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"
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ChipotleChickenChiliclose.jpg)
2. Mini Black Bean Turkey Burgers
Mini Black Bean Turkey Burgers
![Turkey Burger Patties](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Turkey-Burger-Patties-1.jpg)
3. Spicy Tuna Guacamole Bowls
Spicy Tuna Guacamole Bowls
![Overhead view of a Spicy Tuna Guacamole bowl with a black fork stuck in the side.](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Spicy-Tuna-Guacamole-Bowls-fork.jpg)
4. Curry Beef with Peas
Curry Beef with Peas
![curried ground beef with peas and potatoes in a skillet with a serving spoon](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Curried-Ground-Beef-with-Peas-H.jpg)
5. Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja
Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Chicken-Ropa-Vieja-close-1.jpg)
6. Greek Turkey Burgers
Greek Turkey Burgers
![Overhead view of an open faced Mediterranean Turkey Burger on a paper lined plate with cucumber salad on the side](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Mediterranean-Turkey-Burgers.jpg)
7. Chicken and Lime Soup
Chicken and Lime Soup
![Finished bowl of Chicken and Lime Soup with sliced avocado and a couple of lime wedges](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Chicken-and-Lime-Soup-above.jpg)
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! BudgetBytes.com](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Sloppy-Joes-Plus-sandwich.jpg)
9. Sweet n’ Spicy Chicken Bowls
Sweet n' Spicy Chicken Bowls
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Spicy-Chicken-Bowl-close-1.jpg)
10. Easy Oven Fajitas
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
![Sheet pan full of chicken fajitas with rice and tortillas on the side](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Sheet-Pan-Chicken-Fajitas-done.jpg)
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! BudgetBytes.com](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Curried-Cickpeas-with-Spinach-Finished.jpg)
12. Roasted Vegetable Baked Ziti
13. Vegan Red Beans and Rice
Vegan Red Beans and Rice
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Veg-Red-Beans-and-Rice-close-1.jpg)
14. Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Stew
Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Soup
![Warm intoxicating spices make this vegetable filled Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Stew perfect for cold Autumn nights. BudgetBytes.com](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Moroccan-Lentil-and-Vegetable-Stew-bowl.jpg)
15. Spanish Chickpeas and Rice
Spanish Chickpeas and Rice
![Spanish Chickpeas and Rice - BudgetBytes.com](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Spanish-Chickpeas-and-Rice-bowl-above.jpg)
16. Hot & Sour Vegetable Soup with Tofu
Easy Hot and Sour Soup with Vegetables and Tofu
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Hot-and-Sour-Vegetable-Soup-above-2.jpg)
17. Chunky Lentil and Vegetable Soup
Chunky Lentil and Vegetable Soup
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Chunky-Lentil-and-Vegetable-Soup-spoon-in-1.jpg)
18. Weeknight Enchiladas
Weeknight Enchiladas
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Weeknight-Enchiladas-scoop-1.jpg)
19. Vegan Red Lentil Stew
Vegan Red Lentil Stew
![](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/RedLentilStewabove.jpg)
20. Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Chickpeas
Mediterranean Farro Salad with Spiced Chickpeas
![Mediterranean-Farro-Salad-with-Spiced-Chickpeas-close-1](https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mediterranean-Farro-Salad-with-Spiced-Chickpeas-close-1.jpg)
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.
I dugg some of you post as I cerebrated they were handy very useful
Beth, thanks for healthy meals that a budget can handle.
I am looking forward to exploring your web sight and creating meals.
Thank you.
One of THE top posts I have ever read on suggestive recipes. My favorite is the Chic Peas with Spinach. My wife is a huge recipe fan and cook. I will be sending her the link to this post. Thanks for a well-researched and beautiful post Beth. Loved the pictures too. Made me hungry haha:)
Nice website,you can learn so many things from here.