Chef Jose Rojas Shares Free Vegan Recipe to Feed Two

Chef Jose Rojas has demonstrated a method for preparing a healthy, vegan meal for two people using a total budget of $1. The approach, shared via TikTok and Instagram, focuses on resourcefulness and the use of food scales to minimize costs by purchasing only the exact quantity of ingredients required.

Rojas, the creator of Beyond Food Market, uses his platform to teach individuals in food deserts and underserved communities how to access affordable and nutritious meals. His motivation for this work stems from his own personal health journey, during which he lost and maintained a weight loss of 90 pounds.

The $1 Ingredient Strategy

To achieve the $1 price point, Rojas visited two different stores in Chicago. At Jimenez Fresh Market on Belmont Ave., he purchased a small onion, a small tomato, and a medium russet potato for a combined total of $0.65. During this visit, the cashier provided a serrano pepper at no additional cost.

Rojas then visited a local Jewel Osco to purchase pinto beans, which were priced at $0.69 per pound. By purchasing exactly half a pound, he spent $0.35, bringing the final cost of the meal’s ingredients to exactly $1.00.

Nutritional Breakdown and Recipe Components

The resulting Mexican-inspired dish is plant-based and gluten-free, consisting of whole ingredients without processed additives. The specific components used in the meal include:

• 1/2 lb pinto beans
• 1 medium russet potato
• 1 small tomato
• 1 small onion
• 1 serrano pepper

Rojas provided a detailed nutritional breakdown to address questions regarding the health value of budget-constrained meals. The full pot of food contains approximately 1,000 calories, 50 grams of fiber, and between 55 and 60 grams of protein.

When divided into two servings, each bowl provides approximately 500 calories, 30 grams of protein, and 25 grams of fiber. Rojas notes that the beans provide protein, fiber, and iron; the potato contributes potassium and clean carbohydrates; and the tomato, onion, and serrano pepper provide antioxidants and flavor.

Community Impact and Philosophy

The initiative is part of a broader effort to help families stretch their food budgets during periods of inflation. Rojas emphasizes that creativity and resourcefulness are essential tools for those struggling to put healthy food on the table.

Because food did so much for me. It changed my life. It transformed my life. I’m like, I gotta share this,

Jose Rojas

By utilizing food scales and shopping across multiple locations to find the best unit prices, Rojas aims to prove that eating healthy does not necessarily require a large financial investment.