25 Best Prepared Vegan Foods at Whole Foods
Let’s face it, sometimes we don’t have the time or energy to cook. Ordering in or eating out might seem like the best solution, but other times it’s more practical to buy ready-to-go food while we’re at the supermarket.
Whole Foods has one of the most varied offerings for these occasions. They have a cold bar, a hot bar, a counter with a person who helps you out with your order, and packaged meals in the fridge. For this last one, the price is already stuck to the package; for the bars and the counter, you choose the food you like, and then weigh your container. I won’t be including frozen meals in this post.
Buying prepared plant-based meals at Whole Foods can be a great option for many, for its accessibility and convenience, and it’s not only a great way of eating a healthy dinner even when you feel too lazy to cook, I often buy ready-to-go vegan meals at this grocery store when I travel. It allows me to eat something quick, healthy, and vegan when I can’t find a better alternative.
I wouldn’t recommend Whole Foods as the best place to get your food, I just want you to know you have this choice, whether it be for your everyday shopping list, or as a one-time thing. Supporting a local vegan restaurant, buying from markets that allow you to take your own reusable containers (Whole Foods doesn’t allow this anymore), and cooking your own food are always more sustainable options. However, this blog aims to be realistic, and to offer options for everyone, not striving for perfection, but for small habit changes that can lead you towards an eco-friendlier lifestyle.
Luckily, vegan meals are becoming more and more available every day, and because a plant-based diet is the most sustainable, I’m going to share with you the 24 best prepared vegan foods I found at Whole Foods Market.
25 BEST PREPARED VEGAN FOODS AT WHOLE FOODS
Vegan Sweet & Sour Meatballs with Broccoli
A protein and fiber-filled option, that can make a great meal when combined with the vegan sweet-mashed potatoes.
2. vegan pizza
I always see the vegan pizza at the counter, which you can buy by slice, but this time I didn’t see it. I’ve seen it in several locations in different states, so this might be a good option no matter where you live in the U.S. Instead of cheese, it’s topped with vegetables. A great way of eating plant-based while on-the-run.
3. Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
A basic that can complete any meal.
4. Vegan ultra-green spanakopita
This one reminds me of Argentina’s famous ‘tarta de acelga’. It has tofu, spinach, and other vegetables and herbs, and you can eat it with a salad.
5. Falafel with tahini sauce
One of my favorites for eating on-the-go when I travel. The tahini sauce is an awesome complement to the falafels, which are made mainly from chickpeas. If you have time, try heating them in the oven.
6. Cider Roasted Brussels Sprouts with pepitas
I didn’t like brussels sprouts when I was younger, but now I love them! These ones have an apple cider glaze (made with apple juice), and pumpkin seeds.
7. vegan fried rice
I love rice! It’s always been one of my favorite foods, because you can eat it in so many ways. This meal is made with basmati rice, veggies, soy sauce, and other ingredients.
8. miso kelp noodles
Made from kelp, which is a brown algae seaweed, with miso dressing. Miso is a fermented paste made, in this case, from soybeans. It also has tofu, and veggies, among other ingredients.
9. Quinoa Lentil Tabouli
Made with parsley, tomatoes, lentils, quinoa, onions, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
10. Paleo Friendly Grilled Red Onion
Red onions grilled with olive oil, salt, and organic black pepper. You can add it to your salads.
11. Asian Noodle Salad
This spaghetti pasta with vegetables and tamari sauce, is served both at the bar and on the fridge.
12. Classic bulghur tabouli
Another tabouli that’s mainly tomato, onion, bulghur (which is cracked wheat), and parsley.
13. Vegan Chucky Vegetable Soup
Made from green beans, zucchini, celery, carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, rice, and soybean oil.
14. Vegan raajama kale dal
Made with some of my favorite vegan protein sources: red kidney beans and chickpeas, with other ingredients like ginger, which I think adds a unique flavor.
14. Vegan Chick’n Noodle Soup
Just like the meatless meatballs, I’m so glad more vegan alternatives to meat are being offered, given that they’re mostly the best option for those who like how meat tastes, but don’t want that to compromise the environment or animals’ lives for that. They offer it at the bar, as well as in the fridge in a 24 oz. container.
15. Pumpkin Curry Soup
I found this soup in the fridge in a 24 oz. container, labeled vegan and certified gluten free.
16. Mushroom Barley Soup
Labeled vegan, and sold in the container in the fridge, as well as the hot bar, not gluten free because of barley. You can serve yourself some soup in one of the containers they have at the bar, which come in different sizes.
17. Old School Vegetable Soup
I also found this soup in the fridge near the bar and comes in 24 oz containers. It’s also certified Gluten Free.
18. Vegan Lentil Dal & Spinach Soup
Lots of vegetables, red lentils, coconut milk, and some spices like cinnamon combine to create this delicious soup.
19. Vegan meatless balls marinara
Another vegan pick at the Whole Foods’ hot bar, great to combine with white rice, and for the winter season.
20. Vegan meatless balls marinara
Another vegan pick at the Whole Foods’ hot bar, great to combine with white rice, and for the winter season.
21. Potato & mixed vegetables samosas
Potatoes and vegetables embraced by a crust. They can be eaten as a snack or appetizer.
22. Potato & mixed vegetables samosas
Potatoes and vegetables embraced by a crust. They can be eaten as a snack or appetizer.
23. Cold Bar
Most things at the cold bar at Whole Foods are vegan since it’s mostly vegetables. However, check signs to make sure you’re choosing a vegan dish.
24. Vegetable eggrolls
Filled with veggies, and comes with a sweet chili sauce.
25. Vegan Spinach Artichoke Puffs
Made with spinach, artichokes, plant-based mozzarella, plant-based egg, and other ingredients, these are great to eat as appetizers.
TIPS FOR FINDING PREPARED PLANT-BASED MEALS AT WHOLE FOODS
I made this list by visiting the Whole Foods’ Aventura store, but as the food selection can change by location, here are some tips that will help you find the best vegan prepared foods at Whole Foods Market.
a) Look for the key words: At the bars, some products have the ‘V’ for vegan, others just say ‘Vegan’, followed by the name of the product. You can also find these words in the packaged products.
b) Ask an employee at the counter: they can help you find vegan prepared meals at your local Whole Foods.
c) Some meals are sold both at the bar and in the fridge. In this case, try to choose the bar, because you can put the exact amount of food you want in a container–avoiding unnecessary food waste– and you can avoid using the hard plastic packaging they use in the fridges.
d) When in doubt, also read the ingredients. Some meals aren’t clearly labeled, but by reading the ingredients list, you can define whether the product is vegan or not. You can also know if the meal contains any allergens you might want to stay away from.
e) Know what ingredients to look for. The obvious ones are milk, cheese, eggs, and honey. Nonetheless, some lists might trick you into thinking a meal is vegan: Dijon mustard, wine, wine vinegar, refined cane sugar, to name a few, which may not be vegan. I think those could be considered plant-based, so if you’re not entirely vegan, these meals might also work for you: Gardein Classic Salad (made with vegan chick’n, vegan mayonnaise, but with white wine and vinegar, and mustard, so I can’t confirm those ingredients are vegan, but can be considered plant-based), Bravas Tofu (has sherry vinegar), California Quinoa Salad (has wine vinegar), Marinated Vegetables (has white vinegar), Spring Potato Salad (has white vinegar and Dijon mustard), Macrobiotic Kale Miso Salad (has Dijon mustard and white wine).
f) Play it safe: choose prepared meals that are clearly labeled as ‘vegan’, that only have vegetables in their ingredients list, or prepare yourself a fresh veggie salad from the cold bar.
Have you ever tried anything from this list? If not, which ones are you excited to try?
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Hi, I’m Melina,
I’m the creator of Sustainable Rookie, and my goal is to share what I learn throughout my sustainability journey, so that I can help other people live a more conscious life.
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