Have you recently taken the leap and become vegan? You’re not alone! Many Brits have made the change both this year and last. The movement is growing faster than any of us could have expected. But how can you eat cheap while making the change? Luckily, we’re here for you! Here are 20 awesome vegan recipes that won’t break the bank.
1. Curried Chickpeas
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Fancy a little spice in your life? Luckily, one of the tastiest options for vegans or those leading a plant-based lifestyle is a good, old-fashioned curry. A cheap way to bulk out one of these dishes is to use the humble chickpea. We don’t need to tell you that these things are super cheap. (Most supermarkets sell them in tins for around 50p!) Grabbing a tin of them and mixing up a delicious curry sauce makes for a perfect dinner treat.
Get the recipe here
2. Mexican Noodle Soup
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We’re sticking with the spice theme for this next one. Anyone for soup? A lot of mainstream Mexican style food uses beans, peppers, and spices. That means that you don’t need meat, dairy, or eggs to make it delicious. This particular recipe will cost you next to nothing and warm you up on long winter nights!
Get the recipe here
3. Hummus and Grilled Vegetable Pizza
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One of the biggest things that vegans have to give up is cheese. That means no more cheddar and pickle sarnies and… worse still… no more pizza. Or does it? In fact, you can make a cheap, vegan pizza in the comfort of your own home. Substituting the cheese for some delicious hummus means that you can still enjoy a tasty treat. (Plus, this costs just a couple of pounds to make. Easy!)
Get the recipe here
4. Thai Coconut Curry
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Thai food is seriously tasty. No one is denying that fact. Still, you may be used to having a certain type of curry that includes chicken. Luckily, you can substitute that for some delicious tofu instead. That means that you still get a whole load of ‘bulk’ to your curry without it containing any animal products. What could be better than that?
Get the recipe here
5. Perfect Ratatouille
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Cooking for a large group? If you’re living in a vegan household, you may find it hard to get a recipe that suits everyone. That’s where ratatouille comes into play. Packed full of courgette and aubergine, this particular baked dish is perfect and cheap. Prep it ahead of time for a tasty weeknight meal.
Get the recipe here
6. Tofu Scramble
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Craving some scrambled egg? You can make something oh-so-similar that will do just the job. Tofu scramble is simple to make and will satisfy your hunger in no time at all. This recipe can be modified to suit your particular tastes. For example, if you love nothing more than some spice, you can add it to the mix. You may also want to include some pan-fried vegetables here too. Nice.
Get the recipe here
7. Avocado and Hummus Wrap
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Looking for a simple lunchtime snack? You may just have found it. Vegans often find it hard to figure out what to put on a wrap. Luckily, we have the answer. An avocado and hummus wrap is super cheap and makes a great lunch too.
Get the recipe here
8. Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
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For many of us, stuffed peppers are a go-to easy meal that we can enjoy whenever we please. If you’re used to using cheese to make these things delicious, you may want to change your ways sooner rather than later. Using some quinoa to stuff your peppers could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Nothing could be easier.
Get the recipe here
9. Mixed Bean Fajitas
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Fancy some fajitas? Why not ditch the chicken and go for something completely different? Mixed bean fajitas are a real crowd-pleaser and they couldn’t be easier to make for yourself. If you don’t want to bother getting a load of different beans, you can get a ‘mixed bean salad’ tin from most supermarkets. Nice.
Get the recipe here
10. Bean Salad
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More beans please? For a healthy meal, why not get rid of the tortillas and just have a bean salad instead? All you need to do is add some tasty extras and a delicious salad dressing to make this dish. Oh, and you can make a huge batch and use it throughout the week. Meal prepping at its finest!
Get the recipe here
11. Homemade Bruschetta
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Sometimes, the simplest things can also be the tastiest. Toasting a fresh baguette and adding some chopped tomatoes and onions is all it takes to create a completely continental meal. Add any spices or sauces that you see fit. Really make it your own. Homemade bruschetta costs next to nothing but looks super fancy.
Get the recipe here
12. Vegan Burrito Bowl
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Whether you’ve got kids or just want to have some fun yourself, you just cannot go wrong with a vegan burrito bowl. The great thing about this cheap and easy recipe is that you can make a whole load of it and feed an entire family. Top tip: The key to making this particular dish burst with flavour is making a great salsa!
Get the recipe here
13. Pad Thai
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Forget ordering another takeaway! Save yourself some cash and make your own vegan pad Thai at home instead. The recipe is very easy to follow and means that you can use up anything that you have left in your fridge. It’s a really creative recipe that you can change as you want. Personalise this dish by adding some of your favourite veggies into the mix. Oh, and don’t forget the chillies!
Get the recipe here
14. Falafel Burgers
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Let’s not beat around the bush here. Falafel is one of the most popular staples for vegans. There’s a good reason for that. It’s tasty, healthy, and relatively cheap. If you’re still buying this stuff ready-made at the supermarkets, it’s time to change your ways. You can make it for yourself at home in no time at all. Why not create some patties and make ‘burgers’?
Get the recipe here
15. Squash Linguine
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Here’s a great way to make your next linguine a little more exciting. Often enough, people think that the only way to make something rich and tasty is to add dairy. That’s so not the case. If you’re looking for a way to add a little flavour to your dish, why not try some roasted squash? The best way to save money with this recipe is to make a huge pot of the stuff and save some for later. You won’t regret it.
Get the recipe here
16. One-Pot Chickpea Bowl
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We already know that chickpeas are extremely cheap and easy to get hold of, but what else can you do with them? The one-pot chickpea bowl could be the answer. This spiced soup come stew is a great dish that takes hardly any prep time. You can add as many spices as you want to suit your taste buds. What’s more, a little coconut oil gives it just a hint of sweetness too. Tasty.
Get the recipe here
17. Garlic and Mushroom Penne
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Pasta doesn’t have to be boring! Often enough, people think that vegan pasta dishes have to be passata and nothing else. Nope. You can make a great dish so long as you’re willing to experiment a little. Creating a garlicky base and adding some mushrooms into the mix is a sure fire way to make a dish that everyone will love. Why not try it for yourself?
Get the recipe here
18. Smoky Tomato Lentils
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Lentils are another plant-based staple – and for good reason! There’s nothing quite like using these as the bulk of your meal. Again, you can get them cheaply at most supermarkets. As though that weren’t enough, buying them in bulk from world food shops could also save you some extra cash. This smoky dish is certain to be a winner.
Get the recipe here
19. Spinach Potato Cakes
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Anybody for potato cakes? If you’re looking for a flavoursome dish that you can enjoy after a long, hard day at work, look no further. Some tasty potato cakes are simple to make and very affordable. Should you want to take them to the very next level, though, it’s a great idea to add a little spinach to the recipe. That way, you can get some extra nutrients into the meal and create some great textures. Yummy.
Get the recipe here
20. Thai Peanut Noodles
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Plant-based protein is always a hot topic. One of the best sources of protein has to be nuts. Why not create a meal based around just this ingredient. Making some tasty noodles is always a great way to save money and eat cheap. Adding some peanuts to the recipe means that you get a large dose of protein while enjoying a great meal.
Get the recipe here
