Did you know October is National Vegetarian Month? There are many reasons why people decide to go vegetarian or vegan. Not only is it healthy and good for combating climate change, but it’s also good for your wallet! Meat can be expensive, and many consumers struggle to keep their grocery spending within their budget every month. For those who are trying to pay off consumer debt, this is especially important! American Consumer Credit Counseling has a few budget friendly vegetarian recipes that can save you some money:
Try these budget friendly vegetarian recipes.
How can going vegetarian be better for your budget?
According to a 2015 study by the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, vegetarians save an average of $750 a year on food compared to those who eat meat. Who doesn’t want to save money on groceries? Meat, especially red meant, can be far more expensive than plant-based proteins, like beans, tofu, nuts. etc. While it can be difficult to give up meat completely, even cutting down your meat consumption one day a week can help you save money. Some budget friendly vegetarian recipes are so good you won’t even miss the meat, but you’ll be pleased with how much money you’ve saved! Even saving $15 a week at the grocery store by not buying as much meat adds up over time. That’s almost $400 per year!
Budget Friendly Vegetarian Recipes
There are a plethora of vegetarian recipes online, so we’ve done a roundup of some of our favorites for you! Here are some great ideas for budget friendly vegetarian recipes to help you keep your grocery budget low:
- Shakshuka (https://www.thehealthymaven.com/how-to-make-shakshuka/): This Middle Eastern egg dish can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! The base ingredients are eggs and diced tomatoes, both of which are much cheaper than any meat options.
- Black bean, rice, & veggie tacos (https://togetherasfamily.com/black-bean-rice-vegetable-tacos/): Who says you can’t celebrate Taco Tuesday on Meatless Monday? You won’t even notice there’s no meat in this protein-rich taco!
- Spinach stuffed pasta shells (https://www.theseasonedmom.com/spinach-stuffed-shells/): Pasta night doesn’t always have to be spaghetti and meatballs. These spinach stuffed pasta shells are both delicious and budget friendly.
- Sweet potato & black bean quinoa bowl (https://www.spoonfulofflavor.com/sweet-potato-black-bean-quinoa-bowls/): Are you crazy about quinoa? You’ll love this nutritious and filling dinner!
- Indian chickpea stew (https://thewanderlustkitchen.com/vegan-indian-potato-chickpea-stew/): If you’re craving Indian food, put away the takeout menu, because you can cook this dish yourself! This flavorful vegetarian Indian curry will save you money and satisfy your taste buds!
Conclusion
While a lot of people may think going vegetarian just means eating salads all the time, there are endless possibilities for vegetarian meals! If you’re trying to save money or pay off debt, give some of these budget friendly vegetarian recipes a try. You may find that it isn’t that hard to skip the meat a couple days a week. Put the money that you’re saving on groceries towards credit card debt repayment or building your emergency fund!
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today!
