Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget

I hope y’all are enjoying the long 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.

I went through my archives and pulled these 20 recipes (10 meat and 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, and reasonable fat content (lower animal based fats). And of course, what do all of these recipes have in common? They’re satisfying and budget friendly. Enjoy! :)

Meat Recipes

1. Chipotle Chicken Chili

Chipotle Chicken Chili or "C3"

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

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

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

Curry Beef with Peas

A hearty curry beef with sweet peas over rice is inexpensive, flavorful, and filling.

4.81 from 31 votes

5. Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

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

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

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 203 votes

$7.76 recipe / $1.29 serving Get the Recipe

8. Sloppy Joes Plus

Sloppy Joes Plus

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

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

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 272 votes

$13.90 recipe / $3.48 serving Get the Recipe

Vegetarian Recipes

11. Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

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

4.70 from 190 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

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

4.76 from 113 votes

$7.40 recipe / $1.23 serving Get the Recipe

14. Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Stew

Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Soup

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

4.86 from 114 votes

$7.43 recipe / $0.93 serving Get the Recipe

15. Spanish Chickpeas and Rice

Spanish Chickpeas and Rice

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

4.82 from 133 votes

$7.39 recipe / $1.84 serving Get the Recipe

16. Hot & Sour Vegetable Soup with Tofu

Easy Hot and Sour Soup with Vegetables and Tofu

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

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

4.92 from 148 votes

$5.24 recipe / $0.52 serving Get the Recipe

18. Weeknight Enchiladas

Weeknight Enchiladas

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

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

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.