Hectic nights call for easy dinners, and what could be easier than 3-ingredient dinner recipes? Yes, they’re just as easy as they sound, and yet still as delicious as recipes that require more components. There are so many other things you could be doing than messing around in the kitchen trying to put meals together. 3-ingredient dishes are versatile, filling and oh, so convenient. Take a look at our favourite recipes below, as well as 5 budget friendly meal prep tips to make cooking even easier!
5 Budget-Friendly Meal Prep Tips
1. Use What You Already Have
We often think grocery shopping and meal prepping go hand in hand, and while you may have to pick up a few things at the grocery store, make sure to use what you already have first. Check everything in your fridge, freezer and pantry to make sure you’re not forgetting anything. Build your meals around the foods you already have so you only have to buy what you need to round out your meals.
2. Use Vegetarian Proteins
Meat is often the most expensive part of a meal. Cut that cost by stocking up on vegetarian proteins. Foods like tofu, beans and legumes are all very affordable and do a great job filling you up and keeping you satisfied. You don’t have to cut out meat completely, but substituting a few meals a week with vegetarian proteins will make a big difference to your final grocery bill.
3. Keep Your Eye Out for Sales
Certain foods, such as shrimp, fresh salmon, chicken breast and cheese are notoriously expensive. Keep your eye out for sales on these foods and take advantage when they come around. Freeze what you can to use down the road for future meals!
4. Buy Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
Buying fresh fruits and vegetables all the time definitely makes your grocery bill more expensive. Frozen fruits and vegetables are affordable, delicious and you can use them in a variety of meals. Use frozen fruit on oatmeal, in parfaits and in smoothies and smoothie bowls. Frozen vegetables are awesome for soups, stir fries and frittatas.
5. Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time and Make a Grocery List
Being prepared before your trip to the grocery store is key to staying on budget. Choose the meals you’ll be making in advance, and stick to recipes that have similar ingredients, as well as recipes that have minimal ingredients. There are lots of 3-ingredient dinner recipes you can make every night of the week – just check out our list below!
30 3-Ingredient Dinner Recipes for Meat Lovers
1. Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches | The Girl Who Ate Everything
2. Avocado Chicken Salad | Hip 2 Save
3. 3-Ingredient Chilli | I Heart Naptime
4. Apple Juice Chicken | Oatmeal with a Fork
5. Chicken Pineapple Skewers | Brit + Co.
6. Southwest Chicken and Cheese Rolls | Gimme Delicious
7. Steak with Crispy Parmesan Potatoes | Epicurious
8. BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes | The Comfort of Cooking
9. Grilled Skirt Steak with Poblano Corn Sauce and Salsa | Food and Wine
10. Salsa Verde Quinoa with Chicken Thighs | Self
11. Dijon Pork Chops | Taste of Home
12. Fiesta Chicken | Cutefetti
13. Baked Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups | The Comfort of Cooking
14. Quick Beef Stew | Nerdy Mama
15. BBQ Pulled Pork | All Recipes
16. French Dip Sandwiches | Stockpiling Moms
17. Whole Wheat Pasta with Broccoli and Parmesan | Self
18. Golden Apricot-Glazed Turkey Breast | Taste of Home
19. Pretzel Coated Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders | Wry Toast
20. 3-Ingredient Meatloaf | The Project Pile
21. Crispy Onion Chicken | Life in the Lofthouse
22. Brussels Sprouts with Sausage | In the Kitchen with Kath
23. Pizza Crescent Rolls | Mommysavers
24. Pan Grilled Chicken and Mushrooms | Nerdy Mama
25. Frito Pie | Chef in Training
26. Chicken Thighs with Pear and Cauliflower | Self
27. Sloppy Joes | Eating on a Dime
28. Indian Butter Chicken | Dizzy, Busy and Hungry
29. Hummus and Grilled Zucchini Pizza | Food and Wine
30. Southwest Pork Tenderloin | Taste of Home
30 3-Ingredient Dinner Recipes for Vegetarians
1. 3-Ingredient Veggie Burger | Earthy Feast
2. 3-Ingredient Spanish Rice | Oh, Sweet Basil
3. Broccoli and Cheddar Quesadilla | Self
4. Spicy Grilled Eggplant | Taste of Home
5. Vegan Chilli | Create Mindfully
6. Creamy Tomato Shells | Pinch of Yum
7. Creamy Kale Salad | Today
8. 3-Ingredient Pasta Salad | The Kitchn
9. Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash | Listotic
10. Creamy Pumpkin Pasta | Epicurious
11. Chickpea Pasta with Spinach and Goat Cheese | Self
12. Cheesy Quesadillas | Taste of Home
13. Vegetable Curry | New Idea Food
14. Pesto Shells and Peas Pasta | Pillsbury
15. Tomato Tortellini Soup | The Thirsty Feast
16. Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil | Oprah
17. Cheesy Backed Black Beans and Rice | Shaken Together
18. Parmesan and Tomato Quinoa | Self
19. Butternut Squash Soup | 24 Carrot Kitchen
20. Taco Lime Grilled Chicken | Closet Kitchen
21. White Pizza Flat Bread | Mama Loved Food
22. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio | My Recipe Magic
23. Lentil Soup | Power Hungry
24. Baked Ziti | Creative Southern Home
25. Vegan Leek Curry | Blooming Nolwenn
26. Stuffed Peppers with Refried Beans and Cheese | Self
27. Lemon and Smoked-Mozzarella Pizza | Oprah
28. Mediterranean Salad | The Mediterranean Dish
29. Veggie Noodle Fritters | Nutrition by Mia
30. Sheet Pan Pork Chops | Simply Sissom
30 3-Ingredient Crockpot Dinner Recipes
1. Sweet and Sour Meatballs | Frugal Fanatic
2. Crockpot Caesar Chicken | The Frugal Girls
3. Tender Crockpot Ham | My Recipe Confessions
4. Sweet and Sour Meatballs | Hip 2 Save
5. Root Beer Honey BBQ Wings | The Frugal Girls
6. Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken | Hot From My Oven
7. 3-Ingredient Crock Pot Ribs | Yummly
8. Ranchy Chicken and Potatoes | As Jules is Going
9. 3-Ingredient Chilli | Yellow Bliss Road
10. Honey Pork and Apples | Stock Piling Moms
11. Creamy Ranch Chicken | The Frugal Girls
12. Crock Pot Pork Chops | The Spruce Eats
13. Crock Pot Steak and Gravy | Cuts and Crumbles
14. Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki | Flour on My Face
15. Chicken Verde | The Pinning Mama
16. 3-Ingredient Spaghetti | The Typical Mom
17. Sweet N’ Spicy Party Meatballs | Creme de la Crumb
18. Crockpot Cranberry Chicken | The Frugal Girls
19. 3-Ingredient Salsa Chicken | Healthy Liv
20. Crock Pot Chicken Tacos | Two Healthy Kitchens
21. Chicken and Gravy | 365 Days of Crock Pot
22. Mexican Shredded Chicken | Gimme Some Oven
23. Teriyaki Meatballs | The Frugal Girls
24. Chicken in Vodka Sauce | Flour on My Face
25. Buffalo Chicken | Amanda’s Recipe Finds
26. Crock Pot Chicken Tacos | My Chocolate Therapy
27. Sweet Glazed Pork | Six Sisters’ Stuff
28. BBQ Pork Sliders | Table for Two
29. Crock Pot Pierogies | It Is a Keeper
30. Orange Chicken | The Frugal Girls
Ready to enjoy convenient, delicious nights? These recipes are all you need in your life!
