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Made by Tish (Uniquely Tish)

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Five budget‑stretching meals that feed a family of 5 for just $25 total. Simple ingredients, big flavors, and plenty of leftovers to make your grocery dollar go further.

BBQ Baked Chicken with Green Beans & Baked Beans

Serves 7 (with leftovers)

Ingredients

• □ 13 chicken drumsticks
• □ 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp white pepper, 2½ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp cumin
• □ 2 tbsp olive oil
• □ BBQ sauce (for brushing)
• □ 28 oz can baked beans
• □ 1 can green beans (season to taste)
• □ Optional: cooked sausage to mix into baked beans

Directions

1. Mix BBQ rub ingredients with 2 tbsp olive oil. Rub mixture onto each drumstick.
2. Place chicken in oven at 400°F for 1 hour. Halfway through, brush with BBQ sauce.
3. Heat baked beans and green beans separately; season green beans to taste.
4. Optional: stir cooked sausage into baked beans for extra protein.
5. Plate chicken with beans and enjoy.

Why it works: Simple pantry spices and canned sides keep costs low while delivering big BBQ flavor.

Turkey Burritos

Serves 4–5 (with leftover meat)

Ingredients

• □ 1 lb ground turkey
• □ 1 packet taco seasoning + 1 cup water
• □ 1 can refried beans
• □ 8–10 tortillas
• □ Butter for griddle
• □ Optional toppings: cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce

Directions

1. Brown ground turkey in a skillet; drain if needed.
2. Add taco seasoning and 1 cup water, simmer until thickened.
3. Heat refried beans in a small pot.
4. Assemble burritos: spread beans and turkey mixture onto tortillas; add optional toppings.
5. Heat a griddle with butter, place burritos seam‑side down, and cook until golden and crispy on both sides.
6. Serve warm with extra toppings.

Why it works: Ground turkey is lean and affordable; leftovers can be frozen or turned into nachos.

Oven‑Baked Chicken with Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans & Corn

Serves 5–6 (potatoes leftover)

Ingredients

• □ 13 chicken drumsticks
• □ 5‑lb bag red potatoes (use half for this meal)
• □ Olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, adobo
• □ 1 can green beans, 1 can corn
• □ 2 packets mesquite marinade mix (for leftover chicken marinade)

Directions

1. Clean potatoes and cut into cubes. Grease a baking dish and a metal pie dish, divide potatoes between them.
2. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika. Toss to coat.
3. Place potatoes in oven at 400°F for 1 hour (they will be roasted and slightly crisp).
4. Place 13 drumsticks on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and coat with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, and adobo on both sides.
5. Bake chicken at 400°F for 1 hour alongside the potatoes.
6. If you have leftover chicken, prepare mesquite marinade in a large plastic bag according to package directions, add chicken, and refrigerate for another meal.
7. Heat green beans and corn. Plate chicken, roasted potatoes, corn, and green beans.

Why it works: Bulk potatoes and drumsticks are inexpensive; the leftover marinade chicken turns into another meal with zero waste.

Mesquite Chicken, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce & Corn

Serves 5–6 (uses leftover marinated chicken)

Ingredients

• □ Leftover mesquite‑marinated chicken drumsticks (from previous meal)
• □ 1 box seasoned stuffing mix (prepare according to package)
• □ 1 can jellied cranberry sauce
• □ 1 can corn, heated

Directions

1. Place mesquite‑marinated chicken on a baking sheet, pour any extra marinade over the top.
2. Bake at 400°F for 1 hour until chicken is cooked through and glaze is sticky.
3. Prepare stuffing according to package directions.
4. Heat cranberry sauce and corn.
5. Plate chicken with stuffing, cranberry sauce, and corn. Enjoy!

Why it works: Leftover chicken gets a flavor upgrade with mesquite marinade; stuffing and cranberry sauce add variety without extra cost.

Chicken, Black‑Eyed Peas & Green Beans

Serves 5–6

Ingredients

• □ 13 chicken drumsticks
• □ 16 oz bag black‑eyed peas
• □ 1 medium onion, diced
• □ 1–2 cups chicken broth
• □ 2 bay leaves
• □ Olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, adobo
• □ 1 can green beans (season to taste)

Directions

1. Place black‑eyed peas in a pressure cooker with diced onion, chicken broth, and bay leaves. Cook according to pressure cooker instructions until peas are tender.
2. Meanwhile, place drumsticks on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, and adobo.
3. Bake chicken at 400°F for 1 hour until skin is crispy and chicken is cooked through.
4. Heat green beans and season to taste.
5. Plate chicken with black‑eyed peas and green beans. Serve warm.

Why it works: Dried black‑eyed peas are incredibly cheap; pressure cooking makes them fast and flavorful. The seasoning blend works for both the chicken and the peas.

Budget Stretching Tips

• Use every last drumstick: The 30‑lb bag of drumsticks fuels all five meals. Marinate leftovers for the mesquite chicken meal.
• Potatoes go a long way: You’ll use part of the 5‑lb bag for the oven‑baked chicken meal; save the rest for breakfast or another side.
• Canned goods are your friend: Corn, green beans, baked beans, and cranberry sauce are all shelf‑stable and budget‑friendly.
• Seasonings do double duty: The same spice blend (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, etc.) works for chicken, potatoes, and black‑eyed peas.
• Freeze extras: Leftover turkey burrito filling and extra marinated chicken freeze well for future meals.

Ingredients:

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Protein

•   3 10 lb bags chicken drumsticks
•   1 lb ground turkey
•   sausage (cooked, optional)

 

Produce & Potatoes

•   5 lb bag red potatoes
•   1 medium onion
•   garlic powder
•   onion powder
•   olive oil

 

Canned & Jarred Goods

•   1 can jellied cranberry sauce
•   3 cans whole kernel corn
•   6 cans green beans
•   1 28 oz can Bush's original baked beans
•   1 16 oz bag blackeyed peas
•   1-2 cups chicken broth
•   1 can refried beans

 

Dry Goods & Pantry

•   1 box seasoned stuffing mix for chicken
•   1 packet taco seasoning
•   2 packets Mesquite marinade mix
•   2 tbsp brown sugar
•   2 1/2 tsp chili powder
•   1/2 tsp cumin
•   1/2 tsp white pepper
•   smoked paprika
•   cajun seasoning
•   adobo seasoning
•   salt
•   black pepper
•   2 bay leaves

•   1 package tortillas
•   butter (for griddle)
•   BBQ sauce

Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.