I also roasted a few chicken thighs and put the remaining thighs in the freezer for later in the week. After lots of ideas of what I could tell them they were called, I ended up going with "they're purple and special, eat them. I ended up yielding about 2.

Since most of us made burrito bowls Monday night instead of actual burritos, we had a lot of tortillas left, making it a perfect swap for my son. The granola has such a subtle sweetness, which I love, and it only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. The rest of the time it takes to prepare is very hands-off with just baking and cooling.

A quick side note: I've also added oat butter into the yogurt bowl before and that is so creamy and a delicious addition. I was prepared to have a lot of rice to utilize for the week, so while I made some to pair with the Greek chicken, I made sure to make double what I normally would.

I still thought this was a delicious, cold breakfast — but I definitely enjoyed it more while it was warm! I didn't have all the required ingredients for the exact recipe so I improvised with the leftover blood oranges, yogurt, and orange juice.

The blood oranges turned the whole thing purple, which worked well because that just happens to be my daughter's favorite color. I love prepping breakfast sandwiches, and making the eggs on a sheet pan is the ultimate trick!

The eggs come out flat, which is perfect for stacking on a sandwich, and it allows you to easily assemble a large amount of sandwiches in a short amount of time. I used the biscuits as the bread component and wrapped them for the freezer for later in the week.

My 4-year-old loved this meal. We had to tell her a few times to use her silverware because she kept digging in with her hands. When I make this again, I'd add a bit more liquid! This could be an alteration needed due to higher elevation, but thought I'd mention it.

We are hoping for a prosperous garden this year so that we can rely more on our homegrown herbs and veggies! I wasn't really sure how the noodles would play out, but I figured the lemon flavors would be a natural fit with the rest of the recipe.

I thawed the chicken thighs I put in the freezer earlier in the week and got to slicin'. Since I was also using the leftover pasta, I wasn't sure we had the full 8 oz the recipe called for.

I knew adding in extra veggies would be a good way to bulk everything up! I was really thankful I used the lemon noodles for this dish, because the bright flavors still shined through!

Food · Posted on Apr 22, by Sydney Martin BuzzFeed Contributor. Sydney Martin. With meal planning, up-front preparation is key — but it's also the most challenging thing. Here are a few tips and tricks that I use each week:. I always try to have some sort of independent activity ready for my kids while I'm cooking because otherwise, they decide to run in circles around the kitchen — which usually also includes stumbling over the dog waiting for any morsel to fall.

My son actually ended up being the only one that made his meal into a standard burrito, with everyone else opting for a burrito bowl!

Once the kids were in bed, I made some dough for two different sourdough loaves. One plain and one with cinnamon and dried cranberries. The cinnamon recipe actually calls for raisins, but we love cranberries instead! Rise and shine — time to bake! The very first thing I did when I woke up was get my sourdough ready for the oven.

I quickly made some hardboiled eggs in my air fryer for breakfast, and then everyone was able to have a slice of bread fresh out of the oven before heading off for the day. While the bread was baking, I packed the kids' lunch boxes with leftover chicken burritos from the night before.

I added some fresh fruit and veggies on the side! The day was spent trying to get as much physical activity in as possible and spend time outside because we were lucky to get another beautiful day.

Since things were going pretty leisurely, I decided it would be a good time to prepare some yogurt to have on hand for breakfasts and snacks for the week.

My daughters love yogurt and will eat everything we have very quickly, which can be a real budget buster. So instead, I buy a small container of yogurt and some milk. Then I use the Instant Pot to heat, cool, and incubate the yogurt to make it grow into more yogurt!

While the yogurt did its magic, I started preparing dinner. It's prime time for citrus right now in my area, which means excellent sales.

Simple Orange Citrus Salad was the perfect meal to make on such a sunny day, and required minimal attention so I could also multitask the yogurt. I was worried if I told the kids the blood oranges were actually called "blood oranges" that they would stop right there. Honestly, I can't blame them.

I know if I heard "blood oranges" as a child, I would have been STRESSED. After a nice, long incubation period, I finished off the yogurt by straining it into some storage containers. We ate a bit for breakfast with some fresh raspberries. I didn't want the leftover guacamole browning in the fridge for too long, so for dinner I chose taco potatoes.

I was also able to use the remaining cheese I had already shredded from a few nights before as well. While I baked the potatoes, I browned the meat and got all the various toppings ready. There are two things my son will not eat: rice and potatoes.

Usually, I always put a bit of everything on the kid plates so that they always have an opportunity to try things, but he has been very clear for long enough that he doesn't like them so I no longer serve him those things.

I knew the yogurt needed a little crunch, so I made up a batch of my favorite homemade granola. Not only are the following items inexpensive, but they are also incredibly versatile and can remain fresh far longer than many other ingredients. Here are a few ideas for what to buy for groceries next time you visit the supermarket.

I love to add a can of beans to a pound of ground turkey to make it stretch a bit further. Just make sure you soak them the night before you want to use them! Rice is a chameleon in the kitchen. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it tastes delicious in almost any capacity.

Is there anything more comforting or delicious than a bowl of warm, buttered pasta? Stock up on your favorite noodle when it's on sale.

Dried pasta can last in your pantry for years. Instant potatoes have come a long way from the grainy glop you may remember from childhood. While nothing beats the real thing, you can find dozens of different flavors at the store, and they will last in your pantry much longer. Eat these as a side dish or add a tablespoon to sauces or soups to act as a thickener.

Aside from the obvious burritos, tacos, quesadillas, oh my! My current favorite use of a tortilla is a peanut butter and jelly roll up. Here is another item that you can use for tons of different applications.

Toss into a salad or eat by the handful. I particularly love raisins and dried apricots. Oats give you a huge dosage of fiber, and you can use them in so many different ways. Make your own oat milk, create a new granola combination, make cookies or protein bites, or use it on its own for a hearty breakfast.

Add them to soups, use as a ground beef substitute, or make your own dal with them. A one pound bag also costs less than two dollars and will last you a long time. The produce section usually comes with a hefty price tag. An individual banana usually costs around a quarter.

You can also break off a few bananas from the bunch if you do not want to buy half a dozen at once. Celery sticks are perfect for sweet and savory snacks. Dip into ranch or smother with peanut butter—the choice is yours.

You can also break individual stalks of celery off of a bunch just like you can with bananas. Roast in the oven for a delicious side dish or eat straight from the fridge. At first glance of the price tag, apples may not seem like the cheapest fruit at the store.

However, you can usually get several apples per pound, making the cost per apple much lower. Colorful bell peppers are a perfect veggie to add bulk to any meal.

Not only will they add delicious flavor, they will also provide texture to any dish. Onions are another ingredient that adds flavor to every dish and are usually pretty cheap! When it comes to produce, however, I suggest purchasing items in bulk.

Pre-cut fresh fruits and veggies usually come with a much higher price tag, and you can prepare your produce at home for a fraction of the cost. You may also find that frozen fruits and vegetables are most convenient for your meal prep and last longer, too!

This old fashioned potato soup recipe adds gnocchi, shredded chicken, and bacon for a hearty dinner idea ready in under an hour. These easy meal prep recipes will give you weekly meal inspiration to make for healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinners for you or your family.

We all still want to eat well in between meals. Fun and delicious snacks are much easier to make affordable than you may think. Skip the potato chips and reach for popcorn instead. Microwave popcorn is usually less expensive per bag than regular chips.

You can get even thriftier by buying kernels and popping your own corn on the stove. Who said a cheese board had to be fancy?

These usually ring up at less than five dollars. You can find nuts for pretty cheap at the supermarket. Bonus points if you buy them in bulk for extra savings.

Be sure to check out your pantry when you want to munch between meals. With a little creativity, you should have plenty of goodies on hand to help tide you over. Here are a few more helpful hints to keep your budget in check. Having a detailed list is key when it comes to a cheap grocery list.

I particularly love this adorable meal planner notepad you can use for every meal. It also includes a section to write your weekly shopping list.

One of the biggest ways that we overspend on groceries? Food waste! Before your next grocery store trip, make sure to do an inventory of everything that you currently have on hand. Just because you have leftovers does not mean that you have to eat the same thing for every single meal.

The leftover pulled pork you have would be great on nachos or on a baked potato. Have fun with it and get creative! Fresh produce can be some of the most expensive things at the store.

Although the frozen section may not look as appealing as the colorful produce section, the nutritional benefits are the same. A win-win situation if you ask me! I love having frozen mixed vegetables on hand to quickly throw into stir frys or soups.

Must like their frozen counterparts, canned foods are packaged at their nutritional peak and many of those nutrients are retained through the canning process.

The best part? My local farmers market runs incredible deals on fresh produce just before closing up for the day. Do you love a ribeye steak but hate the price? While there are certainly more prime cuts, if you are marinating or slow cooking, you may be able to save money by choosing a more traditionally tough or fatty portion.

Many grocery stores will have sections set aside for food that is nearing its expiration date. These items, most often found in the meat and dairy sections, are great options to save a little extra money, especially if you are shopping for ingredients for a meal that same day or the next!

Although receiving extra emails from your local supermarket may be one more item you send to your spam folder, in many cases, joining the loyalty program is free and comes with tons of perks.

Ground turkey is a nice alternative, but make sure that the only other ingredient besides turkey is rosemary extract. This will ensure a very fresh clean flavor and not that weird ground turkey thing that turns people off. canned tuna — Widely available and generally affordable, canned tuna has been a good cheap eat for generations.

sausage — Bacon may be your preference, but bacon prices probably are not. Consider sausage as a more affordable alternative to bacon.

You can find it in all kinds of flavors, including turkey, pork, and even plant-based options. ham — Like its fresh pork counterpart, ham is going to be the more affordable lunch meat. marked down meats — Depending on where you shop, you may be able to keep any meat you like on the table by purchasing marked down meats.

Talk to your butcher about their manager specials and when they sell those items at a discount. Use or freeze these cuts prior to their best-by dates.

It can be fried, scrambled, grilled, baked, and even worked into smoothies. peanut butter — Peanut butter is another affordable plant protein, one of those budget foods that can jazz up smoothies, breakfast toast, and baked goods.

protein powder — While you might not consider protein powder a budget food, it can boost your baked goods and smoothies with protein that might be harder to come by otherwise. Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling.

You will often, but not always, find the best deal in the bigger bags of grains. Be sure to store them in airtight containers to prevent food waste.

rice — Rice is key for breakfast, lunch, or dinner: in Cream Of Rice , Vegetable Fried Rice , or as a base for bowl meals. Rice is one of those no-brainer budget foods to add to your list of pantry staples. oats — Use oats for Baked Oatmeal Cups, as oatmeal, or in granola. They are a powerhouse of fiber and super cheap to buy.

It makes for a good cheap eat any night of the week. Ditch the msg-laden seasoning packet and make your ramen something more. The noodles are super cheap and quick to fix.

tortillas — You can do so many things with tortillas: pizza! and enchiladas! They are definitely a great addition to your budget grocery list.

There are so many things to do with flour! Bake bread, rolls, pizza, and so much more. Flour is a must-add to your budget grocery list. Baking at home is fun and can save you a lot of money compared to commercial or more expensive bakery items. Keep these grocery items on hand:.

sugar — Since baking your own is almost always cheaper than buying it pre-made, have some sugar on hand. baking soda — Likewise with the leavening.

salt — Salt is a necessary nutrient for life, but also a great seasoning for meat, veggies, and baked goods. baking powder — Baking powder is required for a number of baked goods, but remember you can make your own baking powder if need be.

dry active yeast — Store bread is pricy, unless you buy it on clearance. Baking your own bread is the way to go!

Start with something easy like Everything Hamburger Buns and work yourself up to a sandwich loaf, like Sourdough Rye Bread. Shopping in the snack aisle can jack your bill up tremendously. Avoid impulse purchases and make your own snacks and treats at home.

popcorn — Popcorn is a great snack that costs just a few pennies per serving! You can even make your own microwave popcorn. This caramel corn recipe is currently on repeat at my house. Raisins and dried cranberries are generally affordable and a little goes a long way. saltine crackers — Many crackers can be incredibly expensive, but soda crackers are long lasting and generally the cheapest on the shelf.

Fresh fruit and veggies are an important component to a healthy diet. You can often find good deals on fresh produce if you buy items that are in season. Remember canned or frozen fruit and veggies are a great option as well.

canned crushed tomatoes — Crushed tomatoes are a key component in Marinara Sauce. Why buy canned pasta sauce when you can make your own in minutes. canned tomato paste — Likewise, tomato paste is an important ingredient to pizza sauce which is so much more affordable to make at home.

canned tomato sauce — Having canned tomato sauce on hand makes for easy soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes. cabbage — Cabbage is one of the longer lasting vegetables. Whether you buy it shredded or whole, make sure cabbage is on your budget grocery list.

bananas — A nutrient-dense food, bananas are great for snacking, for homemade baby food, for baking, and for smoothies. carrots — Another long lasting vegetable that is generally affordable, carrots are a staple to keep on hand for snacks, roasting, baking, and soup-making.

They generally last long and can be used in so many dishes. celery — One of the main components in stir-fries, veggie platters, and mirepoix, celery is typically a good cheap eat that will last you awhile in the fridge.

Who else grew up eating tuna fish sandwiches? I like it mixed with a bit of mayo and chopped tomatoes and served with crackers. I like to wait for a good sale and then stock up!

Smoked sausage is a great meat to keep on hand for quick meals. A little can go a long way in dishes like a breakfast casserole for example, making it very cost effective, especially if you purchase it on sale. Hotdogs could also be used in similar ways! Eggs can be a great cheap source of protein.

I say can because lately in my area the price of eggs has more than doubled. So, take this one with a grain of salt and be sure to check your local prices for eggs.

Brown rice is a great alternative to white rice with a lot of health benefits and is still a great cheap food. I cook my brown rice with this method and it turns out perfectly every time! I use them often for oatmeal, baked oatmeal , granola , cookies, muffins, and even in meatloaf!

While the very cheapest bread is not going to have the most nutritional value, watch for markdowns on nicer loaves made with whole grains. Check the different stores around you to see which ones have a markdown cart in their bakery section — many of them do!

Store-brand tortillas are typically pretty inexpensive and you can use them for all sorts of meals. At a dollar or less a box in my area pasta is a great way to add something filling to your meal without spending a lot of money. I always like to have a few jars of pasta sauce in my pantry.

Peanut butter is an absolute staple in our home. Again, buy the store-brand or use coupons for the more expensive stuff. Canned tomatoes are definitely an important pantry staple.

I use them the most often for recipes like Taco Soup. Nothing like a bowl of cereal when you need a quick meal, am I right? And it beats ramen noodles in my opinion! Not all cereal is cheap of course, but if you look for the store-brand you can always find some varieties that are very inexpensive.

Store-brand pretzels are relatively cheap sometimes just a dollar for a bag and make a great snack option, especially if you have kids. A well-stocked pantry should always include some basic baking goods like:. Make those inexpensive chicken thighs taste extra good by using some basic, inexpensive spices like chili powder, garlic powder, etc.

And a hanging spice rack like this is great for storing them! Now what? You may also be interested in: How to Meal Plan on a Tight Budget. Note: Grocery prices are constantly changing, so some of the prices in the articles below have already changed.

However, all of these meal plans are very frugal, even with rising prices. Want to get better at meal planning regularly? Check out my Meal Planner and Recipe Binder. What are some of your favorite cheap foods to buy on a budget? While non-dairy milks may be more expensive than dairy, some non-dairy brands offer shelf stable options that can be bought in bulk when they're on sale.

Just note that many dairy and non- dairy milks and yogurts contain added sugars and sometimes saturated fats. Always check the label before purchasing. More ways to save:. When it comes to cheap groceries, pantry staples are the big winners. This category includes dry and canned goods such as flour, oatmeal, chicken stock, nuts, nut butters and seeds.

Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods.

Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition. Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months. Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale. Items worth stocking up on include:. More ways to save money on groceries.

Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:. Even in tough times, it's possible to find affordable and healthy groceries with a few smart strategies. The best ways include buying in bulk when items are on sale, shopping seasonally and loading up on pantry staples.

Compare prices online when you can look for coupons while you're there and stick to grocery stores nearby. With a little planning, your meals will be healthy and nutritious without breaking the bank.

And if you need a week off, consider ordering from one of the more affordable cheap meal delivery services. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU.

Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian. She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups.

What to Eat for Breakfast to Feel Your Best. Why You Should Eat a Banana Every Single Day. These High-Carb Foods Are Seriously Good for You.

You can even search by item, such as chicken breasts, to compare what stores have it on sale. While shopping, write down the cost of each item on your list. For the items you buy often , start keeping a list of the best prices you see.

You know that really convenient cut up fruit, and those individually packaged pretzels? Fruits and vegetables are SO much cheaper and more delicious! The good news for you?

You just save money automatically! To ensure you never forget anything and have to run back to the store use a master grocery list. Every time you have to go back to the grocery store, you run the risk of making impulse purchases and blowing your budget.

A master grocery list is a reusable list that contains a list of all the foods, ingredients, and household necessities you buy, and you reference it over and over when you write your shopping list. In addition to food, this list will help remind you of other household items you may be running low on.

Trust me, I love using coupons. But the danger comes when you buy things just because you have a coupon. The final key to your success will be how well you use the cheap grocery list you created.

Whatever you do, do NOT walk up and down each aisle looking at everything. That is recipe for budget disaster. Keep a laser-like focus on your list, and get in and get out. Keep a list of dirt cheap meals you can cook for cheap. Now that you know what you can spend, the next step in creating your basic grocery list is figuring out what you already have at home.

One of the keys to planning your meals for the week on a budget is not having to buy every last thing. You probably have some meals already hiding in your pantry, fridge, and freezer.

Read Next: Learn How to Save Money This Month with a Pantry Challenge. Seasonal Fruits. Seasonal Vegetables.

Another way to save money on produce is to opt for fruit and vegetables that have a longer shelf-life. For example, to help extend your grocery dollars, choose apples over berries or carrots or celery over leafy greens.

Generally, some of the cheapest fruit and vegetables year-round tend to be bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sweet potatoes. Meat can be the most expensive category for most food budgets, and can account for a large portion of the overall grocery bill.

To save money, opt for the ground variety of your favorite protein. Ground beef, chicken or turkey are super versatile, easily frozen and can be used in many different recipes.

Larger cuts of meat will usually cost less per pound, but they may require marinating, braising and slow cooking to bring out the tenderness. If you do prefer to include cheaper cuts of meat, consider including:. Buying a whole chicken instead of pre-portioned cuts can also save money and the leftovers, including the bones, are great for making chicken soup or bone broth.

Consider cutting costs even further by implementing Meatless Monday or meatless dinners a few nights a week. Swap out meat for healthy plant-based meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, beans and legumes, as your protein source.

The cost of fresh seafood may also vary seasonally. According to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership , fresh Alaskan salmon is less expensive during the summer when the fish are more abundant. Other popular choices that may be worth buying seasonally include Albacore tuna in season July-October and halibut in season March-November.

Other ways to save money on seafood:. Whether you prefer dairy or non-dairy, you can find competitive prices due to the sheer number of products on the market.

While non-dairy milks may be more expensive than dairy, some non-dairy brands offer shelf stable options that can be bought in bulk when they're on sale. Just note that many dairy and non- dairy milks and yogurts contain added sugars and sometimes saturated fats.

Always check the label before purchasing. More ways to save:. When it comes to cheap groceries, pantry staples are the big winners. This category includes dry and canned goods such as flour, oatmeal, chicken stock, nuts, nut butters and seeds.

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