1. Opt for legumes
Lentils, chickpeas, red or white kidney beans, broad beans, edamame; legumes are rich in nutrients and are always at an affordable price point. Their plant-based protein intake makes them a popular choice for people who want to eat less meat or who are vegetarian and vegan. They can be purchased dry and in bags (and in bulk!) or canned.
2. All about eggs
Eggs are nutritious and versatile, making them one of the best foods to have on hand in the refrigerator. Affordable, they act as the base for many satiating recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They’re also quick and easy to prepare. That’s why it’s practical to have one handy to eat between classes.
30-Minute Recipes
Poached Eggs with Spinach and Lentils
salads
Tonnato Niçoise Salad
3. Favour affordable cuts
Yes, it’s possible to buy meat at the grocery store without breaking the bank. Among the various cheap cuts available, all-encompassing ground meat is at the top of the list. Quick-cooking pork chops also have a small price tag. Less expensive than breast and legs, chicken thighs and drumsticks also are great choices that are delicious and easy to cook.
All of these cuts can be purchased in bulk, then divided into portions and frozen for later use. Another way to lower your grocery bill (and reduce your meat consumption) is to opt for half-and-half recipes, where meat is paired with a plant-based protein like lentils or tofu for a complete and nourishing meal.
4. Clear out the fridge and pantry
Time to restock your fridge? Before heading out to the grocery store, take a look around the kitchen to see if there’s anything you can use to whip up for dinner. Leftover rice or pasta from the night before can serve as the base for a great meal. The same goes for fruits and veggies that may be sitting in the crisper. By adopting a “use-what-you-have” approach to cooking once per week, you’ll waste less food, feel good about it, and have more money left in your pocket!
soups and broths
Kitchen Sink Green Vegetable Soup
5. Monitor grocery store discounts
Before heading out to the grocery store, it’s always worthwhile checking their print or digital flyer for discounts. But once you’re in store with your shopping list, be sure to check out any displays where imperfect produce is sold. These misshapen but delicious foods can sometimes save you up to 30% off the regular price. And if you’re looking for even more savings, check out the products that are nearing their expiration dates. It’s just another great way to lower your grocery bill and reduce food waste!
6. Fill your pantry with staples
A wide range of dried and canned foods in the pantry already promises a great meal without spending any money. Products like rice and pasta have the bonus of a long shelf life, giving you more time to keep an eye out for discounts and stock up when prices go down. You can also build up a nice stockpile of canned goods, which can be a lifesaver for a cheap and quick meal.
7. Freeze your leftovers
Not all leftovers can be frozen, of course, but when you make an easy recipe with four to eight (or more) servings that’s labelled freezer friendly, why not take advantage of the fact? This way, you’ll get a leg up on the next meal, which comes in handy for eating well during exams.
soups and broths
Potage Crécy (French Carrot Soup)
Zero-Waste Recipes
Lettuce Pancakes and Tzatziki
8. Cook more one-pot dishes
One-pot recipes are often quick to make and tend to include affordable ingredients. They’re great to have in your back pocket when you want to eat well without too much of a hassle and with minimal dirty dishes to wash afterwards. Everything is cooked in the same single pot, which is also rather convenient if you don’t own a full set of cookware or when your other pots are already piling up in the sink because you have a term paper to finish!
9. Don’t forget about spices
There’s nothing quite like them for enhancing the flavour of a dish and impressing your friends gathered around the table. Garlic salt, cumin, thyme, paprika, curry powder, chili powder, etc.; the list can be a long one, but it’s not necessary to stock up on all of them. It is a wise idea, however, to have a few on hand to give a kick to your meals or to experiment with culinary specialties from around the world, all without breaking the bank. You can even buy them in small quantities at bulk stores.
10. Meal prep on weekends
Planning and getting ahead on your meals; that’s what meal prep is all about. This approach will help you be more efficient and simplify your weekday dinners. All it takes is setting aside a bit of extra time in the kitchen on weekends to prep your ingredients. This method is beneficial in two ways: it eases the burden on weeknights and saves you money on your grocery bill. By better planning the foods you purchase, the less likely you are to make an impulse buy.
11. Grocery shop with a friend
It can be a bit of a bummer wandering the supermarket aisles alone without knowing what exactly you want to buy and with the constraints of a tiny student budget. It’s much better to shop with a friend! Not only is it more motivating, but it’s also a way to take advantage of “buy two and save” discounts or save by purchasing family-sized ingredients and split them later between the two of you.
12. Use your apps
This tip is one of the best for saving some cash. Created to help fight food waste, FoodHero is an app that links grocers with consumers to sell fresh products in excess that would otherwise end up in the trash. This way, you can score great savings, which is also the case when you cook your meal at home. On that note, you can also download our My RICARDO+ tool for $2.99 per month, to inspire you and help better plan your meals, which will save you both time and money!