Affordable and savory dinner recipes for only 200 rubles
In search of budget-friendly, complete family dinners that won't break the bank? Look no further! Here are three delicious and affordable meal options for three people, each costing under 200 rubles:
1. Teriyaki Chicken Dinner
This flavourful dinner features:
- Protein: Approximately 600g of chicken thighs or drumsticks (budget cuts are more affordable)
- Teriyaki sauce: Made with soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and a splash of vinegar or mirin substitute
- Carbs: 150–200g of steamed rice
- Vegetables: Frozen mixed vegetables or fresh carrots and cabbage, stir-fried or steamed
To save costs:
- Buy chicken in bulk or on sale
- Use pantry staples to make the sauce instead of buying pre-made
- Opt for frozen vegetables for a cheaper and longer-lasting option
2. Fish with Vegetables
This hearty meal consists of:
- Protein: Approximately 500g of frozen white fish fillets (e.g., pollock or hake)
- Vegetables: Seasonal root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage, roasted or boiled
- Carbs: A small side of buckwheat or boiled potatoes
To keep costs low:
- Choose frozen fish for a better price
- Use local seasonal vegetables, which are usually the cheapest
- Cooking whole vegetables versus pre-cut saves money
3. Pasta Bolognese
This classic Italian dish includes:
- Protein: About 400-500g of ground meat mix (pork and beef, or pork alone)
- Pasta: Dry spaghetti or penne, about 200g
- Sauce: Homemade with canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots
- Optional: A small amount of grated hard cheese or dried herbs for added flavour
To save on costs:
- Buy pasta in bulk
- Use canned tomatoes and fresh onions instead of jar sauces
- Stretch meat with finely grated carrot or celery to reduce costs
By shopping at local markets, watching for sales, and making sauces from basics rather than buying pre-made, these meals can be comfortably prepared for under 200 rubles per dinner for three people. The key is focusing on affordable protein sources (like chicken thighs, frozen fish, ground meat), staple carbs (rice, potatoes, pasta), and simple vegetables available seasonally or frozen.
Detailed recipes and exact budgeting for your local prices can be calculated based on your specific store costs and availability. Enjoy these delicious, budget-friendly meals with your family!
- Integrating homemade teriyaki sauce and using budget cuts of chicken in a Teriyaki Chicken Dinner can significantly reduce personal-finance expenses, offering a tasty, budget-friendly meal option for families.
- By opting for frozen vegetables over pre-cut ones and utilizing pantry staples to make sauces, individuals can effectively budget-friendly food-and-drink options like the Fish with Vegetables meal.
- Adopting cost-saving measures, such as buying pasta in bulk and using canned tomatoes in the Pasta Bolognese recipe, can help manage personal-finance while providing a delightful and filling lifestyle meal for the entire family.
- Budgeting and practicing smart shopping strategies, like shopping local markets and looking out for sales, will ensure that the recipes for Teriyaki Chicken Dinner, Fish with Vegetables, and Pasta Bolognese remain as budget-friendly meal options for families.
