Cheap Easy Vegan Recipe Books for Delicious Meals

Updated On: October 7, 2025

Embarking on a vegan journey doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Whether you’re new to plant-based eating or simply looking to add affordable, easy recipes to your repertoire, cheap easy vegan recipe books are a fantastic resource.

These cookbooks focus on simplicity, budget-friendly ingredients, and delicious meals that anyone can whip up in no time. From hearty soups and stews to vibrant salads and satisfying mains, these books make vegan cooking accessible without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

In this post, we’ll explore why these recipe books are a must-have, share a sample recipe inspired by their style, and provide tips and variations to keep your meals exciting. Plus, if you want to dive deeper into plant-based cooking, I’ll include links to some other great recipes that complement this lifestyle.

Let’s get cooking with affordable, easy vegan meals that will delight your taste buds and your wallet!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe, inspired by the ethos of cheap easy vegan recipe books, is designed to be both nourishing and budget-friendly. It uses pantry staples and fresh ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.

Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, it scales well and requires minimal preparation time.

You’ll appreciate the balance of flavors — hearty, wholesome, and satisfying without relying on processed or expensive items. Plus, this recipe is perfect for meal prep, making your weeknight dinners stress-free and quick.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried lentils (green or brown, rinsed)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan or pot with a lid
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Colander or sieve for rinsing lentils

Instructions

  1. Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water using a colander. Set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add the minced garlic and chopped carrot to the pot. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the cumin and smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute to release their aromas.
  5. Add the rinsed lentils, canned tomatoes, and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir to combine.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If the stew is too thick, add a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
  8. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes before serving.
  9. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy warm.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.

You can swap out lentils for other legumes like chickpeas or black beans if you prefer. For added texture, toss in some chopped kale or spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

This recipe also freezes beautifully, making it a great option for batch cooking.

Want to spice it up? Add chili flakes or a diced jalapeño with the garlic.

To keep it ultra-budget-friendly, use homemade vegetable broth or water with added herbs.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Calories 280 kcal
Protein 18 g
Carbohydrates 40 g
Fiber 15 g
Fat 6 g
Sodium 450 mg

Serving Suggestions

This hearty lentil stew pairs wonderfully with warm crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa. For a complete meal, serve alongside a fresh green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables.

Looking for more easy vegan dishes? Try the Harvest Hash Recipe: A Delicious and Easy Fall Comfort Food for a cozy option or the Lion’S Mane Mushroom Crumble Recipes for a flavorful mushroom twist.

For a simple vegan pasta, check out the Lemon Ricotta Pasta With Arugula Recipe.

Conclusion

Cheap easy vegan recipe books are a treasure trove for anyone wanting to eat healthily without breaking the bank. They prove that plant-based meals can be simple, affordable, and incredibly delicious.

This lentil stew recipe embodies the spirit of these cookbooks by using minimal, inexpensive ingredients to create a satisfying dish that’s perfect for everyday meals.

Whether you’re an experienced vegan or just starting out, embracing inexpensive recipes like this one will boost your confidence in the kitchen and expand your culinary horizons. Don’t hesitate to experiment and adjust flavors to your liking — vegan cooking is wonderfully adaptable.

So grab your pot, get cooking, and enjoy wholesome meals that nourish both body and soul!

📖 Recipe Card: Cheap Easy Vegan Chili

Description: A budget-friendly, hearty vegan chili packed with beans and vegetables. Perfect for quick meals and meal prep.

Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT40M

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen corn

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and garlic, sauté until soft.
  3. Add bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes.
  4. Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
  5. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  7. Add frozen corn and cook for another 5 minutes.
  8. Serve hot with rice or bread.

Nutrition: Calories: 250 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 5 g | Carbs: 40 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Cheap Easy Vegan Chili”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A budget-friendly, hearty vegan chili packed with beans and vegetables. Perfect for quick meals and meal prep.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT40M”, “recipeYield”: “6 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 tablespoon olive oil”, “1 medium onion, diced”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 bell pepper, diced”, “2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed”, “1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes”, “1 cup vegetable broth”, “2 teaspoons chili powder”, “1 teaspoon cumin”, “1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “Salt and pepper to taste”, “1 cup frozen corn”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion and garlic, saut\u00e9 until soft.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add frozen corn and cook for another 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot with rice or bread.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “250 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “5 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X