Plan, Shop, and Save
Do you need inspiration on creating meals that your family will eat? It can be hard to come up with ideas from week to week, but we are here to help you stretch your food dollars and make healthy and delicious family meals using these tips:
- Check your pantry and freezer to plan meals around foods you already have.
- Start with canned foods, dried beans, whole grain pasta, rice, and frozen vegetables.
- Make a shopping list for the foods you need to complete each meal.
- Read unit price labels to save money.
Recipes that you might want to try with your family are:
- Quick Minestrone Soup
- Vegetarian Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes
- Black Bean Burgers
- Pasta with Greens, Beans, and Chicken
Here are some additional tips on saving money when buying meat and poultry for your meals.
- Read grocery store fliers for sales on whole poultry and meats to cook at home. Meats
- and poultry already cut into smaller pieces may cost more.
- Save time! Purchase a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken if the sale price is the same or less
- than cooking a chicken yourself.
- Vary your protein. Use half the amount of meat or poultry and add cooked beans or lentils to main dishes.
Here are some recipes that you can try using our tips for buying meat and poultry:
- Stir-fried vegetables with Beef, Chicken or Tofu
- Roast Sheet Pan Chicken, Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
- Beef and Potatoes
- Beefy Macaroni and Cheese
- Baked Fish with Tomatoes, Greens and Mushrooms
Visit the Eat Smart website to find recipes using many of the ingredients that you have at home. Just search by ingredient!
