By Kathryn McLean
Many shoppers have noticed their grocery bills getting higher each week. While food costs may be rising, there are still plenty of ways to prepare satisfying meals without spending a fortune. Here are some simple, budget-friendly meal ideas to try.
Pasta meals:
- Try a vegetarian option. Not all vegetables are inexpensive, but a pot of pasta without ground meat or seafood is almost always cheaper than a meat-based version.
- Consider macaroni and cheese, homemade or otherwise.
- If a meatless meal is not appealing, consider using smaller portions of meat to stretch your grocery budget. Using half a package of ground meat or frozen shrimp can still add flavour to a dish while reducing cost.
Tacos, chili, shepherds pie
- Prepare vegetarian versions of recipes that you usually make with ground meat, like tacos or chili.
- For dishes like shepherd’s pie or tacos, use less ground meat and stretch the meal with frozen vegetables, leftovers, beans, or lentils.
Creating meals with leftovers:
Fried rice is a great way to use small amounts of leftovers and turn them into a complete meal. Any leftover meat, chicken, turkey, shrimp, or fish will work, and you can add whatever vegetables you have on hand, including frozen ones—no need to defrost.
1) Cut the meat and veggies into similarly-sized pieces before cooking. This will help to heat everything at the same time and make for easier eating.
2) Start with leftover rice (or cook some for this dish). To make fried rice, heat the rice in a pan or large pot with a little oil. Add some soy sauce or fish sauce and stir well so the rice absorbs the sauce.
3) Then add your leftover pieces of meat, chicken, seafood, and vegetables.
4) Once everything is warmed through, make a space in the centre of the rice and crack in an egg or two. Beat the eggs quickly as they begin to cook, then mix them into the surrounding rice.
5) Finish by adding chopped fresh herbs and green onions if you have them.
How about eggs as a main?
Omelettes, quiche, and frittatas are delicious, budget-friendly meal options. Egg salad and fried egg sandwiches are also simple and affordable choices.
Speaking of sandwiches, tuna salad, BLTs, and grilled cheese paired with a bowl of soup are simple, satisfying options.
Final suggestions for shopping
Consider skipping the grocery store for a few days. Check your fridge, freezer, and pantry and take inventory of what you already have. You may find enough ingredients to prepare several meals without buying anything new.
For example, a large package of chicken breasts can be divided and cooked in two or three different ways, creating the base for multiple meals. Frozen vegetables can be used in a quick stir-fry or a hearty soup.
Another way to save is to take advantage of weekly discounts. Whether you typically make a meal plan or not, consider buying a few discounted items and building your meals around them. Start by checking the weekly sales before planning your menu.
Finally, try to cook more. Takeout meals and prepared foods are convenient, but they often cost more than homemade alternatives. For instance, a pot of tomato pasta sauce made from canned tomatoes, an onion, and dried herbs costs less and produces more than a store-bought jar.
Rely on items you already have at home and create meals from using more of those before spending at the store. Less shopping will mean less spending, even if it’s temporary.