20 Healthy Cheap Vegan Recipes! A delicious collection of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipes that are family-friendly, easy to prepare, and super affordable.
One of the biggest reasons people often cite for not going plant-based or vegan is affordability. And, I get it. I was one of those. There’s this idea that eating this way is only for the well-healed elite. But, it’s just not true. That is simply contempt without evidence.
We are a family of seven so my wife and I know what it’s like to eat on a budget. Our monthly grocery bill is bigger than most families and our budget is very tight. So, we are always looking for ways to save money. But, one thing we’ve learned is that eating a whole-foods, plant-based diet does not break the bank.
A healthy whole foods vegan diet can be very cost-efficient and in most cases a big money saver. At least it has been for us. If you compare the cost of meat and dairy to the cost of rice and beans it’s not even close. Plants win every time! Not only in cost and quantity but most importantly, health. FACTS.
Healthy Cheap Vegan Recipes
I thought I’d compile a list of some of my family’s favorite healthy cheap vegan recipes to help you get started. All of these budget-friendly plant-based recipes use common ingredients. And, all of these recipes are super accessible, affordable, and simple to prepare.
You’ll find something here for everyone and every meal. There are vegan snacks, vegan cookies, and just good vegan food that’s healthy. Not to mention, these are excellent cheap vegan recipes for college students.
Cheap Vegan Pantry Staples
Be sure and check out my Must-Have Healthy Vegan Food Staples. The key to making frugal vegan recipes is having long-lasting vegan food staples you can keep in your fridge, freezer, and pantry. This will save you money over time and equip you to make healthy, cheap vegan meals at any time.
If you are feeling confident and want to venture out further into the world of healthy vegan cooking, feel free to look around Shane & Simple and take your pick from any of the available recipes.
20 Healthy Cheap Vegan Recipes
Breakfast
Start the day with a healthy, hearty, and filling breakfast. These vegan breakfast recipes are super affordable but super healthy. Made with common ingredients that are most likely already in your house, they're sure to help you start your day the right way.
The Best Vegan Banana Bread
This vegan banana bread recipe is so easy to make and completely oil-free. It’s healthy, moist, and the best vegan banana bread ever! 1 bowl and 7 simple ingredients are all you need.
Banana Oat Blender Pancakes
Healthy Banana Oat Blender Pancakes are delicious and so easy to make! No flour, no eggs, and no dairy. Wholesome ingredients blended perfectly to make an incredible breakfast.
Easy Vegan Breakfast Tacos
Easy vegan breakfast tacos stuffed with scrambled tofu, roasted potatoes, avocado, black beans, and salsa. Healthy, hearty, and delicious!
Easy Cheesy Vegan Grits
Easy Cheesy Vegan Grits are creamy, delicious, and so easy to make. Made in one pot and with only 4 ingredients. Enjoy them on their own or as a base to create one amazing vegan grain bowl!
Raw Oat Blueberry Banana Nut Power Bowl
A delicious and amazingly healthy breakfast dish made with raw oats, blueberries, banana, and walnuts.
Lunch
Sometimes lunch needs to be fast and accessible. But, that doesn't mean it can't be filling and affordable. This collection of healthy plant-based lunch recipes meet all those requirements and more. They are also kid-friendly.
Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs
These Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs are THE perfect plant-based alternative to regular hot dogs! Healthy, LOW-FAT, easy, delicious, and great for a cookout.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
A delicious vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwich. It’s loaded with protein; full of fiber; and, super hearty! No cooking and takes less than 10-minutes to prepare. Lunch…is served!
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili that’s loaded with protein, fiber and healthy delicious veggies. A hearty vegan meal ready in 30-minutes.
5-Minute Spicy Asian Noodle Bowl
This Spicy Asian Noodle Bowl is so easy to make and uses very simple ingredients already in your pantry. It’s oil-free, delicious, and ready in as little as 5 MINUTES!
Chipotle Chickpea Tacos
These Chipotle Chickpea Tacos are amazing! Chickpeas cooked in chipotle chili powder, a little soy sauce, and a few other simple spices to make one delicious taco! Ready in less than 15 minutes…from start to finish!
Dinner
These budget-friendly plant-based dinner recipes are sure to satisfy everyone around the table. They are affordable, healthy, and easy to prepare. And, require ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry and fridge.
Vegan Stuffed Shells (Gluten-Free)
These Vegan Stuffed Shells are so easy to make and something the whole family will love. Jumbo gluten-free pasta shells stuffed with creamy tofu ricotta and covered with delicious homemade marinara sauce. It’s healthy, oil-free, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf
A delicious vegan meatloaf made with chickpeas and covered with a homemade maple bbq sauce. It’s so EASY to make and is absolutely delicious.
Vegan Taco Meat
The BEST Vegan Taco Meat is made with cauliflower, mushrooms, walnuts, and spices. It’s so easy to make and ready in only 20 minutes. The perfect vegan ‘meat’ substitute.
Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry
A delicious Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry recipe made with savory Indian spices. One pot and ready in 10 minutes. Naturally vegan, oil-free, and low in fat.
Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers
Delicious Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers filled with smoky chipotle-flavored rice and black bean filling. Hearty, healthy, filling, and easy to make.
Spicy Thai Peanut Spaghetti
Pasta for dinner sounds a little boring and bland. So, this Spicy Thai Peanut Spaghetti is certain to change your mind. Let’s go!
Dessert
No list would be complete without dessert. And, this group of plant-based sweets will satisfy any sweet tooth. These easy, budget-friendly vegan sweets are made with wholesome natural ingredients and require minimal time and effort.
Easy Vegan Fudge (Just 5 Ingredients)
Easy Vegan Fudge made with just 5 ingredients! This simple dairy-free fudge recipe is rich, naturally sweetened, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! A much healthier option compared to other traditional versions, it’s gluten-free and oil-free.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
These Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are so easy to make with just 1 bowl 3 ingredients. They’re soft, crumbly, and melt in your mouth delicious. Ready in less than 15 minutes and sure to be a family favorite.
Healthy Avocado Chocolate Pudding
This Avocado Chocolate Pudding is so easy to make, requires only FIVE ingredients, and 5 minutes. It’s rich, creamy, and incredibly decadent. You’ll never taste the avocado and it's kid-approved!
Easy Baked Cinnamon Apples
Baked Cinnamon Apples are the ultimate cheap, easy, and healthy recipe. Made in one bowl with only 6 ingredients, this recipe makes for a perfectly healthy apple dessert, topping, or side dish you and your family will love.
If you want to create your own vegan meal plan and grocery list to stay on track, you can purchase and download my Shane & Simple Meal Planner. BUY ONCE, DOWNLOAD FOREVER!
Hi Shane, I made the Best Vegan Carrot Cake this week and it was just delicious, and will certainly be one that I make again.
Thank you for all your recipes
thank you so much, Hazel! And, thanks for the great feedback. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d really appreciate you giving it “star” rating. It really helps me with Google. 🙂 Blessings.
Do you have a recipe using ramen noodles? Your recipes are wonderful glad I found your site.
Not yet, Lauren. But, I will:)
I love your recipes. I am feeling like I can really do the vegan lifestyle!! I am newly vegan after many years of unhealthy keto eating.
Thanks!!
You got this, Debora! Don’t ever hesitate to reach out with any questions. We’re here for you.
I love this blog..it really highlights how you can eat for cheap and still eat an extremely healthy diet….I have shared this article with several friends and the recipes you posted helped them. One of them went wfpb( working on the vegan thing…but one step at a time..lol) a few of the others have meatless meals throughout the week now saying how it has saved them money. Great job and keep the amazing recipes coming… haven’t hit a dud yet…lol
Thank you, TJ!!!
Shane,
I love your blog and recipes! I’ve made so many of them and go back for more. The reason is that they are easy, and always delicious! We have been WFPB for 9 years and we love our food….never feeling deprived, thanks to great ideas like yours.
THANK YOU!
Awww, thank you so much! And, congrats on the past 9 years. January will be 9 years for me as well. I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes and never hesitate to reach out with a question or comment. Blessings.