SERVES: 4 

TIME: 30 min

PER SERVING: CA $2.85

TIP:

Time to start crushing those New Year’s resolutions! Clean out your freezer and pantry by using up leftover ingredients from holiday feasts. Opt for nutrient-dense meals after an indulgent season; and save money with Epicure’s budget-friendly dinners! Follow recipes but don’t be afraid to swap ingredients to make the meals your own!

You can still put your holiday seasonings to use! Combine crumb mix with 1 tbsp of holiday blends such as Sage & Apple Stuffing Seasoning, Holiday Seasoning, or Roast Turkey Seasoning. 

Make rice or quinoa bowls and top with the cooked chicken! Add a couple handfuls of leafy greens or shredded coleslaw to each bowl to make it a balanced meal.

If you have stale bread that didn’t go into stuffing, chop into cubes and bake on Sheet Pan at 375° F for 15 min to make croutons. Add to them to the bowls, too!

Drizzle any leftover gravy over chicken. 

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Easy to use—just coat, shake, and bake!

Healthier alternative to deep fried chicken.

SERVES: 4

TIME: 20 min

PER SERVING: US $3.07

TIP:

Save a few bucks and swap bell pepper for 1 cup frozen carrots or peas—you might have some in your freezer from holiday recipes.

Use ground chicken instead of breasts. It costs less and cooks faster! Or, use up any shredded leftover turkey.

For a meat-free meal, use crumbled tofu as your protein, or prepare with mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli instead of chicken.

Serve with Steamer Rice to balance plate. Make extra for tomorrow’s Meatloaf Fried Rice.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Speedy weeknight recipe, which can come as a relief if you’ve been busy cooking for guests all of December! Go from raw to ready in 20 minutes.

Light, fresh, and healthy dish to help you get back into the school and work routine the right way!

CHANGE IT UP!

No time to cook? Mix 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast fillets with seasoning. Freeze up to 1 month. Defrost, then roast in the oven.

SERVES: 4

TIME: 15 min

PER SERVING: US $2.17

TIP:

Don’t have day old rice? Make Steamer Rice—1½ cups uncooked white rice makes about 4 cups, just what you need for this recipe. Don’t forget to cool it down in the fridge first.

Keep repurposing those holiday leftovers! Swap shredded turkey, chicken, or roast beef for ground meat. 

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Customizable – instead of ground beef, try this recipe with chicken breasts or thighs, cubed tofu, beef strips, pork, fish, or shrimp.

CHANGE IT UP!

No time to cook? Mix 1 lb (450 g) lean ground meat with seasoning. Freeze until needed, then cook on the stove. 

SERVES: 6

TIME: 20 min

PER SERVING: US $2.00

TIP:

Replace water with Epicure Broth for a more savoury flavour.

Depending on your dietary preferences, regular mayo will work just fine in this recipe. 

Although maple syrup is optional, it gives the coleslaw a subtle sweetness that perfectly compliments the smokiness of the seasoning.

Canned, plant-based proteins are a great way to save money. However, you can swap 1½ lbs (675 g) ground meat for lentils in this recipe.

For a low-carb meal, skip the buns and spoon filling into lettuce wraps or stuffed peppers. 

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Quick, perfectly balanced, and budget-friendly at only $2 per serving! 

CHANGE IT UP!

No time to cook? Mix 2 lbs (900 g) ground pork with seasoning and ¼ cup water. Freeze until needed, then cook on the stove.

SERVES: 4

TIME: 20 min

PER SERVING: US $3.09

TIP:

Leftover yams taking up space in your pantry? While curry is simmering, cook cubed potatoes on Sheet Pan in the oven or in Multipurpose Steamer in the microwave and serve with your dish. Make a double batch and save half for Shepherds Pie on Saturday!

Serve with small side salad to perfectly balance your plate.

Don’t forget to take ground beef out of the freezer for tomorrow’s Tacos.  

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Speedy weeknight recipe. This one-pan meal goes from raw to ready in only 20 minutes with minimal prep and cleanup required. 

CHANGE IT UP:

No time to cook? Mix 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast fillets with seasoning. Freeze up to 1 month. Defrost, then roast in the oven.

SERVES: 6

TIME: 15 min

PER SERVING: US $2.07

TIP:

Serve tacos with veggie toppings that are easy to prepare, such as shredded lettuce, diced red onion, Poco Picante Salsa, thinly sliced bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, or canned corn. 

Use ground meat of your choice, it doesn’t have to be beef. Check to see what’s on sale. 

Instead of the stovetop, cook ground beef in Multipurpose Steamer in the microwave, covered, on high for 4 minutes, or until beef is cooked through.  

Don’t forget to take chicken out of the freezer for tomorrow’s Shepherds Pie! 

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Better than takeout! This is a delicious and budget friendly alternative to eating out on a Friday night—Taco Bell is double the cost per serving! 

CHANGE IT UP:

No time to cook? Season 1 lb (450 g) lean ground meat (beef, chicken or pork) with seasoning. Freeze until needed, then prepare recipe according to pkg instructions.

SERVES: 6 (1½ cups)

TIME: 20 min

PER SERVING: US $2.68

TIP:

This recipe is the catch-all for leftovers. Follow recipe, but don’t be afraid to stir in any leftover meat or veggies from the week, too!

This could be a great opportunity to use up any half-used cans of pumpkin purée—stir some in for added smoothness, flavor, and nutrition!

Use frozen veggies—they cook faster and are less expensive. Try a vegetable medley mix!

For a crispy texture to your pie, broil until golden.

Spoon any leftover gravy over pie. 

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Customizable—to make a vegan dish, swap 1 large can (19 oz/540 ml) lentils for ground beef and use non-dairy milk.  

CHANGE IT UP:

Season 1 lb (450 g) lean ground meat (beef, chicken or pork) with seasoning. Freeze until needed, then prepare recipe according to pkg instructions.   

SERVES: 18

TIME: 30 min

PER SERVING: US $0.51

TIP:

Pre-bake and cool tart shells ahead of time so you can make tarts in 20 minutes.

Add egg for thicker filling.

Prep recipe on Sunday for easy grab-and-go desserts throughout the week. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

One recipe makes 18 servings. 

Drizzle tarts with caramel or chocolate sauce for a fancy finish, and sprinkle leftover toppings from holiday baking over tarts, such as chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips.  

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Delicious and satisfying dessert that is sugar conscious and allergen-friendly when you omit the egg and use vegan butter. 

SERVES: 6 (1½ cups)

TIME: 10 min

PER SERVING: US $0.51

TIP:

Drizzle prepared sauce over Tacos on Friday.

Serving size is ¼ cup each. 

Give leftovers a little oomph! Mole sauce pairs well with turkey, chicken, roast beef, fish, lentils, and roasted root veggies.

Mole sauce can also give burrito bowls with rice and beans an extra special quality. 

Use sauce to slow cook chicken legs, pork, or beef ribs. 

WHY WE LOVE IT:

Traditionally, Mole Negro is a labor-intensive sauce which includes chiles, Oaxacan chocolate, dried fruit, warm spices like clove, cinnamon and allspice, and sesame seeds and nuts. All those ingredients have been conveniently blended into one pouch so you can have your sauce ready in 10 minutes!