10+ Budget Vegan Recipes for Delicious and Affordable Meals

Eating vegan doesn’t have to be expensive. Many delicious and satisfying meals can be made on a budget, allowing you to enjoy plant-based foods without breaking the bank. Exploring budget vegan recipes can help you save money while still enjoying a variety of tasty dishes.

In this article, you’ll discover simple recipes that use affordable ingredients. These meals are perfect for anyone looking to eat healthily while managing their finances. You’ll find that good food doesn’t have to come at a high price.

1) Lentil and Potato Skillet

This Lentil and Potato Skillet is a tasty and simple meal. It’s perfect for a budget-friendly vegan dinner that everyone will enjoy. You’ll love how quick and easy it is to prepare.

You will need lentils, potatoes, and some spices to bring out the flavors. Adding diced tomatoes and bell peppers makes this dish even better. The combination of textures will keep your taste buds happy.

This recipe is not only filling, but it’s also packed with nutrients. It’s a great way to enjoy a healthy meal without spending too much.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Spices (salt, pepper, cumin)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse lentils and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and bell pepper, cooking until soft.
4. Stir in diced potatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add lentils, tomatoes, and spices. Mix well.
6. Pour in 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils and potatoes are tender.

2) Vegan Broccoli Pasta

Vegan broccoli pasta is a quick and tasty meal you can make in under 20 minutes. This dish is not only delicious, but it is also budget-friendly and nutritious.

To make this pasta, you need fresh broccoli and your choice of pasta. You can easily add proteins like beans or tofu to make it even heartier.

The creamy sauce combines broccoli with simple ingredients, making it flavorful and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) of pasta
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add broccoli and vegetable broth to the pan. Cook until tender.
4. Blend the mixture with nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper until creamy.
5. Combine the sauce with the drained pasta and mix well. Enjoy!

3) Chickpea Curry

Chickpea curry is a simple and delicious dish that’s perfect for a budget-friendly meal. You can make it in under 30 minutes, making it great for busy weeknights.

This recipe uses chickpeas, which are packed with protein and fiber. You can easily adjust the spices to suit your taste.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: spinach or kale

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pan, sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add the curry powder and stir for 1 minute.
3. Pour in the chickpeas and coconut milk.
4. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add spinach or kale if desired, and cook until wilted.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

4) Edamame Stir-Fry

Edamame stir-fry is a quick and nutritious meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights. In just around 15-20 minutes, you can enjoy a delicious dish.

To make your stir-fry, you can use fresh or frozen edamame. Combine it with colorful veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms. A tasty stir-fry sauce ties everything together with a sweet and savory flavor.

You can serve this dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal. It’s healthy, satisfying, and easy on your budget.

Ingredients

• 1 cup edamame (fresh or frozen)
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Optional: Cooked rice or noodles

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat (350°F / 180°C).
2. Add bell pepper, carrot, and mushrooms. Stir-fry for 5 minutes.
3. Add edamame and soy sauce. Cook for another 5-7 minutes.
4. Serve over rice or noodles. Enjoy!

5) Tofu Fajitas

Tofu fajitas are a fun and tasty meal that won’t break the bank. You can enjoy the bold flavors of seasoned peppers, onions, and tofu wrapped in warm tortillas. It’s an easy dish that everyone will love.

These fajitas are also quick to make. You only need about 20 minutes to prepare them. You can have a healthy dinner ready in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 2 bell peppers (any color)
• 1 onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas (flour or corn)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Press the tofu to remove excess water and cut it into strips.
3. Slice the bell peppers and onion.
4. In a bowl, mix the tofu with olive oil, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. Spread the tofu and veggies on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
7. Serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

6) Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Stuffed sweet potatoes are a delicious and budget-friendly meal option. They are easy to make and can be filled with a variety of ingredients.

Start by baking or microwaving sweet potatoes until they are soft. You can fill them with items like black beans, chickpeas, or your favorite greens.

Top the stuffed potatoes with salsa, avocado, or a creamy vegan sauce for extra flavor. This meal is not only filling but also packed with nutrients.

Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes
• Canned black beans or chickpeas
• Fresh greens (like spinach or kale)
• Salsa or guacamole
• Vegan sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake sweet potatoes for 45 minutes or until soft.
3. In a bowl, mix black beans and greens.
4. Cut open the sweet potatoes and fill them.
5. Top with salsa or sauce and enjoy!

7) Vegetable Fried Rice

Vegetable fried rice is a quick and easy dish perfect for a budget-friendly meal. You can use leftover rice and pack it with your favorite vegetables. This meal is not only tasty but also healthy.

To make vegetable fried rice, heat some oil in a pan. Add garlic and your choice of chopped vegetables like carrots, peas, and bell peppers. Stir-fry until they soften.

Next, add the rice and soy sauce, mixing everything well. Cook for a few more minutes, letting the flavors blend. You can also top it with green onions for extra taste.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat (350°F / 180°C).
2. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Stir in mixed vegetables and cook until soft.
4. Add the cooked rice and soy sauce; mix well.
5. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Garnish with green onions if desired.

8) Green Pea Pasta

Green pea pasta is a quick and delicious meal that’s easy to make. You can whip it up in just 15 to 20 minutes. This dish is creamy, vegan, and perfect for any time of the year.

You can use fresh or frozen peas for this recipe. Add some garlic and olive oil for extra flavor. It’s also a great way to sneak in some veggies.

You can customize your dish by adding ingredients like white beans or plant-based sausage. This makes it even more filling.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pasta
• 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Stir in peas and cook until heated through.
5. Combine pea mixture with drained pasta.
6. Season with salt and pepper.

9) Quick Teriyaki Tofu

Quick Teriyaki Tofu is a tasty and easy dish that you can whip up in no time. With just a few ingredients, you’ll get a meal that is satisfying and packed with flavor.

Start by pressing your tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes and marinate it in a simple homemade teriyaki sauce. Cook the tofu until it is crispy and golden.

Serve it over rice or with mixed vegetables for a complete meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!

Ingredients

• 14 oz (400 g) block of firm tofu
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• Olive oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Press the tofu for 15 minutes to remove water.
2. Cut the tofu into cubes.
3. Mix soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water.
4. Marinate tofu in the sauce for 10 minutes.
5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/180°C).
6. Cook tofu until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Serve with rice or vegetables.

10) Vegetable Stew

Vegetable stew is a hearty and healthy meal that’s perfect for any day. You can use a variety of vegetables based on what you have at home. This stew is not only filling but also simple to prepare.

Start by chopping up potatoes, carrots, and any other vegetables you like. Potatoes and carrots are traditional choices, but feel free to add mushrooms or greens.

You can use vegetable broth for flavor. Simmer everything together in one pot for about 30 minutes. It’s a great way to enjoy fresh ingredients and stay on budget.

Ingredients

• 2 cups potatoes, diced
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups leafy greens (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and sauté until soft.
3. Add potatoes and carrots; stir for 5 minutes.
4. Pour in vegetable broth.
5. Add mushrooms and greens.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper before serving.