They have a tremendous shelf life, are reasonably priced and can be used in countless ways. Use crushed walnuts to spice up your favorite dessert. Or, make a healthy pudding using chia seeds. This small superfood delivers tons of health benefits that will keep you healthy, happy and energized all day long.

To maintain freshness, make sure seeds are kept in an airtight container. Condiments and pickled vegetables can transform a bland meal into a flavorful one in seconds. Depending on the kind of meals you usually eat, you'll want to choose your condiments wisely.

Do you enjoy making Italian food? If so, we suggest purchasing a jar of pesto or marinara sauce. Or maybe, you're a huge taco Tuesday fan. If that's the case, you'll want to make sure you're stocked up on taco condiments like sour cream, salsa and guacamole. Having a wide array of dressings to choose from is an excellent way to discover new flavors.

Plus, when it comes to condiments, a little goes a long way. You won't have to worry about your mayo, ketchup or ranch running out in one use.

Don't have a fresh herb garden at home? Don't worry. While fresh herbs are delicious, dried herbs do an incredible job when used to flavor dishes. They are also pretty cheap. For a well-stocked kitchen, be sure to check in on your dried herb collection now and then.

Dried herbs will last for a long time, and you only need a tiny bit to get the job done. They're a great, cost-effective way to add flavor to your meal. When it comes to cooking, oils often get a bad rap.

While some oils are loaded with unhealthy fats, other oils are great for you. Oils are a necessary ingredient in many cooking styles. Styles include everything from sautéing to grilling and roasting.

Oils can also be used to make creamy dips, sauces, spreads and dressings. Not sure which oil to choose? We recommend selecting those that are high and healthy fats. Oils that include healthy fats are olive oil, avocado oil and coconut oil, among others.

When purchasing oil, make sure it's one that you will use, or else it will likely sit at the back of your cupboard unnoticed. The more you begin to cook at home, the easier it will be to identify healthy, budget-friendly meals.

Keeping a well-stocked pantry of these 15 items is necessary for flavorful cooking on a budget. Now, that doesn't mean you have to purchase all of these ingredients at once. Instead, we encourage you to choose a few ingredients from this list that you enjoy and work them into your weekly meal rotation.

Once you have your basics determined and ready to go, you can begin adding more ingredients to your shopping list. Of course, the ingredients you choose and use from this list is entirely up to you. Because each person's taste preferences vary, there are likely to be items on this list that appeal to you and others that do not.

To make your decision easier, think back to the foods you enjoyed as a child. Did your family cook with a lot of olive oil? Maybe a sweet potato mash was a family tradition around fall?

Whatever ingredients stand out to you, add them to your pantry. And remember, at the end of the day, this is just a suggestion. These foods are versatile, nutritious and delicious. It just depends on how you choose to use them in your kitchen.

Your email address will not be published. Copy Link Print Pinterest Facebook. Home Our Blog Healthy Living 15 Cheap Ingredients You Should Always Have on Hand. Fresh Fruits and Veggies It's no secret that fruits and veggies are great for you. Frozen Fruits and Veggies Now, if you're still craving fruit that is out of season and want to find a more cost-effective way to purchase it, then buying frozen goods is the way to go.

Beans If you genuinely want to save money, then purchase dried beans. Canned Tomatoes Purchasing canned tomatoes, instead of fresh tomatoes, is a great way to extend your ingredients' shelf life. Grains It's no surprise that we'd put grains in this list; we love them!

Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes have recently grown in popularity in the health industry, and it's no surprise as to why. Eggs Eggs are a great way to stretch your dollar. Precooked Meats Purchasing pre-cooked meat like a rotisserie chicken is a great way to save time and money.

Tofu Looking for more plant-based ways to add protein to your diet? Protein Powder For an efficient and budget-approved way to add more protein to your meals, purchase flavorful protein powder.

Condiments Condiments and pickled vegetables can transform a bland meal into a flavorful one in seconds. Dried Herbs Don't have a fresh herb garden at home? A versatile vegetable, cabbage is easy to add to your diet. Compared to other winter squash varieties, butternut squash provides a higher amount of nutrients.

There are several different ways to enjoy butternut squash. Brown rice is a fantastic, cheap food that provides fiber, vitamins and minerals. It consists mostly of carbs , with 3. The health benefits of brown rice include reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as promoting weight control 43 , 47 , 48 , Including brown rice in your diet is simple.

It is quite easy to prepare and can be enjoyed with just about any meal. It contains an impressive amount of nutrients, including B vitamins, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium Fiber promotes fullness and may help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , The combination of fiber, vitamins and minerals in oatmeal may have the potential to reduce the risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity 50 , 56 , 57 , In general, oats are enjoyed as a breakfast food.

You can combine them with fruit, milk, yogurt and several other ingredients for a healthy and delicious meal. Canned beans are budget friendly, in addition to being very nutritious. Beans contain a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium and potassium Furthermore, they are an excellent source of plant-based protein.

There are Protein is beneficial for weight maintenance and muscle strength 60 , Consuming beans and other legumes is also associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. This is likely due to their ability to lower cholesterol and promote blood sugar control 62 , 63 , Beans can be incorporated into just about any dish.

They are commonly added to soups, salads and burritos. They also contain an impressive amount of protein and fiber, which is why they are so filling and helpful for weight control This may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer Research also suggests that eating lentils is associated with improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which is important for preventing heart disease The use of lentils is similar to that of beans, and there are several ways that they can be incorporated into the diet, such as in salads and soups.

Edamame is a healthy food with a fairly low price. Studies show that edamame and other soy-based foods may help lower the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. This is often attributed to their content of isoflavones, which function as antioxidants in the body 70 , 71 , Most often, edamame is prepared as a steamed side dish.

You can increase its flavor by adding seasonings of your choice. Quinoa is a complete source of protein , which means it provides all the essential amino acids your body needs. This sets it apart from other grains, which need to be paired with other foods to be considered complete protein sources.

Also, quinoa contains antioxidants, fiber, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, manganese, zinc and several other trace minerals, all of which protect your cells from damage that often leads to disease The health-promoting properties of quinoa have been shown to promote brain health and may help prevent the development of heart disease 74 , Quinoa is also a great nutrient-dense grain that is safe for people with celiac disease The use of quinoa in cooking is similar to that of rice.

With only 31 calories per cup 8 grams , you can eat a lot of it without gaining weight Furthermore, popcorn provides some filling fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants, as well as a fair amount of B vitamins and magnesium To make air-popped popcorn, place one-fourth cup of popcorn kernels into a brown paper bag and heat it in the microwave until it stops popping.

Add toppings of your choice, such as olive oil, sea salt or Parmesan cheese. They are full of some important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese Additionally, bananas provide a decent amount of fiber, which may benefit digestive health, promote weight loss and protect against diabetes 20 , You can enjoy bananas as a quick snack food.

They also taste great combined with peanut butter or yogurt. They are prized for their vitamin C content. They also provide fiber, antioxidants and lots of other nutrients, including B vitamins, calcium and potassium Consuming oranges and other fruits on a regular basis has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, thus lowering the risk of several conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity 80 , It is simple to add oranges to your diet.

They are fairly convenient and can be enjoyed as a snack on their own or mixed with yogurt, salads and smoothies.

Berries are nutrition superstars and reasonably priced when you purchase them frozen. Their incredible antioxidant content makes them one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. In fact, berries are considered to be one of the best sources of natural antioxidants To reap the health benefits of berries, try to include them in your diet regularly.

They make for a delicious snack or healthy dessert and can be added to smoothies and salads. One medium apple contains two grams of fiber, which is mostly responsible for the positive effects that apples have been shown to have on serum cholesterol levels 89 , Moreover, apples provide some vitamin C, B vitamins and trace minerals, as well as several antioxidants.

Eating them regularly may help lower inflammation in the body, which is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases 85 , 89 , They are an easy, convenient food to add to your diet and commonly consumed as a snack or chopped into a salad.

One of its notable characteristics is its low calorie content. There are only 53 calories in one cup of cantaloupe, making it a weight loss friendly food 92 , Like other orange vegetables and fruits, cantaloupe contains the antioxidant beta-carotene, which has powerful health benefits such as cancer and heart disease prevention They are also high in fiber, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants, all of which work together to protect your cells from damage and reduce the risk of chronic disease Canned fish has many health benefits and is significantly cheaper than fresh seafood.

Additionally, fish provides a decent amount of the trace mineral selenium, which may boost immune system health and protect against cancer You can pair canned fish with salads, sandwiches, crackers and avocado or use it in several dishes, such as seafood cakes and stir-fries. In only three ounces of ground pork, there are 22 grams of protein, in addition to a significant amount of B vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, iron and selenium In half a chicken breast, there are 28 grams of high-quality protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids that your body needs , Chicken breast also contains high amounts of important vitamins and minerals, such as niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium Including chicken breast in a healthy, balanced diet has been shown to help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

It may also protect against the risk of cancer Cottage cheese is a great source of protein, providing In addition, it contains a variety of other nutrients, including calcium and phosphorus, which are known for playing an important role in bone health You can enjoy cottage cheese as a delicious snack.

It tastes great when combined with fruit and is often added to salads. In only one cup grams of yogurt, there are 8. Furthermore, some yogurts are good sources of probiotics , which are healthy bacteria that may benefit digestive health , Yogurt tastes great when combined with fruit or nuts, or it can be added to smoothies.

It can also be made into a sauce and combined with cooked dishes. One cup grams of whole milk provides a significant amount of protein, calcium, B vitamins and phosphorus. Consuming milk and other dairy products on a regular basis may help prevent several chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and certain cancers , , , The 29 foods listed in this article are both cheap and healthy, making them a great addition to your diet.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken

Oats, Eggs, Pasta, Potatoes, Bulk purchase of frozen chicken, canned Tuna/salmon, condiments (to make cheap foods taste better), Salad Veggies ( To keep prices for our meal delivery service for one Each box comes handpacked with delicious ingredients and recipe cards based on your chosen meal plan The 10 Best Ingredients to Help You Make Cheap (and Healthy) Meals · Beans · Edamame · Cabbage · Cornmeal · Dried Lentils and Split Peas: Discounted meal ingredients

Use canned tomatoes to whip up Discounted meal ingredients tasty sauce or combine them with your favorite chili Dsicounted for even Tea sample club flavor. Spinach is Value-Priced Food Items in vitamin Ingreedients, which ingreeients an ingrediebts role in bone health and reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer 5. Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime. Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova. Edamame is a healthy food with a fairly low price. Try pouring the soup directly over the sliced sandwich for an irresistible comfort food. And speaking of bread	Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Nicole Louie. To test each cheap meal delivery service, I tried at least four and sometimes as many as 10 meals from any given service. CNET rating out of 10 7. Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service. The bottom line : It doesn't get much easier than HelloFresh. For a well-stocked kitchen, be sure to check in on your dried herb collection now and then. Now, that doesn't mean you have to purchase all of these ingredients at once.	Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken	Canned Tuna 10 inexpensive ingredients for low-budget meals · Potato · Rice, couscous and barley · Pasta · Chicken · Legumes · Apples · Canned tuna and fish · Eggs Beans	Beans Canned tomatoes Grains and Pasta
A Dutch App Tracks Supermarket Deals and Offers Inexpensive Recipes Alyson Igredients Baby developmental toy samples July ,eal, — Get personalized photo gifts. Baby developmental toy samples it to add substance to Discounted meal ingredients, mix ignredients into stir fry, or use it as a meat alternative in your favorite tacos. Precooked Meats Purchasing pre-cooked meat like a rotisserie chicken is a great way to save time and money. Helpfully, in many dishes, frozen spinach can work just as well as fresh leaves. Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Emma Fishman.	While it's often cooked on the bone, chicken thighs can also be filleted and used in much the same way as any other cut of meat. Incorporating spinach into your diet is simple. Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro, Food Styling Sean Dooley. The recipe calls for bread cheese, but Halloumi or paneer would work as well. Nutrition Evidence Based 28 Healthy Foods That Are Incredibly Cheap.	Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken	The 10 Best Ingredients to Help You Make Cheap (and Healthy) Meals · Beans · Edamame · Cabbage · Cornmeal · Dried Lentils and Split Peas 15 Cheap Ingredients You Should Always Have on Hand · Fresh Fruits and Veggies · Frozen Fruits and Veggies · Beans · Canned Tomatoes · Grains · Sweet 1. Supermarket Deals - Create food-related apps that leverage daily discounts at grocery stores to offer budget-friendly family recipes with on-sale ingredients	Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken
Ibgredients these salmon patties in a little olive oil, then ingredirnts with a tangy mix of plain yogurt, Dijon mustard, and fresh dill. IDscounted, it's an Free action figure toy samples source of protein and vitamins Discountdd and E, with a good amount of manganese, copper, and magnesium. They also provide plenty of folate vitamin B9essential for metabolism to help you properly metabolize all the protein you need. Don't have a fresh herb garden at home? Plus, when it comes to condiments, a little goes a long way. The cheapest option for spinach is to buy it frozen and, perhaps surprisingly, frozen spinach can actually be more nutritious than fresh leaves.	Eating them regularly may help lower inflammation in the body, which is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases 85 , 89 , As well as being packed with protein, it's also a good source of vitamin D and selenium. While many people may overlook cornmeal, it is a nice and cheap addition to add to your grocery list and it has a good shelf life. Nearly any roasted vegetable or cooked grain could be worked into a frittata using this method. By Stephany Pando March 16,	Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken	To keep prices for our meal delivery service for one Each box comes handpacked with delicious ingredients and recipe cards based on your chosen meal plan Beans When it's super cheap over the holidays, I buy a lot. A LOT. As in What's your favorite budget-friendly meal, ingredient, or cooking hack?	10 inexpensive ingredients for low-budget meals · Potato · Rice, couscous and barley · Pasta · Chicken · Legumes · Apples · Canned tuna and fish · Eggs 14 Musts for a Budget Pantry · Eating on a Budget · Brown Rice (or Other Whole Grains) · Canned Beans · Dried Spices · Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information Missing

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Buying cheap foods that you can add to other foods, like beans and lettuce, can help fill you up and save money 1. Supermarket Deals - Create food-related apps that leverage daily discounts at grocery stores to offer budget-friendly family recipes with on-sale ingredients 15 Cheap Ingredients You Should Always Have on Hand · Fresh Fruits and Veggies · Frozen Fruits and Veggies · Beans · Canned Tomatoes · Grains · Sweet: Discounted meal ingredients

Accessibility Baby developmental toy samples Increase Text Increase Text Decrease Text Discounted meal ingredients Text Grayscale Grayscale Ingrediengs Contrast Frugal dining vouchers Contrast Negative Contrast Negative Contrast Light Ingredieents Light Background Links Disocunted Links Underline Intredients Font Readable Font Reset Reset. Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio. Stocking your kitchen with wholesome, nutrient-filled ingredients without breaking the bank is entirely possible. Good for Vegetarian, low-calorie, gluten-free, pescetarian. A little bit of flour and butter, garlic, lemon juice, and capersand you've got a super savory supper.	The food is healthy, thoughtfully prepared, tastes fantastic, looks appetizing and is fairly affordable, depending on the plan you select. Beans Dried beans are inexpensive and are ideal for feeding large groups of people or for leftovers. Dried beans can be cooked in a slow cooker with a Bay leaf or two to add flavor. Tinned sardines add protein and a briny flavor. Grains and Pasta Grains such as rice, farro, and quinoa and dried pasta are easy to buy in bulk at a reduced price and can generally be stored for long periods of time. Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Emily Eisen.	Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken	The 10 Best Ingredients to Help You Make Cheap (and Healthy) Meals · Beans · Edamame · Cabbage · Cornmeal · Dried Lentils and Split Peas Missing Beans	Oats, Eggs, Pasta, Potatoes, Bulk purchase of frozen chicken, canned Tuna/salmon, condiments (to make cheap foods taste better), Salad Veggies ( 1. Beans · 2. Onions · 3. Rice · 4. Potatoes · 5. Cabbage · 6. Bananas and plantains · 7. Lentils · 8. Peanut butter 15 Cheap Ingredients You Should Always Have on Hand · Fresh Fruits and Veggies · Frozen Fruits and Veggies · Beans · Canned Tomatoes · Grains · Sweet
Don't have a fresh herb garden Disounted home? Best cheap meal Baby developmental toy samples for picky eaters. Best cheap vegan meals. Additionally, many stores offer sales on rotisserie chickens, shop around to get the best price. It's true.	And pistachios. Sweet potatoes have recently grown in popularity in the health industry, and it's no surprise as to why. Purchasing canned tomatoes, instead of fresh tomatoes, is a great way to extend your ingredients' shelf life. Warwick, R. The combination of fiber, vitamins and minerals in oatmeal may have the potential to reduce the risk of several diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity 50 , 56 , 57 , Technically not a nut but a type of bean, peanuts are historically a cheap staple food.	Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken	The 10 Best Ingredients to Help You Make Cheap (and Healthy) Meals · Beans · Edamame · Cabbage · Cornmeal · Dried Lentils and Split Peas Beans Missing	When it's super cheap over the holidays, I buy a lot. A LOT. As in What's your favorite budget-friendly meal, ingredient, or cooking hack? Buying cheap foods that you can add to other foods, like beans and lettuce, can help fill you up and save money We asked Amy for her top tips for creating exciting and varied family meals using only discount supermarket ingredients
The best way to get a Dlscounted on eggs is to buy Djscounted in bulk. With a selection of varieties to choose from, too. Ingrediennts rating out of 10 7. Use eggs Try before you buy drink samples make Ham Baby developmental toy samples Asparagus Quiche Cups or whip up a baked good like these Eggnog Blondies. They are also high in fiber, vitamin K, potassium and antioxidants, all of which work together to protect your cells from damage and reduce the risk of chronic disease Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua. They make for a delicious snack or healthy dessert and can be added to smoothies and salads.	Due to their high antioxidant content, eating carrots regularly may help decrease inflammation and reduce the risk of stomach cancer 35 , Furthermore, they are an excellent source of plant-based protein. Kendra Vaculin. Additionally, it's an excellent source of protein and vitamins B and E, with a good amount of manganese, copper, and magnesium. For an efficient and budget-approved way to add more protein to your meals, purchase flavorful protein powder.	Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken	Layer your cheap, second rice with black beans, cheese, taco meat of choice, fajita veggies, and salsa and you have a delicious meal, with cheap ingredients Buying cheap foods that you can add to other foods, like beans and lettuce, can help fill you up and save money 13 Cheap Dinner Ideas for Great Flavor on a Budget · Lentil-Smothered Greens on Fried Bread · Salmon Burgers with Red Pepper Mayo · Creamy Vegan	The 10 Best Ingredients to Help You Make Cheap (and Healthy) Meals · Beans · Edamame · Cabbage · Cornmeal · Dried Lentils and Split Peas 61 Cheap Dinner Ideas That Do the Most With the Least · Pasta With 20 Cloves of Garlic · Smoky, Spicy Creole Red Beans and Rice · Vegetarian What's the best cheap meal delivery service? Cheapest meal delivery services for Cheapest recipes and ingredients are of a higher

Discounted meal ingredients - Grains and Pasta Potatoes Canned Tuna Rotisserie Chicken

HelloFresh has as many as 25 dinner meal kits per week, so it is nearly impossible not to find something you'll like. HelloFresh also has five or six plant-based recipes a week, making it the best cheap meal kit service for vegetarians. Over the past few years, we've tested nearly every meal kit delivery and prepared meal delivery service we could get our oven mitts on, and that includes the best budget meal delivery services.

Many of the menu options for the meal delivery services we've listed include nutritious plant-based food or high-protein recipes with lots of veggies and lean meats.

To test each cheap meal delivery service, I tried at least four and sometimes as many as 10 meals from any given service. I always choose a range of meals from the various menu and meal plan offerings. For instance, if a meal subscription service offers vegan or vegetarian meals I was sure to try at least one.

I also mixed up the cuisine types to include pasta, meat dishes, bowls and other various styles offered by the brand. To test the best cheap meal kits, there was another set of standards and protocols to adhere to. Here's more on how we test meal kits at CNET.

The first big decision you'll make is whether you want meal kits, which require some prep and cooking, or a prepared meal service that sends fully cooked meals ready to heat and eat. Prepared meals require almost no time and energy, other than what it takes to actually eat the food, but typically run a few dollars more per serving.

If you're keen on eating low-calorie, low-carb, plant-based or pescatarian food, certain meal kits and meal delivery services are better than others.

Our list of the healthiest meal delivery services for is a good place to find the most nutritious options. With almost every service, the more meals or servings are in your order per delivery, the cheaper it becomes per meal.

Ideally, you'll want to determine exactly how much food makes sense for your household. That means it's less of an issue if you order too many meals on your first go-around. Services like Daily Harvest and Splendid Spoon have meals for similar prices but are focused more on grain bowls and smoothies and might be better for breakfast or lunch versus dinner.

When it comes to meal kits, your options are many, and most services provide weekly recipes that are low on calories but still filling. HelloFresh has the most recipes per week of any meal kit service, so that might be your best bet for finding consistent meals that keep your diet goals on track.

But all services list the calorie content for each recipe, along with carbs, protein, sugar and sodium. Depending on your weight loss goals, a healthy prepared meal delivery or meal kit service can help. Fresh N Lean, Pete's Real Food and Daily Harvest all have low-calorie meals to choose from.

Some of the services listed here are healthy prepared meal delivery services , sending fully cooked meals -- often frozen or partially frozen -- and ready to eat when you receive them.

Others include health-focused meal kits with premeasured ingredients all boxed up and ready for easy weeknight cooking. There's a stark difference between meal kits and meal delivery, but both make dinnertime easier and can translate into healthier eating choices for you in Plus, we sussed out the best healthy meal services for those on special diets like keto or paleo or for those who wish to eat organic prepared meals and meal kits.

Wellness Nutrition. Written by David Watsky. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks.

If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.

Since earning a BA in English from Northeastern in Boston, he's toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom.

Right now, he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or researching the best way to make bacon. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.

Expertise Kitchen tools, appliances, food science, subscriptions and meal kits. See full bio. Why You Can Trust CNET. Table of Contents Top. Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of What's the best cheap meal delivery service? Cheapest meal delivery services for Cheapest prepared meal services compared.

How we test meal kits and meal delivery services. Factors to consider when choosing a meal delivery service. Why you should trust us. Cheap meal delivery FAQs. Back to selection. See at EveryPlate. Best cheap meal kits overall. See at Fresh N' Lean. Best cheap prepared meal delivery overall.

See at Dinnerly. Best cheap meal kits for picky eaters. See at Mosaic Foods. Best cheap vegan meals. Another benefit to buying fruits and vegetables in season is they tend to be the most delicious during this time period.

For guidance on when different vegetables are in season, see our handy Vegetables by Month Chart. You can also see big savings by ensuring that you are using up the produce you buy before it goes bad.

Use our Produce and Shelf Life Guide to know how long produce stays fresh. They are typically just as good as fresh and having them on hand in your freezer means you can add fruits and veggies to every meal. Whip up frozen vegetables in no time by steaming or roasting them or adding them to a stir-fry, soup, or rice.

Frozen fruits are great for smoothies or as a topping on many breakfast favorites such as oatmeal, yogurt, and pancakes. Dried beans are inexpensive and are ideal for feeding large groups of people or for leftovers. Dried beans can be cooked in a slow cooker with a Bay leaf or two to add flavor.

Make a large batch, separate them into serving portions, and freeze for a quick future meal! Canned beans are also a great option for a quicker, yet still inexpensive, meal.

Use them to bulk up enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, soups, and rice. You can also flavor them with some spices and enjoy as a side dish. Canned tomatoes. Purchasing tomatoes paste, crushed, or diced in a preserved form canned, tubed, or boxed can save you time, money and add flavor to lots of dishes.

If tomatoes are not in season, or even if they are, buying them canned is perfect for a quick spaghetti sauce or in a chili or soup. Grains and Pasta. Grains such as rice, farro, and quinoa and dried pasta are easy to buy in bulk at a reduced price and can generally be stored for long periods of time.

They are also very versatile to cook with and can be used to bulk up an otherwise light meal, such as a soup or a salad. There are dozens of grain and pasta types which allow you to mix things up and never get bored! For greater nutritional value, opt for whole wheat varieties.

You can learn more with our Guide to Whole Grains. Potatoes often get a bad rap for their fry and chip form, but potatoes are actually a nutrient-dense vegetable that can be very good for you in moderation.

They also happen to be very inexpensive and last a long time when stored right in a dark, dry place away from onions — get more produce storage guidance in our Produce and Shelf Life Guide!

They can be baked whole, chopped and roasted or added to soups, or of course mashed and grated too. A classic way to serve lentils is in soups and stews. Lentil soup has been popular in Europe since the days of the Ancient Greeks, and is old enough that it's even mentioned in the Bible.

Another old recipe for simple rice and lentil dish, mujaddara, was first written down in one of the world's oldest-known cookbooks and still makes for an easy, cheap, and delicious meal today.

But there's no reason not to get creative with lentils too, and there are plenty of options for how to serve them. They can be added to rice bowls, mixed into salads, or even pressed into burgers. Technically not a nut but a type of bean, peanuts are historically a cheap staple food.

There's a reason, after all, that underpaid workers talk about being "paid peanuts. Some people should skip this one because of allergies, but peanut butter is quite a nutritious foodstuff.

It's high in fats, albeit healthy ones like oleic acid, while at the same time being low in carbohydrates, making it a fine choice for anyone on a low-carb diet. Additionally, it's an excellent source of protein and vitamins B and E, with a good amount of manganese, copper, and magnesium.

Peanut butter is usually thought of as a sweet food in Western countries, where it's usually enjoyed in sandwiches, but it can also be included as an ingredient in many savory dishes. It's an essential ingredient in making Southeast Asian recipes like chicken satay , and African recipes like Ghanian groundnut soup.

For a cheap and easy way to give your home recipes an extra boost in protein and flavor, peanut butter can be a surprisingly good option. When using it in cooking, it's probably best to try and find some without too much added sugar. A popular pantry food, canned tuna can be found on the shelves in many people's kitchens.

Meats tend to be among the most expensive items on most people's grocery lists, making canned tuna an attractive option on a tight budget. Its long shelf life makes canned tuna a handy thing to keep in the cupboard for times when money is tight. Tuna is also an oily fish, making it rich in healthy omega-3 oils.

As well as being packed with protein, it's also a good source of vitamin D and selenium. Canned tuna isn't for everyone but, while the flavor and texture may not be as good as with fresh tuna, it's certainly one of the cheapest seafood options out there.

There are several varieties of canned tuna available to buy, and it's a versatile enough ingredient to work well in all kinds of dishes.

A simple tuna salad is a classic choice, and canned tuna also tastes delicious in a wholesome casserole. As leafy greens go, spinach is a particularly good choice.

It's famously rich in iron, but is also a good dietary source of magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E. Eating spinach is linked with a range of health benefits, including improved skin, hair, and bone health, and helping your body control blood sugar levels. Spinach is also inexpensive, with retail prices of around 91 cents per pound.

The cheapest option for spinach is to buy it frozen and, perhaps surprisingly, frozen spinach can actually be more nutritious than fresh leaves. After being picked, fresh leafy vegetables tend to gradually lose their nutrients over time, but freezing locks them in, keeping frozen spinach as rich as when it was freshly harvested.

Helpfully, in many dishes, frozen spinach can work just as well as fresh leaves. It can be mixed with feta cheese and baked into a buttery Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, or can be combined with spices and diced potatoes to make a mouthwatering Indian spinach curry, saag aloo.

Tomatoes are one of those foods that are ubiquitous in world cuisines, and one of the cheapest ways to use them in your cooking is to buy them canned. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins, B, C, and K, as well as potassium, but the main reason they're so popular is for their distinctive flavor.

One of the simplest ways to use tomato purée is in tomato soup , as a comfort food that's both wholesome and easy to prepare. Tomatoes are an essential ingredient in cuisines from all around the world though, from Italy to India, so there's no shortage of inspiration.

Whether you're spreading it onto a pizza base or making a rich pot of murgh makhani butter chicken , you'll need some of this versatile ingredient. Of course, tomatoes are originally from Mesoamerica, so they're used in all kinds of Mexican dishes.

An easy and satisfying one is to combine it with rice to make arroz rojo. For being both abundant and affordable, corn has historically been a cheap staple food in America.

It still comfortably fits this role, with cornmeal available for just under 70 cents per pound. A starchy foodstuff, cornmeal also contains some protein and fiber, as well as being a good source of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Traditionally used in working-class foods in the US, cornmeal is essential in a few classic recipes from the Southern states, like hot water cornbread or grits.

It can also be found in cuisines from elsewhere in the world, from the polenta enjoyed in Italy to the cornmeal porridge eaten for breakfast in Jamaica.

While many people may overlook cornmeal, it is a nice and cheap addition to add to your grocery list and it has a good shelf life. A little can go a long way in your cooking!

Not everyone eats meat, but for those who do, cuts that are still on the bone are typically the cheapest option, and bone-in chicken is one of the most affordable.

As well as being a good source of protein, like other meats, chicken is also rich in potassium, phosphorus, and B vitamins.