What frugal cooking tips do you have?
One of my favorite ‘frugal cooking’ tips are freezer meals. If you have a few neighbors or family members around, you can share equally in the prep & expense. To get started there will be a few extra expenses such as pans, aluminum foil, & freezer bags, but once you get the hang of it, it is such a life saver. I have a family of 5 who are all actively involved in extracurricular & community activities. Feeding my bunch can get costly especially if we eat out. The freezer cooking has eliminated my need to “wonder” what to cook. I have several options that are either crockpot friendly or easily thawed overnight in the refrigerator for cooking after work in the oven. A few easy sides & we have a meal ready in no time. If you are a Pinterest user, there is a lot of useful information on how to begin a freezer meal swap with neighbors/family or how to begin on your own. Happy Cooking!
I make pasta 4 or 5 times a week. It can be eaten hot with sauce or cheese or garlic and oil. I always put some aside to make pasta salad, one of my favorite foods to eat when I need something quick. Also, I make a lot of crock pot meals, like beef stew and freeze individual portions to bring to work with me or to serve when I don’t have time to cook. It saves me money on freezer foods.
I’m not sure if you’re looking for frugal food products or a way to stretch your food and money. But:
1. Pasta, and rice are fulfilling and can stretch for days. They can be seasoned with sauce, chicken bouillion cubes, or garlic. It can be used for many one skillet dishes that are easy to prepare.
2. cheese is expensive without preservatives.
3. Milk and cereal can go a long way, it can be eaten any time of the day.
Emphasize dishes with fewer ingredients. For instance, serve deliciously seasoned baked chicken thighs with roasted Brussels sprouts and browned potatoes as sides. The more cooks focus on seasoning, healthy fats, and bringing out the natural flavors of healthful foods, the less families need to spend on ingredients for complex recipes. It’s a delicious way to eat!