Hello plant based enthusiasts and curious ones looking to adopt a more plant-based lifestyle! I hope you all enjoy and share this vegan starter packed grocery list I’ve put together of the many years of my best findings! After 15 years of following a plant based lifestyle I’ve had many curious family and friends ask me for recommendations on plant based products they will love using – whether it’s for health reasons, values, or just curiosity – these are some of my personal favorite ingredients/substitutes I’ve found so easily to love using for my homecooking, baking, meal prepping, or consuming directly. This is a ready-to-go grocery list you can pull up while on your grocery run (bookmark or save this page 😉) , or even more easily, shop from the convenience of your home and add to your Amazon cart with the click of a button (or picture) and have these items delivered to your home! Enjoy! As Amazon Associates we earn from every qualifying purchase.
Grocery List
Dairy-Free Substitutes
Ripple Foods Original Unsweetened Nutritious Pea Milk
Why’s it recommended: I’ve tried dozens of different types of plant based milks over the years, and while there is an array of great plant based milk options, this one wins in my book for a few reasons. I love the idea of pea protein as a milk because it’s high in protein and made of vegetables, free of gluten, and a truly healthy alternative. The flavor profile of the milk is creamy, not too sweet but not bitter or acidic either, making it great for blending in with other flavors or ingredients. This comes in a sweetened version also.
Love using this for: Protein shakes, cereals, baking, cooking, milk teas, with my coffee, drinking and enjoying 🙂
Why’s it recommended: Just when I thought I couldn’t love pea milk anymore I realized there was a chocolate version to fall in love with! This chocolate milk can be enjoyed guilt-free because it’s slightly sweetened but not overloaded like traditional chocolate milks, and to top it all this is made of pea protein making it a high protein chocolate milk!
Love using this for: Drinking with cookies/desserts, baking, as a post-workout protein shake
Why’s it recommended: This is such a creamy, non-acidic, creamer you’ll love using every morning! While I love and appreciate the vast array of plant-based creamers that there are available now, my personal favorite is oat milk creamers because they have a creamy, slightly thick texture, that blends together so nicely with coffees, teas, and other drinks. This creamer comes in a handful of flavors, the oatmeal cookie version is my favorite but all of them are highly recommended!
Love using this for: My coffee and teas, iced coffees and milk teas
MIYOKO’s, Organic, European Style Cultured Vegan Butter
Why’s it recommended: Cashews are such a wonderful gift to this world, and this butter really shows them put to their best ability! This butter melts easily which is a big plus because some plant-based butters won’t melt too nicely, but with this one you won’t have a struggle at all for that. This comes in a salted and unsalted version, being optimal for an array of uses as you desire!
Love using this for: Baking, cooking, frying, butter toast spread
Earth Balance Organic Whipped Buttery Spread
Why’s it recommended: I love the flavor of this butter spread, it melts very easily, and works great for cooking recipes and baking. This butter spread is partly made of olive oil and because of that has a really creamy texture, and spreads beautifully and easily on breads, and desserts!
Love using this for: Toast, sandwiches, cooking recipes, baking, frying
Violife, Just Like Smoked Provolone Slices
Why’s it recommended: These are perfect for deli sandwiches, melt nicely, and taste great! Made with clean ingredients too and come in different flavors!
Love using this for: Lasagnas, deli sandwiches, paninis, quesadillas, nachos
Forager Project Organic Plant Based Jack Cheese Shreds
Why’s it recommended: Forager is one of the best in my book for making creative alternatives with cashews; from their yogurts to their cheeses, they’re a good brand to buy with confidence you’ll love their dairy-free substitutes! I love using shredded cheese for making quesadillas but it’s great for an array of cooking recipes you’d desire to use it for. Available in different cheese types from queso fresco to American cheese.
Love using this for: Quesadillas, lasagnas, deli sandwiches, paninis, nachos
Siete Dairy Free Cashew Queso, Mild Nacho
Why’s it recommended: Let’s be honest – nachos are only as good as the quality of the nacho cheese that’s being used, and this nacho cheese leaves everyone wanting more! Made of cashews, this nacho cheese melts beautifully, quickly, and has an array of uses for tons of homecoming recipes.
Love using this for: Nachos, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, homecooking recipes
Miyoko’s Creamery Fresh VeganMozz Artisan Cheese
Why’s it recommended: Melts easily, made from cashews, high in protein, super versatile for a multitude of dishes! You can’t even tell the difference between dairy and this plant-based mozzarella cheese.
Love using this for: Nachos, enchiladas, lasagnas, chiles rellenos, homecooking recipes
Kite Hill Plain Almond Milk Cream Cheese Style Spread
Why’s it recommended: If there’s something I’m a sucker for – it’s for bagels with cream cheese! This is my favorite cream cheese spread to use, whether it’s with bagels, toast, or for baking cheesecakes – this cream cheese is reliable to be a thumbs up! Available in plain, garden veggie, and chives flavor, I recommend all of them as a delicious treat!
Love using this for: Bagel spread, with toast, creative bruschetta, baking, cheesecakes, savory cooking recipes
Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Feta Crumbles
Why’s it recommended: If you love salads like myself, you know how important it is to have feta in your mediterranean salads! These feta crumbles have impressive texture similar to traditional feta cheese and taste great. I love adding these crumbles into my kale salads as well!
Love using this for: Mediterranean salads, kale salads, all types of salads!
Follow Your Heart Cheese, Parmesan Shredded
Why’s it recommended: This parmesan cheese works great as a topping for your freshly made of pasta recipes, using with baking, and melts nicely if needed!
Love using this for: Salads, pasta, baking, homecooking recipes
Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta Cheese
Why’s it recommended: This ricotta cheese is a guilt-free delight! I’ve used this for bruschetta recipes and baking recipes and love it! Ricotta cheese is a bit more difficult to find in plant-based versions, but this one from Kite Hill is a blessing to have!
Love using this for: Bagels, Toast, Bruschetta
JUST Egg made from plants, 12 Fl Oz
Why’s it recommended: You will want to have this for breakfast everyday once you get a taste of these vegan scrambles! I absolutely love these for taking on camping trips, cooks great as a scramble with vegetables, and the flavor is phenomenal! I recommend to cook with some non-stick spray or vegetable oil on the bottom of a pan and heat up in medium-low heat, with a little bit of patience you’ll see these egg scrambles come to life!
Love using this for: Egg scrambles, omelettes, chiles rellenos, egg replacement in cooking recipes
Bob’s Red Mill, Egg Substitute
Why’s it recommended: Having this in your pantry will make your baking much easier when trying to find vegan egg alternatives! I know how difficult it can be to find an egg replacement depending on what you’re baking or cooking, not every egg replacement is ideal for any situation, but this is a good starter to try in your baking needs. With just a mixing of water you’ll get a useful egg replacement for baking cakes, cookies, etc.
Love using this for: Baking recipes, and some cooking recipes
Forager Project, Organic Dairy-Free Vanilla Bean Cashewmilk Yogurt Alternative
Why’s it recommended: Thick yogurt-y texture, great flavors available, made of cashews that are high in nutrients and protein! Available in other flavors such as unsweetened vanilla , sweetened vanilla, and original.
Love using this for: Overnight oats, enjoying for breakfast with fruits, mixing into my protein shakes, baking & cooking recipes
Meat Substitutes
Tofurky, Deli Slices, Hickory Smoked
Why’s it recommended: Don’t feel you can’t make those savory, delicious deli sandwiches anymore because with this tofurkey you’ll be missing nothing and only loving each sandwich you prepare! I love taking these on camping trips, making picnic sandwiches, meal prepping, whatever it is you’ll be in love with the flavor of these tofurkey slices. Available in hickory smoked and peppered flavors.
Love using this for: deli sandwiches!
Beyond Meat Beyond Breakfast Sausage Plant-Based Breakfast Patties
Why’s it recommended: I absolutely love the flavor on these breakfast sausages more than any other breakfast sausages out there! The flavor on these sausages is almost addicting, from the firm but still plushy texture to bite into, to the slightly spicy maple smoked flavor on these, it will keep you wanting more and more of these I can guarantee it! High in protein, made primarily of pea protein, these are impressive for everyone and anyone who gets a bite of these!
Love using this for: savory breakfasts, with my JustEgg scrambles, and delicious of a treat to enjoy on their own for when your heart desires!
Field Roast Vegetarian Grain Meat Sausages
Why’s it recommended: Show up to your next barbecue with these and be prepared to blow everyone away with these! While there are an array of plant based sausages to choose from, I highlight Field Roast sausages because the flavor profile on these is my favorite and the clean ingredients in these is a winner in my book.
Love using this for: deli sandwiches!
Beyond Meat Cookout Classic Plant-Based Burger Patties
Why’s it recommended: These burger patties will impress anyone who tries these, vegetarians or carnivores alike! I appreciate and love all the vast array of burger patties that have become available throughout the world now, and this one takes home the trophy as the most impressive plant based patty for myself. Many people who consume meat as part of their diet love buying these because of the familiar texture, flavor, and look! These will cook similar to real meat patties, thanks to a bit of beet juice in these patties – these even resonate the reddish patty juice given off by real meat patties. I love to take these for barbecues and impress everyone with how flavorful plant based can be!
Love using this for: Burgers!
Good Catch Plant Based Fish Free Tuna
Why’s it recommended: For many years I hadn’t found any plant-based tuna options with optimal ingredients, until I found these Good Catch packets. These are similar to tuna packets or tuna cans and can be consumed after just mixing with a bit of water. I love to take these on camping, backpacking trips, or just as road trip food!
Love using this for: Tuna melt, tuna salad, tuna sandwiches
Desserts substitutes
Simple Mills Organic Frosting, Vanilla
Why’s it recommended: Just as important as it is for me to find plant-based cooking ingredients, it’s just as important for baking ingredients! This frosting is made of clean ingredients and tastes great, and will give the cherry on top of your plant-based baked goods!
Love using this for: Cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, cookie sandwiches
So Delicious Dairy Free CocoWhip Original
Why’s it recommended: Whipped cream is fairly difficult to find in plant-based versions until recently, and this coconut whipped cream will not let you miss out on anything! SO Delicious items are all highly rated in my book, made of clean ingredients, savory taste, and this whipped cream is not an exclusion; with a creamy texture and flavor, slightly sweetened but not too sweet. I love using these as toppings for my cakes, pies, ice cream.
Love using this for: Cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, cookie sandwiches, ice cream, key lime pies, pie toppings
So Delicious Dairy Free Coconutmilk Frozen Dessert, Cookie Dough
Why’s it recommended: Let’s be honest – we all love to eat some raw cookie dough now and then as we’re making cookies! I love the creaminess of this coconut ice cream, with chunks of cookie dough throughout the batch. I love all the flavors SO Delicious offers and highlighted this cookie dough flavor as my personal favorite!
Love using this for: Milk shakes, with waffles, and enjoying on its’ own
Snacks substitutes
Annie’s Organic Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
Why’s it recommended: I love to eat these cookies! Made of clean ingredients, these soft cookies are a favorite to drink with milk.
Love using this for: Camping, road trips, snacking
Annie’s Organic Original Crispy Snack Bars, Gluten Free
Why’s it recommended: Growing up I loved eating Rice Krispies, and guess what – that hasn’t changed much even to now! I love these Rice Krispies because they’re made of few and simple ingredients and taste great for snacking guilt-free!
Love using this for: Camping, road trips, snacking
Louisville Vegan Jerky – Smoky Carolina BBQ
Why’s it recommended: Truth be told – I didn’t know vegan jerky was a thing until recently! And you can bet how happy I was to find out this was something I could take on our many camping trips! I didn’t know what to expect but I was ecstatic when I gave these a try and loved the taste and texture of this jerky. High in protein and non-perishable, this jerky is my favorite vegan jerky out there. Available in other flavors such as hickory, peppered, maple bacon, and a few others.
Love using this for: Snacking, road trips, hiking/backpacking trips, picnics
Beanfields Chips, High Protein and Fiber, Gluten Free, Nacho, 5.5 oz
Why’s it recommended: I know there’s aisles and aisles of chips you can find being plant-based, from tortilla chips to kale chips, but I really wanted to highlight these chips because I think they’re great in their creativity, ingredients, and nutrition.
Love using this for: Snacking, road trips, hiking/backpacking trips, picnics
Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Flavor Squares
Why’s it recommended: While there’s dozens of cheese crackers since the 90’s, there’s only a few plant based ones resembling those from my childhood of eating cheez-it’s. I would recommend these for the cheesy plant-based flavor and crackers’ flavors resembling those of the original cheese crackers.
Love using this for: Snacking, road trips, hiking/backpacking trips, picnics
Drinks
Ripple Non-Dairy Milk, Vanilla | Vegan Milk With 8g Pea Protein
Why’s it recommended: I love to take these mini milk boxes with me for road trips, hiking, and when I feel like having some with some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!
Love using this for: Snacking, road trips, hiking/backpacking trips, picnics
Ripple Vegan Protein Shake | Chocolate | 20g Nutritious Plant Based Pea Protein
Why’s it recommended: I love the convenience of having these protein shakes ready for me to take on hikes, for breakfast, camping, and road trips! Especially while on the road, we all know there’s not always an abundance of plant-based options either. I keep these handy in my fridge for when I’m not able to make my post-workout shakes, these save the day and always taste great!
Love using this for: Snacking, road trips, hiking/backpacking trips, picnics
RISE Brewing Co Nitro Cold Brew Coffee, Organic, Oat Milk Latte
Why’s it recommended: I chose this cold brew coffee in particular because I love oat milk! I love the convenience of having these ready to-go for energizing my morning on hikes, the workday, and taking on camping trips.
Love using this for: Snacking, road trips, hiking/backpacking trips, picnics
Other
Annies Homegrown Organic & Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
Why’s it recommended: I wanted to give this option because some Worcestershire sauces have ingredients such as fish sauce making it not fully plant-based and it can be difficult to find vegan options for this! It took me some digging around the first time I needed Worcestershire sauce for a cooking recipe and this sauce in particular ended up as my favorite for its’ flavor and list of clean ingredients.
Love using this for: Cooking recipes, cauliflower wings, burger patties, burger garnish
Yondu Vegetable Umami – Premium Plant-based Seasoning Sauce
Why’s it recommended: I would say you could almost use this with anything you’d desire to spice up or elevate it’s taste, from raw veggies to pasta, vegan patties, to cooking recipes requiring these.
Love using this for: Cooking recipes, cauliflower wings, burger patties, burger garnish, raw vegetables, and pasta
nib mor Vegan Hot Chocolate | Gluten Free, Organic, Plant Based Hot Cocoa
Why’s it recommended: I added this vegan hot chocolate pack because it’s a convenient way of making hot chocolate whenever your heart desires and is in perfect travel size for outdoor activities you may find yourself in, like camping/backpacking, road trips, and traveling. With just some warm water this is ready to-go and enjoy sipping on deliciousness!
Love using this for: quick, easy, and absolutely delicious hot chocolate time!
Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning – Nutritious Savory Parmesan Cheese Substitute
Why’s it recommended: Nutritional yeast is so fascinating because its’ flavor and texture is fairly similar to that of parmesan cheese and when mixed with a few other ingredients such as blended walnuts and almonds, the taste of this nutty parm mixture is out of this world! Nutritional yeast is also used in alot of creative plant-based recipes therefore this will become a staple in your pantry!
Love using this for: Cooking recipes, nutty parm recipe, parmesan cheese substitution for salads/ lasagnas, pasta
Grocery List📝
Dairy
- Pea milk
- Chocolate milk
- Creamer
- Butter spread
- Butter bars
- Cheese slices
- Shredded Cheese
- Nacho cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Feta Cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Ricotta cheese
- Vegan egg
- Egg Replacement
- Yogurt
Meat
Desserts
Snacks
- Cookies
- Rice Krispies
- Jerky
- Chips
- cheese string
- Cheese crackers
Drinks
Other
Gentle Market 