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The Ultimate $5 Budget Pantry: Essentials for Cheap Family Dinners
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items Groceries are expensive. The Can-Do Kitchen proves anyone cooks amazing meals for $5. This master list contains survival pantry staples and budget kitchen tools. Save this list to your profile for a complete grocery checklist for your next Walmart ru...
Sections
4
The Tools (High Priority)
The Core Ingredients ($5 Protein Core)
The Ultimate $5 The Pantry Staples (Flavor & Fillers)
The Baker's Corner (Quick Mixes & Sweets)
The Tools (High Priority)
Essential kitchen gadgets for a minimalist kitchen. These durable, low-cost options help you save money every day.
A wrist-saver for pantry recipes. Opens cans without sharp edges.
Hamilton Beach SureCut Automatic Electric Can Opener with Multi Tool, Stainless Steel
Professional performance without the professional price tag. 🔪 High-end knives often cost $100+, but this blade offers razor-sharp precision on a budget. Use this tool to slice spam for fries or prep veggies for $5 meals. This knife earned a permane...
imarku 8 Inch Japanese Chef Knife HC Steel
Upgrade your Sunday meal-prep with this Chefman Rotating Waffle Maker! It has an adjustable timer so you can get that perfect golden-brown crisp every time. Just like my other favorites, it's a budget-friendly way to stop buying frozen waffles and st...
Chefman Flip Belgian Waffle Maker w/ Non Stick Plates, Adjustable Timer - Black
No need for expensive cookware. Handles eggs, cheese, and meats without sticking.
10 Inch Frying Pan Nonstick
Stop messes before they start. Keeps your stove clean while frying.
The Grease Guard (Alpha Living Splatter Screen)
My secret to frying without getting burned! 🛑 These extra-long tongs (16 inches!) keep my hands far away from popping oil when I'm making Spam fries or searing meat. They lock shut for easy storage and are way sturdier than the cheap plastic ones.
Topekada 2 Pack 12 and 16 Inch Extra Long Kitchen Tongs, Heat Resistant ...
I threw away my cheap metal pans for this. Unlike non-stick pans that scratch and peel over time, this heavy-duty glass lasts forever. It bakes everything evenly (no burnt spots!), and because it's glass, I don't worry about chemicals leaching into m...
Pyrex Basics Glass Bakeware
Essential for scraping every last drop of sauce. Money saved! Heat-resistant material works for non-stick pans.
Mainstays Kitchen Spatulas
The Core Ingredients ($5 Protein Core)
High-protein canned goods and shelf-stable basics. These are the heart of every Can-Do Kitchen recipe.
Under $1 per serving. High protein and shelf-stable.
• Great Value Canned Chicken: No boiling or shredding required. Add to pasta, tacos, or pot pie.
StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5oz (8 Pack)
My cheat code for 'Poor Man's Chicken Pot Pie.' 🥧 No boiling or shredding required. Just open the can, mix with veggies and biscuit dough, and bake. Saves me 20 minutes of prep time!
Canned Chicken
The king of budget proteins. Fry it crispy for breakfast or rice.
SPAM
The 'crust' for my pot pies and casseroles. 🥐 I cut these into quarters and toss them on top of any stew. They bake up golden and fluffy every time. Way easier than making dough from scratch.
Pillsbury Biscuits
Stop paying for sawdust! Buying block cheese and grating it yourself is cheaper per pound and melts 10x better than the pre-shredded stuff. The secret to that viral "cheese pull" is always freshly grated cheese.
Great Value Block Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 16 oz
You don't need fancy artisan bread. Honestly, simple white bread toasts the best and gives that nostalgic crunch. Use whatever you have in the fridge—even the heel of the loaf works for a good melt!
Great Value White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz
Hate peeling and chopping potatoes? Me too. These are my casserole saviors! 🥔 Since they are already sliced and cooked, you just drain and dump them in the pan. They soak up all that creamy gravy flavor instantly without the 30-minute boiling time.
Shop Sliced Potatoes and Canned Vegetables for Your Kitchen Needs
The secret to the perfect crust. I use this to coat the OUTSIDE of my bread before frying. It spreads easier than butter, costs less, and doesn't burn as quickly. Trust the process! Use whatever is already in your fridge, or grab a cheap jar at Dolla...
Great Value Mayonnaise, 30 fl oz
My secret to the viral 'Corn Pancakes'—no blender required! Since it's already cream style, it mixes perfectly into the batter to keep it moist and sweet without adding extra sugar. At under $1, this is my favorite breakfast hack.
Great Value Canned Cream Style Sweet Corn, 14.75 oz Aluminum Can
The secret ingredient for my viral 'Green Waffles'! 🧇 It sounds crazy, but blended peas add protein and moisture without the veggie taste. Perfect for sneaking greens into kids' meals.
Title: Budget-Friendly Sweet Peas (Canned) 🫛
The golden crust! 🥔 Forget peeling and boiling potatoes. These instant flakes are ready in 2 minutes and bake up perfectly crispy on top of the soup. Cheap, filling, and shelf-stable.
Instant Mashed Potatoes
The secret ingredient for my $3 Peach Dump Cake. 🍑
Canned Peaches
Homemade taste for a quick, filling hash.
Libby's Corned Beef, 14g Protein Per Serving, Canned Meat, 12 oz. Can
The "Magic Sauce" for casseroles. Thickens and seasons instantly.
Libby's Country Sausage Gravy, 15 oz Can
The star of my Day 5 Casserole! 🥘 Since they are canned, they are already tender and don't need pre-boiling. I dump them straight into the baking dish with potatoes for a one-pan meal.
French Style Green Beans
I don't use this for tacos! Believe it or not, these make the fudgiest 'flourless brownies' when blended. 🍫 A total game-changer for healthy desserts on a budget.
Canned Black Beans (Protein Packed) 🫘
My controversial secret ingredient for 'Meatless Chili.' 🤫 Instead of buying expensive ground beef, I use this beef gravy. It adds that rich, savory, fatty flavor that mimics the taste of meat perfectly. It thickens the chili instantly!
Campbell's Beef Gravy, 10.5 oz Can
The heart of the chili. ❤️ Important: I use this undrained! The liquid in the can is full of starch and flavor, which helps create that thick, slow-cooked texture without needing hours on the stove.
Red Kidney Beans Can
I add these for texture in my chili. Unlike kidney beans, I drain and mash these slightly to give the chili a thick, creamy 'bite' that feels like slow-cooked meat.
Canned Pinto Beans (Creamy Texture) 🥣
The instant filling for my 'Poor Man's Shepherd's Pie.' 🥧 No chopping veggies or making sauce. This soup is already seasoned and thickened. I just dump it in a baking dish and top with potatoes. Dinner is ready in 15 minutes!
Campbell's Condensed Vegetarian Vegetable Soup, 10.5 oz Can
Don't skip this! 🧈 I melt this over the instant potatoes before baking to get that golden-brown, crispy crust. It makes a $5 meal taste like $20.
Great Value Sweet Cream Salted Butter, 16 oz, 4 Sticks
The base for my viral Day 3 'Tuna Garlic Pasta.' 🐟 It costs pennies per serving and cooks in 8 minutes. It holds sauce better than angel hair and is cheaper than fettuccine.
Budget Spaghetti Pasta (Great Value) 🍝
The secret binder for my 'Poor Man's Crab Cakes' (Tuna Patties). 🦀 This keeps the patties from falling apart while frying and gives them that satisfying crispy crunch.
Bread Crumbs
The 'Magic Sauce' for any casserole. 🥘 No need to make a roux or buy heavy cream. This thickens sauces instantly and adds a rich, savory flavor for under $2.
Cream of Mushroom Soup (The Magic Sauce) 🍄
The Ultimate $5 The Pantry Staples (Flavor & Fillers)
Never eat bland food. These budget-friendly seasonings and fillers turn basic ingredients into gourmet meals. Save this list to your profile for your next Walmart run!
When money is tight, rice is the answer. This big bag is the perfect budget filler for a complete $5 meal.
Mahatma Enriched Extra Long Grain White Rice 10 lb Bag
This Walmart budget staple provides instant flavor to any dish without the effort of peeling fresh garlic. Only $1.08!
Great Value Garlic Powder, 3.4 oz
A must-have seasoning for adding savory depth without the effort of chopping onions. Perfect for lazy cooking.
Great Value Onion Powder, 3.25 oz
Instant "Umami." I add a splash of this to gravies, soups, and marinades to deepen the flavor of low-cost recipes. Only $1.68
Great Value Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce, 15 fl oz
Essential for frying Tuna Patties to crispy perfection. Plus, it's the base of my '$0.50 Pasta Sauce' hack—just oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes! 🍝
Essential Vegetable Oil for Frying 🍳
Proper seasoning is key. These budget-friendly glass shakers are durable, easy to refill, and cost only $1.32.
Mainstays Glass Salt&Pepper Shaker
Perfect for quick pickles or as a cheap natural cleaner for greasy stovetops. Only $1.76!
Great Value Distilled White Vinegar
A powerhouse pantry staple. Use it to tenderize meat or for deodorizing your fridge. Only $0.92!
Great Value Baking Soda
The Baker's Corner (Quick Mixes & Sweets)
For the lazy cook who wants dessert or breakfast fast. These Walmart mixes are versatile pantry must-haves for the 90-Day Challenge.
Just add water! The ultimate bachelor kitchen hack for a 2-minute meal that costs almost nothing. Only $2.24!
Great Value Complete Pancake & Waffle Mix, Buttermilk
The base for my 3-ingredient $3 Peach Dump Cake. A high-value pantry essential for quick hosting. Only $1.12!
Great Value Deluxe Moist Yellow Cake Mix
Fudgy and rich for around $1.12. A must-have staple for a late-night craving during the 90-Day Pantry Challenge.
Great Value Fudge Brownie Mix
A secret weapon for any lazy cook. The ultimate thickening agent for glossy gravies and sauces in your $5 meals.
Great Value Corn Starch
The ultimate budget pantry filler. Essential for thickening sauces or making simple bread from scratch.
Great Value All-Purpose Enriched Flour
Essential $1.98 topping for your pancakes and waffles. Stays fresh in the pantry for months!
Great Value Original Syrup
One of the most cost-effective proteins you can buy. Only $1.84 and perfect for quick snacks or cookies.
Great Value Creamy Peanut Butter
Hearty breakfast filler; 30 servings for $3.98. The ultimate high-fiber budget find.
Great Value Instant Whole Grain Quick Rolled Oats