How summer helps (and hurts) a grocery budget
Summer can make cooking cheaper and harder at the same time. Seasonal produce is often abundant and less expensive, and the grill, salads, and sandwiches are simple. But heat can make people want to skip the stove, which is when takeout and delivery start to creep into the budget.
The ideas below are built around low-cost ingredients and minimal cooking. For the bigger picture of planning, see our frugal family meal plan.
Ten cheap summer dishes
When people ask for the top dishes to cook in summer, these are reliable, flexible, and generally inexpensive:
- Pasta salad with chopped vegetables, beans or cheese, and a simple dressing
- Tuna or chickpea salad sandwiches or lettuce wraps
- Black bean and corn salad with tortilla chips or over rice
- Quesadillas cooked quickly in a skillet or on the grill
- BLTs or veggie sandwiches with seasonal tomatoes
- Egg dishes, such as a veggie frittata served at room temperature
- Grilled chicken thighs or sausages with corn on the cob
- Cold noodle salad with cucumbers and a peanut or soy-based sauce
- Tacos with beans or shredded chicken and fresh toppings
- Watermelon, tomato, or cucumber salads with bread and cheese as a light dinner
Swap ingredients based on what is cheapest at the store that week.
Meals that keep the kitchen cool
If the house gets hot, try these approaches:
- No-cook meals: salads, sandwiches, wraps, cheese and fruit plates, hummus and vegetables
- Cook once in the morning: do any stovetop or oven cooking early, then serve cold or at room temperature later
- Use the grill: cooking outdoors keeps heat out of the house
- Slow cooker or Instant Pot: these produce less ambient heat than an oven, so they can be helpful for pulled chicken or beans
- Microwave or toaster oven: for small items like baked potatoes or quesadillas
Always follow safe food handling guidelines in hot weather. Perishable food should not sit out for long in warm temperatures, and picnic or potluck food should be kept chilled.
The cheapest meals to make
People often ask for the absolute cheapest meal. It depends on where you live, but these tend to cost little per serving:
- rice and beans
- pasta with butter, oil, or a simple tomato sauce
- egg salad or fried egg sandwiches
- bean quesadillas
- oatmeal (overnight oats work well when it is hot)
- bean or vegetable soups served cold, like gazpacho when tomatoes are in season
A few of these can be made without turning on the stove, or with only a short cook time.
Feeding two people on a small weekly budget
If you are asking how to feed two people on $50 a week, it may be possible for some households, but it depends heavily on local prices and dietary needs. Strategies that can help:
- Plan every dinner in advance and shop with a list.
- Use low-cost proteins such as eggs, beans, lentils, and canned fish more often than meat.
- Cook a double batch of something and eat it twice.
- Buy produce that is in season, and stick to affordable ones such as cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes during the summer months.
- Choose store brands, and compare prices per unit.
- Keep a short rotation of meals you like, so you rarely buy ingredients you will not use.
If the number does not work for you, aim for a smaller reduction. The point is to spend less than before, not to hit a particular figure.
Shop seasonal produce
In summer, many fruits and vegetables are at their best and often cheaper. What is in season depends on where you live, but common choices include tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, corn, berries, melons, peaches, and leafy greens. Farmers markets can be good values late in the day or in peak season, though prices vary, so compare to the grocery store.
If you buy more than you can eat, freeze berries and chopped fruit, cook down tomatoes into sauce, or slice and freeze zucchini for later.
Sample hot-week plan
This sample week keeps cooking light:
| Day | Dinner |
|---|---|
| Monday | Pasta salad with beans or leftover chicken |
| Tuesday | Black bean and cheese quesadillas with sliced tomatoes |
| Wednesday | Grilled sausages or chicken thighs with corn and cucumber salad |
| Thursday | Tuna or chickpea salad sandwiches with fruit |
| Friday | Veggie frittata with bread and a green salad |
| Saturday | Taco night with shredded chicken or beans |
| Sunday | Leftovers or a cold noodle salad |
Add oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast, and leftovers or sandwiches for lunch.
Going away this summer? See our tips for family vacation meal planning.
Frequently asked questions
What are some good meals to eat when it is hot?
Salads, sandwiches, wraps, cold noodles, grilled meals, and no-cook dinners such as a cheese and fruit plate.
What is the absolute cheapest meal you can make?
It varies by location, but rice and beans, pasta with simple sauce, and egg-based meals are commonly among the least expensive.
How can I feed two people on $50 a week?
It depends on your area. Plan every meal, use low-cost proteins, buy seasonal produce, and cook extra portions for leftovers.
What are the top dishes to cook in the summer?
Pasta salad, grilled chicken, tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, bean salads, and egg dishes are popular, affordable choices.