Look for these top ten classic vegan essentials that I always put on my vegan food shopping list for quick and easy meals to whip up all week long.
What’s filling my pantry and refrigerator? What plant-based foods do I always put on my shopping list? First, you can always find a variety of whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices in my pantry (check out my Plant-Based Pantry Tool Kit here for helpful pure Vegan Pantry Shopping List). Second, I supplement these items by purchasing a variety of produce from my garden and local farmers markets each week. But I also have a few handy vegan food essentials that I like to keep on hand to make reliable, delicious plant-based meals every day of the week. That’s why today I’m sharing my food shopping list of 10 easy vegan essentials.
10 Easy Vegan Essentials for Your Grocery Shopping List
1.I am milk
Fortified soy milk is my family’s first choice. I buy it by the case at Costco because fortified, unsweetened soy milk is part of my daily diet, including coffee, cereal, smoothies, baking, sauces, and more. It’s important to get enough calcium and vitamin D in a balanced vegan diet, which is why I recommend choosing nutrient-rich, fortified plant-based milks. Soy milk, in particular, has a much higher protein content than other plant milk varieties. I recommend purchasing organic, plain, unsweetened soy milk for optimal nutrition.
Check out some of my favorite recipes using soy milk:
2. Plant-based shredded cheese
I always keep a bag of plant-based shredded cheese in the freezer for an easy ingredient in my cooking. There are several brands that make vegan shredded cheese (Violife, Diana, Follow Your Heart) in a variety of flavors, including mozzarella, parmesan, Mexican and cheddar. You can enjoy plant-based shredded cheese in tacos, lasagna, mac and cheese, and pizza. Of course, it’s important to remember that vegan cheese shreds aren’t super healthy. It’s often made from refined, low-nutrient ingredients, so it’s more focused on taste and convenience than health. If you want to enjoy a healthier plant-based cheese option, you can make your own cashew cheese here.
Here are some of my favorite recipes using plant-based shredded cheese:
3. Plant-based yogurt
I like to keep some plant-based yogurt in the freezer for an easy breakfast or snack or as a cooking ingredient. I like several brands including Kite Hill, So Delicious, Silk and Nancy’s. Some proteins are richer than others, and I try to favor foods that are higher in protein and lower in added sugar. One of my favorite easy snacks is unsweetened plant-based yogurt topped with fresh berries and granola. Yogurt is also a great base for creamy vegan desserts, while cultured vegan yogurt is great for dressings and dips. Learn more about choosing the best plant-based yogurt here.
Try these plant-based yogurt recipes:
4. Plant-based margarine
Earth Balance is my favorite plant-based margarine for spreading and cooking, it’s easy, delicious, and made with unsaturated vegetable oils. While I recommend using whole vegetable fats (avocado, nuts, seeds, olives) more frequently in the kitchen than refined oils, I think it’s okay to add a small amount of margarine to your diet.
Check out some of my top recipes using plant-based margarine.
5. Plant-based eggs replace
There are several plant-based egg replacers, including Just Egg and Energy Egg Replacer. However, you can make your own egg substitute using chia seeds (pictured above), flax seeds, and aquafaba. Learn more about using natural vegan egg substitutes here. If you want something similar to eggs for breakfast, try scrambled tofu with turmeric, nutritional yeast, and your favorite vegetables (see my recipe here ).
Find some of my top recipes featuring egg substitutes:
6. Plant-based mayonnaise
You will always find a jar of vegan mayonnaise in my refrigerator. It’s perfect spread on sandwiches and veggie burgers, stirred into salad dressings, or even mixed into recipes. While it’s best to choose whole plant-based fats like avocados, nuts, and seeds in your diet, it’s okay to add a small amount of vegan mayonnaise made from unsaturated vegetable oils to your diet.
Try some of my classic recipes that include vegan mayonnaise:
7. Veggie Burger
I am in love with a delicious veggie burger! They are a great backup in my kitchen for light meals, picnics, picnics and parties. I always have some stashed in the freezer. There are many brands there, such as Beyond Meat, Boca, Gardein, Hillary’s and Sweet Earth. Better yet, make your own homemade veggie burgers from scratch, filled with healthy, natural ingredients like beans, whole grains, and vegetables, and freeze them for a quick meal.
Here are some of my favorite easy veggie burger recipes:
8. Grilled tofu
While I love making my own baked tofu, I do put prepared baked tofu on my shopping list because it’s a simple, easy source of plant-based protein that you can slice into salads, grain bowls, and sandwich. There are several brands of grilled tofu, including Wildwood, Simple Truth and Nasoya. Look for them in the tofu section of the supermarket.
Try adding grilled tofu to this Tofu Kale Power Bowl with Tahini recipe.
9. Organic tofu
While we’re talking baked tofu…I can’t live a week without tofu. In fact, I include tofu in my diet almost every day. This protein-rich plant protein made from soybeans is versatile and nutritious. You can use it in stir-fries, pastas, salads, grain bowls, and more! It also has a long shelf life so I always have at least one container in my freezer. There are many varieties of tofu with different uses. Learn more about tofu in my Ultimate Tofu Guide. And learn how they make tofu here.
Get inspired to use tofu in a variety of ways by starting with the recipes below:
10. Plant jerky
It may seem a little obscure, but plant-based jerky is always in my purse and travel bag as a delicious, protein-packed snack that I take with me everywhere. Some vegan jerky comes in small, individually wrapped shelf-stable packages, so they are shelf-stable (no refrigeration required) and don’t take up much space. Not to mention that vegan jerky is a good source of plant-based protein, which can be hard to find when traveling. This particular brand (pictured above) is my all-time favorite.
For more vegan shopping lists, check out these:
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