Saving money with frugal living starts in your pantry \u2014 8 pantry challenge jar meals for grocery savings that are shelf-stable, grab-and-go, and most are under $2.<\/p>\n
We’re a family of 3 with a $350 monthly grocery budget. These meals in jars are how we stretch every dollar without a grocery run \u2014 and every recipe is built from what’s already on our shelves.<\/p>\n
\ud83e\uded9 THE 8 PANTRY JAR MEALS \u2014 FULL RECIPES<\/p>\n
Note – I am using Jasmine rice for my recipes and 2 1\/2 cups works for me for 2 cups of rice. You might need to adjust based on your type of rice.<\/p>\n
1 – GINGER SOY RICE BOWL \u2014 $1.21 Jar Ingredients: 2 cups rice 1\u20132 tbsp dried ginger powder 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 bullion cube (beef\/chicken\/veggie) Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) To Cook (Instant Pot):Add jar and 2\u00bd cups broth or water. Set to rice setting. Let pressure release naturally. Serve with a splash of soy sauce. Optional: add \u00bd pint canned chicken or pork.<\/p>\n
2 – BEEF PASTA \u2014 $1.37 Jar Ingredients: 1\u00bd cups small pasta \u00bc cup dry milk powder 2 tbsp flour 1 beef bouillon cube 2 tsp each: garlic powder, paprika 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp salt, black pepper To Cook: Cook \u00bd lb beef (canned or sausage) in a skillet. Add jar mix and 4\u20135 cups hot water. Bring to a simmer, lower heat, cover until pasta is tender and sauce thickens \u2014 about 15\u201320 minutes on low. Add \u00bd cup cheese if you have it.<\/p>\n
3 – CHICKEN & VEGETABLE SOUP MIX \u2014 $1.60 Jar Ingredients: 2 cups small pasta \u00bd cup dehydrated veggies of choice 4 chicken bouillon cubes 1 tbsp thyme 2 tbsp garlic powder 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp black pepper To Cook (Instant Pot):Add jar, 1 pint canned chicken (or 2 cups leftover cooked chicken), and 6 cups broth or water. Cook on high pressure 4 minutes. Let pressure release naturally.<\/p>\n
4 – HERBED RICE PILAF \u2014 $1.55 Jar Ingredients: 2 cups rice 2-3 bullion cubes 1 tbsp dried parsley 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp salt and black pepper To Cook (Instant Pot):Add jar and 2\u00bd cups broth or water. Set to rice setting. Let pressure release naturally. Serve as a side or base for any protein.<\/p>\n
5 – MEXICAN RICE AND BEANS \u2014 $1.27 Jar Ingredients: 2 cups rice 1 tbsp tomato powder 1 tbsp taco seasoning \u00bc cup dried beans (separated) To Cook(Instant Pot): Cook dried beans with 1 cup water 20\u201325 minutes first \u2014 no presoak needed. Drain extra liquid. Add jar, cooked beans, 1 pint canned chicken\/sausage\/pork, and 2\u00bd cups broth or water to Instant Pot. Optional: add a can of drained corn or salsa. Set to rice setting, let pressure release naturally. Serve with cheese or chips.<\/p>\n
6 – MEXICAN PASTA \u2014 $1.02 Jar Ingredients: 2 cups pasta 1 tbsp tomato powder 1 tbsp taco seasoning \u00bc cup dried beans (separated) To Cook (Instant Pot): Cook dried beans with 1 cup water 20\u201325 minutes first. Drain extra liquid. Add jar, cooked beans, 1 pint canned chicken\/sausage\/pork, and 2 cups water to Instant Pot. Check your pasta box time \u2014 divide by half, subtract 2 minutes (example: 8-minute pasta = 2 minutes in the Instant Pot). Let pressure release naturally. Serve with cheese and\/or crushed tortilla chips.<\/p>\n
7 – ‘Beef’ and Veggie Soup 2 cups small pasta 1 cup of small pasta 1\/2 cups of dry veggies 2-3 TBSP of Seasoning 2-3 Bullion Cubes To Cook: Add Dry mix to pot with 3-4 cups of hot water. Cook until the pasta is done. Serve.<\/p>\n
8 – RICE PUDDING \u2014 $5.02 Jar Ingredients: 3 cups rice 1\u00bd cups dry milk powder \u00be cup sugar 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp salt \u00bd cup dried raisins or fruit (optional) To Cook (Instant Pot):Add jar, 4\u20134\u00bd cups water, and 1 tbsp vanilla to Instant Pot. Cook on rice setting. Let pressure release naturally. Serve warm.<\/p>\n\n\n