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Want to eat a vegetarian diet while on a budget? These cheap vegetarian recipes are budget-friendly, easy to make, and delicious!
One of the biggest complaints many people have when trying to eat more plant-based is that it’s expensive. In reality, cooking vegetarian can be inexpensive if you focus on the right ingredients!
Tips for making affordable vegetarian recipes
By avoiding ready-made products (like pricey veggie burgers or meat “alternatives”) and instead focusing on real ingredients (like beans and eggs), you can eat a healthy vegetarian diet while on a budget.
- Shop the season: Seasonal fruits and veggies require less resources and transportation to get to your table, so they’re generally cheaper (and have a lower carbon footprint)!
- Shop local: Farmer’s markets can be expensive, but if you go around closing time, you can often snag some great deals!
- Love the legumes: Chickpeas, beans, lentils…they’re all affordable nutritional powerhouses! Buy them in dry bulk (instead of canned) and boil them yourself.
- Grow a garden: Even if it’s just a few pots of your favorite herbs, growing some of your staples will lighten the load on your wallet. Basil, mint, and rosemary are all easy to grow and can brighten up so many dishes!
Budget friendly vegetarian recipes
These recipes are perfect for cash-strapped students, large families, or anyone looking to lighten up their grocery bill each month.
1
Tropikale Smoothie
Ditch the store bought smoothies and make your own at home. This Tropical Kale Smoothie recipe is a tropical take on the classic green smoothie, complete with pineapple, orange juice, banana, and kale!
2
How to Make Greek Yogurt
Making your own Greek yogurt can be a huge budget saver (especially for the yogurt-fanatics!) This is a simple guide on how to make healthy homemade Greek yogurt (with just two simple ingredients)!
3
5 Healthy Toast Topping Ideas
Breakfast in need of a revamp? Here are 5 healthy toast topping ideas that are high in protein and will have you and the family looking forward to breakfast!
4
Stir Fry Meal Prep with Cauliflower Fried Rice and Tofu
Prepping your meals in advance is a great way to prevent yourself from ordering lunch out. This vegetarian stir fry meal prep idea is packed with flavorful cauliflower fried rice, soy-glazed tofu, steamed broccoli, and sriracha mayo!
5
Roasted Veggie and Spanish Rice Meal Prep
Beans and rice are a great budget-friendly protein source. Serving up some easy vegetarian meal prep today in the form of roasted veggies with Spanish rice, tossed in a creamy cilantro dressing!
6
Tempeh Chili Meal Prep
Make a big pot of chili on Sunday and eat it for lunch throughout the week! This vegan Tempeh Chili Meal Prep is ready in 30 minutes and it’s like…really tasty.
7
Want to get into meal prepping, but overwhelmed by how to make your meals? Here’s a formula for the easiest, tastiest vegetarian meal prep recipe…Mix & Match Vegetarian Meal Prep!
8
Easy Chana Dal Recipe
Dried chickpeas are an affordable ingredient that's packed with filling protein. Learn how to make this tasty, delicious Indian/Pakistani-inspired recipe.
9
Baked General Tso's Cauliflower
Do you cave in to takeout (even when it's not within your budget)? I’m not exaggerating when I say that this Baked General Tso’s Cauliflower tastes better than the Chinese takeout we all know and love (but without the frying or meat!)
10
Pumpkin Soup with Smoky Roasted Chickpeas
This recipe is great for using up those leftover Halloween pumpkins (or canned pumpkin that you find on sale after the holidays). Topped with smoky roasted chickpeas and fresh thyme, making it the ultimate cozy autumn recipe for busyweeknights!
11
Veggie Pizza
No need to order a pizza when you can make your own for a fraction of the price! This classic Veggie Pizza recipe is loaded with colorful roasted vegetables. Vegetarian pizza night just got an upgrade!
12
How to Make Croutons (With Any Bread)
Your salads will never be boring again after you try this homemade croutons recipe! Here’s how to make croutons with any bread you might have leftover.
13
Vegetable Vietnamese Spring Rolls
This veggie-packed Vietnamese Spring Rolls recipe is a fresh and delicious Asian-inspired dinner that is served with the best almond coconut dipping sauce!
14
Chickpea Tikka Masala
One of my favorite cozy dinners for when I'm craving takeout but don't want to spend the money. This Chickpea Tikka Masala recipe is an easy dinner to whip up when the Indian food cravings hit (plus, it’s vegan!)
15
Vegan Tuna Sushi Bowl
Authentic poke bowls can be expensive (sushi grade tuna is no joke)! This Vegan Tuna Sushi Bowl has plant-based tuna made with tomatoes, and all the fixings of your favorite poke bowls (including the spicy mayo)!
16
Fresh Tomato Soup with Basil
This Fresh Tomato Soup recipe uses garden-ripe tomatoes and fresh ingredients (no cans or pastes here)! It’s such an easy homemade tomato soup that’s perfect for using up those those juicy summer tomatoes.
17
Mama’s Famous Bean Salad
There's nothing wrong with canned vegetables, and beans are a great way of packing in protein. This easy Bean Salad recipe is famous in our house, and for good reason! Quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for bringing to potlucks!
18
Roasted Chickpea Gyros
This Roasted Chickpea Gyros recipe is an easy vegetarian dinner for feeding everyone on busy weeknights!
19
Quinoa Vegetable Soup
This Quinoa Vegetable Soup is a bone-warming brothy soup that has the flavors of chicken noodle soup with the healthy-ness of vegetable soup (and it whips up in under 30 minutes!)
20
Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup
This Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup comes together with little effort and is a deliciously warming soup you’ll be making all winter long!
21
20 Minute Taco Soup
This recipe requires a bunch of canned beans and veggies, most of which you can find on sale throughout the year. They all come together into an award winning, super fast, one of a kind…TACO SOUP!
22
Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos
These Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with quick slaw and avocado cream sauce are a quick and delicious way to load up on veggies this Taco Tuesday!
23
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Mexican Street Corn Salad recipe is a healthy, simple take on elote, the delicious Mexican street vendor version of corn on the cob!
24
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Skip the ready-made frozen mozzarella sticks and make your own! Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks are pretty much a dream come true. They’re crunchy, savory, and filled with gooey, stretchy, delicious cheese.
25
How to Make Hummus: 4 Ways
Are you a hopeless hummus addict? Here's how to make homemade hummus in the four best flavors: traditional, roasted garlic, chipotle, and romesco! In just 5 minutes and with minimal ingredients, you can have smooth and creamy hummus.
26
Banana Nice Cream Milkshakes (3 Ways!)
Ice cream can be expensive (and restaurant milk shakes even more so). Here's how to make Banana Nice Cream Milkshakes in three tasty flavors: strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate!
27
Homemade Kombucha
If you love kombucha (but don't love dropping $5 on a bottle), it's time to start making your own.
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