Big Taste, Low Budget: One Month of Thrifty, Tasty Recipes

Smart recipes that don't sacrifice flavor

In app

Devan Grimsrud

Food Editor at Kitchen Stories

www.instagram.com/devan.grimsrud/

When we were getting started on the plan for our Big Taste, Low Budget issue, we were thinking about how we could change the common narrative around the important topic of eating on a budget from spreadsheets, numbers, and penny pinching to something more approachable, accessible, and, dare we even say, fun?

For starters, we did something radical. We cut back the number of stories we’ll share this month and upped the number of recipes. Why? We think the recipes we can share will have the biggest impact in showcasing just how varied and delicious “budget eats” can be.

We want to give you something real that you can put into practice in your own kitchen; recipes you can have in your repertoire when the end of the month comes around, when money is just tight or you’re trying to save, when you’ve spent a bit more than planned on summer vacations or need to save up before the holidays, or when an unexpected expense takes a big bite out of your paycheck.

There will be one new 5-ingredient dinner every week, various recipes that will show you how to make the best of spices and condiments you likely already have on hand, plus two special recipes chosen by you, our community. Our chef (catch her on The Taste) Hanna will walk you through multiple ways to prepare a cheap pantry staple (spoiler alert, we’re talking eggs!), our editor Xueci will give us her go-to big batch, budget-friendly recipe for Sichuan-style chili wontons (plus how to freeze them), we’ll get input from our team on their favorite quick and cheap recipes, and so much more.

Whether you’re cooking for one, two, or an entire family, eating on a budget is relevant for everyone and we hope our Big Taste, Low Budget issue can inspire and show you how to be a smarter, more thrifty cook, because using up what you’ve got, packing flavor in a pinch, and drumming up something inspiring and delicious with limited ingredients are advantageous skills for any, and every, home cook (and handily, it also limits food waste!).

Be sure to save and revisit this article throughout the month as we’ll be linking out latest recipes and stories below, and remember to follow us on Instagram for exclusive content. Let’s start the conversation with your answers to this question in the comments below: What is your go-to recipe for a cheap, quick meal?

— 10 Tasty Recipes Under 2 Euro ($2.35) a Portion
— Everything You Can Do, Eggs Can Do Better
— Spiced Bombay Potatoes Keep Saving My Weeknight Dinners
— 25 Cheap Eats We've Always Relied On