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Craving budget-friendly meals that donโ€™t skimp on flavor? These cheap vegetarian recipes make plant-based eating easy and perfectly suited for a thrifty grocery list. From tacos and curries to milkshakes, they’re all light on the wallet (but packed with deliciousness).

Collage of cheap vegetarian recipes

One of the biggest complaints I hear people say about trying to eat more plant-based is that it’s expensive. In reality, cooking vegetarian is actually really inexpensive (if you focus on the right ingredients!).

Tips For Cheaper Vegetarian Meals

Skip the pricey pre-made veggie burgers and meat alternativesโ€”by focusing on wholesome ingredients (like beans and eggs), you can easily enjoy a healthy, budget-friendly vegetarian diet.

  • Shop The Season: Seasonal fruits and veggies are typically cheaper and fresher, since they require fewer resources to get to your table (bonusโ€”they have a lower carbon footprint too!).
  • Keep It Local: Farmerโ€™s markets can sometimes be pricey, but stopping by at the end of the day can score you some deals as vendors clear out.
  • Love The Legumes: Chickpeas, beans, and lentils are budget-friendly nutrition powerhouses! Opt for dry bulk instead of canned and boil them at home (find out how to cook chickpeas here!).
  • 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 a range of 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. Wheter you’re looking for new toast topping ideas or meal prep inspiration, we’ve got you covered!

A tall glass of kale smoothie garnished with a banana slice and kale leaf, complete with a striped straw. Another glass, fresh banana, and vibrant kale leaves appear in the background.

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!
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Greek yogurt in a bowl with granola and fruit.

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)!
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Healthy toast topping ideas on white background

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!
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Vegetarian stir fry meal prep recipe idea in mason jars on a red background

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!
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Meal prep on a blue background - Serving up some easy vegetarian meal prep today in the form of roasted veggies with Spanish rice, tossed in a creamy cilantro dressing!

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!
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Meal prep containers with broccoli, chili, and bulgur on a red background - This vegan Tempeh Chili Meal Prep is ready in 30 minutes and takes care of lunch for the week (plus it's like...really tasty).

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 itโ€™s likeโ€ฆreally tasty.
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Want to get into meal prepping, but overwhelmed by how to make your meals? I've created a formula for the easiest, tastiest vegetarian meal prep recipe...Mix & Match Meal Prep!

Mix & Match Vegetarian Meal Prep

Want to get into meal prepping, but overwhelmed by how to make your meals? Hereโ€™s a formula for the easiest, tastiest vegetarian meal prep recipeโ€ฆMix & Match Vegetarian Meal Prep!
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Bowls of chana dal and white rice with lemon wedges rest on a blue surface, accompanied by refreshing glasses of water.

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.
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General Tso's cauliflower on a plate with rice and green onions

Baked General Tso’s Cauliflower

Do you cave in to takeout (even when it's not within your budget)? Iโ€™m not exaggerating when I say that this Baked General Tsoโ€™s Cauliflower tastes better than the Chinese takeout we all know and love (but without the frying or meat!)
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Bowl of orange soup topped with roasted chickpeas and crumbled cheese, set on a green checkered tablecloth with a spoon, napkin, and garnishes nearby.

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 busy weeknights!
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A sliced vegetable pizza topped with cheese, red onions, zucchini, bell peppers, and fresh basil on a red tiled surface.

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!
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Croutons in a pan with a spoon.

How to Make Croutons (With Any Bread)

Your salads will never be boring again after you try this homemade croutons recipe! Hereโ€™s how to make croutons with any bread you might have leftover.
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A plate of fresh vegetable spring rolls with dipping sauce and lime wedges on the side, paired perfectly with curried melon salad. A lock icon and the text โ€œplant pals exclusiveโ€ appear on the image.

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!
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Vegan tikka masala with naan and rice in a white bowl.

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, itโ€™s vegan!)
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A bowl of rice topped with sliced avocado, marinated red fish, edamame, cucumber, seaweed, green onions, and sauce, with chopsticks and side dishes on a green surface.

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)!
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A bowl of tomato soup topped with cream, croutons, and fresh basil leaves, with a spoon resting inside the bowl.

Fresh Tomato Soup with Basil

This Fresh Tomato Soup recipe uses garden-ripe tomatoes and fresh ingredients (no cans or pastes here)! Itโ€™s such an easy homemade tomato soup thatโ€™s perfect for using up those those juicy summer tomatoes.
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Bean salad in a bowl on an orange background

Mamaโ€™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!
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A pita wrap filled with lettuce, tomato, red onion, seasoned chickpeas, and a creamy spreadโ€”these delicious chickpea gyros are tied with twine and partially wrapped in paper for the perfect handheld meal.

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

This Roasted Chickpea Gyros recipe is an easy vegetarian dinner for feeding everyone on busy weeknights!
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A bowl of quinoa vegetable soup with chickpeas, garnished with fresh herbs. A spoon rests on the bowls edge, while another bowl is partially visible in the background.

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!)
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Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup

Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup

This Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup comes together with little effort and is a deliciously warming soup youโ€™ll be making all winter long!
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A bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, and chopped herbs, with a spoon resting inside.

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 kindโ€ฆTACO SOUP!
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Chickpea cauliflower tacos with pickled red onion.

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!
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Pouring sauce into a bowl of elote salad

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!
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Closeup of mozzarella sticks.

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. Theyโ€™re crunchy, savory, and filled with gooey, stretchy, delicious cheese.
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Seven bowls of assorted hummus flavors are arranged on a table with pita bread, lemon slices, chickpeas, greens, and a green pepper as garnishโ€”perfect inspiration for those curious about how to make hummus at home.

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.
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Three milkshakes, reminiscent of how to make nice cream, topped with whipped cream and cherries, stand tall in glasses with straws. Indulge in the classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

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!
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Girl in yellow overalls holding bottle of kombucha.

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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Eat vegetarian cookbook.

Let's eat more plants!

Packed with over 100 reader-favorite vegetarian recipes, my cookbook is your go-to guide for easy, healthy meals that make plant-based eating a breeze.

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