7 Days of Pinoy Homecooked Dinner for 4 Costs Less Than P2,000

Nothing expresses love better than a hot meal to come home to after a long day. Inflation might have you thinking twice about making your favorite dishes, but did you know that you can churn out a delicious classic Filipino dish every day of the week with just P2,000 worth of groceries? We show you exactly how!

The grocery list

• 360 g red onions, P54
• 1 bundle green beans (sitaw), P42
• 400 g green onion, P22
• 1 sayote or green papaya, P20/fruit
• 200 g ginger, P33
• 1 piece medium tomato, P20
• 250 g calamansi, P30
• 3 bulbs garlic, P21
• 1 bundle malunggay leaves, P12
• 80 g annatto seeds, P57.50
• 80 g okra, P9.60Â
• 400 g radish (labanos), P43
• 2 bundles kangkong (water spinach), P44
• 500 g gabi, P51
• 1 198-gram can sliced mushrooms, P32.25
• 1 198-gram can shiitake mushrooms, P39.25
• 2 beef broth cubes, P13.65
• 2 whole chicken, P218 each
• 500 g chicken, tinola cut, P82
• 1 1/4 kilograms chicken breast fillets, P203
• 500 grams pork, sinigang cut (large chunks), P82.50
• 1 large boneless bangus (milkfish), P130
• 250 g pork belly, chopped, P74.25
• 80 ml mayonnaise, P18.50
• 37 g sachet onion powder, P76.25
• 350 ml fish sauce, P17.25
• 500 ml soy sauce, P29.75
• 1 L white vinegar, P30
• 44 g pack sinigang na gabi mix, P22.95
• 1 330-ml can clear soda (7-up or sprite), P23.75
• 400 g pancit canton (egg noodles), P55.75
• 1 stick margarine, P28.75
• 6 eggs, P38

Total: P1,892.95

Note: Excluded from this list are staples like rice, oil, sugar, salt, and black pepper.

Your dinner for one week

Monday: Arroz Caldo

What's a good cure for the Monday blues? We think a bowl of comforting rice porridge will. This classic, creamy bowl tastes just like a warm hug. Get the recipe.

 

Tuesday: Filipino Chicken Inasal

You can actually make this classic chicken inasal recipe right at home! Best news yet, you can prep it the night before so you don't have to rush when it's time to cook. Don't forget to cook the rice at the same time so you can dig in ASAP! Get the recipe.

 

Wednesday: Sinigang na Baboy

What Filipino menu would be complete without sinigang? Let this classic version of the sinigang liven you up with its vibrant sour notes! Get the recipe.

Thursday: Tinola

Sometimes, the simplest recipes can be the most satisfying. Tinola is a simple ginger chicken soup that's perfect with rice and a side of patis. Get the recipe.

 

Friday: Bangus Sisig

Everyone has a soft spot for sisig. Serve it to friends as pulutan with drinks to cap off the day, or as is to family with a bowl of steamed white rice. Get the recipe.

 

Saturday: Chicken Adobo

Of course, we didn't forget this Filipino favorite! We saved this dish for a weekend dinner when you can enjoy it more leisurely. It's true that nothing quite hits the spot like adobo. Get the recipe.

 

Sunday: Easy Pancit Habhab Recipe

Who says you can only have pancit at parties? Try this version from Quezon province that, if eaten as suggested, will certainly have you wondering why you ever needed utensils in the first place. Get the recipe.

You really can't go wrong with this affordable meal plan. The homecooked food you'll be eating the whole week will satisfy not only your taste buds, but also your pockets. 

This story originally appeared on Yummy.ph.

*Minor edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors.