Since , I and now Sam have been scouring this concrete jungle for its plant-friendly corners. These are our favorite spots to get delicious cheap vegan food in NYC. All meet our core criterion: the sweet intersection between the appropriate price for given quality.

Chinatown is a secret treasure trove of vegan goodness. There are almost always vegan options available at Chinese restaurants, but why settle for vegetable lo mein if you can find an entirely vegan Chinese restaurant in NYC!? Hot damn I almost bo-died for this Buddha.

Buddha Bodai serves dim sum and a la carte dishes. While there are plenty of veggie dishes, the mock meats here are the star of the show. A popular favorite is the BBQ pork, and oh my lord is it a stomach full. The steamed dumplings and buns are fantastic.

These were quite perfect — thick and chewy, but not mostly dough like some dumplings. And the filling of veggies and mushroom were tender and identifiable, instead of the usual shredded cabbage, or worse, the unidentifiable mush filling. An interesting twist is the fried rice shumai which is served steamed.

Also very chewy. If extra chewy is your jam, Buddha Bodai has got you covered. Get: BBQ pork, any steam bun, dumpling or shumai. To up your budget game, come midday for the lunch prices weekdays pm , when everything is cheaper than evening prices.

Most divey bars in New York do not serve food, let alone have vegan options other than five dollar French fries. Usually, I ditched expensive evening meal events and met friends at the bar after.

Over the years, I recruited many dinner dissenters and this became a ritual. You can get your food nice and oily or you can get it steamed. To their credit though, their menu takes everything up a notch.

Virtually every section of food has a veggie option. Get: My regular order is veggie dumplings, cold sesame noodles, and a plain sesame pancake. Note: also has locations in Union Square, FiDi, Williamsburg Brooklyn , and Long Island City Queens.

Despite its dingy exterior, LES is expensive. Luckily, there are two spots are definitely worth your budget vegan Manhattan attention. I love cheese and Riverdel so much that I already waxed poetic in a separate post all about this vegan cheese shop.

Read more about the vegan cheese shop of your dreams here. We can highly recommend the prosciutto and ham and cheese croissantwich. Though keep in mind that the sandwiches are mainly made with more processed vegan cheeses that you can find in stores, rather than the artisan cheeses in the display.

Get : a decadent sampler platter of 3 — 4 kinds of cheese for around 15 bucks, and share with a friend or gluttonize all yourself. Want something more grab and go? Get a sandwich! Just a short walk away from Riverdel is Orchard Grocer, the first vegan grocery store in Manhattan.

Orchard Grocer is clearly aimed at veg-curious and vegan Lower East Side residents, parked right next to MooShoos, an all-vegan shoe store. Aptly named and tucked away, this low key spot is inspired by classic NYC delicatessens. Happily, the sandwiches most definitely fit the bill for cheap vegan eats in NYC.

Orchard Grocer has a great selection of sandwiches, with exclusive vegan deli meats in all sorts of iterations. I was really missing my usual pre-vegan go-to, the Italian combo, and this did not disappoint.

It really hits all the marks with the NYC egg sandwich experience. You need to try out The Marlowe, a Rueben style sandwich. After having many vegan Reubens some were quite delicious , this is by far the best. Most vegan attempts only have the sauerkraut in common.

The cold cuts by BlackBird Foods are seitan based, and so much like pastrami in texture it had my friend double guessing himself. Get: any sandwich, any product really. But for an NYC experience, try the Italian combo inspired Monty, the Reuben-esque Marlowe, or the breakfast style Bowery. NYC has desperately needed an authentic Mexican vegan restaurant.

Keep in mind that the Manhattan locations for this place get packed quickly. To avoid the crowds head to their Brooklyn location. This is simply the best vegan ice cream in NYC, if not anywhere. Super creamy, rich, and coats your mouth just like ice cream should.

Some of the best flavors are the salted caramel, toasted coconut blondie, and the pistachio. Get: ice cream, of course. Budget it up by splitting a pint with friends — trust us, it goes a long way. We felt oversaturated when splitting two pints between four of us.

And some flavors are only available in pints, like pistachio. Note: tons of location in NYC. Check out current locations here. We usually go to veg-friendly spots for vegan food downtown. However, there are a few places in this area that the cheap vegan in NYC should check out. Also right after we left the city, the St.

Marks Vegan Food Court had its soft opening — make sure to check it out and tell us about it! This is some of the best cheap vegetarian food in NYC.

Everything on the menu is either vegan or veganizable including vegan cheese and sauce. The burger itself is a perfect fast food style burger, with a soft, seedy bun and all the desired toppings.

Get it with a side to round out a meal the burnt broccoli salad is delicious and take it to eat in Tompkins Square Park just down the street.

Think again. They had just opened their St. Their donuts are soft and fluffy, and with great flavors like maple glazed. They also serve ice cream. Get: any donut flavor that tickles your fancy. Note: other location in Bushwick.

You can literally see them made right before your vegan eyes. Over the years of my patronage, I have witnessed two constants. First, the cashiers are always young, white, and speak Mandarin presumably all NYU students. Second, the dumplings are made in the open, for curious eyes to see, by what I perceive as the foremost professionals in the art of dumpling making.

They are completely disinterested in you, focused instead on churning out handmade dumplings, one at a time, at an incredible speed we can physically witness but never fully comprehend.

Take a front-row seat for the show or sit at the long counter with stools in the typically NYC tiny but long space.

Now onto the main event: vegan dumplings in NYC! The homemade wrapper is super soft and chewy. I prefer them steamed, as it allows the nuanced layering of flavor to shine.

If you want the extra mileage i. more filling , order those suckers seared — the extra oil does the trick. I know omnivores who frequently order these.

So grab an order, mix some vinegar and soy sauce with a tiny squirt of Sriracha avoid the deluxe sauces — they overpower these delicate dumplings , and muster the courage to chopstick each loving lump into your gaping vegetabled mouth.

Get: the vegan dumplings. An old guard of the cheap eats institution, saving vegans in the East Village since But of course, prices have risen, and I was less impressed each of the last few times I ate here.

Their St. Get: The falafel sandwich, of course. Falafel plate is gluten-free without the pita, as are grape leaves. Careful with the hot sauce — mostly heat, little flavor.

You can choose whatever you want to put inside it. Great place to go with omni friends. Get: Their veganized mac and cheese with virtually any topping combination you see fit.

A friend of mine works in Alphabet City, so a quick lunch bite or affordable after-work drinks with some vegan snacks is of prime importance. I share some of our adventures below. To the uninitiated, empanadas are wheat or corn-based pouches stuffed and baked or fried — depending on the country of origin.

It seems empanadas can be found in all of Latin America. The most memorable is the mushroom, with its chewy tenderness, subtle savoriness, and other veggies that boost its flavor. Their black bean empanada is mixed with other veggies, which works great. Partly why I love biking around New York City is that you can discover new spots serendipitously that way.

I enjoy evaluating how other places are coming along with their vegan cream cheese. And obviously also seeing who really has the best bagels. Truth is, once you enter the top tier of bagelry, the disparity between the worst best bagel and the number one best bagel, is actually almost negligible when it comes to the decision of having a bagel versus no bagel.

Two Boots is a great option for vegan pizza wherever you find them. They usually have a few different types of vegan slices available.

They have an entire vegan section, with several presets combos. Note : locations in West Village and Brooklyn check website. Greenwich Village is generally quite expensive, like most Manhattan neighborhoods. That being said, there is one place we can recommend.

Not terrible food, but not terribly good either, and with a fake freshness in a sterile environment. We were lucky to visit during their opening week. The gracious owners reeled us in with a hummus sample that they proudly proclaimed was the best hummus ever. The best thing about this spot? We got full splitting a salad hummus combo plate with an extra pita bread.

Two people eating for under 15 bucks is possible here. Nor should you ever put guacamole on hummus. The staff is super friendly and our server made us feel quite welcome despite the fact that we walked up to the counter assuming this was self-service. There is a separate takeaway line.

The West Village is technically part of Greenwich Village, distinguished from the rest of the neighborhood by even higher prices. Below we list our go-to spots for budget vegan food in the West Village. NYC has desperately needed an authentic Mexican vegan restaurant for a long time.

We shared the nachos and they were huge!! To avoid the crowds, go to their one-stop from Manhattan in Brooklyn location. They have a separate vegan section on their menu with vegan burritos, tacos, and more.

They even have vegan sour cream and cheese! Great for a casual date, catching up with friends, or going in a group. Beware though that they do get packed on nights and weekends.

We are talking about Soho here. Besides falafel, they also have cauliflower shawarma and seasonal specials as of this writing, one of them was an Impossible Meat kebab. Get: the tried and true falafel sandwich, quite possibly one of the best tasting ones in all of NYC.

Note : 5 locations in NYC : this one, West Village, Midtown, Financial District, and Flatiron. Originally created by award-winning vegan cupcake connoisseur, Chloe Coscarelli, there was a falling out between Chef Chloe and her business partners.

Chef Chloe is no longer involved in this chain, though it still bears her name. For this reason, many vegans feel conflicted about patronizing this establishment. We still include this as an affordable vegan option in the overwhelmingly crowded chic neighborhood that we avoid like the plague.

In our opinion, there are many better options for cheap vegan food in NYC. However, By Chloe has gotten pretty famous and a lot of vegans want to check it out during their visit to the Big Apple.

Get: Mac and Cheese and a burger. The Union Square area is a transitional area, between Greenwich Village, the East Village, Gramercy and Chelsea.

Its surroundings are a strange mix of trashy cheap chains and exorbitantly expensive crap chains. Your best vegan budget bet? When it comes to eating plant-based on a tight budget, potatoes are your best friend.

You'll also be making extra Oatmeal-Date Pancakes to enjoy throughout the week, as pancakes can maintain their flavor and texture for five days when stored properly. Blend to a coarse batter. Heat a nonstick skillet over low. Pour ¼ cup batter per pancake onto the skillet.

Cook for 5 minutes or until the pancakes start to release from the pan. Flip; cook 3 minutes more. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve a few alone or with sliced banana and a handful of fresh blueberries. Allow leftover pancakes to cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for use later this week.

LUNCH leftover : Broccoli and Brown Rice Casserole with Chickpeas. DINNER: Potato Burrito Bowl. Breakfast and lunch are both in the bag today, thanks to your efforts earlier this week!

Enjoy Sweet Potato Fries as a snack or as a side to dinner. LUNCH leftover : Potato Burrito Bowls. DINNER: Lentil Burgers. SNACK: Sweet Potato Fries Preheat oven to °F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut 1 large sweet potato into wedges and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until just tender and slightly browned on the edges. Serve warm with ketchup. On order today is a slew of satisfying meals. Look forward to enjoying leftover Chickpea Curry Stew with Kale for lunch tomorrow. BREAKFAST: Savory Polenta Porridge with Broccoli In a pan bring 1 cup water to boiling.

Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Roughly chop half of an oz. Add chopped polenta to the pan. Cook over low 10 minutes more or until polenta softens. Mash polenta to a porridge using a fork.

Add 1 tablespoon each lemon juice and finely chopped fresh cilantro. Add sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Top with 1 cup steamed broccoli.

LUNCH: Tex-Mex Pasta Salad Cook 1 cup dry penne according to package directions. Two minutes before pasta is done, add 2 cups chopped kale. When pasta finishes cooking, drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Add 1½ cups cooked black beans, 1 cup thawed frozen corn, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion, and ½ teaspoon each garlic powder, dried oregano, and ground cumin. Toss to combine. Add sea salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

DINNER: Chickpea Curry Stew with Kale. SNACK: Oatmeal with Bananas In a small saucepan bring 2 cups of water to boiling. Add 1 cup rolled oats. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; let stand for 2 minutes. Serve topped with 1 sliced banana.

LUNCH leftover : Chickpea Curry Stew with Kale. SNACK: Polenta Bruschetta Preheat oven to °F. Slice half of an oz. tube precooked polenta into six ½-inch-thick disks. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

Slice half a tomato into six wedges save the rest for later. Top each polenta disk with 1 tablespoon Parsley-Lemon Hummus and a tomato wedge. Serve right away. BREAKFAST: Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl Preheat oven to °F. Bake a sweet potato 30 to 40 minutes or until tender. Let the potato cool slightly.

Remove skin. Mash potato in a bowl with 2 pitted dates, finely chopped. Sprinkle with ¼ cup Homemade Muesli and a handful of fresh blueberries.

LUNCH: Potato Salad Scrub 2 medium-size Yukon gold potatoes and cut into 1-inch cubes. Place potatoes in a steamer basket in a large saucepan. Add water to just below basket.

Bring to boiling. Steam, covered, about 15 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a large bowl to cool. Add 1 cup diced celery, ½ cup grated carrot, ½ cup diced tomato, ¼ cup diced red bell pepper, 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion, 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, and sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Enjoy chilled or at room temperature. SNACK leftover : Lentil Burgers. Note that some produce will be split across recipes and days, so store any leftover pieces in the fridge.

To make it all work, head to stores where you get the most bang for your buck. To learn more about a whole-food, plant-based diet, visit our Plant-Based Primer. UP NEXT: How To. Forks Meal Planner takes the hard work out of making nutritious meals the whole family will enjoy. About the Author.

Get a taste for healthy, fuss-free meal planning with this free five-day meal plan from Forks Meal Planner!

Budget vegan recipes · Vegan salad bowl · Kidney bean curry · Teriyaki tofu · Black bean & tortilla soup · Satay noodle soup · Spinach falafel & Frozen peas, corn, and spinach are quite inexpensive and generally excellent quality. Bagged frozen berries cost much less than fresh, plus they're available 1. Smoky Vegan Lentil Soup · 2. Fried Rice · 3. Vegan Tempeh Bolognese · 4. Scalloped Potatoes · 5. Vegan Ramen Soup · 6. Spicy Black Bean Soup · 7

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Budget-friendly vegan takeout - Vegan options are everywhere you look: you can buy Beyond Meat and Impossible Burgers in your grocery store, order a drink with a milk Budget vegan recipes · Vegan salad bowl · Kidney bean curry · Teriyaki tofu · Black bean & tortilla soup · Satay noodle soup · Spinach falafel & Frozen peas, corn, and spinach are quite inexpensive and generally excellent quality. Bagged frozen berries cost much less than fresh, plus they're available 1. Smoky Vegan Lentil Soup · 2. Fried Rice · 3. Vegan Tempeh Bolognese · 4. Scalloped Potatoes · 5. Vegan Ramen Soup · 6. Spicy Black Bean Soup · 7

The bright red box with a yellow frown can be filled with one of their Not Burger or Not Chicken options, along with golden French fries and a drink.

This fast-casual restaurant chain is trying to make plant-based eating easier and more accessible. You can find Veggie Grill locations throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York. The founders put everything on the line to create a concept that would not only appeal to vegans and meat eaters but would also be a game changer in fighting climate change.

The franchise operates nine US locations in Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, Texas, and New York. Six of the locations are conveniently located in Whole Foods stores. The ingredients include milk and beef flavoring — full ingredients can be found here.

They are however vegan in the UK and Europe. Sadly, in the US, Pizza Hut no longer offers its Beyond Meat Pizza options, which came with vegan cheese and plant-based meats. Currently, their only vegan breakfast options include select bagels, oatmeal, and of course, coffee with non-dairy milk.

Its fries, tater tots, and slushies are vegan-friendly. Hopefully, we will see the McPlant on more menus soon. Obviously, from this list, there are quite a few options — Del Taco, Subway, Panda Express, and many more.

In my opinion, the fast-food chain that is most consistent with its vegan options and tastiest is Chipotle. Rebecca is the founder of the vegan travel company Veggies Abroad. As the blog flourished, Rebecca expanded her vision to encompass personalized travel planning services and launched Veggies Abroad's inaugural vegan tour to Thailand, marking the beginning of many more eco-conscious, plant-powered adventures to come.

Follow her adventures on Instagram or Facebook veggiesabroad. Vegan Travel. Written by Rebecca. Table of Contents Toggle. Credit: Burger King. Credit: Taco Bell. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Follow Us. What are you looking for? Plant Power Fast Food. Check out these affordable LA vegan spots! Veggie Grill Multiple Locations Veggie Grill is a safe haven for many vegans. Veggie Grill.

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VegOut Media © All Rights Reserved. Stay in the know! You guys probably know by now that I am a fan of budget-friendly vegan meal ideas so I decided to create a video that focuses less on the calorie count and more on the cost! A lot of people believe in the myth that plant-based food is more expensive and that definitely does not have to be the case!

I hope these recipes help prove that to be true! If you like preparing meals in advance, the Cheap Lazy Burrito is for you. This make-ahead burrito consists of brown rice and black beans, making it very filling.

Plus, you can wrap these with aluminum foil and store it in your freezer. This way, you can just reheat it whenever you like! Yes, I had to google that — haha!