Cookbook author Jenn Lueke warns that a common mistake made by many Americans can cost them money even before they enter the grocery store. According to Lueke, the biggest mistake is not taking the time to plan ahead.
Making a grocery list and deciding what to cook for the week ahead can help shoppers save money and reduce stress about meals, Lueke said. She recommends that home cooks lean on familiar meals and switch them up with ingredients already in their pantries, rather than feeling pressure to make a different, impressive dinner every night of the week.
Lueke, who is also known online as Jenn Eats Goood, suggests that cooks can use a "base recipe" as a starting point and tweak it seasonally or depending on what is in their freezer at the moment. For example, a one-pot chicken thighs and rice dish can be modified by swapping in different proteins or adding seasonal ingredients.
Keeping pantry and freezer staples on hand can also give shoppers more options during the week, Lueke said. She recommends ingredients such as canned beans, rice, pasta, and quinoa, which can be bought in bulk or picked up on sale. Frozen proteins can also help reduce the need for frequent shopping trips.
For shoppers trying to stretch a limited grocery budget, Lueke suggests bulking meals up with hearty, lower-cost produce such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, along with proteins like chicken thighs, tofu, and chickpeas. She also recommends getting more than one use out of an ingredient, and using spice blends and homemade sauces to change the flavor of a protein.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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