Most Affordable Plant-Based Foods (per 100 g)
- Watermelon, raw$0.13 / 100 g
- Cornmeal, white, self-rising, bolted, with wheat flour added, enriched$0.15 / 100 g
- Cornmeal, yellow, self-rising, bolted, with wheat flour added, enriched$0.15 / 100 g
- Pepper, banana, raw$0.15 / 100 g
- SILK Banana-Strawberry soy yogurt$0.15 / 100 g
- Wheat flour, white (industrial), 10% protein, unbleached, enriched$0.15 / 100 g
- Wheat flour, white (industrial), 11.5% protein, bleached, enriched$0.15 / 100 g
- Wheat flour, white, all-purpose, enriched, bleached$0.15 / 100 g
- Wheat flour, white, all-purpose, enriched, unbleached$0.15 / 100 g
- Wheat flour, white, all-purpose, self-rising, enriched$0.15 / 100 g
Cheapest Calories (All Foods)
Cheapest Wholefood Calories
Cheapest Protein Sources (All Foods)
Cheapest Wholefood Protein Sources
Cheapest Fiber Sources (All Foods)
Cheapest Wholefood Fiber Sources
Cheapest Carbohydrate Sources (All Foods)
Cheapest Wholefood Carbohydrate Sources
Dataset Snapshot
- 584 plant-based ingredients priced
- Average price: $0.71 per 100 g
- Cheapest: $0.13 per 100 g
- Most expensive: $5.50 per 100 g
- Sources: USDA ERS, BLS, retail surveys
- Updated: 2024–2025
| # | Ingredient | Price / 100g | Ref. Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Prices in USD. "Price / 100g" is the normalised cost for consistent comparison. Use the nutrient dropdown to see cost per unit of any nutrient (including calories) — find the most affordable sources of specific vitamins, minerals, or energy. Click any column header to sort. "Ref. Price" shows the source retail price and unit. Sources: USDA ERS Fruit & Vegetable Prices, BLS average prices, retail market surveys (2024–2025). Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are these prices calculated?
Each price is normalised to USD per 100g so you can compare ingredients on equal footing. The original retail price is captured as the "Reference Price" (e.g. $1.50/kg), then converted using the known weight per unit. Prices come from USDA Economic Research Service data, Bureau of Labor Statistics average prices, and recent retail market surveys.
What are the cheapest plant-based protein sources?
Dried lentils, chickpeas, black beans, and split peas are typically the most affordable plant-based proteins, costing around $0.02–$0.05 per gram of protein. Tofu and textured vegetable protein (TVP) are also very cost-effective options.
Is a whole-food plant-based diet expensive?
No. Research from the University of Oxford (2021) and other studies consistently show that a plant-based diet built around whole grains, legumes, seasonal vegetables, and fruits is typically 25–30% cheaper than diets centred on animal products. The most expensive items in any diet tend to be processed specialty foods and out-of-season produce — not plant staples.
Why do some ingredients not have prices?
Our price database covers the most commonly used plant-based ingredients. Specialty items, regional foods, or less common varieties may not yet have prices assigned. Prices are continuously being added and updated.
Can I use these prices in my recipe cost calculations?
Yes! These are the same prices used by our Recipe Calculator when estimating recipe costs. When you add ingredients with known prices, the calculator automatically uses these values to compute total recipe cost and cost per serving.