Trader Joe’s has become my go to place for grocery shopping. It’s so budget friendly and has all of my favorite food items! Here are some cheap and easy Trader Joe’s vegan meal ideas + shopping list to help you save money on your groceries!
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If you want to save money and live a frugal living lifestyle, Trader Joe’s is a great place to shop for your groceries! It’s my personal favorite and I save a lot of money.
Of course, I am only shopping for my husband and myself, so we don’t buy too many items in bulk! Also, keep in mind that we eat a plant based diet, so this also helps reduce our cost. Many people might think that eating a plant based diet is more expensive, but that simply isn’t true! We save tons of money eating this way.
The grocery list that I am sharing with you is for 2 people and it usually lasts us for a week. I typically spend between $50-$60 a week on groceries whereas before I was spending $100-$120!
Cutting back on our grocery bill helps me be more intentional about what I am purchasing. It saves us tons of money and reduces our food waste! It’s a win-win.
Trader Joe’s Grocery List
- Bagged Spinach
- Carrots
- Tofu (usually grab 4 packs)
- Beefless Meat Crumbles
- Jasmine Rice
- Bananas
- Vegan Mozzarella Cheese Shreds
- Whole Wheat Bread
- Flour Tortillas
- Almond Milk
- Peanut Butter
- Rolled Oats
- Refried Beans
- Pasta
- Marinara Sauce
- Frozen Broccoli, Green Beans, and Mixed Veggies (carrots, corn, peas)
- Salsa
This is my typical grocery list and costs me between $50-$60 depending on how many of each item I get. I will sometimes get more or less depending on what I already have at home!
Here are some things that I don’t buy every week but will buy as needed:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Seasonings/Spices
- Hot Sauce
- Protein Powder
We do like to supplement our diet with some protein powder because we like to workout and it’s a great snack to have in between meals! My husband also eats a lot more than I do so it’s a great way for him to stay energized throughout the work day. We just buy the chocolate flavored plant based protein powder by Orgain.
Cheap Meal Ideas
Of course, I want to share some cheap and easy vegan meal ideas to make using ingredients on this grocery list. These meals are my go-to meals that save me money as well as time. They are all meals that both my husband and I enjoy and could eat over and over again. First, I’m sharing meals you can make for dinner (and have as leftovers for lunch!) and also some breakfast ideas.
If you are looking for fancy meals made from scratch, then these recipes probably aren’t for you. We eat like this mainly to save us money, so I’m guessing that is why you are here too! Eating simply has really helped us maintain a frugal living lifestyle.
Meal 1: Pasta
You know I had to include pasta on this list! Pasta is actually my husbands favorite food and it’s very cheap and easy to make. I usually buy spaghetti or rotini pasta and add the marinara sauce. To add some more protein to this meal, I like to add the beefless meat crumbles. I always like to have some type of veggies with my meals, so I add spinach to the pasta or have some steamed broccoli on the side!
Meal 2: Teriyaki Tofu
Another one of our favorites meals to have is teriyaki tofu with steamed white rice and broccoli. It’s easy, quick, delicious, and high in plant based protein! Find the recipe here.
Meal 3: Bean & Cheese Burritos
The third meal idea is bean and cheese burritos. I like to use the fat free refried beans from Trader Joe’s but any beans will work! You can add the beans, vegan cheese, salsa, and spinach or even cilantro which you can also find at Trader Joe’s!
If you don’t feel like having an actual burrito, make a burrito bowl! Swap the tortilla for some rice and add salsa, spinach/cilantro, and some sautéed mixed veggies.
Breakfast Ideas
Oats
Okay, I know oats aren’t that exciting, but add some fruit, peanut butter, and some cinnamon and they are delicious! Oats are very healthy for you too, so it’s the perfect cheap and easy meal to have for breakfast.
Tofu Scramble
On days that I am craving a more savory breakfast, I will make a delicious high protein tofu scramble. I love adding spinach to my tofu scramble and having it with a side of toast! Find the recipe here.
Banana Pancakes
Banana pancakes are the perfect thing to have for breakfast and/or brunch on the weekends! This recipe is healthy, vegan, and gluten-free too!
I love topping mine with fruit, maple syrup, or peanut butter!
These are some of my go-to simple frugal meals to make each week. Of course, there are weeks we might spend a little more to make something a little fancier (for a special occasion). Overall, I try to stay within my budget and buy simple, cheap ingredients to save money! I hope you were able to get some cheap meal ideas, talk to you more soon!
Sincerely,
Denise XOXO
