Frugal Meals

4 servings (2 adults, 1 teen, 1 preteen)

Total $19.93/meal or 4.98/person

The protein (and feeding two teens) is this meals biggest expense. As a base without the protein the cost for the ENTIRE meal is $5.95 or $1.49/person. Substituting in a cheaper protein like tofu or increasing the portion of spicy beans would keep this meal well under $8.00 while keeping stomachs full.

Basic Expenses:

• White Rice-2 cups dry: $0.48
• 2lb Shrimp: $13.98
• Frozen Okra Bag: $1.50
• Spice Black Beans: $1.98
• Avacado x 4: $1.99

Breakdown of the Numbers:

5lb bag of rice = 12.5 cups dry = 36 cups cooked This equates to $0.24-$0.30 cents/cup dry or $0.08-$0.10 cents/cup cooked.

2lb Sand Bar Shrimp @ $13.98 = approximately 80 shrimp or $0.17/shrimp.

Frozen Okra $1.50/bag (We’re also growing this in the garden and hope to cut this cost soon!)

Spicy Black Beans: 1 x Black beans $0.79/can 1 x Tomato Paste $0.99/can 1/2 Onion $0.20* Salt/Pepper/Chipotle Powder ??

4 x Avacado $1.99

*Kroger sells a 2lb bag of onions that has 7 medium sized onions in it. Prices @ $2.79/bag or $0.40/onion.