Vegan on a Budget

December 26, 2018

Think it’s expensive to be vegan? Think again! There are lots of affordable and tasty ingredients you can stock up on to whip up some amazing, animal-free meals. Certain shops will even allow you to buy in bulk, which means extra savings.

Check out the items you should head out and purchase right now if you are looking to prep some vegan dishes.

Lentils

Lentils are our preferred dry bean to always have in the pantry because no soaking is required and they take only about 20 minutes to cook from the dry stage. Pre-cook a bunch to add to soups and salads at a moment’s notice.

Nuts.com Lentils, $2.69-$3.29 per lb.

Potatoes

Packed with carbs, fiber, and antioxidants, potatoes are incredibly versatile. Bake them whole, roast them with olive oil and herbs, or turn them into mashed potatoes. For a healthy take on potatoes, make French fries in an air fryer and serve with a variety of dipping sauces.

Peapod Russet Potatoes, $3.49 per 5 lb. bag

Rice

Purchase rice that doesn’t have to be washed to save time. And for true ease, invest in rice cooker so that you can toss everything in it, hit a button, and that’s all you have to do for perfectly cooked, fluffy rice, every time you eat.

Nuts.com Musenmai Rice, $24.20 per 5 lb. bag

Vegetable Broth

Broth will help you create a wonderful meal in a pinch! Use it for everything from ramen bowls to steaming bok choy in for added flavor. You can even cook rice with it instead of water.

BJ’s Vegetable Broth, $7.99 per 3-Pack

Canned Garbanzo Beans

Ready-made garbanzo beans are very useful. Not only are they great in a variety of salads, but you can also bake them to make a crunchy snack or purée them to make a fast hummus.