One Week of Budget-Friendly Dinners Under P100

Homecooked dinners aren't just delicious and comforting. They can be cheap, too! If you make it a habit to cook dinner every day at home, you will realize how much money you can save. Shop in local markets and choose ingredients that aren't heavy on the wallet: proteins like chicken and fish, or lots of locally-grown vegetables like leafy greens and chili peppers. 

 

The cost breakdown for each recipe in this round-up was cross-checked through a couple of groceries in Metro Manila. Use these 7 dinner recipes to whip up budget-friendly dinners at home: each serving will cost you less than P100! 

 

IMAGE Majoy Siason

1 Chicken Basil Stir-Fry

 

Stir-fry dishes are quick-cooking, fuss-free, and cheap. Add lots of basil for a boost of herby flavor!

 

 

Recipe cost breakdown:

 

Total cost P107

Recipe yield 3

Cost per serving P36

 

 

IMAGE Patrick Martires

2 Calamansi Fish Fillets

 

Use your favorite white fish fillet and let it sit in a tangy marinade for an easy-to-make dinner.

 

 

Recipe cost breakdown:

 

Total cost P216

Recipe yield 4

Cost per serving P54

 

 

IMAGE Toto Labrador

3 Baked Chicken with Ginger-Scallion Sauce

 

You can't go wrong with chicken! This dish has Asian flavors that are easy to love. Chicken is also an economical choice for a hearty protein.

 

 

Recipe cost breakdown:

 

Total cost P149

Recipe yield 4

Cost per serving P20

 

 

IMAGE Majoy Siason

4 Menudo

 

The classics are hard to beat. This Filipino favorite also freezes well, so make a big batch and keep some in your freezer for weekday dinners.

 

 

Recipe cost breakdown:

 

Total cost P330

Recipe yield 4

Cost per serving P82

 

 

IMAGE Miguel Nacianceno

5 Beef and Sausage Stew

 

Stews are comforting and delicious-this one has sausages that don't need a lot of prep work and give lots of flavor to your regular beef stew.

 

 

Recipe cost breakdown:

 

Total cost P252

Recipe yield 4

Cost per serving P63

 

 

IMAGE Toto Labrador

6 Fish and Vegetables with Tausi

 

Need a recipe for a light dinner? This one is perfect! Toss fish and vegetables together and add tausi for extra flavor.

 

 

Recipe cost breakdown:

 

Total cost P223

Recipe yield 4

Cost per serving P56

 

 

IMAGE Patrick Martires

7 Shrimp Sinigang Rice

 

You can save yourself a lot of time by cooking your rice in sinigang broth. You'll be washing less dishes, too!

 

 

Recipe cost breakdown:

 

Total cost P141

Recipe yield 4

Cost per serving P35

 

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