Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (2024)

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I hope y’all are enjoying thelong holiday weekend! I thought it would be a good opportunity to round up my Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget. You see, it’s about this time every year that I start getting serious about eating healthy and working out. No, not because bikinis are rapidly approaching (okay, maybe a little), but because the sudden sunshine and warm air begin to energize and awaken me from the inside out. As soon as the sun starts to come out from behind those winter clouds, I spring to action like a little energizer bunny.

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (2)

I went through my archives and pulled these 20 recipes (10 meatand 10 vegetarian) that you might find useful if you suddenly become a health monster every spring, like me. “Healthy” is obviously a very subjective term, so take the list with a grain of salt.

My criteria for healthy means: plenty of vegetables and/or fiber, low or no added sugar, andreasonable fat content (lower animal based fats). And of course, what do all of these recipes have in common? They’re satisfyingand budget friendly. Enjoy! :)

Meat Recipes

1. Chipotle Chicken Chili

Chipotle Chicken Chili or "C3"

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (3)

This chipotle chicken chili has smoky chipotle peppers, shredded chicken, and hearty beans for a meal that will fill you up and satisfy your taste buds.

5 from 19 votes

$9.51 recipe / $1.19 serving Get the Recipe

2. Mini Black Bean Turkey Burgers

Mini Black Bean Turkey Burgers

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (4)

These flavorful mini black bean turkey burgers come together quickly and bake in the oven for a fast, no fuss dinner.

4.87 from 23 votes

$9.81 recipe / $1.96 serving Get the Recipe

3. Spicy Tuna Guacamole Bowls

Spicy Tuna Guacamole Bowls

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (5)

These super fresh and Spicy Tuna Guacamole bowls are packed with protein, fiber, and flavor. The perfect no-reheat meal prep lunch for summer!

4.69 from 32 votes

$8.05 recipe / $2.01 serving Get the Recipe

4. Curry Beef with Peas

5. Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (7)

Chicken slowly stewed with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices makes this Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja a versatile favorite.

4.59 from 53 votes

$7.89 recipe / $1.32 serving Get the Recipe

6. Greek Turkey Burgers

Greek Turkey Burgers

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (8)

Spinach, lemon, feta, garlic, and dill pack a lot of flavor into these healthy and delicious Greek Turkey Burgers.

4.89 from 51 votes

7. Chicken and Lime Soup

Chicken and Lime Soup

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (9)

This Chicken and Lime Soup is light, fresh, and flavorful with shredded chicken, vegetables, fresh cilantro, and a tangy lime infused broth.

4.91 from 210 votes

$7.76 recipe / $1.29 serving Get the Recipe

8. Sloppy Joes Plus

Sloppy Joes Plus

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (10)

The plus in Sloppy Joes Plus is lentils! Tender lentils make the perfect addition to ground beef and increase the texture, flavor, and nutrients!

4.83 from 34 votes

$10.97 recipe / $1.37 serving Get the Recipe

9. Sweet n’ Spicy Chicken Bowls

Sweet n' Spicy Chicken Bowls

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (11)

These Sweet n' Spicy Chicken Bowls assemble quickly and provide a lot of flavor, color, and texture. Low sugar, high fiber, and loaded with deliciousness!

4.93 from 26 votes

$6.05 recipe / $1.51 serving Get the Recipe

10. Easy Oven Fajitas

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (12)

These easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas are a simple hands-off way to get that smoky-sweet flavor of traditional griddle fajitas.

4.95 from 279 votes

$13.90 recipe / $3.48 serving Get the Recipe

Vegetarian Recipes

11. Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (13)

These super fast Curried Chickpeas with spinach are packed with flavor and nutrients, vegan, gluten-free, and filling! Plus they freeze great!

4.73 from 149 votes

$4.68 recipe / $1.17 serving Get the Recipe

12. Roasted Vegetable Baked Ziti

13. Vegan Red Beans and Rice

Vegan Red Beans and Rice

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (14)

These vegan red beans and rice are just as flavorful and filling as the classic pork version, but contain no animal products.

4.84 from 100 votes

$7.40 recipe / $1.23 serving Get the Recipe

14. Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Stew

Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (15)

Warm intoxicating spices make this vegetable filled Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Soup perfect for cold Autumn nights.

4.84 from 117 votes

$7.43 recipe / $0.93 serving Get the Recipe

15. Spanish Chickpeas and Rice

Spanish Chickpeas and Rice

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (16)

This one pot Spanish Chickpeas and rice has big flavor thanks to liberal dose of spices, artichoke hearts, and fresh lemon.

4.82 from 136 votes

$7.39 recipe / $1.84 serving Get the Recipe

16.

Easy Hot and Sour Soup with Vegetables and Tofu

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (17)

This easy hot and sour soup is light on the stomach, but big on flavor! The spicy and tangy broth is full of colorful vegetables and tender cubes of tofu.

4.85 from 44 votes

$6.72 recipe / $1.12 serving Get the Recipe

17. Chunky Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Chunky Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (18)

This Chunky Lentil and Vegetable Soup is packed with hearty flavor, texture, and good-for-you vegetables!

4.92 from 151 votes

$5.24 recipe / $0.52 serving Get the Recipe

18. Weeknight Enchiladas

Weeknight Enchiladas

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (19)

These easy Bean and Cheese Enchiladas are anything but boring. A few extra details take them from a simple to spectacular weeknight dinner.

4.95 from 59 votes

$6.70 recipe / $0.84 serving Get the Recipe

19. Vegan Red Lentil Stew

Vegan Red Lentil Stew

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (20)

This hearty Vegan Red Lentil Stew is packed with vegetables for tons of flavor, and will keep you warm and full in the cold winter weather!

4.89 from 45 votes

$4.28 recipe / $0.71 serving Get the Recipe

20. Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Chickpeas

Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Chickpeas

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (21)

This Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Chickpeas is packed with flavor, texture, and nutrients (and no animal products!).

4.94 from 64 votes

$7.65 recipe / $1.91 serving Get the Recipe

Want to share your favorites? Feel free to share your favorite recipes for eating healthy on a budget (from anywhere around the web!) in the comments below.

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest meal you can make? ›

65 Easy And Cheap Dinner Ideas That You'll Want To Make On Repeat
  • Sweet Potato And Black Bean Burritos. tasty.co. ...
  • Barbecue Beer Can Chicken. tasty.co. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles with Kale Pesto. ...
  • One-Pot Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo Penne. ...
  • Avocado Quinoa Power Salad. ...
  • Tofu Scramble. ...
  • Egg Pizza With Scallions.
Dec 21, 2023

What are the 3 P's for eating healthy on a budget? ›

Page 1
  • PLAN. ✓ Plan meals and snacks for the week according to an established budget. ✓ Find quick and easy recipes online. ...
  • PURCHASE. ✓ Buy groceries when you are not hungry and when you are not too rushed. ...
  • PREPARE. ✓ Some meal items can be prepared in advance; pre-cook on days when you have.

How do you eat healthy when you can't afford it? ›

6 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget
  1. #1: Plan Your Recipes. Planning ahead allows you to think about your food needs, tastes, and budget. ...
  2. #2: Shop With a List. ...
  3. #3: Buy Frozen or Canned. ...
  4. #4: Cut Cost With Coupons. ...
  5. #5: Buy Store Brands. ...
  6. #6: Try Growing a Garden. ...
  7. Healthy Eating: Not “One Size Fits All”

What is a healthy diet on a budget? ›

Choose fish, poultry, beans, and nuts; limit red meat and cheese; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats. Eat a variety of whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice). Limit refined grains (like white rice and white bread).

How do you feed a family of 5 for $10? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  1. Spanish Rice Soup. ...
  2. Ramen Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables. ...
  3. Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  4. Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  5. Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  6. Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  7. White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  8. Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
Apr 2, 2023

What kind of food can you afford on $1 a day? ›

More $1 Meal Ideas
  • A boiled egg, brown rice, and raisins with milk.
  • Whole wheat pancakes and a side of fruit or juice.
  • Oatmeal pancakes and applesauce.
  • Scrambled egg, toast and juice.
  • Hash browns, eggs, and fruit.
  • A green smoothie with a side of toast.
  • A muffin with a side of banana and yogurt.
Dec 7, 2022

What are 3 examples of foods to make sure you consume enough of? ›

Top 10 Foods for Health
  • Water. Drink 8 to 12 cups of water daily.
  • Dark green vegetables. Eat dark green vegetables at least three to four times a week. ...
  • Whole grains. Eat whole grains sat least two or three times daily. ...
  • Beans and lentils. Try to eat a bean-based meal at least once a week. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Winter squash. ...
  • Soy.

What are the 6 essential food groups that you should be eating from on a daily basis? ›

The 6 Major Food Groups
  • Whole grains and starchy vegetables. ...
  • Fruits and non-starchy vegetables. ...
  • Dairy and non-dairy alternatives. ...
  • Fish, poultry, meat, eggs and alternatives. ...
  • Heart-healthy oils. ...
  • Elective or Discretionary Calories.
Jun 6, 2016

What is the rule of 3 meal plan? ›

The Rule of 3's is made up specifically of these guidelines: Eat at least three meals and up to three snacks a day (you might think of this as a breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal plan) Eat at least three food groups per meal (and two per snack) Allow no more than three hours between eating.

How do you eat when you're broke? ›

Key Takeaways: Canned fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as the more expensive fresh fruits and vegetables. Buying cheap foods that you can add to other foods, like beans and lettuce, can help fill you up and save money.

How to eat healthy for beginners? ›

8 tips for healthy eating
  1. Base your meals on higher fibre starchy carbohydrates. ...
  2. Eat lots of fruit and veg. ...
  3. Eat more fish, including a portion of oily fish. ...
  4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar. ...
  5. Eat less salt: no more than 6g a day for adults. ...
  6. Get active and be a healthy weight. ...
  7. Do not get thirsty. ...
  8. Do not skip breakfast.

How to eat healthy as a single person? ›

Aim for three meals a day, and try to hit general nutrition targets.
  1. Fill ¼ of the plate with protein (chicken, fish, legumes, eggs, or cheese).
  2. Fill ¼ of the plate with whole grains (wild rice, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta).
  3. Fill ½ the plate with vegetables (go for variety and color — kale, squash, carrots, broccoli).
Dec 2, 2015

What is the cheapest most nutritious meal? ›

Cheap, Healthy Foods
  • Lentils. 1/14. Serving size: ½ cup cooked. ...
  • Eggs. 2/14. Serving size: 1 egg. ...
  • Oats. 3/14. Serving size: ½ cup (dry) ...
  • Potatoes. 4/14. Serving Size: 1 medium potato. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. 5/14. Serving size: 1 medium sweet potato. ...
  • Sardines. 6/14. Serving size: About 4 ounces. ...
  • Beans. 7/14. Serving size: ½ cup cooked. ...
  • Popcorn. 8/14.
Mar 21, 2024

What are the top 20 healthy foods? ›

What are Top 20 best food for good health? The top 20 best foods for good health include spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, blueberries, oranges, almonds, walnuts, avocado, salmon, tuna, eggs, Greek yogurt, quinoa, brown rice, lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.

What is the best and cheapest diet to lose weight? ›

For example, plan to have a generous portion or canned fish, poultry, ground meat, eggs, low-carb dairy, tofu, or another source of cheap protein at every meal. Also, use frozen broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and other vegetables to save money, time, and prevent more expensive produce from going bad in the fridge.

How to make a low cost meal? ›

Vegetables and fruit are less expensive when they're in season. Frozen and canned choices are also a good buy and can be just as nutritious. Plan to use leftovers. If you're cooking roast chicken with rice and vegetables for Sunday night's supper, then make chicken sandwiches for Monday's lunch.

What can I cook for $20? ›

Top 20 Recipes Under $20 Dollars
  • Chicken Kiev. Recipe Cost – $11.46. ...
  • Retro French Chicken. Recipe Cost – $11.85. ...
  • Mexican Breakfast Casserole. Recipe Cost – $13.12. ...
  • Best Homemade Lasagna. Recipe Cost – $13.34. ...
  • Country Fried Steak. Recipe Cost – $13.44. ...
  • Mac and Cheese Pizza. ...
  • Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie. ...
  • Loaded Baked Potato Soup.
Aug 11, 2023

How do you cook on a low budget? ›

Top tips for cooking on a budget
  1. Plan a weekly menu with some budget dinner ideas. ...
  2. Put leftovers to good use. ...
  3. Start batch cooking on a budget. ...
  4. Use your kitchen space smartly. ...
  5. Cook seasonally. ...
  6. Don't be afraid to swap out ingredients. ...
  7. Pick imperfect vegetables. ...
  8. Pad recipes out with pulses and grains.

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