Check out our top six tips for hosting family and friends on a budget!
Hosting family and friends doesn’t mean spending a lot of money – with a little planning and a few simple ideas, you can create delicious and budget-friendly vegan recipes that everyone will enjoy without stretching your budget. We’re sharing our top six tips to help your guests feel well fed and welcome!
Take stock of cupboard staples
Before creating a shopping list, check what essential plant-based staples you already have in your cupboard, such as spices, beans, pasta and potatoes. Not only could this help you build affordable vegan meals around your existing staples, but it will also help you avoid buying expensive ingredients you don’t need. We have developed a free three-course beans menu that is packed with flavour and serves six people for only £15 – we particularly love the black bean brownies! These easy vegan recipes show that beans can be tasty and affordable.
Build your budget-friendly menu around filling ingredients
If you want your guests to leave satisfied and your budget to remain intact, focus your vegan recipes on naturally filling and nutritious plant-based staples. Ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas and tofu are affordable and packed with protein, meaning your meal will feel generous without relying on expensive extras. To save money, you can also look out for seasonal ingredients. Why not try our free protein-powered three-course menu, serving six people for only £19 – the crispy tempeh with mixed grain and lentil traybake will be a hit with your guests!
Choose crowd-pleasing classics
Think simple classic meals with familiar flavours, such as hearty pasta dishes, curries and chocolatey goodness for dessert. Cooking doesn’t have to feel complicated and focusing on veganising classic meals allows both vegan and non-vegan guests to enjoy familiar, comforting and nostalgic flavours that are absolutely delicious. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve crafted a free three-course family favourites menu, serving up to six people for only £17 – we love the tofu curry!
Cook once and serve generously
Creating one-pot vegan meals that serve more people will reduce stress, save you time and allow you to focus on your guests rather than the kitchen. Batch cooking also allows you to use up all your fresh produce at once, which can help you to save money – a bonus if you can make your meals stretch to a couple of weekday meals for yourself during the busy nights of the week.
Focus on a simple theme
Rather than buying extra decorations or expensive ingredients, let your menu guide the event! Ideas could include a cosy curry night and takeaway-inspired meals. Having a simple theme will not only make your menu feel cohesive and make planning easier, but it will also help you to focus on your shopping list and avoid impulse buys. We want to help you make the most of your budget without compromising on taste, so check out our three-course fakeaway menu, serving four people for only £17 – we are particularly obsessed with the crispy cauliflower ‘wings’!
Focus on atmosphere over extras
The cost of decorations can add up and, with a little creativity, you can celebrate any occasion without harming the planet with single-use decorations. Think candles instead of fancy centrepieces, a good playlist instead of extra decorations and sharing dishes rather than lots of individual meals. It’s these simple touches that can create warmth and atmosphere on a budget.
Feeling inspired? Discover more recipes and free three-course vegan menus as part of our Live Vegan for Less campaign. These recipes are affordable, packed with feel-good flavours and are perfect for sharing with family and friends!
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.