For those in self-quarantine or self-isolating, I wanted to create a list of vegan products to buy that have a long self-life. While this can be a scary, stressful, uncertain time, there are some really productive ways you can prepare to self-isolate comfortably as a vegan. I’m going to show you some easy ways to buy vegan products on a budget and have a kitchen stocked with foods that are shelf-stable and most importantly, vegan.

A lot of these foods are great to have stocked in your kitchen at all times, but are particularly practical when gathering supplies from the grocery store during this period in time.

20 Vegan Products To Buy For Self-Quarantine

1. Shelf-Stable Plant Milk:

1. • I prefer soy milk because it is high in protein and is most-often fortified. But if you can’t find that, vegetable protein milk, like pea milk, or with nuts like almond milk, cashew milk, and oat milk are great too.
   • These have versatile uses for cooking, last months unopened on the shelf and last around 5-7 days in the fridge after opening.

2. Whole Grains:

1. • Dried whole grains like oats, couscous, quinoa, and farro, are a great source of healthy carbs, proteins and create a fantastic base for multiple meals. Grain bowls, warm cereals, nutritious soup fillers and more. Plus they help keep you fuller, longer.

3. Nuts and Nut Butters:

1. • Nuts are an easy and tasty way to add protein and healthy fat to any dish. Use nuts for easy healthy snacking, and use to make easy nut butter, nut milk, add flavour to sauces, easy fuel and more.

4. Dry Beans & lentils:

1. • Dried lentils and beans like kidney beans, black beans, navy beans, chickpeas etc. are shelf-stable forever, and also super easy on the wallet. They are significantly less expensive than canned and are easily prepared with a little forethought.  Make homemade hummus, taco soup, curries, chilies and more. There are so many options out there for hearty, nutritious dishes made with lentils and beans.

5. Vegetable bouillon cubes, powders or pastes:

1. • These are flavour powerhouses. I use these to flavour my tofu, soups, and many meat dishes. Unlike boxed or canned broth, it’s nice and easy to store. Just add water.

6. Canned tomatoes:

1. • You can make SO many things with canned tomatoes, pasta sauces, soups, curries, pizza sauce, chilli, and much much more. Because of the rich flavour of tomatoes, you will feel like you’re having the most decadent meal.

7. Canned & jarred sauces:

1. • You are NOT going to want to make everything from scratch. Having some of your favourite premade sauces on hand can help cut down on your meal prep time. I love to have shelf-stable vegan cheese sauce, ranch, tomato sauces, curry and more.

8. Boxed dried Pasta:

1. • There is nothing more comforting than pasta. Need I say more? Make pasta dishes like spaghetti and tomato sauce, stuffed shells, or walnut alfredo, or even add to soups for extra heartiness.

9. Oils:

1. • Pantry staples like olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, canola oil and sesame oils are essential for dressings, sauces, cooking, and healthy fats.

10. Produce with a long fridge shelf life:

1. • Carrots, celery, peppers, beets, and cabbage all have a long fridge-shelf life, so you don’t have to rush to consume them right away. Plus they are all great for hearty meals like soups, curries, dips, roasted dishes, and more.

11. Produce that keeps outside of the fridge:

1. • Potatoes, onions, garlic, apples, lemons, oranges, bananas, tomatoes, and unripe avocados are fantastic because they won’t hog valuable fridge space!

12. Tofu:

1. • Not only is tofu an incredibly versatile as an ingredient, but it also has a long shelf life!
     • If tofu is purchased in an aseptic container on the grocery shelf, it can remain on your shelf until opened. Once opened, it must be refrigerated and its shelf life remains at 3-5 days.
     • If it was purchased in the refrigerator section at the grocery, it should remain refrigerated, but can remain in the fridge for months at a time.
     • It is also easily frozen and defrosted.
     • Use tofu to make sauces, cheeses, stir-fries, desserts and more!

13. Vinegar:

1. • Different types of vinegar have many different uses. They’re fantastic for flavouring dishes, creating dips and sauces and dressings, but they also double as a disinfectant for food! I always wash my produce in a vinegar bath when I get it home to make sure I’ve removed any stray pathogens, dirt and germs. Plus, you can use it to clean your home in a pinch!

14. Rice:

1. • Rice is another one of those versatile foods. It is, of course, shelf-stable forever, but it can also be used in many different ways; like stir-fries, soups, veg-friendly sushi, desserts and even to make items like vegan cheese fondue.

15. A variety of your favourite spices and dried herbs:

1. • My personal favourites include:
     • salt
     • pepper
     • basil
     • oregano
     • curry powder
     • taco seasoning
     • cumin
     • garlic powder
     • onion powder
     • paprika
     • chilli powder
     • turmeric
     • and so many more.

16. Convenience items:

1. • Granola bars, jam, crackers, and trail mixes are a great snack items to have on hand. They will satiate you without much effort and are wildly shelf-stable.

17. Frozen fruit:

1. • I always have raspberries, blueberries, bananas and mangoes in my freezer. Not only do they make incredibly nutrient-dense smoothies, but they’re also great for homemade desserts, or served in oatmeal. It’s nice to have a taste of freshness to break up all the beans and soups, haha.

18. Frozen vegetables:

1. • I like to keep frozen veg like peas, corn, kale, spinach, and edamame on hand because they are easily used in smoothies, soups, curries, stir-fries, and many other dishes. Plus they are nutritional powerhouses.

19. Your favourite comfort food:

1. • Don’t neglect comfort items like snacks, chocolate, coffee, vegan mac & cheese, popcorn, etc. Just because they aren’t totally essential, doesn’t mean you should forego them. These comfort items can keep you with a sense of normalcy and can make a huge difference in your mental health and wellbeing.

20. Baking items:

• • Keeping items like flour, sugar, yeast, baking soda etc. on hand can be helpful for when you have a brownie craving, run out of bread, or want to try a new recipe you found on Pinterest. With the same few ingredients, you can bake a variety of things like naan, flatbread, European-style bread, muffins etc. There are many easy homemade bread and baking recipes out there for you to try.

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