Having a very tight budget doesn’t necessarily mean that you sacrifice satisfaction or flavor. Everyone knows that cooking, especially at home, saves cash.
However, with the grocery prices increasing, running to a supermarket may turn depressing when you don’t pay more attention to what you add to your shopping cart.
To save more money, add nutrient-dense cabbage, protein-packed beans, and underrated cuts of meat, such as chicken thighs and flat iron steak, then include them in your meal regimen.
Budget-Friendly Meal Ideas
Budgets are tight, and weeknights are always busy. Recipes, which call for fancy ingredients and need you to slave away in your kitchen, won’t just cut it.
However, you don’t necessarily need to live on cans of tuna and ramen noodles because you have a tight budget. Being budget-friendly, simple, and easy is key.
So if you need some quick meals that can help to fill your belly and that of your family without spending a lot, experts at The Landing suggest that you consider the following meal ideas:
- Tuna melt – That underrated tuna melt deserves a big-time comeback. If you have enough ingredients in the fridge, then this meal idea can be for you.
- Canned beans – Eating beans means that you consume a vegetable and a plant-based protein. Canned beans are not just an affordable option for your weekly meal plan. They are easy to prepare, too, requiring no prep and cooking. Include them in your grain or salad bowl, then call it a day. And if you are more concerned about sodium content, drain and rinse your beans under cool water. This will help to minimize the sodium content by up to 40%.
- Vegetable Lo Mein – This meal idea is what we call a ‘clean out your fridge’ meal. It often has maximum umami flavor and minimal ingredients. It is also super easy to prepare, especially for beginner home cooks. Even with adding more vegetables, such as green onions and one cup of snow peas, will still make this dish cost-friendly and simple.
How to Cook Delicious Meals on a Tight Budget
If you want to eat healthily on a tight budget, several ways can help you achieve that. One way is to plan out your weekly meals. Taking time to plan ahead will ensure you make the most of all the ingredients you have in your kitchen, not to mention you will ensure there is enough time to take care of everything.
Another way is to source affordable ingredients. Although it is much easier to buy locally as you will be able to see the freshness of ingredients, you may also consider checking online. Many avoid this because they fear rotten ingredients will be delivered to their doorstep. But the truth is that reliable companies still deliver fresh produce and ingredients to the market.
The Takeaway!
It is not a must you spend a lot to eat healthily. As a matter of fact, there are numerous ways to nutritious foodstuffs even on a tight budget, such as buying affordable ingredients online and planning your weekly meals.