Create Gourmet Meals

Maybe you dreamed of being equipped to take yourself out for one of those swanky steak dinners that only “rich folks” seem in a position to easily afford minus, of course, the hassle of the checked wallet. You don’t need to be a big spender to eat like royalty. How to Create Gourmet Meals on a Budget 

In this article, we will share with you some easy and very practical ideas that can help you. No matter if you are preparing meals for yourself or your family, or you are entertaining some of your guests, these tips will enable you to enjoy some delicious and high-quality meals without costing an arm and a leg.

Master the Art of Meal Planning

Meal planning—probably one of the easiest ways to enjoy great food while saving money. A bit of planning time ahead of the grocery list will do the trick in planning dinners for the week. I do the shopping roughly once a week, so I plan for 5 or 6 dinners ahead of time.

More so, I can easily produce a shopping list with only the ingredients I need. This tends to cut down on wasted food, as I will be using everything I get.

Having a plan means you won’t be as likely to eat out or cave to pricey takeout since you know you’ve got everything at home to make some really great meals. Having a plan also allows you to be more strategic with leftovers and stretching your ingredients, so ultimately saving more money. How to Create Gourmet Meals on a Budget 

Take it to the next level with your food: Homemade Sauces

Now, if you want to add just a little bit of gourmet to your meals without spending a fortune over it, just learning how to make a few homemade sauces will actually make the difference. Sauces are quick, cheap, and can utterly transform a meal from simple to sensational. How to Create Gourmet Meals on a Budget 

For example, pesto sauce that cooks for five minutes and goes over pasta with chicken tastes terrific. A gorgonzola cream sauce going over gnocchi is also easy to make and just divine to eat; it would let you feel like you have just taken a meal at a five-star restaurant.

Change how you buy your spices

Spices are the heart of all flavorful food, but they can be deceptively expensive if you buy them piecemeal from a local grocer. Far too many consumers have made the mistake of purchasing this way only to find out that they are spending $8 an ounce on basic spices.

Instead, consider buying your spices in bulk. Chances are, what you get will be much fresher, of a higher quality, and way less expensive, around $1 an ounce. Now, to make bulk buying a little more reasonable, find a friend or two, and split the purchase. That way, you’ll have a wide array of spices on hand at a much lower cost.

Score Savings on Steaks and Other Meats

Keep a lookout for sales, manager’s specials, and other discounts, and buy in quantity when the price is right. At the very least, whenever you purchase in bulk, it is always best to portion the meat into meal-size-portion packs before freezing. This will not only make it a whole lot easier to defrost and cook exactly what you need but will reduce waste. For example, I recently picked up a 5-lb pork loin roast on sale for $10.

Since my wife and I could not eat 5 pounds in one sitting, I split it in half and now I just paid $5 for two delicious dinners. How to Create Gourmet Meals on a Budget 

This same weekend, I grabbed a couple of sirloin steaks for $5 apiece when on sale for $5 per pound. That’s four fairly good-sized steaks, or two steak dinners for $7.50 each. Again, if you simply purchase when there’s a good sale and make a little bit of an effort on a meal plan, it’s easy to have high quality meats for a very low cost per meal.

Get Creative with Your Culinary Creations

Cooking on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice variety and flavor. In fact, some of the best dishes come from getting creative with what you have on hand. Don’t fear experimentation, trying new recipes, or adapting meals to suit your budget.

If, for instance, an ingredient is costly, look for a less expensive substitute. Many times the flavor profile is similar. Also, in picking produce and ingredients, try to use only those that are in season and locally sourced, to help keep your cost down, quality up, and flavor being created at the highest.

DIY Gourmet on the Go

If you’re always out and about, the tendency is to have a quick, yet costly meal from a restaurant or café. A little bit of planning ahead will allow you to cook meals and snacks in gourmet style and take them right along so you can save money and time.

Consider buying a quality thermos or lunch box that can keep food hot for a long time. Then cook some soup, stews, or pasta for breakfast and take it to go. You get to save some money while enjoying that taste of a home-made breakfast while traveling around the world. How to Create Gourmet Meals on a Budget 

Share Your Tips for Saving Money

Everyone has those tips and tricks to save money at the grocery store or in the kitchen. It might be a favorite budget-friendly recipe, a go-to ingredient, or a unique shopping strategy. Sharing these ideas will help others to eat well without overspending.

So what are your favorite money-saving secrets when it comes to cooking? Are there secret ingredients in your case that can help you make gourmet-level meals on a dime? Share below.

With these simple tricks, you can exit the world of boring budget meals and start enjoying gourmet dinners inexpensively. From meal planning and homemade sauces to the best shopping techniques and inventive cooking, you’re all set to eat top-notch foods—no champagne budget required.