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Let's Make Vegan Cooking Simple & Fun
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.