Tips for cooking on a budget

It’s a common misconception that eating healthy will break the budget, however we’re going to show you that’s not the case! With good planning and organisation you can enjoy a healthy diet on a budget.

For those looking to reduce their monthly expenses meal planning is a must do. If you plan ahead of time what you’re going to be eating you’ll likely spend a lot less on your food shop. In fact, when going food shopping without a list you can end up spending up to 40% more on food you don’t actually need, which will probably end up in the bin. Plus, you’ll be more likely to actually cook if you have a meal planned out, and we all know that cooking at home is cheaper than takeout. 

A meal plan doesn’t have to be very complicated, it can even just be a shopping list to start with until you get the hang of it. If you want to improve your meal planning skills on a limited budget, here are our top tips for maximum savings:

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1 . Plan familiar meals 

When starting to plan meals don’t go crazy with your lists. Every home has a few basics which are loved and gobbled up every time, and chances are if you make this meal often you’ll probably have the other ingredients on standby already, such as dried herbs and essential tinned ingredients. Saving on the extra added ingredients will definitely help you reduce your food budget. When planning your weekly meals make sure to add at least one meal which you already know how to cook so you’ll feel more motivated to actually cook it. 

2 . Plan your meals around your pantry 

Before you start making your list, take a look at what you already have in the cupboards, fridge and freezer. Try building recipes around the ingredients you already own, meaning you’ll have less to buy at the supermarket. Ingredients can really add up, so make sure to use them if you already have them.

3 . Use ingredients for more than one meal 

If you’re going to get canned tomatoes for one recipe, why not get a more cost effective multipack and then make another meal using that ingredient the same week? Lots of recipes share similar ingredients, so try and plan some strategic meals which will allow you to reduce the amount of groceries you have to buy.

4 . Use ingredients which perish first 

Poor planning can leave you in a position where you have to throw away all your fresh fruits and vegetables, which is a lot of wasted food- and money. If you buy salad at the begging of the week aim to use it within the first few meals you have planned, otherwise you may be left with saggy unappealing leaves which you wont want to eat. 

Vegetables like carrots, onions and butternut squash can lasts weeks in the fridge, so if you plan to spread your food shop over a longer period then try incorporating a few of these hardy vegetables into your meals.

5 . Eat your leftovers 

It may not always be the most appealing dinner, but once you’ve reheated your leftovers from the night before it often tastes the same as when you cooked it fresh. If you’re making something like Bolognese or chilli then why not double up the recipe and make more portions? Foods like this can be easily stored in the fridge and reheated in the microwave or stove top, making for a quick and easy yummy dinner. 

It's always good to have a backup dinner planned if you’re in a rush or you don’t feel like cooking, and having some leftovers ready can stop you from ordering expensive takeout food.

6 . Pay attention to seasonal produce

When fruits and vegetables are in season they can be found in large quantities for cheap. Make sure to stock up on your favourite fruit and vegetables when you can and put then in the freezer for use throughout the year. Having a large stock of fruit and veggies ready to be cooked will definitely help you lower your food costs week by week.