What are the best (and cheapest) vegan and vegetarian alternatives to common ingredients?

Former_MSE_Becca_H

Hello Forumites,

We need your help! We know it’s becoming more and more popular to switch to veggie alternatives, and with so many options out there now, it can be a bit confusing at times.

Whether you are a lifelong vegetarian that’s looking for inspiration, or somebody who’s doing Meatless Mondays to give it a try, we want to know the best and cheapest veggie alternatives.

Thanks in advance!

MSE Becca 

cfgm

Black beans always seem pretty meaty to me - good in burgers, chilli, burritos etc. I'm sure they'd work in bolognese too.

Mnoee

I make homemade burgers out of falafel - it's about £2 of ingredients to make six massive burgers (I use an extra large sized press) and ten or so extra falafel balls. They freeze really well both raw or cooked. I love falafel burgers as veggie burgers have a tendency to either fall apart, just be mush or be really expensive. Great with lettuce and some minty yogurt dressing.

In bolognese type sauces, I use a mix of red and green lentils - the different textures and flavours stop it from being quite so boring.

In chilli, every kind of bean that comes in a can is OK in my opinion - even baked beans! I tend to start with a few cans of kidney beans and then see how many other kinds I have in the cupboard that will fit in the pot.

Veggie or vegan sausages are just as good in a casserole to their meaty counterparts. 

For veggies, thinly sliced grilled halloumi can have a similar crunch and saltyness to bacon. I love it on a salad.

Edit: Thought up a few more! Oxo meat free stock cubes give a really beefy flavour. Savoury yeast flakes are similar to parmesan cheese - especially good when made into a 'cheese' sauce.

The trick to eating cheaply as a veggie or vegan is to find things that are naturally meat free, not seeking out those with 'vegan!' all over the packaging. There's probably more vegan food in your kitchen than you think (flora, oreos, tesco value garlic baguettes...). A good way to find these foods is to use the filters on online supermarkets - even if you then go on to shop in store. Much faster than reading every single packet. 

pennyalb

Quorn mince is my favourite to substitute minced meat. Goes with a lot of dishes. Also, lentils and chickpeas are fantastic ingredients that I didn't use much before going vegetarian. 

RobM99

Explore Asian cookery - most of it is veggie.

Mnoee

I made a lentil cottage pie/shepherdless pie today (someone really needs to come up with a better name!) - dead easy and dead cheap. You can chuck almost any vegetables in it - I went with mushrooms and grated carrot, along with an onion. Then some stock, tomato puree, optional can of baked beans for luck (it's highly debated in this house), I seasoned with garlic and yeast flakes and used green lentils. Four portions for less than £2 total thanks to cheap potatoes on offer for Christmas. Easy to use vegan butter and milk in the mash, or top with some cheese if you're not bothered. Hearty and comforting, lasts days in the fridge or can be frozen. 

mimi1234

Quorn for me all the way.  The chicken chunks are divine - we make a curry with them by substituting the meat or do a dry version with peri peri powder.  I could so murder a pan of it right now!!!

Quorn used to do chicken and spinach slices which are also divine.  I used to make croque monsieur's with them.  I can't seem to find them in either Tesco or Asda anymore which is a shame.

Gosh! do a whole range of products too including falafels and sausages.  I've found them the cheapest at Lidl.  The beetroot and sweet potato products are the best in my opinion.

theoretica

Don't start with the emphasis on what you don't eat and looking for alternatives - it won't be the same and will only make you think about what you aren't eating.  Just look at all the variety of food available and try stuff you haven't had before.

Bacman

Isn't it better to forget "meat substitutes" and just focus on tasty vegetable meals?

I would suggest Waitrose mushrooms, they are firm and "meaty", those from other supermarkets are mushier and have no substance (and little taste) whereas Waitrose mushrooms hold their structure and have good flavour. You can make a perfectly acceptable mushroom stroganoff with just good mushrooms, onions and paprika; plus cream (if not vegan).

where_are_we

Dried Soya Mince is a cheap store cupboard item, just add hot water and cook it in olive oil along with finely chopped onion celery carrot garlic - add veg stock (reserve in jars from draining boiled vegetables), yeast extract, tomato puree,black pepper and a few bay leaves - bring to boil and simmer for at least 15 minutes (a little sugar, basil leaves and salt are optional additions towards the end of cooking). Serve with spaghetti or any pasta plus a variety of cooked Veg, or use it to make lasagne (needs to be runny as pasta sheets absorb water), or use it with kidney beans and sweet chilli sauce served with rice.

JIL

Mushroom mince ; put your mushrooms in a blender to chop coarsely. Then gently fry with a finely chopped stick of celery and some onion. Add brown lentils, stock ( oxo now do vege beef cubes) this makes a fab meatless mince for cottage pie, bolognese etc. 
My favourite sausages are the Richmond ones. 
The green cuisine from birds eye is good.
Gregg's quorn pasties and sausage rolls are sold in iceland.
Mark's and Spencer do a fantastic range but its expensive.
Theres loads of veggie stuff out there at the moment more than ever. It depends on individual tastes.