Frugal Meal Time Suggestions for Times of Inflation. Again...

Does standing at the meat counter send you into shock? How about the dairy case or the produce counter? I have a few ideas that might help, and none of them include cents off coupons...and they do not require to you to give up your favorite meals or eating preferences. 

First let me clarify... 

There is nothing wrong with manufacturer or store coupons. But if you are taking a look at this post or a returning visitor to this blog, you will already know that for the most part, we are a DIY kitchen and the foods we cook on a regular bases, don't have coupons...But honestly I have used them in the past, and trust me, if I could find a coupon for a few cents off of what I currently purchase, I would use it! For many of us, this is not the first time weathering inflation, and just like before, we will get through it, and eat well in the process. And so can you!

The one area I do continue to take advantage of is the marked down rack... 

Especially for meat. In the stores that do offer yesterday's packaged meat at a discount, you must get there early in the morning...for the best selection. And yes we are meat eaters. Period. We do not (for the most part)  have a meatless meal on any day of the week. What we do instead is make sure there is no waste and cut back on the amount of meat being cooked. I have found it is quite easy to cut the amount of meat by half, and still enjoy our meals. This option helps to keep my food budget in control. 

Ironically some of the least expensive cuts of meat are also the easiest to use in a half measure for your favorite recipes. Or for a new one, for which I do have a few suggestions to offer. Serving half a slice of roast beef, is not what I am suggesting, because honestly it would only highlight the current inflation problem and how it affects us all. But ground beef and chicken thighs while still a decent price at the market. And are  perfect for reducing the amount of meat in your recipes. And even this small change can and will help save your food budget from exploding during times of inflation. 

Fortunately the prices of some of our favorite vegetables remains fairly stable.

Staples such as carrots, cabbage and potatoes are still affordable. So we eat more of these, prepared simply or in a new ways as well as revisiting old favorites. Rice has also remained affordable, even brown rice which is our favorite for the nutrition it offers. And while it might seem like a good idea to eliminate all the extras that we enjoy during the day, I have found that a frugal dessert goes a long way in making the meal seem like the old times before inflation took it's bite! So you will see a couple of dessert recipes also, because who doesn't like dessert at the end of a meal?

Let's start with meat:

The following ground beef recipes are just as delicious when using half the amount of meat called for in the recipe:

Do purchase ground beef with higher lean ratio, while more expensive, it will be the better choice. 

Stove Top Cabbage Rolls. 

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili with Charred Beef. 

Chinese Spaghetti. 

White Beans with Ground Beef and Tomato Sauce.

One Pot Pantry Pasta With Ground Beef. 

Spanish Rice. 

These chicken thigh recipes are just as delicious when using half the amount of meat called for in the recipe: 

NOTE: When working with chicken thighs, instead of cooking them whole, cut the half measure of chicken thighs into one inch chunks.

Chicken Bacon and Cabbage Skillet.

Pesto Chicken with Brown Rice and Baby Potatoes.

Tagine of Chicken and Olives. 

Three Ingredient Pineapple Thai Chicken. 

Chicken and Dumplings Soup. 

Chicken and Vegetables Skillet Meal. 

These pork and ham recipes are just as delicious when using half the amount of meat called for in the recipe:  

Added bonus, there are two recipes that call for a single ham hock.

Italian Sausage Polenta Pie. 

Red Beans with Garlic and Red Wine.

Ham Divan. 

Honey Pork with Pineapple and Roasted Green Chilies.

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham. 

Red Beans and Rice with Ham.

And a couple of extras!

For the Meatloaf fans out there: You may want to take a look at this idea for serving meatloaf, a slice at a time, as needed. 

Meatloaf is one of the easiest meals to help you be frugal in the kitchen. Why? Slice and sauté' my friends, slice and sauté!

Basic Everyday Meatloaf! And now let's talk meatloaf...

If the your meal seems a bit sparse from the usual spread served at dinner time, add a Composed Salad: 

Which can be made from pretty much any vegetables you enjoy and already have on hand. 

How to make a Composed Salad. 

Salad Suggestions: 

Salads are a great way to full the family up. Many of these salads add a protein boost as well!

French Lentil Salad. 

Moroccan Carrot Salad.

Black Eyed Pea and Tomato Salad.

Simple 3 Ingredient Beet Salad. 

Quinoa Tabbouleh.

Family Favorite Macaroni Salad.

Vegetables and Side Dishes: 

Eating more vegetables is always a good idea! And these side dishes will make sure no one leaves the table hungry! And like some of the salads offered, some are these also offer a protein boost. 

Laurie's Super Easy Corn Casserole.

Cabbage New Potato and Onion Skillet.

Butter and Cinnamon Glazed Carrots.

Quick and Easy Chili Relleno Rice. 

Onion Gratin. 

Brown Rice and Beans, Caribbean Style.

Dusty Potatoes.

Cilantro Brown Rice and Red Potatoes.

And let's not forget Desserts:

And as promised let's consider dessert, even if you have made the decision to cut back to once a week. The following desserts are quite frugal and will be enjoyed by all who dine at your table.

Everyday Bread Pudding.

One Bowl Banana Snack Cake.

Fudgy Chocolate Pudding Cake.

These two links will offer delicious solutions for breakfast!

Of course dinner is not the only meal that will need a few frugal tweaks, breakfast is an important meal and one that may be a consideration to skip in order to save money. Instead I urge you to consider becoming a breakfast champion by making your own Granola and our favorite pantry staple, Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour. 

How to Make Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour. 

Glorious Granola! Seven Delicious Recipes to Make for Breakfast.

And lastly, here are a couple of ideas based upon eating the #scratchmadefood! way:

Once a week have a pot of homemade soup for dinner. Soup is and always will be a frugal meal. 

And my husband's favorite, cook a pot of beans weekly, not only delicious, but they are good for you as well. 

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

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This collection of recipes and great information, will, from time to time be updated with additional recipes and information and reposted for your convenience: UPDATED: 09.14.2024

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