Tips for Budget Menu Planning with Teenagers:   I cook every night and since the change in our life several years ago (my husband lost his job),   I had to do budget friendly  dinners.  Now that he has a job, life is still a little tight because my business has slowed down.  My family still eats well on a budget.  I cook every night and going out to eat is a real treat.

I read a lot of meal menu planning on a budget.. I have noticed many of my blogging friends have  2 adults and 2 small children (under 8). I am well past that and I could not relate to make that small amount of food. I have 2 adults also 6’1″ 14 year old teenage boy, and a 10 year old girl with a size 9 women’s foot.. So no little kids here.  My kids to not dabblers in food and they do not graze at dinner.   My Son is a meat eater.. I gave him alot of veggies as a kid once he turned 9/10 years old veggies where a do not touch  food and meat/fish was in.

Tips for Budget Menu Planning with Teenagers

Find Produce Store or Asia Market:  I will tell you I live near a Produce Junction.  Which is a produce store that sells veggies and produce at a discount, most are close to expiration so you have to use them quick.  It saves me from the grocery store prices.  Prices like 2 lb of crimini mushrooms for $2, Broccoli is $2 for 3lb, Potatoes are $2 for 5lb.

Stock up on Sales:  I also watch good sales and stock up when something is good sale.  This Past week Purdue chicken was 40% off.   So I stocked up on ground chicken $2.57 a pound.  The chicken legs and thighs were $.79 a lb.   The turkey bacon was 3 for $5 (I use it for breakfast sandwiches and BLTS) , Cheese blocks 1.99  Here are Some other items:

• Tortilla great for dinner but after school snacks
• Can good -tomatoes, beans, soups, tuna, canned chicken,
• Cereal I only buy it if it is under $1.99( buy many boxes if it is a good sale)
• Box cake Mix (cupcakes not frosted are my kids favorite)  (choose one that take oil, water, and eggs) (avoid the ones that need butter)
• Butter if it is $1.99 or $2.50 stock up
• Pop Corn Great snack (air popped or stove method) large bag is $3.00)
• Cheese freezes well
• Oil by gallon is cheaper then smaller bottles keep smaller bottle to transfer into
• Soy sauce buy the gallon

Make Extra and spread out over the week:

• Rice: a side one day,  then a base for fried rice later in the week. (fried rice is a great catch all for left over meat, so are rice and chill.
• Potatoes: Mashed  are also side one day then, later in the week a great topping for shepherds pie.
• Meat: Brown meat make double and save for later in the week

Meats that are amazing on a budget  :

• London Broils are great red meat cut for teens, I slice it really thin so it looks like a lot, taste great and I usually have left overs, vs a steak the teen will want to eat the entire piece.
• Chicken legs and Thighs –  They are great and the most flavorful part of the chicken.  I trim all the fat off prior to cooking.  You can always find them at a great Price.  My son will eat a entire baked leg and extra thigh- (we are talking $1.50 to fill him). My recipe is here.   I also trim the thighs up remove skin  and throw them in a crock pot with bones, and 1/2 bottle of Italian dressing 1 cup of water and let them cook 3-4 hours on a Sunday. Pick out bones and joints- It makes great meat for chicken Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Chicken salad, soup, chicken tacos
• Sausage:  I always keep some in my freezer,   whether is Kielbasa, Smoked sausage, or Italian sausage.  They can be added to many meals, from Perogis, to pasta, slow cooked sausage and peppers over rice, or an add to fried rice.

Flavor is King : Taste is the way to eat on a budget and still have amazing food: If it taste good they will eat it.

• Mirepoix: Onion, Carrots, Celery (when they are on sale, make extra, freeze and sales time and money)
• Seasoning : Onion Power, Garlic Powder, Thyme, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Oregano, Salt and Pepper

Pasta:  Back up Dinner not a go to meal : If you serve pasta too often your family will notice.  I use Spaghetti when I need a meal making break or when I end up with many teenagers in my house.    I find if my son brings home friends I like to have the kids over but usaly I do not have the meat planned out for the surprise company.

• Always have sauce/pasta in pantry.
• Always have large can crushed tomatoes to extend the sauce.
• Keep a package of mild  sausage (Jimmy Dean Tube)  in the freezer, or Links If you cut it small it goes father, 1lb of ground sausage spreads nicely through sauce.
• Use shells to straight pasta,  the sauce is cradled and the space in the shells visually look like more food.

Check out My actual Budget Meal Planning with Teens:

Please note I live in the suburbs outside Philadelphia.  Food is not cheap here the cost of living is higher than other areas of the country.   I mainly shop at Aldi, Shoprite,  with watching the sales at  Pathmark, Acme and Giant (which I might go to if they have an amazing sale) .   The prices i use reflect my Area.