FoodOCT 10, 2023

30 People Share What Cheap Meals They Make To Stay Full When They're Broke

132

According to CNBC, the cost of groceries has risen by almost 20% since 2021. But if you’re the one in charge of shopping for your family, that won’t come as a surprise to you at all. It seems like every week, milk, produce and bread prices have increased, forcing many of us to cut back.

So if you’re looking for ways to stretch your spending without having to starve, Reddit users have recently been sharing their go-to affordable yet filling meals. These suggestions might not be gourmet by any means, but they should keep your stomach full until payday. Keep reading to also find a conversation with Caitlin Self, MS, CNS, LDN of Frugal Nutrition, and be sure to upvote the suggestions you’ll take advantage of to have a little more left in your savings at the end of the month!

#21

30 People Share What Cheap Meals They Make To Stay Full When They're Broke

Boiled Potatoes with Seasoning

zipzap21, sq lim

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47points

"Always, always look at the unit cost for foods!" Caitlin says. "This is going to be a small number, usually represented as a 'per ounce' price. With inflation and changing packages, you can purchase a bigger box of something, only to find it's 50% air. The unit price will let you know how much that product is per unit of the food itself. You may find that your favorite brands are now twice the cost of the store brand."

Always remember to check the expiration date on discounted foods as well. "It is great to snag a deal, but only if you're actually going to use up the food within the timeline of safety," Caitlin pointed out. "This is especially true for meat. I recommend buying it on sale, cooking it the same day, and then freezing it in smaller portions, so you can safely enjoy it for the next 1-3 months."

#22

Chicken tortilla soup. Dump in one big can of kidney beans, one small can of black beans, one small can of corn, one large can of petite diced tomatoes, two packs of taco seasoning, four or five boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and chicken broth. Cook all day in the crockpot on low. Shred chicken when done and return to crockpot. We eat it for two days with tortilla chips and cheese. We are a family of four.

Single-Fox-6532, wsox74

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46points

#23

I've been known to make what we call dirty mashed potatoes. Brown up some hamburger meat, crumble it up small, with some onions if ya have 'em, add salt and pepper or whatever spices you enjoy. Then, mix the meat in with some mashed potatoes, either instant or real, depending what you have on hand. The offspring love it and eat that up.

Reinventing_Wheels, Gio Bartlett

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42points

#24

Cauliflower can be added to pretty much any kind of dish to bulk it out. For example, with any recipe with ground meat, you can add riced cauliflower to stretch it out, and you will barely notice it if cooked right.

EnviroTron, Karolina Grabowska

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41points

As far as where we should splurge in the kitchen, Caitlin recommends spending a little bit more on flavor boosters. "Plain chicken is boring, but tossing it with even just a teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce, pesto, or mayonnaise can transform it into something much more enjoyable," she noted. "Don't be afraid to keep some budget-friendly flavor boosters on hand, and go for options that will last several weeks, rather than those that will go bad quickly."

#25

Random charcuterie: bits and pieces of this and that/whatever is in the fridge or cabinet.

AmnesticSingularity, Karolina Grabowska

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40points

#26

Beans on or in a tortilla. You can have it so many different ways that it doesn't feel like eating the same thing over and over again.

Wenuwayker, swagginpoop

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40points

#27

Rice, runny egg, soy sauce, seaweed and whatever protein I have left over.

Extreme_Muscle_7024

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39points

To prevent food waste, Caitlin recommends planning to use up any perishable foods in the first 2-3 days of the week, then using frozen, pantry, and longer-lasting produce the rest of the week. "Cabbage, carrots, onions, and potatoes will last weeks in the fridge, while fresh spinach may start to wilt in 2-3 days," she noted.

"If you don't know how to cook, choose a free online resource and cook through their database of recipes," Caitlin says. "Start with recipes that have lots of ratings and comments, so you're likely to have a good result. Online blogs provide free recipes, and budget TikTokers have lots of tips, or you can check out a cookbook from the library. Start with simple dishes like homemade mac and cheese or bean and vegetable soups and chilis. As you get better at cooking and you learn to be more creative, you'll discover ways to recreate some of your favorite meals at home."

To get even more tips and mouthwatering recipes from Caitlin, be sure to visit her blog Frugal Nutrition, or find her on YouTube and Instagram!

#28

Cream of mushroom soup with crackers to thicken it up. YUM. Only costs like 50 cents.

Jazzlike_Grab_7228, Anna Pyshniuk

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34points

#29

Sausage and sauerkraut. (Yes, my family is German). It's cheap, has plenty of protein, is very filling, and lasts quite a while. The trick to the sauerkraut is to rinse it well in cold water first, drain it, and cook it with the sausage. Start with around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar and a liberal dose of vinegar. I use red wine vinegar, but any type except balsamic should work. Also add a healthy amount of caraway seeds. Add a cup or so of water to the pot, stir, and let it cook on low heat for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally

Unique_Football_8839, mischievous_kea

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34points

#30

Try cooking chicken/pork adobo. It’s a really easy Filipino recipe that requires only a few ingredients. This saved my ass in college whenever I felt like my monthly budget was starting to run dry. Some chicken/pork, soy sauce, vinegar, water, oil, garlic, onion, and peppercorn. Optional but wonderful: laurel or bay leaf, chicken/pork broth or bouillon cube, and potato. There are lots of recipes online and different variations. Pair it with rice, and you’re bound to be really full!

mynameismaria

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30points

132

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