Navigating the world of vegan groceries can be challenging — especially if you're seeking quality plant-based ingredients for a variety of meals. For those who have embraced a vegan lifestyle, finding a reliable source of vegan products is vital to ensure their dietary needs are met and the products offer all the nutrients their bodies need to thrive.
Thankfully, the rise of online vegan grocery stores has made finding quality vegan ingredients a lot easier, offering a convenient and efficient way to stock up on vegan essentials from the comfort of home. Here are nine of the highest-rated online vegan grocery stores in the U.S. and beyond, along with tips for a more seamless and productive shopping experience.
Photo credit: Rocky89/istockphotoBut First: Why Choose an Online Vegan Grocery Store?
Shopping at an online vegan grocery store comes with several advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar stores, including:
- Convenience: The ability to shop for vegan products anytime, anywhere, without the need to drive or find transportation to the store. Cutting down on driving also helps decrease your carbon footprint. (Shout out to all the environmentally-conscious baddies; we love to see it.)
- Variety: Online stores often have a broader range of vegan products, brands, and price points compared to local supermarkets.
- Specialized Selections: You can find niche products tailored to vegan dietary needs, including organic, non-GMO, and minimally processed items that cater to different preferences and dietary needs.
- Information at Your Fingertips: Easy access to a wealth of nutritional information on product details, ingredients, and reviews.
- Community Support: Many online vegan stores are committed to ethical, cruelty-free, and sustainable practices to support the wider vegan community and offer peace of mind to ethically motivated consumers.
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The Best Online Vegan Grocery Stores
1. VeganEssentials
Available: Nationwide
Known for: A comprehensive range of vegan products, including hard-to-find items and specialty products
VeganEssentials showcases an extensive collection of vegan goods from food items, plant-based meats, supplements, and snacks to personal care products that cater to all facets of a vegan lifestyle. It also holds the distinction of being the oldest cruelty-free retailer in the U.S. (it does not test any of its products on animals), and has been serving the vegan community since 1997.
2. Plant Based Grocery
Available: Nationwide
Known for: Curated selection of artisanal, small-batch vegan products from small businesses
This virtual marketplace stands out for its support of small vegan businesses by offering unique, handmade items like T-shirts, stickers, pins, and tote bags that aren’t typically found in larger, mainstream stores. By doing so, it not only broadens the variety of vegan products available to consumers, but also supports the growth and visibility of smaller, independent vegan producers to help foster a more inclusive and diverse vegan community.
3. GTFO It’s Vegan
Available: Nationwide
Known for: Being the largest online retailer and wholesaler of vegan foods, and pioneering the newest vegan products — including meat and dairy alternatives
Aside from having a fantastic name, GTFO It’s Vegan is at the forefront of vegan innovation. Constantly updating its inventory with the latest and most popular plant-based foods, the store is lauded for its commitment to selling high quality products, and offers a wide variety of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, gourmet items, artisanal cheeses, snacks, and frozen meals that cater to both traditional and adventurous palates.
Related: Where to Find Plant-Based Fast Food
4. Thrive Market
Available: Nationwide; does not ship to P.O. boxes and excludes Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
Known for: A wide range of organic and non-GMO vegan products at discounted prices
Thrive Market is a membership-based retailer ($12 per month or $59.95 per year) where you can find high-quality vegan products at reduced prices to make healthy living more affordable and accessible. Its inventory includes health-focused foods and pantry staples like gluten-free and raw vegan items, as well as eco-friendly household, pet, and personal care products.
5. My Vegan Supermarket
Available: Primarily in the U.K.; some international shipping is available
Known for: Specializing in vegan versions of popular supermarket items
This family-run online platform showcases vegan versions of popular supermarket items, and is mainly available in the U.K. Offering a range of more than 10,000 vegan snacks, frozen meals, dairy substitutes, pet food, and even clothing, this virtual storefront aims to be a one-stop shop for all things vegan. It also offers weekly or monthly subscription boxes, offering products like cruelty-free makeup and "chef-prepared" vegan meals.
6. Vegan Supply
Available: Nationwide, with a focus on Canadian customers
Known for: A wide array of vegan products, including hard-to-find international brands
Vegan Supply boasts an impressive selection of international vegan brands to cater to a diverse range of tastes and dietary preferences. Known for its exotic snacks (they have vegan Kit Kats!), niche cooking ingredients and spices, plant-based dairy and meat alternatives, and unique beverages, it is a haven for those looking to explore different vegan cuisines while doing their part to support animal welfare and environmental initiatives. It also has retail locations in Vancouver, BC, and Surrey, BC.
7. PlantX
Available: Nationwide
Known for: A broad selection of plant-based products encompassing both food and lifestyle products
PlantX offers an extensive range of vegan groceries, including ready-to-eat meal kits, snacks, artisanal cheeses, bakery items, and meat and dairy substitutes. This virtual storefront also sells eco-friendly household items, wellness products, and even plant-based foods for your pets. PlantX offers free shipping on orders $99 and up.
8. PlantBelly
Available: Nationwide
Known for: Its curated selection of high-quality, plant-based products and small-batch items
PlantBelly specializes in gourmet vegan foods, including small-batch artisanal snacks, unique pantry and keto-friendly items, and a variety of dairy, seafood, and meat alternatives. It also features a range of organic, non-GMO, and health-focused snacks (plant-based “beef” jerky, anyone?) to appeal to those looking for both taste and nutritional value in their vegan diets.
9. Vegan Black Market
Available: Nationwide
Known for: A diverse and exclusive range of vegan products
Vegan Black Market features an assortment of plant-based foods, including specialty vegan meats, dairy alternatives, soups, protein bars, vitamins, tonics, and more. It also offers a selection of vegan health and household products like spice jars, compostable plates, and eco-friendly detergents and cleaners — all made with an emphasis on quality and ethical sourcing.
Related: 50 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes: Mains, Sides, Desserts, and More
Photo credit: vaaseenaa/istockphotoTips for Efficient Vegan Grocery Shopping
- Plan Ahead: Create a shopping list to avoid impulse purchases and prevent forgetting key ingredients while placing an order.
- Read Labels: Familiarize yourself with common non-vegan ingredients to make informed choices and ensure you're getting all the nutrients you need for a balanced vegan diet.
- Explore Local Options: Besides online shopping, local health food stores and farmers' markets can be great resources for vegan products that are also sustainably and ethically-sourced.
- Balance Between Specialty and Basics: While specialty vegan products are exciting, don't forget to stock up on basic staples like grains, beans, and vegetables.
The Bottom Line
Online vegan grocery stores offer a convenient way to help you find the right ingredients, household basics, and snacks to maintain a balanced plant-based diet. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just starting out, these stores can provide all the essentials you need to help you on your vegan journey, and contribute to a more sustainable and healthy world.
Now that's a real win-win.
