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    Home » lifestyle » vegan topics » Vegan Grocery Shopping List. My Faves. Updated!

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Mar 19, 2020 · published: Aug 4, 2010 · About 5 minutes to read this article. 16 Comments

    Vegan Grocery Shopping List. My Faves. Updated!

    Whether you have been cooking vegan recipes all your life, or you just made your first serving of tempeh bacon this morning, you are probably craving a list of essentials including ingredients and pantry items. Every vegan cook will have a different list, but if you were snoop around in my kitchen this is exactly what you’d find. Here is my Vegan Essentials Shopping List to help you get cooking in your kitchen! Plus, I’ve never been good at the fifteen items or less line at the grocery store (just ask my husband) but just for you, I’ve also successfully created my nifty 35 Favorite Items vegan shopping list…

    If I had to fill a dead empty kitchen by choosing only 35 items at the grocery store, here is what I’d grab first.This was quite a challenge for me…

    UPDATED 8/2010: Kathy’s Top Thirty-Five Vegan Kitchen Essentials List:

    1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (macadamia, grape seed and hemp oils are also fantastic)
    2. Apple Cider Vinegar
    3. Vegan Protein Substitution: (Tempeh/Tofu/Seitan/vegan sausages/gardein/boca) *Tempeh is my fave.
    4. Sprouted Grain Complete Protein Bread or Quinoa
    5. Nutritional Yeast
    6. Vegan Sweetener *Maple Syrup – Grade B is best* Agave Syrup works too
    7. Kombucha Beverage
    8. Cayenne or Cinnamon (‘warm’ spice)
    9. Soy, Hemp, Nut or Rice Milk
    10. Vegenaise Spread
    11. Sweet Potatoes
    12. Citrus Fruit (Grapefruit, Oranges, lemon)
    13. Frozen Green Pod Protein (Shelled Edamame or Peas)
    14. Leafy Greens (arugula/spinach/watercress)
    15. Rice Crisps – wasabi flavor is my fave
    16. Onions
    17. Fresh Herbs (flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, basil and more)
    18. *Assorted Fresh Seasonal Produce* (Local/Farmers Market preferred)
    19. Raw Nuts (Brazil/Cashew/Almonds) and Seeds (pumpkin, sesame, hemp, poppy)
    20. Coconut Water (A MUST!) Coconut Water Taste Test.
    21. Bananas
    22. Mushrooms (Shiitake preferred)
    23. Tea (Green, Black or Chai)
    24. Spicy Condiments (Dijon Mustard, Salsa or Harissa)
    25. Dried Rice/Grains (like Quinoa)
    26. Berries (fresh or frozen blueberries, strawberries, blackberries…)
    27. Avocado
    28. Fresh black pepper grinder
    29. Dried/Canned Beans
    30. Fresh Morning Fruit: Papaya or Melon is my fave
    31. Vegan Cheese (Dr Cow, Follow Your Heart or Daiya)
    32. Lots or Lemons!
    33. Digestive roots: fennel, radish or ginger
    34. Soy Yogurt
    35. Something sweet… soy/coconut/hemp ice cream perhaps…

    And now my complete list…


    Kathy’s Complete Vegan Essentials List
    *Note I definitely have more items (and I’m out of a few) – than this in my kitchen right now, but these are my vegan staple items that I try to keep an assortment of on hand.

    No, I do not have all these items in my tiny NYC kitchen right now. I wish..

    And when it comes to produce items I try to stay seasonal, so the list is always changing.

    Fridge:
    Vegenaise Spread (Vegan Mayo-type spread)
    Vegan Cream Cheese
    Vegan Cheese (Daiya, DrCow, Follow Your Heart. Homemade)
    Dijon Mustard
    Parmesan Cheese (Purple vegan bottle – Galaxy Nutri brand)
    Tahini
    Vegan Buttery Spread (Soy/Olive Oil based style butter)
    Liquid Smoke (Vegan way to get that smoky BBQ flavor)
    Soy Sauce
    Apple Cider Vinegar
    Red Wine Vinegar
    Almond Butter
    Harissa Spicy Spread
    Roasted Tomato Salsa-HOT
    Soy Yogurt

    Beverages:
    Coconut Water
    Soy Milk
    Rice Milk
    Hemp Milk
    Almond Milk
    Chai Beverage Concentrate-vegan
    Sparkling Mineral Water
    Electrolyte Water
    Kombucha Drink
    Acai Juice

    Fruit and Nuts:
    Dried Goji Berries
    Raw Brazil Nuts
    Raw Cashew Nuts
    Raw Walnuts
    Pumpkin Seeds
    Sunflower Seeds
    Dried Blueberries
    Shredded Unsweetened Coconut
    Pine Nuts

    Protein-Rich:
    Tempeh
    Extra Firm Tofu
    Silkened Tofu
    Frozen Shelled Edamame Beans
    Seitan
    Quinoa
    Beans
    Lentils

    Freezer:
    Frozen Vegan Ice Cream
    Frozen Organic Blueberries
    Frozen Acai Smoothie Packs
    Frozen Organic Strawberries
    Frozen Papaya
    Frozen Organic Peas
    Frozen Organic Rice/Veggie Blend
    Frozen Veggie Burgers

    Grains/Flour/Baking:
    Sprouted Grain Bread
    Brown Rice
    Thick Cut Oats
    Quinoa
    Whole Wheat Couscous
    Arborio Rice (Risotto)
    Pasta (spelt/wheat/rice/Farro)
    Corn Meal-thick
    Fava-Garbanzo Bean Flour
    Flaxseed Meal
    Baking Soda/Powder
    Agar Agar

    Oils/Fats-Pantry:
    Fruity, Hugh Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil for salads
    Less Expensive Extra Virgin Olive Oil for cooking
    Coconut Milk
    EV Coconut Oil
    Canola Oil
    Grape Seed Oil
    Macadamia Nut Oil

    Sweeteners:
    Maple Syrup – grade B
    Agave Syrup
    Vegan Organic Sugar-dry
    Brown Rice Syrup

    Spices/Seasonings:
    Black Pepper Grinder
    Fine Pre-Ground Black Pepper
    Cayenne
    Paprika
    Ground Cumin
    Cinnamon
    Lemon Pepper Grinder
    Red Pepper Flakes
    sea salt-fine
    Kosher salt
    Fleur de Sel
    Vanilla Extract
    Bay Leaves
    Thyme
    Rosemary
    Fresh Garlic
    Gourmet Salts – pink, grey, herbed, black

    Canned Goods/soups:
    Large Pitted Olives
    Organic Garbanzo Beans
    Mandarin Oranges
    San Marzano Tomatoes
    Udon Miso Noodle Soup
    Vegetable broth
    Vegan Marinara Sauce
    Roasted Red Peppers
    Artichoke Hearts
    Marinated Mushrooms

    Dried Pantry-Beverages:
    Green Tea
    Black Tea
    Miracle Greens Powder

    Dry Snacks/Sides:
    Savory Rice Crackers
    Salt n Pepper Rice Crackers
    Soy Crisps
    Pea Crisps

    Fruits and Veggies:
    *Seasonal Produce whatever that may be
    Year Round:
    Italian Parsley
    Onions
    Sweet Potatoes
    Tomatoes
    Oranges
    Mandarins/Winter Citrus
    Grapefruit
    Apples
    Bananas
    Jalapenos
    Plantains
    Mushrooms
    Lemons
    Limes
    Arugula
    Mixed Greens
    Fennel
    Shredded Cabbage
    carrots
    Avocados
    Watercress
    Romaine Hearts
    Endive

    Yes I probably forgot a few things. But this is a good assortment of products/foods I love.

    What did I forget???? What do you always have on hand?

    « Coco-Almond Quinoa Risotto. Saffron Mushroom Gravy.
    Key Lime Pie. Key West Vacation – via your Dessert! »

    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy says

      November 03, 2009 at 1:21 am

      Jess,

      Anytime I mention cheese, I mean the vegan version…there are vegan versions of just about anything nowadays! (Vegan Parm in the small purple shaker bottle is delicious!)

      Kathy

      Reply
    2. Jess says

      November 02, 2009 at 9:00 pm

      Parm cheese?? did I miss something?

      Also – this is going to be SO helpful to me. I need to start menu planning before I grocery shop as I increase my fresh produce intake, etc.

      Reply
    3. Kathy says

      March 20, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      Jess,

      Anytime I mention cheese, I mean the vegan version…there are vegan versions of just about anything nowadays! (Vegan Parm in the small purple shaker bottle is delicious!)

      Kathy

      Reply
    4. Jess says

      March 20, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      Parm cheese?? did I miss something?

      Also – this is going to be SO helpful to me. I need to start menu planning before I grocery shop as I increase my fresh produce intake, etc.

      Reply
    5. Matthew 5 -7 says

      August 21, 2009 at 11:14 pm

      Wow, thank you for this awesome list and if you don't mind I post it at my vegan site of course you website link will be included.

      Reply
    6. Matthew 5 -7 says

      March 20, 2020 at 6:14 pm

      Wow, thank you for this awesome list and if you don&#39t mind I post it at my vegan site of course you website link will be included.

      Reply
    7. Anonymous says

      August 21, 2009 at 12:46 am

      I use red star nutritional yeast.
      I was really shocked when I first heard about it and read the percentages of hard to find vitamins! Since I can't find a good spirulina brand anywhere it's my main natural intake of b vitamins. The absence of it on your site made me worry if it wasn't ideal for some reason…but good to hear there are no problems!

      I love to use it on lentils and when making the pesto from "Vegan with a Vengeance." I use it with popcorn every one in a while too but I don't think I've perfected that combination yet.

      Reply
    8. Kathy says

      August 21, 2009 at 12:35 am

      Grishanone,

      Gosh, I just never jumped on the nutritional yeast band wagon, but my mom is always raving about it actually…
      I bought it once a looong time ago, but I think it was a bad brand because it tasted horrid. Do you have a good brand you recommend??? I know it's a healthy addition to any vegan diet.

      Kathy

      ps-thanks for the great items on YOUR list too…

      Reply
    9. Anonymous says

      August 20, 2009 at 11:56 pm

      I started writing a list like this when I first began teaching myself vegan cooking. Our lists are very similar, especially since I've learned a lot through your website!
      Some other ingredients I like to have on hand are: arrowroot powder, poppy seeds, basil, unsweetened applesauce (for some baking recipes), blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, whole wheat pastry flour, canned lentils, xantham gum, and vital wheat gluten. Also freezing pureed pumpkin comes in handy for some yummy autumn treats throughout the year.
      I've noticed that as far as I've read, you never mention nutritional yeast and I've been meaning to ask if there is a reason for not using it?

      Reply
    10. Kathy says

      August 20, 2009 at 9:42 pm

      VG,

      Good for you! I wish I ate more seas veggies-sooo good for you.

      I haven't tried millet in a long time…maybe I'll give it another try, thanks for the idea!

      Kathy

      Reply
    11. Anonymous says

      March 20, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      I use red star nutritional yeast.
      I was really shocked when I first heard about it and read the percentages of hard to find vitamins! Since I can&#39t find a good spirulina brand anywhere it&#39s my main natural intake of b vitamins. The absence of it on your site made me worry if it wasn&#39t ideal for some reason…but good to hear there are no problems!

      I love to use it on lentils and when making the pesto from "Vegan with a Vengeance." I use it with popcorn every one in a while too but I don&#39t think I&#39ve perfected that combination yet.

      Reply
    12. Kathy says

      March 20, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      Grishanone,

      Gosh, I just never jumped on the nutritional yeast band wagon, but my mom is always raving about it actually…
      I bought it once a looong time ago, but I think it was a bad brand because it tasted horrid. Do you have a good brand you recommend??? I know it&#39s a healthy addition to any vegan diet.

      Kathy

      ps-thanks for the great items on YOUR list too…

      Reply
    13. VeggieGirl says

      August 20, 2009 at 8:19 pm

      I eat sea vegetables everyday, so I have TONS of dulse (seaweed) stocked in my pantry 😀

      Oh and millet!! A fabulous gluten-free grain.

      Reply
    14. Anonymous says

      March 20, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      I started writing a list like this when I first began teaching myself vegan cooking. Our lists are very similar, especially since I&#39ve learned a lot through your website!
      Some other ingredients I like to have on hand are: arrowroot powder, poppy seeds, basil, unsweetened applesauce (for some baking recipes), blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, whole wheat pastry flour, canned lentils, xantham gum, and vital wheat gluten. Also freezing pureed pumpkin comes in handy for some yummy autumn treats throughout the year.
      I&#39ve noticed that as far as I&#39ve read, you never mention nutritional yeast and I&#39ve been meaning to ask if there is a reason for not using it?

      Reply
    15. Kathy says

      March 20, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      VG,

      Good for you! I wish I ate more seas veggies-sooo good for you.

      I haven&#39t tried millet in a long time…maybe I&#39ll give it another try, thanks for the idea!

      Kathy

      Reply
    16. VeggieGirl says

      March 20, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      I eat sea vegetables everyday, so I have TONS of dulse (seaweed) stocked in my pantry 😀

      Oh and millet!! A fabulous gluten-free grain.

      Reply

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