Making ends meet on a tight budget is a huge challenge. Cutting corners in your expenses is necessary, and sometimes the food bill needs to be trimmed down…but this is exactly where many people go wrong. The food you eat has a big impact on your energy levels, ability to achieve your goals, and even your mood. We’ll teach you how to cook healthy and tasty meals on even the most restrictive income with these sensational struggle meals.
The secret to cooking cheap is letting your staple ingredients do the work. You can do a lot with just beans, rice, chicken and veggies. If you’re feeling sick to death of mac and cheese, these deliciously indulgent recipes will kick your culinary imagination in high-gear.
Fuel Your Future Success With These Affordable Meals!
Chicken and Rice Soup
- ½ pound chicken breasts
- ⅓ cup of white rice
- 4 cups of chicken stock
- 4 cups of water
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 large carrots
- 1 white onion
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 1x bundle of green onions
- ¼ of a fresh lemon
- Mushrooms (if desired)
- Salt, pepper, cayenne, thyme, rosemary
- Cooking oil
Place water and chicken stock into a pot and turn on the heat. Prepare chicken and vegetables while the stock is heating up. Add rice, vegetables, chicken and spices to taste when boiling, then turn down to simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally until done.
Frozen chicken can be thrown onto a frying pan and cook until outer edges turn white. You only need to defrost the chicken, so set it aside when the center isn’t frozen. Slice into chunks.
Chop your veggies into sizable chunks while the water heats up. Add veggies, spices and oil to skillet and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Squeeze lemon over vegetables while cooking to enhance flavor.
Canned Bean Soup
- 1 can of kidney beans
- 1 can of black beans
- 1 can of great northern beans
- 3-¼ cups of water
- 2 carrots
- 1 white onion
- 1-½ cups of cooked cubed ham
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- Salt, pepper
Thoroughly rinse beans in a strainer. Add beans and water into a pot and turn on the heat. Dice carrots and onion before placing into a saucepan. Cook veggies with butter and spices until mostly done before adding ham cubes. Mix vegetables and ham with beans and cook until beans are thoroughly heated.
Tuna Patties
- 2 eggs
- 10 tablespoons of Italian breadcrumbs, croutons, or saltine crackers
- ¼ diced onion
- 3 cans of tuna
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Salt, pepper to taste
- vegetable oil
Beat eggs and lemon juice in a bowl before adding parmesan and breadcrumbs. Add spices, tuna and onion until thoroughly mixed. Form into patties and cook on a skillet with vegetable oil for five minutes per side.
Fried Rice
- 2 cups white rice
- 4 cups water
- 2 chopped large or baby carrots
- ½ cup frozen green peas
- 2 eggs
- Soy sauce
- Vegetable oil
- Sesame oil (optional)
Bring water and rice to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Boil carrots in a saucepan for 3 to 5 minutes before adding peas and draining. Heat your wok or frying pan with oil and cook veggies for 30 seconds. Add eggs and scramble until cooked. Add rice and soy sauce while stirring and frying until done.
Chicken and Salsa
- 2 pounds of chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 cups of salsa
- Lime
- Salt, pepper
This recipe works best in a slow cooker. Add chicken and salsa to cook for four hours on high or six to eight on low. Chicken should be easy to shred. Serve with squeezed lime. White rice is a great addition as well.
These recipes are perfect for family meals and leftovers alike, but they’re also a great reminder of what really matters in life. They’re hearty, comforting, and nutritious all at the same time. Remember, you don’t need fancy ingredients to cook tasty meals, nor do you need to spend a fortune just to get good eats. Making delicious and nutritious meals on a budget is more than possible, so get creative!
