Yesterday, I laid the foundation for The $50 Grocery Challenge. If you want the full recap for the self-imposed rules, read this: How Many Meals Can You Get from $50? In general, I’m attempting to see how many different dinners I can get from spending only $50 at one store. Each meal will have a protein source, be varied, time conscience, and gluten free. Today, I’m sharing exactly what I purchased, why, and how you might be able to use those items.
Here’s my receipt:
Again, I did all of my shopping at ALDI. In case your eyes can’t read what I purchased, let me run down the list item by item.
Strawberries ($1.49): I plan to divide these among two meals. We will have them on top of a spinach salad and as a side dish with a breakfast themed dinner.
Zucchini ($1.99): These three good sized zucchini will also be divided among three meals.
Avocado ($0.89): Because guacamole is yummy.
Multi-Color Peppers ($1.99): I love how diverse peppers are. You can use them in pasta, you can use them in salads, you can top pizzas, they’re great in fajitas, or we love them on veggie kabobs. I plan on using them in a couple of different ways. The peppers are large enough that as long as you don’t sneak a snack while you’re chopping you should be able to use them for multiple meals.
Half Pork-Loin ($8.61): This is one big hunk ‘o meat. The regular price is $2.89/lb. at ALDI (what I paid) but I even found one for as little as $1.99/lb. at Sam’s Club last week. Since I have close to 3 lbs. of meat, this will stretch for at least three meals. We’re carnivores or otherwise I think you could make even more with it. One portion will go in the crockpot, the other I created thick pork loin chops to grill, and the third I thinly sliced for the skillet.
Shoestring Fries ($1.89): Yep, even I have a lazy side. I don’t purchase many processed foods, but here is an exception. These fries are not explicitly advertised as gluten free, but when you read the great labeling (ALDI is top notch with this!), you’ll realize that they are. We can split one bag between two meals. Not all ALDI fries are gluten free but this rotational item is so when I see them come in stock, I snatch up more than one.
Black Beans ($2.49): Before you gasp thinking I spent $2.49 on one can of beans (those are $0.59 at ALDI), this is a large 2 lb. bag. That means there are 18 whopping servings which is a very affordable side dish. I’ll using black beans for at least three of my meals. There will be more than enough leftover, too.
Frozen Peas ($0.95): Maybe your kids are a bit like mine and finding veggies they like is a battle. For some strange reason, my girls love frozen peas. Sometimes, I don’t even dethaw them. I always have a bag in the freezer and they’re a snack (I know, we’re weird) or easy side dish. Each meal will have at least one veggie. This guarantees I will always have something. The peas will also be used in a pasta dish. There will be leftovers.
Extra Fine Green Beans ($1.49): This is the second green veggie that my girls like so they were an easy choice. I cook them on the stove top or throw them in the crockpot. One bag yields two side dishes for meals for us.
Flat Leaf Spinach ($1.79): This is a common staple for our household. We use spinach in smoothies, salads, pizza, pasta, and to top sandwiches in place of lettuce. Primarily it will function as a side dish or additive for my purposes. There will be leftovers of this as, well.
Restaurant Tortilla Chips ($1.19): How else was I going to eat guacamole? Chips and cheese or chips and salsa are probably are most common go-to simple and affordable snack. We’ll primarily use them with two meals.
Gluten Free Pasta ($1.29): It’s a little more pricey than wheat pasta but we’re so excited to see ALDI carrying more gluten free products. It makes for two much happier tummies. We’ll use this in two dishes.
Gluten Free Baking Mix ($2.99): One of the highest priced non-meat item on my list, this box of baking mix will help me make pancakes one night, biscuits another, and still have a bit leftover.
1/4 Boneless Sliced Ham ($5.89): This is a great cut of meat and it takes so very little prep. I should be able to get at least four meals from this little bad boy because of what we’re eating with it and its size. I actually purchase one of these every other week for the Princess Eldest’s lunch, too. I can get at least 14 sandwiches from one ham (I use 1/3 to make five for the week, freeze the other 2/3 for the next week and a half). Because it’s a thicker slice, it doesn’t seem to get as slimy as lunch meat does to me.
Shredded Colby Jack Cheese ($2.99): Everything is better with cheese. It’s a staple in my fridge weekly. From topping eggs to nachos, sandwiches, and salads. I <3 cheese.
Fresh Ground Turkey ($2.99): Typically I pop this in the freezer or pre-cook it and then freeze in two individual sizes as soon as I get home from the store.
Pink Lady Apple ($3.49): We eat them whole, slice them up, or chop and then cook all day in the crockpot. This is my favorite apple variety of all time. I could live on pink ladies. We won’t use all of them for the dinners, but I like having them on hand as a side dish option if one of the girls is picky.
Crushed Tomatoes ($0.99): We love chili! Even in the summer months, it’s an easy recipe that has crushed tomatoes as a central ingredient.
Large Eggs ($1.49): I’m going to need this dozen eggs for more than one meal. We do love having breakfast for dinner so they will come in handy as a main course but are a necessary staple item to make biscuits, pancakes, stir fry, and more.
There you have it! I spent just under $50 ($46.89 to be exact) and netted a whole lot of food. I chose not to spend the remaining $3.11 to account for pantry staples and items I already had. I also chose items and dishes everyone in our house actually likes – rather than engineering something unrealistic for our family or yours just to stretch the $50 even further.
Pop by tomorrow and you’ll get to see what you’ve been waiting for – the actual meal plan! I’d love for you to play along with me. How many meals can you get from $50? I bet a few of you could beat me. Hashtag your posts or pictures with #50dollarchallenge or contact me with what you came up with! Maybe I can share a few of your ideas or plans on here, too.
This post was sponsored by the Indiana’s Family of Farmers. You get to learn about affordable ways to prepare food. I get a few extra bucks in the Royal coffers. The post and opinions are 100% mine. No editing was done by anyone. I’m sure you could find some grammatical errors if you read it again. Read more on my disclosure policy.
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jessica velez says
Hello, Thank you so much for this helpful information! Im pretty sure you said you fed four people with this meal plan (i was trying to read with two toddlers jumping over me)lol but i was wondering how long did the meals last, two weeks? one week? I also have a family of four and I am so willing to try this challenge. Honestly ive never spent only $50 because my family eats alot and so do I (hehe). Also, i was wondering if you had the recipes or what dishes you were able to make with this grocery list? 🙂 Thank you, and i love your blog!
Queen of Free says
Hi Jessica! Thank you so much for stopping by. You can find the meal plan I developed here: http://www.queenoffree.net/2014/05/50-challenge-meal-plan/ If you’re not already a subscriber, you’re going to want to do that. In April, May, June, and July, I’m going to do four more $50 meal plans. 🙂 Jump right on in for the fun.