Save Money on Your Meals with These 18 Clever Cooking Hacks
As a savvy home cook, I’m always on the lookout for ways to save money on my meals without sacrificing flavor or quality. After all, cooking at home can be a cost-effective way to eat, but it still adds up. That’s why I’ve gathered 18 clever cooking hacks from the BuzzFeed Community to help you save money on your meals.
Hack #1: Invest in Convenience
One clever hack is to invest in convenience foods that can be combined to make quick and easy dinners. This might seem counterintuitive, but buying premade sauces, pre-cut veggies, and rotisserie chicken can actually save you money in the long run. Just be sure to combine them in creative ways to make a meal in under 20 minutes.
Fresh veggies can be expensive, but buying pre-cut ones can save you time and money.
Hack #2: Make Your Own Stock
Another hack is to save your veggie scraps and turn them into homemade stock. This not only reduces food waste but also gives you a delicious and healthy base for soups and stews. Simply freeze your scraps and then simmer them in water to create a rich and flavorful stock.
Making your own stock is a great way to reduce food waste and save money.
Hack #3: Have an Emergency Snack Stash
We’ve all been there - you’re hungry and tempted to order takeout. But with a stash of emergency snacks, you can avoid the temptation and save money. Try keeping frozen meals or healthy snacks on hand to curb your cravings.
A stash of emergency snacks can save you from ordering takeout.
Hack #4: Grow Your Own Herbs
Growing your own herbs can be a fun and cost-effective way to add flavor to your meals. Try planting a small herb garden or even just a few pots on your windowsill. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save on fresh herbs.
A small herb garden can save you money and add fresh flavor to your meals.
Hack #5: Use a Bread Machine
Bread machines are a great investment for any home cook. Not only can you make fresh bread for pennies on the dollar, but you can also use it to make pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, and more.
A bread machine can help you save money on bread and other baked goods.
Hack #6: Plan Your Meals
Meal planning is key to saving money on your meals. By planning out your meals for the week, you can avoid food waste and ensure that you’re only buying what you need. Try using an app or spreadsheet to plan your meals and make a grocery list.
Meal planning can help you save money and reduce food waste.
Hack #7: Make Your Own Pasta Sauce
Making your own pasta sauce is a great way to save money and avoid preservatives. Simply sauté some onions and garlic, add in canned tomatoes, and simmer until thickened. You can also customize the flavor to your liking.
Making your own pasta sauce can save you money and be healthier than store-bought options.
Hack #8: Buy Frozen Pizza Dough
Frozen pizza dough is a great hack for saving money on pizza nights. Simply thaw the dough, top with your favorite ingredients, and bake until crispy. You can even customize the toppings to your liking.
Frozen pizza dough can save you money on pizza nights.
Hack #9: Plan Your Leftovers
Leftovers can be a great way to save money and reduce food waste. Try planning your meals around leftovers, such as using last night’s dinner as tomorrow’s lunch.
Planning your leftovers can save you money and reduce food waste.
Hack #10: Play the Grocery Game
The grocery game is a fun way to challenge yourself to save money on your groceries. Try setting a budget and seeing how much you can save by buying in bulk, using coupons, and shopping sales.
The grocery game can be a fun way to challenge yourself to save money on your groceries.
Hack #11: Shop the Sales
Shopping the sales is a great way to save money on your groceries. Try planning your meals around what’s on sale and stocking up on non-perishable items.
Shopping the sales can save you money on your groceries.
Hack #12: Buy Off-Brand
Off-brand products are often just as good as name-brand products, but at a fraction of the cost. Try switching to off-brand products to save money on your groceries.
Off-brand products can save you money on your groceries.
Hack #13: Avoid Food Waste
Food waste is a major culprit when it comes to overspending on groceries. Try planning your meals around what you already have on hand and using up leftovers to reduce waste.
Reducing food waste can save you money and help the environment.
Hack #14: Invest in a Food Sealer
A food sealer can be a great investment for any home cook. Not only can you save money by buying in bulk, but you can also reduce food waste by sealing and freezing leftovers.
A food sealer can save you money and reduce food waste.
Hack #15: Prep Your Meals
Meal prep is a great way to save money and time during the week. Try prepping your meals on the weekend and reheating them throughout the week.
Meal prep can save you money and time during the week.
Hack #16: Make Your Own Condiments
Making your own condiments can be a fun and cost-effective way to add flavor to your meals. Try making your own ketchup, mustard, or hot sauce to save money and avoid preservatives.
Making your own condiments can save you money and be healthier than store-bought options.
Hack #17: Plan Your Grocery List
Planning your grocery list is key to saving money on your groceries. Try using an app or spreadsheet to plan your meals and make a list of what you need.
Planning your grocery list can save you money and reduce food waste.
Hack #18: Use a Cashback Credit Card
Using a cashback credit card can be a great way to earn rewards on your grocery purchases. Try using a card that offers cashback on groceries to earn rewards and save money.
A cashback credit card can earn you rewards and save you money on your groceries.
By implementing these 18 clever cooking hacks, you can save money on your meals without sacrificing flavor or quality. Happy cooking!
