Do you want to learn how to save money as a vegan?
I’ve been eating a vegan diet for around 10 years and have learned a lot over the years! Eating a vegan diet can be great for your health, the environment, and animals, and it also doesn’t have to be expensive. With a few strategies, you can enjoy a vegan diet that includes delicious meals without spending too much money.
Today, I’m going to share real tips and money-saving tricks to help you save money while living a vegan lifestyle. Even if you’re not full-on vegan, this post is going to help you learn how to save money by eating more vegan recipes and meatless meals.
Recommended reading: 13 Vegan Meal Prep Recipes You Will Love
How To Save Money as a Vegan
Here’s a list of ways you can save money as a vegan.
1. Buy food in bulk
Buying food in bulk is one of the best ways to save money on groceries. Foods like rice, beans, pasta, oats, and lentils are usually less expensive when purchased by the pound or in larger packages compared to smaller ones.
These foods can last for months in airtight containers, which really helps to save you money. Bulk sections can be found at many grocery stores, including international grocery stores (like Asian grocery stores), as well as Kroger, Publix, Sprouts, Whole Foods, and more.
You can find airtight food containers on Amazon here.
2. Buy frozen
Frozen fruits and vegetables are a great way to eat healthy and save money as a vegan.
Frozen produce is usually more affordable than fresh produce, especially when it’s out of season. These foods are picked at peak ripeness and then frozen, so you’re not sacrificing any nutritional value.
Plus, if you’re someone who tends to throw out a lot of fresh produce because it goes bad quickly, frozen produce is the way to go. Bags of frozen vegetables can be used to make soups, stir-fries, smoothies, curries, and many other dishes.
3. Go to discount grocery stores
If you live in a big city, you probably have a discount grocery store nearby.
For example, I live near Las Vegas, and a new discount grocery store called Grocery Outlet was opened. This store buys overstock or things nearing expiration dates from surrounding stores. I get food here for crazy discounts, such as:
- Vegan meatballs for $2 (usually $6)
- Vegan kimbap for $2 (usually $9)
- Vegan kimchi for $2 (usually $8)
- Vegan ready-to-go meals for $3 (usually $7)
- Grillo’s Pickles for $1 (usually $8)
Food is always rotating at this store, and new items are constantly arriving, so I enter with an open mind and don’t expect to find the same things every time.
4. Trader Joe’s
One of the best places to find vegan staples is Trader Joe’s, which is why it’s the store I shop at the most.
If you’re a fan of vegan meat and cheese substitutes, Trader Joe’s has some of the best options, and they’re really affordable. My favorite items from Trader Joe’s include:
- Vegan Korean Bulgogi (I recently brought this to my sister’s house, and even though they are not vegans, they thought it was really tasty!)
- Vegan Orange Chicken
- Vegan Kimbap
- Vegan Mozzarella/Parm/Cheddar Cheese
- Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Tofu
- Tempeh
5. Costco
Believe it or not, Costco has a ton of vegan staples, so if you already shop at Costco, this is a great place to get the bulk of your vegan food.
For example, Costco currently sells Impossible Burger Patties for $1.90 per patty, which is cheaper than purchasing them at other stores.
Costco also sells tofu packages for $8, which comes to about $2 each for a 4-pack. The best place to get frozen vegetables and fruit is Costco, as they sell some of the best budget-friendly staples, including broccoli florets, edamame, mixed berries, and stir-fry blends.
6. Plan your meals
Planning your meals is going to save you the most money because you’re entering this with a strategy, rather than buying random groceries and letting what you already have go to waste.
When you know exactly what you’re eating throughout the week, you can buy only what you need.
When I’m unsure what to meal plan for a week, I’ll go into ChatGPT and type in a rough list of the groceries I have, and it will create a breakfast/lunch/dinner plan.
I suggest including leftovers as meals and duplicating meals to make meal planning even easier.
Recommended reading: Weekly Meal Planner Printable
7. Make your own vegan treats
Learning how to veganize your favorite treats can be a lot of fun. Some of my favorite vegan treat recipes include:
I’ve made both of these recipes millions of times, and they’re always a hit, especially the Pop-Tarts!
8. Repurpose leftovers
Leftovers can be repurposed into so many new things, so if you’re someone who doesn’t like eating the same thing all the time, here are a few tips.
- Leftover roasted veggies can be blended into a creamy soup
- Cooked beans can be used as a base for veggie burgers or taco filling
- Transform leftover rice into fried rice
9. Shop online
Sometimes, I buy groceries on Amazon, either on Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods, and have them delivered to my house.
I’ll search for items that are on sale or heavily discounted (which Amazon makes easy to do by having sales sections), and I’ll also buy the Whole Foods generic brand to save on items.
Keep in mind, I have an Amazon Prime membership; otherwise, I wouldn’t do this because it would cost extra to get food shipped to my house, and it wouldn’t be worth it.
10. Buy foods that are in season
Buying food in season can make a huge difference versus buying it out of season. For example, fresh strawberries can cost around $3 to $5 per pound in season, and up to $7 per pound when out of season, so it really makes a difference when you’re buying food.
Here’s a rough guideline of what’s in season:
Spring (March–May)
- Strawberries (peak in late spring)
- Asparagus
- Spinach
- Peas
- Radishes
Summer (June–August)
- Strawberries (early summer in some regions)
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Mangos
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
- Corn
- Bell peppers
Fall (September–November)
- Apples
- Pears
- Pumpkins
- Squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
- Broccoli
Winter (December–February)
- Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons)
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
11. Compare grocery stores and their prices
My closest grocery store is known to be one of the most expensive in the area, so I got familiar with comparing grocery store prices really quickly.
For example, a box of pasta ranges from $3 to $4 at my local grocery store, whereas I can get a box of pasta for $1 at Walmart. We eat a lot of pasta, so being strategic about where we buy certain foods is a huge money saver.
12. Shop with a grocery list
I always go to the grocery store with a list in mind.
Here’s what’s always rotating on my list:
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Beans
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Peanut butter
- Jam
- Bread
- Vegetables (always trying new stuff, I’m currently on a cabbage kick)
- Fresh fruit like mangos, berries, and bananas
- Canned tomatoes and other pantry basics
- Plant-based milk and yogurt
- Nuts
13. Analyze how much vegan alternatives are costing you (versus making them yourself)
Vegan substitutes like cheese and meat can get really expensive, so sometimes it helps a lot to see how much you’ll save by making them on your own.
For example, cashew cheese or veggie burgers usually cost a lot less to make than buying them at the store.
Even if you don’t make everything from scratch, choosing a few staples to DIY can cut your grocery bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are commonly asked questions about how to save money as a vegan.
What does being vegan mean?
Being vegan can mean something different to everyone, but to me it means choosing not to eat animal products. These animal products include meat (beef, chicken, pork, fish, etc.), dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter), eggs, and honey. It also means I try to avoid animal products as much as possible outside of my diet, including things like clothing, beauty products, and other everyday items.
Does being vegan save money?
Being vegan can save you money or cost you money. It really depends on what kind of food you’re buying. If you tend to eat a lot of processed vegan substitute foods, you’re going to have higher grocery bills. If you stick to a whole foods, plant-based diet, you’ll probably spend less money.
What are the best tips to eat cheaply as a vegan?
Some of my best tips for eating cheaply as a vegan include:
- Build meals around staples – Beans, lentils, rice, oats, pasta, and potatoes are cheap, filling, and can be made in many different ways.
- Buy in bulk – Dry beans, rice, oats, and frozen vegetables usually cost less when purchased in larger quantities.
- Cook at home – Pre-made vegan products (like faux meats, cheeses, or snacks) are pricey. Cooking meals at home saves the most money.
What are some ideas for cheap vegan meals for a week?
Some of my favorite go-to cheap vegan meals include:
- Overnight oats with banana and peanut butter
- Toast with hummus, tomato, and cucumber
- Scrambled tofu with veggies and toast
- Black bean and corn tacos with salsa
- Spaghetti with marinara and roasted veggies
- Chili with beans, canned tomatoes, and spices (serve with rice or bread)
- Veggie and bean stir-fry with noodles
Are vegan food substitutes worth it?
Vegan food substitutes can be worth it if you enjoy the texture and taste of meat and cheese, or just want to recreate that nostalgic meal you loved when you weren’t eating vegan recipes. I love vegan food substitutes, but I make sure to buy them only when they’re on sale or at a discount grocery store, as these foods tend to be on the pricier side.
How To Save Money as a Vegan – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on the best ways to save money as a vegan.
I’ve been a vegan for many years now, and I think there are many ways to save money when eating vegan food. These tips will help you even if you’re not going fully vegan and can be used as a general guide to saving more money on groceries.
How do you save money on groceries?
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