Quebec Meal Plan: Feed a Family for $2.79 Per Person Per Day

July 12, 2026 · 16 min read · QC

Key Facts

According to eezly's real-time tracking of 196,000 products across 2,700 Canadian grocery stores, you can feed a family of four in Quebec a week's worth of dinners for a total grocery bill of just $78.09 as of July 2026. This data-driven meal plan leverages the lowest current prices across major banners like Provigo, Maxi, and Super C to combat rising food costs, breaking down to an impressive $2.79 per person, per day.

This guide provides a complete, cost-optimized weekly dinner menu designed for Quebec families. We will outline the daily meals, provide a full grocery list with the lowest available prices for each item, and offer a strategic guide on where to shop to achieve these savings. By planning your meals and purchases based on real-time data, you can take control of your grocery budget without sacrificing flavour or variety.


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This Week's Quebec Family Meal Plan: July 2026

Navigating weekly meals on a budget requires a solid plan. This seven-day dinner menu is designed to be both cost-effective and delicious, utilizing ingredients at their current lowest prices in Quebec grocery stores. The total cost for these seven dinners is based on a strategic shopping approach, which we will detail further in this article. The average cost per serving across these meals demonstrates that home-cooked, planned meals are a powerful tool for managing your household expenses.

The plan incorporates a mix of proteins, including lean ground beef and plant-based lentils and beans, ensuring variety throughout the week. It also features two distinct vegetarian burger nights, which are not only nutritious but also significantly lower the overall cost of the weekly basket. The cost per serving for each meal is calculated using eezly's AI-powered price database, giving you a transparent look at your spending.

DayDinner RecipePrep TimeServingsCost Per Serving
MondayRed Lentil Veggie Burgers20 min15$1.73
TuesdayBeef Chili Stew30 min8$5.74
WednesdayBok Choi Salad with Noodles15 min8$7.30
ThursdayBunless Burgers20 min4$6.44
FridayCheesy Bean Burgers15 min4$8.79
SaturdayAsian Burgers10 min5$6.42
SundayCreative Leftovers Night10 minN/A$0.00

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026.

Daily Meal Spotlight

Monday: Red Lentil Veggie Burgers
Start your week with an incredibly budget-friendly and satisfying meal. At just $1.73 per serving, these Red Lentil Veggie Burgers are the most economical dinner on the plan. This recipe makes a large batch of 15 patties, making it perfect for meal prep. You can enjoy them for dinner on Monday and save the rest for quick lunches or another meal later. The core ingredients, like lentils and mixed vegetables, are inexpensive staples, and you can find the best price for lentils ($1.69) at Metro this week.

Tuesday: Hearty Beef Chili Stew
As the weather cools in the evening, a warm bowl of Beef Chili Stew is the perfect comfort food. This recipe serves eight, ensuring you have plenty for dinner and delicious leftovers for the next day's lunch. The cost per serving is a moderate $5.74. It's packed with affordable, protein-rich beans and lean ground beef. To get the best value, eezly's data shows Worcestershire Sauce is priced at $3.19 at Maxi and canned beans are consistently low-cost items across multiple stores.

Wednesday: Refreshing Bok Choi Salad
Lighten things up mid-week with this vibrant and crunchy Bok Choi Salad. While the cost per serving is higher at $7.30, this recipe yields eight large portions, making it great for a family dinner plus a side dish for another meal. The dressing uses pantry staples like soy sauce and vinegar, while the fresh ingredients like bok choy and green onions provide a welcome dose of vegetables. To manage costs, you can find a lemon for $0.99 at Metro and sesame oil for $4.79 at Maxi.

Thursday: Classic Bunless Burgers
A classic burger night is always a family favourite. These Bunless Burgers keep it simple and lower-carb by serving the patties with lettuce, cheese, and tomato. The total recipe cost is $25.77, or $6.44 per serving. According to eezly's price tracking, the best price for the lean ground beef for this recipe is currently $10.00 at Maxi, while Metro has marble cheddar cheese for just $1.79.

Friday: Cheesy Bean Burgers (Vegetarian)
Introduce another plant-based meal with these flavourful Cheesy Bean Burgers. This recipe uses red kidney beans as a base, which are an affordable and healthy protein source. The cost per serving is $8.79, influenced by ingredients like cream cheese and grapeseed oil. However, you can find red kidney beans for just $2.00 at Maxi, helping to keep the overall cost in check. This is a great way to enjoy a "burger night" experience with a vegetarian twist.

Saturday: Flavourful Asian Burgers
End the week's main cooking with a unique take on burgers. These Asian Burgers are seasoned with hoisin sauce and Chinese five-spice for a delicious umami flavour. At $6.42 per serving, they offer an exciting taste profile without breaking the budget. The lean ground beef for this recipe is priced at $9.91 at Metro, while the essential hoisin sauce can be found for $9.00 at Maxi.

Sunday: Creative Leftovers Night
To minimize food waste and maximize your budget, Sunday is the perfect opportunity for a "creative leftovers" night. Use the remaining portions of the Beef Chili Stew, extra veggie burger patties, or the Bok Choi Salad. You can serve the chili over rice or pasta from your pantry, or create a "burger bar" with any remaining patties and toppings. This approach ensures every dollar you spent on groceries is put to good use.

Your Complete Grocery List & Price Breakdown

To achieve the lowest possible cost for this meal plan, you need a detailed shopping list that identifies the best price for each item. The table below compiles every ingredient required for the week's recipes and pinpoints the Quebec grocery store currently offering the lowest price, as tracked by eezly. This strategy, often called "split-shopping," ensures you never overpay for a single item. While it may require visiting more than one store, the savings, as we'll see in the next section, are substantial.

This list represents the foundation of your $78.09 weekly grocery bill (for the one-stop shop at Provigo) or an even lower total if you visit multiple stores for each deal. Note that staple pantry items like oils, spices, and sugars have a higher upfront cost but are used in small quantities, lasting for many weeks and bringing down the per-recipe cost over time.

IngredientBest PriceStoreRecipe(s) Used
Protein
Lean Ground Beef (for Bunless Burgers)$10.00MaxiBunless Burgers
Lean Ground Beef (for Asian Burgers)$9.91MetroAsian Burgers
Lean Ground Beef (for Chili)$11.49Canada inc.Beef Chili Stew
Red Kidney Beans$2.00maxi 1Cheesy Bean Burgers, Beef Chili Stew
Lentils$1.69MetroRed Lentil Veggie Burgers
White Pea Beans$4.49Canada inc.Beef Chili Stew
Chickpeas$3.79maxi 1Beef Chili Stew
Produce
Boston Lettuce$3.99MaxiBunless Burgers
Kumato Tomatoes$6.49IgaBunless Burgers
Shallots Onions$4.39IgaAsian Burgers, Cheesy Bean Burgers, Beef Chili Stew
Lemon$0.99MetroBok Choi Salad
Green Onions (Scallions)$8.19CostcoBok Choi Salad
Bok Choy (1 Count)$3.99Canada inc.Bok Choi Salad
Ginger$0.33MetroRed Lentil Veggie Burgers
Mixed Vegetables (Frozen)$1.49maxi 1Red Lentil Veggie Burgers
GoodLeaf Hero Greens Sweet Pea Shoots (50 g)$4.99Canada inc.Red Lentil Veggie Burgers
Garlic$1.99MetroRed Lentil Veggie Burgers
Dairy & Deli
Marble Cheddar Cheese$1.79MetroBunless Burgers
Cream Cheese Product$5.99Canada inc.Cheesy Bean Burgers
Pantry
Dill Pickles$3.50MaxiBunless Burgers
Chinese Five Spice$6.00MaxiAsian Burgers
Crushed Red Pepper$2.79MaxiAsian Burgers
Sauce Hoisin$9.00MaxiAsian Burgers
White Bread$3.00MetroCheesy Bean Burgers
Reduced Salt Pepper Gravy, Less Salt$1.79MaxiCheesy Bean Burgers
Black Pepper$6.49MaxiCheesy Bean Burgers
Grapeseed Oil$11.49MetroCheesy Bean Burgers
White Vinegar$3.99MetroBok Choi Salad
Brown Sugar$10.99MaxiBok Choi Salad
Soy Sauce$7.99Canada inc.Bok Choi Salad
Sesame Oil$4.79MaxiBok Choi Salad
Peanut Oil$8.49MetroBok Choi Salad
Japanese Noodles Udon$2.50MaxiBok Choi Salad
Cranberries (Dried)$6.50MaxiBok Choi Salad
Only Oats Flour Pure Whole Grain Oat (1 kg)$11.49IgaRed Lentil Veggie Burgers
Sesame Seeds$2.50maxi 1Red Lentil Veggie Burgers
Whole Water Chestnuts$1.50MaxiRed Lentil Veggie Burgers
Worcestershire Sauce$3.19MaxiBeef Chili Stew
Litehouse Freeze Dried Basil (8 g)$6.99Canada inc.Beef Chili Stew
Chili Peppers New Mexico Chile Powder$4.79MaxiBeef Chili Stew
Compliments Canned Stewed Tomatoes (796 ml)$2.29Canada inc.Beef Chili Stew
Green Giant Canned Green Beans (398 ml)$2.49Canada inc.Beef Chili Stew

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026. Note: "Canada inc." and "maxi 1" refer to specific store locations within those banners in eezly's database.


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Where to Shop: A Strategic Guide for Quebec Grocers

Achieving the lowest possible grocery bill for this meal plan depends entirely on where you shop. eezly's AI-powered analysis of 27 banners across Quebec, including IGA, Maxi, Super C, Metro, and Provigo, reveals several shopping strategies. Your choice will depend on how you value time versus money.

According to eezly's analysis of this specific shopping list, the absolute cheapest one-stop shop is at Provigo, where the total basket cost comes to $78.09. This is an excellent option if you want the convenience of a single trip while still securing significant savings.

However, the maximum potential savings come from a more targeted approach. If you were to purchase every single item at the most expensive banner, your total bill could climb as high as $145.97. By choosing the optimized one-stop shop at Provigo, you are already saving $67.88. This demonstrates the immense power of price awareness.

Here are the different shopping strategies you can employ:

* The Ultimate Saver (One-Stop Shop): For a single trip, head to Provigo. Your total will be $78.09. This is the most efficient way to get the best overall price without visiting multiple locations.
* The Strategic Split (Two Stores): If you are willing to make two stops, a combination of Metro and Provigo will cost you $84.53. While slightly more expensive than the Provigo-only trip for this specific basket, this strategy is often useful when key flyer deals are split between two major competitors.
* The Deal Hunter (Five Stores): For those dedicated to getting the lowest price on nearly every item, a five-store trip to Maxi, Metro, Provigo, Super C, and Valu-Mart would total $85.36. This approach shows diminishing returns; the extra time spent driving to three additional stores saves you very little compared to the two-store option and costs more than the single Provigo trip.

For this particular weekly plan, the data is clear: a single, well-planned trip to Provigo offers the best combination of savings and convenience. You can explore more weekly deals and build your own custom shopping lists at `https://eezly.com/deals`.

Meal Prep Tips to Save Time and Reduce Waste

A smart meal plan saves you money, but smart preparation saves you time. Investing an hour or two over the weekend can make your weeknight dinners seamless and stress-free. Here are some practical prep tips for this specific meal plan.

Component Preparation is Key

Instead of cooking full meals in advance, focus on prepping components. On Sunday, you can chop all the shallots and garlic needed for the week's recipes. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. This simple step turns a 10-minute task into a 10-second one on a busy weeknight. You can do the same for the vegetables in the Beef Chili Stew.

Pre-Form Your Patties

This week’s plan features three different types of burgers. You can prepare all the patties in one go. Mix and form the Red Lentil Veggie Burger patties, the Cheesy Bean Burger patties, and the Asian Burger patties. Separate the different types with parchment paper and store them in a large airtight container in the refrigerator. They will be ready to cook on their respective nights, cutting prep time down to almost zero. The lentil burgers, in particular, make a large batch that is perfect for freezing.

Mix Your Dressings and Sauces

The Bok Choi Salad includes a delicious homemade dressing. You can whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and oils ahead of time and store it in a glass jar in the fridge. Give it a good shake before serving on Wednesday. This not only saves time but allows the flavours to meld together.

Embrace Batch Cooking

The Red Lentil Veggie Burgers and the Beef Chili Stew are both ideal for batch cooking. The burger recipe yields 15 servings and the chili yields 8. Cook the full recipe as directed. For the chili, you'll have dinner for Tuesday and several pre-made lunches for the rest of the week. For the burgers, you can freeze the extra cooked or uncooked patties for an ultra-fast meal in the coming weeks, further extending the value of your grocery spend.

FAQ: Your Quebec Grocery Questions Answered

Q: What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec for this meal plan?
A: For this specific 7-day meal plan in July 2026, the cheapest single grocery store is Provigo, with a total basket cost of $78.09. However, the absolute lowest prices for individual items are spread across multiple stores, including Maxi, Metro, and IGA. To get the best deal on every single item, you would need to visit several stores.

Q: How much can I really save on groceries in Quebec with this meal plan?
A: You can save a substantial amount. According to eezly's real-time price tracking, the difference between the most expensive single-store shop ($145.97) and the optimized one-stop shop at Provigo ($78.09) is $67.88. This represents a potential savings of over 46% on the exact same items, simply by choosing the right store.

Q: How can AI help me save money on groceries?
A: AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the process of finding the lowest prices. Instead of you manually checking weekly flyers from Super C, Maxi, Metro, and others, eezly's AI scans 196,000+ products across 2,700 stores in real-time. It compares prices for every item on your list and can generate an optimized shopping list or a full meal plan, like this one, based on the most affordable ingredients available that week.

Q: What is the average cost per person per day for this family meal plan?
A: For a family of four, the total weekly cost of $78.09 breaks down to just $11.16 per day for the entire family's dinners. This works out to an average cost of only $2.79 per person, per day, showcasing how strategic meal planning can make your grocery budget go much further.

Q: Are there vegetarian options in this meal plan?
A: Yes, absolutely. This meal plan includes two dedicated vegetarian dinners: the Red Lentil Veggie Burgers and the Cheesy Bean Burgers. These meals are not only healthy and delicious but are also some of the most affordable on the menu, with the lentil burgers costing just $1.73 per serving. This highlights how incorporating more plant-based meals can be a great strategy for saving money.

Q: How can I find the best grocery deals in Quebec every week?
A: The most effective method is to use a real-time price comparison tool. Platforms like eezly allow you to see the current prices of your favourite items across all major Quebec banners. Before you create your shopping list, you can check the `https://eezly.com/deals` page or use the meal planner to build your week around what's truly on sale, not just what's advertised on the front page of a flyer.


Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.

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Comparison

DayDinner RecipePrep TimeServingsCost Per Serving
MondayRed Lentil Veggie Burgers20 min15$1.73
TuesdayBeef Chili Stew30 min8$5.74
WednesdayBok Choi Salad with Noodles15 min8$7.30
ThursdayBunless Burgers20 min4$6.44
FridayCheesy Bean Burgers15 min4$8.79
SaturdayAsian Burgers10 min5$6.42
SundayCreative Leftovers Night10 minN/A$0.00
IngredientBest PriceStore
Lean Ground Beef (for Bunless Burgers)$10.00Maxi
Marble Cheddar Cheese$1.79Metro
Boston Lettuce$3.99Maxi
Kumato Tomatoes$6.49Iga
Dill Pickles$3.50Maxi
Shallots Onions$4.39Iga
Chinese Five Spice$6.00Maxi
Crushed Red Pepper$2.79Maxi
Lean Ground Beef (for Asian Burgers)$9.91Metro
Sauce Hoisin$9.00Maxi
Red Kidney Beans$2.00maxi 1
White Bread$3.00Metro
Cream Cheese Product$5.99Canada inc.
Reduced Salt Pepper Gravy, Less Salt$1.79Maxi
Black Pepper$6.49Maxi
Grapeseed Oil$11.49Metro
Lemon$0.99Metro
White Vinegar$3.99Metro
Brown Sugar$10.99Maxi
Soy Sauce$7.99Canada inc.
Sesame Oil$4.79Maxi
Peanut Oil$8.49Metro
Japanese Noodles Udon$2.50Maxi
Cranberries (Dried)$6.50Maxi
Green Onions (Scallions)$8.19Costco
Bok Choy (1 Count)$3.99Canada inc.
Only Oats Flour Pure Whole Grain Oat (1 kg)$11.49Iga
Ginger$0.33Metro
Lentils$1.69Metro
Mixed Vegetables (Frozen)$1.49maxi 1
GoodLeaf Hero Greens Sweet Pea Shoots (50 g)$4.99Canada inc.
Sesame Seeds$2.50maxi 1
Whole Water Chestnuts$1.50Maxi
Garlic$1.99Metro
White Pea Beans$4.49Canada inc.
Worcestershire Sauce$3.19Maxi
Litehouse Freeze Dried Basil (8 g)$6.99Canada inc.
Chili Peppers New Mexico Chile Powder$4.79Maxi
Lean Ground Beef (for Chili)$11.49Canada inc.
Compliments Canned Stewed Tomatoes (796 ml)$2.29Canada inc.
Chickpeas$3.79maxi 1
Green Giant Canned Green Beans (398 ml)$2.49Canada inc.

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest price for lean ground beef in Quebec for burger recipes?

According to eezly's real-time price tracking for July 2026, the price for lean ground beef varies between major grocery stores. For the recipes in this meal plan, the lowest price is found at Metro for $9.91. For a slightly different package or brand, Maxi has lean ground beef priced at $10.00. By comparing prices before you shop, you can ensure you get the best deal for key ingredients like this.

How much does it cost to make vegetarian burgers from scratch in Quebec?

Making vegetarian burgers at home is a very cost-effective option. The Red Lentil Veggie Burgers in this plan cost only $1.73 per serving. The key ingredient, red lentils, can be found at its lowest price of $1.69 at Metro. For the Cheesy Bean Burgers, the base ingredient of red kidney beans is priced at just $2.00 at Maxi, helping to keep the overall meal cost down.

Where can I find the best prices for burger toppings like cheese and lettuce?

To assemble your burgers affordably, strategic shopping is key. As of July 2026, eezly data shows that you can find the best price on Marble Cheddar Cheese at Metro for $1.79. For fresh toppings, Boston Lettuce is currently cheapest at Maxi for $3.99, while Kumato Tomatoes are priced at $6.49 at IGA. Dill Pickles can also be found at a low price of $3.50 at Maxi.

I want to try the Asian Burgers recipe. Where are the cheapest places to buy the specialty ingredients?

Stocking your pantry for the Asian Burgers recipe can be done economically by checking prices across different stores. For this recipe, eezly's data shows that Maxi currently has the best prices on several ingredients: Hoisin Sauce is $9.00, Chinese Five Spice is $6.00, and Crushed Red Pepper is $2.79. The Shallots Onions for the recipe are priced lowest at IGA for $4.39.

How does this meal plan achieve a total cost of only $78.09 for the week?

The total cost of $78.09 is achieved through a strategic shopping approach based on eezly's real-time price data. This involves purchasing specific items at the store where they are cheapest, rather than buying everything from a single banner. For example, you would buy the lean ground beef for the Bunless Burgers at Maxi for $10.00 but purchase the Marble Cheddar Cheese for the same recipe at Metro for $1.79 to maximize savings. This plan requires visiting multiple stores to secure the lowest possible total bill.

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