The 10 BEST FRUGAL MEALS for 2024! Save On Groceries EVERY WEEK!

[@cydneyburkhart]

I think one of the best frugal meal ideas is the almighty rotisserie chicken- you can pull the chicken off and make cream chicken over noodles, chicken pot pie, chicken noodle soup, chicken and dumplings- And the left over carcass can be used to make some amazing chicken stock! :)

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

You are right! Chris was reading a news story about Costco (because we just got a new membership) and it said that they keep their price at $4.99 (or under $5 anyway) even though they can make $30million more if they were to sell it at market value! That means that the rotisserie chicken is a great deal compared to other options! Stay tuned because I will definitely be using more of them!!!!

[@heatherjohnson2511]

I like making tuna patties I use 4 drained cans of tuna 3-4 depends on the size...beaten eggs 10 crushed saltine crackers 1 small diced white onion 1/2 cup of shredded cheese 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise 1 teaspoon dried sage, & parsley Dash of salt & pepper Mix well, form into patties Fry in a little butter & oil, until golden....... can be baked in the oven, on 350° on parchment paper.... (every patty must be placed on an individual saltine cracker or they will stick) Bake for approximately 20 minutes. Serve with homemade tarter sauce......... made with chopped dill pickles, a dash of onion powder, mayonnaise and a sqirt of lemon juice. These go great with a salad or a veggie side.

[@laurie5098]

There are so many versions of Taco soup out there and they are all good. I like using Spicy or regular V8 juice in place of the tomatoes. I use V8 in vegetable soup as well. If I have V8 juice on hand, I pretty much use it in place of tomatoes or tomato juice. It really adds more flavor.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I never buy v8…..I need to give that a try!!

[@heatherbaker9977]

That's how I make my vegetable soup as well. V8 adds so much flavor. I usually have some that I canned from the surplus of garden veggies I grow.

[@countycalling]

I use it in veggie soup also I love the flavor it adds

[@elizabeth.torres5206]

I learn that for fried rice is wet your hands and rub the rice between your hands so the rice separates and toast the rice once you cook up the vegetables first. I find it helpful as I was trying to make close to the Panda fried rice texture lol

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Oh that’s really good to know! Thanks so much!

[@mariafentis]

@@homemadesimplewithlori My mom swore by v8 juice I use it in pot roast, soups, pasta dishes, and beef stew !

[@NOVAFrugalFamily]

I make fried rice weekly and throw in any leftovers and I keep a bag of peas in the freezer to throw in too. Literally the best use it up recipe I know.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Great idea!!

[@crystalh1402]

For chicken fajitas, I move the chicken to a bowl once cooked and put the onion and peppers in the same pan to reduce dishes and get the yummy chicken bits in the pan mixed with the veg

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Great tip! That’s what I usually do too but I was in a hurry that day 😂

[@crystalh1402]

My favorite to add in to meal rotation is breakfast for dinner. Scrambled eggs and toast, French toast, pancakes, a breakfast casserole

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

YES! I love bfast for supper!!!

[@alicegautreau7862]

my mother you to use up the left over bread stale and crust and tear it up in a bowl mix some eggs with a bit of milk poor it over and fry it i a pan till golden better than french toaste as the milk substance goes everywhere and you are using all your old bread. Its delicious with maple syrup.

[@PaulaFlatt-vt1pz]

I found a recipe years ago that added sage or poultry seasoning to your dumpling dough. It makes the so tasty.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Oh really? Neat!

[@muwgrad1987]

That's a great idea!

[@Jaydit7]

I'm cooking a pound of black beans in my Instant Pot. I have a few large sweet potatoes in the potato bin....Tomorrow will be Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili, with a box of cornbread mix that's in the pantry and needs to be used. The weather is supposed to get messy tonight and I'm not budging this weekend. All of your recipes look tasty and I make versions of each throughout the Winter......blessings to you and yours, Lori.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

That sounds yummy!

[@alicegautreau7862]

2 cans of veggie soup campbells or no name. fry up 1to 1/ lb of ground beef and a tomato soup . Add 2 tbs of brown sugar eat on bread or bun really good and quick

[@stefaniebenson2949]

One of our family favorites is mini Turkey meatloaves. I have been prepping them and freezing them to make weeknight dinners easier.

[@samanthadodd8112]

Great recipes. Thanks for these recipes. I live by myself, so my frugal meal is mac and cheese with whatever meat and veggies I have at the time.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I love Mac and cheese!

[@audreylarsen6360]

I have added your recipes to my January meal plan. Since there is just 2 of us these will work for 20 days. I will just fill in with some of my favorite recipes also. Thank you for taking the time to do all of them. Can't wait to try them.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Wonderful!

[@sleepytasmr]

I cook with a lot lentils and legumes in general mixed in with my meat sauces, so cheap, filling and nutritious. I started cooking barely as well.

[@74betty]

I just found ur channel and I love ur accent, & the way u say dumplin' ! We def need some frugal meals in our rotation.

[@TeresaOwen-rt1sb]

Lori, thank you for your videos. I love your frugal approach to healthy foods. I also love seeing the love you pour into your family. May God richly bless you in the coming year!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

You’re so sweet. Thank you!

[@TeresaOwen-rt1sb]

@@homemadesimplewithlori I really wish we lived just a little closer and could hang out and go to thrift stores, lol!

[@juliescheidler7763]

You did a nice job putting together this list; easy, delicious & frugal, thanks Lori!

[@michaelstaab6209]

Yay! I’m so excited to see how you plan out groceries and budgeting 🙌 something I’ve been working on and would like to also do better -Sarah

[@jencash9595]

I am making ham, black-eyed peas, fried okra, sweet potatoes, cornbread, pound cake with canned cherry pie filling. Yum!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I am really excited about having yall as my accountability. I need that in my life for sure

[@loriella6250]

Love those little helping hands! ❤

[@stephanienunley3869]

A bag of tator tots, your cream of whatever soup, and cheese. You can add ground beef or cooked chicken to the bottom like a shepherd’s pie. Add veggies if you want. It’s cheap. Got a can of seasoned mixed greens, ricotta cheese, tsp of lemon juice and mix with speghetti and cherry tomatoes! Good! Speghetti with a small container of Italian dressing and chopped fresh tomatoes and bell peppers and maybe black olives and zucchini if you like it raw. Some Parmesan cheese and you have an easy pasta salad that could be a meal with some baked or grilled chicken!

[@deanna6483]

Southern girl! You are speaking my love language! Chicken and dumplings! Can't wait to try all these recipes! Thanks Lori and family! Appreciate y'all! Happy new year! 😊😊😊

[@muwgrad1987]

We do fried rice regularly. If you have frozen peas and carrots, you can throw those in and saute them with any other veggies you want to add.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Good plan! Thanks!

[@annieoeth5617]

The vegetable soup is so delicious! I went out of town for the afternoon, and it was great having this in the crockpot when I came home!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Yay!!!!!!

[@Cursed_cass]

I grew up on chicken and dumplings and many other southern foods. My family is from FL/GA/AL and while i do cook it occasionally for my kids, my husband isnt always fond of it 😅 I was taught not to stir the dumplings, but move the pot a little. My first food as a baby was Pot Liquor and cornbread. I grew okra over the summer and my neighbors have never had it. We are in the midwest now.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Let your southern flow out to those midwesterners! 😍😍😍😍

[@vrkid4941]

An easy plus budget friendly vegetable soup i call dump bowl soup. You get a container like a margarine or oce cream bucket to keep in the freezer everytime you have leftover veggies drain the juice and dump in...i also add leftover brown gravy as well. Once your container is full thaw out and cook on the stove. Add meat if you would like and your favorite seasons. Something about the veggies being together in the freezer they make a great flavor.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Now that is so smart. That is really using your resources wisely! Thanks for the tip!

[@lisas321]

Happy new year!! Our cheap meal is pinto beans sliced onion and corn bread with turnip greens fresh from garden. You can tell where from AL.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Yes I can! 😍

[@dm7852]

Great job! Happy New Year. God Bless

[@sandrajones7896]

Love your channel and what great recipes.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thank you so much!

[@alicegautreau7862]

macconni sou p is a nice add on with celery a haft a lb of groundbeef. Tiden with homade biscuits

[@muwgrad1987]

Yay! I so need this after the holiday season!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Me too! Thanks!

[@JacobSmith-gf6ts]

New to your channel. It’s awesome. Trying to establish a budget for 2024. This is so helpful. We are a family of 6 so any and all suggestions are appreciated!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thank you so much!!

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

Put that salsa in the liquid when you cook your rice and you get a yummy Spanish rice !!! Great list, blessings

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thanks for the tip!

[@diversekakes]

Hashbrown casserole with broccoli is one of our frugal meals. Ham could be added in the hashbrown casserole if it fits in the budget

[@pattiupton1499]

Hey from Meridianville!!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Hey!!!! 😍❤️❤️❤️

[@ruthwiseman4730]

Thank you so much Lori for these easy low-cost meals. I'm trying to cut back on the food budget this year and I'm sure these recipes will help . Happy New Year

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Same here! We can work on it together!

[@ruthlattie5111]

Happy New Year 🎉

[@roxannejohnston3311]

Awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing 👍 And I'm with you about the chicken and dumplings 😋

[@muwgrad1987]

One that I plan to cook today is red beans and rice. Usually I cook it with sausage but today it will have a ham bone since I have that on hand. Use as much or as little Cajun seasoning as you want. It makes a lot, is inexpensive and freezes well -- I usually freeze the beans and meat and make fresh rice when I'm ready to thaw and reheat.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

That sounds so yummy!

[@Brodborunda303]

You are the best!! I love your channel and tasty meal plan ideas! My family of five will be excited to try these meal ideas! 😊

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Yay! Thank you!!!!!

[@sharonwilson6465]

Thank you for these frugal meals. Chicken and dumplings is one of my family’s favorites. My husband has been asking for chicken and dumplings for several days now. I have 2 rotisserie chickens in the fridge and I’m going to try your dumpling recipe. Every recipe looks delicious. Happy Blessed New Year to you and your family. I love your channel. I live in North Alabama.

[@madelineeverritt8874]

Everything looks so good. Do you have any low carb/ no carb recipes? That are simple to make? Thank you so much ❤

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I will work on some. I’m not sure if I’ve done any low carb recipes…..

[@madelineeverritt8874]

I appreciate everything you do ❤ Thank you so much. Happy New year my friend.

[@angelafleming3328]

I loved this Lori and will be trying many of them. Take care and stay safe and have a Happy New Year!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Thank you! You too!

[@marywalker1394]

Happy New Year ❤😋😊

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Same to you

[@gaynellparker3505]

Everything looks delicious!

[@jillgott6567]

I will doing more with Lentils in 2024. I made a Lentil Cottage Pie during a recent meatless challenge and loved it ! I also made Lentil Soup which I need to work on as that recipe turned out bland. Yesterday, I baked 3 PorkChops with Onions, made Cranberry Applesauce, Stove Top Stuffing and added Green Beans. I have leftovers for at least 2 more portions of most everything except the beans so with a little addition I am set for meals for two-three days. 2024 will be creativity, attention to flavor, and as always saving money. Happy New Year🎉 Oh, and the Stuffing was buy 4 get 1 free deal ! Green Beans $.55 @ my local grocery store, same store porkchops were store manager markdown, apples $.99/ pound and Craisens were full price but are delicious in so many recipes and as a snack they are worth the price. Another addition to this lineup will be Yams $.39/ pound and 1/4 of yam per meal so less than $.10 per serving !

[@idonttiptoe1519]

I like to cook my lentils with taco seasoning and use it like taco meat!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Good for you!!!!!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

That’s a great idea!

[@juliephelps7616]

I do love the video. Soup is my go to and what i do eat for lunch while at work. I am currently using the older stuff in cans to incorporate in my meal plans. To your vegetable soup i would have added a half cup of brown rice. I love the egg casserole meal too. My husband loves noodles so i make tuna noodle casserole for dinner, frugal meal. Plenty of times we eat eggs and toast or grits and eggs. The other thing i make is chicken stew, in a pot similar to your dutch oven i brown chicken thighs, add Italian seasonings with stewed tomatoes, add in onions that have been quartered, potatoes that have been quartered or diced and cook on the burner on low and slow until all is tender and delicious. I serve with a crusty bread and butter. We prefer pot roast but beef is super expensive right now so i buy leg quarters and separate them myself. For the legs, i bake with either lemon pepper seasonings and serve with rice and green beans or bake with poultry seasoning and serve with green peas and homemade dressing or buttered noodles. I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Happy new year to you and your family!

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Yum!!!!

[@jenmv3483]

I made a large batch of quinoa, it can be made like oatmeal for breakfast and used for lunches and dinners, bowls, burritos etc. Nice video! 😎

[@crystalh1402]

The chicken and dumplings I learned from my momma is the drop biscbiscuit style and I’m so curious how your version is like.

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

Let me know what you think!

[@karonwoods1583]

Can you use self rising flour for the dumplings

[@homemadesimplewithlori]

I’m sure it would be fine. I never use self rising for anything so I really don’t know for certain. I think it will be ok though