30 Frugal Meal Ideas (for When You're Broke)
Check out this list of 30 extremely frugal meal ideas for when you’re broke and need to feed your people on a small budget. Here you’ll find lots of cheap breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas, so read on to save money my friend.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.
30 Frugal Meal Ideas (for when you’re broke)
Most people overspend on food simply because there are too many options at the grocery store. Think about what our ancestors ate: meats, vegetables, breads, soups, etc. They kept it simple because they didn’t have a lot to choose from.
If we take a page from history and limit our dining options as our grandparents probably did, then we’ll end up healthier and be able to save a lot of money in the process.
WARNING: If you’re afraid of carbs then this list is not for you. When you have no money, carbs are your friend because they’re cheap and filling.
Also, if you’re interested in getting cash back on grocery purchases that you’re already buying such as milk or produce then you’ve got to check out IBOTTA.
I use this app regularly to save money on my grocery bill. No coupons needed. They have offers for almost every store and you can even use it when you do a grocery pick up at Wal-Mart. Now on to the frugal meal ideas!
Want more Cheap and Frugal Meal Ideas and Recipes? Here are a few of my favorites:
40 Groceries to Stop Buying and Start Making to Save Money
50 Cheap and Easy Recipes for When You’re on a Budget
35 Frugal Recipes to Make When You’re Broke
35 Frugal Foods to Buy When You’re Broke
Follow Graceful Little Honey Bee on:
Breakfast
Egg Muffins with Toast
Baked Oatmeal or Regular Oatmeal with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon
Brown Rice with Butter and Sugar
Cinnamon Sugar Toast with Yogurt
Banana and Yogurt
Scrambled Eggs with Sautéed Veggies
Pancakes with Fruit
Fried Potatoes and Eggs
Homemade Biscuits and Gravy
Homemade Waffles
Lunch
Leftovers
Cheese and Crackers with Fruit
Pasta Salad with Fresh Veggies
Turkey or Ham Sandwich and Fruit
Beans on Toast
Baked Potato and Side Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad with Veggies
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Peanut Butter and Jelly with Fruit
Homemade Tuna Salad Sandwich with Fruit
Dinner
Spaghetti with Homemade Tomato Sauce and Homemade Bread
Homemade Bean and Cheese Burritos
Vegetarian Chili
Chicken Noodle Soup and Homemade Bread
Homemade Vegetable Soup and Homemade Bread
Chicken Legs with Veggies and Homemade Biscuits
I hope you’re inspired by this list to keep your meals simple and save some money in the process. What meal ideas would you add? Be sure to check the comment section below for tons more ideas!
Comments
Join the conversation
I'm not afraid of carbs but I also know with my diabetes and wheat issues that I can't do carbs, especially of the grains variety. That being said, your list is good and those who can't do the type of carbs can learn how to substitute and still make the recipes all while being frugal. It just means that people need to learn how to process and cook their foods instead of relying on the processed foods to feed their bodies.
It’s pretty much my list too. I can stretch a chicken into many dinners. Don’t forget breakfast for dinner! Lots of egg dishes:)