Looking for cheap and easy plant based meals? In this post I show you how I meal prepped 15 plant based meals for $25 using Trader Joe’s ingredients. Keep reading to watch the video, get recipes and view my shopping list.

YouTube video

Here’s my YouTube tutorial of how I meal prepped these cheap and easy plant based meals into Bentgo meal prep containers:

Bentgo meal prep containers

My favorite containers for meal prep are made by Bentgo. These containers are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and inexpensive. I like to buy the big set of 30 containers and meal prep an entire week of meals at one time.

• Shop Bentgo meal prep containers on Amazon

15 cheap easy plant based meals for $25 from Trader Joe’s

• 5 days / 15 meals
• $24.56 / $4.91 per day
• Grocery Store: Trader Joe’s
• Purchase date: April 4, 2024

Note: Total recipe costs are calculated based on unused purchased ingredients. For example, the Stuffed Tortillas use ingredients already accounted for in other recipes, so the total cost of this dinner is only calculated on the ingredients not already used in other dishes.

Trader Joe’s $25 Budget Shopping List

• 1 box Organic Couscous – $1.79
• 1 can Eggplant with Tomatoes – $2.99
• 1 pack Organic Crimini Mushrooms – $2.79
• 1 bag Frozen Melange a Trois Bell Peppers – $1.99
• 1 jar Salsa Authentic – $2.99
• 1 can Fat Free Refried Beans – $1.19
• 1 can Organic Garbanzo Beans – $1.09
• 1 head Green Cabbage – $1.99
• 1 pack Corn Tortillas – $.99
• 1 each Cucumber Hothouse $1.49
• 1 3lb bag Organic Gold Potatoes – $3.99
• 1 each Sweet Onion – $.99
• 1 each Lemon – $.49
• 1 each Garlic head – $.49

Total: $24.56

Breakfasts

Potato Veggie Skillet

5 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Olive oil (optional)
• 1 3lb bag Organic Gold Potatoes – $3.99
• 1 bag Frozen Melange a Trois Bell Peppers – $1.99
• 1/2 each Sweet Onion – $.99
• 3 cloves Garlic head – $.49
• 1/2 pack Organic Crimini Mushrooms – $2.79
• 1 teaspoon Paprika, optional
• 1 teaspoon Salt, optional
• 1 jar Salsa Authentic – $2.99

Total: $10.45 / $2.65 per serving

Directions

1. Fill a large pot with cold water. Add potatoes. Bring water to a boil over high heat. Boil potatoes for 30 minutes. Strain water from potatoes. Quarter potatoes and place into fridge until ready to use.
2. Heat skillet, add potatoes, frozen bell peppers, diced onions with olive oil (if using).
3. Saute on medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, or until starting to brown.
4. Add garlic, paprika and salt. Saute another 1-2 minutes.
5. Serve with salsa.

Lunch

Eggplant Chickpea Couscous Salad

5 servings

Ingredients

• 1 box Organic Couscous – $1.79
• 1 can Eggplant with Tomatoes – $2.99
• 1 can Organic Garbanzo Beans – $1.09
• 1 each Cucumber Hothouse $1.49
• 1/2 each Sweet Onion, minced
• 1 each Lemon – $.49
• 1/2 head Green Cabbage, shredded – $1.99

Total: $9.84 / $1.97

Directions

1. Cook couscous according to package.
2. Chop cucumber into sticks. Shred cabbage. Cut lemon into wedges.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked and cooled couscous, drained chickpeas, and can of Eggplant with Tomatoes. Toss well to combine.
4. Place couscous salad into meal prep containers. Add cabbage, cucumbers and lemon wedges into container. Store in fridge until ready to enjoy.

Dinner

Mushroom Bean Stuffed Tortillas

5 servings

Ingredients

• Refried pinto beans – $1.19
• Corn tortillas – $.99
• 1/2 pack Organic Crimini Mushrooms, chopped
• 1/2 head Cabbage, shredded
• Salsa
• 5 teaspoons olive oil, optional

Total: $2.18 / $.43 per serving

Directions

1. Heat skillet on high heat. Add chopped mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Smear one tortilla with 1/3 cup refried beans. Top with sautéed mushrooms. Top with another tortilla.
3. Place stuffed tortillas into skillet and cook on medium heat until tender, about 1-2 minutes, flip and cook other side. Cook each stuffed tortilla in 1 teaspoon olive oil if desired.
4. Repeat with remaining tortillas, beans and mushrooms.
5. Serve with shredded cabbage and salsa.

Further reading:

• 9 cheap healthy meals for $10 with Dollar Tree foods
• 7-Day Daniel Fast meal plan (free printable PDF)
• Visit the Dailey Foods YouTube Channel