Cheap Vegan Recipes Reddit: Tasty Meals on a Budget

Looking for delicious, affordable vegan meals that don’t require a culinary degree or a trip to an expensive specialty store? You’re not alone!

The “cheap vegan recipes” trend has taken off on Reddit, where home cooks, students, and families share their favorite budget-friendly plant-based dishes every day. Whether you’re vegan for the animals, your health, the planet—or just to save money—these recipes prove that you can eat well without breaking the bank.

In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the absolute best cheap vegan recipes Reddit users swear by. From hearty chili and lentil stew, to creamy pasta and veggie-packed stir-fry, these meals are easy, filling, and use ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Each recipe is tested, beginner-friendly, and designed to make healthy eating accessible for everyone. Ready for a week’s worth of satisfying, wallet-friendly vegan dinners?

Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Budget-Friendly: All of these recipes use simple, inexpensive ingredients commonly found at most grocery stores.
• Nutritious & Satisfying: Packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, these dishes keep you full without feeling heavy.
• Beginner-Friendly: No advanced cooking skills needed—just basic equipment and a little prep time.
• Customizable: Swap in your favorite veggies, grains, or beans based on what you have on hand.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Most of these recipes make great leftovers and hold up well in the fridge, saving you time and money all week.

Ingredients

Below you’ll find the ingredients for three of Reddit’s favorite cheap vegan recipes: Chickpea & Potato Curry, Lentil & Vegetable Stew, and Vegan Peanut Butter Noodles.

Chickpea & Potato Curry

Lentil & Vegetable Stew

Vegan Peanut Butter Noodles

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Medium pot (for noodles or rice)
• Nonstick skillet or frying pan
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Colander or sieve (for rinsing beans/lentils)
• Serving bowls

Instructions

Chickpea & Potato Curry

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until translucent.
2. Add garlic, curry powder, and cumin. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add potatoes and toss to coat in the spices. Cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add chickpeas, diced tomatoes, and broth. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add peas (if using) and simmer for another 5 minutes, until potatoes are soft.
6. Season with salt and pepper; adjust spices as desired. Serve with rice or flatbread.

Lentil & Vegetable Stew

1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot. Sauté carrot, celery, and onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
3. Add lentils, tomatoes, broth, thyme, and paprika. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Add spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
6. Serve hot with bread or over cooked grains.

Vegan Peanut Butter Noodles

1. Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar/lime juice, and sesame oil until smooth.
3. In a skillet, sauté garlic (and veggies if using) for 2 minutes. Add the cooked noodles.
4. Pour the peanut sauce over noodles and toss to coat evenly. Add chili flakes for spice.
5. Garnish with green onions and serve warm or cold.

Tips & Variations

• Swap veggies in any recipe for what you have—sweet potato, squash, bell peppers, or greens all work well.
• Make it spicy: Add extra chili flakes, sriracha, or hot sauce to taste.
• Bulk up protein: Stir in tofu, tempeh, or cooked beans for extra nutrition.
• Prep ahead: Chop veggies and cook grains in advance for quick weeknight meals.
• Freeze leftovers: Most of these dishes freeze beautifully—just portion into containers for future meals.

“Don’t be afraid to get creative! Cheap vegan cooking is all about using what you have, reducing food waste, and building flavors with pantry staples.”

Nutrition Facts

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for one serving of each recipe. (Values may vary based on brands and substitutions.)

All recipes are high in fiber and plant-based protein, making them filling and nourishing choices for any meal.

Serving Suggestions

• Chickpea & Potato Curry: Serve with fluffy rice, warm naan, or over baked sweet potatoes.
• Lentil & Vegetable Stew: Delicious with a slice of crusty bread or ladled over quinoa or brown rice.
• Vegan Peanut Butter Noodles: Perfect as a main meal or chilled for a picnic side. Add steamed broccoli or edamame for extra color and crunch.

Pair any of these meals with a side salad, roasted veggies, or try a Low Fodmap Appetizer for a complete dinner. For dessert, consider a sweet treat like Lemon Straws or a slice of Medieval Honey Cake!

Cheap Vegan Recipes Reddit Users Recommend: A Listicle

Reddit’s vegan community is a goldmine of affordable, practical meal inspiration. Here are more top-rated cheap vegan recipes, each with a quick overview and suggestions for making them your own:

• 1. Rice & Beans

  The ultimate budget meal! Simmer beans (black, kidney, or pinto) with onions, garlic, cumin, and chili powder.

  Serve over rice with salsa and avocado.

• 2. Pasta with Red Sauce

  Boil pasta and toss with a quick homemade tomato sauce (onions, garlic, canned tomatoes, Italian herbs). Add lentils or chickpeas for protein.

• 3. Stir-Fried Tofu & Veggies

  Pan-fry tofu with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Add any chopped veggies you like.

  Serve with rice or noodles and a drizzle of sesame oil.

• 4. Vegan Chili

  Simmer canned beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, and chili spices together. Top with green onions or avocado.

  Great for freezing leftovers!

• 5. Oatmeal Bowls

  Not just for breakfast! Make savory oats with sautéed greens, mushrooms, and a splash of soy sauce, or sweet with fruit and nut butter.

• 6. Veggie Fried Rice

  Use leftover rice and toss with frozen veggies, garlic, soy sauce, and a pinch of curry powder or turmeric. Add cubed tofu for protein.

• 7. One-Pot Tomato & White Bean Soup

  Simmer canned tomatoes, white beans, carrots, and Italian seasoning. Serve with crusty bread or over cooked pasta.

• 8. Harvest Hash

  Roast sweet potatoes, apples, onions, and kale with olive oil and spices. For a full recipe, check out our Harvest Hash Recipe.

• 9. Vegan Mac & Cheese

  Make a creamy sauce with blended cooked carrots, potatoes, nutritional yeast, and plant milk. Pour over cooked pasta for a comforting meal.

• 10. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Crumble

  When you want something a bit special, try our Lion’S Mane Mushroom Crumble Recipes for a savory, protein-packed dinner that’s still budget-friendly.

Conclusion

Eating vegan on a budget isn’t just possible—it can be delicious, creative, and deeply satisfying. Thanks to the collective wisdom of Reddit’s vegan community, you have access to hundreds of cheap vegan recipes that deliver flavor, nutrition, and variety without straining your wallet.

From hearty curries and stews to quick stir-fries and noodles, these dishes are proof that plant-based eating can be simple and enjoyable for everyone.

Don’t forget to experiment with what you have, swap ingredients as needed, and make each meal your own. For even more inspiration, browse our recipes for Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Arugula or try a unique twist like Maple Bourbon Pickles.

Happy cooking, and let us know your favorite cheap vegan recipe in the comments below!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Budget-Friendly Vegan Lentil Curry”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A hearty, flavorful lentil curry made with pantry staples. Perfect for a cheap, filling, and nutritious vegan meal.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed”, “1 medium onion, diced”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes”, “2 cups vegetable broth or water”, “1 tbsp curry powder”, “1 tsp ground cumin”, “1 tbsp vegetable oil”, “Salt and pepper, to taste”, “1 cup spinach or frozen peas (optional)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in garlic, curry powder, and cumin; cook for 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add lentils, diced tomatoes, and broth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add spinach or peas if using; cook 2-3 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Season with salt and pepper to taste.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot with rice or bread.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “230”, “proteinContent”: “12g”, “fatContent”: “4g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “38g”}}