These are the family dinners that land between $10 and $20 for the whole recipe. Most of them have chicken or beef, which is usually the biggest cost, but they still come out to a few dollars a serving. I priced each one with real U.S. average grocery prices, not sale prices.
Quick answer: These 11 dinners each cost between $10 and $20 to make for the whole recipe, from $12.51 chicken nuggets to $19.83 manti. Most are $2 to $4 a serving, and manti is about 66 cents a serving. Prices are based on November 2026 U.S. average and regular store prices.
How I Priced These Recipes
Every total is the cost of the amount the recipe actually uses, not the full package. I start with national average grocery prices from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (chicken breast is about $4.10 a pound), then use Kroger regular prices for anything not tracked nationally, and Papaya Express for specialty items. Optional toppings and sides are not included. Prices vary by store and region.
Our Most Popular Dinners Under $20
How to Make These Dinners Even Cheaper
- Buy chicken in family packs. Chicken is the biggest cost in most of these, so stock up when the price per pound drops.
- Stretch the meat. Add extra rice, potatoes or vegetables and the same recipe feeds more people.
- Freeze the extras. Manti, lahmajoun and stew all freeze well for another night.
Budget Dinners FAQ
Why are these over $10?
Meat is the biggest cost. Chicken breast averages about $4.10 a pound, so a recipe with 2 to 3 pounds of chicken starts around $8 to $12 before anything else.
Which dinner is the best deal per serving?
Armenian manti, at about 66 cents a serving, because one batch makes about 30 servings.
Recipes $10 and Under
These recipes cost between $10 and $20 to make. For even cheaper meals, see my budget recipes under $10, with soups, sides and dinners starting at $2.49.
Comments
No Comments