Even without fancy cooking equipment or a lot of space to work with, eating vegan on a budget is well within your reach.
Kitchen Staples
Investing in a couple good kitchen appliances could save you time and money in the long run. Set yourself up for success by optimizing your kitchen! Don’t even have a pot to cook in? Check out community sites like Craiglist where you can always find great deals on everything you need.
- A Slow Cooker and a Pressure Cooker are fantastic time and money saving tools. Great for busy families on the go!
- A Blender is a nice way to use up leftover fruits and veggies. Smoothies are also great time savers in the morning!
- Be sure you have pots, pans and a good kitchen knife. If you enjoy your tools you will be that much more inclined to use them.
At the Store
- Get to know your bulk section! Most grocery stores have a bulk section where you can often find pastas, grains, flour, nuts and seeds. It is an easy way to only buy what you need and also an avenue to help you explore new foods.
- Get on board with the wonderful world of dried beans! Dried beans and lentils are very cost effective. They are super cheap power foods that provide us with protein and fiber!
- Go Beyond the supermarket! Most cities have a variety of ethnic markets. Asian, Indian and African grocers often carry native spices for considerably less than an average supermarket. You can also usually find great deals on fruits, veggies, and other veg-friendly items!
- Embrace your supermarket specials. Try your own version of extreme couponing! Look for specials on vegetables, fruits and other staples. A great excuse to try something new!
- Look for generic/vegan versions of your old favorites. Mock meats can be found on sale and they are a protein-rich way to punch up a pasta or grain. Textured vegetable protein (TVP) is very adaptable and affordable.
- Oldies But Goodies: Peanut Butter is cost effective, healthy and of course wonderful with bread and jelly! It can also be used as a base for sauces and soups.
In the Kitchen
- Keep It Simple: You may want to jump in to veganism feet first. Although it is fun to make your own seitan (wheat protein), at first we would recommend starting slow. Your meals can be nutritous and delicious without breaking the bank or including a long list of ingridients.
- Batch Cooking: If you are going to spend time in the kitchen, why not cook enough for a few meals? Clean out some space in your freezer and stock up for your week ahead. Soups and casseroles heat up nicely!