvegan@gmail.com.
Happy you're here — let's make vegan food cheap, quick, and delicious.