Serving a slab of meat at the center of a dinner plate is a luxury that defies the advice of health experts and costs a lot of money. Instead, you can put satisfying and nutritious dinners on the table for your family without breaking your tight budget by making smart decisions about meat, sides, bread, and how you purchase your food.
Stretch the Meat
Your parents and grandparents probably knew about stretching a little meat to go a long way. That’s the purpose of rice and pasta in all those casseroles you may remember from your childhood. But if you want to reduce carbs you can use beans, chickpeas (garbonzonos), or Lentils. Ground beef, chicken, and turkey cost less and go farther than slices or chunks of meat because they blend in with other ingredients in many dishes. Just a half-pound of meat can serve four people when mixed with rolled oats in chili or with barley in hamburger soup, for example. Chopped onions, carrots, and peppers can stretch meat for tacos.
Save on Sides
For each of your favorite veggies, consider whether canned, frozen, or fresh is cheapest. Serve inexpensive rice and beans to help fill out a meal and make sure everyone gets full. Beans add protein at a very low cost. For variety, choose fresh potatoes when they’re on sale. Serving beans, grains, and potatoes at every meal is a smart choice for your budget because they add bulk, fiber, and nutrition.
Put It on a Bun
A turkey patty, for example, may not seem very filling, but when you put it on a bun, it becomes the centerpiece of a meal. But you don’t always have to settle for a boring hamburger bun. Take a quick walk through the bakery or bread aisle to find options that upgrade the sandwich experience and don’t cost much more than regular buns. For example, often topped with poppy or sesame seeds, Kaiser buns are usually firmer and crisper than grocery store hamburger buns. You can find affordable bread options that perfectly complement any menu. Bread is an easy and affordable way to make a meal larger and more satisfying.
Buy Loss Leaders
Each week, grocery stores offer deep discounts on a few items. These are called loss leaders because they’re sold at a loss to attract customers. They’re usually shown at the top of the first page of a printed ad and featured prominently in online ads and apps. Rather than planning meals before seeing the ad, focus on the meats, vegetables, fruits, and breads that are being most deeply discounted. In addition to saving, you’ll be trying something different every week.
Other tips for eating on the cheap include growing your own herbs, avoiding expensive pre-cooked foods, and reinventing leftovers from previous nights into casseroles and quiches. Planning, creativity, and smart buying mean you can serve great food that satisfies your family without breaking your budget.