22 Best Budget-Friendly Recipes (2024)

Good nutrition is important to help us maintain vibrancy and resilience. Without it, our health, work, sleep, personal relationships and enjoyment of life may suffer. But with rising food prices, is it possible to maintain a nutritious diet? This is where budget-friendly recipes and tips can help.

Food prices reached a 10-year high in 2021 and it looks like relief won’t be on the horizon in 2022. The pandemic, recent environmental disasters, the labour market, broken supply chains and inflation are just some of the reasons why you may be feeling sticker shock right now.

Food Insecurity and Budget-Friendly Recipes

Food insecurity is on the rise alongside food prices. The recent global circ*mstances have exposed many truths about food insecurity and food accessibility that have existed for decades, and have only worsened in the last two years.

The ability to choose budget-friendly whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and beans is a privilege and one that is not available to many people around the world. There are vast populations that not only cannot afford basic staples but also don’t even have access to them based on where they live. For more about this, we have a detailed post about food insecurity and the people who are making a difference.

Budget-Friendly Tips

Aside from budget-friendly recipes, these are some things you can do in your kitchen to help save money and make the most of the food you buy.

Eat More Plants

Most plant-based foods are less expensive than animal products, so incorporate plenty of vegetables into your menu plans, along with beans, legumes and gluten-free grains. If you’re going to eat animals, buy high-quality products and use them sparingly – make veggies the star of the plate, with meat as the side dish.

Focus on Budget-Friendly Foods

Some foods are simply less expensive than others – and the good news is many of the inexpensive options are true superfoods that are easy to find at most grocery stores. For a detailed list of budget-friendly foods, check out these resources

Buy Local and Seasonal Food

Food costs less when it’s in season because it’s plentiful in nature. When you purchase from local farmers, the food doesn’t travel as far to get to you, cutting down on travel costs (and the impact of carbon emissions on the environment). Plus you can help support the local economy.

Try Growing Food

Whether you’re working with a yard, balcony, windowsill or community garden, this guide to growing food shares optimal tips to help you grow your own veggies, fruits and herbs. And don’t forget about things like sprouting, which you can easily do indoors.

Reduce Your Food Waste

There is a lot of food that ends up in the landfill. Store your food well to make it last, and try use up your fresh ingredients or pantry items before making a trip to the grocery store. Many of our students like to ‘shop’ their fridges, freezers and pantries to figure out creative ways to mix and match the ingredients for delicious meals.

Grocery stores and businesses are now embracing ‘ugly’ produce – these are the fruits and veggies that are still tasty and fresh to eat but have flaws in shape or colour, or have bruises. Give these veggies some love and as a bonus, they’re often discounted!

Start Menu Planning

Creating a weekly menu plan helps you reduce food waste, cut down on pre-made meals or takeout, and lowers dinnertime stress. Learn how to start menu planning with these resources:

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Cook From Scratch

You knew this one was coming. If you want to save some cash, cooking from scratch is the way to go. Think about how much you spend on buying restaurant meals, takeout, pre-made items and drinks at the local coffee shop – if you do this regularly, it’s probably a lot. Cooking at home using fresh ingredients is not only better for our health, but will help you pad your wallet too.

And so, if you’re looking to get started with some budget-friendly meal inspiration, check out our favourite budget-friendly recipes.

best budget-friendly recipes for 2022

3-Ingredient Vegan Pancakes

3-Ingredient Vegan Pancakes by Green Evi

All you need are oats, a banana and nut or seed milk to make these pancakes a reality. Doesn’t get much easier, or inexpensive, than this!

Creamy Red Lentil and Kale Soup

Creamy Red Lentil and Kale Soup by The Healthy Family and Home

A beautiful vegan meal packed with protein and fibre – and it’s ready in 30 minutes!

Mexican Fried Brown Rice

Mexican Fried Brown Rice by Eat Healthy Eat Happy

A cheap and cheerful gluten-free meal that includes ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Easy!

Vegan Korean Mung Bean Pancakes

Vegan Kimchi Bin Dae Tteok (Korean Mung Bean Pancakes)by Culturally Ambiguous Things

A flexible budget-friendly recipe that you can customize with your favourite vegetables and includes a fermented food for extra digestive measure.

Avocado Tuna Cakes

Avocado Tuna Cakes by Well Plated

Protein-packed tuna cakes that you can enjoy on a burger bun, or pair with a salad or roasted veggies.

Curried Chickpeas and Rice

Curried Chickpeas and Rice by Meghan Telpner (*ACN Founder and Director)

A hearty, low-maintenance meal that yields a large serving – and is even kid-friendly.

Grillable Vegan Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

Grillable Vegan Black Bean Quinoa Burgers by Jessica in the Kitchen

If you have a hankering for a simple veggie burger, this gluten-free and vegan recipe is just the ticket. Flourish with your favourite toppings and condiments and you’ve got yourself a meal.

Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs

Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs by Life Tastes Good

Everyone always heads for the chicken breasts first, but the thighs and legs are much more affordable and ultra delicious, too. This 5-ingredient recipe pairs perfectly with your favourite gluten-free grains, roasted veggies, or a simple salad.

Charred Romaine Salad with Tahini Dressing

Charred Romaine Salad with Tahini Dressing by The Pancake Princess

Ever grilled a romaine heart? It’s life-changing! This recipe doesn’t need a BBQ, just a hot pan – and incorporates a simple and quick tahini dressing.

Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Hearty Vegetarian Chili by All The Healthy Things

Nothing says budget cooking quite like a plant-based chili! Beans, rice, tomatoes, a bit of veg and spices. It’s an easy, cheap and no-fuss meal.

5-Ingredient Pea and Mint Soup

5-Ingredient Pea and Mint Soup by Lauren Caris Cooks

With only five inexpensive ingredients, this vegan soup isa bowl of bright greengoodness.

Cauliflower Chickpea Masala

Cauliflower Chickpea Masala by Budget Bytes

This recipe clocks in at less than $2 per serving, and makes for a protein-rich and delicious meal. All of the recipes on this site offer an ingredient cost breakdown so it’s a good resource to use if you’re working with a tight budget.

Hummus Without Tahini

Hummus Without Tahini by Munaty Cooking

Chickpea hummus is already budget-friendly, but you can make it even cheaper with this recipe that eliminates the tahini but doesn’t compromise the flavour.

Simple Vegetable Soup

Simple Vegetable Soup by Lealou Cooks (*Culinary Nutrition Expert)

This clean-out-your-fridge soup recipe ensures nothing goes to waste. We love budget-friendly recipes like this one!

Twice Baked Breakfast Sweet Potatoes

Twice Baked Breakfast Sweet Potatoes by What Great Grandma Ate

A very satiating and easy breakfast meal to fuel you for the day. To make this even more budget-friendly, swap in beans for the chorizo.

Pumpkin Seed Zucchini Crackers

Pumpkin Seed Zucchini Crackers by Sondi Bruner (*ACN Head Program Coach)

Making your own gluten-free and grain-free crackers is much less expensive! This recipe is packed with budget-friendly seeds and zucchini, and is the perfect complement to salsa or dips.

Almond Butter and Jelly Green Smoothie

Almond Butter and Jelly Green Smoothie by Simple Green Smoothies

This antioxidant-rich dairy-free smoothie will remind you of your favourite peanut butter and jelly sandwich, minus the peanuts. It’sappealing to the kiddos, too, so give it a try!

Hungarian Goulash

Hungarian Goulash by Jan’s Sushi Bar

When using budget-friendly cuts of meat, hearty stews (or slow cooking) can yield a tender and flavourful result. Try this Hungarian goulash recipe stuffed with plenty of extra vegetables.

Super Iron Supper

Super Iron Supper by Stone Soup

This quick and easy iron-rich meal will give you a plateful of energy-boosting power. For the vegans and vegetarians, there is also a meat-free version.