Frugal meal ideas for a frugal food budget. Updated 4/06/18

[Kaleva]

Last edited Fri Apr 6, 2018, 04:53 PM - Edit history (3)

Some years ago when I had to adjust to living on SSDI, one part of the budget where I was able to downsize was the monthly food budget which I allotted myself $126.00 a month. $16.00 of that was SNAP benefits and the remainder came out of SSDI. But to make it on that, my diet was very bland and consisted mostly of potatoes, cabbage, home made sauerkraut, rice, dried beans and such.

In this thread, I'll post ideas based on what I ate back then, meals I prepare now, on how one may be able to make cuts to the food budget. Where I can, I'll include costs per portion. I'm not going to try for the $126.00 a month mark but I think it will be interesting to use the info I post and see if I can produce a weekly meal plan that costs around $40.00ish per week per person.

I'm also going to try to include in the meal plan the recommended serving from each food group so the meal plan is not only economical but also healthy. So I'll be editing the meals I have posted to add servings along with costs. The final post that lists a meal plan for a week should have everything.

[PJMcK]

1. K&R - Great idea!

Thanks, Kaleva. I'll follow your thread!

[Kaleva]

2. Hot cereal for breakfast

Last edited Sun Jan 14, 2018, 12:13 PM - Edit history (2)

1 cup store brand oats $0.08
1 cup low fat or skim milk $0.18

1 boiled egg $0.08

8 fl oz tomato juice $0.25
8 fl oz orange juice $0.25

1 slice toast $0.09
2 tsp of soft margarine $0.04

total cost per person $0.97

A variation is to have a poached egg on toast.

This is a very filling breakfast and some people may want to eliminate the toast or egg or both.

[procon]

3. Dried beans would be my go to choice for a cheap, filling and high protein meal.

Dried beans are also versatile and besides the usual savory recipes, sweet bean filling in desserts is delightful. Soups can be made almost for free if people get in the habit of freezing meat and veggie scraps. Cheaper cuts of meat like smoked turkey wings, ham hocks and neck bones make wonderful, rich and flavorful broths to start soups, stew and beans.

Long grain rice, homemade noodles and dumplings, polenta and grits are filling ways to stretch a tight food budget. Cheap veggies like giant cabbages, onions keep well, and they were always "po folk vittles" as my frugal grandma would say. Those big winter squashes, yams, and horse carrots are very cheap and versatile for either savory or sweet dishes.

Meals from scratch are usually cheaper than boxed convenience foods. Been there a few times in my life, counting pennies, lessons well learned, and I'm still a frugal cook.

,

[Freddie]

4. Breakfast for dinner

We kids loved it when mom made French toast (butter and syrup, no meat) for dinner. Years later it occurred that breakfast for dinner was always Thursday night - Friday was payday.

[Kaleva]

5. Sauerkraut and weenies. Edited 1/11/18

Last edited Mon Jan 15, 2018, 07:19 AM - Edit history (5)

Edit: Family Dollar sells 12 oz package of hot dogs for $1.00 and the store is selling spuds at $1.29 for a 5 lb. bag so I updated the costs

https://www.southernplate.com/sauerkraut-and-weenies/

As I make my own sauerkraut, I'll use the cost of raw cabbage when on sale.

2 cups sauerkraut (approx. 1 lb.) $0.78

2 hotdogs $0.25

side dish

1 lb. of boiled potatoes $0.20

Subtotal is $1.29.

This serves 2 people so cost per serving is $0.59.

Add
8 fl. oz. 2% milk $0.18
1 banana $0.25
1 slice bread $0.09
2 tsp of soft margarine $0.04

Total cost per serving is $1.15

[left-of-center2012]

6. I get $25 a month EBT (food stamps)

And I'm diabetic
so rice, potatoes, pasta, and even many beans are too high in carbs for me.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. You can find Depression-Era recipes online, in libraries and youtube.

[Kaleva]

11. Link to wartime recipes

http://recipespastandpresent.org.uk/wartime.php

[Sherman A1]

8. Interesting idea

I look forward to seeing all the ideas posted. It would be wonderful to see less food wasted and this certainly will be helpful.

We keep vegetable scraps in the freezer and cook them down for broth. Made chicken noodle soup yesterday in the slow cooker using this broth.

[Kaleva]

10. I made and drank vegetable broth last week when preparing for my colonoscopy

Pure vegetable broth is nothing to write home about but it was palatable.

[Bayard]

9. Chilli

I make it with sausage, black beans, lots of onions, and my own tomatoes and peppers from the garden. A big pot lasts the two of us for a week.

I also use the two boxes for a dollar store-brand mac & cheese, add tuna, and whatever veggies I have on hand for tuna casserole. Lasts about 3 days, more if you don't eat like we do. Actually, its a good, cheap base for all kinds of casseroles.

[Kaleva]

12. Veggies and dip for an afternoon snack

Last edited Mon Jan 15, 2018, 07:44 AM - Edit history (2)

1/2 cup of plain lowfat yogurt $0.28
1 tbsp store brand onion soup mix $0.15

total $0.43

stir the onion soup mix into the yogurt and chill.

To avoid the dip becoming watery, figure 2 tbsp per person per day and only make enough to last 2-3 days.



2 tbsp veggie dip $0.11
3 oz baby carrots $0.20
2 celery stalks $0.20

Total cost per serving is $0.51

[Tucker08087]

47. Yum!

This is actually my favorite lunch, especially now that my garden is starting to produce! Using just the yogurt, you can also use just fruit. We have begun an orchard, adding a few trees per year, but of course they take a few years before a decent yield. We had a harsh NJ winter and we lost our fog trees, a pear, and all raspberry/blackberry bushes.
Back to the original topic, since I eat this as a meal, I try to add cheese, too. Just a few cubes.

[safeinOhio]

13. Lady hit a deer in front of my house

a few months ago. I dispatched the poor suffering girl with my knife. Cop came and gave me a tag so I had free meat for a month.
I like to forage on my fall walks. Wild grapes and berries, along with wild nuts.

[d_r]

28. did the meat taste ok?

I've always been told it ruins the meat somehow if it is hit by a car.

[safeinOhio]

29. I eat a lot of road kill.

If mangled, just the back straps can be saved. After skining the deer you can see the bad meat. It’ll be black from the blood on the damaged parts. The rest is good. On warm days, it must still be fresh and cooled right away. I throw a bag or 2 of ice inside the deer to cool it. This one had a couple of broke legs so it couldn’t get up. Was able to save all of the meat.

[d_r]

31. thanks for that

good info.

[Kaleva]

14. Rotisserie chicken noodle soup

Last edited Wed Jan 10, 2018, 09:27 AM - Edit history (1)

In the deli section of the local store, I often see rotisserie chicken priced to sell for $2.99 and sometimes even as low as $1.99.

Use this rotisserie chicken for the below recipe:

https://www.chowhound.com/recipes/easy-chicken-noodle-soup-from-a-leftover-roasted-chicken-30332

I'm not going to try and price salt, pepper, spices and such but will do so for the main ingredients.

One can also save a bit by making the broth using kitchen scraps.


chicken $2.99
celery 3 stalks $0.30
carrots 3 medium $0.50
onion 1 medium $0.10
egg noddles 2 oz. $0.27

subtotal $4.16

As this recipe makes 4-6 servings, cost per serving is $1.04 to $0.70. Cost per serving is much less if you can get the chicken for $1.99 and use kitchen scraps in making the broth.

Adding 8 fl. oz. 2% milk for a beverage and a red delicious apple (on sale) for dessert brings the cost per serving to $1.68 to $1.34.

[Kaleva]

36. Made this yesterday and my wife and I love it

The rotisserie chicken was priced $1.99 and it provided enough meat to make a double batch of soup. I din't make home made stock and instead used 12 teaspoons of chicken flavored instant bouillon to make 12 cups of broth.

[Kaleva]

15. Weeknight Chicken Stir Fry

https://hip2save.com/2014/01/23/weeknight-chicken-stir-fry-recipe/

Here are the costs for the ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts $1.90
1 cup uncooked rice $0.29
2 cups stir fry vegatables $0.72
3 tbsp soy sauce $0.13
1 tsp ground ginger $0.15
2 tsp minced garlic $0.07
1 cup chicken broth $0.06 made from chicken bouillon powder
2 tsp corn starch $0.02
2 tsp sugar $0.01

subtotal $3.35

Makes 4 servings so total per serving is $0.83

Adding 8 fl. oz. 2% milk for a beverage and a red delicious apple (on sale) for dessert brings the cost per serving to $1.47.

[TwistOneUp]

30. Where doyou live?

I'm in SF and 1lb of chicken breasts are at least $6, tho $10 is more common...

[Kaleva]

32. How far away are you from San Leandro?

There's a Wal-Mart there that probably sells 10 lb. bags of skinless chicken breasts for just under $20.00.

[TwistOneUp]

34. Thanks, I'm so there! nt

[Kaleva]

16. Nakkikastike (Finnish Hot Dogs in Sauce)

Last edited Mon Jan 15, 2018, 07:28 AM - Edit history (5)

Family Dollar sells 12 oz. packages of hot dogs for $1.00.

https://thedomesticman.com/2014/09/16/nakkikastike-finnish-hot-dogs-in-sauce/

2 tbsp butter or ghee, divided $0.16
1 pkg hot dogs or wieners of your choice, sliced $1.00
1/2 onion, coarsely chopped $0.05
1 carrot, coarsely chopped $0.17
2 cloves garlic, minced $0.07
2 tbsp brown mustard $0.15
1 tbsp tomato paste $0.06 I usually just use ketchup so as not to waste a can of paste
2 cups chicken broth $0.12
1/2 tsp salt, more to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper, more to taste $0.04
1 pinch nutmeg

2 lbs. potatoes boiled $0.80

Subtotal $2.62

This serves 4 so the cost for a single serving is $0.66.

Add
8 fl. oz. 2% milk $0.18
1 banana $0.25
1 slice bread $0.09
2 tsp of soft margarine $0.04

Total cost per serving is $1.22

[Kaleva]

17. Ground chicken chili

Last edited Mon Jan 15, 2018, 07:20 AM - Edit history (1)

Use a blender to grind the chicken.

Ingredients and costs:

1 lb ground chicken $1.90
1 15 oz. can red kidney beans $0.57
1/2 large green pepper (chopped) $0.37
1 medium onion (chopped) $0.10
1 stalk celery (chopped) $0.10
24 oz. can pasta sauce $0.82
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic $0.02
3 teaspoons chili powder $0.06
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes $0.03
2 tablespoons olive oil $0.20

Subtotal $3.99

This serves 4 so cost per serving is $1.00.

Add
8 fl. oz. 2% milk $0.18
1 banana $0.25
1 slice bread $0.09
2 tsp of soft margarine $0.04

Total cost per serving is $1.56


Directions

Fry pepper, onion and celery in olive oil until tender.
Add ground chicken and garlic and cook until browned.
Add kidney beans, sauce, chili powder and crushed pepper and cook until heated through.

[Kaleva]

18. Soup and P & J sandwich for lunch

A simple lunch

One can buy a variety of condensed soups from places like Family Dollar for $0.65 a can. Some require milk and others don't but for cost purposes, I'll include milk.

1 can condensed soup $0.65
1 1/4 cup milk $0.24

4 slices bread $0.35
4 tbsp peanut butter $0.31
2 tbsp jelly $0.13

sub total $1.68

This serves 2 so total per serving is $0.84.

Adding 8 fl. oz. 2% milk for a beverage and a red delicious apple (on sale) or 2 bananas for dessert brings the cost per serving to about $1.47.

[Kaleva]

19. Looks like a monthly food budget for 1 person is going to be about $120.00

An oatmeal breakfast with a condensed soup with peanut butter sandwich and a ground chicken chili dinner comes out to $3.92 per person. If that's a typical cost per day, then for a month the cost would be around $117.60.

But that's an average as one will not buy just 24 tbsps of soy sauce if the monthly meal plan calls for that amount. The initial cost will be higher then the budget as one acquires such items but if one uses the same meal plan for the following month, the amount actually spent then will be less then the allotted budget. But it will average out over time as one restocks.

Another example is chicken breasts. The American heart Association recommends an average adult eats 3-6 oz. of meat per day. A 10 lb. bag of chicken breasts cost $19.99 at Walmart. If your meal plan calls for you to have 4 oz. of chicken every other day, that 10 lb. bag will last you over 2 months.

Another effective way to stretch the food dollar is too use coupons and combine that with store sales. Another use of coupons and store sales is that one can upgrade to more flavorful name brand products for the same cost of store brand products.

[Kaleva]

20. A side benefit is that I'm losing weight. 2 lbs in a week.

I'm using these meals I've posted and am paying very close attention to portions.

[Kaleva]

21. Slow Cooker Black Bean and Lentil Soup

One of my favorite meals

http://naturalchow.com/2014/09/slow-cooker-black-bean-and-lentil-soup/

½ lb. bag dry lentils $0.87
¼ lb. dry black beans $0.47
1 medium onion, finely diced $0.10
2 large carrots, chopped $0.34
1 can diced tomatoes $0.72
1 tsp minced garlic $0.04
1 tablespoon ground cumin $0.10
1½ teaspoons chili powder $0.03
½ teaspoon dried parsley $0.01
5 cups hot water
2 teaspoons salt $0.01
½ teaspoon black pepper $0.04

Subtotal $2.73

This serves 8, 1 1/2 cups each, so the cost for a single serving is $0.34.

Side dishes with a beverage

8 oz. 1% or fat free milk $0.18

2 slices bread $0.18
2 tbsp peanut butter $0.15
1/4 pickle sliced $0.07

1 banana $0.25

Total for soup, peanut butter and pickle sandwich, milk and a banana is $1.17 per serving

[Kaleva]

22. Easy Chicken A La King

Last edited Mon Jan 15, 2018, 07:25 AM - Edit history (1)

Ingredients

1 can Cream of Chicken condensed soup $0.65
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables $0.72
12 oz diced cooked chicken breasts $1.50
3/4 cup low fat milk $0.13
1 cup uncooked rice $0.29


Directions

Combine by stirring cream of chicken soup, vegetables, cooked diced chicken, and milk in medium sauce pan. Heat over medium low until hot. Stir occasionally. Serve over cooked rice.

subtotal $3.29

Makes 4 servings so total per serving is $0.82

Add
8 fl. oz. 2% milk $0.18
1 banana $0.25

Total cost per serving is $1.25

[Kaleva]

23. Cold cereal for breakfast

Store brand cereal costs $2.00 a box and price for name brand is sometimes lower when combined with in store sale along with coupons. A local gas station mini mart often sells eggs at $.99 a dozen and the local store sometimes sells eggs at $.65 a dozen when one has at least $25.00 in other purchases.

1 cup cereal $0.19
1/2 cup low fat or skim milk $0.09

boiled egg $0.08

8 fl oz orange juice $0.25
8 fl oz tomato juice $0.25

1 slice toast $0.09
2 tsp of soft margarine $0.04

Total cost per serving is $0.99

[Kaleva]

24. A frugal monthly food budget comes out to $129.60 per person

Last edited Thu May 9, 2019, 01:20 PM - Edit history (1)

I averaged out the 7 dinners, the two breakfasts and added the lunch and mid afternoon veggie snack and multiplied that by 30.

I really tried to make sure there was adequate servings of dairy products, grains, vegetables and fruits each day.


Breakfast
Hot cereal breakfast $.91
Cold cereal breakfast $.99
average $.98

Lunch $1.47

Mid afternoon snack $.51

Dinners
Finnish hot dogs in sauce $1.22
Easy Chicken A La King $1.25
Black bean soup $1.17
Chicken chili $1.56
Chicken Stir Fry $1.47
Rotisserie chicken noodle soup $1.68
Sauerkraut and weenies $1.15
Walmart Rising Crust Supreme Pizza dinner $1.75
average $1.36

$.98 + $1.47 + $.51 + $1.36 = $4.32 x 30 = $129.60

[Kaleva]

25. Basic pickled eggs

Those 2 qt. 1 pt. (80 fl. oz.) and 1 gal. (128 fl. oz.) containers of dill pickles are rather cheap and once eaten, the juice can be used to pickle eggs in the very same container.

Eggs can be bought at places like Menards or gas station mini marts for a $1.00 a dozen. A local store sometimes sells eggs for $0.65 a dozen as long as one purchases $25.00 of other products.

Ingredients

leftover pickle juice
1 tablespoon pepper for every gallon of pickle juice. Adjust accordingly. $0.22
1 tablespoon garlic powder for every gallon of pickle juice. Adjust accordingly. $0.10
1⁄2 tablespoon Tabasco sauce for every gallon of pickle juice. Adjust accordingly. $0.13
x number of hard-boiled eggs, peeled, that will fit in the size pickle jar you are using. $1.00 per dozen

1 tbsp----(1/2)1-1/2 tsp ---(1/3)1 tsp
1 tsp -----(1/2)1/2 tsp--- -(1/3)1/4 tsp
1/2 tsp---(1/2)1/4 tsp---- -(1/3)1/8 tsp
1/4 tsp ---(1/2)1/8 tsp ----(1/3)dash


As a rule of thumb, 10 to 12 hard boiled eggs will fit into a quart size container. So one ought to be able to fit a dozen to 16 eggs into a 46 fl. oz. pickle jar, 2 to 2 1/2 dozen eggs into an 80 fl. oz. pickle jar and up to 4 dozen into a gallon size pickle jar.


Directions

After eating all the pickles out of the jar, save pickle juice.
In a pot, combine juice, pepper, garlic powder, and Tabasco sauce, bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes
Boil eggs
Peel the eggs and drop them into the jar.
Add the other ingredients.
Put in the refrigerator and let them sit for 2-4 weeks so they can marinate.

Use the eggs within 3 to 4 months for best quality.

An option is to skip the spices and just use the saved pickle juice. One does not have to simmer the juice. Just pour the juice over the eggs that are placed into whatever container you are using.

[Kaleva]

37. 30 eggs can fit into an 80 fl. oz. pickle jar

Made a batch of pickled eggs using just the pickle juice. I'll let it ferment for a month and then try one.

[dchill]

26. K&R.

[Freddie]

27. Another pickled egg recipe

This is PA Dutch red beet eggs. Cheap and delicious.

1 dozen peeled hard boiled eggs
1 can sliced beets with juice (store brand, not pickled beets)
1 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water

In large container, add eggs to beets and juice. Boil water, vinegar and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Stir this into container with eggs, beets and beet juice. Allow to marinate at least overnight. Delicious with a sprinkle of salt. I always end up discarding the beets.

[Kaleva]

35. I prefer pickled eggs made with beets and beet juice

[NCjack]

33. For "bottom feeders":

http://www.masterjules.net/confessi.html]

[Kaleva]

38. Check out the Deli for items priced to sell

A rotisserie chicken is usually priced at $5.99 at the local store. I just bought one there for $1.99 from which I made chicken noodle soup.

Pasties are priced at $2.50 but I got two for $.99 each. One of those plus a glass of milk and a banana was lunch for my wife for two days.

[dembotoz]

40. always check out the priced to sell stuff

pretty much most of what i buy now

shelf space is very competitive in a grocery store.
often the discontinued items are at real savings
particularly in the frozen food aisle

i shop the stuff they want to get rid of before i do my normal shopping.
Often the discounted stuff replaces my planned items...and that saves me money

[Kaleva]

39. Cooking a 20 lb. turkey I had purchased for I think $0.79 a pound

There's just me and my wife here so I'm going to have to get creative about what to do with all that meat!

http://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/g2488/leftover-turkey-recipes/

[dembotoz]

43. kid has a turkey in the freezer he got from work

we really gotta do something to it some time

[Kaleva]

41. Pork Roast dinner

2 1-2 pound pork roast $2.74 on sale
1 tablespoon oil
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice .04 cents
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning .03 cents
1 teaspoon garlic powder .03 cents
1 teaspoon cumin .03 cents
1 teaspoon salt .005 cents
1 teaspoon chili powder .03 cents
½ teaspoon paprika .06 cents
¼ teaspoon black pepper .02 cents

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a large baking/casserole dish. Pierce roast all over with a fork. Rub oil onto all sides of the meat.
Whisk together Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, salt, chili powder, paprika and black pepper. Sprinkle mixture over roast, patting it onto the surface of the meat on all sides. Place in prepared baking dish and drizzle lemon juice over the top.
Bake until outside is browned and crispy and centers are cooked through to an internal temperature of 145 degrees. About an hour.
Spoon juices from the dish over the meat. Allow to rest on a cutting board or in the baking dish for 5-10 minutes. Slice into 1 inch pieces. Spoon any remaining juices from the pan over the slices, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired, and serve.

Subtotal $2.99 serves 4

Side dishes, beverage and dessert for 4

canned vegetable .50 cents
2 lbs. boiled potato .80 cents
milk .72 cents
jello .75 cents

Total $5.56 or $1.44 per serving

[Kaleva]

42. Rotisserie chicken corn chowder

Rotisserie chicken can be bought at the deli at a local store for $1.99 when it's priced to sell. Canned veggies and soup can be bought at Family Dollar for $.50 a can when it's on sale there.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons butter, divided $.16

1 Teaspoon Italian Blend Seasoning $.03

2 Medium Sized Potatoes, diced $.13

One Can Cream of Chicken Soup $.50

½ Small onion, diced $.05

One Can Cream Style Corn $.50

3 Cans of Milk (use the empty soup can to measure) $.32

One Can Whole Kernel Corn $.50

½ Rotisserie Chicken Pulled apart and chopped $1.00

Salt/Pepper to taste

Subtotal- $3.19

Instructions:

In a soup or stock pot over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon butter, diced onion, Italian Seasoning and diced potato.

Then saute until tender (about 5 minutes). The potato will partially break down and create a starch that will help thicken the chowder.

Finally, while that cooks, pull apart and chop the chicken. Add to the pot and mix well.

Add the cans of soup and corn, mix well.

Stir in the milk and last tablespoon of butter. Salt & Pepper to taste.

Let the chowder cook on medium, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes.

Then, reduce to low and simmer for another 5 minutes or until ready to serve.

This serves 4 people so cost per serving is $.80

Add
8 fl. oz. 2% milk $0.18
1 banana $0.25
1 slice bread $0.09
2 tsp of soft margarine $0.04

Total cost per serving is $1.36

[dembotoz]

44. i rediscovered my moms bread machine

scratch recipes not mixes.
flour is not expensive, some cooking oil, bit of powdered milk.....some sweetner..used anything from
honey to pancake syrup
think the most expensive thing is the packet of yeast for @33 cents.

make a couple loaves a week...great for breakfast or a snack
and as a snack is doesn't have lots of sugar in it.

local grocer clearance out some flours....made my first rye bread yesterday...i am pleased with it.

inexpensive food does not have to taste cheap

[Kaleva]

45. Downside is that I'll eat a loaf in 2 days 'cause it's so good!

[dembotoz]

46. interesting article i hope some ideas

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jun/21/how-to-eat-like-chef-less-than-20-pounds-week-thrifty-recipes

[dembotoz]

48. familiar with this series on you tube...depression cooking with clara?

[Kaleva]

49. Walmart Rising Crust Supreme Pizza dinner

While the pizza box says there are 6 servings in each pizza, I'm going to divide it the pizza, and the cost, into thirds.

1/3 Great Value Supreme Pizza $.93
8 fl. oz. 2% milk $0.18
1 cup homemade sauerkraut $.39 ( I love sauerkraut on my pizza!)
1 banana $0.25

Total cost is $1.75