Eating vegan on a budget doesn’t mean boring beans and rice every night. This 5-night dinner plan is packed with flavorful, budget-friendly meals made from everyday staples like lentils, chickpeas, tofu, and potatoes. Each dinner costs just a few dollars to make, is ready quickly, and offers plenty of leftovers.
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To make things even easier, we’ve included a bonus recipe for crispy potato wedges. It’s the ultimate cheap & tasty side dish. And really, who doesn’t love fries?
The Plan (5 Dinners + Bonus)
Monday – Chickpea Curry
A hearty curry made with chickpeas, spinach, tomatoes, and warming spices. Served over rice, it’s a protein-rich dinner and very budget-friendly.
Tuesday – Tofu Stir-Fry
Crispy tofu and seasonal veggies tossed in a quick stir-fry sauce. Affordable and flexible. Just use whatever vegetables are on sale.
Wednesday – Black Bean Tacos
Tortillas stuffed with seasoned black beans, lettuce, and salsa. Easy, kid-friendly, and one of the cheapest dinners you’ll ever make.
Thursday – Easy Vegan Lentil Cabbage Roll Soup
All the flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls, simplified into a one-pot soup. Filling, nutritious, and a clever way to stretch a bag of lentils.
Friday – Lentil Burger
Wholesome lentil patties pan-seared until crispy, served on buns or lettuce wraps with your favorite toppings. Pair with homemade oven fries for a Friday treat.
Bonus – Easy Potato Wedges
Golden, oven-baked potato wedges seasoned to perfection. Budget-friendly comfort food that works as a side or snack.
Prep Tips (Save Time & Money)
- Batch cook rice for curry and stir-fry on Sunday. If cooking from scratch instead of using canned beans, then batch cook chickpea and lentils (can freeze and reheat for use) on Sunday → use them for curry, soup, and burgers.
- Double the curry → leftovers become a quick lunch.
- Chop stir-fry veggies ahead of time → buy in bulk and store chopped.
- Make extra potato wedges → they reheat in the oven and make lunches more fun.
FAQs
Q: How much will this plan cost?
If you buy in bulk and use pantry staples, most dinners are around $1–2 per serving.
Q: Can I meal prep to save even more?
Yes! Cook big batches of beans, rice, and lentils at the start of the week. Use them across multiple meals to stretch your budget.
Q: Can these recipes be made gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free tortillas and buns. Everything else is naturally GF.
