Transform your $60 grocery haul into 3 gourmet dinners—here’s how!
- Replies 9
In the face of rising grocery costs, Australians are feeling the pinch at the checkout.
It's a common scenario: you hand over cash at Coles or Woolworths and the trolley seems to echo with emptiness.
But what if we told you that with a bit of ingenuity and planning, that modest sum could stretch to create three delicious dinners?
Kim McCosker, the budget meal maestro and best-selling author behind the 4 Ingredients cookbook series, has shared her wisdom.
McCosker's philosophy is simple: it's not about scrimping at the store; it's about maximising what you've got. And let's face it, with the cost of living on the rise, who doesn't want to get the most bang for their buck?
So, let's dive into how you can transform a seemingly sparse grocery haul of, say, $60 at Coles, into a trio of tasty meals that will leave your taste buds dancing and your wallet thanking you.
Firstly, planning is paramount.
Before you even step foot in the supermarket, have a menu in mind. This approach not only saves money but also reduces food waste—a win-win for your budget and the planet.
Australians are known to throw away one in five bags of groceries, which equates to $20 from every $100 spent ending up in the bin. By creating a simple menu plan and shopping list, you'll buy only what you need and use what you buy.
Now, let's look at what we can snag for $60: stock, dinner rolls, beef chuck steak, tinned Italian tomatoes, salt, pepper, and a variety of veggies including onions, mushrooms, celery, carrots, capsicum, and basil.
Not a king's ransom, for sure, but enough to work some magic with.
One-pan bolognese
Use the beef chuck steak, finely diced, and simmer it with the tinned tomatoes and any combination of the veggies. Serve over pasta or, for a low-carb option, zucchini noodles.
A sprinkle of fresh basil will elevate this dish to restaurant quality.
Beef satay curry
With a few pantry staples like peanut butter and coconut milk, you can transform the remaining veggies and beef into a fragrant and satisfying curry.
Serve it with rice or, if you're feeling adventurous, cauliflower rice for a lighter touch.
Hearty vegetable soup
Use the stock as a base, add the pureed tomatoes for depth, and throw in the remaining veggies.
Season with salt, pepper, and basil, and serve with those dinner rolls—perhaps toasted with a bit of garlic butter for a homemade garlic bread feel.
Of course, these meals listed aren’t all you can do with a $60 shop. Much more can be done to stretch the ingredients!
Kayla, a savvy meal planner and mum of three from Noosa, Queensland, swears by simple meals to keep her grocery bills in check. She suggests using the veggies for snacks, like sticks with smashed avocado dip, or adding them to a stew or pasta bake for a filling dinner.
Let's not forget the power of buying in bulk, too!
McCosker recommends stocking up on sale items like chicken breast and lean mince, and batch cooking with larger cuts of meat. This strategy not only saves money but also time, as you'll have meals ready to go in the freezer.
This is something our own members practice, as in the case of member @Suzanne rose.
‘I have always and still do bulk buy when there is a 50% off sale,’ she said.
‘I have not paid full price for washing up detergent, clothes detergent, body wash, toothpaste, paper towel, shampoo etc. for years. Whenever these go on sale at 50% off I then top up. My daughters do this as well.’
Beyond the walls of supermarket giants like Coles and Woolworths, timing also has something to do with scoring great deals for less, as member @mylittletibbies shared.
‘Many years ago, when I was young, I used to bulk buy at Vic Markets or Prahran markets. I would split the purchases between five of us,’ they said.
‘We would wait until about 30 minutes before closing time on Saturday mornings when the vendors would want to quit produce. We would pick up fruit and veg by the carton for a song. Same thing with meat at the Vic Markets.’
‘Don't know if they still do that but saved us all a fortune back then.’
‘Nowadays I check the 50% off specials on the app first, then all other specials then I buy six each, enough to last until the next time they are on special. I hardly ever pay full price for anything if I can help it.’
Remember, creativity in the kitchen is your best friend when it comes to stretching your grocery dollar. Websites that offer recipe suggestions based on the ingredients you have at home can be a goldmine for inspiration too, so don’t forget to check our Cooking and Recipes forum!
We'd love to hear from you, members! What are your top tips for making the most of a tight grocery budget? Share your stories and recipes in the comments below.
It's a common scenario: you hand over cash at Coles or Woolworths and the trolley seems to echo with emptiness.
But what if we told you that with a bit of ingenuity and planning, that modest sum could stretch to create three delicious dinners?
Kim McCosker, the budget meal maestro and best-selling author behind the 4 Ingredients cookbook series, has shared her wisdom.
McCosker's philosophy is simple: it's not about scrimping at the store; it's about maximising what you've got. And let's face it, with the cost of living on the rise, who doesn't want to get the most bang for their buck?
Nowadays, everyone’s feeling the pinch of high living costs, especially in grocery shops. Image Credit: Shutterstock
So, let's dive into how you can transform a seemingly sparse grocery haul of, say, $60 at Coles, into a trio of tasty meals that will leave your taste buds dancing and your wallet thanking you.
Firstly, planning is paramount.
Before you even step foot in the supermarket, have a menu in mind. This approach not only saves money but also reduces food waste—a win-win for your budget and the planet.
Australians are known to throw away one in five bags of groceries, which equates to $20 from every $100 spent ending up in the bin. By creating a simple menu plan and shopping list, you'll buy only what you need and use what you buy.
Now, let's look at what we can snag for $60: stock, dinner rolls, beef chuck steak, tinned Italian tomatoes, salt, pepper, and a variety of veggies including onions, mushrooms, celery, carrots, capsicum, and basil.
Not a king's ransom, for sure, but enough to work some magic with.
One-pan bolognese
If the beef chuck steak’s too pricey, canned tuna is a perfect cost-effective substitute. Image Credit: Shutterstock
Use the beef chuck steak, finely diced, and simmer it with the tinned tomatoes and any combination of the veggies. Serve over pasta or, for a low-carb option, zucchini noodles.
A sprinkle of fresh basil will elevate this dish to restaurant quality.
Beef satay curry
It is recommended to use natural or sugar-free peanut butter for beef satay sauces. Image Credit: Shutterstock
With a few pantry staples like peanut butter and coconut milk, you can transform the remaining veggies and beef into a fragrant and satisfying curry.
Serve it with rice or, if you're feeling adventurous, cauliflower rice for a lighter touch.
Hearty vegetable soup
Veggie soups are a quick and delicious way to use vegetables. Image Credit: Shutterstock
Use the stock as a base, add the pureed tomatoes for depth, and throw in the remaining veggies.
Season with salt, pepper, and basil, and serve with those dinner rolls—perhaps toasted with a bit of garlic butter for a homemade garlic bread feel.
Of course, these meals listed aren’t all you can do with a $60 shop. Much more can be done to stretch the ingredients!
Kayla, a savvy meal planner and mum of three from Noosa, Queensland, swears by simple meals to keep her grocery bills in check. She suggests using the veggies for snacks, like sticks with smashed avocado dip, or adding them to a stew or pasta bake for a filling dinner.
Let's not forget the power of buying in bulk, too!
McCosker recommends stocking up on sale items like chicken breast and lean mince, and batch cooking with larger cuts of meat. This strategy not only saves money but also time, as you'll have meals ready to go in the freezer.
This is something our own members practice, as in the case of member @Suzanne rose.
‘I have always and still do bulk buy when there is a 50% off sale,’ she said.
‘I have not paid full price for washing up detergent, clothes detergent, body wash, toothpaste, paper towel, shampoo etc. for years. Whenever these go on sale at 50% off I then top up. My daughters do this as well.’
How far can $60 take you while grocery shopping? Image Credit: Facebook
Beyond the walls of supermarket giants like Coles and Woolworths, timing also has something to do with scoring great deals for less, as member @mylittletibbies shared.
‘Many years ago, when I was young, I used to bulk buy at Vic Markets or Prahran markets. I would split the purchases between five of us,’ they said.
‘We would wait until about 30 minutes before closing time on Saturday mornings when the vendors would want to quit produce. We would pick up fruit and veg by the carton for a song. Same thing with meat at the Vic Markets.’
‘Don't know if they still do that but saved us all a fortune back then.’
‘Nowadays I check the 50% off specials on the app first, then all other specials then I buy six each, enough to last until the next time they are on special. I hardly ever pay full price for anything if I can help it.’
Remember, creativity in the kitchen is your best friend when it comes to stretching your grocery dollar. Websites that offer recipe suggestions based on the ingredients you have at home can be a goldmine for inspiration too, so don’t forget to check our Cooking and Recipes forum!
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however without being able to drive at the moment and not being able to catch public transport because of anxiety, I’m kinda stuck. Definitely going through Aldi withdrawals
