6 Healthy Recipes Under $10 to Feed the Family

Written by Nicole Braganza

Healthy family recipes for under $10? Yes, it's possible!

With grocery prices soaring over 25% since 2019 and nearly 42 million Americans relying on SNAP benefits, budget-friendly cooking is no longer a choice; it’s a necessity.

Ellen Vollinger, SNAP Director at FRAC notes "SNAP benefits were never designed to cover a family's entire food budget. They're meant to be supplemental, which is why stretching those dollars through strategic shopping and cooking is so critical."

Ways to Cook on a Budget 

Here are some effective ways to stretch your dollar and cook on a budget. 

Strategic shopping: Buy seasonal produce when prices drop and nutrients peak. Plan meals around sale items. Discount grocers and ethnic markets often offer better prices on staples than chain stores. Don't overlook frozen vegetables; they're nutritionally comparable to fresh and reduce waste.

Batch cooking: Buying ingredients in larger quantities typically costs less per serving. Prepare large portions of beans, rice, and roasted vegetables to make different weekly meals.

Use the full ingredient: Save vegetable scraps and meat bones for homemade stocks. Peels of carrots, potatoes, and beetroot can be turned into crisps with a bit of oil and seasoning.  Remember, you're not alone.

Organizations like SECOR Cares offer programs like the Free Food Market so families don't have to choose between putting food on the table and paying bills.

Further reading: Get assistance with acquiring food from SECOR Cares  

6 Cheap and Healthy Recipes You Can Make for Dinner Under $10

Cooking wholesome, delicious family meals doesn't have to break the bank. These easy recipes cost less than $10 each and provide excellent nutritional value.

Cheap Recipes With Chicken

Crispy Garlic-Lemon Chicken Thighs

Ingredients 1.5 pounds chicken thighs ($4)

2 tablespoons olive oil ($0.30)

4 garlic cloves, minced ($0.25)

1 lemon ($0.50)

1 teaspoon dried oregano ($0.10)

Salt and pepper ($0.05)

2 cups frozen vegetables ($1.50)

Method

Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 7 minutes until golden. Flip, add garlic and cook for 6 minutes more. Squeeze half the lemon over chicken, cut the remaining half into wedges. Microwave vegetables according to package instructions. Serve chicken over vegetables with lemon wedges.   

Classic Chicken Soup

Ingredients 

2 lbs chicken thighs/drumsticks ($4.00)

2 carrots, chopped ($0.50)

2 celery stalks, chopped ($0.75)

1 onion, diced ($0.50)

2 garlic cloves, minced ($0.15)

8 cups water ($0)

1 bay leaf ($0.05)

Salt and pepper ($0.05)

Dried parsley ($0.25)

1 chicken bouillon cube ($0.25)

Method

Place chicken in a pot with water and bouillon. Bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer for 45 minutes. Remove chicken, shred meat. Skim broth, add vegetables, and bay leaf. Simmer for 20 minutes. Return chicken meat to pot. Season with salt, pepper and dried parsley.  

Cheap Recipes with Ground Beef

Asian Beef Vegetable Bowl 

Ingredients 

1lb ground beef ($5.00)

1 onion, diced ($0.50)

2 garlic cloves, minced ($0.20)

16oz frozen vegetables ($1.50)

3tbsp soy sauce ($0.25)

1tbsp brown sugar ($0.05)

1tsp ginger powder ($0.15)

2 cups rice ($1.00)

Green onions (optional) ($0.75)

Method

Cook rice per package instructions.

Brown beef in skillet; drain fat.

Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 minutes.

Add vegetables, soy sauce, sugar, and ginger.

Simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve over rice; garnish with green onions. 

Easy Ground Beef Skillet Ingredients 

Ingredients 

1 pound ground beef ($4-5)

1 medium onion, diced ($0.50)

2 garlic cloves, minced ($0.25)

1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes ($1.00)

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables ($1.00)

1 cup uncooked rice ($0.50)

2 cups water

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ($0.25)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ($2.00)

Method Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain excess fat.

Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet; cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Stir in diced tomatoes, frozen vegetables, rice, water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes 

Sprinkle cheese. Cover and remove from heat until cheese melts.  

Cheap Recipes with Rice 

Easy Egg Fried Rice 

Ingredients

3 cups cooked day-old rice ($0.75)

3 eggs, beaten ($1.50)

1/2 lb frozen mixed vegetables ($1.50)

2 green onions, sliced ($0.30)

3 cloves garlic, minced ($0.20)

2 tbsp vegetable oil ($0.20)

1/4 cup soy sauce ($0.50)

1 cup diced ham or leftover meat ($2.50)

1 tbsp sesame oil ($0.25)

Method

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds. Add eggs, scramble until just set. Add meat and vegetables, stir-fry 3 minutes.Add rice, breaking up clumps. Pour in soy sauce, stir well. Cook for 5 minutes

Finish with green onions and sesame oil.

Fiesta Rice & Beans

Ingredients

2 cups rice ($1)

2 cans black beans ($1.78)

1 onion, diced ($0.50)

1 bell pepper ($1)

2 cloves garlic ($0.10)

1 can diced tomatoes with chilies ($0.99)

2 tbsp oil ($0.10)

1 tbsp taco seasoning ($0.25)

3 cups broth ($0.75)

1 lime ($0.50)

Cilantro ($0.49)

Method

Sauté onion, pepper, garlic in oil. Add rice, taco seasoning, cook for 1 minute. Add beans, tomatoes, broth. Boil, then simmer covered for 20 minutes. Stir in lime juice, top with cilantro. 

*Please note: The cost of ingredients above is an approximation

Planning a Low Cost Meal: Quick Tips 

Leanne Brown, author of "Good and Cheap" notes: "Every ingredient needs to work hard to earn its place in your grocery cart. When you're cooking on $4 a day, which is roughly what SNAP provides, ingredients need to be versatile and provide multiple meals."

Start with a weekly meal plan before hitting the store. This helps you avoid tempting impulse buys that add up quickly. Stock up on cheap, filling staples like rice, beans, and oats.

Keep an eye on what's in season! It tastes better and is way cheaper. Get creative with leftovers. Those roasted veggies from dinner can easily become tomorrow's lunch in a quick frittata. 

Meat tends to be a budget-buster. Try using smaller portions. Eggs, beans, and lentils give you plenty of protein at a fraction of the cost.

Thank you for exploring our collection of budget-friendly, healthy recipes!

Frequently asked questions

What meal can I make with $10?

For $10, you can make a hearty pasta dish with garlic, olive oil, canned tomatoes, ground beef, and pasta. Alternatively, try a bean and rice bowl with canned beans, rice, frozen vegetables, and spices.

What are some cheap recipes with chicken or ground beef?

One-pot chicken and rice, slow cooker chicken tortilla soup or chili are some recipes you can make in bulk using chicken or ground beef. 

How to cook with limited ingredients?

Try one-pot dishes like soups or stir-fries. Rice, eggs, and beans can go a long way! Don't forget about garlic, herbs, and spices - they really bring simple dishes to life.

Am I eligible for food stamps? 

Eligibility depends on income, household size, assets, and citizenship status. Contact your local SNAP office or visit benefits.gov to apply and check your specific situation.