The five most versatile, most used kitchen tools that I can't live without, plus tips for using and buying.
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Have you ever had a recipe call for just a partial can of pumpkin purée? And then you’re like, “well, what am I going to do with the rest of this??” Instead of searching...
Here’s another quick lunch box idea (or meal prep breakfast idea) for you! While this one isn’t completely no-cook because it contains a hard boiled egg, it is still a super easy no-reheat lunch...
I was freezing some of our brown bananas the other day and decided to take a few snapshots of the process and do a quick little “How to Freeze Bananas” tutorial. Why? Because while...
Continuing on with the series of no-cook lunch boxes, I bring you The Peanut Butter Lunch Box! This one is so simple, yet I may have enjoyed this one the most out of all...
Here’s another no-cook cold lunch idea for you! Tuna salad is a classic cold lunch item, but you can’t prep a few days worth of sandwiches ahead and expect them to hold up and...
Continuing on with my no-cook lunch box series, today I bring you The Cheese Board Lunch Box! This one goes out to everyone who is perfectly happy nibbling on a charcuterie board for dinner,...
The older I get the more I love meals where I can just throw whatever I have into one pot, bowl, or skillet. I’ve noticed that these “easy dinners” usually fall into five distinct...
Are y’all ready for the next installment in the no-cook lunch box series? The Hummus Lunch Box is a classic, one that I’m sure many of you have made before, but it definitely deserves...
The heat is getting to me, y’all! So last week I sat down and brainstormed some no-cook lunch boxes, or meal preps that I can keep in the fridge for quick meals over the...
Whether you call it a “make-ahead breakfast” or “breakfast meal prep,” having breakfast already made and ready to be eaten on busy mornings is a lifesaver. Start your week off right by taking a...
Every now and then I like to share things with you that aren’t exactly “recipes” but are just the random bowl meals that I make out of things found in my fridge. I’ve discovered...
The recipe cost breakdowns are a big part of Budget Bytes. And while you’re not likely to have the exact same food costs as me (prices vary quite a bit from location to location,...
A couple weeks ago I polled my Instagram followers to see what pantry staples they bought to sustain them through this period of social distancing. I wrote down the most popular answers and every...
I use green onions a lot in my cooking. I find they offer a great pop of freshness, flavor, and color to recipes, making them the perfect final touch to just about everything. The problem...
One of my main goals when I started Budget Bytes 11 years ago was to be able to maintain a well rounded diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, despite working with a very...
I’m a huge proponent of batch cooking and stocking your freezer with portioned meals that you can just grab-reheat-and-go! Not only are these make-ahead freezer breakfast burritos a great answer to the “I’m too...
I’ve had an increase in requests for pantry staple recipes over the past week, mostly due to fears over the need for social isolation and possible shortages in the food supply. Whether this situation...
To DIY or not to DIY, that is the question. Whether you want to make your own homemade salad dressing because it’s more delicious, cost effective, or because you have control over the ingredients,...
Taco bowls, burrito bowls, whatever you want to call them! I went with taco bowls this time because of the homemade taco seasoning used on the roasted cauliflower, plus the fresh toppings like tomatoes...
As much as I love bacon, I used to avoid it because the though of sputtering hot bacon grease getting all over me and my kitchen was enough to make me stick to just eggs and...
Did your New Year’s resolution include eating more vegetables? It’s a fantastic goal and one I get behind anytime of year, but there’s definitely a learning curve! I’m sure we’ve all had this experience:...
Sheet pan meals are my savior. There’s really nothing easier than roasting vegetables in the oven, and it happens to make them taste really good, too. Add a little meat to the vegetables and...
Food trends are one factor that can have a big impact on ingredient costs. It’s all about the laws of supply and demand. If the demand is low but supply is relatively stable, the...
It’s that time of year again! Time to look back and reflect on everything that happened. I like to do an end of the year round up my favorite recipes so you can browse...
Whether you’re trying to spend less money (oh, hey! 👋), eat healthier, get more organized, or just make better use of your time, meal planning can help you get there. I recently released...
Some nights you just need something warm, comforting, and easy to help melt off the stresses of the day, like a big bowl of chili. And maybe some cornbread, too, for good measure. This...
Can’t stop, won’t stop with the yummy soups over here! Soup is easy, soup is filling, soup is an easy way to pack some more vegetables into your day, and soup (usually) freezes well....
There’s something super comforting to me about sautéed cabbage with butter and I eat it a lot in the winter months when cabbage is fresh and inexpensive. And because it’s just so cheap, delicious, and...
If you’ve been following the blog for a while, then you know how I love to meal prep my breakfast. It’s just so much easier to spend a little time on the weekend to...
A couple weeks ago I shared my current “mix and match meal prep” system on my Instagram stories and so many people messaged me about it that I decided to make it into a...
Making sure I get vegetables into my diet takes daily effort. But one thing I know for sure is that if I have them prepped, I am 1000x more likely to eat them. So...
I talk about “refrigerator salads” a lot because they’re my favorite way to make sure I’m eating healthy even when I’m like, SUPER busy. I know I’ve turned a lot of you into refrigerator...
I’m living off refrigerator salads all summer, what about you? Oh, you don’t know what a refrigerator salad is? It’s a salad that holds up well to refrigeration (doesn’t go limp and soggy like...
“What’s for dinner?” It’s hard enough to answer that question when you’re by yourself, but when you live in a household with multiple dietary restrictions, it becomes a nightmare. What do you do? Cook...
This Cold Peanut Noodle Salad is the perfect meal prep for summer! No need to reheat, it’s light but filling, and the flavors are oh so fresh. It’s topped off with a homemade tangy,...
I’ve had a lot of questions about how to use lemon curd since posting the recipe for Luscious Homemade Lemon Curd the other day. There are a million and one ways to use it,...
There’s nothing quite like fresh pineapple. It’s tangy, sweet, and goes equally as well with savory dishes as it does desserts. And while canned pineapple can work in a pinch for some recipes, fresh...
You know how some people carry around a gallon jug of water with them all day to remind themselves to drink water and so they can always see how close they are to hitting...
Traveling is always fun, but I’m always so ready to get back to a good eating routine as soon as I get back. So, as soon as I got back from my trip to...
Reducing waste in the kitchen is one of the most important ways to keep your food budget in check. Tossing uneaten food into the garbage is just as good as throwing handfuls of cash...
I seriously never get tired of super easy stir fry dinners! I mean, what’s not to love? Only a few ingredients, you can work in a TON of vegetables, and they’re super fast! Using...
I went down the rabbit hole of looking at diet or macro-friendly meal delivery services online the other day. It’s a booming business these days and I was really curious about what kind of...
One of the best parts about recipe testing is that when you stumble onto something good you have a great excuse to make it over and over again while you tweak the details. I’ve...
Some of my favorite emails from readers are the ones describing how learning to cook together as a couple has been a highlight of their relationship (I even got invited to a wedding once!)....
It’s only been two days since the Vegetarian Challenge ended, but my stomach is already like, “Whoa girl, take it easy. I thought I told you before not to change things up so suddenly!”...
Every time I do a challenge I learn so much about myself. I set out on this 31 Day Vegetarian Challenge intending to increase my vegetable intake, reduce my dependency on pasta and cheese,...
Despite having a website is full of recipes, in real life at least half of my meals are “sweep the kitchen” or “throw together whatever you have” type meals. Even though they’re not exactly...
Hey guys!! Four weeks down and just a few days to go! It’s so interesting to me how much my experience changes each week with this vegetarian challenge. With so much leftover food in...
January is flying by! I honestly can’t believe I’ve been doing this Vegetarian Challenge for almost a month already. Week three went by quickly, as my attention was focused on chaos elsewhere, but I feel like...
While planning my menu for week 3 of my Vegetarian Challenge, I took inventory of my pantry and noted that I still had about two pounds of potatoes left over from week one that...
Sun dried tomatoes are a fairly expensive ingredient, but I think this Sun Dried Tomato, Kale, and White Bean Skillet perfectly demonstrates how higher priced ingredients, when properly combined with less expensive ingredients, can...
Week 2 of the Vegetarian Challenge is complete! I can’t believe we’re already half way done! I had a completely different experience in week 2 than week one, so let’s jump right into that...
One of the biggest hurdles most people encounter when contemplating a vegetarian lifestyle, or even just practicing a “meatless Monday” is the question, “Where would I get my protein?” So I wanted to write...
These Loaded Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Lime Crema are the perfect meal prep item, since they’re already pre-portioned and ready to go. There are a lot of options for toppings and seasonings with this...
Welcome to the first Vegetarian Challenge Weekly Recap! Buckle up because it’s going to be a looooong post! TL;DR: This week was full of the unexpected, but I rolled with the punches and made...
Happy New Year! My 31 Day Vegetarian Challenge officially starts today and I have to say, the first recipe I made for the challenge, Sweet and Spicy Tempeh Bowls, is pretty killer. I chose...
Whoa. Did you just see that?? That bright flash was 2018, gone just as quickly as it came. 2018 was kind of a wild ride, but it left me with a lot to be...
You guys know how much I love a challenge, right?? I haven’t done a challenge in a couple of years, so I was kind of itching to do something new. January is the perfect time...
Y’all know I’m all about the bowl meals, right? It’s pretty routine for me to just go into my fridge, grab whatever odds and ends I have, and throw them into a bowl for...
Take out food is so tempting because it’s fast, easy, and usually very satisfying (the most comforting of all comfort food). But it can also be a budget killer. So, when you’re tempted to...
Raise your hand if you’ve got a “friendsgiving” gathering to attend this weekend! 👋 Friendsgivings are becoming more and more popular, which is awesome from a budget standpoint, since they’re often conducted more like...
I almost forgot to mention, I meal prepped my Cheddar Cheeseburger Meatloaf last week! I paired the meatloaf with some Fluffy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes and some simple green beans for a seriously satisfying...
If I could only say one thing to people who read my blog, it’s that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. These Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry Bowls are the perfect example. It’s really...
This week I’m bringing my own salad bar to lunch! I love a good salad bar and being able to mix and match vegetables, proteins, and other goodies, so that’s what has inspired my...
Okay guys, I’m putting it all together today with this Glazed Chicken Meal Prep! I went out of town for a couple of days for Labor Day weekend, and even after just a few...
When I started Budget Bytes I lived in a tiny apartment with an equally tiny kitchen, that had only about 12-inches of counter space. The apartment was built in the 30’s and I always...
You might wonder why you would go through the trouble to make your own breadcrumbs when they’re already insanely inexpensive to buy in the store. Well, there are two really good reasons, if not...
It’s that time again! Time to settle in for the semester and really hit the books. But don’t let food take a back seat. You need to keep yourself nourished and full of energy to...
Guuuurrrl, it’s hot outside! The temperature is starting to climb, you’re hungry, and you don’t feel like heating up the kitchen. What do you do? Order take out? Noooooooo! I’ve got you covered. Here...
ICYMI, the Curried Tofu Salad that I made earlier this week is my new absolute favorite. It’s SO fast and easy, incredibly filling yet light, super flavorful, and best of all, very inexpensive. I...
It’s hot outside. Like molten hot, and that calls for some cold, no-heat meal prep ideas! I’m all about huge salads full of yummies that are filling and totally meal-worthy. Cobb salad is a...
Are you ready for another super easy meal prep (or weeknight dinner)? This Jerk Chicken with Pineapple Black Bean Salsa is incredible simple, but still big on summery flavor. The spicy jerk seasoning perfectly...
I hate clutter. But even more than clutter, I hate buying things and then never using them. That Facebook ad may make you think that you’ll get so much use out of that avocado slicer, but...
Are you spending way too much time and mental energy thinking about “what should I cook for dinner tonight?” I feel you. It can be such a time and energy drain! But I’ve got...
Meal prepping is the hottest food trend lately, and frankly, I couldn’t be happier! I’ve been meal prepping for years simply because it’s a great way to save time, money, and reduce waste in the...
Have you ever come home from work full of intention and motivation to cook dinner at home, only to find an empty pantry and nothing to work with? Sometimes cooking at home sounds totally...
You guys, I am SO IN LOVE with this meal! Browned beef full of warm spices, a medley of roasted vegetables with caramelized edges, and a bed of warm rice makes a fabulously well rounded...
Memorial day is just a few days away and you know what that means, Summer is about to (un)officially begin!! *excited dance* I’m already getting requests for recipes to bring to BBQs and potlucks...
I’ve actually made this Smoky Chicken and Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potato Meal Prep three times in the last month and a half (and I’m still not sick of it), so it’s about time I posted...
Okay, so this is definitely the least pretty meal prep I’ve ever made and I almost didn’t post it, but I’m genuinely excited to be eating this Black Bean and Avocado Enchilada Meal Prep...
I’ve got a really quick meal prep for you guys this week! I haven’t done a lot of cooking the last few days because I got braces on Tuesday and for a minute, even...
One of my favorite things to do is replicate “convenience foods” at home, and for the past couple of weeks I’ve been seeing ads for these new breakfast cups where you just crack an...
I have really been craving burrito bowls, so I decided to highlight them in the meal prep series this week. If you’re a meal prep pro, you’re probably very familiar with burrito bowls. They’re...
Hey guys! Easter is coming up this weekend and I know a lot of people cook a big Easter brunch, so I thought I’d round up some of my favorite recipes for brunch. Brunch...
My meal prep this week was soooo good you guys! It’s just two recipes, but totally delicious and with tons of flavor (and fiber, lol). I made a video for my Pork and Peanut...
I don’t have a new meal prep this week because I took this past week off from the kitchen to recharge my creative juices, but I thought it would be a great time to...
High five to me for not accidentally erasing all the meal prep photos from my camera like I did last week! Ha! The Chorizo Stuffed Bell Peppers I made earlier this week are absolutely perfect...
Oooh, I’ve got a great meal prep this week! Well, any time pasta is in my meal prep I’m a little happier. This week I revisited one of my oldest recipes, Tuscan White Bean...
It’s meal prep time! I’m sorry I didn’t get this post up on Sunday, but a day late is better than never! :) This week I remade and old recipe that I love, Sweet...
Hey guys! I know it’s been a couple weeks since I’ve posted a meal prep, but something I’ve been focusing on lately is getting up and jumping right back on the horse when you...
I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend! I made a huge pot of Slow Simmered Black Eyed Peas and Greens earlier this week, and of course I meal prepped it! I kept...
Hey guys! I’ve got a quick and simple meal prep for you this week, but I do have to mention that this one probably won’t be applicable to everyone because this week I used...
Have you ever followed a recipe “to a T” only to have it end up a complete disaster? Yeah, you’re not alone. It’s happened to all of us… maybe even multiple times. ;) No...
I had a crew here shooting video all last week and they left me with a refrigerator full of vegetables (poor me, right?). Luckily, they were all vegetables that are pretty shelf stable, so...
I can’t believe it’s that time already! Another year full of awesome food, gone in the blink of an eye. At the end of each year I like to put together a not-so-short list...
Woohoo! I’m excited about this one! This Garlic Parmesan Kale Pasta Meal Prep might be one of my most favorite meal preps so far. It is a little pricer than most, thanks to the...
What’s up everyone! I hope your weekend has been treating you well. I’ve been focusing on eating a little better lately, so I decided to do a salad based meal prep this week. I...
Do you remember when the internet had a collective “Aha!” moment over smoothie packs? Maybe not if you’re not looking at food online 24/7 like me, but believe me when I say the world...
Hey guys! Long time no see! Okay, maybe it’s only been a week, but it feels like forever. I took last week off to celebrate the holiday and enjoy some time with an out...
