Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, trying to cut food costs, or just looking for simple plant-based recipes, I’ve got you covered. In this post, I’ll share 14 budget-friendly vegan meals (7 lunches and 7 dinners) that cost under $5 per serving—many even closer to $2 per meal!
Not only will you save money, but these meals are also packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients to keep you full and energized. Plus, I’ve included a complete shopping list to make grocery shopping easier and stress-free.
So, if you’re ready to master cheap vegan meal prep under $30, let’s get started!
Grocery List for the Week (Approx. $50–$70 for 14 Meals)
Grains & Legumes
- 4 cups rice (brown or white) – $4
- 3 cups quinoa – $6
- 1 lb dry lentils – $2
- 2 cans black beans – $2
- 2 cans chickpeas – $2
- 1 block tofu – $2
- 1 pack whole wheat tortillas – $3
Vegetables
- 3 onions – $1.50
- 2 bell peppers – $2
- 3 carrots – $1.50
- 2 zucchinis – $2
- 1 head broccoli – $2
- 1 sweet potato – $1
- 2 cans diced tomatoes – $2
- 1 bag frozen peas – $2
- 1 bag frozen corn – $2
- 1 head cabbage – $3
Other
- 1 can coconut milk – $2
- 1 small jar peanut butter – $3
- 1 small bottle soy sauce – $2
- 1 small bottle hot sauce – $2
- 1 small bag chia seeds – $4
- Spices: cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper
7 Cheap Vegan Lunches Under $5 Per Meal
Chickpea & Rice Bowl
- Rice + spiced chickpeas + tomatoes + bell pepper
- Cost per meal: $2
Quinoa & Black Bean Salad
- Quinoa + black beans + corn + bell pepper + lime juice
- Cost per meal: $2.50
Lentil & Sweet Potato Stew
- Lentils + sweet potato + diced tomatoes + garlic + cumin
- Cost per meal: $2.50
Stir-Fried Cabbage & Tofu with Rice
- Cabbage + tofu + soy sauce + garlic + rice
- Cost per meal: $2.50
Peanut Butter & Banana Chia Wrap (Sweet Option!)
- Whole wheat tortilla + peanut butter + banana + chia seeds
- Cost per meal: $2.00
Veggie Fried Rice
- Rice + peas + carrots + onion + soy sauce
- Cost per meal: $2.00
Black Bean & Corn Tacos
- Whole wheat tortillas + black beans + corn + cumin + hot sauce
- Cost per meal: $2.50
7 Cheap Vegan Dinners Under $5 Per Meal
Coconut Curry Lentils with Rice
- Lentils + coconut milk + curry powder + rice
- Cost per meal: $2.50
Spicy Chickpea Stir-Fry
- Chickpeas + bell pepper + soy sauce + rice
- Cost per meal: $2.50
Tofu & Broccoli Teriyaki with Quinoa
- Tofu + broccoli + teriyaki sauce + quinoa
- Cost per meal: $3.00
Cabbage & Peanut Stir-Fry with Rice
- Cabbage + peanuts + soy sauce + rice
- Cost per meal: $2.50
Zucchini & Lentil Soup
- Lentils + zucchini + carrots + garlic + broth
- Cost per meal: $2.50
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
- Sweet potato + black beans + diced tomatoes + chili powder
- Cost per meal: $3.00
Quinoa & Veggie Bowl with Peanut Sauce
- Quinoa + broccoli + bell peppers + peanut sauce
- Cost per meal: $3.50
Save Money & Eat Healthy with Cheap Vegan Meal Prep Under $30
Meal prepping on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or nutrition. With a little creativity and smart shopping, you can enjoy cheap vegan meal prep under $30 while still eating balanced and delicious meals.
If you loved these budget-friendly ideas, you’ll also want to check out these related articles:
- The Ultimate Vegan Shopping List: What to Buy for Your Plant-Based Diet – Find out exactly what to stock up on so you can keep your meals both affordable and nutritious while making meal prep easier!
- Gluten-Free Vegan Meal Prep: Your Ultimate Weekly Guide – Perfect for those avoiding gluten but still wanting variety in their meal preps.
- Easy Meal Prep for Weight Loss: 7-Day Vegan Plan – This comprehensive guide walks you through prepping nutritious, low-calorie meals step by step, making it easier to stay on track with your weight
I hope this guide helps you save time, money, and effort in the kitchen! Plus, it makes meal prepping so much easier and more enjoyable. Do you have any favorite cheap vegan meal prep under $30 ideas? If so, feel free to share them in the comments! 😊