Could going vegan save you money?

With the annual Veganuary campaign now well under way, many of us will be dabbling with a plant-based diet for the first time.

In fact, more than one in ten adults in the UK (12%) are believed to be taking part in Veganuary this year.

People choose to go vegan for all sorts of reasons, such as wanting to improve their health and prevent animal suffering.

But with food prices still high, you might also be wondering if cutting out animal-based products could make a difference in your wallet.

So, could going vegan actually save you money?

Price gap is narrowing

In the last few years, plant-based alternatives have often been more expensive than meat. 

But this is starting to change.

According to the think tank Green Alliance, meat products were cheaper per gram than plant-based versions in every category in 2024. 

However, rising meat prices now mean that many vegan alternatives are similarly priced, or even cheaper in some cases.

Beef products seeing sharp price increases

Beef, in particular, is getting much more expensive.

Figures from Green Alliance show that beef products have gone up in price by 33% in the last year.

But at the same time, the average price of plant-based alternatives has fallen slightly, with vegan mince and meatballs now being cheaper per gram than beef versions. 

And that could make a big difference if you’re making a meal where these are key ingredients.

For example, Green Alliance believes it costs £2.15 less to make a family-sized lasagne with plant-based mince instead of beef mince.

And if you fancy a burger, plant-based burgers are now priced at roughly the same level as their meat equivalents.

Plant-based pork and chicken still pricier

For pork and chicken products, plant-based alternatives are still generally more expensive, except for nuggets.

But pork and chicken prices are rising faster than plant-based options (apart from bacon), so the price gap is much smaller than it was a year ago. 

This means that if prices continue on this path, it might not be long until we see little difference in the prices of pork and chicken-based products and plant-based alternatives.

How can I keep food costs down? 

Of course, how much you spend on food ultimately depends on your shopping habits.

Thankfully, there are plenty of practical steps you can take if you want to embrace a vegan diet without spending more at the checkout.

1. Plan your meals in advance

Decide what meals you’re going to have before you go shopping, so you can write a list of all the ingredients you need to buy.

2. Buy own-brand products 

All the main supermarkets have their own veggie and vegan products that are just as healthy and tasty as branded alternatives, and they’re often much cheaper.

3. Check out the reduced section

Supermarkets often reduce products nearing their sell-by date, including plant-based meat alternatives.

So make sure you check out what goodies are in the reduced section in your local supermarket.

4. Shop at discount stores

Retailers like Aldi, Lidl, and other budget chains often beat rivals like Tesco and Sainsbury’s when it comes to price.

5. Buy wonky and frozen veg

Many supermarkets now sell wonky veg that’s just as good and a bit lighter on the wallet too.

It’s also worth keeping some frozen veg in the freezer.

Again, it’s often cheaper than fresh veg and you don’t have to throw it away when it goes bad.

Check out our 12 handy tips for more ways to make your hard-earned money go further in the supermarket.