Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (2024)

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I hope y’all are enjoying thelong 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.

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (2)

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

Meat Recipes

1. Chipotle Chicken Chili

Chipotle Chicken Chili or "C3"

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (3)

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 20 votes

$9.51 recipe / $1.19 serving Get the Recipe

2. Mini Black Bean Turkey Burgers

Mini Black Bean Turkey Burgers

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (4)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (5)

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

5. Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

Slow Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (7)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (8)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (9)

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 210 votes

$7.76 recipe / $1.29 serving Get the Recipe

8. Sloppy Joes Plus

Sloppy Joes Plus

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (10)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (11)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (12)

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 279 votes

$13.90 recipe / $3.48 serving Get the Recipe

Vegetarian Recipes

11. Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

Curried Chickpeas with Spinach

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (13)

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

4.73 from 149 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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (14)

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

4.85 from 101 votes

$7.40 recipe / $1.23 serving Get the Recipe

14. Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Stew

Moroccan Lentil and Vegetable Soup

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (15)

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

4.84 from 117 votes

$7.43 recipe / $0.93 serving Get the Recipe

15. Spanish Chickpeas and Rice

Spanish Chickpeas and Rice

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (16)

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

4.82 from 136 votes

$7.39 recipe / $1.84 serving Get the Recipe

16.

Easy Hot and Sour Soup with Vegetables and Tofu

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (17)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (18)

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

4.92 from 151 votes

$5.24 recipe / $0.52 serving Get the Recipe

18. Weeknight Enchiladas

Weeknight Enchiladas

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (19)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (20)

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

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (21)

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.

Top 20 Recipes for Eating Healthy on a Budget (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest most nutritious meal? ›

Cheap, Healthy Foods
  • Lentils. 1/14. Serving size: ½ cup cooked. ...
  • Eggs. 2/14. Serving size: 1 egg. ...
  • Oats. 3/14. Serving size: ½ cup (dry) ...
  • Potatoes. 4/14. Serving Size: 1 medium potato. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. 5/14. Serving size: 1 medium sweet potato. ...
  • Sardines. 6/14. Serving size: About 4 ounces. ...
  • Beans. 7/14. Serving size: ½ cup cooked. ...
  • Popcorn. 8/14.
Mar 21, 2024

What is the cheapest way to eat healthy? ›

When produce is in season it is at its cheapest, as well as its tastiest and most nutritious. It's also often cheaper to purchase fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, grapefruit, potatoes, and onions by the bag, not by the piece—as long as you'll be able to eat it all before it spoils. Look for whole grains.

What are the 3 P's for eating healthy on a budget? ›

It doesn't have to be if you are willing to follow three simple reminders -- Plan, Compare and Prepare. If you follow these, you and your family can save money and eat healthier.

How to cook cheaply and healthily? ›

Budget healthy recipes
  1. Budget porridge. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  2. Super smoky bacon & tomato spaghetti. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  3. Slow-cooker pumpkin soup. A star rating of 1 out of 5. ...
  4. Kidney bean curry. ...
  5. Feta & kale loaded sweet potato. ...
  6. Speedy lentil coconut curry. ...
  7. Miso lentil & cabbage soup. ...
  8. Vegetarian enchiladas.

What is a normal food budget for 3? ›

Quick FAQ: What is the Average Grocery Cost Per Month in the United States? The average monthly grocery bill of a family of three in the US is $902. This assumes that the household consists of two adults and one child and follows the July 2023 Official USDA Moderate Food Plan.

What are the 3 food rules? ›

Three healthy eating rules from a dietitian
  • Rule #1: Eat more veggies and fruit. On the MyPlate diagram, fruit and veggies take up half the plate for good reason! ...
  • Rule #2: Be mindful of your eating. ...
  • Rule #3: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Nov 14, 2018

What are the 3 R's in eating habits? ›

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a simple process focused on improving eating habits; the three R's: Reflect, Replace, and Reinforce. Beginning with reflect, the CDC urges you to keep track of your current habits. These may include the following: Eating too fast.

What are the top 10 healthiest dinners? ›

10 Simple Dinner Ideas for Healthy Eating in Real Life
  1. Stuffed sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber ( 1 ). ...
  2. Grain bowls. ...
  3. Veggie loaded frittatas. ...
  4. Dinner salad. ...
  5. Loaded brown rice pasta. ...
  6. One-pot soups. ...
  7. Curry. ...
  8. Burgers.
Jun 30, 2021

What is the cheapest food to live off of? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

What is the cheapest food to survive? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  • Oatmeal.
  • Eggs.
  • Bread.
  • Rice.
  • Bananas.
  • Beans.
  • Apples.
  • Pasta.

What is the cheapest meal to fix? ›

Cheap Family Meals Under $10
  • Crescent Roll Sausage Egg Casserole. ...
  • Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli. ...
  • Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta. ...
  • Easy Cheese Manicotti. ...
  • White Bean and Spinach Soup. ...
  • Black Bean Enchilada Casserole. ...
  • Lentil Spaghetti. ...
  • Easy Red Beans and Rice. Red Beans and Rice is a cheap and easy meal to make.
6 days ago

What is the single most nutritious food? ›

1. Almonds. There you have it – the most nutrient-dense food on the planet is the humble almond. Praises for almonds have been sung for a long time, with many studies carried out surrounding their benefits related to heart health and diabetes.

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