Lunch is arguably one of the most expensive meals we eat. Why? Not all of us are organized enough to pack a lunch for work — at least not every single day — which leaves us far more vulnerable to going out and grabbing something fast (which usually costs a lot for what you’re getting). It’s fine to splurge and enjoy a nice lunch out of the office or the house, or off-campus with friends. However, more and more these days people are trying to shop consciously and get as much for their money as possible.
Eating vegan is often thought of as an expensive lifestyle but there’s simply no evidence to suggest that plant based food is more expensive than any other kind of food. In fact, veganism can be incredibly affordable as the staples can often be bought in bulk or from local farmers markets (if you have one in your area).
Below is a weekly layout of nutritious, affordable vegan lunches that will keep you safely under $20. Your wallet will thank you.
Please note, the ingredients for these recipes themselves don’t cost under $20. The under $20 means that per serving every day in the week combined you’re eating less than $20 worth. In the long run, what this means is that you’re getting your money’s worth and your ingredients will go much further. Following this list, you’ll spend a minimum of $9.71 and a maximum of $16.68. Simply put, if you buy these ingredients they will last for a long time and you’ll get a lot of meals out of them. All serving costs are estimates.
>If you’re looking for how to shop for groceries on a budget, check out our video guide here.
7 Vegan Lunch Recipes For When You’re Living On $20 A Week
Monday
Option 1: Vegetable Stir Fry With Noodles ($0.74 per serving)
Option 2: Smashed Chickpea and Avocado Salad Sandwich ($1.43 per serving)
Tuesday
Option 1: Sweet Potato Chickpea Buddha Bowl ($3 per serving)
Option 2: Easy Vegan Pad Thai ($3 per serving)
Wednesday
Option 1: Vegan Mushroom Rosemary Stroganoff ($3 per serving)
Option 2: Cruelty-Free Chick-fil-A Copy-Cat Recipe ($2.25 per serving)
Thursday
Option 1: Curried Spinach Rice Lentil Bake ($0.75 per serving)
Option 2: Lentil-Vegetable Soup ($0.50 per serving)
Friday
Option 1: Smoky Black Bean Beet Burger ($1.50 per serving)
Option 2: Rainbow Zucchini Rolls ($2.75 per serving)
Saturday
Option 1: Mujaddara ($0.58 per serving)
Option 2: Macaroni-and-‘Cheese’ Casserole ($2.75 per serving)
Sunday
Option 1: Southwest Lime Corn Salad ($3.00 per serving)
Option 2: Hearty Vegan Chili ($0.89 per serving)