Cheap Vegan Soul Food Recipes That Delight Your Taste Buds

Soul food is a celebration of rich flavors, comforting textures, and heartfelt tradition. But embracing a vegan lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to miss out on these soulful dishes.

In fact, vegan soul food can be affordable, delicious, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, these cheap vegan soul food recipes bring together wholesome ingredients and classic Southern-inspired flavors without breaking the bank.

From crispy fried “chicken” to creamy sides and hearty staples, you’ll find that plant-based soul food is not only nourishing but also bursting with flavor and soul.

In this post, we’ll explore several budget-friendly vegan soul food recipes that anyone can whip up with simple pantry staples and fresh produce. Get ready to enjoy soulful meals that are kind to your wallet and your health!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Vegan soul food offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, allowing you to enjoy your favorite Southern classics without animal products. These recipes are:

• Affordable: Using inexpensive, plant-based ingredients like beans, greens, and grains.
• Flavorful: Packed with spices, herbs, and umami-rich ingredients to deliver authentic soul food taste.
• Comforting: Perfect for cozy dinners, family gatherings, or meal prepping.
• Healthy: Rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals without the saturated fats found in traditional soul food.

Plus, these dishes are versatile — ideal for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. You’ll find inspiration to make soul food that feels indulgent yet wholesome.

Ingredients

• Chickpeas – 2 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed
• Old-fashioned oats – 1 cup, for binding
• Vegan buttermilk – 1 cup (made from plant milk + vinegar)
• All-purpose flour – 1 cup
• Cornmeal – 1/2 cup
• Smoked paprika – 2 tsp
• Garlic powder – 1 tsp
• Onion powder – 1 tsp
• Cayenne pepper – 1/2 tsp (optional for heat)
• Salt and black pepper – to taste
• Collard greens – 1 bunch, washed and chopped
• Yellow onion – 1 medium, diced
• Garlic cloves – 3, minced
• Vegetable broth – 1 cup
• Olive oil or vegetable oil – for cooking
• Sweet potatoes – 2 medium, peeled and cubed
• Maple syrup – 2 tbsp (optional, for sweetness)
• Ground flaxseed – 2 tbsp (mixed with 6 tbsp water for flax egg)
• Hot sauce – for serving (optional)

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Food processor or blender
• Skillet or frying pan
• Large pot for greens
• Baking sheet
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula or tongs
• Small bowl for flax egg
• Knife and cutting board

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegan buttermilk: Combine 1 cup of plant-based milk (such as almond or soy) with 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes to curdle.
2. Make the flax egg: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp ground flaxseed with 6 tbsp water. Let sit for 5 minutes until gelled.
3. In a food processor, blend the chickpeas: Pulse until they reach a coarse, crumbly texture but not a paste.
4. Mix the chickpeas with oats and flax egg: In a large bowl, combine the processed chickpeas, oats, flax egg, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to form a thick mixture.
5. Form your chickpea patties: Shape the mixture into 8 equal-sized patties. Set aside.
6. Prepare the coating station: In one shallow dish, whisk the vegan buttermilk. In another dish, mix the flour, cornmeal, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
7. Dip each patty into the buttermilk: Then coat thoroughly with the flour and cornmeal mixture. Place patties on a plate to rest for 5 minutes.
8. Cook the patties: Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
9. Prepare the collard greens: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and garlic, sauté until translucent and fragrant.
10. Add the chopped collard greens: Pour in the vegetable broth, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
11. Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cubed sweet potatoes with a drizzle of oil, salt, and optional maple syrup. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until soft and caramelized, flipping halfway.
12. Serve: Plate the chickpea patties alongside collard greens and roasted sweet potatoes. Add hot sauce or vegan gravy if desired for extra flavor.

Tips & Variations

“To keep your vegan soul food affordable and flavorful, buy dried beans and grains in bulk and use seasonal vegetables.”

• Try substituting chickpeas with black-eyed peas or kidney beans for a different texture.
• Add smoked liquid or vegan bacon bits to collard greens for a smoky depth.
• Use air frying instead of pan-frying for a lighter version of the patties.
• Swap sweet potatoes for candied yams or mashed potatoes for variety.
• Make a batch of these patties and freeze for quick meals later.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegan soul food meal pairs wonderfully with classic sides like vegan cornbread or creamy mashed potatoes. You can also add a tangy coleslaw or baked beans for a full Southern-inspired spread.

For a festive occasion, serve these patties in a sandwich bun with vegan mayo, pickles, and lettuce for a delicious soul food sandwich.

Don’t forget to explore more vegan comfort food recipes like our Vegetarian Southern Recipes That Everyone Will Love or try our Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes to add variety to your plant-based kitchen.

Cheap Vegan Soul Food Recipes to Try

Vegan Fried “Chicken” Patties

The recipe above is a perfect example of a crispy, flavorful vegan fried “chicken” made from chickpeas and oats. It’s cheap to make and freezes well for meal prep.

This dish offers that classic soul food crunch without the guilt.

Collard Greens with Smoked Tofu

• Ingredients: Collard greens, smoked tofu cubes, onions, garlic, vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Instructions: Sauté onions and garlic in oil, add smoked tofu cubes and cook until golden. Add collard greens and broth, simmer with smoked paprika and vinegar until tender. Season and serve.
• This dish is budget-friendly and packed with flavor and protein. For an easy recipe guide, check out Vegetarian Southern Recipes That Everyone Will Love.

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

• Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, pecans, vegan butter, and brown sugar.
• Instructions: Boil and mash sweet potatoes with maple syrup and spices. Spread in a baking dish. Mix chopped pecans with vegan butter and brown sugar, sprinkle on top. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
• Sweet and crunchy, this comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners or potlucks. For more delicious vegan sides, see Vegetarian Southern Recipes That Everyone Will Love.

Vegan Mac and Cheese

• Ingredients: Elbow macaroni, cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, lemon juice, plant milk, salt, and pepper.
• Instructions: Cook pasta. Blend soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, spices, lemon juice, and plant milk until creamy. Mix sauce with pasta and heat through.
• Rich and cheesy without dairy, this vegan mac and cheese is a soul food staple made affordable and healthy. See Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners for similar creamy pasta ideas.

Black-eyed Pea Hoppin’ John

• Ingredients: Black-eyed peas, brown rice, onions, celery, bell peppers, vegetable broth, thyme, smoked paprika, and hot sauce.
• Instructions: Sauté onions, celery, and peppers. Add black-eyed peas, rice, broth, and spices. Simmer until rice is cooked and flavors meld.
• This hearty dish is a New Year’s tradition in soul food kitchens and budget-friendly too. For more slow cooker magic, visit Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas.

Conclusion

Embracing vegan soul food doesn’t mean sacrificing the rich, comforting flavors that make Southern cuisine so beloved. These cheap vegan soul food recipes prove that with a little creativity and simple ingredients, you can enjoy soulful meals full of flavor, texture, and tradition—all while sticking to a budget.

Whether you’re frying up crispy chickpea patties, simmering hearty collard greens, or baking sweet potato casseroles, these dishes are designed to be accessible for home cooks of all skill levels. They also offer a wonderful way to bring people together around the table with nourishing and delicious plant-based food.

For more inspiration on wholesome vegan cooking, don’t miss our other tasty recipes like the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious or the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

Dive in, experiment, and enjoy the soulful journey of vegan cooking!

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