34 budget vegan recipes

Budget vegan meal ideas

Thai green tofu curry

Ready in just 25 minutes, try this super simple green tofu curry with crunchy veg. It calls for cheap, everyday ingredients, plus the ingredient list is kept nice and short.

Crispy baked tofu

This versatile, protein-rich ingredient is given the crisp factor with our foolproof method.

Wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon

All you need to make this vegan recipe is wholewheat spaghetti, long-stemmed broccoli, garlic, chilli flakes and lemon. It’s super quick and easy to make, too.

Vegan burrito bowl

Chuck a handful of cheap ’n’ cheerful ingredients together to make this vegan burrito bowl, delivering all the big flavours you’d want without using the oven.

Broccoli pasta

This five-ingredient broccoli pasta is easy, vegan, and ready in just 20 minutes – ideal for a midweek meal on a budget.

Marinated tempeh

The slight spice in this marinade adds flavour and colour to your tempeh. It's the perfect addition to any meal if you're looking for extra protein.

Quinoa and black bean chilli

Leave out the avocado to keep costs down in this vegan chilli, if you like. Once you have your spices, this is an inexpensive dinner to add to your repertoire.

Falafel wrap

Why not freeze a big batch of easy homemade falafel for a speedy lunch option? For added kick, add a spoonful of za’atar or a pinch of chilli powder.

Vegan chickpea curry

This chickpea curry heroes cheap storecupboard staples and spices, such as ginger, chilli and turmeric. It’s perfect for a vibrant midweek meal that will be on the table in less than half an hour.

Tuscan bean stew

This recipe for Tuscan bean stew packs in plenty of of low-cost, seasonal veg. It’s a great one to have on hand for a filling midweek meal ready in less than 30 minutes.

Cauliflower rice with aubergine ragoût

Check out this easy cauliflower rice with aubergine ragoût, made of everyday storecupboard ingredients and spices. By blitzing the cauliflower in a food processor, followed by a short cooking time, you get the consistency and texture of rice minus the carbs and extra calories. It’s filling, too.

Roasted courgette, chickpea and lemon salad

Rustle up this super-quick and easy vegan salad recipe with roasted courgettes and crunchy chickpeas tossed in punchy harissa in just 20 minutes.

Sweet potato and lentil curry

Once you have cumin, coriander and turmeric in your cupboard, this vibrant vegan curry becomes a brilliant budget dish.

Gazpacho sauce spaghetti

This gazpacho sauce spaghetti is easier to make than you might think. It’s ready in just 15 minutes and chances are you already have most of the ingredients to hand.

Vegan Thai red curry

Match shop-bought vegan curry paste with ginger, mangetout, red pepper and vegan Quorn to make a Thai curry that keeps costs to a minimum.

Summer vegetable soup

Try this herby vegan soup packed with peas, courgette, green beans and fresh herbs. The ingredients are cheap and accessible and the soup is ready in less than 30 minutes. Serve with crusty bread on the side, if you like.

Spinach, chickpea and potato curry

Make the most of low-cost storecupboard ingredients, such as potatoes, chickpeas and chopped tomatoes, in this lightly spiced vegan curry. It makes a wholesome midweek meal for four.

Vegan tofu scramble

Try this low-calorie dish of smoked tofu, punchy chilli and pan-fried courgette on toast for a filling vegan lunch.

Ratatouille

Our easy ratatouille recipe comes packed with tomatoes, aubergine, courgettes and red pepper. It’s an easy budget meal to make and feeds four. Serve alongside crisp sourdough with a kick of garlic.

Tenderstem broccoli, new potato and radish salad

A light, summery meal which makes the most of seasonal veg and everyday ingredients, such as lemon, chilli and dill. Plus, you’ll be eating in just 20 minutes.

Creamy lentils with spinach and thyme

Cheap vegetables and storecupboard staples combine to make this healthy lentil dish. High in protein and low in fat, it’s also filling and delicious.

Stuffed portobello mushrooms

Get creative without breaking the bank with these stuffed mushrooms with breadcrumbs. They also work well as quick and easy burgers – simply put them into buns with hummus, salad leaves and roasted red peppers.

Pitta

With just a handful of storecupboard ingredients you can achieve superior fluffy pitta breads that make shop-bought versions pale by comparison.

Soba noodle salad with teriyaki mushrooms

Only a few fresh ingredients are needed to whip up this quick and easy soba noodle salad. It will only take 30 minutes of your time.

Turmeric and ginger butter bean stew

Nourish yourself while staying within budget with a big bowl of our butter bean stew in a zingy ginger, turmeric and creamy coconut milk broth.

Griddled purple sprouting broccoli with peppers and walnuts

This budget-friendly recipe for griddled purple sprouting broccoli with peppers and walnuts looks and feels decadent, yet it’s cheap to make and easy to put together.

Miso chickpeas and avocado on toast

Turn a cheap storecupboard staple into a clever twist on a popular brunch dish, livened up with sesame seeds and spring onions.

Shredded veg miso soup

Shred ginger, leeks and carrots into this umami-rich soup. We’ve added quinoa and kale to make it an extra nourishing meal that’s just a little different.

Tofu fried rice

Toss ready-cooked rice into a pan and mix with a handful of spices, baby veg, frozen peas and smoked tofu. A super quick and easy recipe made with low-cost, healthy ingredients.

Singapore noodles

This speedy vegan dinner is flavoured with everyday ingredients, including ginger, garlic, chilli and soy sauce. Frozen stir-fry veggies help keep prep to an absolute minimum.

Orzo deli salad

If you’re a big orzo fan, this inexpensive, simple orzo salad with crunchy red onion is for you. It’s super easy to make and low in calories, too.

Red Thai butternut squash soup

Add the punchy flavours of red Thai curry to butternut squash for an easy winter warmer that doesn’t break the bank.

Carrot and coriander soup

A handful of spices, stock, carrots and potatoes are all you need to make this comforting meal for four. Top with ras el hanout-spiced crunchy flatbread croutons, if you like.

Curried celeriac

Celeriac is cheap, robust and versatile. Use it in a number of delicious dishes, like this vegan curry – the roasted cubes soak up the spicy, fragrant flavours.

Sweet potato and miso soup

Velvety, wholesome and packed with plenty of umami flavour, this simple soup is made of cheap, everyday ingredients and is surprisingly low in calories.