Guide to Vegan Groceries (Shopping In-Store and Online!)

1.  Bring a Shopping List

Considering that human beings worldwide waste or lose around 1.3 billion tonnes of food per year, we all could be a little more mindful about how much food we need and use. Bringing a shopping list makes your trip way easier and quicker. It helps you stay focused so you don’t forget anything or get sidetracked by random stuff. You’ll also save money by avoiding things you don’t really need and minimize food waste. Plus, it’s super helpful when you’re trying new vegan recipes or planning meals for the week!

2. Use a Meal Plan

Using a vegan meal plan makes shopping a whole lot easier. It helps you know exactly what to buy and how much you need. No more guessing or stressing in the middle of the store! Plus, it saves time, cuts down on food waste, and keeps your meals exciting and balanced. While a shopping list just tells you the food items you need to buy, a meal plan helps you map out exactly what you’ll be eating for the week so you can be sure to get all the ingredients you need in one grocery shopping trip.

3. Shop Mostly Along the Perimeter of the Store

The perimeter of the grocery store is where supermarkets tend to keep most of their fresh foods, bulk items, and other whole foods. It’s the healthiest (and also the prettiest!) section of the grocery store since it’s full of vibrant produce. Challenge yourself to do as much of your shopping from the perimeter as possible.

4. Shop Local and In-Season (When You Can)

Shopping local and in season is a great way to get fresh, tasty produce. It usually costs less and supports nearby farmers, which is a win-win. Seasonal fruits and veggies often have better flavor and more nutrients, too. If you’ve got a farmers market nearby, it’s definitely worth checking out!

Bonus: If you have a green thumb and love gardening, think about expanding your garden to grow your own fruits and veggies. We love this metal raised garden bed system from Vego Gardens!

5. Check the Meat and Dairy Aisles

Don’t skip the meat and dairy section—there are often tons of plant-based options hiding there! You’ll find vegan burgers, vegan sausages, cheeses, and even dairy-free milks right next to the regular stuff. It’s a great way to try new products that fit your usual routine. Just keep an eye on labels to make sure everything’s fully plant-based.

6. Buy in Bulk

Buying vegan groceries in bulk can save you money and cut down on packaging waste. It’s perfect for things like rice, beans, oats, nuts, and spices. You can get just what you need or stock up on your favorites. Plus, it’s a fun way to explore new ingredients without breaking the bank!

Not only is it almost always cheaper to buy items from bulk bins as opposed to the same quantity prepackaged, but it’s also more environmentally friendly since your purchase uses less packaging (just check out our discussion on buying in bulk for more evidence!).

7. Bring Measuring Cups and Produce Bags

Bringing your own measuring cups and produce bags can make bulk and produce shopping easier. Measuring helps you get just the right amount, especially for recipes. Reusable produce bags cut down on plastic and keep things organized. It’s a simple habit that’s good for the planet and your kitchen!

Pro Tip: When filling your bag with a bulk item, place the bag inside the measuring cup so your bag lines the cup and the cup never touches the food. That way you won’t have to go dipping questionably clean measuring supplies in the public bulk bins.

8. Learn How To Read Food Labels

Learning how to read food labels is super helpful when you’re shopping for vegan groceries. Some products look plant-based but sneak in things like milk, eggs, or honey. Look out for allergen info and unfamiliar ingredients like whey or casein. With a little practice, label reading gets easier and helps you shop with confidence.

Some vegan products will even say “may contain dairy” on the package for legal reasons, even though there is no dairy in the ingredients. To make things a little easier on yourself, why not check out our guide to animal ingredients that may be lurking in your foods.

9. Explore All of Your Local Supermarkets

Don’t be afraid to check out all the supermarkets in your area—you might be surprised by what you find. Some stores have hidden gems like unique plant-based snacks or really good deals on produce. Even smaller shops can carry great vegan staples. Exploring a few spots helps you find the best prices and products for your budget and taste!

So, as you begin exploring your vegan lifestyle, we recommend checking out several supermarkets in your area (or even online!) to see which vendor has the most vegan-friendly options at a reasonable price.

Vegan Shopping at Whole Foods

Walking through Whole Foods is like walking straight into some of the most gorgeous food photographs you could imagine. The produce is always vibrant, the displays are gorgeous, and they’re always debuting new vegan products for our plant-based folk. Whole Foods can be a little on the pricey side, though, so we mostly go there when we’re looking for a specialty item or want to treat ourselves.

Favorite Whole Foods Products

• Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burger
• Forager Project Vanilla Cashewgurt Yogurt
• Kite Hill Vegan Chive Cream Cheese Spread
• Koyo Garlic Pepper Ramen
• Miyoko’s Double Cream Chive Vegan Cheese
• Abe’s Muffins
• Better Than Bouillon’s No Chicken Base
• Whole Foods Deli Sandwiches (on a sourdough roll with grilled tofu, olive tapenade, melted Daiya cheese, and tons of veggies—their tempeh bacon TTLA is also amazing!)

More Whole Foods Awesomeness

• Extreme Vegan Budget Shopping at …Whole Foods?
• Top Vegan Finds at Whole Foods | Grocery Haul
• Vegan at Whole Foods Pinterest Board

Vegan Shopping at Sprouts

Quite simply, we love Sprouts because they care about their customers. Sprouts tends to carry mostly organic or minimally processed products, with around 90% of their products being considered organic or “natural,” according to a Sprouts Spokesperson.

Favorite Sprouts Products

• Sprouts Cherry Turnovers (they’re accidentally vegan!)
• Amy’s Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Rice Mac and Cheeze
• Yves Veggie Pepperoni
• Boca Original Chik’n Veggie Patties
• Gardein BBQ Pulled Porkless Pocket Meal
• Mamma Chia Blackberry Hibiscus Chia Beverage
• Ozery Bakery’s Snacking Rounds
• Rising Moon Organic Butternut Squash Ravioli
• Sprouts Non-dairy Mango and Coconut Mochi Bites

More Sprouts Awesomeness

• Sprouts Haul: Top 10 Vegan Finds at Sprouts
• Vegan Food at Sprouts Most Epic Food Haul

Favorite Costco Products

• Kirkland Almond & Soy Milk
• Ajinomoto Vegetable Yaki Soba
• Dave’s Killer Bread
• Bisquick Baking and Pancake Mix
• House Foods Organic Tofu
• Lotus Foods Millet and Brown Rice Ramen
• Ling Ling Vegetable Mini Spring Rolls
• Prana Organic Kilimanjaro Deluxe Chocolate Trail Mix
• Kitchen Appliances (that can often be found at the lowest price at Costco)

More Costco Awesomeness

• Vegan at Costco | Epic Costco Vegan Haul
• Vegan at Costco Store Tour
• Vegan Costco Haul and Taste Test
• Vegan Shopping at Costco Pinterest Board

Vegan Shopping at Aldi’s

What makes Aldi’s so special is that it’s a no-frills kind of grocery store: You bring your own shopping bags, you pay  a quarter to use a shopping cart, and you have will have only a handful of options for any given products as opposed to the tens that you would see at a major grocery store.

Favorite Aldi’s Products

• Earth Grown Classic Meatless Meatballs
• Earth Grown Extra Firm Organic Tofu
• Earth Grown Quinoa Crunch Veggie Burgers
• Earth Grown Kale Veggie Burgers
• Earth Grown Vegan Mozzarella Style Shreds
• Earth Grown Vegan Chocolate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
• Elevation by Millville Peanut Butter Cookie Bar
• Good Foods Plant Based Queso Style Dip
• Friendly Farms Original Sweetened Almond Milk

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