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    July Low Cost Healthy Meal Plan

    July 2, 2016 by Tara Buss 3 Comments

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    July low cost healthy meal plan

    Welcome to summer, friends!  Tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, herbs, and corn are the stars of this month.  Fresh food, fresh herbs, delicious.  This menu will be the most frugal if you already have these goodies growing in your backyard.  Have no fear though, summer vegetables like zucchini and corn are still super cheap even if you aren't growing them on your own.  I scored six ears of corn for $1.00 this week.

    Ways to decrease costs

    I have included a few notes for how to cut down on costs in the menu below, but here are a few more ways.

    • If you don't have fresh herbs, buy some plants to keep fresh herbs on hand, or use dried herbs that you have in your pantry.
    • Make your own staples:  chicken broth, tortillas, white bread, whole wheat bread, yogurt. If you already have all of the ingredients to make them, if they are cheaper than store-bought, and you have time to make them, then this will be a good deal.
    • Cook beans in bulk from dry beans in the slow cooker instead of buying canned.  They can be frozen if you don't use them all.
    • Shop at discount grocers or inexpensive stores like Aldi.  I am always amazed every single time I shop there at how much less expensive it is than my regular grocery store.  Avocados are especially cheap there.
    • I have included inexpensive cuts of meat, but feel free to use another meat if you find something on sale that you think would work.  For example, if thighs are less expensive than legs, by all means, purchase thighs.  Trader Joe's has great prices for chicken legs though.
    • Check out apps on your phone that will give you cash back on items that you buy.  Ibotta is my favorite but there are many others.  They are like coupons but better in my opinion.  Use my "dgjqfhi", and you get $10 back immediately after you verify your first rebate within the first two weeks after signing up with Ibotta.
    • For side dishes, keep it simple with inexpensive fruit, fresh simple salads, deviled eggs, or roasted summer vegetables.  The simpler the better in terms of budget.
    • Browse discount produce bins, discount meat sections, farmer's markets, or roadside stands. You might find a good deal!

    July Real Food Frugal Meal Plan

    chicken fajitas in a skillet

    Week 1

    Zucchini fritters

    Fajitas:  Use the least expensive meat you can find on sale that week.  Feel free to use the grill to cook the meat and veg if you don't want to heat up the kitchen.

    Greek pasta salad:  1 pound short cut pasta of choice cooked, Greek dressing, tomatoes, olives, red onion, cucumbers, feta cheese. If you want some extra protein, top with a can of white beans.

    Fish packets:  Tilapia will probably be your cheapest option. Use any seasonal on sale vegetables.

    Egg and black bean burritos:  Scramble eggs and mix with black beans, cheese and salsa.  Serve on corn or flour tortillas.

    Pizza

    Flex night:  Leftovers, breakfast, or out.

    Summertime goulash

    Week 2

    Slow cooker chicken, cooked yellow squash (slice and cook down with water, salt, butter, and a pinch of sugar), mashed potatoes.  Note:  Cut off the chicken breasts and reserve for the wraps later in the week.  Also make broth out of the chicken bones.  Use the broth for corn chowder later in the week.

    Zucchini pizza bites, fruit slices

    BBQ chicken wraps:  Use leftover chicken.  To save $, canned pineapple can be substituted.  Also if you have these ingredients at home, try a homemade bbq sauce to save money.  Also cut down on expense by making your own tortillas.

    Corn chowder

    Summertime goulash

    Pizza

    Flex night

    Week 3

    Tomato pie

    BLT, fruit

    Mediterranean chicken

    Fish or chicken with mango salsa, broccoli or other inexpensive vegetable:  Season fish or chicken with salt and pepper.  Grill to cook through.  Top with mango salsa.

    Summer quinoa salad:  Add a can of beans of choice.

    Pizza

    Flex

    Ground beef gyros

    Week 4

    Ground beef gyros

    Gazpacho, grilled cheese

    Stuffed portobellos:  sausage, 2 pieces of bread cubed, 2 cloves garlic, ½ onion diced, bunch of greens, parmesan cheese. Brown sausage. Add garlic, onion, and greens and cook until veg is tender.  Stir in bread, season with salt and pepper to taste.  Fill portobellos, top with parmesan,  and bake in oven at 350 for about 25 minutes.

    Grilled lemon herb chicken legs:  Use the marinade in this recipe but use chicken legs. Grill them for about 30 minutes or until juices run clear.

    Crispy black bean tacos, avocados

    Pizza

    Flex

    Read more of my cheap healthy meal plans!

    « June Low Cost Healthy Meal Plan
    September Low Cost Healthy Meal Plan »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ruth

      January 17, 2017 at 8:41 am

      I subscribed but I did not get the download. I must tell you, your menus have been life changing for me and my family as a homeschooling mom of 5 and a book keeper I can not tell what a blessing this is to me!! Thank you so much for your time and effort!!

      Reply
      • Tara Buss

        January 17, 2017 at 8:57 am

        You are so very welcome! I'm so glad they have been helpful. Do you mean the free one that subscribers get? If so, I would be happy to send it to you. Just let me know if that is indeed the one you need.

        Reply
    2. Dottie

      July 18, 2024 at 6:11 pm

      I have written out the July meal plan and hope to try all of the recipes. Thanks for putting this together ❤️

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tara! Mom, wife, and frugal living expert. I believe you can feed your family well even when money and time are tight. Let me show you how.

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