Budget-friendly tips & tricks

Delicious food needn’t break the bank — make your meals go further by batch cooking, bigging up the freezer and putting leftovers to good use.

Good food really doesn't have to bust the budget — and even little changes to your routine can make a big difference. When food and energy prices are going up, we have the tips and tricks to help your stress levels go down.

We have some great recipes for batch cooking, which is the gift that keeps on giving – one big cook-up will ensure you have meals for the month ahead. Then making friends with your freezer will help you make your ingredients last longer.

Whether you’re a savvy student or simply sticking to a budget, we’re here to help. Shop smart, cook clever and waste less with our tips for cooking on a budget.

Looking for more ways to keep costs down whilst cooking? Head to our budget-friendly recipe hub for all of our tips & tricks.

Get organised by planning your meals for the week – just make sure to check your fridge, freezer and cupboards before you go shopping so you know exactly what you need and are less likely to over-shop. If you write everything down in a list, you’re more likely to stick to it. Find more tips in our shopping feature here.

If you can, cook in bulk – it’s one of the simplest and most efficient ways to save money in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for one person or the whole family, preparing and freezing multiple meals in advance will help you cut down on food waste and save time in the long run.

Check out our favourite batch-cooking recipes here

Now is the time to make friends with your freezer and use it to its full potential. From storing leftover meals and ingredients to rescuing wilting herbs and fruit on the turn, they’re an absolute life-saver. Once you know how to make the most of your freezer, you’ll never look back.

Find more freezer tips here

Be energy efficient

There’s never been a more pressing time to be energy smart and only use what you need. One of the most energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen is the microwave, so don’t be afraid to make the most of it – we have a great Spinach, sweet potato & chickpea curry. And while the oven is more expensive to run, it’s not the enemy – just make sure you fill it up (see our Top 5 2-for-1 oven bakes). Other top tips are to make sure you pop a lid on your pans when cooking on the hob to keep the heat in, and chop veggies smaller to help them cook quicker.

We have some great quick-cook meals here.

Leftovers are one of life’s great pleasures, and anyone can transform excess food into delicious dishes with a little bit of know-how. Find out how to use up leftover chillies, stale bread or a whole array of odds and ends with our easy ideas for reducing food waste.

Reduce waste

No one can afford to waste food. Not only are you throwing away money, it’s harmful to the planet too, so we have all the tips and tricks you need. Plus we have some beautiful recipes you can make here.

Cook smart by understanding the difference between best-before dates and use-by dates. Here are our top tips for saving the food we most commonly throw away.

Cooking with cans can seriously deliver on the flavour front, without breaking the bank. Ever wondered how to elevate tinned tuna or tomatoes? Make the most of tins with our favourite recipes and easy store-cupboard meals.

Legumes (beans and pulses) are not only affordable, they’re also super-versatile and a source of protein and fibre. Lentils, black beans, kidney beans, butter beans, chickpeas and even peanuts are all classed as legumes, and are available in jarred, tinned or dried form.

Find out more and discover our favourite ways to use them here.

Use your store cupboard to maximise flavour

Give your meals a boost by investing in a couple of flavour bombs. From dried herbs and spices to jarred pastes and preserves, get the most out of your cooking with store-cupboard ingredients you’ll use again and again.

Embrace wonky fruit & veg

More supermarkets are now selling wonky fruit and veg than ever before, so why not give it a go? Misshapen veg is often cheaper, but is just as tasty and nutritious as the produce we’re used to buying. Reclaim wonky veg in pickles, traybakes, burgers, cottage pies and warming soups.

Open your mind to the wonderful world of ingredient swaps; cooking flexibly allows you to use what you’ve already got, meaning you’ll save money and cut down on waste, too.

Get inspired with our collection of flexible recipes.

Cooking with seasonal fruit and veg is a great way to try new flavours, keep your diet varied and save a bit of money, as seasonal produce tends to be more affordable. We’ve got plenty of seasonal recipes for spring, summer, autumn and winter.

One of life’s simplest pleasures, growing your own fruit and veg is a great way to cut down on your food bill. If you’ve got a garden, patio or sunny windowsill to work with, there’s plenty of potential for home-grown food. Discover how to grow your own chillies and herbs, tomatoes and rhubarb, or how to make cute cress heads with kids.

Looking for more ways to keep costs down while you’re cooking? Head to our budget-friendly recipe hub for all of our tips and tricks.