Paleo is too expensive.
My grocery bill is TOO much since eating this way.
I can’t afford to do this anymore so I’m done.
Sound familiar? I know. I’ve been there. Paleo CAN be expensive, but so can the SAD (standard American diet). ANY diet or lifestyle can be expensive.
The USDA uses national food intake data and grocery price information to calculate different costs for a healthy diet at home. The latest numbers for a four-member family: a thrifty food plan, $146 a week; a low-cost food plan, $191 a week; a moderate-cost plan, $239; a liberal plan, $289 a week. Some food waste is built into these costs (source).
So, let’s be realistic. Look at those numbers. ALL food has gone up…not just Paleo. What category does your family fall into? Are you wanting to eat in the thrifty plan, low-cost, moderate-cost, or liberal plan? Which one can you afford?
Most Americans may only be able to afford the low-cost budget. I know that’s where I fall. My budget for my Paleo family is $200 per week, so I am always looking for low-cost Paleo family meals to make the most out of our budget.
So…here are some of my favorite budget-friendly Paleo meals for a family!
30 Cheap Main Dish Paleo Meals
Beef
Spaghetti Squash Goulash – this recipe makes 8 servings! So cut it in half if you don’t want that many. We freeze it though!
Grain Free Nacho Pot Pie – Mexican twist to a Chicken Pot Pie!!!
Ground Beef Stroganoff – very frugal meal and is, absolutely, delicious.
Bacon and BBQ Burger Salad from – leave the bacon out for an even cheaper meal
Slow Cooker Paleo Pot Roast – throw it in the crockpot and go! So simple!
Healthy Butternut Squash Shepherds Pie – Shepherds Pie has always been one of the most nourishing, yet frugal meals to make!
Deconstructed Hamburgers (Hamburger Salad) – what an awesome idea to do for family night with the kids!
Crockpot Swiss Steak – I love me some Swiss steak! Use arrowroot if you are avoiding potatoes!
Mexican Breakfast – whip this baby up in minutes, especially if you already have ground beef already in the fridge!
Poultry
Tomato Basil Chicken – 20 Minute Meal!
Buffalo Chicken Muffins – 2 chicken breasts and 5 eggs make 12 HEARTY muffins!
Loaded Mexican Nachos – you won’t even miss the corn chips!
Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps – a healthy version of PF Changs Lettuce Wraps!
Duck Pate – an overseen power food that is EXTREMELY frugal and deeply nutritious!
Grain Free Chicken Parmesan – this looks delicious and you can fry it in my favorite coconut oil if you don’t have an animal fat.
Pork
Italian Sausage with Winter Squash – One Pot Meal!
Slow Cooker Pork Shanks – you can usually find pork shanks for $2-$2.50 per lb!
Grain Free Breakfast Shepherd’s Pie – A grain free, primal , low carb, egg and bacon mini pie with a coconut flour and veggie crust.
Easy Sweet Curry Pork with Acorn Squash – very frugal meal using leftover (or not) pork chops with a delicious coconut milk curry!
Seafood
Tomato Basil Mussels – Mussels are VERY cheap. You can get a entire lb for $4!
Salmon and Broccoli Omelette – eggs are EXTREMELY frugal which allows you to splurge on the salmon (I like this Salmon).
Paleo Fish Tacos – white fish is very budget-friendly, so don’t skip the fish because you think it’s not in your budget!
Fishy Bites – use canned salmon (or tuna for cheaper cost) to make this kid-friendly meal that even adults will love!
Thai Shrimp Salad – Shrimp is the ground beef of the seafood world! It’s very cheap and easy to cook!
Salmon Patties – these are a staple in my house! When you can’t afford fresh salmon get a good canned salmon!
Soups
Creamy Fire Roasted Tomato Soup – one of my favorite soups in the whole world! Sub full fat coconut milk for dairy free!
Easy Taco Soup – this soup is AMAZING! I eat like 3 bowls when we have it!
Creamy Chicken Tomato Crockpot Soup – another delicious and SIMPLE crockpot recipe!
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup – chicken stock adds a great protein to this dish (here’s how I make my chicken stock). Pair it with this Almond Bread!
Spicy Sausage and Squash Soup – tis the season for all things squash. Use a butternut squash if you can’t find buttercup!
Please come back and tell me you enjoyed some of these delicious, yet very frugal recipes!!