Why does everyone tell you to enjoy your ramen diet when you head to college? Because they’ve all been there before. College students often have limited budgets, small kitchens, and an even smaller amount of cooking skills. But that doesn’t mean you have to survive on instant noodles and takeout for the next four years!
All you need is a little elbow grease and cooking on a budget strategies. Here are our top tips for creating healthy meals in your small Athens, Ohio, housing.
Stock Your Pantry with the Basics
If you always have the basics on hand, you’re less likely to panic-order DoorDash. Try to keep shelf-stable items that are cheap and versatile in your pantry at all times. This includes:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Oats
- Canned beans
- Spices
- Dried herbs
Bonus tip for cooking on a budget: freeze any extra meat you buy so you always have protein on hand.
Master the Budget Grocery Run
Rule number one of a budget grocery run: never enter a grocery store hungry. You will buy Oreos, you will buy fancy cheese, and you will regret it. Eat a snack before you grab a cart.
We recommend sticking to the perimeter of the store where the fresh produce, dairy, and meats live. The aisles are full of expensive processed stuff. And please, don’t fear the generic brands. The store-brand oats taste exactly the same as the name-brand ones (especially since you’re cooking on a budget).
Don’t Waste Money on Fancy Kitchen Tools
Social media tries to convince you that you need an air fryer, a blender, and a specialized avocado slicer. You don’t. In a small space, expensive clutter is your enemy. And even if you don’t have a small space, if you’re cooking on a budget, all of the costs from owning these items add up. Save your money for fresh ingredients instead.
You really only need three things: a sharp chef’s knife, a non-stick pan, and a decent pot for boiling water. That trio can handle 99% of recipes.
The “Cook Once, Eat Thrice” Strategy
Cooking every single night is exhausting. Who has the energy for dishes on a Tuesday? Instead, embrace the art of leftovers (cue the angelic choir).
Try making a giant pot of chili or a massive stir-fry on Sunday, then portioning it out into containers for the next few days. You could also use leftovers for lunch to check one meal off every morning.
Have an Emergency 15-Minute Meal List
Even if you’ve been doing great at cooking on a budget, there’ll be days when you feel like giving up. Maybe you have a huge essay due that you know will take all night, or midterms are next week, and you need to stress-study. You’ll want to give up and order fast food.
This is where a “break glass in case of emergency” dinner list comes in handy. Sit down and think of your favorite fast and easy meals to make, then save them for these nights. It’ll feel like a rare treat, and you’ll get something nutritious so you don’t crash the next day. Here are some ideas:
- A breakfast spread of eggs, sausage, toast, and pancakes
- Fried rice with leftover veggies and rice
- Quesadillas with cheese, veggies, and beans
- Spaghetti and a Caesar salad
- Grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup
Upgrade Your Kitchen Game with Wharton Rentals
Are you watching that TikTok account that makes gourmet meals in bed for inspiration because you have no cooking space? It might be time for a living situation upgrade.
Wharton Rentals has plenty of Athens, Ohio, housing that features spacious cooking areas. Whether you want a cozy apartment or a 5-bedroom house for you and your friends, we have the spot. Check out our available properties today and find a kitchen you’ll actually want to cook in on a budget.
