Target can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the food section. So many snacks! So many aisles! Not enough money in my bank account for everything! (Cue the headaches and sadness you feel when you realize you can’t own the entire store). It can be even harder as a vegan, but fear not, I’ve got you covered. Here are 15 vegan Target goodies you should add to your grocery list.
1. Purely Elizabeth Granola
I truly cannot explain how much I love this granola. Made with real ingredients like coconut oil, coconut sugar, and oats, it’s crunchy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. Oh, and it’s made IN BOULDER about a mile from my campus—talk about local. My favorite flavors are the pumpkin cinnamon and the grain-free banana nut butter. It may be more on the pricy side, depending on your store, so I recommend stocking up on the granola when it’s on sale.
2. Justin’s PB
Target has a variety of nut butters to choose from, and you really cannot go wrong as long as you make sure your nut butter contains only peanuts, and maybe some salt or natural flavors, like maple extract or honey. That’s why I love Justin’s; all their nut butters contain simple ingredients and taste absolutely amazing. Like the granola, it can be expensive, so buy a few jars when on sale, and their single serve packs are usually 10 for $10. Once you buy it, you can try out these six-ingredient peanut butter cookies.
3. Forager Yogurt
Dairy-free yogurts can be tricky to tackle. Some are too watery, while some have a weird aftertaste. Not to mention dairy-free yogurt is much more expensive than regular yogurt. But Forager Dairy-Free Yogurt is a MUST. It’s sold in the yogurt section of Target, and has a variety of flavors, like plain, vanilla, blueberry, and more.
#SpoonTip: Buy a carton and have some with the Purely Elizabeth granola and Justin’s Peanut Butter for a healthy, quick snack.
4. Almond Breeze Almond Milk
Almond milk is all the rage right now, and like most dairy-free products, it can be a hit or miss. When choosing almond milk, I recommend Almond Breeze. Target sells it for about $3 per carton, and it’s almost always on sale (or on a secret sale thanks to the Cartwheel app).
5. Van’s Whole Wheat Waffles
Did anyone else’s childhood breakfast consist of freezer waffles and buttloads of Aunt Jemima’s maple syrup? I consider Van’s Whole Wheat Waffles the adult version of the beloved Eggo. As a bonus, they contain protein, whole grains, are vegan, and will actually leave you satisfied. They’re in the freezer section of Target and are about $4 a box, which will last you at least a week or two. Make sure you have a quality cup of Joe with your waffles, too.
6. Lara Bar
As college students, having healthy snacks on hand is KEY to our success. Lara Bars are the perfect vegan snack bar to have on hand, because they contain carbs (from the dates), protein (from the nuts), and healthy fats (from the nuts, seeds, etc). Plus, they last a while and are on the cheaper side when compared to other healthy snack bars. Target sells a variety of flavors, so your options are endless. Lara bars are some of the best travel snacks and you really can’t go wrong with any flavor.
7. Mary’s Gone Crackers
Because no matter what we say, we’re all stress snackers at heart. Mary’s Gone Crackers are the perfect cracker for when you need some crunch in your life, but don’t want to down a whole bag of Tostitos. They’re gluten-free, filled with seeds, and taste absolutely DELICIOUS. You can find them in the snack section at Target.
8. Sabra Hummus
What’s crackers without hummus? Sabra Hummus is great not only for dipping, but also for pairing with a buddha bowl for additional protein and flavor. Target sells small and large containers of the beloved dip, so you have plenty of options. The flavor options are endless, so you’ll never be bored of one type.
9. Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders
My favorite meal at almost any diner when I was young was chicken tender and fries. As a pescatarian now, I rely on products like Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders to recreate those memories. These “chicken” tenders are almost identical to actual chicken, and contain a solid amount of protein as well. They’re in the freezer section of Target and are on sale regularly, so keep your eye out for them! These Gardein products are perfect when you’re transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, and you truly don’t miss meat at all with them.
10. Beyond Meat Crumbles
I kid you not, these Beyond Meat Crumbles are the real deal. They contain 13g of protein per serving and are made from pea protein, meaning they’re vegan and gluten-free. They can be found in the freezer section at Target, so stock up and go crazy (I’ve made tacos and sloppy joe’s with the crumbles, and both were delish). Beyond Meat is one of the biggest up and coming “meat” products, mostly because it’s identical to real meat, so props to Target for getting on the bandwagon.
#SpoonTip: Check out these 21 meat substitutes if you’re trying to eat less meat.
11. Eat Banza Chickpea Pasta
Eat Banza Chickpea Pasta is all the rage, and for good reason. It tastes exactly like regular pasta, but it’s made from chickpeas, which means way more protein and fiber than your average noodle. Eat Banza is roughly $3 a box and has four servings, which means you can make a batch of it on Sunday to have for quick meals throughout the week.
12. Amy’s Roasted Vegetable Pizza, No Cheese
Pizza is in a college kid’s bloodstream. But ordering delivery every night can get pricy, so when you want a healthier, vegan alternative, check out Amy’s Roasted Vegetable Pizza with No Cheese at Target. It’s made in the oven, is filled with flavor, and is ready in minutes.
13. Dairy-Free Halo Top
Halo Top is all the rage right now, and you should definitely believe the hype. It’s unreal how delicious the ice cream is, and it’s now dairy-free. Yup, vegans can rejoice! Target sells a variety of dairy-free pints, and since they’re new there’s a good chance they’ll be on sale as well. Check out this ranking of the dairy-free Halo Top flavors before you buy one!
14. Talenti Sorbet
If you ever want to feel fancy or impress someone, give them some Talenti Sorbet. Target sells the beloved dessert, and while it may be a little more expensive, it’s completely worth it. The sorbet happens to be vegan, which is a huge plus! My favorite flavor is the mango sorbet, but really, all of them are delicious.
15. So Delicious Dairy-Free Ice Cream
It only seemed fair to round out the list with a pint of ice cream, because there’s never enough ice cream. Target sells a ton of the So Delicious ice cream flavors, with my favorite being the classic chocolate chip. Go to the freezer section, buy yourself a pint, and enjoy!
With these vegan Target foods, you can enjoy all your favorite eats for cheap. These are only a few of the great vegan Target products, so make sure to check out what else is in store the next time you visit.