One of the most common assumptions about veganism is that it is expensive. This idea usually comes from the visibility of speciality vegan products such as ready meals, plant based burgers, and dairy alternatives. These products can be convenient, especially when someone is transitioning away from animal products, but they are not essential to a plant-based diet.
In practice, many of the basic foods that make up a vegan diet are among the cheapest items in a supermarket. With a bit of planning, eating plant-based can be very affordable. The following ideas can help keep costs down.
Buy in Bulk
Staple foods with a long shelf life are often cheaper when purchased in larger quantities. Items such as rice, pasta, oats, dried beans, lentils, soy chunks (or TVP) and noodles usually cost significantly less per portion when bought in bulk.
The main consideration is storage. Airtight containers can help keep these foods fresh and protect them from moisture or pests. If you have an outbuilding that doesn’t get too cold, dried goods in airtight containers can often be stored there without issue – I keep a lot of my tinned food outside. I tend to buy them when they’re on sale and store them outside as backups until I need them.
While the initial purchase may cost more, the savings over time can be substantial, especially if you take advantage of sales and special offers on foods that will last a while, even if you don’t need them right now.
Use Frozen and Canned Foods
Frozen and canned foods are often cheaper than fresh produce and last much longer. They are also quick to prepare, which can make cooking easier on busy days.
Frozen fruits and vegetables, canned beans, and canned tomatoes are particularly useful staples. They are just as nutritious as fresh versions in most cases, and they help reduce food waste because they keep for longer.
Freezing food you already buy can also help. Bread, for example, freezes very well and can be stored for weeks without losing quality.
Look For Imperfect Produce
Many supermarkets sell fruit and vegetables that are slightly misshapen or cosmetically imperfect. These products are often discounted because they do not meet the visual standards expected for regular displays.
The taste and nutritional value are usually the same. Bruised fruit can be used in baking or smoothies, and vegetables with minor blemishes work perfectly well in soups, stews, or stir fries.
Buy Seasonal Foods
Fresh produce tends to be cheapest when it is in season. Being flexible about what vegetables and fruits you cook with can help reduce costs.
Some vegetables are inexpensive throughout the year, including onions, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, and cauliflower. Fruits such as bananas and citrus are also widely available at relatively low prices.
Planning meals around what is affordable at the time can make a noticeable difference to your food budget. You will often see special offers on foods that are overstocked too, this is often the case with fruit in particular.
Keep Meals Simple
Plant-based meals do not need to be complicated. Simple combinations of staple foods can be nutritious, filling, and inexpensive, even if they’re not very exciting.
Meals based on beans, lentils, or chickpeas with rice, pasta, or noodles are a good example. These ingredients are cheap, easy to cook, and can be used in a wide range of dishes such as curries, soups, stews, and stir fries.
Once you are comfortable with a few basic combinations, it becomes easy to vary flavours without increasing the cost of the meal. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sauces and space combinations, which can make a very “samey” dish feel and taste different.
Cook in Batches
Cooking larger portions can save both time and money. If you prepare several servings at once, you can store the extra portions in the refrigerator or freezer for later.
This reduces food waste and makes it easier to avoid takeaway meals or convenience foods when you are busy or tired. You’re much less likely to open that takeaway app if you have something in the fridge that you know needs eating.
Reusable containers are useful for storing these portions safely, it is worth buying a few different size containers for different purposes.
Build a Small Collection of Spices
Spices can transform simple ingredients into a wide variety of meals. A small selection of basic spices allows you to cook many different styles of food without relying on expensive prepared sauces.
Buying spices in small quantities at first is usually enough. Over time you will learn which flavours you enjoy and which combinations work well with the foods you cook most often. Once you have a few spices you are regularly using, buying them in large bags is usually significantly cheaper than buying the tiny jars you find in supermarkets. Keep hold of the jars so you can refill them from your bags.
Try Growing Some of Your Food
I know that a lot of people will scoff at this suggestion, but growing your own food does not need to be complicated. Even a few herbs grown on a windowsill can be useful and save some money over time.
Mint, basil, and parsley grow easily in small pots. Salad leaves, tomatoes, and some herbs can also grow well in containers if you have a bit of space. Squash is famously easy to grow – you’ll end up with more than you know what to do with!
This will not replace your weekly shopping, but it can reduce the amount of fresh produce you need to buy.
Lifestyle
Veganism also affects choices outside of food, but this does not usually make everyday life more expensive.
Clothing made from synthetic or plant based fibres is widely available and often costs the same as, or less than, clothing made from animal materials. Faux leather and other alternatives are common in shoes, jackets, and bags. Buying second hand clothing can reduce costs further, and it is far more sustainable.
For cosmetics and household products, many affordable brands already avoid animal ingredients or animal testing. In some cases these products are labelled as vegan, but others happen to be vegan without advertising it. Budget brands and high street shops often carry a wide range of options.
As with food, the key is learning which products work for you and building a small set of reliable options over time.
Useful Resources
If you’d like more help with budgeting, you may find these links helpful: