Tips for Gourmet Food on a Budget

The trick to gourmet food on a budget is to spend less on the main ingredients and more attention on seasoning, texture, and finishing touches.

Budget tips

  • Build around cheap staples: rice, pasta, potatoes, beans, etc.
  • Use inexpensive proteins: chicken thighs, ground chicken, canned salmon, beans, or small amounts of ground lamb or beef.
  • Turn leftovers into something different. Roast chicken becomes tostadas, shawarma bowls, pasta, fried rice, or pita sandwiches.
  • Keep inexpensive “restaurant ingredients” around: Greek yogurt, feta, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, canned chickpeas, lemons/limes, garlic, hot sauce, broth, pita, tostados, and a good spice collection.

Seasoning tips

  • Buy spices instead of expensive sauces. Cumin, coriander, paprika, smoked paprika, curry powder, Baharat, sumac, za’atar, chili powder, cinnamon, garlic, and red pepper flakes can completely change inexpensive ingredients.
  • Make your own sauces, such as crema, remoulade. 
  • Add one flavorful finishing ingredient rather than a lot of it. Feta, Parmesan, avocado.
  • Use broth instead of plain water for rice, pasta dishes, and beans.
  • Keep inexpensive “restaurant ingredients” around: Greek yogurt, feta, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, canned chickpeas, lemons/limes, garlic, hot sauce, broth, pita, tostados, and a good spice collection.