6 Ways to Make Cheap Foods Taste Delicious

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Most people living on a tight budget are well-acquainted with the bargain bin at the grocery store.

Not having a fat bank account puts people constantly on the lookout for the cheapest foods possible, even if that means those eats are boring, bland or a bit past their prime.

However, there are ways to make cheaper food a little more appetizing — keep reading for some ideas.

1. Marinate that meat

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Chuck roast, pork shoulder and chicken pieces are some of the cheapest cuts of meat available, but they can be tough and chewy.

Fortunately, marinades are a cheap way to add flavor as well as improve texture. You don’t want to marinate delicate meats or fish too long, but feel free to leave that chuck roast marinating in the fridge overnight.

2. Sauce it up

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Beans, pasta and rice are all super-cheap staples, but they can be bland. Instead of serving them up plain or with butter, experiment with sauces to incorporate extra flavor.

The easiest add-in may be stirring in pan drippings from a main dish meat or using a canned sauce. You probably already know about adding a jar of spaghetti sauce to a box of cooked pasta, but don’t be limited by what’s traditional.

3. Mix in a high-flavor ingredient

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Sometimes, a bit of a more expensive and flavorful ingredient goes a long way. Consider capers — they aren’t cheap, but they’re packed with flavor.

Bacon is another prime example of a flavorful ingredient. Cook up a couple of pieces and crumble it onto salads or soups to give them some “wow.” Or chop and fry bacon, then add it to pasta and veggies for a delicious pasta carbonara. Bacon can make even beans extra tasty.

Other high-flavor ingredients include:

• Herbs and spices
• Infused oil
• Roasted red peppers
• Robust cheese

You might pay more for these ingredients, but a little goes a long way. If they make your cheap meals more satisfying, paying for some flavorful mix-ins makes sense.

4. Puree veggies that are past their prime

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Fresh vegetables are definitely more appetizing — and more nutritious. However, that doesn’t mean you should turn your nose up at the reduced-price rack. If your budget is so tight that fresh produce is out of the question, less-than-perfect greens are better than none at all.

That said, I wouldn’t recommend eating them raw. Instead, puree or otherwise cook up veggies to disguise their imperfections.

There are plenty of sneaky ways to incorporate pureed vegetables into your meals to provide extra fiber, add nutrition and keep growing kids feeling full longer.

5. Use bargain fruit in smoothies, sauces and jams

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Just as you can puree past-their-prime veggies, you can whip up some yummy foods with slightly blemished and bruised fruits.

Making breakfast smoothies seems to be the most obvious method for using bargain fruit finds, but sauces and jams are options too. For example, in the fall, some stores practically give away bruised apples.

6. Tweak your technique

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Finally, you can make cheap foods taste better by tweaking your cooking technique slightly.

Consider these flavor-boosters:

• Brown cuts of meat in a skillet before adding them to a slow cooker.
• Roast veggies rather than boiling or steaming.
• Prepare rice with chicken stock rather than water.
• Brown butter to be used in recipes and sauces.

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