Let’s be honest, when your stomach is rumbling after a long day, it’s easy to head to your phone and start browsing DoorDash or UberEats. That way, you don’t have to fire up the oven, do any prep, or really, even leave the sofa. Convenience is a key reason the food delivery industry is booming. 

jump to the recipes

But another way to make mealtimes easier, and prevent the daily struggle of figuring out what to eat and how to make it, is to make your own meal plan ahead of time. Doing this and cutting down on takeout is also better for our health and helps us get more variety in our diets. And it has some environmental benefits, too.

Here’s more about why, and how, to create a vegan meal plan. Plus, we’ve included all-important recipe inspiration.

RELATED: 11 Easy Meals for Vegan Beginners

Why create a vegan meal plan?

Without a meal plan, it’s easy to fall into the habit of eating the same things all of the time. There is nothing wrong with having favorite meals, of course. But when we feel like we’re lacking inspiration in the kitchen, this may lead us to opt for convenience foods or takeout more often, which isn’t always the best for our health.

Getty

RELATED: Eat Like a Vegan CEO: 9 Healthy Eating Hacks From Busy Bosses

In 2017, one study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity revealed that participants who ate home-cooked meals more than five times a week consumed more fruit and vegetables than those who only cooked from home three times a week. And another 2014 study from Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future concluded that people who often cook from home eat healthier foods and consume fewer calories than those who don’t.

Of course, cooking nutritious food isn’t always accessible for everyone all of the time, especially for those who may work unpredictable shifts or late nights, or who live in food deserts. The latter refers to areas where fresh, healthy, affordable food is limited. In the US, it’s estimated that more than 23 million people live in food deserts. 

Benefits of vegan meal planning

For those who do have the means and access, meal planning can provide many benefits. And they’re not just nutrition-related either.

For one, preparing what you’re going to eat in advance, and adding up how much each of the necessary items will cost before you go shopping may help you stick to a budget, particularly when money is tight. Ingredients like canned beans, for example, are often inexpensive, but they’re also versatile, which means you can use them in several different recipes.

“Every vegan pantry needs dried or canned beans, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, oats, and whole-grain pasta,” says Alexandria Hardy, RDN, LDN. “Nut and seed butters, tahini, and a few different vinegars and oils can also go a long way for whipping up homemade dressings and sauces. I always stock up on dried fruits (like dates, cranberries, and raisins) and nuts/seeds (walnuts, cashews, almonds) for quick energy boosts and recipe add-ins.”

Unsplash

But another key benefit of meal planning is the impact it can have on the environment. If you stick to your plan, you won’t throw away as many ingredients, which means you will reduce the amount of food you waste.

Research suggests that every year, the average person in the US throws away more than 200 pounds of food. This is not only a waste of the time, energy, and resources it took to produce, but also when it’s in the landfill, food waste emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

“Plan meals that use similar ingredients in different ways so nothing goes to waste. For example, if you’re using kale in one dish, add it to a soup or sauté it with garlic the next day. Keep a ‘use first’ section in your fridge and repurpose extras into soups, wraps, or bowls. I also freeze leftover broth, herbs, or coconut milk in ice cube trays to use later in sauces or sautés,” Amber Attell, a certified holistic nutritionist at Vibrant Roots Wellness, says.

Shopping for a vegan meal plan

The best way to shop for your vegan meal plan is to work out what you’re going to eat first and then hit the grocery store. With so many options on offer, trying to shop and create a meal plan at the same time can be a little overwhelming. This way, you can also work out how much you want each meal to cost, and research the right products ahead of time to help you stick to your individual budget. Items like vegan meat can vary significantly in price⁠. Plant-based sausages, for example, can range from around $4 per pack to nearly $11.

Unsplash

Sample vegan meal plan

Sometimes the biggest problem with creating a meal plan is a lack of inspiration. “One of the biggest hurdles I see is variety fatigue, or relying on the same few meals over and over,” notes Hardy.  

“Play with flavor and texture,” adds Attell. “Even the simplest dishes can come alive with fresh herbs, spices, or crunchy toppings like seeds or sauerkraut. I like to cook once and dress it differently throughout the week, adding citrus one day, warming spices the next. It keeps meals feeling fresh without starting from scratch every time.”

Here, we’ve put together a sample meal plan for one day, and after that, we’ve compiled several different vegan recipes you can try.

For ongoing inspiration, you can also sign up for our VegNews Ultimate Vegan Meal Planner, which provides you with your own customized plan based on a lifestyle quiz. After that, you’ll have access to automated shopping lists, too.

“Spices, sauces, and textures make all the difference. A sprinkle of smoked paprika or a drizzle of tahini dressing can completely change a dish. I also love using crunchy toppings like roasted pumpkin seeds or chopped almonds for a texturally pleasing bite with added nutrition,” Hardy says.

Patti Breitman

Breakfast: Cinnamon Nut Oatmeal

Starting the morning with a hearty, steaming bowl of oatmeal is a no-brainer, particularly if it’s topped with cinnamon, fruit, and nuts. It’s loaded with goodness, it’ll warm up your insides, and it’s quick to make, too.
Get the recipe

Oh She Glows

Lunch: Vegan Thai Carrot Soup

Soup is a great lunch option because they help you feel full and satisfied throughout the afternoon, without needing to prepare a big meal. Plus, because they’re often loaded with veggies (this one calls for carrots, onions, garlic, and sweet potatoes), they’re good for boosting your immune system as well.
Get the recipe

Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer

Dinner: Grillable Vegan Quinoa and Chickpea Burgers

No rule says burgers have to be unhealthy. This grillable patty features a mix of chia seeds, rolled oats, quinoa, and spices, as well as a comforting sweet potato bun and made-from-scratch sauce. 
Get the recipe

Sarah Bond

Snack: Strawberry Chia Oat Bites

There’s no harm in factoring snacks into your meal plan, too. And, if you have the time and energy at the beginning of the week, make a batch of tasty oat bites to see you munching through until Friday.
Get the recipe

More recipes for your vegan meal plan

For even more vegan meal plan inspiration, check out the recipes below.

Sam Turnbull

1 Breakfast Hash

It’s called breakfast hash, but you can enjoy this tasty recipe, which calls for russet potatoes, onions, beans, and spicy salsa, at any time of the day, be it brunch, lunch, or even dinner. It’s quick, easy, and ultra-satisfying.
Get the recipe

Andrea Bloomfield

2 Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwiches

If you have to eat lunch on the go throughout the week, sandwiches are always a quick and easy option to prepare. All this recipe really requires, for example, is canned chickpeas and mayonnaise. The rest of the ingredients you choose depend on your preference.
Get the recipe

Ashley McLaughlin

3 Ginger Broccoli Noodles

This versatile, nutritious recipe can make for a quick and easy lunch or dinner, depending on the time of day. For added protein, add tofu, tempeh, or a vegan meat product of your choice.
Get the recipe

Richa Hingle

4 Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Nothing says comfort food like minestrone soup. Add in your favorite beans, vegetables, pasta, and top with your go-to vegan cheese brand for a super hearty lunch or dinner. A side of crunchy bread wouldn’t go amiss either!
Get the recipe

Caryn Jeanne Carruthers

5 Apple-Chickpea Kale Salad

Can’t decide on a hot or cold lunch? Do both! This tasty salad combines heated chickpeas, zucchini, and onions, with cold kale, apples, and red onion. Serve with a tangy dill dressing for an extra boost of flavor.
Get the recipe

Brianna Claxton

6 Linguine With Vegan White Clam Sauce

Going vegan doesn’t mean missing out on your favorite creamy, fishy dishes. This delicious linguine recipe subs jackfruit for clams, but hearts of palm will work just as well.
Get the recipe

Reina Montenegro

7 Adobo With Tangy Soy Curls and Potatoes

Traditionally, Filipinx adobo usually involves meat or seafood, but neither is a necessity. Instead, this recipe calls for soy curls and potatoes, which are cooked with broth, soy sauce, peppercorns, and brown sugar. The result is a hearty, warming stew ideal for the chillier months of the year (or the hot ones! There are no rules).
Get the recipe

Zach Neil

8 BBQ Pulled Mushroom Sliders

This recipe is all about maximizing taste for minimal effort because all it involves is a few basic ingredients and an Instant Pot, which does most of the work to produce the flavor.
Get the recipe