Basic Beginner Vegan Shopping List (for Aussies)

Woman standing in supermarket for The Ultimate Beginner Vegan Shopping List

This is the best beginner vegan shopping list for Australians ever put together. We have made sure this list is easy to understand, simple and choc-full of everything you might and will need during your transition into a vegan diet.

This list is quite big, so you might not want to buy everything at once. Also, some of these items may be difficult to find at your local supermarket. So we suggest buying them online.

To keep it simple, print off our vegan pantry list PDF, take it shopping at your local grocery store and tick off the items you can find locally. For other items, you can buy them all online. Just make sure you buy online at least a week before you plan to make the recipe. 

To help you understand how to use the items in this beginner vegan food list, we have listed easy recipes (coming soon) underneath some of the products at the bottom of this post. 

All you need to do now is decide what you’re going to eat, do a vegan food shop and then start creating some delicious vegan masterpieces!

Vegan Shopping on a Budget

If you are looking for a vegan on a budget shopping list, you’ve come to the right place. People think being a vegan is expensive, and it’s definitely true that there is vegan “tax” on some items. However, the most expensive vegan products are the processed ones like faux meats, vegan ice creams, etc and these are what will increase your vegan food budget.

There are many ways to go vegan, but one strong recommendation is to limit your intake of faux meats and cheese for at least the first month or so. This is because they will never taste exactly the same as animal meat and cheese and you may feel disappointed. However, once you have somewhat “forgotten” the taste a little, reintroducing faux meats and cheeses can be a delightful experience!

If you want to do your vegan grocery list on a budget, simply stick to what is natural for now. Natural and simple whole-foods shopping will surely keep your vegan grocery budget to a minimum. 

How to Use this Vegan Shopping List

One piece of feedback that we always get is that there needs to be an Australian vegan grocery list for beginners. All of the other vegan grocery shopping lists are usually geared towards a USA or UK audience and we simply do not have the same products in Australia!

On this vegan food shopping list, I have avoided naming brand names unless necessary. This is to steer clear of confusion in the list. Instead, I have put a few vegan brands in the description of the food product (found at the bottom of the article).

The hardest thing about vegan food shopping is reading the labels. To help you decipher whether or not the product is vegan from the label, we have included a handy quick guide of common non-vegan ingredients. You can find this at the bottom of this basic vegan food list.

Beginner vegan shopping list printable to download
  • Get a fillable PDF copy of this shopping list, PLUS a hard copy delivered to your door! Buy it in our Go Vegan Package

Our Ultimate List of Vegan-Friendly Foods

You may not recognise some of the items on this vegan food list for beginners. To help you decipher them, we have included a handy guide at the bottom of the vegan starter shopping list. Simply scroll on down to find out more information about the products and common ways to use them. 

* = Not all brands of this product are vegan. Be sure to check the label before you buy. 

Condiments and Sauces

You will use these items as bases for your dishes or to add flavour to them. Having a strong sauce game will take the flavours in your vegan dishes to the next level and ensure you won’t miss meat or dairy (too much). Never eat bland food again with these amazing vegan sauces and condiments on your vegan staples grocery list.

  • Sriracha*
  • Tabasco/hot sauce
  • Sweet chilli sauce*
  • Hoisin sauce*
  • Tamari/soy sauce
  • BBQ sauce*
  • Tomato sauce
  • Worcestershire sauce*
  • White vinegar
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Rice wine vinegar
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Apple sauce
  • Fruit preserves
  • Salsa*
  • Onion/tomato/beetroot relish
  • Mango/eggplant chutney
    Harissa
  • Guacamole*
  • Hummus*
  • Dijon/whole grain mustard
  • Vegan mayo
  • Vegetable stock powder/paste
  • Lemon/lime juice
  • Preserved lemons
  • Tamarind paste/purée
  • Miso paste
  • Sambal oelek*
  • Vegan honey
  • Vegan mayonnaise
  • Vegemite
  • Green/red curry paste*
  • Coconut cream
  • Vegan hazelnut spread

Sweeteners

Honey isn’t the only way you can sweeten a dish. In Australia, the process of refining sugar with bone char is outdated and no longer practised. Most of the leading sugar suppliers in Australia, such as Sugar Australia (who brands CSR Sugar) use carbon from coal when they process their sugar. Another favourite for sweetening among vegans is maple syrup, which can be used in baking and in sauces as well as on top of some fluffy vegan pancakes - yum!

  • Raw sugar
  • White sugar*
  • Brown sugar
  • Stevia
  • Palm sugar
  • Raw cane sugar
  • Coconut sugar
  • Agave syrup
  • Maple syrup
  • Molasses
  • Dark chocolate chips*

Snacks and Dried Fruits

Giving up those easy to reach, processed snack foods might be one of the more difficult things to give up when you go vegan. So what can you snack on instead? 

Here’s a vegan junk food list you might be interested in. But, only some chocolate, biscuits, chips and crackers are actually vegan, so make sure you check the ingredients list before adding them to your vegan shopping list. Or make it heaps easier for yourself and just buy them all online!

  • Chocolate*
  • Biscuits*
  • Chips/corn chips*
  • Granola/nut bars*
  • Popcorn*
  • Wholegrain/plain crackers*
  • Tostadas*
  • Dried raisins
  • Dried cranberries
  • Dried apricots
  • Dried dates
  • Dried figs
  • Dried apple slices
  • Banana chips
  • Trail mix

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds contain important nutrients and minerals in a vegan diet. As a general rule, about a handful a day of a variety of nuts should give you the nutrients you need. So always have a few different nuts and seeds on hand to eat as a snack or to cure your cravings.

  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Walnuts
  • Macadamias
  • Pistachios
  • Pine nuts
  • Hazelnuts
  • Whole flax seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Shredded/desiccated coconut

Herbs and Spices

Fresh is best, but keep a dried version of most herbs on standby for when you don’t have fresh herbs on hand. It's also a good idea to keep garlic and ginger paste in the fridge since these two are used in most recipes and are likely to disappear quickly. 

  • Salt
  • Black salt
  • Pepper
  • Chilli powder
  • Chilli flakes
  • Ginger
  • Garlic
  • Chives
  • Basil
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Mint
  • Italian seasoning
  • Moroccan seasoning
  • Lemon pepper
  • Cumin
  • Turmeric
  • Rosemary
  • Ground cinnamon/cinnamon sticks
  • Bay leaves
  • Mustard seeds
  • Sesame seeds
  • Fenugreek seeds
  • Poppy seeds
  • Fennel seeds
  • Star anise
  • Cloves
  • Celery/onion/garlic salt/powder
  • Coriander
  • Coriander seeds
  • Cumin
  • Curry powder
  • Lemongrass
  • Nutmeg
  • Chinese 5 spice mix
  • Smoked paprika
  • Parsely
  • Saffron
  • Bacon seasoning*
  • Vanilla extract/vanilla essence
  • Vegetable stock

Starches and Grains

It’s a good idea to have a couple of grain options in your cupboard for toast or wraps (whichever you already eat). If you’re trying to be healthy, wholegrain or 100% whole wheat options are much better for you and your gut. If you find you haven’t eaten your grains or bread fast enough, feel free to put them into the freezer because they will stay fresher that way.

  • Bread*
  • Tortillas*
  • English muffins
  • Pita bread
  • Whole grain/plain pasta*
  • Brown/white rice
  • Wild rice
  • Quinoa
  • Couscous
  • Vital wheat gluten
  • Puff pastry*
  • Breakfast cereal*
  • Quick/rolled oats
  • Whole wheat/plain flour
  • Self-raising flour
  • Almond flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Pancake mix*
  • Muffins*
  • Croissants*
  • Farro
  • Freekeh
  • Millet
  • Amaranth
  • Teff
  • Chickpea flour
  • Barley
  • Buckwheat
  • Bulgar

Beans and Legumes

Beans and legumes are generally just as healthy eating from a can as what they are from dried and then soaked and boiled. How you want to buy them only depends on your individual taste. Most canned beans are vegan unless they are flavoured. Be sure to check the ingredients. 

  • Canned/dry chickpeas
  • Canned/dry black beans
  • Canned/dry kidney beans
  • Canned/dry black-eyed peas
  • Canned mixed beans
  • Dry red/yellow lentils
  • Canned lentils
  • Dry split peas
  • Baked beans*

Other Goods in a Jar or Can

These are all the other items for a winning vegan shopping list for beginners that you’ll probably use in everyday cooking. 

  • Olives
  • Capers
  • Artichoke
  • Corn
  • Peppers/capsicum
  • Canned tomatoes
  • Passata*
  • Tomato paste
  • Bamboo shoots
  • Water chestnuts
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Canned fruit
  • Coconut milk
  • Kimchi*
  • Sauerkraut*

Dairy Substitutes

There are so many tasty options for milk for everyday use. We know finding a milk substitute is really hard, especially when we rely on our coffee and/or tea to get us through the day. We recommend starting out buy buying a good variety of different kinds of milk to have in your tea, coffee or cereal and trying them all until you can find an option or two that works for you.

Feel free to post about the drink you are having trouble with inside our Facebook Support Group. They will be able to recommend products just for you and where to buy them. 

Vegan Milk

A lot of vegan milk is fortified with similar nutrients that cow’s milk contains. Almond and soy are generally the most nutrient-rich, while oat and rice milk have very few vitamins and minerals. Finding vegan milk that is tasty for you is the most important here, but it’s also good to know whether or not your milk is actually good for you. You could do as we do and have a variety of these sitting in your fridge - ready to be used for different occasions. 

  • Soy milk
  • Almond/cashew milk
  • Oat milk
  • Rice milk
  • Hemp milk
  • Pea protein milk
  • Coconut milk/water
  • Powdered coconut milk
  • Chocolate flavoured almond/soy milk
  • Vanilla flavoured almond/soy milk

Vegan Cheese

There is a huge range of vegan cheese substitutes for all kinds of different purposes. Many of the cheddar or mozzarella style cheeses can be quite artificial tasting and are highly processed.

The cheeses made from nuts, like macadamia Persian fetta, are super creamy and if eaten in small doses are healthy and good for you. Nutritional yeast can be sprinkled on any foods that you want to give a creamy flavour, like popcorn or pasta, and it is super good for you.

Keep in mind, just because it is in the vegan cheese section of the supermarket, don't assume it is vegan. Many alternative cheese producers add casein (from cow’s milk) to help the cheese melt.

  • Nutritional yeast
  • Vegan cheese shreds/mozzarella-style shreds
  • Vegan cheese slices
  • Vegan cream cheese
  • Cashew parmesan
  • Macadamia Persian fetta
  • Vegan halloumi

Vegan Yoghurt, Cream and Ice Cream

Again, many of the vegan creams, ice creams and yoghurts are highly processed and often include a lot of added sugar. They can definitely satisfy the creamy cravings or be substituted for animal-based products in recipes, though. Coconut yoghurt, though high in saturated fat, is a seriously delicious addition to your morning oats or a few spoonfuls for dessert. Be sure to check labels as not all of these products are vegan in the supermarkets. 

  • Soy/almond/coconut yogurt*
  • Soy/almond/coconut ice cream*
  • Soy thickened cream*
  • Soy sour cream*

Vegan Butter

Many kinds of butter or margarine should be used sparingly as they are highly processed and have almost no nutrients left. Check the ingredients at supermarkets to ensure no animal products have been added. 

  • Margarine*
  • Peanut butter*
  • Almond/cashew butter*
  • Nut butter*
  • Tahini (sesame butter)

Oils

Oils are an essential part of cooking and different oils can be used to create different tastes and textures in your cooking. As a general rule, if the oil is in liquid form at room temperature, like olive oil, it is not saturated fat and is, therefore, a bit healthier than solid oils like coconut oil. Almost all pure, plant-based oils will be vegan.

  • Olive oil
  • Canola oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Sesame oil
  • Flaxseed oil
  • Almond oil
  • Grapeseed oil

Meat Substitutes

If you were previously a meat-eater, it may be easiest for you to start switching out meat in your recipes for these vegan meats. Many of them are surprisingly good, but some may take a little while for you to gain a taste for. If there is a particular type of meat you will miss when going vegan, be sure to try out some alternatives and see if you can find some that you like. 

  • Seitan
  • Quorn*
  • Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
  • Veggie burgers (lentil, bean, or vegetable-based)
  • Veggie hot dogs
  • Veggie meatballs/falafels*
  • Firm tofu
  • Soft/silken tofu
  • Smoked/marinated tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Jackfruit (fresh or canned)
  • “Chicken” strips
  • “Chicken” nuggets
  • Tempeh/soy bacon
  • Vegan smoked salmon
  • Vegan prawns
  • Sushi nori sheets
  • Vegan bacon bits

Other Vegan Pantry Essentials

  • Egg replacer
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Corn starch
  • Tea
  • Coffee*

Fresh Vegetables

You are going to have so much fun finding new ways to make dishes with vegetables. I would suggest buying around 5 fresh colourful vegetable options plus 3-5 root vegetable options on your first shop. Since root vegetables (such as potatoes, ginger, garlic, etc) last longer in the cupboard you can buy them in larger numbers. 

Have an idea in your head about what you might want to make with them, or buy the vegetables that are in season at the time to make it cheaper, then make a list of veggies and other things you need for your recipes and take it with you shopping.

  • Zucchini
  • Mushrooms
  • Pumpkin
  • Asparagus
  • Green onion
  • Brown onion
  • Red onion
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Green beans
  • Snow peas
  • Tomatoes
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Capsicum
  • Avocado
  • Baby spinach
  • Spinach
  • Collards/English spinach
  • Kale
  • Watercress
  • Bok choy
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Bean sprouts
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Salad mixes
  • Corn
  • Potato
  • Sweet potato
  • Radish
  • Beetroot
  • Chillies
  • Jalapeños

Fresh Fruit

Fruits provide many essential nutrients that are needed on a vegan diet. Be sure to eat at least a couple of different fruits per day. On your first shop, put a few different options on your plant-based food list; some to eat on their own as a snack, and others to add into your weeks' recipes.

Lemons and limes are a great source of vitamin C and can be added to most meals. Frozen berries can be kept in the freezer for longevity and canned peaches or pears can be a great quick and easy dessert. 

  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Mandarins
  • Grapefruit
  • Apricots
  • Grapes
  • Mangoes
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Passionfruit
  • Pears
  • Pineapple
  • Kiwifruit
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Watermelon

Vegan Freezer Items

Stock up your freezer with as many vegan items you can fit in there! This will mean you always have cheap, quick and easy access to vegetables and fruit. Perfect for when you come home from a long day and don’t feel like putting much effort into cooking. This will stop you from ordering unhealthy (and possibly not vegan) takeout. 

  • Green peas
  • Corn
  • Spinach
  • Mixed vegetables/stir-fry mix
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Mixed berry blends
  • Edamame
  • Mango
  • Mixed fruits
  • Vegan pastries
  • Vegan dumplings
  • Potato/sweet potato fries
  • Pumpkin
  • Hash browns*

Vegan Drinks

You'd be surprised that some fruit juices aren't vegan. This is because colouring agents derived from animals and insects are sometimes added. Look out for carmine/cochineal and honey in particular. Also, keep an eye out for powdered milk or dairy derivatives added to some coffee powders.

  • Coca-cola
  • Lemonade
  • Ginger ale
  • Lemon Solo
  • Orange juice*
  • Apple juice*
  • Coffee
  • Tea

Vegan Alcohol

All spirits are vegan! Obviously with the exception of spirits made with non-vegan flavourings like honey bourbon. But how great is that?! 

On the other hand, you might be surprised to find out that wine is traditionally clarified used fining agents made from casein (a milk protein), albumin (egg whites), gelatin (animal protein) and isinglass (fish bladder protein) - ew! 

As for beer, the vast majority of them are vegan. That said, some breweries do use animal products.

It’s best to check with the Barnivore website about whether your favourite booze is vegan or not (search by brand name then let autocomplete find your type). For now, here is a vegan alcohol list featuring vegan-friendly wine and beer Aussie favourites:

  • Tooheys (any)
  • VB
  • Carlton
  • Asahi
  • Carona
  • Budweiser and Bud Light
  • Heineken
  • Beck’s
  • Two Hands Wines
  • Prosecco
  • Alpha Box & Dice
  • Amelia Park Wines
  • Chapel Hill Winery
  • d'Arenberg
  • David Franz
  • Yabby Lake International

Non-Vegan Ingredients to Look Out For

The following ingredients are NOT vegan. If a product contains these ingredients, do not buy them. Be sure to check for these ingredients on any new products you buy at the supermarket. Take a photo of this list on your phone or print out our beginner vegan shopping list and take it shopping with you.

  • Gelatin
  • Lanolin
  • Royal jelly
  • Whey
  • Bone char
  • Bee pollen
  • Lactose
  • Caseinate (casein, sodium caseinate)
  • Carmine/cochineal (120, crimson lake, natural red 4, or CI75470)
  • Rennet (enzymes)
  • Glycerin (glycerol, glycerides, glyceryls, glycreth-26, polyglycerol, monoglycerides, diglycerides)

For a full list of animal ingredients see the Peta Animal Ingredients List.

veggies on a shelf for beginner vegan shopping list

What is This Vegan Product and How is it Used?

Tofu 

Firm tofu is used in scrambled tofu, cut and used in soups and stir-fry or marinated in sauce and used as a meat alternative. If you freeze tofu you get a firmer, chewier texture that is great when used in any dishes in which you want the tofu to be less-wet, keep its original shape and soak up sauce better. Silken tofu looks like soft custard and has a creamy texture and can be used in desserts such as mousse, or blended into sauces and dressings. 

Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast (or nooch) usually comes in a flaked or powdered form and has a cheesy taste. It is perfect for sprinkling over pasta or casseroles, added to a sandwich or to add a cheese flavour to sauces, soups, and dips. It can also be blended with cashews to make vegan parmesan cheese. 

Seitan

Seitan is a meat alternative made from vital wheat gluten and water and is often seen as a high-protein, low-carb alternative to animal protein. Depending on how it is produced, it can often have a taste and texture so similar to animal meat that it has tricked many a vegan. It is used in any dishes that animal meat would be used including steaks, stir-fry, casserole, tacos, pizza, burgers, soups, etc. 

Quorn

Quorn is an alternative protein source made from mycoprotein, which is a fermented fungus. However, not all Quorn branded products are vegan, the majority of the range still contains a small amount of egg white or milk ingredients. Vegan Quorn products do state on the packaging their suitability and from time of writing the vegan Quorn products include burgers, fish-free fillets, schnitzel and nuggets. 

Tempeh

Tempeh is a substance made from cooked and slightly fermented soybeans. Its shape is similar to tofu but the texture is harder and chewier. You can add tempeh to stir-fries, marinate it and eat it cooked and sliced, chop or crumble it and use it like mincemeat or even bake it. Its taste is savoury with an earthy, nutty flavour similar to mushrooms.

Edamame

Edamame is young green soybeans usually sold still in the pod, but not always. They are often served as a side dish in Japanese restaurants where they are boiled then lightly salted before serving. This is a great option for a healthy vegan snack packed full of healthy and low-fat soy protein. The hulled edamame can also be added to salads and pasta dishes.

Egg Replacer

There are many egg replacements available, and what you use will depend on what's best for the recipe. Common egg replacers for baking are a mashed banana, apple sauce or blended avocado. A tasty breakfast egg replacer is black salt (especially in tofu scramble), or Ogran Easy Egg.

A great egg replacement for pancakes, waffles, muffins, bread, or cookies is ground flaxseeds, chia seeds, nut butter or silken tofu.

Aquafaba is the liquid leftover from cooking beans or legumes, or the liquid found in canned chickpeas or beans. The liquid has a very similar consistency to that of raw egg whites, making it an excellent substitution for many recipes that call for egg whites such as meringues, marshmallows, macaroons or nougat.

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)

The generic name of TVP is Total Soy Protein or TSP. This is probably a more accurate description since it is a derivative of soy protein isolate rather than actual vegetables. It is packaged as a dried substance that should be rehydrated before cooking. To add a more desirable flavour to TVP you can rehydrate it with vegetable or vegan chicken or beef stock. Its consistency is similar to mincemeat and it is a favourite in spaghetti bolognese or lasagne. 

Jackfruit

Often referred to as a miracle fruit because one single tree can produce three tonnes of fruit. This plant-based meat alternative is perfect for vegans because the young, unripe fruit soaks up flavour well and has a stringy, “meat-like” texture similar to pulled pork when cooked.

In its young form, jackfruit has a somewhat neutral flavour, and will, therefore, soak up the flavours that you marinade and cook it with. Use jackfruit to replace shredded chicken, pulled pork or curries. 

Amaranth

Amaranth (or Kiwicha seeds in Peruvian) is an ancient pseudo-cereal or grain from South America with a mildly nutty flavour. It is cooked and consumed similarly to rice, oats, or quinoa. It is naturally gluten-free and has more calcium, magnesium, iron, and fibre than most vegetables or grains.

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek is a herb that has long been used in alternative medicine. It contains a good amount of fibre and minerals, including iron and magnesium. It’s a common household spice and ingredient in Indian dishes, especially curry and pickles.

Fenugreek is also used as a thickening agent and is also sometimes taken as a supplement. Fenugreek seeds and powder have a slightly sweet and nutty taste.

Buckwheat

The name buckwheat sometimes causes confusion. The triangular kernels are considered a pseudo-cereal and are not actually related to wheat. Actually, they are a gluten-free seed that can be used in place of wheat grains in cooking. They can also be sprinkled on sandwiches, salads and breakfasts, or added to soups and smoothies.

For vegans on a raw food diet, raw buckwheat groats can add texture and nutrition to granola, cookies, cakes, crackers, and other bread-like products. The naturally toasty, nutty flavour becomes more intense with roasting and can often seem bitter on the first few tries. 

Farro

Farro is a healthy whole grain popularly used in a Mediterranean diet. It is a high-protein, high-fibre ancient whole-grain wheat that looks similar to barley and can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

Farro is an excellent source of protein, fibre, magnesium and iron. It has a nutty, chewy flavour and can serve as the bed for almost any dish as well as added to soups or have vegan milk added to it as a breakfast alternative.

Freekeh

Freekeh is a preparation method applied to durum wheat. This method entails that the wheat is harvested early, while the grains are still tender and green and then the kernels are parched, roasted, dried and rubbed. Seen as an ancient grain, it boasts loads of protein and fibre and has a chewy, smoky, nutty taste.

Millet

You wouldn’t be wrong thinking this is the main ingredient in birdseed. In fact, millet is relatively high in protein and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, zinc, and iron. Millet functions like whole grain, and you can cook it like you would most other whole grains, such as rice, wheat or quinoa.

Teff

Although technically a seed from the Eragrostis tef plant, teff functions as a whole grain similar to barley and quinoa. Unlike wheat, teff is a type of millet and is therefore gluten-free. It is highly nutritious and full of protein, fibre, magnesium, iron, and calcium. It is slightly nutty in flavour and can be used as a substitute for most grains.   

Bulgur

Bulgur comes from cracked whole-grain kernels of wheat that get parboiled and dried before packaging. Because of this, they cook much more quickly than other varieties of whole wheat. You probably know of bulgur as it is the main component in tabbouleh.

Bulgur also contains resistant starch which is known as nature’s fat-burning breakthrough. Because resistant starch is bulky, it takes up space in your digestive system and it avoids being stored away as body fat when you eat more than you burn. Bulgur should be eaten daily if you are interested in weight loss. 

Tamarind Paste/Purée

Tamarind paste is made from a dark orange-brown, sticky fruit that grows in a pod on the tamarind tree. It tastes quite sour, with a somewhat citrusy, smoky and caramel-like taste. It is usually used in Pad Thai and other Thai curries, as well as some Indian, Vietnamese, Mexican and Caribbean dishes. 

Sushi Nori Sheets

Commonly known as the seaweed wrapping around sushi and is made by shredding edible seaweed and then pressing it into thin sheets. It is not just great for sushi, but for vegans, it is an essential ingredient into any dish that wants a seafood flavour, like fish cakes, as a topper on ramen or rice bowls or simply munched on as a nutritious, crispy snack.

Vital Wheat Gluten 

This is the main ingredient in making your own seitan (see ‘seitan’ above) meat alternative and is also known as “wheat protein” and “wheat gluten.” It is made by hydrating wheat flour to activate the gluten and then processing it to remove everything but the gluten. It is high in protein, is an excellent source of minerals (especially selenium and iron), plus it is low in carbs and fat. It is also soy-free and is easy to cook with. 

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vegan shopping list printout included in the vegan starter kit

New to Veganism?

Our Vegan Starter Kit includes everything you need to take the overwhelm out of going vegan. A PDF digital and A4 hard copy of our Beginner Vegan Shopping List is also included FOR FREE! 

Got Questions?

We hope you found value in this plant-based diet grocery list. Do you have an item that you aren’t sure about that isn’t on our vegan products list? Or do you simply want to know more about shopping vegan on a budget? Please comment below and we will aim to get back to you within 48 hours!

Remember, you can always order vegan food online from our supermarket (coming soon), and that way you will always know that the product you have bought is 100% vegan. 

  • Ready to transition to vegan? Start here.
  • Beginner vegans can find support, advice and challenges in our Facebook Group: Vegan Sidekicks. We would love for you to join us and get involved with our open-minded and supportive group! 

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