8 top tips to help you cut down food costs

The cost of living keeps rising, and we have to be more aware of how and where we spend our money. One place where you can cut costs is in the kitchen. We all know that the first and most vital step to any cost-cutting exercise is meticulous budgeting. Here are 8 tips to help you save where you can.

1. Plan and prep like a pro

Crunchy cauliflower-and-chicken perfect for meal prep

Planning, like budgeting, may not be the most exciting activity, but it really does make a difference. Plus, it eliminates the chances of unnecessary purchases (how annoying is it when you buy tuna, only to find you had some in your pantry?). By planning all your meals, you know exactly what you’re going to buy, and you can look out for good prices (we’ll talk about this more later).

Meal prep will not only help you save coins, but it will also help you save time and live more sustainably. By cooking in bulk and meal-prepping dishes that you’ve planned, you can use up all your fresh ingredients before they spoil.

ALSO READ: Big-batch energy: how meal prep feeds my love of cooking

2. Keep your eye out for discounts

GREAT VALUE: Smoky boerewors meatball pasta

We love a good deal. Keeping an eye out for promotions and specials is a great way to cut costs. When you’re planning your shopping, you should open the “promotions” tab on Woolworths’ website. All the Woolies deals are there, including the Daily Difference, a catalogue that showcases all the in-store deals, Eat In dinner deals, plus all other specials. You’ll also find the products on the Everyday WList ™, which are quality products at budget prices. If you are a Woolies member, keep an eye out for your personalised vouchers on the app. All the saved pennies will add up.

Need some great-value inspo? Check out our Everyday WList ™ hub. 

3. Keep things seasonal

It’s simple: produce that’s in season costs less than imported or out-of-season items. Seasonal produce that comes from local farmers is even better. Not only are you getting fresher, more vibrant produce that is at its peak in terms of both flavour and nutrients, you’re also helping to stimulate the local farming industry, which is one of the pillars of our economy.

ALSO READ: What’s in season this summer

4. Choose budget meat cuts

Grilled Kassler chops recipe

There’s no two ways about it: meat is pricey. It may even be the most expensive item in your basket. One way to help cut costs in this area is by having more meat-free days. Another great option is choosing budget meat cuts. Chicken breasts are often cheaper than chicken thighs. Shoulder cuts are cheaper than legs. Necks, hock and shortribs are cheaper and offer great flavour, particularly for braises and soups. Pork is generally less expensive than lamb or beef. And offal has made a big comeback and there are so many ways to prepare it.

5. The freezer is your friend

Sweet cream with frozen berries recipe

There’s no point in meal-prepping, bulk-cooking and buying bulk specials if you don’t store the food effectively. Enter the freezer. Yes, you can store your meat and leftovers in there, but it’s also a great way to stretch the life of your produce. Have too many herbs? Freezer. Not going to get through that massive bag of spinach? You guessed it, pop it into the freezer! Be sure to blanch your produce before freezing so it maintains its flavour better. When it comes to freezing bulk dishes or leftovers, label and date them so you can keep track of what to eat first. This also ensures you have a variety of food and ingredients on hand, so you don’t need to keep running to the shops during the week to stock up.

6. Preserves and pickles for the win

Pickled cauliflower recipe

Speaking of preserving ingredients, we must mention pickles and jams! These come in handy particularly if you have a smaller household. The bulk deals are often aimed at families, but you shouldn’t have to miss out on them. Making preserves and pickles is easier than you think, and you can use up all the produce you bought. Plus, it eliminates the need to buy those products ready-made, resulting in more savings. It’s also a good way to cut down on food waste.

ALSO READ: 5 fresh ways to cut down on food waste 

7. Enter your farmer era

You’re already preserving and pickling, so why not add growing food into the mix? This can be as small as having a few herbs in pots on your windowsill, to having a veggie patch in your garden. It does take effort to grow and maintain them but think of the satisfaction you’ll feel when harvesting your bounty, knowing you didn’t have to buy it. And if you live in an apartment and don’t think you can have a food garden, take inspo from Khanya Mzongwana. She created a successful food garden on her balcony! Read how she did it here:

How to start a food garden on your balcony

8.  Remember: there’s food at home

Frikkadel burgers with fridge-dive giardiniera recipe

Takeaways and restaurants are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to blowing your personal food budget. We’re not saying you should stop eating out. Just be more selective and deliberate when you do. On the days you don’t feel like cooking, or are feeling exhausted, all that meal prep you did will come to the rescue. It will save you from cooking from scratch and from expensive restaurant prices.

CHECK OUT: Fakeaway recipe collection