Quebec Budget Recipe: Veggie Burgers for $2.20/Serving
Key Facts
- The total cost to make 15 servings of homemade Red Lentil Veggie Burgers in Quebec is $32.96. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Each satisfying serving of these veggie burgers costs only $2.20. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- The best price for lentils for this recipe was found at Metro for $1.69. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Shoppers can find whole water chestnuts for $1.50 at Maxi, a key discount banner in Quebec. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Fresh garlic is priced at $1.99 at Metro, a competitive price for fresh aromatics. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- A 1 kg bag of Only Oats Pure Whole Grain Oat Flour is available at Iga for $11.49. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- A key flavour component, Sesame Sauce, was located at Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. for $6.49. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
This article provides a comprehensive cost breakdown for this budget-friendly recipe. We will detail the exact ingredients, the stores in Quebec offering the best prices, and provide a step-by-step guide to shopping smart. By understanding the true cost of your meals, you can take control of your grocery spending without compromising on quality or taste.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
The $2.20 Quebec Veggie Burger Challenge
The challenge for many Quebec households is balancing nutritious eating with a grocery budget that feels increasingly strained. The solution often lies not just in what you buy, but where you buy it. This Red Lentil Veggie Burger recipe, costing a mere $2.20 per serving, is a prime example of high-value home cooking. The total recipe cost of $32.96 yields 15 individual patties, making it an excellent option for meal prepping, family dinners, or summer barbecues.
To achieve this low cost, a targeted shopping approach is necessary. Our analysis, powered by eezly's AI-powered grocery price comparison platform, pinpoints the specific stores for each ingredient. This recipe requires stops at Iga, Metro, Maxi, and even a local independent grocer, Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. This illustrates a core principle of modern grocery savings: store loyalty can be costly. The most significant savings are often found by purchasing items from different banners—like Maxi for pantry staples, Metro for produce sales, and Iga for specific brand availability.
This recipe is not only economical but also vegetarian, packed with protein and fibre, and avoids common allergens. It serves as a template for how you can deconstruct any of your favourite meals. By breaking a recipe down to its components and using price tracking tools, you can build a shopping list that maximizes savings across the diverse grocery landscape of Quebec, which includes banners like Super C, Provigo, and Walmart in addition to those featured here.
Recipe & Preparation: Red Lentil Veggie Burgers
This recipe is designed for simplicity and flavour, with a prep time of just 20 minutes before cooking. The result is a batch of 15 flavourful, firm, and satisfying veggie burgers that hold up well on the grill or in a pan.
Simple Preparation Instructions
- Cook the Lentils: Rinse the red lentils and cook them in a pot of water until they are soft and mushy. This typically takes about 15-20 minutes. Drain any excess water thoroughly. A dry lentil base is key to a firm burger.
- Prepare the Aromatics: While the lentils cook, finely mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the cooked lentils with a fork or potato masher. Add the oat flour, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped water chestnuts, and your mixed vegetables. Season with the sesame sauce and any other desired spices like salt, pepper, or a pinch of cumin.
- Form the Patties: Mix everything until well combined. The mixture should be firm enough to hold its shape. If it feels too wet, add a little more oat flour. If it's too dry, a splash of water will help. Divide the mixture and form it into 15 equal-sized patties.
- Cook and Serve: You can pan-fry the patties in a little oil for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and heated through. They can also be baked in an oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Serve on a bun with the GoodLeaf Hero Greens and your favourite condiments.
Quebec Ingredient Price Analysis: Where to Buy for Less
Achieving a $2.20 cost per serving requires a strategic approach to shopping. You cannot simply walk into one store and expect the best price on every item. The following breakdown, based on eezly's real-time price tracking, shows where to find the cheapest components for this recipe across Quebec as of June 2026.
Binders and Grains: Oat Flour at Iga
The structural integrity of a veggie burger is crucial, and that's where the binder comes in. This recipe uses Only Oats Flour Pure Whole Grain Oat 1 kg, priced at $11.49 at Iga. While this may seem like one of the more expensive items on the list, a 1 kg bag will last for many batches of this recipe and countless other baking projects. Oat flour provides a firm texture and a dose of healthy whole grains. While Iga offers this specific brand, you can often find other oat flour options or even whole oats (which you can blend into flour at home) at discount banners like Walmart or Maxi to potentially lower costs further. Always compare the price per 100g to ensure you're getting the best value.Plant-Based Protein: Lentils at Metro
The star of the show, lentils, provides the protein and hearty base for the burgers. The best price found was for a bag of Lentils at Metro for $1.69. Dried legumes are a cornerstone of budget-friendly cooking, and this price point is excellent. Metro, while a full-service grocer, often features competitive pricing on produce and pantry staples, demonstrating why it's important to check their flyer and in-store prices even if you primarily shop at discount stores. Red lentils cook quickly and have a softer texture, making them ideal for this application.Fresh Produce and Aromatics
Fresh ingredients are what elevate this recipe from simple to delicious. For aromatics, the data points to Metro, with Ginger for $0.33 and Garlic for $1.99. These prices are competitive for fresh, flavour-packed ingredients that are essential to the burger's taste profile. The recipe also calls for Mixed Vegetables, with a price of $4.48 found at Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. This highlights the potential savings at independent grocers, who can sometimes offer better deals on produce than larger chains. Finally, for a fresh, peppery topping, GoodLeaf Hero Greens Sweet Pea Shoots (50 g) were found for $4.99 at " Canada inc.". While a premium green, it adds a touch of elegance and nutrition. You could easily substitute this with more affordable lettuce or spinach from a store like Super C to reduce the cost further.Flavour Enhancers: Pantry Staples at Maxi and an Independent
The finishing touches often define a recipe. The satisfying crunch in these burgers comes from Whole Water Chestnuts, which were found for an excellent price of $1.50 at Maxi. Maxi's reputation as a leader in low-cost pantry staples holds true here. Shopping at a discount banner like Maxi or Super C for your canned goods, sauces, and dry goods is one of the most effective ways to lower your overall grocery bill. The umami-rich flavour comes from Sesame Sauce, priced at $6.49 at Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. Again, this shows that independent stores can be a source for specialty ingredients that round out a recipe.Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Table 1: Complete Recipe Shopping List & Cost Breakdown
To make these Red Lentil Veggie Burgers for the lowest possible price, you would need to purchase each ingredient from the store offering the best value. The following table itemizes the full shopping list, the specific store for each item in Quebec, and the price as of June 2026.
| Ingredient | Best Price | Store |
|---|---|---|
| Only Oats Flour Pure Whole Grain Oat 1 kg | $11.49 | Iga |
| Ginger | $0.33 | Metro |
| Lentils | $1.69 | Metro |
| Mixed Vegetables | $4.48 | Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. |
| GoodLeaf Hero Greens Sweet Pea Shoots 50 g | $4.99 | Canada inc. |
| Sesame Sauce | $6.49 | Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. |
| Whole Water Chestnuts | $1.50 | Maxi |
| Garlic | $1.99 | Metro |
| Total Cost (15 Servings) | $32.96 | - |
| Cost Per Serving | $2.20 | - |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026
This itemized list shows that the total expenditure to acquire all the necessary components is $32.96. When divided by the recipe's yield of 15 burgers, the cost per serving is an impressively low $2.20. This data-driven shopping plan is the key to unlocking such significant savings.
Table 2: Strategic Shopping: Price Strengths by Quebec Grocer
A key takeaway from this cost analysis is that no single grocery store is the cheapest for everything. Each Quebec banner has its own pricing strategy and strengths. To maximize your savings, you need to understand which store is likely to have the best price for the items on your list. The table below uses ingredients from our recipe to illustrate the different pricing strengths of Iga, Metro, and Maxi.
| Item Category | Iga | Metro | Maxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialty Flour (1kg Oat) | $11.49 | - | - |
| Dry Legumes (Lentils) | - | $1.69 | - |
| Fresh Aromatics (Garlic) | - | $1.99 | - |
| Canned Goods (Water Chestnuts) | - | - | $1.50 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026. Dashes indicate the cheapest price was found at a different banner for this analysis.
This comparison clearly shows a pattern that savvy Quebec shoppers can leverage. Maxi excels in the category of shelf-stable pantry goods, offering water chestnuts for just $1.50. This is consistent with its positioning as a discount banner. Metro shows its strength in the fresh produce and dry goods department, with competitive prices on both lentils and garlic. Iga is represented here with a more specialized item, the large bag of oat flour, suggesting it can be the go-to for specific brands or health-food items that may not be stocked at discount stores. Your optimal shopping trip might involve a quick stop at Maxi for canned goods, a visit to Metro for produce, and a trip to Iga for that one special item you need.
Beyond the Burger: Meal Prep, Storage, and Serving Ideas
Making a large batch of 15 veggie burgers is an excellent move for your budget and your schedule. Once you've cooked the patties, you have a versatile protein source ready for various meals throughout the week.
Freezing for Future Meals
These Red Lentil Veggie Burgers freeze exceptionally well. After forming the patties, you can place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer for about an hour, or until firm. This is called flash-freezing and prevents them from sticking together. Once firm, transfer the patties to a freezer bag or airtight container. They will keep for up to 3 months. You can cook them directly from frozen, simply adding a few extra minutes of cooking time per side.Creative Serving Suggestions
While a classic burger on a bun is always a great option, these patties are far more versatile. * Salad Topper: Crumble a cooked patty over a large green salad for a quick and filling protein boost. * Veggie Wrap: Place a patty in a whole wheat tortilla with hummus, shredded carrots, and the GoodLeaf greens for a healthy lunch. * Protein Bowl: Serve a patty alongside roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, and steamed broccoli for a balanced and nutrient-dense dinner bowl. * "Meatball" Sub: Break a patty into smaller pieces, warm it with marinara sauce, and serve it in a sub roll with melted mozzarella for a vegetarian "meatball" sub.By leveraging the full batch of 15 servings, you are maximizing the value of your initial $32.96 investment, creating numerous healthy and affordable meals that save you both time and money.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Ingredient | Best Price | Store |
|---|---|---|
| Only Oats Flour Pure Whole Grain Oat 1 kg | $11.49 | Iga |
| Ginger | $0.33 | Metro |
| Lentils | $1.69 | Metro |
| Mixed Vegetables | $4.48 | Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. |
| GoodLeaf Hero Greens Sweet Pea Shoots 50 g | $4.99 | Canada inc. |
| Sesame Sauce | $6.49 | Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. |
| Whole Water Chestnuts | $1.50 | Maxi |
| Garlic | $1.99 | Metro |
| Total Cost (15 Servings) | $32.96 | - |
| Cost Per Serving | $2.20 | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?
There is no single "cheapest" grocery store for every item in Quebec. As our analysis shows, the smartest strategy involves shopping at multiple stores. Discount banners like Maxi and Super C are generally the most affordable for pantry staples and packaged goods. However, full-service stores like Metro and IGA often have superior weekly sales on fresh produce, meat, and dairy. The best approach is to use a price comparison tool like eezly to see which store has the best price for the specific items on your list during any given week.
How much can I really save by making veggie burgers at home?
The savings are substantial. At $2.20 per serving, these homemade burgers are significantly more affordable than store-bought options. A box of four frozen veggie burgers from a leading brand can easily cost $8-$10, putting the per-serving cost between $2.00 and $2.50, but often for a smaller, less hearty patty. Compared to a veggie burger from a fast-casual restaurant, which can range from $12 to $18, the savings are even more dramatic.
Is this Red Lentil Veggie Burger recipe healthy?
Yes, this recipe is very healthy. It is built on a foundation of lentils, which are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fibre, and essential nutrients like folate and iron. The oat flour adds more fibre and whole grains. By making them at home, you control the ingredients, avoiding the excess sodium and preservatives often found in pre-made products.
How can AI help me save money on groceries in Quebec?
AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the process of price comparison, which would be impossible to do manually across all stores. eezly's AI analyzes 40 million price points every week from 2,700 stores, including all major Quebec banners like IGA, Metro, Maxi, Super C, and Provigo. It can take your shopping list and either tell you the single cheapest store to buy everything, or create an optimized route showing you where to buy each specific item for the absolute lowest price, just like in the recipe analysis above.
Where can I find the cheapest lentils in Quebec this week?
According to eezly's real-time price tracking for June 2026, the price for lentils used in this recipe analysis was found at Metro for $1.69. Prices can change weekly, so it's always recommended to check a real-time price tracking tool before you shop to confirm the most current deals.
Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe to make it even cheaper?
Absolutely. This recipe is a great template. To reduce costs further, you could use a more common and less expensive green, like spinach or romaine lettuce, instead of the pea shoots. You could also use a standard vegetable oil for frying instead of a specialty oil. If you have other vegetables on hand that need to be used up, like carrots or celery, they can be finely chopped and added to the mix. Customizing recipes based on what's on sale is a classic grocery-saving strategy.
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