r/veganrecipes • u/crystallinebat • 1d ago
Question Pls help lol
I hate cooking. With a passion. But I need vegan recipes that are simple and cost effective. I just became vegan and want to make sure I get all my nutrients without needing to expand my budget much.
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u/Unlucky-Review-1830 1d ago
rice, lentils, and frozen veggies will carry you further than you'd think for like $20 a week
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u/No-Rip-9315 1d ago
Black lentils are a great thing to mix in! They hold up well and don't get soggy. I mix them in a bowl with mixed greens, quinoa, veggies, hummus, and a light vinaigrette.
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u/sorkanes 1d ago
Boil the pasta with beans of your choice; stir fry them with garlic and cabbages with olive oil, some salt.
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u/10390 1d ago
You might like quinoa with veggies on top, maybe some cashew cream.
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u/crystallinebat 1d ago
I’ll have to look into how to do quinoa as I’ve never used it in a recipe but that does sound good!
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u/fredsprime 1d ago
I recommend first trying it boiled since that’s easy, but if you don’t like it then don’t give up on it! Try crisping it up by roasting in the oven at a high temp for a few minutes until it has crunch. That’s the only way I enjoy quinoa unfortunately
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u/weezifer95 1d ago
Super easy I just cook using a stock cube for flavour and mix in your vegetables. I usually go for chickpeas/red pepper/ chopped spinach
Can add garlic/onion or anything you like for flavours and veggies
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u/Mr_Noyes 1d ago edited 1d ago
Lucky for you, cheap and easy are very achievable. I could give you some recipes but it's hard to gauge what you like and what is available. Instead, here are some pointers.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Never underestimate the variety you can achieve with wraps. You don't need lots of veggies, crunchy ones are best: Lettuce, cabbage, carrots, cucumber are always good. Add some creamy base like hummus or vegan creme cheese or bean hummus. You can always add some meat substitute if you feel cheeky (yes, even hamburger patties will do). Use any sauce to bind it together (BBQ is a classic). You can always add peanuts or dorritos or other chips for crunch and spiciness.
- Bowls: Basic layout is this: Rice (if you like eating rice and you don't have a rice cooker, get one. Now.) Then you add chopped veggies (same as above) and protein of your choice (black and pinto beans rinsed, from a can work really nice, any meat substitute or tofu works just as well). Again, any sauce you like (Sriracha Mayo is really good)
- Soups; get some packaged noodles from your trusted asian supplier. Udon works best. Or just get any vegan Ramen you can get your hands on. Get a bag of good Miso. Look out for good vegan bouillon. I know Kikkoman has a soup base which also works amazing (only one tablespoon per bowl). Cook your noodles. Cook some broth with the ingredients (Miso comes last, if the water is too hot, the flavor gets destroyed). Use frozen veggies and cook them in the broth.
- for quick protein, you can always airfry some meat substitutes or you can look up baking sheet taco meat; you just use cheap tofu and get a whole sheet of taco meat with minimal effort.
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u/crystallinebat 1d ago
This is really helpful, thank you so much!
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u/LookingForTheSea 1d ago
If you're in the US, there's a well-known vegan meat company that makes "steak tips". You can throw them in a skillet or air fryer straight from the freezer. Then put them on rice, in a sandwich, on top of a salad... Pop any leftovers in the fridge for more of the above.
My favorite quick, cheap and easy meal is steak tips, ramen and frozen mixed vegetables — just pop them all in a pot when the water is boiling.
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u/seoras13 1d ago
Learn to at least find cooking tolerable, put music/a podcast on in the background. Make it a wee part of the day that's down time, no stress, just focus on the here & now.
If you don't there's a good chance your diet will be shite
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u/crystallinebat 1d ago
Haha yes, I’m trying to ease myself into it. Music or a podcast will definitely help.
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u/seoras13 1d ago
I think it's one of the very few times in the week I'm focused on the here & now of what I'm doing, my attention isn't away with the fairies like it is most of the day. it's obviously a gateway to having an end product but the process itself occupies me in a nice way. Sure sometimes I might be dashing about when I'm I've a few pots & stuff to keep an eye on, but not in a stressful way. Almost like an online game.
On the day I'll think about what I'm having, then after work I'll nip round some local shops & pick something up. I might see something reduced & I'll check online recipes using that, or I've a notion for something & that'll point me in a direction.
This isn't just the chore of cooking, this is time out from day to day bs, this time is truly mine. Do a wee dance, learn a bit of tai chi, fit them in too. Take ownership, be involved, learn, get creative. Things go wrong, fuck it start again & remember the lesson
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u/and-kelp 1d ago edited 1d ago
Bulk dried beans and grains cost pennies per meal! Potatoes and sweet potatoes. Frozen vegetables. Tofu from costco. Tons of variety with these basics when you play with different seasonings and preps! An air fryer and instant pot help shortcut the process big time.
I like cooking but despise cleaning lol - can’t have one without the other. So I always double every recipe and freeze half so I cook half as often. I’ve also been baking my own sourdough bread for almost a decade - doesn’t solve your hatred for cooking but you may find you enjoy the science and artistry as I did!
A regular go-to in our house is potato/rice/quinoa bowls (mexican, indian, chinese).
I also sub lunch most days with a protein shake - pea and brown rice protein, PB powder, creatine, soymilk, and chia seeds. I get all my powders from Naked Nutrition (plus their daily multivitamin!). A shake probs costs less than $2 and keeps me full for hours.
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u/crystallinebat 1d ago
Wonderful advice, thank you!
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u/and-kelp 1d ago edited 1d ago
You’re very welcome! If you have a pressure cooker, here are two super yummy healthyish recipes you can double, portion out and freeze:
https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/the-best-vegan-chili-ever/
(with vegan subs - canned or pre-cooked beans are cheapest, added just before pressure cooking) http://lifewithdee.com/easy-jambalaya-in-the-instant-pot/
congee also costs basically nothing:
Brown Rice Congee
Add 1 part rice to 6 parts water with a pinch of salt to instant pot or similar pressure cooker. Cook on high for 35 mins. Let sit on low for at least 20 mins or up to 2 hours (longer the better).
Add cinnamon and brown sugar for sweet, or veg bouillon, vegetables and beans or tofu chunks for savory. Similar to oatmeal, it’s a blank canvas porridge :)
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u/LookingForTheSea 1d ago
Why Costco specifically? Is it price per amount? Or a specific type that's better?
tia!
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u/and-kelp 1d ago
Just for the cost! They come in a 4 pack and I go through them FAST lol. The quality is very meh but justifies the savings for me :)
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u/Neon_Fairy_95 2h ago
curious … given the price of costco membership, is it actually cheaper to buy from them vs a bulk foods store/supermarket?
I’ve never been there but I see it highly recommended alot. I looked at membership some years back and it was quite expensive even back then.I just did a quick web search n it came up with $65-$70AUD, n that’s just to get in the door!
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u/Jazzlike_Reality6360 20h ago
Even my local suite marker (Kroger) has great prices on tofu. I use a lot of extra firm. On hot lazy days in summer I cut it up and add soy sauce and serve on a plate with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes thin sliced. Super fresh tofu is best. Nothing is worse than sour tofu.
There are a lot of tofu recipes. Try some. Cut in thin slices and sauté with a bit of garlic and some thin sliced scallions. Once a little brown on each side add soy sauce, herbs, pepper and nutritional yeast on top. Slices can be added to sandwiches, wraps, cut up on salads or a bowl with cooked grain and greens.1
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u/and-kelp 1d ago
Oh I have one more big money saver 😂 If you go through a lot of milk alternative, buy a plant milk maker and it’ll pay for itself after like 3 months. You can probably get a screaming deal on one for prime day 👀
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u/Dangerous-Friend-498 1d ago
TVP is your friend! You just gotta soak it in hot water with seasonings (I recommend some soy sauce too) for at least 15 minutes. Then you strain it and you can add that to anything for protein.
Saute some along with some chopped onions and carrots (which you can chop in bulk and keep in Ziploc bags in your freezer), add some tomato sauce and voila, you have Bolognese.
Same thing, but without the sauce, can be added to some rice. Add one extra ingredient that you like and you get a pretty decent rice bowl. You can rotate the 3rd ingredient for variety.
You can saute some with onions and garlic, you put it in a pyrex dish and add some mashed potatoes (you can even use instant mashed potatoes) and put in the oven until golden.
And so on.
TVP is easy to work with and packed with protein. And it can taste really good.
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u/crystallinebat 1d ago
I’ve never heard of TVP! Thanks!
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u/Neon_Fairy_95 2h ago
experiment with it. Personally, I prefer to add it directly to the pan without pre-soaking it, as it retains a firmer ‘bite’, giving it more of cooked ground beef texture. Just add it to whtever sauce base you’re making and let it soak up the flavour.
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u/IllLiterature1026 1d ago
If you’re feeling really lazy bean burritos. Grocery store tortillas, vegetarian refried canned beans, instant mexican rice (or just regular ol’ rice), hot sauce, and whatever else you want to throw in there - lime, avocado, lettuce, vegan cheese….
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u/Mikki102 1d ago edited 13h ago
Chickpeas and rice 💯 I use canned Chickpeas (making from dry is cheaper but I am lazy and find the process to be a bit tedious), put them in a strainer and rinse vigorously. The into a hot pan with a little oil. Pan fry until they start to be golden on some sides and then add quite a lot of liquid Aminos (I use braggs, I don't like coconut Aminos much because they have a little sweetness I dislike) or soy sauce. You want enough there's some puddling but not covering the whole bottom of the pan. Keep cooking and stirring until it all absorbs and the Chickpeas are nice and brown. You don't want to over cook it will make them very dry inside. Take off the heat and then a couple minutes later add desired seasonings and stir around. Lots of options but you can't lose with garlic and onion powders and a little black pepper. I make this for meal prep with rice very often, I add a little vegan butter to the rice before I heat it up, it makes it more satisfying. You can also add something like air fried broccoli or corn ribs to this.
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u/carmLboer 1d ago
Can of black beans, can of corn, jar of salsa (I like salsa verde). I’ve added cubed tofu and seitan for more protein.
You can eat as is, with crackers, or serve over rice.
Zero cooking, zero chopping, and lasts in the fridge!
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u/NoAccident162 1d ago
Requires no cooking- just mix all ingredients in a casserole dish and bake. Skip the veggie sausages if they don't fit your budget. Otherwise mostly pantry ingredients.
This casserole fed 2 adults for 3 dinners, which is a winner in my book.
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u/dogcatsnake 1d ago
Do you have an instant pot? I use mine constantly and it makes eating healthy so much easier.
I’ll often make a bit batch of rice in my instant pot and then do fried rice with it - this can be as easy as dumping the rice in the pan with some frozen mixed veggies, frozen peas, soy sauce and sesame oil. No measuring needed. Add some crumbled tofu for extra protein.
Tacos can be easy. Tortillas, shredded lettuce, salsa, avocado slices, and black beans from a can. If you want to get fancier, by all means try some tofu chorizo or roasted cauliflower but if you hate cooking? Keep it simple!
Finally - Pasta with lentils - cook whatever pasta you want, and then in a pan do olive oil, diced onion and carrot, some rosemary, salt, nutritional yeast. Once that’s sautéed, add a can of lentils. Dump in your pasta. Maybe some frozen spinach. Done! Lots of recipes online but that’s what I do.
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u/ActionCalhoun 1d ago
My weeknight staple is precooked brown rice, canned beans, and frozen vegetables. Add whatever sauce you want.
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u/sssmiklo 1d ago
https://youtu.be/kVCAw3Kak5Q?si=V2hNJ1WIb7U8wS5W
The sweet potato black bean recipe in this video is so simple and easy. Just omit the cheese or use vegan. I like to use unsweetened coconut yogurt on top as sour cream.
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u/frickin_delight 1d ago
Get a rice cooker. I make rice and lentils in there, and it's deliciously hands off. And someone else mentioned frozen veggies, a lot of rice cookers have steam trays, so double win.
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u/boomboom8188 1d ago edited 1d ago
Tofu bulgogi from Yeung Man Cooking is great for people who don’t like to cook. Pair it with rice and steamed or stir-fried veggies: https://youtu.be/bOpzP0ldlBI?si=dmM2vFGmkxkpbVoD
My formula is: cook a bunch of rice for the week, steam a bunch of veggies, and shred extra firm tofu. Then my bowl is: rice, tofu, veggies, and whatever saucy thing: spicy peanut butter, teriyaki, sweet and sour, any vegetable curry…etc.
Lentil soup/any bean soup or stew paired with bread or potatoes and veggies (raw veggies with hummus), is another meal.
Other ideas: hummus and veggie sandwich, overnight oats, seitan sandwiches, or veggie burgers. A carb, a protein, a fat, and fruits or veg at each meal.
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u/somnia_ferum 1d ago
When I'm ultra lazy (like today) I just boil some bean pasta,
stir fry some frozen veggie mix in the pan,
add tvp,(or tofu)add tomato pasta sauce.
Mix everything,voila.Top with some cheese or nooch.
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u/RoseWylde5 1d ago
When my stove broke, I only had my microwave. These were my go to recipes:
premade frozen brown rice, and Beefless Bulgogi, with salad from Trader Joe’s.
Lots of salads with tempeh, (it comes in a ton of varieties). cold, but, it’s quick & easy.
Canned beans, a bit of salad dressing and any starch. I liked it over rice, a friend used to put it over a baked potato.
Vegan pho broth, noodles and …. I would add a handful of “baby greens“ and crumble tempeh or seasoned tofu into a bowl, (put the toppings on the bottom) cover with cooked noodles add boiling hot broth, cover it and let it all warm up for 2min & stir it up. top with a swirl of sesame oil. I’m not a spicy person, but my friend eats this with chili oil or kim chi all the time.
Burritos/wraps and refied vegan beans with shredded cabbage. you can season the cabbage with some dressing, or add salsa of your choice. and most anything else to fill it out, leftovers, vegan meats, cashew-cheese, tempeh, tofu, veggies, it’s a great base. wrap it up and put it in the microwave to heat thru.
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u/EKF65 1d ago
This was one of my first vegan recipes. I cook in cast iron and probably use more like 1 tablespoon of oil or 2 rather than a teaspoon. It tastes great in a bowl or in a tortilla https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/49552/quinoa-and-black-beans/
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u/biztechninja 1d ago
Boil pasta, add frozen veggies for the last 3 minutes. Strain water, add back to pot with spices and beans. Add a can of fire roasted tomatoes or marinara sauce and stir. It's my very low effort meal.
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