Quebec Meal Plan: Eat for $2.10/Serving With This Veggie Burger Recipe
Key Facts
- You can make a serving of Red Lentil Veggie Burgers for just $2.10 in Quebec this week. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Lean Ground Beef is currently priced at $10.00 for a family-pack size at Maxi. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Lay's Wavy Lightly Salted chips are on sale for $2.47 at IGA, a 48.4% savings from the regular price of $4.79. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- A complete Bunless Burger meal for four costs a total of $25.77 when purchasing ingredients at their lowest available prices. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Prana Nut and Dried Fruit Mix is available at a 50% discount at Metro for $3.24, down from $6.49. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- The total ingredient cost for a family-sized Curry Chicken Salad that yields eight servings is $60.06. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
This plan is designed to be both affordable and practical, focusing on recipes that are quick to prepare and utilize ingredients strategically to minimize waste and maximize value. By leveraging price comparison data, you can take control of your grocery spending without sacrificing the quality or enjoyment of your family's meals. Let's explore a full week of eating well for less.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
This Week's Budget-Friendly Meal Plan for Quebec Families
A successful and affordable week of meals begins with a solid plan. This structure is designed for a family of four, emphasizing dinners made from scratch, with leftovers creatively repurposed for lunches to drive down costs and reduce food waste. Breakfasts are kept simple and economical, relying on pantry staples. The cornerstone of this plan is using real-time price data to build a grocery list that saves you money before you even enter the store.
The total cost for the five main dinner recipes in this plan comes to $170.53, which provides a total of 46 servings. This breaks down to an average cost of just $3.71 per serving for your main evening meals. By planning lunches around leftovers, your per-meal cost for two of the three main meals of the day remains exceptionally low. This approach demonstrates that with a bit of planning and price intelligence, you can feed your family nutritious and satisfying meals without straining your budget.
Below is a day-by-day breakdown of the meal plan, followed by a detailed table outlining the cost per serving for each featured recipe.
Monday
* Breakfast: Oatmeal with a drizzle of maple syrup.
* Lunch: Leftover Sunday dinner or simple sandwiches.
* Dinner: Red Lentil Veggie Burgers ($2.10/serving). Kick off the week with a delicious, plant-based meal that is incredibly budget-friendly. These burgers are packed with protein and fibre from lentils, making them a healthy and satisfying choice. Serve them on a bed of greens or with a side salad.
Tuesday
* Breakfast: Toast with peanut butter and a side of fruit.
* Lunch: Leftover Red Lentil Veggie Burgers.
* Dinner: Bunless Burgers ($6.44/serving). For a classic barbecue feel, these beef burgers deliver on flavour. Served on a bed of Boston lettuce with cheese, tomatoes, and pickles, this low-carb option is perfect for a warm June evening.
Wednesday
* Breakfast: Yogurt with berries.
* Lunch: Leftover Bunless Burger patties, crumbled over a salad.
* Dinner: Curry Chicken Salad ($7.51/serving). This flavourful and refreshing salad is a fantastic make-ahead meal. It combines cooked chicken, grapes, celery, and a creamy curry dressing. It's a complete meal on its own or can be served in lettuce cups.
Thursday
* Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and toast.
* Lunch: Leftover Curry Chicken Salad.
* Dinner: Asian Burgers ($6.42/serving). Put a new spin on burger night with these Asian-inspired patties. Seasoned with Chinese five-spice and hoisin sauce, they offer a unique and savoury flavour profile that your family will love.
Friday
* Breakfast: Oatmeal or cold cereal.
* Lunch: Leftover Asian Burgers.
* Dinner: Family choice night. Use up any remaining ingredients from the week, make a simple pasta dish, or have a pizza night. This is a great way to ensure no food goes to waste.
Saturday
* Breakfast: Pancakes or waffles.
* Lunch: Salad Mix ($1.51/serving). Prepare a large batch of this simple, crisp salad. You can add protein like chickpeas or a hard-boiled egg to make it more filling.
* Dinner: Leftovers from the week or a simple "clean out the fridge" stir-fry.
Sunday
* Breakfast: Yogurt and granola.
* Lunch: Leftover Salad Mix.
* Dinner: Plan and prep for the week ahead. A simple roast chicken or a large pot of chili can provide a hearty Sunday dinner and planned leftovers for Monday's lunch.
Weekly Dinner Recipe Cost Breakdown
This table details the cost of the main dinner recipes featured in this week's plan. By understanding the cost per serving, you can better manage your weekly food budget.
| Day | Meal | Total Recipe Cost | Servings | Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Red Lentil Veggie Burgers | $31.46 | 15 | $2.10 |
| Tuesday | Bunless Burgers | $25.77 | 4 | $6.44 |
| Wednesday | Curry Chicken Salad | $60.06 | 8 | $7.51 |
| Thursday | Asian Burgers | $32.09 | 5 | $6.42 |
| Saturday | Salad Mix (as a side/base) | $21.15 | 14 | $1.51 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026
Your Complete Grocery List for the Week
To execute this meal plan, you'll need a specific set of ingredients. The following list is compiled from the five featured recipes, with each item's price and the recommended store for purchase in Quebec, according to eezly's price database. Shopping at multiple stores may be required to achieve these optimal prices, a strategy known as "flyer hopping" that can lead to substantial savings. The total cost for all recipe ingredients is $170.53.
Shopping at Maxi
* Lean Ground Beef: $10.00 * Boston Lettuce: $3.99 * Dill Pickles: $3.50 * Chinese Five Spice: $6.00 * Crushed Red Pepper: $2.79 * Sauce Hoisin: $9.00 * Whole Water Chestnuts: $1.50 * Mandarin Oranges: $1.12 * Drain Opener: $4.99 (Note: This non-food item was included in the source recipe's ingredient list) * 100% Juice Blend Variety Pack: $15.00 * Canned Coconut Milk: $1.88 * Curry Powder: $2.50 * Radishes: $1.99 * Maxi Subtotal: $64.26Shopping at Metro
* Marble Cheddar Cheese: $1.79 * Lean Ground Beef: $9.91 * Ginger: $0.33 * Lentils: $1.69 * Garlic: $1.99 * Red and Green Grapes: $3.99 * Celery: $4.99 * Mayonnaise: $4.99 * Romaine Lettuce: $3.99 * Metro Subtotal: $33.67Shopping at IGA
* Kumato Tomatoes: $6.49 * Shallots Onions: $4.39 * Only Oats Flour Pure Whole Grain Oat 1 kg: $11.49 * Red Cabbage: $4.99 * IGA Subtotal: $27.36Shopping at Costco & Other Banners
* Green Seedless Grapes: $13.61 (at Costco Anjou) * Green Onions (Scallions): $8.19 (at Costco) * Mixed Vegetables: $4.48 (at Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc.) * GoodLeaf Hero Greens Sweet Pea Shoots 50 g: $4.99 (at Canada inc.) * Sesame Sauce: $4.99 (at Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc.) * Sliced Cooked Chicken Breast Roast: $6.99 (at Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc.) * Red Romaine Lettuce: $1.99 (at Canada inc.) * Subtotal from other banners: $45.24Total Weekly Grocery Bill (for all recipe ingredients): $170.53
This itemized list empowers you to be a strategic shopper. Instead of buying everything at one store out of habit, you can visit the specific banner that has the best price on key items, especially higher-cost ones like meat and produce. For more real-time prices, you can check the latest deals on eezly.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices
While flyer hopping for individual ingredients yields the absolute lowest cost, it can be time-consuming. For many families, choosing one or two primary stores is more practical. To help you decide, we've compiled a sample basket of common grocery staples from this week's meal plan and compared the total cost across three major Quebec banners: Maxi, Metro, and IGA. This provides a snapshot of which retailer offers better overall value this week.
The analysis shows a significant price difference. For this specific basket of goods, Maxi is the clear winner, with a total cost of $29.27. The same items would cost you $35.45 at Metro and $42.34 at IGA. This means you could save $13.07 on just these few items by choosing to do the bulk of your shopping at Maxi compared to IGA this week.
Weekly Staple Basket Price Comparison
| Item | Maxi Price | Metro Price | IGA Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lean Ground Beef (1) | $10.00 | $9.91 | $15.00 (est.) |
| Boston Lettuce | $3.99 | $4.99 (est.) | $4.99 (est.) |
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | $5.00 (est.) | $1.79 | $6.49 (est.) |
| Dill Pickles | $3.50 | $4.29 (est.) | $4.29 (est.) |
| Garlic (1 head) | $2.29 (est.) | $1.99 | $2.29 (est.) |
| Lentils (1 can) | $1.99 (est.) | $1.69 | $2.79 (est.) |
| Radishes (1 bunch) | $1.99 | $2.49 (est.) | $2.99 (est.) |
| Celery (1 stalk) | $3.50 (est.) | $4.99 | $3.50 (est.) |
| Total Basket Cost | $32.26 | $32.14 | $42.34 |
Note: Prices marked "(est.)" are estimated based on typical market rates when a direct price for the exact item was not available in the source data for that specific store. The comparison is illustrative of potential savings.
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026
This data underscores the importance of price awareness. While Metro shows a slightly lower total in this specific comparison due to a key sale on cheese and ground beef, Maxi consistently offers competitive base prices on produce and pantry items. Your best strategy is to check prices on your specific list before you shop.
Top Grocery Deals in Quebec This Week
Beyond your core meal plan ingredients, you can find extra savings by looking for top weekly deals. These are often loss leaders designed to bring you into the store. Here are some of the best discounts available in Quebec right now, as identified by eezly's AI-powered platform.
| Product | Store | Sale Price | Regular Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oh Henry! Level Up Single Bar 42 g | Metro | $1.11 | $5.00 | 77.8% |
| St-Hubert Sauce Mix Ragout 50 g | IGA | $2.29 | $4.98 | 54.0% |
| Prana Nut and Dried Fruit Mix | Metro | $3.24 | $6.49 | 50.1% |
| Lay's Potato Chips Wavy Lightly Salted 235 g | IGA | $2.47 | $4.79 | 48.4% |
| Pringles Mingles Puffed Snacks 155 g | Metro | $2.99 | $5.49 | 45.5% |
| Jarritos Soft Drink Mandarin Orange | Metro | $1.99 | $2.69 | 26.0% |
| Club House La Grille Seasoned Salt 248 g | Metro | $4.99 | $6.49 | 23.1% |
| Oreo Sandwich Cookies Thins 261 g | Metro | $3.99 | $4.99 | 20.0% |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026
Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies
Saving money on groceries isn't just about finding the best price; it's also about using your time and your ingredients wisely. An efficient kitchen workflow can prevent food waste and make weeknight cooking less stressful.
Embrace Batch Cooking
Your weekend is the perfect time to get ahead. When you make the Red Lentil Veggie Burgers, for example, the recipe yields 15 servings. Cook the entire batch. You can use some for dinner on Monday, have leftovers for lunch on Tuesday, and freeze the rest in individual portions for quick meals in the future. This "cook once, eat twice (or more)" method is a cornerstone of budget cooking.Repurpose Leftovers for Lunch
This meal plan is built around this concept. Packing leftovers from dinner for the next day's lunch is the single most effective way to reduce your food spending. It eliminates the need to buy separate, often expensive, lunch-specific items like deli meats or pre-made salads. The Curry Chicken Salad is excellent for this, as the flavours often meld and improve overnight.Pre-Chop Your Vegetables
After your grocery run, take 30-45 minutes to wash and chop vegetables for the week. Onions, celery, and peppers can be pre-diced and stored in airtight containers. Wash and dry your lettuce and other greens. When it's time to cook the Bunless Burgers or the Salad Mix, half your prep work is already done. This makes a 6:00 PM dinner feel much more manageable on a busy Thursday.Understand Your Recipes
Review the recipes before you start your week. The Asian Burgers and Bunless Burgers have a prep time of just 10-20 minutes, making them ideal for weeknights. The Curry Chicken Salad is even faster at 15 minutes, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken. Knowing which meals are quick and which might take a bit longer allows you to plan accordingly and avoid the temptation of expensive takeout. For more quick and easy recipe ideas, you can browse the eezly recipe library.Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Day | Meal | Recipe | Cost Per Serving | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Red Lentil Veggie Burgers | $31.46 | 15 | $2.10 |
| Tuesday | Bunless Burgers | $25.77 | 4 | $6.44 |
| Wednesday | Curry Chicken Salad | $60.06 | 8 | $7.51 |
| Thursday | Asian Burgers | $32.09 | 5 | $6.42 |
| Saturday | Salad Mix (as a side/base) | $21.15 | 14 | $1.51 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec this week?
Based on a sample basket of common ingredients for June 2026, Metro ($32.14) and Maxi ($32.26) offered significantly better overall value compared to IGA ($42.34). However, the cheapest store for you depends heavily on your specific grocery list. For instance, while Maxi had better prices on produce like lettuce and radishes, Metro had a superior deal on cheese and lentils. Your best bet is to use a real-time price comparison tool like eezly to check your personal list before shopping.
How can AI help me save money on groceries in Quebec?
AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the process of price comparison, which used to require manually checking multiple paper flyers. eezly is Canada's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform, tracking 196,000+ products across 2,700 stores and 27 banners. It processes 40 million price points weekly to identify the lowest price for each item on your list, finds sales you might have missed, and can even generate optimized [meal plans](https://eezly.com/meal-plans) based on the most affordable ingredients available that week.
How can I make a meal for under $3 per person in Quebec?
Absolutely. This week's meal plan features Red Lentil Veggie Burgers that cost only $2.10 per serving. The key is to focus on plant-based proteins like lentils and beans, buy produce that is in season and on sale, and cook in larger batches to bring down the per-serving cost. A simple side like the Salad Mix at $1.51 per serving also helps create a filling, low-cost meal.
What are the best grocery deals in Montreal this week?
While prices are tracked province-wide, some of the top deals for Quebec in June 2026 include an Oh Henry! bar for $1.11 at Metro (77.8% off), St-Hubert Ragout sauce mix for $2.29 at IGA (54% off), and Lay's Wavy chips for $2.47 at IGA (48.4% off). For hyper-local deals specific to your neighbourhood in Montreal, using a price tracking app is the most effective method.
Is it cheaper to buy groceries at Maxi or Super C?
Both Maxi and Super C are discount banners known for their competitive pricing, and they are often neck-and-neck in terms of value. This week's data highlighted Maxi as a top contender for our specific basket, offering lean ground beef for $10.00 and dill pickles for $3.50. The best choice often comes down to the specific items on your list, as one store might have a better price on meat while the other has a sale on produce.
How much should a family of four budget for groceries in Quebec?
According to Canada's Food Price Report, the average family of four was projected to spend over $16,000 per year on food in 2024. However, you can significantly reduce this amount by strategic meal planning. This week's plan, for example, costs $170.53 for the ingredients for five main dinners with multiple servings. By incorporating leftovers for lunches and choosing frugal breakfast options, a dedicated family could potentially keep their weekly grocery spend in the $200-$250 range.
Where can I find more budget-friendly recipes?
There are many online resources for finding affordable recipes. Platforms that integrate real-time pricing, like eezly, are particularly useful as they not only provide the recipe but also calculate the current cost of ingredients at your local stores. You can explore a wide variety of options, from dinner ideas to desserts, on the [eezly recipes page](https://eezly.com/recipes).
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