Although I am of the school of thought that you don’t have to cook everything from scratch to be healthy and convenience foods do have a place – sometimes those convenience foods can add up cost-wise!

I thought I would create a fun challenge for myself and see what the cost difference would be if I made my favourite convenience foods myself! Check out the differences below:

I certainly did save at least a few dollars per serving by making them myself. This may not seem like a huge difference, but that difference gets greater and greater with the number of servings that I make.

Let me know which recipes that you want to try!!

“Beyond Meat” Burger

5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 12 sliced mushrooms sautĂ©ed until browned
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 12 oz tempeh chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup quick cook oats
  • 2 tbsp grated beets
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke

Instructions
 

  • Cook the quinoa and set aside one cup.
  • SautĂ© the mushrooms until tender and browned.
  • Add all ingredients to a large bowl food processor and process until mostly chopped, and incorporated, and the mix resembles "hamburger." 
  • Divide into four pieces (or more or less, depending on how large you want your burgers), and shape into patties.
  • SautĂ© patties in a pan with optional oil and serve on buns with your choice of condiments. 
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Veggie Power Bowl

A copy-cat of the "Healthy Steamers" version
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 Red Onion diced
  • 2 cup Spinach Frozen
  • 6 cups Edamame beans thawed
  • 1 cup Frozen mangos thawed
  • 1 Carrot julienned
  • 6 cups Quinoa cooked
  • 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
  • 1/2 cup Sunflower seeds

Dressing

  • 4 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup/honey

Instructions
 

  • Head a large frying pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking oil (I use avocado).
  • Add diced onion and frozen spinach to pan. Sautee for 3-5 minutes, until spinach is melted.
  • While spinach is cooking, mix together the dressing, in a small bowl.
  • Add the cooked quinoa, edamame, mango and carrots to the frying pan. Mix everything together in the frying pan. Add the dressing and top with cranberries and sunflower seeds.
  • Remove from frying pan and divide into servings. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Bean & Rice Burritos

Copying the Amy's Brand Burritos
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Servings 5

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1.5 tbsp cumin
  • 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2.5 cup black beans cooked
  • 2/3 cup rice cooked
  • 5 tortillas large

Instructions
 

  • Cook diced onion with a bit of oil or water in a medium or large pan until soft.
  • Add tomato paste, spices and the 1/3 cup water to the pan and mix thoroughly. Add the rice and beans to the pan next, until combined.
  • Place a tortilla on a flat surface and add 3/4 cup of the bean mixture. Wrap the burrito. Repeat four more times.
  • To save for later, place the burritos in a container and keep it in the refrigerator or freezer.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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