The Foods Guy Fieri Recommends For Low Budget, High Versatility Cooking
Anyone on a food budget knows that preparing meals at home rather than dining at restaurants saves dough. According to a 2022 study conducted by Morning Consult, more and more people are cooking in the home. Unsurprisingly, the study found that due to the pandemic, people are more concerned about safety and comfort regarding where and what they eat. Economy and inflation also play a significant role in people's decisions to eat at home rather than at restaurants. Morning Consult noted that more people are cooking meals from scratch during the week and said "nearly two-thirds of consumers cite affordability as a major reason for cooking at home."
If you and your family are looking for ways to cut household food costs while still consuming the foods you love, keep reading. Guy Fieri has a few tips for those who want to get the most out of their monthly grocery budget.
Whole Chicken
Guy Fieri says that whole chickens are resourceful. He recommends roasting the chicken for dinner and saving the bones to make a stock or amp up store-bought broth. His Basic Roasted Chicken recipe calls for essential, affordable ingredients such as thyme, garlic, bay leaves, onion, and lemon. He notes that the flavors create a chicken that can be shredded for sandwiches, used in soups, and tossed into stews.
When cooking chicken, the U.S. Center For Disease Control and Prevention instructs us to use a food thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165-degrees Fahrenheit. They also tell us to refrigerate or freeze leftover chicken within two hours or one hour if temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Very Well Fit tells us that chicken breast contains essential vitamins and nutrients, including selenium, phosphorus, niacin, and vitamin B6, and the protein in chicken helps maintain and build muscle, strengthen bones, and satisfy hunger.
Pork Butt
Pork butt is another food that can be used to create several meals, according to Guy Fieri. He says to season the meat with salt and pepper, toss it into the oven to cook, then shred it for pulled pork sandwiches (via CNBC). Leftover pork butt makes great pork enchiladas, and the remaining pork can be used to create a red sauce, he explains.
Believe it or not, pork butt does provide your body with some essential nutrients. Live Strong says that the meat is a good source of selenium, zinc, and vitamin B. Selenium aids in thyroid health, and zinc contributes to healthy immune function. Vitamin B helps with energy metabolism and contributes to heart, skin, and digestive health.
If you're craving a pork sandwich now, Fieri has a recipe that will satisfy your appetite. His Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe calls for various spices and a homemade Eastern Carolina Vinegar Sauce that will tickle your tastebuds.
Brussels sprouts
Guy Fieri has made it clear that Brussels sprouts are one of his favorite vegetables. Now, he recommends the veggie as a food that can be prepared in bulk. The famous chef says that he roasts three times more Brussels sprouts than he needs when he cooks them. One batch is eaten with dinner, the second batch of Brussels sprouts he'll use inside a vegetarian burrito the next day, or he tosses the veggie into a pasta dish.
Fieri says that cooking seasonally is important, and Seasonal Food Guide agrees. They say that these foods are more nutritious and fresh, and their purchase helps the local economy. Taste of Home tells us that Brussels sprouts are high in vitamin C, which helps lower the risk of heart disease. They are also loaded with protein, antioxidants, and vitamin K.
Fieri's Bumped Up Brussels Sprouts recipe is a satisfying and delicious way to cook your sprouts. The recipe includes pancetta, capers, balsamic vinegar, pine nuts, currants, and raisins for a unique twist on the traditional veggie.
There are many versatile dishes you can cook if you're on a budget, and whole chicken, pork butt, and Brussels sprouts are great places to start.