Priceless tips for reducing costs

Discover brilliant cooks, chefs and writers working to help you eat well for less money

- Melissa Thompson

Food is one of the clearest markers of our financial well-being. Feeling flush, we barely think about what we eat, but once our budget shrinks, cost becomes a primary focus as soaring energy prices put some long cooks out of reach. Treats once purchased with reckless abandon now become rarities, if affordable at all.

A number of brilliant chefs, recipe writers and bloggers are working to help people make the most from ingredients, both sourcing good food inexpensively, as well as sharing the most cost-effective ways to cook and make the most of ingredients. Our Cook Smart campaign also aims to lower the cost of cooking with clever tips and tricks to bring a meal in at £1.25* per serving or less.

Here, we've compiled advice from cooks and bloggers on the most effective ways to reduce food costs.

1 Jacqueline Meldrum

Scottish food blogger Jacqueline Meldrum doesn't necessarily create recipes from a low-budget standpoint, but her easy-to-follow dishes are quick and include simple ingredients that are either vegetarian or vegan - which end up being cheaper if you're on a budget. Dishes such as the 10-minute spicy bean burgers and her chip shop series are winners. @tinnedtoms

Jacqueline's top tip "Plan meals, then you'll only buy what you need. It takes the stress out of the week, too."

2 Renu Bhardway

Combining fresh and healthy ingredients in clever ways, Renu's recipes are no-nonsense flavour bombs. Her food is vegetarian, and she shares ideas on how to prep meals on a budget with greats way to shop and cook to avoid added costs. One plan includes her smashed burger wrap and spicy Lebanese sweet potatoes. Her meals are also quick to prepare, so you won't spend loads on gas and electric. @hey_renu

Renu's top tip "Meal prep is key! Any leftovers can be used to create another meal or frozen for another time."