Budget vegan in Aldi: How to get 21 meals for £15

From veganfoodandliving.com

Could you get a week of vegan meals on a £15 budget? This YouTuber took to Aldi to prove it's still possible in 2025

Despite soaring food prices, Carrie, aka The Frugal Vegan UK, has proven that it’s possible to live vegan on a tight budget with a recent Aldi shopping trip.

The 29-year-old content creator from Bristol has been vegan for eight years and shares practical meal planning ideas, supermarket hauls and affordable vegan recipes on her YouTube channel.

Living with her non-vegan partner (who eats vegan at home), Carrie focuses on realism over perfection, making low-cost, nourishing meals that work in everyday life.

In her ‘£15’ series on YouTube, she takes on the challenge of creating 21 vegan meals for just £15. That covers breakfast, lunch and dinner for an entire week, or seven full days of plant-based eating on a serious budget.

In each video, she picks a different UK supermarket to try to shop vegan. This is what happened when she did her vegan weekly shop on a budget in Aldi.

£15 budget vegan Aldi shop

It sounds like a prohibitively strict budget, but Carrie was able to easily stay under £15 when shopping for vegan food in Aldi, especially as some products were reduced or swapped for a cheaper item.

Here’s where the budget went:

• Bread: 47p
• Jam: 39p (originally budgeted peanut butter 89p)
• Easy peelers: 69p
• Jacket potatoes: 59p (reduced from 79p)
• Baked beans (x2): 54p (27p each)
• Grated vegan cheese: £1.75
• Organic firm tofu: 89p
• Broccoli: 79p
• Flat mushrooms: 69p (reduced from 89p)
• Vegan mince: £1.49
• Mixed peppers (5): £1.60
• Chopped tomatoes: 39p
• Plum tomatoes: 69p
• Wheat and corn tortillas: 79p (originally budgeted wheat tortillas 89p)
• Vegan sausages: £1.49
• Orzo: 69p (Originally budgeted long grain white rice 59p)
• Microwave rice: 49p
• Total = £14.43

Note: Carrie used some cupboard staples such as spices and oil, but all major ingredients she used throughout the week were included within the £15 spend.

21 vegan meals from one cheap Aldi shop

Carrie’s full vegan food shop came in comfortably under budget, and would have been just under at £14.93 if she had been able to spend the extra 50 pence on peanut butter instead of jam.

From her budget vegan Aldi haul, she made:

• 7 x breakfasts:
  7 x toast with jam and easy peelers
• 7 x lunches:
  4 x jacket potatoes with beans and cheese
  1 x Mexican-style wraps
  2 x sausage and pepper orzo
• 7x dinners:
  2 x Mexican-style wraps
  2 x tofu with rice and broccoli
  2 x stuffed peppers
  1 x sausage and pepper orzo

Despite a few swaps due to stock issues, the meals were satisfying, varied and entirely plant-based. She even managed to include vegan cheese for the first time in the challenge, thanks to Aldi’s surprisingly affordable pricing.

£15 doesn't seem to go far these days, but it can still stretch to a week of vegan meals with a bit of planning. Photo © The Frugal Vegan UK

Budgeting tips for affordable vegan meals

Carrie’s approach isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s about smart planning and flexibility. She offers practical advice for anyone trying to save money on vegan groceries without sacrificing flavour:

Be flexible: Cheaper items often sell out, so, as Carrie says, you “need to be agile in your thinking.” When an item is out of stock, you need to be able to think on your feet and swap it for something similar in price and function.

Use what you have: Leftover ingredients from one week can roll into the next, as can leftover shopping budget. After a few good weeks, you’ll be able to include a treat in your weekly shop.

Embrace repetition: As shown in Carrie’s realistic vegan meal plan, your dinners don’t need to be different every day. Use a variety of seasonings or sides to keep things interesting.

Get smart: Budgeting her weekly shop isn’t the only way Carrie keeps her vegan meal costs low. She also shares her experience with using Olio, a food-sharing app that reduces food waste.

In the video, she mentioned that she already had plenty of bread from using the app, so she didn’t buy more when at Aldi. However, to keep things true to life, she did include the 47 pence she would have spent in the week’s budget breakdown.

This means that by using the app, her vegan Aldi shopping would have been even more under budget. That’s impressive stuff.

‘You have to make do’

Carrie’s content is a reminder that, particularly on a tight budget, veganism doesn’t have to be perfect. She acknowledges that some choices (like jam for breakfast every day) might not be nutritionally ideal long-term, but they work for short bursts when money’s tight.

“I think it’s just realistic… if it’s the only shop you can go to that week… you just have to make do with what they do have in,” she says.

With the cost of living crisis continuing to affect households across the UK, realistic vegan budgeting tips like these are a welcome reminder that plant-based eating can be both accessible and delicious, with no fancy ingredients or premium-priced health foods required.

See more of Carrie’s ‘£15’ series and other vegan budget tips on The Frugal Vegan UK YouTube Channel.

https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/frugal-vegan-budget-aldi-shopping-meal-plan/#google_vignette 

Aldi Launches High-Protein Vegan Liquid Egg

From plantbasednews.org

Aldi has expanded its plant-based range for Veganuary 2025 

Aldi UK has announced the launch of a high-protein vegan liquid egg that can be used for scrambling, baking, and making omelettes.

The Plant Menu Plant Based Egg is suitable for cooking in the microwave, oven, and frying pan. It’s fortified with vitamins D and B12 and costs £2.49 for a 364g pack. It’s similar to other vegan liquid egg products on the market, including those from brands like Crackd and OGGS.

            Aldi has launched vegan liquid egg for Veganuary 2025 - Media Credit: Darrell Sawczuk/ Plant Based News

Aldi embraces Veganuary

The new liquid egg is one of several launches from the budget retailer this January. At the start of the month, it unveiled its largest-ever plant-based range to coincide with Veganuary, a month-long challenge that encourages people to give up animal products.

Other launches include plant-based croissants and pains au chocolat, fried pickles, fish-free smoked salmon slices, and a variety of burgers and cheeses.

“Veganuary is getting bigger and bigger each year as the UK’s appetite and interest in plant-based food grows,” Julie Ashfield, Aldi’s managing director of buying, said in a statement at the time. “In response to that demand, we’re continuing to expand our vegan offering, giving our shoppers plenty of choice, all at great value.”

If you want to snap up the vegan egg and other plant-based offerings, it’s best to act fast – Aldi often discontinues plant-based items after January, and it’s unclear how long stocks will last.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/aldi-vegan-liquid-egg/

Food News of the Week: Veganuary Goes Global, Papa Johns Adds Vegan Ham, and Beyond Steak Burritos Land in the UK

From vegnews.com

The new year is off to a great start with vegan Hawaiian pizza at Papa Johns, Beyond Steak burritos in the UK, spicy falafel at Starbucks, and more

A new year means new habits for many people, and 2025 is no different. Exercising more, traveling, and saving money are always common New Year’s resolutions. But, over the past few years, for millions of people, there has been a new resolution in the mix: giving up animal products for Veganuary. Last year, nearly 2 million people worldwide decided to sign up for the month-long challenge, and this year is expected to be just as big, if not bigger. In fact, this year, the popular campaign is expanding to three new countries: Peru, Malaysia, and Canada.

The organization kicked off this year’s challenge with a new campaign, which was designed to encourage more people to take part by pointing out the “weirdness” of animal-based foods. One image in the campaign showed a pig with a sausage for a body, for example, while another showed a steak with a burning forest on top. “Veganuary is asking everyone to face the startling reality of how our food choices impact animals and the planet,” said Toni Vernelli, International Head of Policy and Communications for Veganuary. “And consider whether trying vegan for January might just be a little less weird.”

Design by Richard Bowie | Image by Veganuary

For many people, ethical and environmental factors are their biggest motivators for reducing or giving up animal products, but for others, it’s all about making healthier choices. Plant-based, whole foods are the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat—just ask US News & World Report, which just crowned the plant-forward Mediterranean diet as the healthiest diet in the world for the eighth year running in its recent Best Diets list. Flexitarian diets, DASH diets, and MIND diets, all of which are also plant-forward, also scored highly on the publication’s renowned annual list.

To make plant-based eating easier than ever, the launch of Veganuary usually brings many new innovative products to restaurants and grocery stores, and this year is no exception. Keep reading to find out more about what’s new at Starbucks, Papa John’s, Aldi, and more. 

Consumer trends and entertainment news

Asian Americans most likely to try a plant-based diet in 2025, says new survey

In December 2024, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) conducted a survey of more than 2,000 adults in a bid to find out more about how many Americans are seeking to start 2025 by making healthier diet choices. It found that more than 60 percent of Gen Z wanted to start a new diet in 2025, while more than 50 percent of Millennials wanted to do the same. 

The survey found that seven percent of US adults wanted to try a plant-based diet, while a further seven percent wanted to go vegetarian. Of those who wanted to try a plant-based diet, most were Asian American, the survey revealed. Those who were least likely to try a plant-based diet were participants from the Midwest.

A44

Dr. Michael Greger is starring in a vegan zombie film

Michael Greger, MD, is best known for his work as a medical professional and plant-based advocate, but he’s recently been trying his hand at something a little different. Alongside plant-based journalist Jane Velez-Mitchell, the physician and author of How Not to Die has been acting in a horror thriller movie about zombies. 

Called A44, the movie—which is “about compassion…with zombies”—was written, produced, and directed by Chris Cooney. It follows a college student as he attempts to find the source of a mysterious illness coming from the meat and dairy industry. Greger stars as a college professor in the film, which has been in the works since 2009 and is set for release in 2025. 

Restaurant and grocery news

Starbucks

Starbucks adds new vegan options in the US

In an exciting start to 2025, Starbucks has added not one, but two new vegan-friendly options to its US menus. The first is a dairy-free take on cortado, the Spanish espresso drink. The Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado features three shots of Blonde espresso, brown sugar, and steamed oat milk. And if you’re feeling hungry, you can also order the new vegan Spicy Falafel Pocket, which features flatbread, mashed falafel, hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce.

Beyond Steak arrives in UK fast-casual restaurants for the first time

Beyond Meat’s Beyond Steak has landed in the UK fast-casual restaurant scene for the first time. In honour of Veganuary, the plant-based steak is available for a limited time at fast-casual chain Tortilla in the new Beyond Steak Chimichurri Burrito. “We’re proud to partner with Beyond Meat to be the first fast-casual restaurant group in the UK to launch Beyond Steak,” said Tortilla’s Food Director, James Garland, in a statement. “Our new Beyond Steak Chimichurri Burrito is packed with juicy, meaty flavour, offering a plant-based option so delicious, the whole nation will be cheating on meat this Veganuary!” The new burrito is available until February 6.

Aldi is launching its own vegan liquid egg

Aldi has launched its biggest ever Veganuary range in the UK, with multiple new and innovative products. Customers can choose from products like Plant Menu Tempura Frickles (which are, essentially, deep-fried pickles), Salt & Pepper No Chicken Kebabs, Plant Menu Kimchi Kofta, and even Plant Menu Plant-Based Egg, which, similar to Just Egg, is designed for baking, making omelets, and scrambling. “Whether shoppers are looking to go fully plant-based or make a couple of meat-free swaps, Aldi’s range of new and returning Plant Menu products has shoppers covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” a spokesperson for the chain said in a statement.

Papa Johns

Papa Johns launches vegan Hawaiian pizza

Pizza giant Papa Johns already offers a selection of plant-based pizzas in the UK, including Vegan Garden Party (which is loaded with vegetables and vegan cheese) and Jackfruit Pepperoni. But in honour of Veganuary, it’s added another option to the menu: La Vie Vegan Hawaiian. The pizza chain has partnered with the popular French vegan ham brand to make a plant-based version of the divisive pineapple pizza. 

“We wanted to ensure this was more than just a vegan pizza and we’re so excited that Papa Johns shared our vision,” said La Vie’s CEO Nicolas Schweitzer in a statement. “It’s about taste, innovation, and making vegan choices accessible and exciting for everyone. Whether you’ve been a staunch defender or a passionate hater of the pineapple-on-pizza debate, this is your chance to taste the ultimate plant-based twist and decide where you stand.”

https://vegnews.com/food-news-of-the-week-veganuary-papa-johns-beyond-steak-aldi

Aldi Brings Back Hugely Popular Vegan Croissants

From plantbasednews.org

The budget retailer is bringing back some beloved plant-based products for Veganuary 

Aldi UK has announced that its plant-based croissants are returning to stores later this month. 

The Plant Menu Vegan Croissants, which cost £1.99 for a pack of eight, will arrive on shelves on December 29. The relaunch is part of the Aldi’s “biggest-ever” plant-based range for Veganuary 2025. 

Aldi first launched the croissants in 2022. Despite their popularity, the budget retailer has chosen not to stock them year-round, instead introducing them for limited runs.

                                             Aldi's plant-based croissants are back - Media Credit: Aldi/Adobe Stock

Aldi’s Veganuary 2025 line-up

Aldi is among several supermarkets increasing their plant-based offerings for January, a time when many people participate in the plant-based challenge, Veganuary. 

As well as the croissants, Aldi is relaunching its Plant Menu Vegan Cheese Continental Selection, which features dairy-free takes on mozzarella, feta, and more. Its vegan salmon is also returning to stores. 

New vegan additions for 2025 include No Chicken Smash Burgers, Tempura Frickles (fried pickles), and Kimchi Kofta, a plant-based meatloaf product with added kimchi.

“Those looking to add to their vegan repertoire this Veganuary needn’t look further than the aisles of Aldi,” the supermarket said in a statement. “Aldi’s range of new and returning Plant Menu products has shoppers covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And with prices starting from just £1.49, there is a lot to like at Aldi this Veganuary.”

       Aldi UK is offering a wide range of plant-based products for Veganuary 2025   Aldi

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/aldi-vegan-croissants/

Aldi UK Launches Biggest Ever Vegan Christmas Range, Including Footlong Pig in Blanket

From vegconomist.com

Aldi UK has unveiled its biggest ever vegan Christmas range, featuring a variety of new products alongside old favourites.

The range includes what is claimed to be a “supermarket first”, the Plant Menu Ultimate Footlong Vegan Pig in Blanket. The product is made with Aldi’s Ultimate No Pork Sausage and wrapped in smoky vegan bacon. The chain’s regular-sized Plant Menu Vegan Pigs in Blankets will also return this year.

As a starter, customers can opt for the Let’s Party Vegan Bites, featuring no duck spring rolls, cauliflower popcorn bites with buffalo dip, and sweet potato bites with katsu sauce.

Several new plant-based mains are also on offer:

• Specially Selected Nut Roast — A vegan melting centre roast with a cranberry sauce filling.
• Plant Menu Stuffed No Turkey Crown — A plant-based joint with a caramelised onion, sage, and herb stuffing, finished with umami basting stock melts.

  

                                                                                                                                                                  © Aldi

• Specially Selected No Beef Wellington — Features a plant-based beef centre topped with mushroom duxelles and hand-wrapped in vegan pastry.
• Specially Selected No Beef Fillet with a Peppercorn Crust — A fillet encrusted with coarsely ground peppercorns and finished with gravy.
• Specially Selected Rainbow Vegetable Parcel — Features layers of spinach and broccoli, roasted butternut squash, and braised red cabbage, with mushroom and cranberry duxelles. The parcels are hand-wrapped in puff pastry.
• Specially Selected Roasted Vegetable Snowflake — A gluten-free centrepiece containing butternut squash, chestnuts, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, topped with a chestnut crumb and finished with a mulled festive drizzle.

The mains can be topped with Aldi’s Specially Selected Vegetable Gravy, seasoned with herbs and spices. There will also be a plant-based cheeseboard on offer, the Plant Menu Vegan Selection. Varieties will include mature style, mature style with black pepper, and fresh white style with cranberries or jalapeño and chilli.

                                                                                                                                                           © Aldi

Expanded vegan range

Aldi UK previously launched its biggest ever vegan range for Veganuary 2024, featuring a selection of limited edition products including corn dogs, vegetable fritters, and breakfast pastries. The retailer said at the time that it was predicting a huge uptick in plant-based sales throughout the month.

Last year, Aldi announced it was working to offer over 1,000 products in its plant-based range by the end of 2024. The chain said the products would be spread across the year as part of its standard, seasonal, and promotional ranges.

“To achieve this goal, we are focusing not only on reducing the small quantities of animal-based ingredients in our products, but also on consistently expanding our vegan range,” Aldi said in 2023.

The retailer’s vegan Christmas range will roll out throughout October, November, and December.

https://vegconomist.com/products-launches/aldi-uk-biggest-ever-vegan-christmas-range/