Just went vegan - what do I need in my pantry?

Jordan T.3/15/202654 views

Hey everyone! I just decided to go vegan after watching a documentary and I'm feeling super motivated but also overwhelmed. What are the absolute essentials I should stock my pantry with? I'm a decent cook but I've always relied heavily on dairy and eggs. Also, any tips for not feeling deprived in the first few weeks? I don't want to give up after a month like last time I tried.

4 Replies

Elena S.3/15/2026

Welcome to the journey! Here's my essential pantry list: - Nutritional yeast (cheesy flavor for everything) - Oat milk (Oatly Barista for coffee) - Good olive oil and coconut oil - Canned beans (chickpeas, black beans, lentils) - Tahini - Soy sauce/tamari - Maple syrup - Cashews (for creamy sauces) - Plant-based butter (Miyoko's is the best) The key to not feeling deprived: don't try to be "healthy" right away. Eat vegan junk food, use meat alternatives, enjoy Oreos (yes, they're vegan!). The health part comes naturally later.

Carlos D.3/15/2026

One thing that helped me was finding vegan versions of my favorite meals first. Love burgers? Beyond Burger. Love scrambled eggs? JUST Egg. Love ice cream? Oatly frozen dessert. Don't try to reinvent your whole diet - just swap the animal products for plant versions and go from there.

Lisa W.3/15/2026

For baking, keep flaxseed meal on hand (makes great egg replacements - 1 tbsp + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg). And definitely get some good dark chocolate - Hu Kitchen bars are amazing and naturally vegan!

Mike R.3/15/2026

Best advice I ever got: give yourself grace. You'll accidentally eat something non-vegan, and that's okay. Progress over perfection. Also, B12 supplement - very important. And download the HappyCow app for finding vegan restaurants!