Budget Friendly Meal Prep

Planning, preparing, and portioning your meals ahead of time is one of the most effective tools for keeping your food budget in check. We have over a hundred budget-friendly meal prep ideas to keep your taste buds happy, your belly full, and your budget on track! New to meal prepping? Check out our Meal Prep 101 before you begin.

Looking for pre-made meal plans? With a Budget Bytes+ membership, you’ll get a brand-new meal plan every week—designed to save you time, money, and stress in the kitchen (plus more)!

This Cheeseburger Meatloaf Meal Prep is an easy American classic meal that you'll look forward to each day. Toss the TV dinners and make your own! Budgetbytes.com

Popular Meal Prep Recipes

Smoky Chicken and Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potato Meal Prep

$9.43 recipe / $2.36 serving

Four glass meal prep containers lined up with roasted vegetable couscous. Two with chicken and two with chickpeas

Roasted Vegetable Couscous Meal Prep

$12.01 recipe / $4.00 serving

Three glass containers filled with hummus lunch box ingredients

The Hummus Lunch Box

$8.04 recipe / $2.01 serving

Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

$5.30 recipe / $1.33 serving

Ground Turkey Stir Fry

$8.05 recipe / $1.61 serving

Meal Prep Ideas for an Easy Breakfast

Newest Budget Friendly Meal Prep

Birria Tacos

$21.01 recipe / $2.63 serving

These easy Birria Tacos are loaded with juicy shredded beef, melty cheese, and crispy tortillas. Made in the slow-cooker and freezer-friendly!

Overhead view of a vegan tofu curry on a plate with white rice.

Tofu, Spinach, and Green Pea Curry

$12.66 recipe / $2.53 serving

This vegan Tofu, Spinach, and Green Pea Curry is simmered with warm spices, fresh ingredients, and coconut milk. A simple tofu curry recipe anyone can make!

Fried Apples

$5.14 recipe / $1.29 serving

This Southern Fried Apples recipe is sweet, buttery, and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Delicious for breakfast, dessert, OR as a side for dinner!

Apple Butter Pork Chops

$12.39 recipe / $3.09 serving

These Apple Butter Pork Chops are juicy, boldly seasoned, and simmered in a rich sauce with apple butter, onions, collards, and apples.

Oktoberfest Sheet Pan Brats

$13.25 recipe / $2.65 serving

This Oktoberfest Sheet Pan Brats recipe brings German-inspired flavors to your table with brats, veggies, and apples roasted together in one pan.

Grilled Sirloin Tenders

$11.68 recipe / $2.92 serving

Learn how to make perfectly Grilled Sirloin Tenders with a quick steak rub. A simple, budget-friendly recipe that's quick to make and delicious!

Overhead view of a baking dish of baked oatmeal topped with peach slices and blueberries.

Easy and Quick Homemade Baked Oatmeal

$4.61 recipe / $0.77 serving

Try this easy Baked Oatmeal recipe with fruit for a soft, custardy breakfast that reheats beautifully and makes mornings so much simpler.

Chicken Schnitzel

$9.94 recipe / $2.49 serving

This easy Chicken Schnitzel recipe uses chicken breasts, panko, Parmesan, and eggs for cutlets that fry up golden and crispy.

Spaetzle

$1.64 recipe / $0.27 serving

This easy Spaetzle recipe uses flour, eggs, and milk to make tender German noodles tossed in butter and parsley. Simple, cheap, and delicious!

woman comparing two cans of tomato sauce at grocery store

Smart Grocery Shopping Tips When You’re Already Pinching Pennies

Stretch your grocery budget with practical tips for saving money, feeding your family well, and making every dollar count—without the stress

Peach Crisp

$8.24 recipe / $1.03 serving

This easy Peach Crisp recipe is made with juicy peaches, warm spices, and a buttery oat-almond topping. A simple, cozy dessert for summer or anytime!

Overhead view of sheet pan honey mustard chicken with veggies.

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Veggies

$8.45 recipe / $2.11 serving

This Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken and Veggies is a family favorite! Sweet, tangy sauce, hearty roasted vegetables, and juicy chicken thighs made in one pan.