20 Easy, Cheap Struggle Meals To Rely On In A Recession

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2 days ago

Everybody knows groceries are getting more expensive — sometimes prohibitively so. So, when I saw a post from Reddit user Asleep-Raspberry-819 on the Frugal subreddit entitled "What was a staple [recession meal] for you during the last one?" I had to see what they had to say.
"Trying to save as much money possible as an adult in America on a fixed income," Asleep-Raspberry-819 began. "I try to spend as little as I can right now on groceries, but know I should prepare for the worst before it comes."
They continued: "Whether it's just beans and rice or oatmeal, I want to know to either stock up now, figure out recipes now, or start eating it now to save money. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance."
Well, here are some of people's best, most helpful responses:
"My best advice is just to learn to cook the things you like, then buy what's inexpensive right now."
"Buying meat on sale and freezing it is a game changer."
"Adding some sausage and/or ham hock to your red beans and rice is a game changer. It goes from being a struggle meal to you being transported to the French Quarter in New Orleans."
"I used spaghetti noodles to make peanut butter noodles with soy sauce and Sriracha, added frozen veggies like spinach or peas, and enjoyed it hot or cold."
"It was spaghetti carbonara for me until eggs went wild…"
"Apples with peanut butter."
"I don't mean this in a pejorative way, but eat like a peasant. Flatbreads, seasonal produce, rice, beans, and modest amounts of meat or vegetable protein. Make it interesting with spices and herbs."
"Tuna melt quesadillas."
"Cans of tomatoes can be used for a large variety of things, like spaghetti, chili, tacos, etc."
"Dishes don't have to be 'super cheap' to still be frugal. You can get Thai curry pastes and make excellent curries at home. They are quite easy. Same with spice mixes for Indian dishes."
"Rice and its 70,000 variations. Rice with soup bases of different flavors. Rice with veggies. Rice with meat and veggies. Rice with sugar, milk, and raisins as dessert. If you've got rice and flavorings, you've got meals."
"Last year I survived in DC on an average $200 a month food budget."
"[In 2007] I was a freshman in college and didn't know it was a recession but ate canned new potatoes microwaved with shredded cheddar and topped with sour cream and Hillshire Farms' take on A1 steak sauce… sometimes daily."
"When I lived with my boyfriend, we'd get a family-sized Stouffer's lasagne and a 30-pack of Red Dog, Keystone, Busch, or whatever was cheapest. And that would keep us fed for a Monday to Friday work week. Sad, lol."
"I used to make something called an Unemployment Burger when I was younger. It was basically a potato shredded with a cheese grater, a tsp of flour, an egg (I think?) and whatever seasoning you have on hand: salt, pepper, garlic etc."
"I also made something called Depression Surprise (where the surprise is extra depression)."
"Think about the staple foods that kept cultures fed for thousands of years through ups and downs: pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, corn/tortillas, cabbage. Pork shoulder is crazy cheap. Whole chickens or leg quarters are cheap. Broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, and peas are all pretty cheap."
"During the last recession I was vegetarian (which saved some money) and stretched out meals with lots of rice and pasta. Eggs were more affordable then too, so those were a primary source of protein along with different types of beans and tofu at ethnic grocers (cheaper)."
"Potatoes. Cheap, filling, great nutritional value (if you don't deep fry), and you can do a ton with them. I've had plenty of stints where that was my major food source."
And finally: "My kids' favorite cheap meal is a bag of egg noodles and cabbage. I chop the cabbage and sautée it with a couple pats of butter. Get the pan hot beforehand so it chars a little on the bottom. Add the cooked noodles and it's good to go. Maybe four dollars."
So, what do you think? I want to hear all your thoughts down in the comments.