Food & Budget Challenges
Take the Challenge!
Think you can cook smart on a tight budget? We dare you to try. Pick a challenge below, get creative in the kitchen, and share what you came up with.
Budget cooking is part skill, part creativity — and a whole lot of fun once you get into it. These challenges are designed to stretch your imagination as much as your dollar. There are no wrong answers, just delicious ones.
Challenge of the Month
The $10 Challenge
You have exactly $10 to cook 2 meals for 4 people. What ingredients would you buy and what would you cook? Every cent counts! This month we want to see your most creative, most satisfying $10 menu.
Your challenge
"What would you buy and cook for $10 — 2 meals, 4 people?"
Tip: Think dried beans, rice, eggs, cabbage, and carrots — some of the most affordable ingredients on the planet. A pot of bean soup and a vegetable fried rice can both come in well under budget.
All Challenges
The Mystery Basket
MediumHere are 5 pantry staples: rice, canned tomatoes, onions, dried lentils, and garlic. What three meals would you make this week using only these ingredients?
Your challenge
"What 3 meals would you make from these 5 ingredients?"
The $10 Challenge
HardYou have exactly $10 to cook 2 meals for 4 people. What ingredients would you buy and what would you cook? Every cent counts!
Your challenge
"What would you buy and cook for $10 — 2 meals, 4 people?"
Fridge Clean-Out Friday
EasyBefore your next grocery run, use up everything left in your fridge. No throwing anything out — get creative and make a meal from whatever is left.
Your challenge
"What did you make from your fridge leftovers?"
One Chicken, Three Meals
MediumBuy one whole chicken and stretch it into three completely different meals. Roast it, shred it, make stock — the possibilities are endless.
Your challenge
"How did you turn one chicken into three meals?"
The $20 Day
HardFeed a family of four for an entire day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — for $20 or less. Plan your menu and share your shopping list.
Your challenge
"What's your full-day menu for a family of 4 on $20?"
From Scratch Only
HardMake a complete meal using absolutely no packaged or processed ingredients. Everything from scratch — sauces, dough, seasoning blends, the works.
Your challenge
"What did you make entirely from scratch?"
Legume of the Week
EasyPick one legume you've never cooked before — black beans, chickpeas, lentils, split peas — and cook something new with it this week.
Your challenge
"Which legume did you try and what did you make?"
Restaurant Copycat
MediumPick your favourite restaurant dish and recreate it at home for a fraction of the cost. How close did you get — and how much did you save?
Your challenge
"What restaurant dish did you recreate and how much did you save?"
What Others Have Made
Real results from real kitchens. Here's what visitors have shared so far.
Sandra from Calgary
The Mystery Basket"I made a lentil and tomato soup, a garlic rice pilaf, and a simple onion and lentil dal. Total cost was under $4 and my family loved every one of them!"
Mike from Winnipeg
The $10 Challenge"Picked up a bag of rice, a can of black beans, a cabbage, carrots, and a dozen eggs. Made a big pot of rice and beans for night one, and a vegetable fried rice for night two. Had change left over."
Priya from Vancouver
One Chicken, Three Meals"Roasted the chicken on Sunday, made chicken tacos with the leftovers on Monday, then used the carcass for a big pot of noodle soup on Tuesday. Best $12 I ever spent."
Share Your Results!
Did you take on a challenge? Tell us what you made, how it turned out, and whether you'd do it again. Your story might inspire someone else to give it a try.