Vegan Grocery Shopping List: What You Need?

Shopping for food can be a chore for anybody, which is why we always bring our trusty old vegan grocery list with us to the store or market. Even if you’re a seasoned vegan shopper who knows her way around the aisles, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, resulting in a cart full of random items and a drab vegan pantry.

This can lead to a never-ending loop where you don’t have the vegan essentials you need to feel inspired in the kitchen and instead go for the same monotonous, greasy fast food. This is why writing down your master vegan grocery list throughout the weekend (or any day) is so important.

Ingredients that aren’t Vegan (including the hidden ones)

Let’s begin with the fundamentals. Here’s a list of things vegans don’t consume, and you won’t find them on our essential vegan grocery list:

  • Meat and its by-products
  • Seafood and poultry
  • Gelatin – whole fresh eggs, egg powder, egg white powder, and other gelatin-based products
  • Dairy milk, milk fat, milk solids, milk powder, ice cream, cream, and yogurt are all examples of dairy products.
  • Cheeses made from milk
  • Ghee and butter
  • Honey, pollen from bees, wax from bees, and royal jelly
  • Lactose, casein, and whey

Even for new vegans just transitioning to veganism, meat, dairy, and eggs are apparent off-limits components, but there are many hidden animal-derived substances that you may find in many surprising goods. Bread, non-dairy cheeses, coffee creamers, commercial cereals, and desserts all include a variety of marketing advice. Most of these non-vegan substances may be identified by scanning the ingredient list on the box.

Vegan Grocery List

Making a Vegan Shopping List

When you first become a vegan, you may be bombarded with accusations that vegans eat greens and vegetables exclusively. This could not be more untrue! Veganism is a way of life that emphasizes abundance above limitation.

Beans, rice, oats, quinoa, oils, vinegar, tomato products, non-dairy milk, health & nutritional yeast are constantly on hand in a vegan pantry. These are the kinds of things that will last a long time and provide a lot of depth and flavor to your meals.

The following food categories are included in an essential vegan grocery list:

  • Fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, and canned)
  • Lentils (dried and canned)
  • Seeds and Nuts
  • Berries (fresh, dried, and frozen)
  • Soy Products – Grains
  • Dairy Alternatives – Natural Sweeteners
  • Meat Substitutes
  • Treats & Snacks
  • Condiments  
  • Beverages
  • Pasta and bread

Conclusion

Build your weekly meal plan around the items you currently have on hand, then go shopping for vegan grocery to fill in the gaps. You don’t need to construct a detailed calendar with specific recipes; write a list of everything you want to cook and consume throughout the following week. You may also experiment with new recipes as you gain experience in the kitchen. The possibilities are limitless!