5 Meals For A Week Under $50 – Global Eats on a Dime

Back in my early 20s, I once bet my roommate I could live off $50 for a whole week—groceries included. He laughed, thinking I’d be munching on stale bread by day three. Joke’s on him—I won that bet, and I ate better than he did. Turns out, you don’t need a fat wallet to fill your plate with flavor. With some clever shopping and a few unexpected ingredients, I’ve got five recipes that’ll keep you fed for a week, all under $50. These aren’t your average budget meals—they’ve got a worldly spin. Here’s the lineup.

Recipe 1: Chickpea and Spinach Flatbread Wraps

Chickpeas are my secret weapon—cheap, hearty, and they play nice with bold spices. This isn’t your typical sandwich. Think warm, spiced chickpeas smashed onto homemade flatbreads with a handful of spinach. It’s like a hug from the Mediterranean, but your wallet won’t feel the squeeze.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour, water, and a pinch of salt into a dough. Knead it for a minute.
2. Divide into 4 balls, roll them flat, and cook in a hot skillet—2 minutes each side.
3. Heat oil in a pan, toss in garlic, cumin, and paprika. Stir for 30 seconds.
4. Add chickpeas, mash them a bit with a spoon, and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Pile the chickpeas and spinach onto each flatbread. Roll it up and eat.

Recipe 2: Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew

This one’s a nod to West Africa. Sweet potatoes are filling and sweet, while a spoonful of peanut butter adds a creamy twist. It’s warm, it’s cozy, and it costs pennies per bowl.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp ginger (fresh or powdered)
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Heat oil in a pot, sauté onion until soft.
2. Add ginger and chili flakes, cook for a minute.
3. Toss in sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and water. Boil it up.
4. Simmer for 20 minutes until the potatoes soften.
5. Stir in peanut butter until it melts in. Add salt. Done.

Recipe 3: Tuna and Corn Fritters

Tuna’s a budget champ, and corn adds a pop of sweetness. These fritters are crispy outside, soft inside, and way more fun than a plain tuna sandwich. Perfect for a quick lunch.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 can tuna, drained
• 1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add egg and water, stir into a batter.
3. Fold in tuna and corn.
4. Heat oil in a skillet, drop spoonfuls of batter in.
5. Fry 3 minutes per side until golden. Drain on a paper towel.

Recipe 4: Cabbage and Sausage Stir-Fry

Cabbage is underrated—it’s cheap and lasts forever. Pair it with sausage (the affordable kind), and you’ve got a smoky, satisfying dish with an Eastern European vibe. One pan, no fuss.

What You’ll Need:

• 1/2 head cabbage, shredded
• 2 sausages (any kind), sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Heat oil in a big skillet, cook sausage slices until browned.
2. Add onion and garlic, stir for 3 minutes.
3. Toss in cabbage and caraway seeds, mix well.
4. Cook 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until cabbage wilts.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Recipe 5: Oatmeal Pancakes with Apple Topping

Oats aren’t just for breakfast bowls. These pancakes are fluffy, cheap, and topped with a quick apple mix that feels fancy. It’s like dessert for dinner, but it won’t bust your budget.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 apples, chopped
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Blend oats into a rough flour (or use a fork if no blender).
2. Mix with flour, baking powder, egg, water, and a pinch of salt.
3. Heat oil in a skillet, pour batter for 4 pancakes, cook 2 minutes per side.
4. In another pan, cook apples with sugar and cinnamon for 5 minutes.
5. Stack pancakes, spoon apples on top. Eat warm.

Quick Q&A

How do I stretch this budget further?

Hit up discount stores, buy bulk staples like oats or flour, and snag whatever’s on clearance.

What if I’m missing something?

Swap it out! No caraway? Use cumin. No apples? Try pears. Make it work.

How long do these last?

Most keep in the fridge for 3 days. The stew freezes like a champ.

Can I cook these ahead?

Yep. Make the fritters or stew in bulk—reheat and go.

Wrapping It Up

Feeding yourself on $50 doesn’t mean bland meals or empty plates. These recipes? They’re my proof you can eat like a king without spending like one. I still think about that bet with my roommate—he’s probably still salty I pulled it off. Next time you’re counting coins at the store, give these a shot. You’ll thank me over a full belly.