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    Home » Eating Vegan

    25 Easy Vegan Pantry Recipes to Use What You Have

    Last Modified: Mar 16, 2023 by Becky Striepe

    Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more details.

    square image collage of vegan pantry meals with a text overlay
    photo collage of vegan pantry meals: chili, chia pudding, vegan lobster roll, stuffed shells

    Are you trying to save money on food right now? I can relate! This collection of vegan pantry meals includes dinners, lunches, and breakfasts to help keep things fun while using what you have.

    square image collage of vegan pantry meals with a text overlay
    Jump To:
    • Vegan pantry dinners
    • Pantry breakfast ideas
    • Pantry-friendly lunch ideas
    • Vegan pantry staples
    • Storing food to make it last

    Oof, y'all. Food prices are no joke right now, so one of my goals lately has been to cook our meals using as many pantry and freezer items as possible.

    Raiding the pantry and freezer can start to feel kind of repetitive after a while, though. These vegan pantry recipes will help you spice up your cooking even as you use what you have.

    Vegan pantry dinners

    These easy vegan pantry meals lean heavily on shelf-stable and freezer ingredients, so you can use what you have and save money at the grocery store!

    vegan stuffed shells on a plate

    Tofu Ricotta Stuffed Shells

    Tofu ricotta stuffed shells are a vegan version of a comfort food favorite. They're rich, creamy, and so delicious!
    vegan bean chili topped with vegan sour cream, green onion, and jalapeno in a white bowl on a marble table

    Vegan Bean Chili Recipe

    My family is obsessed with this flavor-packed, super-easy vegan bean chili! You can use any canned beans you like to make it. 
    walnut chorizo tacos on a plate with green onion and avocado

    Walnut Chorizo Recipe

    Walnut chorizo is packed with flavor and comes together quickly in your food processor. Use in tacos, burritos, bowl meals, and more!
    close-up of a bowl of vegan beef stew

    Vegan beef stew recipe

    This cozy vegan beef stew with tender carrots and potatoes is super simple to make in the Instant Pot or on the stove. It's a quick, easy, one-pot vegan dinner that you are going to love!
    A bowl of penne sits on a blue table

    One-Pot Vegan Penne alla Vodka

    Rich and creamy Vegan Penne alla Vodka is a perfect special occasion meal that comes together in a single pot! It's such a cozy bowl of comfort food.
    vegan spinach artichoke pasta in a pot

    Vegan Spinach Artichoke Pasta Recipe

    Creamy vegan spinach artichoke pasta is a 30-minute, one-pot meal. If you like spinach artichoke dip, you'll love this pasta!
    glass baking pan of sticky BBQ tofu on a marble table

    Baked BBQ tofu recipe

    Sticky-sweet baked BBQ tofu is perfect parked next to your favorite green veggie on top of a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes.
    sliced lentil meatloaf, so you can see the texture of the inside

    Quinoa Lentil Meatloaf Recipe

    A hearty baked quinoa and lentil meatloaf smothered in sweet ketchup glaze is the easy dinner you need! This recipe is easy to make and a total crowd-pleaser!
    overhead photo of instant pot pasta in creamy sauce with tomatoes and spinach

    Creamy vegan Instant Pot pasta

    Tender pieces of penne in tomato basil cream sauce cooks up like a dream in your Instant Pot! This vegan Instant Pot Pasta recipe is bursting with flavor!
    Vegan Pumpkin Soup in the Instant Pot (or on the Stove!)

    Vegan Pumpkin Soup (with Instant Pot and Stove Top Directions)

    A cozy bowl of Vegan Pumpkin Soup with sweet corn and tarragon is perfect on a chilly evening. Make this healthy dish on the Instant Pot or on the stove.
    lentil soup mix in a jar with red lentils scattered on the tabletop

    Lentil Soup Mix in a Jar

    Lentil soup in a jar with rice and deep, curry seasonings makes a great gift! It even comes with a free, printable recipe card.

    Pantry breakfast ideas

    Are you getting sick of cereal? These vegan pantry breakfast ideas have you covered.

    close-up of a spoonful of chai chia pudding resting on a glass

    Chai-spiced chia pudding

    Rich, creamy, spiced chai chia pudding is a protein-packed, make-ahead breakfast. It only takes about five minutes to throw together!
    Instant Pot steel cut oats with apple pieces in a white bowl topped with applesauce and maple syrup

    Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Apple

    Make these nutty, hearty Instant Pot steel cut oats with sweet cinnamon apple in about 20 minutes. Your breakfast game just leveled UP!
    close-up of a baked oatmeal cup with dried cranberries

    Orange cranberry baked oatmeal cups

    Sweet-tart baked oatmeal cups packed with dried cranberries and sweet orange flavors is a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack. They only take half an hour to make!
    birthday cake granola parfait with yogurt in a glass. It has a candle on top!

    Birthday cake granola

    Make your breakfast dreams come true with crunchy, colorful birthday cake granola! Serve it with your favorite plant milk or with yogurt, parfait-style!
    blueberry lemon chia breakfast bowl on a marble table next to Larabars and blueberries

    Lemon chia pudding breakfast bowls recipe

    Lemon chia pudding topped with Blueberry Muffin Lärabars and fresh blueberries is a filling, healthy, make-ahead vegan breakfast bowl!
    bowl of vegan grits topped with tomato, green onion, and mushroom bacon

    Vegan Grits Recipe

    Creamy vegan grits with plant-based cheese and crispy, smoky mushroom bacon is a hearty breakfast or brunch. And it's so easy to make!
    Tofu scramble casserole with tots on a plate next to a side of orange slices

    One pot vegan breakfast casserole recipe

    My family is addicted to this super easy vegan breakfast casserole topped with crispy tater tots. The best part? It all comes together in one pan!

    Pantry-friendly lunch ideas

    Of course, any of the dinner ideas above would make a great lunch, too, but sometimes you need something quicker at lunch time.

    hands holding a BBQ soy curls sandwich

    BBQ Soy Curls

    Sticky-sweet BBQ soy curls are a delicious main dish or vegan sandwich filling. I love a BBQ soy curls sandwich with plenty of creamy vegan jalapeño slaw!
    vegan lobster rolls on a wooden tabletop sprinkled with green onion and parsley

    Vegan Lobster Rolls

    Hearts of palm in a creamy old bay dressing are the stars of these easy, delicious vegan lobster rolls. You are going to absolutely love them!
    hand holding a pita stuffed with smashed chickpea salad

    Mashed Chickpea Salad Recipe

    Weekday lunches are easy with a container of creamy, flavorful mashed chickpea salad in the fridge. This salad is seriously the BEST!
    tofu egg salad in a bowl

    Tofu egg salad recipe

    This isn't your average tofu egg salad. Spiked with Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, and crunchy carrots, it is going to up your sandwich game.

    Vegan pantry staples

    What pantry and freezer staples do these meals use? Here's an alphabetical list! Of course, you don't need all of these items. This is the pantry items from all 25 of the vegan pantry meals below.

    • broth cubes: vegetable or no-chicken broth. Broth paste is also fine.
    • canned beans: black beans, chickpeas, pinto beans,
    • canned coconut milk
    • canned tomatoes
    • canned vegetables: artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, and pumpkin
    • crisp rice cereal
    • dried fruit: dried cranberries
    • dried herbs and spices
    • dried lentils
    • frozen vegan meats: vegan beef
    • frozen vegetables: spinach, corn, cauliflower
    • granola bars
    • liquid smoke
    • maple syrup
    • nutritional yeast
    • oil
    • pasta: rigatoni, shells, and penne
    • nuts and seeds: chia seeds, cashews, and walnuts
    • sauces: applesauce, soy sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, and BBQ sauce
    • soy curls
    • tater tots
    • whole grains: grits, oats, quinoa, rice, steel cut oats
    • vanilla and almond extracts

    I'm really using the word "pantry" as a shortcut to mean "food that lasts a long time."

    The recipes below definitely use canned and dried food. Some recipes will use plant milks, which you can get in shelf-stable boxes, if needed.

    They also include frozen foods and produce that lasts, like onions and potatoes.

    Wondering what produce or other fresh foods to expect? I'm talking about food that keeps for weeks or months when you store it properly, like:

    • apples
    • bell peppers
    • cabbage
    • carrots
    • cauliflower
    • celery
    • garlic
    • ginger
    • grapes
    • green onions
    • onions
    • potatoes
    • sweet potatoes
    • tofu

    Basically, if it's a food with a long shelf life, I consider it a "pantry item" in this context.

    Because really, we're talking about stretching the grocery budget by using what you have. And that means making what you have last as long as possible, too!

    Storing food to make it last

    Wondering what's the best way to store fresh foods, so they last longer? I've got you.

    • Store in a cool, dark place: potatoes (Keep them away from onions and garlic.), onions, garlic, uncut ginger, and sweet potatoes
    • Store in the fridge: tofu, soy curls
    • Store in the produce drawer: cabbage and carrots (Do not store carrots next to apples!)
    • Store in a plastic bag in the produce drawer: bell peppers, cauliflower, cut ginger, grapes, celery, and apples
    • In a jar with 1" of water near a sunny window: green onions

    More Eating Vegan

    • Vegan Grocery List: Let's stock the fridge and pantry!
    • 18 decadent vegan chocolate recipes
    • Trader Joe's Oat Beverages
    • The Big Guide to Vegan Meat Alternatives (to make or to buy)

    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

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    About Me

    Glue and Glitter
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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