The Single Vegan’s Guide to Cooking for One

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to cooking for myself, I get downright lazy. Whereas a meal with friends can turn into an opportunity to impress with delicious plant-based dishes (and desserts!), eating alone can lead to a super boring, not-that-healthy meal.

And as someone who recently went from having TONS of roommates to living alone, I can offer a few tips that have helped me create well-rounded, appealing meals:

Batch Cook

Batch cook staple ingredients you eat a lot, like brown rice, pasta, beans, and oatmeal. These simple foods are great in a variety of dishes (be sure to save some before seasoning), and batch cooking them can really save time.

Freeze It

Finally getting around to veganizing Grandma’s lasagna recipe? Consider doubling (or tripling!) the recipes you know and love to make the most of your time. Some good options for freezing are chilis, soups, and homemade sauces like pesto or marinara.

Cut the Recipe in Half

Seriously. Pretty much all recipes will give you multiple servings—which is great if you’re following one of the tips above—but if you’re not sure about a new recipe, trying a smaller portion is probably a good idea.

Buy Frozen or Canned

If you’re like me and you want a variety of veggies in your diet, you might want to consider buying some frozen vegetables. These are often super easy to prepare and last much longer than their fresh counterparts.

Buy Only What You Need

Whether it means shopping in the bulk section for the amount of grains needed for one recipe or just buying smaller or fewer produce items, buy only what you need so you’re not wasting money (and food)!

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Want more? Click here for 15 vegan recipes you can make in 15 minutes or less!