When money's tight, creativity in the kitchen can turn simple, inexpensive ingredients into delicious meals. These poverty meals might come with a small price tag, but they pack a punch in taste. From hearty stews to inventive pasta dishes, discover how to make frugal dining feel like a gourmet treat without spending a fortune.
Table of Contents
1. Tamales
A commenter told how he fell in love with tamales sold on the street. He told a story about how he met a "tamale angel" in Central California that left a hole in his soul that no restaurant has ever been able to fill.
This happened because he was approached by a Mexican grandmother who didn't speak English in the supermarket's parking lot that sold him tamales from her trunk, which changed his life.
Another user agreed and said that tamales from an older woman's truck are hands down the best that you will ever taste. He said that while working in construction in Las Vegas, the tamale ladies would show up, and for a half hour, all work on the site would stop so all workers could buy their tamales.
Mexican food is frequently inexpensive and delicious. A taco fan jumped into the conversation and offered that the best tacos he's ever had came from what was essentially a tarp on wheels.
2. Potato Wedges
Simple, satisfying, and full of flavor, potato wedges are a perfect poverty meal that feels like a treat. Whether baked or fried, their crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior provide a comforting texture.
Season them with basic pantry spices like garlic powder, paprika, or just salt and pepper, and you've got a side dish that complements almost any meal. They taste like a million dollars but cost only pennies to make.
3. Peanut Butter & Pickles
The Great Depression was a time of severe deprivation, and one of the meals that kept people going survived that time. We're talking about a good old peanut butter and pickle sandwich. Yes, you read that correctly. In the thread, users shared their enjoyment of the sandwich, which is peanut butter slathered on bread with crispy and sour pickles in the middle to counter the sweet taste of the peanut butter.
He didn't know it, but the sandwich originated in the Great Depression and was a staple food item during those dark financial times. The PB&P was sold at lunch counters back then, and several of the users who mentioned the sandwich with fondness were Generation X or Boomers who learned to eat the sandwich from their parents or grandparents who lived through that era.
4. Biscuits And Gravy
If you want to talk about inexpensive and easy-to-prepare meals, biscuits and gravy should be a part of that conversation. Forum members went wild praising the meal, and let's face it, biscuits and gravy is a meal. It might not be evident to everyone, but biscuits and gravy are easy and inexpensive but incredibly filling.
Fat and carbs go a long way in curing hunger pangs. If you want to, you could make your butter and have buttermilk as the by-product, making the biscuits even better. If you were to add some sausage to the gravy, you would have made some Appalachian-style biscuits and gravy. Don't miss out on such a wonderful and sustaining but easy-to-prepare meal.
5. Fresh Bread
Bread is the food that has feed peasants for centuries. It's filled with carbs that give you energy and feed your brain what it needs to work. Without bread, humanity might not have survived the most challenging times.
One forum member waxed enthusiastically about how wonderful and nourishing bread is and said that no matter where the bread came from, it could sustain the life of a low-income family or be the most bespoke baked good.
Still, it didn't matter. Everyone loves bread. He rhapsodized how comforting a warm loaf of bread with butter is. It is simple, honest, and filling. A second user told the story of living on a diet of nothing but bread, butter, and peanut butter for a couple of years when he was too poor to afford much else.
As a twenty-year-old, he didn't expect that when he made it in life, he would still love bread as much as he does, but it's true. He prefers a bread basket to the expensive meals at restaurants and will eat through two or three of them before the meal arrives.
6. Buttered Noodles
Another favorite of the forum is the classic buttered noodles. It's just noodles and delicious fat, which makes for a satisfying dinner when you don't have much in the bank. People said many great things about buttered noodles and suggested adding cracked pepper and parmesan cheese to make it tastier.
The Italian pasta dish Cacio e Pepe is similar because it uses parmesan and adds a little pasta water to make a classic. If you want to go even further, another poster stated that you could raise the level by adding marmite or vegemite to the buttered noodles, and "then you would be cooking with gas."
7. Spam
Several commenters mentioned Spam as an excellent ingredient for a satisfying and economical meal. One favorite idea was rice with Spam. A forum member who was once unhoused said that when he was at his poorest, he could always scrape up some rice and Spam, which would fill his stomach and allow him to carry on.
You can add Spam to almost any meal, and it will improve it. Spam fried crispy in a pan and added to any meal makes it unique. Fried spam sandwiches are a blessing to people who don't have much money between paychecks or who are subsisting on government aid.
Spam is popular in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands for a reason. This humble canned meat worked its way off the U.S. Navy ships and into several cultures. Spam and musubi are a favorite in Asian and Hawaiian cuisine.
8. Instant Ramen Noodles
No matter what brand you favor, instant Ramen noodles are a godsend to people strapped for cash. Several commenters described their favorite way to make the noodles into a more substantial meal.
One recommended adding two eggs to the noodles while they are boiling and then sour cream and hot sauce. A second preferred a different brand of instant ramen noodles called Indomie. They said, "It's a religion, not just food."
A third person told a story about his college days when a snooty economics teacher claimed that once his students started making lots of money, they would abandon cheap food like instant ramen. They confessed that he still sends this same teacher a thank you note and a package of instant ramen every year to prove a point.
The variety of instant Ramen noodles is magnificent these days, and people make special trips to Asian markets to get the Ramen they crave. In the not-too-distant past, the standby brand Maruchan was all that was available, but today, the sheer number of brands is mind-blowing and probably making some people hungry.
9. Crafty Mac-N-Cheese
Another pre-made meal that is a favorite of thrifty people is Kraft Mac-N-Cheese. Like the fans of instant Ramen, Mac And Cheese advocates find many ways to make it an incredible meal cheaply. Usually, it's about adding some much-needed protein to the meal.
Some add hotdogs. Some add crispy Spam. Some even recommend adding a cheese slice and tons of black pepper to make it even more delicious. But this poster suggests "Thick n' Creamy with Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies. It's perfection."
10. Polenta
Polenta is a versatile dish made from cornmeal and often associated with Italian cuisine. It's humble in its ingredients but can be turned into a rich, creamy delight with just a little butter and cheese.
You can serve polenta soft and creamy, or let it cool and slice it for grilling or frying. Pair it with simple roasted vegetables or a rich sauce, and you've got a million-dollar taste from an economical, comforting base.
11. Sauerkraut Stew
Sauerkraut is an inexpensive ingredient that adds a tangy and savory taste to the stew. When combined with hearty vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and onions, it creates a robust and comforting dish.
The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and complex taste. Despite its humble ingredients, sauerkraut stew can provide a satisfying and gourmet-like experience that belies its low cost.
12. Ham hocks
One cut of meat that is relatively inexpensive is the ham hock. When boiled and paired with rice, beans, and bread, it makes for a finger-licking good meal. It is a popular dish in the Southern states where they are cooked and served with cornbread, another cheap but incredibly delicious staple.
Some people cook ham hocks with great northern beans, and you can make a huge pot and eat it for days. But, again, it's a poverty meal that is luscious but not as well-known as other meals on the list.
A forum member added a pro tip: add Frank's hot sauce. It's the dish that allows poor people to eat like kings. But, he said, "The vinegar and heat step it up to something magical."
This thread inspired this post.
Great article Corrie!