“When Times Are Tough”: Woman’s Meal for 4 People Under R25 With Simple Ingredients Stuns Mzansi
- A South African Reddit user shared how she created a filling meal for 3-4 people using ingredients that cost under R25
- The budget-friendly recipe went viral on r/southafrica with over 437 reactions as South Africans related to her financial struggles
- Comments flooded in with people revealing their go-to affordable meals, including pap and rice-based dishes
Source: Getty Images
A South African woman has left Mzansi amazed after sharing how she fed multiple people for under R25 using just three simple ingredients.
Reddit user @JustHereSince2002 posted her budget meal idea on the r/southafrica page on 5th August when she was feeling hungry but had very little money to spend on food.
The post was shared with the caption:
"Meal for 3-4ppl, under R25 (when times are tough)," and detailed exactly how she made the affordable dish work.
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In her post, the woman explained that she found macaroni (R15), an onion (R3), and Checkers cream of mushroom soup (R5) in her cupboard. She admitted the meal wasn't "Master Chef worthy" but said the soup added nice flavour and creaminess, while the pasta was very filling and the onion gave it a hearty feel.
Her cooking method was simple - she fried the onions in a pan, cooked the pasta in a pot, then mixed everything together with the mushroom soup. The result was a meal that could easily feed 3-4 people for less than the cost of a single fast food meal.
Source: Getty Images
Mzansi shares budget meal ideas
The viral post attracted over 437 reactions and 137 comments as South Africans shared their money-saving meal strategies:
@nickdebruyne noted:
"I mean, if there's anything we can learn in South Africa, it's that pap goes a looong way."
@RupertHermano suggested:
"Chicken livers seasoned with salt and pepper, seared in a hot pan. Take them out. Soften some onion, a clove of garlic, a chopped tomato and a chopped green chilli. Maybe a dash of water. When this comes together, return the livers to the pan. Don't overcook the livers! Serve with white sliced or crusty rolls. If you're flush, mashed potato."
@KosmikZA from KwaZulu-Natal shared:
"Dunno if it still fits, but as a student, I would have a bottle of mayo in the cupboard (so multiple meals or go without) and I could buy a French loaf (the proper long one) and a can of tuna. Make like a monster sub :D"
@Responsible_King_427 advised:
"Onion, tomatoes and garlic can get you a pretty cheap and easy pasta sauce with little effort. Dry lentils are hella cheap and will taste like whatever the hell you feel like adding to them. Really high in protein, which is a win."
@Snoo_75138 simply said:
"Rice and spice?"
Budget meal planning tips
According to experts at Eat Well Spend Smart, creating cheap meal plans requires using what you already have first, shopping sales, choosing generic brands over name brands, and selecting versatile ingredients that work in multiple meals. Simple meals with basic ingredients can still be delicious and filling without breaking the bank.
The key is making protein do double duty, batch cooking ingredients like chicken and beans for multiple meals, and focusing on filling staples like rice, pasta, and potatoes that stretch far when budgets are tight.
View the Reddit post here.
Other food-related stories
- Briefly News recently reported on an American woman who made a disturbing discovery in her restaurant meal, but what she found had her questioning whether she accidentally ate something horrifying.
- A South African family went viral after creating a catchy song to hype up their mom while she served supper, but their creative cheer had social media users completely floored.
- A shopper's reaction to the price of Dubai-style chocolate at Woolworths stunned Mzansi, but the amount she had to pay left people saying the luxury brand needed to reconsider.
Source: Briefly News
