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We don’t have to tell you that times are tough, dear Pandas. You likely already noticed how everything costs just a bit more (or, well, a LOT MORE in some cases), and how some food packages at your local grocery stores are shrinking and shrinking. Meanwhile, some food items simply don’t get delivered to your neighborhood anymore and the quality of some groceries might not be the same as before. Welcome to the awful world of inflation, supply chain issues, and financial worries.
High gas prices, rising food costs, and the inflated cost of rent are all making many people look over how they budget things. They’re looking for areas where they can cut back. Drastically. Some choose to change their eating habits but aren’t sure where to begin. Luckily, the internet’s full of unsung, kitchen-savvy heroes who are willing to teach others how to eat well in a way that’s lighter on the wallet.
We’ve collected the very best cooking and grocery-shopping hacks shared by the r/AskReddit community in this thread, so scroll down and be sure to take notes. Upvote the tips and tricks that you found the most useful. And if you’ve got some awesome money-saving cooking advice to share with all the other Pandas, we’re all eyes and ears—drop by the comments and share some of your wisdom.
Bored Panda got in touch with cooking and baking grandmaster Jessica Leigh Clark-Bojin, who's known all around the globe for her fabulous pie art. Jessica shared her thoughts on saving money on food, whether it makes sense to freeze food nutrition-wise, and she even revealed her awesome idea for a cheap-but-delicious meal for the entire family.
"Everyone is feeling the pinch the world over right now—so don’t go it alone! Team up with friends and relatives and develop your cost-cutting strategies together. Your purchasing power is greatly increased when you shop together and you can share tips and keep an eye out for deals together," the pie artist told us that you should look to your friends, family, and community for help in these times. Scroll down for the full interview.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
instead of getting grains/lentils from international food isle, visit an Indian groceries. you will see grains/lentils that you have never seen before and much cheaper. also many of the lentils have high protein contents.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
IF there’s such a market in your area. We don’t all live in large cities. The tiny rural farming town I live in has a Walmart with a grocery. That’s it. I would have to burn enough gas for a 60+ mile round trip to the nearest decent-sized town just to have access to that “cheaper” store.
GirlFriday 3 years ago
I save so much money on produce, grains, etc. by shopping at my local Pakastani grocery store, and I save on meat by shopping at my local Latinx market. Plus, I have tried so many new things that I have never seen in what used to be my usual store.
Jiminy 3 years ago
There are no Indian groceries around where I live. But I can recommend Turkish supermarkets instead.
Sapna Sarfare 3 years ago
If you have anything Asian in grocery stores, please go. You get better stuff. And yes, ask the owners for the stuff they use. Much better suggestions will come to you
Remi (He/Him) 3 years ago
As a rule the ethnic markets have better prices than the international isle, which can be very expensive here. Some ingredients like lentils, beans and peas are actually sold fairly cheaply in larger supermarkets here in Finland too. Compare prices in your area
Remi (He/Him) 3 years ago
It'll get hidden, don't worry. Also don't downvote people trying to hide spam! Downvote only spam and abusive/toxic comments. Downvotes for trying to help can result in ban for the helpful person.
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Brandi Delph 3 years ago
So many of these posts recommend lentils. I didn't try them until I was 30. Guess what is the only food I am allergic to.
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
Wow, that's one of the few things I'm not allergic to! I would recommend chickpeas or beans instead.
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Vlad Kollerov 3 years ago (edited)
Instead of giving idiotic advices, is better one time to visit those shops in reality. Most of them selling canned stuff.
According to Jessica, going meatless is a great way to scale back on grocery costs. "If you are looking to cut back on your family grocery budget, consider adding one or two extra meatless days to your existing schedule. Meat, especially red meat, just costs so much more to raise, process, and transport safely compared with alternate sources of protein. Unless you’re dealing with mystery-meat level fast food processed stuff, it’s never going to be able to compete on price," the pie artist and author told us.
While plenty of people suggest buying food in bulk and/or on sale and then freezing it for later use, some wonder if that won't destroy all of the nutrients inside. Bored Panda asked Jessica to enlighten us about the freezing process.
"You can certainly freeze fruits, veggies, and meat to eat later without sacrificing nutritional value," she said. "Just make sure you read up on the correct way to do this to avoid spoilage and freezer burn."
RELATED:
#2
Soup. I know it’s summer and hot af but I love soup anytime. I always bulk buy staples like diced tomatoes, beans, veggies etc. last night I made tomato basil soup with fresh basil from my garden. Eat some freeze some.
I I 3 years ago
i got a soup maker for my bday , got to say i didnt think i would use it but it takes 20 mins to make a real nice veg soup , im playing around with what i put in it but mostly onion , spuds , carrot and leek , get a french loaf for 70p and you got a few days of tasty home made soup
Auntriarch 3 years ago
When you make roasted vegetables, make extra to make the best vegetable soup.
Load More Replies... Vlad Kollerov 3 years ago
Just one problem - UK, US they just don't know what soup is, and how to cook it. :D But we are saved by Chinese and Japanese people.
#3
Less meat overall. Cabbage is super affordable and can be salad, sautéed, or ingredients in stir fry. Eggs - quiche, omelettes, scrambles. Bananas are amazingly cheap per pound and make amazing smoothies and desserts. Soups and stews with leftovers and add rice and beans. Grow your own herbs - I haven’t bought rosemary in decades because the fresh one on my porch is amazing and hard to kill. It can really elevate those on sale potatoes.
Jrog 3 years ago (edited)
Bananas have a monstrous environmental impact. Cultivation erodes end exhausts soil, destroys biodiversity and replaces forest land. It is the culture requiring most agrochemicals than any other in the world, polluting water and destroying local insect populations and consequently food chains. The production area is limited, and the product expires fast so logistics requires lot of air travel. EVERY DAY, the banana industry alone produces the same CO2 as 4000 ORBITAL ROCKET LAUNCHES.
Fall F. 3 years ago
Okay, I'm going to eat meat instead, thanks for info ;)
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Ozzie Ogawa 3 years ago
Buy local & seasonal. Eating more veggies and fruit from far away countries could do more harm than good.
Nitka Tsar 3 years ago
This! It is very common where I live. For example, if you want to buy strawberrys at any other time of the year then around May-June you need to be extremely lucky and pay an exorbitant price. Same goes for other local produce like cabbage, asparagus and so on.
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Izzy Curer 3 years ago
Most herbs don't grow in my climate. When I moved here, I tried growing all of the herbs I was used to, but the plants kept failing. I thought it was me until I spoke to some local gardeners who confirmed it was pretty much impossible. It just really depends on where you live.
Ozzie Ogawa 3 years ago
Yup, sometimes there are plants that is impossible to plant in some areas, you can't help but to buy imported ones. In case of herbs and seasoning it's not a big matter since you only use a little of them. What matter the most is those that you use a lot like fruit, veggies, meat, etc.
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Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
Eat as many local veggies and fruits, and do it in season. If people don't have to fly food around the planet then the food costs a great deal less.
Vlad Kollerov 3 years ago
Back in the USSR! :D Grow your own onions in cans, spend half of your life growing vegetables just because you can't buy them in shops.
The baking and cooking pro noted that if you're planning on freezing food, you need to get all the air out of the packaging before it's sealed. "Ensure that it is properly double bagged to avoid air leaks in the freezer. Or better yet, invest in a vacuum sealer!" she suggested.
"Buying groceries items in large lots and splitting between multiple families is a great way to take advantage of bulk discounts when your own pay-check doesn’t permit you to go out and invest in 10 lbs of cheddar on your own. Bonus points if you have a friend who is able to buy from restaurant suppliers directly or is part of a co-op!" she said that with a bit of communication, coordination, and flexibility, you can make each dollar do a lot more work.
#4
Roasting a whole chicken instead of buying breasts or thighs already cut up. I think I paid $5.50 for a whole chicken and $9 for 4 breasts.
Premislaus de Colo 3 years ago
The advice is great, but the photo is not. Why is there a roasted chicken with raw vegetables?
Pa4040 3 years ago
Also raw pomegranate? What kind of a mess would eating this be? I guess they just made it pretty for Instagram...
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James G. Currie 3 years ago
Doesn't always work... I can buy a whole roasted BBQ at Safeway for $9.99. A raw whole chicken is a couple dollars more.
Aubrie Allen 3 years ago
Whole chickens are kind of expensive where I live. Thighs and leg are cheaper, and store made rotisserie chickens are sometimes the cheapest option.
Kill-Bunny 3 years ago
It's not always the saving case. If you don't count the time it takes to make the whole chicken and the actual additives you need to use for whole chicken: more marinade, more oil, more seasoning, long cooking time, which equals more electricity/gas, then yes, it is cheaper. Also count out the bones and some other parts that you will not eat and you most likely equal with the price of chicken breast.
Vlad Kollerov 3 years ago
Advice is for real idiots :D What if you don't want to eat the whole chicken?
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
I did this just last week, and cooked it in the microwave which only took 20mins! I know people turn their noses up at microwave cooking but it was going into other dishes anyway.
#5
Beans beans and more beans.
Isabella 3 years ago
If you actually can eat beans. This is so overlooked, but many people cannot eat beans, lentils and soy - like people with thyroid problems, IBS, or allergies. Or all of those. And just the thyroid is around 15% ow women in population... so yeah - either you eat it to cut on cost and die or you do not eat enough because of cost and inability to swap to lgumes and you die. Fun time to be alive.
Ange Marsden 3 years ago
Make great dips to snack on and there's lots of burger recipes out there if you don't like eating them as is
Dylan Toeback 3 years ago
I am one of the few that cannot stand beans, the texture is off putting to me unfortunately.
#6
Avoid processed foods. Careful shopping to minimize waste. Cheap veggies like potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, etc. Plant based foods like grains and legumes.
Sue User 3 years ago
Here, chicken wings can be just as expensive as boneless chicken breasts.
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Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
I always make the outer circle of the grocery store first, so I see the fresh fruits and vegetables long before I get to the frozen foods and other aisles with all the processed c**p.
We also wanted to get Jessica's advice on what to do if you've got an entire food to feed and you're trying to keep everyone happy on a smaller budget.
"I’m a big fan of stir-fry, using whatever happens to be cheap and in season locally. Rice is super inexpensive and filling as a base, a little soy sauce with some thickener goes a long way as cheap sauce, herbs from your garden (or your neighbor’s garden) can add a little flavor, and then just add in whatever veggies and protein is on sale at the store that week," she shared.
The expert also had an additional pro-tip for us: "When you are stir-frying you don’t need to use the 'pretty' vegetables! Ask your grocer if they have any almost dead carrots or celery. Sometimes they’ll even give them to you for free!" she told us, adding that bendy carrots "come back to life" in water.
#7
Impulse buy meat thats on sale and freeze it. Its a rare day when i pay full (inflated) price for meat anymore.
Lazy Panda (she/her/hers) 3 years ago
My aunt learned that the only day the local grocery store was closed was Christmas Day, and on the afternoon of the 24th they would start to discount two days with of meat that would be expiring. She’d buy up a ton and freeze for her family and my grandfather.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
Best investment my husband and I made is the chest freezer where we keep meats bought on sale, garden vegetables we blanch and freeze, and leftovers of the large batches of chili, spaghetti sauce, and other stuff that freezes well, which we make when it’s cold outside. The other good investment is the vacuum sealer—-not the big clunky one you need a lot of counter space for that also uses one-time use bags, but the smaller rechargeable handheld one with reusable bags I clean out and get at least 4 or 5 uses out of.
JuJu 3 years ago
Saturday evening, I buy discounted veggies, meat, fruit... stores are closed on Sundays
Sue User 3 years ago
Ah, miss the Lidl " 30 minites before closing" Saturday sale. Foos was super cheap.
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Randy Volz 3 years ago
I always look for the bright orange 50% off stickers in the meat section. If I'm not going to cook it that day, I freeze it.
Colin Timp 3 years ago
I guess Walmart just threw away thousands of pounds of meat because the sell by date was a holiday? So they wouldn't even accept the shipment? Can anyone make sense of that?
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
Samesies! I only buy on sale but I get a big bonus when I go grocery shopping on the days where they mark down the meat that's left because it's close to expiration. I wrap in portions and then freeze it. The only time I'll buy meat at it's full price is when I'm at my local, small town butcher. Gotta support local business!
#8
Really started honing my Chinese dish skills because so much of it is rice (cheap) and few veggies and even fewer meat. Like, a single chicken breast can be a part of a 5-6 serving meal.
Also, refried beans for burritos. So cheap, so delicious.
BadCat 3 years ago
This is fine for the short run, but living on rice for a while can do havoc on your system. This is coming from someone who's had to live on rice for 2 weeks. After a couple days, it makes you feel full for 30 minutes and then your stomach is hurting for more food.
Bella10 3 years ago
I think they’re referring to rice as an additive to meat and vegetables. We basically live on Asian style dishes…. Plenty of vege and 125-300 gm of protein served on jasmine or brown rice. It’s all about the sauce. You can make a dish Thai, Vietnamese or Chinese depending on your mix of sauce.
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Ozzie Ogawa 3 years ago
White rice is a cheap but poor energy source. You got full quick, but you got hungry quicker as well, and be careful with your blood sugar level if you're diabetic. As an asian i've been eating rice since i was a baby, i would love to reduce my rice consumption but i can't afford that for now.
Giles McArdell 3 years ago
Generally mixed meat+veg+riceorpastaorpotatoorbread dishes that reduce the meat without looking like they're missing something are a great saving, really easy to cook and (mostly) better for the environment.
Jrog 3 years ago
Again, NOT A GOOD ADVICE. A full chicken has enough proteins to last 2 days for an adult. This is nowhere close to 5-6 meals, especially so if you only use the breast. A healthy diet should have 3-400 grams or red meat per week, double that white meat, or at least several servings of legumes, the less fried the better. Rice is great, has lots of fibers and a good balance of carbs and mineral salts, but is severely lacking in proteins.
Mama Penguin 3 years ago
The person said 5-6 portions, not whole meals :) And I don't think rice should be the main star of the dish here. It's a side dish to plenty of veggies and some meat and if you can get it cheap, tofu.
Load More Replies... Artchangel 3 years ago
Rice because it's grown where cotton used to be grown is high in arsenic. Lowest arsenic levels is in California, Indian and Pakistani Basmati white rice. Brown rice has more arsenic in the germ.
#9
1 small chicken is all the meat 1 adult needs in a week. Costs less than £4. I roast and debone it on Sunday, then make meals each evening with it, curry, stir fry, roast dinner etc. Fresh fruit and veg are cheap enough, big 2kg bag of rice lasts ages, porridge for breakfast. Only spent £22 at the weekend for this week's shop.
Lance LaRocque 3 years ago
It is not recommended that you eat cooked refrigeratored chicken after 4 days due bacterial growth.
kathryn stretton 3 years ago
You freeze the separated meat for use later in the week. I do this.
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ElenaK 3 years ago
This is good price! In Greece it now costs more than 3euro per kilo so at least 6-7 euro per raw chicken.
Load More Replies... Jrog 3 years ago (edited)
a 400g chicken has barely enough proteins (about 100g) to be enough for an adult, 70 kg man for two days. Rice protein content is negligible, so either you integrate your diet consistently with something else like beans, or you have a severe lack of nutrients in your diet. A healthy diet should include about 350 grams or red meat per week, or twice as much white meat.
Adam Jeff 3 years ago
There are plenty of non-meat sources of protein and the post is clearly not saying to eat nothing but chicken and rice. A healthy diet doesn't need to include any grams of meat.
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Trista JW 3 years ago
There is absolutely no reason for anyone to stick to one kind of meat per week, nor to try and substitute other foods for meat (unless they are a vegetarian/vegan, or want to try something new.) Yes, things are rough and money is tight. But rather than splurging on things like rotisserie chicken, steak, seafood, specialty cuts, or organic everything, look for larger packages and cheaper cuts of meat. Cheaper cuts aren't "bad," you just need to figure out how to cook them. And when was there ever shame in buying things like roasts, which can last more than one meal, anyway?
Katinka Min 3 years ago
In what world does a chicken only cost 4$?? Do I even want to eat a chicken that is that cheap?
Clementine Smith 3 years ago
Who wants to eat the same meat 7 days in a row? My anxiety is high thinking about the state of that chicken
Mike Tayse 3 years ago
Make broth with the leftover chicken and then you can make risotto. Might sound gross, but I take the scraps right from the plate and boil anything leftover.
Inflation surged to 9.1% in the United States in June, the highest number we’ve seen in some 40 years. According to CNN, there have been price jumps in pretty much every category. Gasoline prices were up almost 60% compared to the past year. Electricity and natural gas costs increased by 13.7%. And energy prices as a whole rose by 41.6%.
However, rising costs also spread to food items, too, rising 12.2% overall, compared to 2021. Eggs, for instance, cost a third more than a year ago, for Americans. Buying butter is just over a fifth more expensive. And we hope you like milk that costs 16.4% more. Chicken’s up 18.6% and coffee’s 15.8% more expensive.
And while it’s barely ever a good idea to compare anything to super-expensive New York, just to see how much of an economic clown world we’re living in, let’s take a peek at the prices there. The average cost of rent in Manhattan in June 2022 was over $5,000. Meanwhile, the median is just over $4,000.
So, to generalize a bit, it’s getting more expensive to drive to the grocery store, buy the food that you want, drive back, cook it, and pay for the roof over your head. (Especially if you happen to be in NYC.)
#10
I've changed what I'm growing in my garden this year. I'm currently drowning in raspberries and artichokes, all free! I'm going to be freezing most of my blueberries and preserving/canning almost everything else. I've also planted extra onions and squash because they keep for a long time and make an excellent and filling side with dinner. I still have some squash from last season that we are using up.
Mer☕️🧭☕️ 3 years ago
Yeah, I've noticed that most of these "tips" require having land available for this/that and/or being physically able to garden/price-shop/find deals and having THE MONEY ON HAND to BUY that spendy chicken, etc, first. Great suggestions but...
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ChickyChicky 3 years ago
"Free". Well, if you don't have to pay anything for a plot to keep them on, or the water, or the fertilizer, or the purchase of seeds, seedlings, or plants, or methods to deal with pests--then sure, it's "free".
Deborah B 3 years ago
Rasberry plants are amazing. You can get thornless ones, and they produce lots. Also very good frozen. A very simple desert is baked raspberries - a layer of frozen raspberries, sprinkled with a little brown or raw sugar (about 2tsp per cup raspberries is plenty) bake in the oven, then serve with vanilla ice cream, or frozen yogurt. Make your own frozen yogurt, by freezing plain yogurt and running it through the blender with flavoring and sweeteners of your choice.
Max M 3 years ago
Raspberriy plants. Are almost impossible to get rid of. Atleast here. I thought i got them all but they are still between the flowers. If they atleast were near my kitchengarden i could allow it hehe
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
Keep a manageable number of them, and do what the OP does with the berries. If you don’t like raspberries, then let certain non-greedy friends and/or neighbors come and pick what they want. Maybe offer neighbors and friends the opportunity to transplant your unwanted raspberry plants to their own yards. I would LOVE to have berry bushes in my yard, but they can get pricey to buy in a store, and the young plants they offer can take time to mature and produce.
Load More Replies... Bonnie Mc 3 years ago
My soil doesn't work for a garden. I have tried a lot of things for the past 38 years. Wasted a lot of money on plants and seeds. I finally got a plant box and spent over a $100 on the box, dirt, compost, etc and plants. Half of the plants have died because our weather is too hot, and the tomato plants are growing a lot of green, but the buds are dying before they make tomatoes. I don't know if this makes sense or not, but some people just don't have luck with a lot of the advice you are giving.
#11
It will sound obvious, but go to the store and see what’s on sale, especially in seasonal items like fresh produce.
People often go in with a plan that may have nothing to do with what’s a good price that day.
BadCat 3 years ago
I go in just to see what I can get on sale and how much I can stretch the dollar. The local Safeway near me always has sales going on, and whatever is on sale is what we're getting. There are times I can still live on $50 for the week.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
The night before I go shopping, I finalize my list, then hit up all the coupon sites to print off, or download to my cellphone, all the discounts that apply to that list, and maybe stuff I plan to buy in the next week or two (coupons and specials generally expire anywhere between two weeks and a month, so thinking ahead like that has saved me). Then I checkout my local store’s weekly special circular. If there’s a BOGO or any good special, I make a note about it on my list. Quite often, stores running specials will allow you to stack a coupon on top of the store discount, so you save even more. This is what I do, even if times aren’t as lean as they are now. I spent a lot of years really struggling before I got married and combined incomes, so I just can not pay full price for any damn thing if I can get it discounted, or cheaper elsewhere. It’s so much a part of my personality now that I swear would still be that way if I won the lottery and never had to count pennies again.
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Giles McArdell 3 years ago
Reduced items (close to use by date) saves money and can give a (sometimes weirdly) varied diet. My wife and I both claim bragging rights when we've been shopping and got some good bargains.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
I always make a grocery list, because I spend more if I don’t. BUT if I come upon a good sale, I will allow the extra expense to stock up and actually save in the future.
Auntriarch 3 years ago
UK the Co-op has diamond discount day for over 60s, 10% off, not to be sneezed at
#12
I'm freezing a lot more stuff and being much more proactive about labeling and using up foods before it goes bad. There are only two of us and in the past I might toss out half a can of tomato sauce because it would go unused after a recipe.
Now everything gets portioned out and frozen on the spot with a label. I've got butter molds that I use to freeze four ounce sticks of broth and other liquids.
I'm also eating at home more for lunch whereas I used to eat lunch out once or twice a week. Now it's more like once or twice a month.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
Wow, it's quite sobering to read that there are people that would throw away half a can of perfectly useable tomato sauce (not sure what this means? sauce for pasta? tomato puree? tomato ketchup?)! Why would anyone ever throw perfectly good food that they could easily eat in the bin, even if they can afford to?????? So many uses for whichever type of tomato sauce this refers to!
Giles McArdell 3 years ago
I think they mean something like a cook in sauce, you don't need the whole jar/can right away and, unfrozen, it would just go off. OP is showing the way, people just need to be a bit more aware that they are just throwing money away.
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Seedy Vine 3 years ago
I label all food that goes in fridge or freezer. Have poisoned myself with spoilt food enough already!
Things aren’t looking too hot across the pond, either. The BBC reports that more and more Brits have been relying on food banks or food charities to help them eat. Meanwhile, around one in five people said that they skipped meals or cut down on portion sizes just to make ends meet.
Jake Butler, from the ‘Save the Student’ organization, previously explained to Bored Panda that choosing to cook at home instead of eating out or getting takeaways is a major way to save cash. You can eat more cheaply and cook healthier food at home. This doesn’t mean that you have to live a life devoid of flavor, though. There are ways to indulge without breaking the bank.
“The good news is that you can easily recreate your favorites at home for a fraction of the price. It's much healthier this way too. Google is definitely your friend here as you can find fakeaway recipes from a number of sites,” he shared with Bored Panda.
#13
Rotisserie chicken from the deli-and it’s already cooked for you. Shred it for chicken tacos, chicken soup, make stock for other soup bases.
Eggs-so versatile for a boost of protein. Add to ramen, eat by itself. Very filling if made into an omelet with a side of rice. Dice up into egg salad sandwiches.
Rice-can make fried rice, Spanish rice, jambalaya rice or put into casseroles. However you use it, it will fill you up.
Potatoes-bake ‘em, fry them, shred them boil them, mash them.
Jj321 3 years ago
Beat to me it, lol, felt like such a wasted opportunity
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Premislaus de Colo 3 years ago
Potatoes are great vegetables altogether: baked, fried, french fries, crisps, vodka... Other vegetables should be ashamed
Seedy Vine 3 years ago
My grocery sells shredded rotisserie chicken. Chicken salad is a breeze!
Giles McArdell 3 years ago
So much "just eat chicken" advice here, if we ever manage to actually replace chickens with vat grown meat we'll be well on our way to "meat free".
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Nobody mentioned potato salad. Alone with just chopped mint or combined with frozen mixed vegetables.
Artchangel 3 years ago
Rice because it's grown where cotton used to be grown is high in arsenic. Lowest arsenic levels is in California, Indian and Pakistani Basmati white rice. Brown rice has more arsenic in the germ.
grafxgal60073 3 years ago
When I buy a bag of potatoes, I bake all of them at once. Then, you can make hash browns from a few, mash from a few, make potato salad, or eat them piled high with sauteed veg.
#14
Don’t get stuck on having to use a certain kind of meat and look for what suits your budget. Ground beef has been really expensive so I have been buying ground pork and ground turkey instead. Chicken thigh meat works in most recipes that ask for chicken breast. Watch for sales on meat around holidays.
Thomas Ewing 3 years ago
Any meat, properly prepared, is just like a fine cut of "better" stuff. Being prejudged about meat is stupid and deprives you of nutrients.
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago
Using meat as a “flavour” like garlic saves a lot of money too :) I use a slice or two of bacon in some recipes and it’s really helpful
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Mama Penguin 3 years ago (edited)
Yep. Went to Aldi's last week and the price of ground beef is literally double the price of ground turkey. And in Costco, a big pack of boneless, skinless chicken breast is almost double thaf of chicken thighs. I guess if I were to pull one silver lining out of this is I end up eating way less red meat which is healthier in the long run.
Trista JW 3 years ago
The only real difference between buying a specialty or "fine" cut and an average cut is that you might need to spend a little bit of time (generally under an hour) figuring out how to cook it. Remember: chicken is chicken, pork is pork, beef is beef, lamb is lamb! Some cuts might be a bit tougher until you see what temperatures they need to be cooked at, but for example, there's no shame in substituting an extremely expensive cut of pork for something like roast, or even pork stew meat.
Colin Timp 3 years ago
Look for smaller brands meat products. A Hormel Pork Tenderloin will often go for $10. However if you buy a by-the-pound one like Farmland you can get a 2 pak for about $8.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 3 years ago
... I will restrain myself about the conditions turkeys, chicken and pigs are kept. But ... yeah. No.
Me 3 years ago
Although the cheaper parts of chicken(thighs, legs) are fattier than chicken breasts.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 3 years ago
Which is the reason why they're tastier! And if you remove the skin, the fattest part is gone anyway.
Load More Replies... #15
I'm intentional about leftover meals. I'll make extra rice one day and then use it to make fried rice [the next day]. At the end of the week, I make a homemade pizza crust and then put whatever leftovers are still in the fridge on top of it. My kids love 'leftover pizza.' It's always fun and different every week. Last week, we made three pizzas and our toppings were tacos, chicken curry, and spaghetti.
Fall F. 3 years ago (edited)
Chicken curry....hm, okay. But tacos and spaghetti as pizza topping? Like, wtf! Once Ristorante had an US-edition deep-frozen pizza, with spaghetti on it (it wasn't popular). I thought, those-guys-at-Ristorante-are-nuts-who-on-earth-will-do-this-with-a-pizza? But now, I see.
Hiram's Friend 3 years ago (edited)
Pizza is just flatbread with whatever you want on it. No need to be a food snob.
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Clementine Smith 3 years ago
STOP KEEPING RICE FOR A WEEK. Jesus people do you not understand how food poisoning happens?
Trista JW 3 years ago
There is absolutely nothing wrong with leftovers! (In fact, leftover vegetables are great in soups and stews!) Leftover rice is far better to use for fried rice than a fresh pot. Leftover roasts, ribs and chicken can be used for great soups and stews, or as meat for the next day's sandwiches for lunch. But when you start getting weird and throwing spaghetti, tacos, curry, or anything else that doesn't belong within 1000 feet of another food onto a pizza, you had better be drunk as hell! Otherwise, there is no point and most sober people do not willingly eat food Frankenstein's Monsters
Andrew Pugg 3 years ago
If you can have pineapple on a pizza then u can have anything on a pizza.
GirlFriday 3 years ago
At the end of the week, I make an egg casserole and use up any veg that I have for the week. Beat about 6 eggs, add in asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and cheese. It is filling and delicious and cleans the fridge for weekend shopping.
“The good news is that the ingredients for most of these recipes aren't too pricey and you can still hunt for bargains to make the dish cheaper. Buying in bulk is always a winner too when it comes to saving money so it's a great idea to get together with friends and maybe take it in turns to make your favorite fakeaways.”
According to Jake, the most important part of creating a fake takeaway (aka a fakeaway) is getting the seasoning just right. “Salt and pepper won't break the bank, but they can make or break a meal. Don't forget that sugar can take a dish to the next level too,” he suggested what to focus on.
#16
Eating less meat. Showing up at the farmers market near closing and buying a lot of things at reduced prices.
Fall F. 3 years ago
Funny thing: in Germany the farmers markets have at least double price, than the veggies in the supermarkets. 2 pieces of romana-salad are 70 cent at supermarket, while on farmers market you can get 1 for 1-1,50 euro.
The Scout 3 years ago
Some farmer's markets can sometimes get very inexpensive (but nerve-wracking) when you get there at the right time. A week ago there nearly was a riot on a market near me when half an hour before closing time, a merchant dared to lower the price for white asparagus (after the official end of the season) from 8 to 4 Euro per kg, and ten minutes later 2kg for 4. I think the last customer even got another kilo for free, but he certainly had the bruises and scratches to show for it. Well, Germans and their asparagus... This is an extreme example, of course, but prices often are lowered massively before closing.
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Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
If you're really hard up after the stalls have packed up they can dump fruit and veg that they know is okay now but will be 'over' by tomorrow, so you can scavenge fruit and veg for free.
Trista JW 3 years ago (edited)
Suggesting that people eat less meat is not always a feasible suggestion- nor is it always practical. Especially considering that everyone has different tastes and live in different areas. It would make a lot more sense to suggest something like ordering meat online. (Not subscription boxes, but sites like Wildfork has very good quality and decent cuts of meat for very cheap. Like $2.50 for two pounds of chicken legs.) Other sites out there will have the same, if not 100% better prices. So no, people do not need to eat less meat, they just basically need to know how to find better prices than what their stores offer.
Barbara L Bristow 3 years ago
Also, check out what they've thrown away if you have any pets that eat greens
#17
My local small Persian grocer has the best prices on produce, feta, spices, and especially fresh herbs.
things I've always done that make my shop more affordable:
Eat a ton of lentils - delicious, cheap, easy, can be spiced and prepared in infinite exciting ways and in many different countries' styles.
95% vegetarian diet. I eat seafood 1-2 times a month and poultry maybe 3-4 times a year.
Bobby 3 years ago
I've got a son with some severe fiod anxiety issues. Getting him to try new foods is an uphill battle for everyone involved. I get frustrated that I put effort into a meal he can even touch. He will tell me it smells great, and looks delicious. Then will proceed to sit in front of the plate and cry. Not because he doesn't want to eat but I can hear him saying to himself "it smells good, why an I so dumb all I need to do is eat it. I'm sure I will like it so why can't I do it." It breaks my heart, and we usually end up having to try the same dish 3 or 4 times before he can even try one bite. I would love to try some of these tips but I would have to slowly integrate them or I'm afraid the kid would starve.
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago
That sounds difficult 🧡 good for you for working hard
Load More Replies... Fall F. 3 years ago
It's a matter of taste. I don't like lentils or beans, or even see.food/fish. But I like read-meat, like pork, duck, beef, lamb and bushmeat, veggies , fruits, milk products and so on. But it's a good idea to check first at your national grocery shops (when you have any), often they are cheaper, than the supermarkets, on some items.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
It’s always a good idea to make the rounds of groceries that are close enough to you to not be overcharged at one grocery store but also not waste gas traveling all over the place to shop. Figure out which has the best prices on different type of foods, etc. Then figure out which has the best meats, the best bakery, the best deli, etc, that also charges affordable prices. Then look at which consistently offers the best specials on items you actually use. Basically try to figure out which department of your circuit of stores has the best quality for the best price. Sometimes the price of bakery bread is cheaper than the better bread brands in the bread aisle. As long as the stores are in a tight circle around where you live, you won’t burn up your savings in the gas tank.
Load More Replies... Gary Sansom 3 years ago
Yeah, I like lentils, but oh dear: the side effects, keep me awake all night! )-;
GramDB 3 years ago (edited)
Always soak any kind of BEANS overnight, then rinse (next add seasonings and a little fresh water) before cooking … No more 'side effects' (GAS!) keeping you awake at night … ever!
Load More Replies... GramDB 3 years ago
My special needs 19 year old G-daughter has the same issues with food … she gets excited about a meal, then takes one bite. Or … only wants one thing for dinner. Or … now hates what she once loved .Plus … she will never eat leftovers. It's SO hard for us. If she could she'd have take-out food every day ... but we can not afford that more than once a month. She always apologies for being so picky … but it will happen every, single day. It's so heart braking to always have to say no to her.
#18
Ground mushrooms will bulk up ground beef sauce without much taste affect. Just add when beef is almost browned
Henrik Schmidt 3 years ago
They have a taste, but it's similar to meat ("umami").
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The Scout 3 years ago
Mushrooms have a consistency that is similar to many meats, so I mostly do not miss meat in mushroom dishes. I think the taste is quite different, though. Unfortunately, while this works with champingons, other fungi like chanterelles or porcini can easily get as expensive as meat or even more so (not even counting truffles!), so often meat is the more simple alternative.
Izzy Curer 3 years ago (edited)
Mushrooms are as expensive as beef. If you want a cheap alternative, mix ground beef with quick oats and tomato paste and make meatballs
Colin Timp 3 years ago
Mushrooms absorb the flavors they're cooked in. I usually cook mine in butter and fresh garlic.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 3 years ago
If you want to cheaply bulk up your bolognese, use ground carrots. Two or three of them, add the carrots once the meat is fried and cook the way you usually do. Maybe you'd need to use more spices because carrots are a bit sweet, but it adds a lot of bulk to the sauce and in the end, you don't really notice. I do like the mushrooms in the dish anyway, but I usually put them in close to the end of cooking so they get smaller but still have texture.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
My parents were Depression babies. My mother always added fine ground breadcrumbs to make hamburger go further—-even though my father made a really good living and she didn’t have to. But stuff like growing up during a time of such hardship sticks with you, you know?
Isabella 3 years ago
Walnuts bulk up ground beef greatly and when cooked in sauce - they really change texture to meat-like.
Me 3 years ago
For health reasons? By weight, walnuts cost more than beef in my area.
Load More Replies... #19
This one might be obvious, but I’ve started shopping online and knowing exactly what I need to cook for the week.
I used to go to the grocery store with sort of a general plan, but not knowing exactly what ingredients I need. I would wander around, see something that looked good, and then try to plan a meal around it on the fly.
Now, I’ll come up with a couple recipes, figure out exactly everything I need, and add it all to the cart online. Doing this also helps with not buying snacks or other things I don’t need. It’s a really great feeling to total everything up in the cart and see that I’m only paying $50-60 to feed 2 people for the week.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
It's the not buying snacks that makes the biggest difference. I can make a meal for four people for a couple of pounds, but then to buy myself a can of drink and a packet of crisps will cost nearly £2, the same as the meal.
Fall F. 3 years ago
But sometimes, one just hears-the-call for them. And sometimes, when you feel, I want junk food, just go for it! You have one life, eating what you please at the moment, is the very little thing, what can you do for yourself.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
I hesitate to utilize online grocery shopping and pickups/deliveries. First, they’re more expensive. Second, I don’t want the “picker” to just grab fruits or vegetables off the top of the heap and not bothering to choose the best one(s) because they’re overloaded with orders to fill and just don’t have the time to shop more carefully. So I prefer to do my own shopping so I can choose my own, and not pay the markup for pickup/delivery. DIY is cheaper. Just make a grocery list and stick to it.
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago (edited)
I no longer go grocery shopping without meal planning. And try as hard as I can to plan meals that take up ingredients I still have. Snacks are different now. I buy popcorn in bulk and often buy veggies on sale and put them into my dehydrator to make something crunchy.
#20
So China wise, "northerners" were poorer back in the day. There's a difference in cuisine but it's much clearer to me now having lived with some.
1. Meat is expensive. Use tiny slivers of pork (or bacon) stir fried in dishes of vegetables to give them meaty flavour.
2. Veg is king. Those northerners even eat salad. Usually with a lot of vinegar dressing. Probably a throwback to hide not so great veg.
3. Stodge. Their bread is like bricks. Cheaply made with flour, water, minimal proving. I don't recommend it but it does fill you up. You can also add flavour by sandwiching with braised aubergine and pork. Yes, more pork fat flavour.
For my regular cheap self, I have some habits that keep things cheap which make up for the fact I spend a lot of money on food as a vice.
1. Lidl. When I can. I'm very selective about meat and veg so if it doesn't look great I'll buy elsewhere. Cheap chocolate, eggs, sliced meats, foreign treats...all lidl. Also the cheapest place for cotton pads.
2. Own brand fun. Unless branded cereal is on a major deal, I do own brand. Cheaper and weirdly healthier because they spend less adding sugar.
3. Oats. Love them. Super cheap. Even if you went organic they're cheap. Raisins, milk, two minutes in the microwave. Can also use up every out of date Nutella, peanut butter, biscoff, jam jar you own as toppings.
4. I memorise prices of things I like and if its over that line, I don't buy them. Doesn't work for necessities, but water crackers and the ilk, my brain knows things to be £1 or less...
5. Drinks are water for me. I am grossly resentful when dining out that soft drinks can be £3 and up. You can't really reuse teabags the way we used to but you can if you let it brew in a pot for longer.
6. If you use the oven, use it to cook more than one thing. Sweet potatoes constantly get roasted when I bake cakes.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
I use a grocery shopping app where I can enter and save prices. That way I have a ballpark idea of the final price even before I get to the store. Also, I can compare prices at other stores to see who’s cheapest.
#21
Choose potatoes, onions, and garlic with no blemishes. Keep them dry, dark, and separated (onions and garlic can be together, but the potatoes need to be kept in another area). You can keep all these for weeks. I like to use pantyhose and hang the potatoes on the inside of my pantry with hooks.
Colin Timp 3 years ago
Just don't forget where you put your potatoes!!! I once came home and noticed a horrible smell. Turns out we had a bag of potatoes that were put on the pantry shelf. Someone put things in front of them and they were forgotten about until they liquified. It was honestly the most disgusting cleanup I've ever had to do. The smell will gag a maggot.
Dana Ondráčková 3 years ago
Also dont store apes with potatoes, it somehow make them both go bad faster, as I heard
#22
Rotisserie chicken from Sam’s for $4.98 (they’re huge), instant mashed potatoes (family size is like $2.49), and a bag of fresh green beans ($3.50) roasted with garlic powder, black pepper and olive oil. $11 to feed family of 4.
Spaghetti is always cheap and easy to feed multiples. Rice and homemade gravy. I make a cheap broccoli cheese casserole that easily feeds 4. But for real. Those Sams rotisserie chickens are a godsend. So easy.
Bobby 3 years ago
I just looked at a circular for a grocery store near me. If I add in the increased cost of fresh produce to what I'm saving in meat it just about balances out to about the same. But I can see it saving money if I got my produce elsewhere or opted for frozen/canned fruits and veggies
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Trista JW 3 years ago
Good ideas, though substituting a single rotisserie chicken for a five-pound bag of leg quarters (Wal mart has them for $6.00) lasts longer and makes more sense. Also, do not splurge on on olive oil, which is not a good cooking oil. It's fine if you're using it for anything but cooking meat in (dressings of all sorts and sauces, mainly) but vegetable or canola oil are very cheap and have a high smoke point
Kharyss 3 years ago
I don’t know Sam’s as a store, but generally most pre cooked or processed meat is low grade with poor animal welfare standards. They buy the cheapest they can and coat it with a load of sugar and salt glazes or marinades to make it tasty. Sure it’s cheap, but I’d rather eat meat less often and buy a free range bird that hasn’t been battery farmed. Same with instant mashed potato. Bulked out with fillers and preservatives. It’s not hard or expensive to peel a potato, boil it and mash it.
#23
The usual: I shop at Aldi and a Korean vegetable store. I also check the local flyers and buy things on sale. Also I have been doing intermittent fasting (for health reasons) so that's one less meal per day. I'm hoping that everyone else has answers because other than being really mindful of food waste, it's tough.
#24
Honestly I've been buying bulk meats and freezing extra for years with a vacuum sealer. I barely noticed the price increases. If I can't get a good deal at the market I just grab out of the freezer.
Also trying to reduce meat intake can drastically reduce bills. Tofu is usually like a dollar per lb at costco. And most vegetables are even cheaper. Fill up on healthy vegetables and a more modest serving of meat.
As for vegetables, just buy what's fresh and plentiful and usually on sale.
Also check out farmer's markets and produce stands and look for deals with CSA farmers.
Hiram's Friend 3 years ago
A vacuum sealer is a good investment. We buy bulk meats on sale and portion them into sealer bags and freeze.
Kim Shannon 3 years ago
Agree. A vacuum sealer will pay for itself in no time.
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Rowan/Vin 3 years ago
I think they mean they've been doing it for years not that they store it for years
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#25
We use ground turkey in place of ground beef. Way leaner, and properly seasoned it’s hard to tell a difference. Burgers, chili, tacos, works for all of it
Ozacoter 3 years ago (edited)
This will depend on the place where you live. In our belgian supermarket ground chicken or turkey was more expensive than ground pork.
Daria Z 3 years ago
In Russia, turkey (ground or not) costs as much as beef. Chicken is by far the cheapest meat here.
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Fall F. 3 years ago
Ground turkey and ground beef have like 1 euro difference in price in Germany. I'd never choose turkey. Also, turkey is the most neutral-tasting meat, you have to really fry it, to get some taste from it. Turkey-meat just doesn't worth the price for me.
Gin. No tonic 3 years ago
You should try ground turkey thighs - they taste so much better than ground turkey breast! The meat is more red too/though. Turkey is better than chicken though, because you can't grow turkeys with anibiotics - they just die then (or so I've been told).
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SirWriteALot 3 years ago
Turkey meat is not good. It tastes bland and watery. It's just "a lot"
#26
Thank god for culinary school- because it’s taught me how to menu plan and utilize the same ingredients in different ways, as well as how to keep veggies longer and what to freeze, as well as I have been buying whole chickens (I live alone so it’s easier with less people to feed BUT) and fabricating them on my own and freezing the rest for later use as well as the carcass to make homemade stocks and broths. I’ve also been saving veggie and herb scraps to add to homemade stocks and broths as well. It’s been saving me a ton of money thankfully.
Thomas Ewing 3 years ago
I took one semester of Home Economics (I called it Bachelor Survival) and learned so much handy stuff that it's a wonder there isn't a Kitchen License needed to enter a food prep area. Learn to cook, everyone, it's FUN! A lifetime hobby with rewards.
GramDB 3 years ago
They should have "Home Ec" and "Bachelor Survival" classes in schools now, like they did when I went to school. It's needed more now than ever. It's SO sad they stopped teaching the most important lessons for life.
Load More Replies... #27
I have all the apps for my local grocery stores so I can compare prices.
Buy lots of frozen veggies because they're cheaper right now.
Bought a cheap rice cooker and eat a lot of rice to stretch my meals out.
Have a small chest freezer so I buy meat in bulk when it's on sale.
#28
I turn maruchan ramen noodles into all kinds of things. Spaghetti, Alfredo, butter noodles, pesto, beef stew and noodles, etc. If I need carbs in a dish, I add it. I save the flavor packs for soup bases/broth or whatever I might need seasoning for. Like I just used a chicken packet to make the base for broccoli cheddar soup. The beef packs work well with caramelized onions for a French onion soup. Add the noodles as well!
Jiminy 3 years ago (edited)
Buying instant noodles in larger packs is way cheaper than using the single serve ramen packs. And creates less packaging waste.
Jake B 3 years ago
The baked is better for you, if you can find it. Not sure that works. I try for a ramen and peanut butter fix every few months.
Load More Replies... Thomas Ewing 3 years ago
I enjoy ramen but find the Top Ramen brand much better than the US-made Maruchan brand. Buying American is fine, but it better taste as good!
Colin Timp 3 years ago
That stuff is bad for you. You'd be better off eating the plastic it's wrapped in.
#29
I switched to smoothies instead of whole fruits. I can make a combination of fresh and frozen fruits without compromising the flavor since the texture doesn’t matter too much in the smoothie.
Deborah B 3 years ago
Blending fruit makes it faster to digest, lowers the fiber, and makes the sugar more accessable - it's less healthy than eating the whole fruit, and will make you hungrier faster. Alternatives are to add the defrosted fruit to your cereal, or mix it with yogurt.
Zophra 3 years ago (edited)
The fiber is the same content if the fruit is whole or blended. It is undigestable cellulose. Where would it go? - it's not evaporating out of the smoothie solution and there is no unique chemical reaction changing the cellulose.
Load More Replies... Max M 3 years ago
But it is the whole fruit that is healthy. If you blend it, many good things in them get destroyed
Pa4040 3 years ago
Not really. Juicing reduces the fiber content of fruit and generally gives you a more sugary drink with less nutrient content. Blending is usually done cold, and takes less than a minute so since there is no heat involved and you drink the whole content there is no nutrient or fiber loss.
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Dana Ondráčková 3 years ago
I too make smoothies from fruit that is not rotzing but looking kinda sad and old to eat by itsekf
My Full Name Is Way Too Long 3 years ago
I don't know why Deborah B and Max M's comments were downvited so much, but they're absolutely right. And I don't say, well write that :), because I happened to have read what they wrote somewhere, but because my ex hubbie explained it to me, who happens tk be a food technician.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 3 years ago
With Smoothies, you forgo chewing and blended mush is much easier to digest than a whole apple (for instance). Even if all the ingredients are the same, texture does play a part in all this. You need less energy for drinking a smoothy than you would for eating the same amount of food. You also would probably not eat as much food in the first place because after a few carrots, you'd be feeling full. Your stomach would be in digesting-mode from then on and your hunger is put on hold. Now. A drink with blended particles and nearly nothing to digest - the nutrients will just slip through the stomach and into your digestive tract and bloodstream - will not keep the stomach working for half as long as the same amount of fruit would.
#30
Buy cheaper - chicken legs rather than boneless-skinless thighs.
Research costs - online (Walmart and Amazon) vs local shops.
Rotate through 2-3 markets for sale items.
Much more store-brand items like vinegar, mustard, milk.
Downgrade some items. Gala Apples cost $1 less per pound than Honey Crisp. More common red bell pepper, avoid the more expensive orange and yellow.
Buy family-size chicken packages, repackage into 1 meal packages and freeze.
Plan out menus so I can prep for several meals at one time, usually freeze before cooking.
Ask people in the parking lot if they remember how much they paid for that pack of paper towels. No one is ever surprised. Every one is watching prices like a hawk.
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Even red red ones are more expensive than green everywhere I have ever lived.
Load More Replies... #31
Shop at ethnic grocery stores (Mexican, Chinese, Indian) for cheaper produce and dry goods. Never buy ethnic food from a Western-style store. Prices are marked up so high! Buy spices in bulk from Indian stores, if available. If you have Costco membership, the rotisserie chicken is a bargain! For $5, you have enough meat for a work week’s worth of dinner for one or three days of dinner for two. You can use the chicken bones to make stock or porridge. I’m Chinese-American and a little meat goes a long way in Chinese dishes—1/2 pound of ground meat (pork or beef) with a box of tofu can be five to seven servings. Half pound of chicken can be cut into small pieces for stir-fry for five servings. Some things like green onions can be planted and easily regrown in backyards. Mung bean sprouts are also easily sprouted from mung beans.
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago (edited)
I love Indian & Thai food and I buy all the spices I need from ethnic stores or the “ethnic seasonings” section - SO much cheaper than the white people brands. (Except for coconut milk lol) just got a ton of garam masala, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and lemon salt for less than $25 :)
#32
The way I make grocery lists is i plan meals and snacks and put what I need for those (and anything around the house I might need like cleaning stuff) on my list in order of where they are in the store. Then I also put an estimated price by every item on my list (based on what the price has been or what I anticipate it to be) so I don't have any big shocks at the register. Planning ahead helps a lot with the shopping because you're not as likely to buy stuff you don't need.
I'm also trying to eat less meat so I'll portion any roasts or pkgs of meat out into several portions and freeze until I need them.
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago
Eating less meat helps so much with the budget - I taught myself a few veg meals and then became addicted 😅 cauliflower “chicken wings,” portobello burgers and falafel everything are my favourites! Still love meat but I only eat it 1-2x a week now and I probably save like 35% on my food bill!
#33
On occasion, I buy whole chickens/ducks and filet them. This way, I have the carcass and make a mean broth/soup with it.
I also buy stewed meats and slow cook them. so tender and juicy. I don't miss having a NY Strip as I get my beef fix from the stewed meats cooked 'right'.
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago
This could work if you use smaller cuts of meat to season the food, rather than the huge North-American style cuts of meat!
#34
Go to the discounted section. Almost every store around here has a bargain bin/shelf/cooler/etc.. where they sell close to expiring food. Unless I'm making something specific, I don't ever pay full price for meat. I just got 7 portions of flank steak for $15 in the bargain bin. Learn how to cook. When I go bargain bin shopping I go...I can use that, and that and make this.
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago
Learning how to make and use cheap cuts of meat has saved me so much money, and taught me a lot about cooking, AND learned how delicious some bits of meat that I’d never tried before are :)
#35
There's a spice store not too far from me that sells spices in bulk WAY cheaper than the big chain grocery stores. Indian grocery stores are good for this too but they don't carry a lot of the spices I like. I bought a huge bone in ham shank for less than $2/lb, diced a bunch up for breakfast burritos and froze the rest. So much cheaper than deli meat which starts at over $8/lb, and honestly it had better flavor. Also the bone can be used for soup or stock or a lot of other things (or a dog treat!).
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago (edited)
My biggest seasoning secret - lemon pepper. But the cheaper brands always taste better. It’s absolutely gotta have celery salt in it to be delicious (Kirkland brand is great and my local dollar store has the best lol) - if it’s good I honestly put lemon pepper on everything!
#36
I look for clearance meat/chicken etc. If the expiration date is close I cook it up & portion it out & freeze it. I bought 6 packages of chicken burgers the other day, 4 patties for $2.27 each package. I love a bargain.
3 Owls In A Coat 3 years ago (edited)
I buy a pound of beef and make/freeze 8-10 small patties out of it (mix it with egg and frozen kale & breadcrumbs/panko and seasoning) - that plus cheap whole wheat bread, thick tomato slices, homemade garlic mayo, Dijon mustard, red onion, romaine, and cheese if I’m lucky enough to have all that - that “mini burger recipe” plus a side of some kinda potatoes has kept me satisfied and alive more times than I even know lol
#37
I go to a day old bread store..not sure what it's called in other cities but they often have good deals. I buy hot dog buns, bread and tasty cake snacks for cheap on mondays. Freeze the bread stuff. Also: rice. its versatile, cheap, and lasts a very long time
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
In Melbourne, Australia big brand bakeries used to give away day old bread returned unsold from shops. It might have changed but there used to be people waiting at the back door for the trucks to return from their rounds.
Roxy Eastland 3 years ago
I have never heard of a day old bread shop. I do remember working in a bakers when people would sometimes request old bread for fishing bait, and handing them dustbin bags full of cake and bread that looked edible, with some tweaking, to me. That was a while ago, when the UK had more independent bakers and they hadn't been decimated by cheap, industrialised bread being sold through bakery chains.
#38
I have two here that nobody ever seems to mention. One. If you are willing to put in the work, fish is basically free. If it is off a pier, the shoreline, the surf, a used kayak off craigslist, or even a split charter with a good guide, you can source that affordably. The second, and this is a lot less work, is abandoned game. And no, I do not mean roadkill. I do not hunt, and in my state selling wild game is highly illegal. But in March or so, start calling around to deer processors around you. If you do you will find out that every year a few people dropped off a deer or hog. Had it processed, and never came back. So they have a freezer they would like to empty full of meat that they can't get rid of. Now they can't legally sell it at a profit. But they can let you take it from them if you pay the ordinary processing fee. Now the downside is, you have to take it has it is. So if they ordered 20 pounds of it as smoked sausage at $5 extra per pound, that means an extra $100 on the bill. And you have to take the entire animal. I have seen them as cheap as $150 for a simple breakdown and wrap, to as much as $350 for a bunch of smoked sausage, boudin, snack sticks, jalapeño cheese summer sausage, and so on. And remember you must take the entire animal. So take multiple coolers, and have lots of freezer space.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
I live on the Maryland Eastern Shore, and when I lived in Ocean City, I often saw young people who were working in town for the summer (to try an save money) going crabbing off the piers on the bayside to catch a few crabs for their their dinner. Sad situation, but it was a resource available to them that they could use. Tourists in town didn’t go crabbing as a rule, because they could afford to eat it in a restaurant. The kids I saw crabbing had to do a lot more work to make their dinner, but at least it didn’t cost as much as having a restaurant do it for them.
#39
I went to the local restaurant supply store bout a big beef should roast. Cut up part of it, and ground the rest. I also got some pork butter too. Saved about $4-5/ pound.
#40
Bulk pre mixed seasoning from Sam's or make your own pre mixed. Saves time and money. Fajita seasoning is my go to for about everything except garlic bread. Which also goes on just about everything.
What do you think ?
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
The import tip is to actually eat what you buy. The amount of food waste per capita around the world is horrifying! Too often people over-buy perishable foods and them have to throw them away, or they make too much, and leave it in the fridge, ignoring it until furry. If you buy something, eat it.
abby smink 3 years ago
Some are good, but a lot of these tips is eating the same thing 24/7, which can't be healthy no matter what it is. And, a lot of the rest rely on having unlimited time, energy, and motivation. I'm broke but I still have more money than I do the other 3.
The Scout 3 years ago
The time factor often is the problem. Unfortunately I often have the situation that I leave home in the early morning, returning in the middle of the night, which even makes simple meal prep difficult, let alone some discounter-hopping or extended price checks. Also, buying in bulk needs storage space.
Load More Replies... Bart 3 years ago
Chickens are the best investment I made in the last years. A box of screws and a trip to the scrapyard for discarted plywood for their coop was the total cost (thanks to my neighbour who provided the chicks) Now they eat all kitchen scraps, keep the garden pest free and we have 5-6 eggs a day!
Celeste Grant 3 years ago
My "hack" would be to not have food allergies and intolerances. My food is so expensive because I have to buy the specialist items. I cook from scratch which helps but even the basics can get expensive. It's frustrating that it costs me so much more!
Sareaesque 3 years ago
I feel you there, the price of a gluten free loaf of bread when I was struggling and didn't have the time to bake from scratch could make me cry.
Load More Replies...
Pa4040 3 years ago
Is it only me that finds it odd that on most posts here meat was more expensive than vegetables? I live in Slovakia and here meat is sometimes half the price of tomatoes per kilo (meaning chicken, we don't eat pork or beef at home so haven't checked those). Vegetables have become ridiculously expensive in the last few years, unlike meat which is also a staple here
leah 3 years ago
Meal plan, have an idea of what to do with leftovers, and buy bulk when possible. I buy groceries weekly because I find it easier and I spend a lot less money. I did have to spend $75 today but I was almost out of oils and since I cook at home for 6 days of the week I do buy larger sizes and better quality.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
Once or twice a month I roast a small chicken. That's our dinner for the day, and by the time we're done eating and cleaning up, it's cool enough to pick it apart. There's leftover meat, and I save the drippings and carcass to make soup or chicken stock.
Kasey Tikalsky 3 years ago
Might not be an option for some, but I live in a community that is huge on fishing and hunting. Extra fish? Trade a hunter for caribou/deer/elk/moose. Slow fish year? Likely you have some left in the fridge that can be fried or turned into fish cakes. A lot of the duck hunters I know will happily give you a duck they’ve shot, and they cook similarly to chicken but a little gamier. Meat doesn’t have to be limited to what you find in the store, just have to know the right people.
Lea S. 3 years ago
People need to consider how many factors there are and how things change regionally. Ground beef and cheese are two of the cheapest things we can buy in my area. Tofu and the two international groceries are some of the most expensive. I'd love to go to the farmer's market but it opens after I start work, and closes before I do.
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
The import tip is to actually eat what you buy. The amount of food waste per capita around the world is horrifying! Too often people over-buy perishable foods and them have to throw them away, or they make too much, and leave it in the fridge, ignoring it until furry. If you buy something, eat it.
abby smink 3 years ago
Some are good, but a lot of these tips is eating the same thing 24/7, which can't be healthy no matter what it is. And, a lot of the rest rely on having unlimited time, energy, and motivation. I'm broke but I still have more money than I do the other 3.
The Scout 3 years ago
The time factor often is the problem. Unfortunately I often have the situation that I leave home in the early morning, returning in the middle of the night, which even makes simple meal prep difficult, let alone some discounter-hopping or extended price checks. Also, buying in bulk needs storage space.
Load More Replies... Bart 3 years ago
Chickens are the best investment I made in the last years. A box of screws and a trip to the scrapyard for discarted plywood for their coop was the total cost (thanks to my neighbour who provided the chicks) Now they eat all kitchen scraps, keep the garden pest free and we have 5-6 eggs a day!
Celeste Grant 3 years ago
My "hack" would be to not have food allergies and intolerances. My food is so expensive because I have to buy the specialist items. I cook from scratch which helps but even the basics can get expensive. It's frustrating that it costs me so much more!
Sareaesque 3 years ago
I feel you there, the price of a gluten free loaf of bread when I was struggling and didn't have the time to bake from scratch could make me cry.
Load More Replies... Pa4040 3 years ago
Is it only me that finds it odd that on most posts here meat was more expensive than vegetables? I live in Slovakia and here meat is sometimes half the price of tomatoes per kilo (meaning chicken, we don't eat pork or beef at home so haven't checked those). Vegetables have become ridiculously expensive in the last few years, unlike meat which is also a staple here
leah 3 years ago
Meal plan, have an idea of what to do with leftovers, and buy bulk when possible. I buy groceries weekly because I find it easier and I spend a lot less money. I did have to spend $75 today but I was almost out of oils and since I cook at home for 6 days of the week I do buy larger sizes and better quality.
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
Once or twice a month I roast a small chicken. That's our dinner for the day, and by the time we're done eating and cleaning up, it's cool enough to pick it apart. There's leftover meat, and I save the drippings and carcass to make soup or chicken stock.
Kasey Tikalsky 3 years ago
Might not be an option for some, but I live in a community that is huge on fishing and hunting. Extra fish? Trade a hunter for caribou/deer/elk/moose. Slow fish year? Likely you have some left in the fridge that can be fried or turned into fish cakes. A lot of the duck hunters I know will happily give you a duck they’ve shot, and they cook similarly to chicken but a little gamier. Meat doesn’t have to be limited to what you find in the store, just have to know the right people.
Lea S. 3 years ago
People need to consider how many factors there are and how things change regionally. Ground beef and cheese are two of the cheapest things we can buy in my area. Tofu and the two international groceries are some of the most expensive. I'd love to go to the farmer's market but it opens after I start work, and closes before I do.
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