Family Meals For Only $1 Per Person

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This week, we share family meal options for around $1 per person. Cheap meal ideas are needed more than ever as costs of groceries continue to rise across the Lone Star State.

Now more than ever, Texans are feeling a noticeable strain on their wallets, caused by the fiercest inflation in decades. Just about anything right now feels pricey, especially food. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices in April 2022 were 9.4% higher than in April 2021, meaning grocery prices have jumped over 10% in the past year. Various types of meat have also significantly increased in price. Bacon has suffered an 18% increase, and chicken prices are up more than 16%. The price of flour (how long does flour last?) has increased by 14%, citrus by 19%, and canned veggies by 10%. To offset the costs, many restaurants have adjusted their menu prices. 

The Texas Farm Bureau has confirmed that food prices are their highest since 1981. And as a result, family budgets are feeling tighter and tighter, with Texas food staples and casual-dining options slowly becoming out of reach. 

Grocery Shopping Hacks

While sadly there’s no avoiding rising grocery prices, there are plenty of ways to minimize how it affects our budget. We can cushion the blow of inflation by practicing smarter spending habits. Below are some grocery shopping hacks that work around inflation:

Shop at Farmers’ Markets and See What’s in Season

Shopping at a farmers’ market is always a win. Take advantage of local seasonal food products, as Texas is home to thousands of food producers. In addition, markets support local agriculture and promote healthy lifestyles for the community. 

Buy Items in Bulk to Avoid Spending on Extra Trips to the Grocery Store

Gas prices have also reached a record high. Streamline shopping by buying versatile ingredients in bulk to minimize additional trips to the grocery store.

Trim Non-Essential Spending by Sticking to Your Grocery List

Go to the store with a battle plan and strictly buy only what you need. Check the food and ingredients you already have on hand to avoid unnecessary spending. 

Stock Up on Pantry Essentials

Avoid putting excessive items in your cart by sticking to the essentials. Go for budget-friendly pantry ingredients such as canned beans, lentils (how long do lentils last?), tuna, and pasta.

Catch Meat and Vegetable Promos

Check for coupons from store flyers and apps. Focus on the ingredients you need so nothing goes to waste.

Buy Canned and Jarred Goods Instead of Fresh Produce

Cut costs by buying canned and jarred goods instead of expensive fresh produce. Unless you’re shopping at a local farmers market, canned produce found in groceries may be cheaper than fresh produce. For example, buying tomato sauce or tomato paste (how long does tomato paste last?) instead of fresh tomatoes can save you $4-$5 a jar. 

Plant An Herb or Vegetable Garden

Growing an herb or vegetable garden can significantly reduce the amount of money spent on groceries. Luckily, there’s a diverse array of vegetables you can grow in Texas during summer. Grow everything from tomatoes and cantaloupes (how long does cantaloupe last?) to salad greens in your backyard.

For more info on spending less on food, check out our post on eating cheap and healthy in Texas on a budget. 

$1 meals 

Having an organized food budget becomes a lifeline when managing your expenses, especially if you have a large family. It helps identify and avoid unnecessarily expensive ingredients while creating healthy, family-friendly recipes that are still within your budget. Here are some wallet-friendly recipes, for everything from snacks to mains, that are guaranteed to be cost-effective and more nutritious compared to cheap fast food options.

Chicken and Black Bean Salad Tostadas
Serves 6
Cost per serving: $1.75 

Ingredients:

• 6 pcs baked tostadas ($0.80)

• 6 oz rotisserie chicken breast ($4.19)

• ½ can of black beans (how long do black beans last?) ($0.55)

• 12.6 oz Southwest-style chopped salad kit ($4.60)

• 2 oz sour cream ($0.35)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the salad kit according to package directions. Set the tortilla strips and shredded cheese aside. Fold in the chicken and canned black beans. (how long do canned black beans last?)

2. Divide the salad mixture among the tostada shells.

3. Top with the tortilla strips and cheese.

4. Add a dollop of sour cream on top.

Lemon Pepper Chicken
Serves 4
Cost per serving: $1.14 

Ingredients:

• 4 large chicken leg quarters ($1.43)

• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp olive oil ($1.19)

• ¼ cup lemon juice ($0.69)

• 1 tsp black pepper ($0.23)

• 1 tsp salt ($0.01)

• 12 oz canned, sliced, white potatoes ($1) 

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk a ¼ cup of olive oil with the lemon juice. Season with pepper and salt. Toss in the leg quarters and potatoes and thoroughly coat them with the marinate. Soak for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add all the ingredients to a sheet pan.

3. Roast the chicken in an oven for around 20–30 minutes until the skin turns golden brown.

4. Remove the potatoes if they are ready before the chicken.

Tuna Noodle Casserole
Serves 6
Cost per serving: $1.67 

Ingredients :

• 1 yellow onion, diced ($0.13)

• 4 tbsp butter ($0.58)

• 7 oz canned mushrooms ($2.08)

• ¾ tsp salt ($0.01)

• ¼ tsp pepper ($0.06)

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour ($0.06)

• 2 cups whole milk ($1.17)

• 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth (how long does chicken broth last?) ($0.71)

• 4 oz cream cheese (how long does cream cheese last?) ($0.63)

• ½ cup frozen peas ($0.35)

• 8 oz wide egg noodles (how long do egg noodles last?) ($0.84)

• 2 tbsp breadcrumbs ($0.35)

• 2 tbsp grated parmesan ($0.87)

• 10 oz light tuna, drained ($2.22)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

2. Saute the diced onion with 1 tbsp of butter over medium heat until softened.

3. Add the canned sliced mushrooms to the onion and season with salt and pepper. Continue until the mushrooms are cooked. Remove and set aside.

4. Add the flour and 2 tbsp of butter to the skillet. Whisk while cooking over medium heat as the butter melts. Continue whisking for around one minute. The butter will thicken and foam at this point.

5. Add the broth, milk, and cream cheese to the skillet. Whisk continuously until the cheese has fully melted. The sauce will start to simmer, at which point it will thicken.

6. Add the frozen peas and cooked mushrooms back into the sauce and stir to combine. Season with more salt and pepper, and set the sauce aside.

7. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling water for around 7 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water.

8. While the noodles are boiling, prepare the breadcrumb topping by melting 1 tbsp of butter and stirring in the breadcrumbs and parmesan.

9. Combine the creamy mushroom sauce with the cooked noodles and drained tuna.

10. Transfer into a 3-quart casserole dish, and top with the breadcrumb mixture.

11. Bake the casserole for about 25 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage
Serves 6
Cost per serving: $1.41 

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cans sliced potatoes ($1.79)

• 1 yellow onion ($0.13)

• ½ head chopped cabbage ($1.80)

• 2 tsp steak seasoning ($0.15)

• 14 oz smoked sausage ($3.51)

• 1 ½ cans chicken broth ($1.07)

Instructions:

1. Chop the onion into 1-inch pieces. Place the canned potatoes and onions in the bottom of a 5-quart dish or a large slow cooker. 

2. Chop the cabbage into 1-inch pieces. Add the cabbage and steak seasoning to the slow cooker.

3. Slice the sausage into ½-inch thick rounds. Add the sausage to the slow cooker with the chicken broth. Slightly stir to nestle the sausage down into the cabbage. 

4. Place the lid over the slow cooker and cook on high heat for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.

5. Stir to combine the ingredients and adjust the seasonings to your liking before serving.

Baked Barley with Mushrooms
Serves 4
Cost per serving: $1.59

Ingredients:

• 2 cloves (how long do cloves last?) garlic ($0.18)

• 7 oz canned mushrooms ($1.40)

• 4 tbsp butter ($0.58)

• 1 cup pearled barley (how long does barley last?) ($2.13)

• 2 cans vegetable broth (how long does vegetable broth last?) ($1.42)

• ½ tsp dried thyme (how long does dried thyme last?) ($0.60)

• ⅛ tsp black pepper ($0.06)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mince the garlic and slice the mushrooms.

2. Add the garlic mushrooms and butter to a Dutch oven. Saute over medium heat until the mushrooms have softened. 

3. Add the barley, vegetable broth, thyme, and freshly cracked pepper to the Dutch oven. Stir to combine, place the lid on the top, and transfer to the oven.

4. Bake the barley for 1 hour.

5. After baking, stir the barley to fluff it up. Give the barley a taste and adjust the salt or pepper to your liking. Top with freshly chopped parsley just before serving.