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Vegan Grocery List for Beginners

By The Plated Plants Team · · 6 min read

Glass jars of lentils, beans, oats and rice beside a tote of fresh produce

Walking into the store without a plan is the fastest way to spend too much. This list covers the staples most plant-based recipes rely on — buy gradually, starting with what you'll use this week.

Pantry staples

  • Rice, oats, pasta, quinoa
  • Dried or canned lentils, chickpeas, black beans
  • Canned tomatoes and coconut milk
  • Peanut butter and tahini
  • Vegetable stock cubes

Proteins

  • Firm tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Frozen edamame
  • Soy or pea milk

Fresh produce

  • Onions, garlic, ginger
  • Carrots, sweet potatoes
  • Leafy greens
  • Bananas, apples, seasonal fruit
  • Lemons and limes

Freezer

  • Mixed vegetables
  • Spinach
  • Berries for smoothies and oats

Flavor builders

  • Soy sauce or tamari
  • Curry powder, cumin, smoked paprika
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Vinegar and chili flakes

Kitchen helpers

You don't need new equipment to start. If you're building your kitchen over time, the tools below are the ones we find most useful.

Our pick

Airtight glass storage jars

Keep bulk grains and legumes fresh and visible.

Our pick

A good chef's knife

Makes vegetable prep faster and safer.

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