Times are hard, the cost of living is rising, and so, like many people, I’m trying to cook cheaper meals for the family. I recently did the Piri-piri chicken wing, wedges and corn traybake from BBC Food.
Wings are cheap, potatoes are cheap, and corn isn’t crazy expensive. The limes were probably the most extravagent ingredient. Total price, probably £2-£3 per person.
It was great, and the family all enjoyed it. To the point where it would go on the regular rotation even if we had suitcases full of cash stashed around the place!
What are your best economical recipes that aren’t just beans, chickpeas, and rice? Meals you actively looks forward to, rather than just a budget way of getting calories inside you?
On my list for the coming week:
- Carbonara
- Sausage and mash with onion gravy
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Mac and Cheese with salad
- Spicy black bean tacos
- Stir-fried tofu
- Slow cooker leek and potato soup
I can supply recipes for any of these.
Beans and rice takes many forms, and is generally cheap, and fairly nutritious
I’m a fan of pork butt (or shoulder) in a slow cooker all day (or oven on low) it manages to be pretty cheap per serving, and you can spice it to match any cuisine
Beef is just for special occasions unfortunately
Some fish, like tilapia, can be cheap proteins… I cook mine with lemon and dill
Canned proteins should not be overlooked
Bread is one of those things that is cheaper to buy than make IMO
If only cheese wasn’t so fucking expensive lol
The noble potato, savior of many a meal
I checked my Walmart. Premium bread flour is $5.25 for 5lb (enough for 6-7 loaves). The cheapest bread is $2.50. Bread is a pain to make, I won’t deny that, but your time would have to be pretty valuable to erase the savings.
For me it was more the responsibility to keep the sourdough well and alive, without really baking a loaf every few days/once a week
At least it didn’t work for us last time
Maybe, I should give it another try and read up more before - because bread is a delicious rabbit hole
I’m a huge fan of soda bread, which does not require sourdough (or yeast). You can go from “I have no bread” to “I am eating bread” in about 40 minutes.
The rising is done via buttermilk and baking soda.
Yes, I can make more money than I save by making my own bread with the time used
How is your bread so expensive? Cheapest loaf here is £0.45 for 800g in Aldi, most other shops same size is about £0.70-£0.90
Beans and rice is a very good suggestion. Grains alone are missing many amino-acids. Legumes add them. And legumes are almost as cheap as grains are.