Quebec Weekly Meal Plan: Feed Your Family for Under $200
Key Facts
- A full week of groceries for a family can cost as little as $195.84 in Quebec by shopping strategically across five stores (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026).
- This week's Bunless Burgers recipe costs only $6.44 per serving, with lean ground beef priced at $10.00 at Maxi (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026).
- You can make a fresh Thai Salad with chicken for approximately $5.50 per serving (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026).
- Shopping at a combination of IGA, Maxi, Metro, Super C, and Wholesale Club can save you over $15 compared to buying all items at a single store (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026).
- The featured Salmon Patties recipe, which serves nine, uses Clover Leaf Sockeye Salmon available for $4.79 at Iga (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026).
- A family of four can eat for approximately $6.99 per person, per day on this meal plan (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026).
For a family of four, this budget breaks down to just under $50 per person for the entire week, or approximately $6.99 per person per day. This guide will provide you with a complete seven-day meal structure, detailed recipes for five key dinners, a comprehensive grocery list with price-matched ingredients from Quebec stores like Maxi, IGA, and Metro, and actionable tips to make your week of cooking both affordable and efficient.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
This Week's Summer Meal Plan: Fresh, Filling, and Affordable
A successful weekly meal plan balances cost, nutrition, and convenience. This plan, developed using pricing data from across Quebec, focuses on fresh summer ingredients and recipes that are both satisfying and easy to prepare. The cornerstone of the week are five delicious, cost-analyzed dinner recipes. We supplement these with simple, low-cost ideas for breakfasts and lunches that utilize crossover ingredients to minimize waste and maximize your budget.
The total grocery bill for this entire seven-day plan comes to $195.84 when you purchase each item at its lowest available price across a selection of five major Quebec banners. The following table outlines a sample week.
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner (Cost Per Serving) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Oatmeal with Berries | Leftover Thai Salad | Bunless Burgers ($6.44) |
| Tuesday | Yogurt and Granola | Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Thai Salad ($5.50) |
| Wednesday | Scrambled Eggs | Leftover Bunless Burger Patty with a side salad | Asian Burgers ($5.92) |
| Thursday | Toast with Peanut Butter | Leftover Salmon Patties | Chicken Salad ($6.54) |
| Friday | Cereal with Milk | Leftover Asian Burger Patty | Salmon Patties ($5.98) |
| Saturday | Fruit Smoothie | Sandwiches with deli meat & cheese | Pâtes à la sauce tomate (Pasta with tomato sauce) |
| Sunday | Pancakes | Leftovers from the week | Family choice / Use remaining ingredients |
Source: eezly recipe costing and meal plan generation, as of June 2026.
Dinner Spotlight: Recipe Breakdowns
Here is a closer look at the five main dinner recipes that form the foundation of this week's plan. Each has been costed using real-time prices from Quebec grocery stores to give you an accurate picture of your spending.
#### Monday: Bunless Burgers
Perfect for a summer evening, these Bunless Burgers offer all the flavour of a classic barbecue without the heavy bun. Served on a bed of crisp lettuce with fresh tomatoes, they are a lighter, satisfying option. The total cost to make four servings is $25.77, which comes out to just $6.44 per person. The key to this low price is sourcing the lean ground beef from Maxi, where it is currently priced at $10.00 for the quantity needed. This recipe is quick, taking only 20 minutes to prepare.
#### Tuesday: Thai Salad
This vibrant Thai Salad is a refreshing and flavourful meal, ideal for a warm day. It combines savoy cabbage, carrots, and breaded chicken with a delicious peanut-miso-lime dressing. It’s a fantastic way to get your vegetables in without feeling like you’re missing out. The recipe serves four and costs a total of $21.98 to prepare, making each serving an economical $5.50. The most significant ingredients, like the savoy cabbage and chicken, are most affordable at Maxi, while the Kraft Miso Lime Ginger dressing is also found there for $5.49.
#### Wednesday: Asian Burgers
To add some variety to your burger nights, these Asian Burgers are seasoned with Chinese five-spice and a hint of hoisin sauce for a unique and savoury flavour profile. This recipe demonstrates how a few key pantry items can completely transform a simple ingredient like ground beef. Serving five people, the total cost for this meal is $29.61, or $5.92 per serving. According to eezly's AI-powered price comparison, the lean ground beef for this recipe is cheapest at Metro ($7.43), while the hoisin sauce and spices are better value at Maxi.
#### Thursday: Chicken Salad
A classic for a reason, this Chicken Salad is perfect for a simple, no-cook dinner on a busy night. Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a major time-saver. The recipe combines chicken with mayonnaise, celery, red onions, and the surprising sweetness of red grapes. This version serves five and has a total ingredient cost of $32.68, working out to $6.54 per serving. The best value for this recipe comes from a split shop: the half rotisserie chicken is just $3.99 at Iga, while the red seedless grapes are most affordable at Maxi ($8.23).
#### Friday: Salmon Patties
A nutritious and elegant meal to end the week, these Salmon Patties are packed with protein and healthy fats. Made with canned sockeye salmon, almond flour, and a mix of fresh vegetables and spices, they are surprisingly easy to make. This recipe is also great for larger families or for meal prepping, as it yields nine patties. The total cost is $53.81, bringing the cost per serving to an impressive $5.98. The key ingredient, Clover Leaf Canned Sockeye Salmon, is priced at $4.79 at Iga. The bulk of the ingredients, however, including the pricey almond flour ($17.00), are best purchased at Maxi. For shoppers in Montreal, the lemons for this recipe are a great deal at Costco Anjou, priced at $12.47 for a large bag.
Complete Grocery List for This Week's Dinners
To achieve the lowest possible cost for these five main meals, you will need to purchase specific items from different stores. The total cost for the ingredients listed below is $163.85. The remaining $31.99 in the $195.84 weekly budget can be allocated to breakfasts, lunches, and staples like bread, milk, eggs, and coffee. This list is your roadmap to savings.
| Item | Best Price | Store | Recipe(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat & Fish | |||
| Lean Ground Beef (for Burgers) | $10.00 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Lean Ground Beef (for Burgers) | $7.43 | Metro | Asian Burgers |
| Breaded Chicken Cutlettes | $6.00 | Maxi | Thai Salad |
| 1/2 Barbeque Rotisserie Chicken | $3.99 | Iga | Chicken Salad |
| Clover Leaf Sockeye Salmon (106g) | $4.79 | Iga | Salmon Patties |
| Produce | |||
| Boston Lettuce | $3.99 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Kumato Tomatoes | $6.49 | Iga | Bunless Burgers |
| Shallots Onions | $4.39 | Iga | Asian Burgers |
| Savoy Cabbage | $3.42 | Maxi | Thai Salad |
| Red Carrots | $1.10 | Maxi | Thai Salad |
| Diced Red Onions | $3.99 | Metro | Salmon Patties |
| Red Onions | $4.99 | Metro | Chicken Salad |
| Green Bell Peppers | $7.99 | Metro | Salmon Patties |
| Lemon (bag) | $12.47 | Costco Anjou | Salmon Patties |
| Celery | $4.99 | Metro | Chicken Salad |
| Red Seedless Grapes | $8.23 | Maxi | Chicken Salad |
| Pantry & Dairy | |||
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | $1.79 | Metro | Bunless Burgers |
| Dill Pickles | $3.50 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Crunchy Dill Pickles | $2.79 | Maxi | Salmon Patties |
| Chinese Five Spice | $6.00 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Crushed Red Pepper | $2.79 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Sauce Hoisin | $9.00 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Only Peanuts Peanut Butter | $5.97 | Iga | Thai Salad |
| J.L. Kraft Miso Lime Dressing | $5.49 | Maxi | Thai Salad |
| Almond Flour | $17.00 | Maxi | Salmon Patties |
| Reduced Salt Pepper Gravy | $1.79 | Maxi | Salmon Patties |
| Cayenne Pepper | $2.99 | Metro | Salmon Patties |
| Mayonnaise | $4.99 | Metro | Chicken Salad |
| Organic Dijon Mustard | $5.49 | Metro | Chicken Salad |
| Total Cost for Dinners | $163.85 | Multiple |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026. Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
For more real-time deals and to build your own custom shopping list, you can explore the eezly deals page.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices
One of the most significant findings from eezly's analysis of 27 Canadian grocery banners is that no single store is the cheapest for everything. To achieve the lowest possible grocery bill of $195.84 for this meal plan, you need to visit five different banners: IGA, Maxi, Metro, Super C, and Wholesale Club. While this may seem like a lot of work, the savings are substantial.
Let's break down the cost based on the number of stores you are willing to visit.
| Number of Stores | Store Banners | Total Basket Cost | Savings vs. One Store |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Super C | $211.93 | $0.00 |
| 2 | Maxi, Super C | $203.55 | $8.38 |
| 3 | Maxi, Super C, Wholesale Club | $203.55 | $8.38 |
| 4 | IGA, Maxi, Super C, Wholesale Club | $202.35 | $9.58 |
| 5 | IGA, Maxi, Metro, Super C, Wholesale Club | $195.84 | $16.09 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026.
As the data clearly shows, simply shopping at Super C alone would cost you $211.93. By adding a second stop at Maxi, you immediately save over $8. Visiting all five of the optimal stores unlocks the full potential savings of over $16 for this specific basket of goods.
This strategy, often called "strategic shopping" or "cherry-picking," involves buying items where they are on sale or have the best regular price. While it requires more planning, the financial benefit is significant over the course of a month or year. Using an AI-powered tool like eezly, which compares prices across every major banner in Quebec, automates this process. You can see which store has the best price for each item on your list before you even leave the house, turning a potentially complex task into a simple, actionable plan. Check out how prices compare at your local stores, like Maxi, to start planning.
Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies
A great meal plan is only effective if it's manageable. The key to staying on track without spending your entire evening in the kitchen is preparation. Here are some tips to make this weekly plan work for you.
Weekend Prep Session (1-2 Hours)
Set aside a couple of hours on Sunday to get a head start on the week. * Vegetable Chopping: Wash and chop the produce you'll need. This includes dicing the red onions and green bell peppers for the Salmon Patties, slicing the shallots for the Asian Burgers, and shredding the cabbage and carrots for the Thai Salad. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. * Sauce and Dressing Prep: Mix the dressing for the Thai Salad. This can be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for several days. Having it ready will turn Tuesday's dinner into a 15-minute assembly job. * Burger Patties: You can form both the Bunless Burger patties and the Asian Burger patties ahead of time. Place them on a tray lined with wax paper, separating layers, and keep them covered in the fridge. This makes weeknight cooking as simple as firing up the grill or a pan.Cook Once, Eat Twice
This meal plan is designed to leverage leftovers for easy lunches, saving you both time and money. * Chicken Salad: Thursday's Chicken Salad recipe is perfect for this. Make the full batch and use the leftovers for sandwiches or wraps for lunch on Friday. The flavours often meld and taste even better the next day. * Burger Patties: An extra burger patty from Monday or Wednesday makes a fantastic, high-protein lunch. Reheat it and serve it over a simple green salad for a quick and satisfying meal. * Thai Salad: The Thai Salad holds up reasonably well, especially if you store the dressing separately. Pack it for lunch on Tuesday for a refreshing midday meal.Embrace the Freezer
Your freezer is a powerful tool for saving money and time. When you find a great deal on a staple ingredient like ground beef or chicken, buy in bulk. You can portion the meat into meal-sized packages and freeze them. The Salmon Patties also freeze exceptionally well. You can cook the entire batch and freeze the extras for a quick dinner on a future busy night. This strategy helps you lock in low prices and reduces the pressure of daily cooking. For more ideas on what to cook, browse the extensive collection of recipes on eezly.com.Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Recipe | Servings | Total Cost | Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunless Burgers | 4 | $25.77 | $6.44 |
| Asian Burgers | 5 | $29.61 | $5.92 |
| Thai Salad | 4 | $21.98 | $5.50 |
| Salmon Patties | 9 | $53.81 | $5.98 |
| Chicken Salad | 5 | $32.68 | $6.54 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?
There is no single "cheapest" grocery store in Quebec for every item. As of June 2026, eezly's real-time data shows that discount banners like Maxi and Super C consistently offer low prices on many staples. However, for this specific weekly meal plan, the lowest total cost of $195.84 was achieved by shopping at five different stores: IGA, Maxi, Metro, Super C, and Wholesale Club. For example, the rotisserie chicken was cheapest at Iga ($3.99), while the almond flour was cheapest at Maxi ($17.00). The best strategy is to compare prices for your specific list before you shop.
How can AI help me save money on groceries?
AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the process of price comparison, which would be incredibly time-consuming to do manually. The system tracks over 40 million price points per week from 2,700 stores across Canada. It can instantly identify which store has the lowest price for each item on your list, build an optimized shopping cart that splits your purchases across stores for maximum savings, and even generate cost-effective [meal plans](https://eezly.com/meal-plans) based on current sale items. This eliminates guesswork and ensures you are always getting the best possible deal.
Is meal planning really worth the effort?
Yes, meal planning is one of the most effective strategies for managing your food budget. It reduces impulse buys, minimizes food waste by ensuring every ingredient has a purpose, and lowers your overall spending. This plan, for example, saves over $16 in a single week just by directing you to the cheapest stores. Over a year, those savings can add up to over $800. It also reduces the daily stress of deciding what to make for dinner.
How much should a family of four budget for groceries in Quebec?
Grocery budgets can vary widely based on diet, location, and shopping habits. However, this meal plan demonstrates that it is possible for a family of four in Quebec to eat a varied and healthy diet for under $200 per week, or approximately $800 per month, by planning meals and shopping strategically. This works out to about $6.99 per person per day. Your own budget may be higher or lower, but this provides a strong, data-backed baseline.
Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?
Absolutely. These recipes are a template. If your family doesn't like salmon, you can substitute another fish or even chicken in the patties. If Kumato tomatoes are expensive, regular field tomatoes will work just fine in the Bunless Burgers. The key is to check the price of your intended substitution using a tool like eezly to see how it will impact the total cost of the recipe and your overall weekly budget.
How is the total weekly cost of $195.84 calculated?
The $195.84 figure is the "cheapest total" calculated by eezly's AI for a complete seven-day meal plan basket, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. This total is achieved by purchasing each item in the basket from the store offering the lowest price in June 2026, requiring visits to IGA, Maxi, Metro, Super C, and Wholesale Club. The detailed grocery list in this article, which totals $163.85, covers only the five main dinner recipes to illustrate specific ingredient costs. The remaining budget covers the other meals and staples for the week.
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