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What would you eat for a week if you had a budget of just $20? That was the question posed on a r/AskReddit thread, which has since garnered over 450 comments. The ideas went beyond peanut butter, bread, and noodles, and we were surprised to see that we would make a number of these meals — even if we had more to spend. These were some of the ingredients mentioned over and over, plus our favorite ideas for how to make them.
"Rice and beans," says one Redditor. "If you have a little [money] left over, buy chicken thighs. Dirt cheap." Others suggested that if you can afford it, add carrots, fry an egg, or add tomato sauce to mix it up. Psst: We have a few more easy and delicious rice and bean recipe ideas.
Related: How to Cook Beans From Scratch
Potatoes are a surprisingly good source of nutrients, such as fiber, potassium, and vitamins. That may be why the potato diet — where you eat, guess what, nothing but potatoes — has become popular. Many Redditors suggested potatoes as an obvious budget-friendly food choice. "When you're really hungry, a couple of microwaved potatoes (sweet or Russets) with butter and a little salt is absolutely delicious," comments a user.
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One Redditor suggested a couple basics from Walmart can create a week's worth of recipes: chicken, frozen green beans, frozen corn, chicken stock, oatmeal, canned fruit, and dried pasta. Meals include stew, pasta salad, and chicken salad. “Omg, this is so well planned,” writes a Redditor.
Another Redditor uses lentils or beans to make soups in giant portions that last up to two weeks in the fridge before getting spoiled.