12 Affordable Meatless Meals
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on October 22, 2024
Good morning! I thought it would be fun to highlight some of the more affordable recipes on my blog today. The reality is that vegetarian cooking is generally inexpensive, since weโre typically using beans and eggs for protein. Plus, cooking from scratch is a great way to save on groceries and minimize your exposure to the preservatives found in processed foods.
I went through the archives and marked the least expensive meals with my new โbudget-friendlyโ category. Access it here or at any time by hovering over ALL RECIPES, then mousing down to โEVERYDAYโ and clicking โBudget friendlyโ.
While weโre at it, I thought Iโd share a few tips on saving money without sacrificing quality, starting with fresh produce! In-season fruits and vegetables are generally your best bets since they require less resources to grow under optimal conditions. Check my monthly seasonal produce guides to find out whatโs in season now.
Organic produce is typically more expensive, unfortunately. You can spend wisely by choosing organic produce for the items on the dirty dozen list and often opt for conventional if theyโre on the clean fifteen list.
You can often buy local produce at a discount if you shop farmersโ markets near closing time. Those hard-working farmers donโt want their vegetables to go to waste. If youโre ever wondering what to do with a lone eggplant or zucchini in your fridge, check my ingredient index for ideas (you can always access it by hovering over ALL RECIPES, then mousing down to INGREDIENT).
Cooking well-balanced meals with whole grains is a great way to save money and keep your belly full until the next meal. Whole grains offer more nutritional bang for your buck than processed grains, since they offer more fiber, nutrients and healthy fats. Some of my favorites include whole grain pasta, brown rice and farro. Gluten-free, grain-like options include quinoa, millet (millet is downright cheap, by the way) and sorghum.
Pulses like black beans, chickpeas and lentils are great additions as well, and theyโre especially affordable if you cook them from scratch (although canned beans are undeniably convenient and still inexpensive). I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago, but one half-cup serving of cooked lentils has twice as many antioxidants as blueberries and costs a fraction of the price. Pretty amazing.
Growing an herb garden is a great way to save on fresh herbs. You can buy a whole plant for the cost of one on those three-dollar-per-packet specialty herbs! I grab cheap bunches of cilantro and parsley at the store, but prefer to grow basil, mint, rosemary and thyme at home. Those are all pretty hardy plants that donโt require too much fuss. Another option is to use dried herbs, substituting one-third the amount of dried herbs for the specified amount of fresh, but that trick works best in simmered recipes like soups and pasta sauces.
When youโre cooking, feel free to play around with herbs, spices and other flavorings. If the recipe calls for multiple spices and youโre missing one of them, you can probably skip it altogether without sacrificing a lot of flavor.
Extra-virgin olive oil costs more than processed vegetable oils, but I use it liberally for its incredible health benefits. Itโs my go-to cooking oil (quality extra-virgin olive oil can actually be heated up to around 425 degrees Fahrenheit before it starts breaking down). Big bottles of California Olive Ranch Everyday, Trader Joeโs 100% Greek Kalamata and organic olive oil purchased on sale are my top picks.
Maple syrup and local honey are pricy and thereโs not much to be done about it, although I do buy the biggest jars available to save per ounce. (Letโs get real, thoughโtreats are treats and are therefore nonessential.) You can also save on vegetable broth by making it from scratch or just replace it with water, albeit for less flavor.
Alright, I think that just about covers my tips. What are yours?!
1) Cilantro-Pepita Pesto with Squash Ribbons and Fettuccine
Vegan and easily gluten free
Pesto is traditionally made with fresh basil and expensive pine nuts, but you can make pesto with just about any kind of flavorful greens and nuts (or even seeds, like pepitas). I love making pesto with arugula, kale or cilantro and pecans, almonds or pepitas. I often skip the Parmesan in pesto to let the flavor of the herbs shine, which cuts costs as well. Check out more pesto recipes here.
2) Sweet Potato Burrito Smothered in Avocado Salsa Verde
Easily gluten free and vegan (use gluten-free tortillas and skip the cheese and sour cream)
Sweet potatoes are inexpensive and packed full of vitamin A and other nutrients. I love them with spicy Mexican flavors and black beans. Check out more sweet potato recipes here.
3) Spiced Lentil Soup
Gluten free and vegan
Lentils are about as cheap and good for you as ingredients get. This soup features inexpensive collard greens and you can save by substituting water for the vegetable broth, though you might want to up the dried herbs, salt and lemon to make up for it. Check out more lentil recipes here.
4) Brussels Sprouts Pizza with Balsamic Red Onions
Easily vegan (skip the cheese, this pizza has lots of flavor without it)
Homemade pizza is so fun to make and costs so much less than delivery! I often take a shortcut and buy whole grain pizza dough at Trader Joeโs (for about $1.20 per batch) or Whole Foods. Check out more pizza recipes here.
5) Spicy Roasted Ratatouille with Spaghetti
Easily vegan
Pasta, one of my favorite comfort meals! Pasta dishes are affordable and easy, and they can be very good for you, too. Choose whole grain pasta (DeLallo Foods brand is my favorite) and load up your bowl with an equal amount of vegetables for a balanced meal. You can cut costs by skipping the Parmesan, which I found to be optional in this dish anyway. Check out more pasta recipes here.
6) Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad
Gluten free and vegan
Bean salads are a flavorful and hearty option for packed lunches and potlucks. I often turn them into a more complete meal by adding greens, a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil. Crumbled feta is almost always a good idea, too! Check out more bean salad recipes here.
7) Debโs Kale Salad with Apple, Cranberries and Pecans
Gluten free
Did you know that greens, like kale, contain protein in addition to all those vitamins? Itโs true. Kale salads can be pretty filling, especially when theyโre full of fruit, nuts and goat cheese like this one. They pack well for lunch, too. Check out more kale recipes here.
8) Sweet Potato & Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Gluten free and vegan (depending on your choice of buns and toppings)
These veggie burgers feature some of the cheapest and most nutrient-dense foods out there: sweet potatoes, beans, oats and millet. Theyโre also mega delicious!
9) Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Easily gluten free and vegan
I love how much you all love these tacos! Roasted cauliflower is delicious and nutritious. Combined with lentils and a drizzle of smoky, spicy sauce to tie it all together, it makes a fantastic, well-balanced dinner. Check out more cauliflower recipes here and taco recipes here.
10) Breakfast Quesadillas with Scrambled Eggs, Spinach and Black Beans
Easily gluten free
Eggs! Cheap, tasty and full of goodness, eggs are one of the best sources of protein out there. Local, organic eggs are generally the healthiest and tastiest eggs. Eggs plus beans plus Mexican flavors equal some of my favorite meals! Check out more egg recipes here.
11) Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce over Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Rice
Gluten free and easily vegan
Hereโs a secret: peanut butter is one of the healthiest foods out there. Itโs good for your heart and good for your waistline, for real. Iโm obsessed with savory peanut sauces and they pair remarkably well with sweet potatoes (West African cooks figured this out a long time ago!). Check out more peanut butter recipes here.
12) Spicy Vegan Black Bean Soup
Gluten free and vegan
Did you know that black beans are actually so blue that they appear black? Theyโre blue because theyโre packed to the max with anthocyanins. Hearty, homemade soups are a great way to warm up during cold weather. This black bean soup packs well and freezes well. Check out more black bean recipes here and more soups and stews here.
More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Donโt forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
Great post! My favorite has to be the Sweet Potato & Black Bean Veggie Burger.
I work at a co-op and have noticed some a definite trend: buying pre-packaged anything usually runs up quite a bill. When itโs an option, skip the quart of strawberries, pre-cut squash and melons, and packaged foods. Opt for bulk grains, sugars, nuts, and flours, and by-the-pound seasonal fruits and veggies. A few large tomatoes will usually be cheaper than a pint of grape tomatoes, so itโs wise to be able to compare costs and decide whatโs really crucial for your recipe, and what items can be swapped. Then youโll have a little more wiggle room to splurge for the luxury, treat items, like fresh whole mangoes and figs ;)
Thanks, Alyssa! Great tips! I have always tossed grape tomatoes into my cart without comparing them to the larger tomatoes, so Iโll compare next time!
a budget friendly search option is the greatest thing Iโve seen in months! What a great way to categorize recipes. I love splurging on fancy ingredients, but usually only do so on pay day. Thank you!
Hooray! Hope you find it helpful, Lauren.
Take advantage of deals at the market by becoming familiar with how to cut and prepare many veggies (mad knife skills are worth their weight in artichokes). Plan ahead but be flexible so you can take advantage of specials. And keep a running document of all the meals you make so you can refer to it for inspiration. We raised four sons and Iโve been cooking for 40+ years. Love your blog!
Oh yes, that is a fantastic tip! I took a knife skills class at a community college a few years ago and it was the best $35 I ever spent. Thank you for sharing, Denise!
KATE! This is awesome! I think beans can save the world. I remember growing up and seeing pamphlets at my local extension office and they had budget recipes on them, so often starring beans and the like. Iโm not a vegetarian, but my family eats vegetarian a lot just to give our bellies and our wallets a break. Your website has been hugely instrumental in accomplishing that goal over the years! Thank you for working so hard on this website, it is truly appreciated.
Thanks, Claire! Iโm pretty sure beans ARE going to save the world. :) So glad to hear that you all have been enjoying my recipes! Have a great weekend!
Great tips! That Brussels sprout pizza looks incredible! xx
Paying off my college degree, while working at a nonprofit, and going to business school, I learned a few tricks. My favorite ways to save on the grocery bill include:
โ Save veggie scraps in the freezer to make your own vegetable stock.
โ Get a few lives out of a bunch of scallions, by sticking the roots in a jar of water by the window after use. They regenerate pretty quickly.
โ Anything that is pre-made will cost you. Make your own pizza dough, tortillas, pasta, salad dressings, smoothies, popsicles, etc. if and when you have extra time.
โ If I need an ingredient once that I donโt think Iโll need again, I always check the bulk section before buying a package of it.
โ Only use the fresh herbs you can grow yourself.
โ The freezer is your friend โ make a big batch of everything. Break it into individual portions, and freeze.
โ Bring a lunch to work that you are excited to eat! I canโt stress this enough. If you bring the same boring sandwich every day, you will surely end up eating out some days.
โ Finally, if you like adding fresh berries to anything (oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes), you will save money without sacrificing flavor if you use frozen organic berries instead. (If youโre saddened by the texture of frozen berries like I am, heat them up with a little water and maybe honey in a saucepan until they become jam-like in consistency. So good!)
PS: ^My roommates think Iโm insane :).
Dang, Chelsea, I should have asked you to write this post! Thank you for sharing your tips!!! I need to start making my own vegetable stock, I think. Tried making whole wheat tortillas once and they didnโt turn out so well. Do you have a go-to recipe for that? I am really impressed by your thriftiness!
Also, check your local pizzeria (mom and pop places, if possible)โmost will sell you pizza dough. Ours is around $2 and is enough for 2 individual pizzas. So, many times Iโve gone to make pizza dough, only to have โdeadโ yeast.
I love going meatless! Very beneficial for the environment, health and for the animals!
Kate, this post is awesome! Iโm digging all this information and your budget friendly category. Iโm not a vegetarian, but I found your blog about a year ago and love it. I always find new and interesting recipes for meatless dishes here. Thanks so much!
Love the recipes. Help make veg and fruits fun .on weight watchers fruit and veg no points
So happy to hear that! Thank you, Rachelle. I bet most of my readers arenโt vegetarian, so youโre in good company! (Everyoneโs welcome around here.) :)
Loved the mango salad with chips
Awesome! Thanks, Bev.
Thankyou for this!!! Iโm starting uni in fall- and so Iโm always on the lookout for tips on eating the good food I want to be eating on a budget!
Awesome post! Such great ideas โ Iโm pinning it for more detailed perusal. Love love love your sweet potato veggie burger recipe, and excited to try Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce over Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Rice soon.
Thank you, Courtney! I hope you love the Thai sweet potato dish!
This is such a great post! I love it youโre giving attention to the financial aspects of cooking as well, apart from being healthy, tasty, for special diets et cetera. It reminds me again why Iโm tending towards eating fully vegetarian, with a side trip to vegan recipes sometimes. And your recipes are wonderful, again. I thought I at least saw pretty much all of your savory recipes, but Iโve never seen the first one, the pasta! Looks divine.
And it makes me happy to hear you sometimes cut out the Parmesan in pesto, because it makes the herbs shine more! I was struggling with pesto, since it isnโt vegan, but I love the taste and was not sure what would happen if you omit the cheese. But youโve given me encouragement to give it a try and see if Iโll like it.
Thank you for this post, mustโve been a lot of work, but it is very useful to me.
Thank you for your note, Evelyn! I buy family-sized quantities of ingredients to test out my recipes, so I am well familiar with the associated costs. My main concern is making sure that the recipes turn out well in readersโ homes, though, so I donโt mind the extra expense on my end. So glad you appreciate this post. You can definitely try omitting the Parmesan in pesto! Sometimes it can be a bit harsh without the Parmesan, but sometimes it works perfectly. You can also add a bit of nutritional yeast if youโre missing the cheesy flavor. Iโve had good luck using hemp seeds in pesto, which get nice and creamy (my kale pesto is an example). Now Iโm wondering if adding a few cashews would also help with the creaminess factor/help mellow out the flavor. Thanks again!
thanks for sharing!!!! you are such a great source of inspiration :)
Wonderful roundup!!!
The giant silicone ice cube tray you have on your kitchen equipment list is a great tool for leftovers, like pesto and stock. Lets you freeze them in โknown quantitiesโ to make it a snap to know how much to defrost for a recipe.
That is such a great idea! Thank you, Anne! I need to put that ice cube tray to work. :)
I love using my ice cube tray, too! I do the same with tomato paste and chipotle peppers in adobo.
Lentil stew is my favorite meatless meal. Iโll need to branch out and try some of these!
Kari
Wow, too many great recipes, thank you so much for sharing. Iโll have to bookmark and make my way through them individually. There are several that I really want to try โ the Thai Peanut Sauce with sweet potatoes and the Veggie burger in particular.
Iโll just add my tip that pesto freezes really well. We make bigger batches in late Summer when the basil is overflowing in the garden and freeze them in small glasses containers or ramekins. Topping them with a dash of olive oil before freezing seems to eliminate the browning on the top layer too. Theyโre perfectly proportioned for a dinner serving and really brighten up a cold winter evening.
Thanks, John! Hope you love those recipes. Thank you for sharing your tip about freezing pesto! I tried that years ago and totally forgot it was an option until now!
Great recipes. Particularly love the cauliflower tacos and the peanut sesame slaw. Iโm all hungry now.
Thanks!
Wow, these recipes are crazy awesome!
Thanks so much for sharing them!
Wow, totally perfect timing! I had just opened this post but hadnโt read it yet, and was saying to my husband, โYou know, I wish someone would just tell me what to eatโฆโ and then I looked at the screen and realized โ you did! Thanks :)
These arenโt cheap
If you use spices as much as I do find yourself a local chinese supermarket. You can get a 1kg bag or even bigger, I think itโs up to 5-7kg, for under a fiver. Itโs super cheap for stuff like rice, fresh herbs and canned goods like chickpeas as well. Itโs well worth trying to find somewhere like this and going in for a bulk shop.
Thanks for the tip, Rachel!
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
Youโre welcome, Donald!