Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or you’re just starting this plant-packed way of eating, navigating the grocery store can feel intimidating. We’re here to help you seek out the best vegan essentials and alternatives in our aisles. Set yourself up for success with our shopping tips, then use our grocery list to streamline your trip.
Vegan Shopping Tips
Whether you’re planning your grocery list or you’ve already started shopping, use these helpful tips to make your trip easier.
Check ingredient lists: Many packaged foods indicate whether they are vegan on the label, but it’s a good practice to check ingredient lists regardless. Watch out for non-vegan ingredients like whey, lactose, gelatin and refined sugar.
Search products by special diet: Need to find a product fast? You can quickly browse foods and products in your store opens in a new tab by selecting the vegan filter.
We’re here to help: Trouble locating an item? Look for a team member in our aisles or visit the service desk in your store. We’ll help guide you toward those hard-to-find items, whether it’s nutritional yeast or a tofu scramble.
Know our aisles: Before you make your list, it’s helpful to break down our stores into the sections you’ll be frequenting the most. Use the below categories to familiarize yourself with our aisles so you can locate items quickly when you shop.
Vegan Grocery List
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it’s a great starting point for stocking up on essentials. Selection may vary by store, so be sure to check your nearest Whole Foods Market location before creating your list.
Produce
The Produce department is your best friend. Fill your cart with fresh fruits and vegetables, from Whole Trade pineapples to organic kale. Pro tip: Don’t miss our peak-season produce.
Our picks:
Citrus
Melons
Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
Tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, kiwi)
Apples and pears
Stone fruit (peaches, plums, apricots)
Tomatoes
Leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli rabe)
Salad greens (romaine, arugula)
Squash (winter, summer)
Root vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, beets)
Mushrooms
Broccoli and cauliflower
Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, rosemary, dill, thyme)
Potatoes
Onions, shallots and garlic
Meat Alternatives
We have vegan- or soy-based options (like tofu and tempeh), plus your favorite plant-based burger patties (like Beyond Meat).
Our picks:
Tofu
Tempeh
Seitan
Plant-based burger patties, sausages, crumbles and deli slices
Dairy Alternatives
Looking for vegan alternatives to essentials like butter, cheese, yogurt and milk? Find them in our dairy aisle. We also have shelf-stable nondairy milks in our grocery aisles.
Our picks:
Milk alternatives (almond, oat, cashew, coconut, soy, hemp)
Cheese alternatives (vegan cheeses)
Yogurt alternatives (coconut, almond)
Creamer alternatives
Egg alternatives
Frozen Foods
From frozen pizza to nondairy ice cream, don’t skip over our frozen food aisles for vegan meals and treats. We also have breakfast items like waffles and tofu scramble to plant-based proteins from Beyond Meat, Gardein, Field Roast and more.
Our picks:
Plant-based proteins
Fruit and vegetables
Riced cauliflower
Vegan pizza
Tofu scramble
Waffles and pancakes
Nondairy ice cream alternatives
Breads, Rolls & Bakery
Need to pick up a treat for a special occasion — or just because? Check out our selection of vegan cakes, cupcakes and cookies. You’ll also find burger buns, tortillas, flatbread, sandwich bread and more.
Our picks:
Breads
Tortillas and flatbreads
Breakfast breads (bagels, English muffins)
Rolls and buns
Vegan desserts (chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, cakes)
Pantry Essentials
From vegan sweeteners like maple syrup to whole grains and canned beans, our grocery aisles have all the basics you need for your cooking and baking needs.
Our picks:
Oil (olive, coconut, canola, grapeseed)
Vinegar (apple cider, balsamic, red wine, champagne)
Vegetable broth
Packaged pasta
Canned tomatoes
Canned beans
Grains (rice, quinoa, farro, barley)
Oatmeal
Muesli
Granola
Cereal
Tahini
Nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew)
Nutritional yeast
Unsweetened applesauce
Fruit preserves
Vegan condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise)
Sweeteners (maple syrup, agave, stevia)
Flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, almond)
Active dry yeast
Vegan chocolate chips
Spices
Snacks, Chips, Salsas & Dips
We offer plenty of snacks in our grocery aisles that pass the test for vegans like crispy tortilla chips, creamy hummus, trail mix and even vegan jerky. (Yes, it’s delicious.)
Our picks:
Chips (tortilla, pita, potato)
Pretzels
Rice cakes
Crackers
Popcorn
Dips (guacamole, salsa, hummus)
Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds)
Dried fruit
Ready to build your grocery list?
Download the Whole Foods Market app to access your shopping list. Use the Products tab to search for your favorite vegan products or filter results by other dietary preferences, sales and deals, local brands and more. Add what you need to your list for your next trip to your local store.
