Finding and preparing inexpensive meals during tough economic times can be challenging. Discounted deli items and processed foods, as well as breakfast foods and inexpensive cuts of meat, can provide affordable meal options. Advanced shopping and preparation planning may be necessary.
During tough economic times, it’s not always easy to find and prepare inexpensive meals for a family. Quick meals may seem cheaper than home-cooked meals, but portion sizes aren’t always generous, and the added cost of driving to and from a restaurant can make it even less economical. There are ways to find and prepare inexpensive meals for an individual or family on a budget, but it may require some advanced shopping and preparation planning.
Some inexpensive meals can be found in mainstream grocery stores towards the end of the workday. Deli items with limited shelf life, such as fried chicken, prepared sandwiches and meatloaf, are often discounted for fast sales. Buying a discount container of fried chicken or meatloaf can save you time and money, as the products have already been prepared and cooked. Other items suitable as side dishes, such as cold-prepared salads or salad greens, may also be discounted for clearance. A judicious shopper who organizes his shopping trip at the right time and day can get affordable meals with superior quality foods at discounted prices.
Another popular form of inexpensive meals, especially for college students on extremely tight budgets, are processed foods that don’t require refrigeration before preparation. Ramen or yakisoba noodles, for example, are sold in dehydrated form and require only hot water to reconstitute. Basic ramen noodles can be bought in bulk and stored indefinitely. Canned meats, packaged macaroni and cheese can also be prepared at a good price. Peanut butter can also prove to be an inexpensive meal when accompanied by salty crackers or cheap sandwich bread.
For families, breakfast foods often make great inexpensive meals. French toast can be made with stale bread and stale staples like milk, sugar, butter, and eggs. Pancake mixes are relatively inexpensive, and many require only water to prepare the batter. Pancakes can be very filling for just a few cents per serving. Traditional oatmeal can also be purchased in bulk and stored almost indefinitely without refrigeration. Breakfast meats like sausage and bacon can be found in budget-brand grocery stores, so serving breakfast for dinner can be a nutritious inexpensive meal.
Burgers can be extended with such inexpensive fillers as eggs, crackers or stale bread to make “kid burgers,” Salisbury steak, or meatloaf. Inexpensive meals can also be made from inexpensive cuts of meat and meat by-products, such as chicken livers and/or gizzards, chicken thighs, solid bologna, and hot dogs. These food items are comparable to more expensive ones in terms of nutritional value, but are not as popular with consumers, so they are heavily discounted by grocery stores. A Boston pork roast, for example, often sells for less than the Bologna price per pound, but can be seasoned to taste like the more expensive cut of pork shoulder.
With the rising cost of food and a struggling economy, many people may need to reconsider their current food budgets and find ways to prepare affordable meals that still provide good nutrition and flavor. That might mean buying lower grades of current favorites or trying less expensive alternatives with different types of foods. Many food packs feature recipe ideas for frugal cooks on a budget.
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