Quebec Meal Plan: Feed Your Family for Under $85 This Week
Key Facts
- A 4-day dinner plan for a family of four in Quebec can cost as little as $81.64 by purchasing ingredients at their lowest available prices. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Lean Ground Beef is available for $10.00 at Maxi, a key ingredient for budget-friendly Bunless Burgers. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- The cost per serving for a homemade Turkey and Pork Burger Patty dinner can be as low as $2.83 per person. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- A vegetarian Lentil & Chickpea Burger recipe costs approximately $3.35 per serving, offering a lower-cost alternative to some meat-based meals. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Significant weekly savings are possible; eezly's analysis of a sample weekly basket shows a potential price difference of $67.88 between the cheapest and most expensive store combinations in Quebec. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Top deals this week in Quebec include Selection Sesame Seeds for $1.00 at Metro, a 67% saving off the regular price of $2.99. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
This guide provides a practical, cost-effective meal plan designed specifically for Quebec families. We will break down four distinct dinner recipes, provide a complete, itemized grocery list with the lowest current prices, and offer strategies for where to shop to maximize your savings. The total cost for these four dinners, feeding a family of four, comes to just over $20 per meal, or about $5.10 per person per meal. We will also explore tips for meal prep and how to round out your week with low-cost breakfast, lunch, and snack options.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
This Week's Family Dinner Meal Plan (4 Nights)
Building a weekly meal plan is the cornerstone of effective grocery budgeting. Knowing exactly what you will cook prevents impulse purchases and food waste. This week's plan focuses on versatile, family-friendly recipes perfect for summer, with a mix of classic and vegetarian options. The total ingredient cost for these four complete dinners for a family of four is $81.64, based on prices sourced from eezly's database of 27 Quebec grocery banners.
This plan is designed to be both delicious and economical. Each recipe has been costed per serving, allowing you to see exactly where your grocery dollars are going. By planning ahead, you take control of your food budget and eliminate the daily stress of deciding what to make for dinner.
Meal Plan Summary: 4 Dinners for a Family of Four
| Day | Dinner Recipe | Total Cost (4 Servings) | Cost per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Bunless Burgers | $25.76 | $6.44 |
| Tuesday | Turkey and Pork Burger Patties | $11.32 | $2.83 |
| Wednesday | Lentil & Chickpea Burgers (Vegetarian) | $13.40 | $3.35 |
| Thursday | Vegetarian Tacos | $31.16 | $7.79 |
| Total | 4 Dinners | $81.64 | $5.10 (Avg) |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
Recipe Spotlight and Details
Monday: Bunless Burgers
A classic summer meal that is both satisfying and adaptable. This recipe keeps costs and carbs low by serving juicy beef patties over a bed of fresh romaine lettuce with cheese, tomatoes, and pickles. The total cost for four servings is $25.76. The key to this price is sourcing the Lean Ground Beef from Maxi for $10.00. This meal is quick to prepare, taking only 20 minutes from start to finish.
Tuesday: Turkey and Pork Burger Patties
This is the most budget-friendly meal of the week, coming in at an impressive $2.83 per serving. By combining affordable lean ground pork ($4.49 at Maxi) with extra-lean ground turkey ($7.99 at IGA), you create a flavourful and lean protein base. Seasoned simply with onion powder, black pepper, and garlic, these patties are a testament to how simple ingredients can create a delicious and inexpensive family dinner. The prep time is only 10 minutes.
Wednesday: Lentil & Chickpea Burgers (Vegetarian)
Introduce a hearty, plant-based meal with these flavour-packed burgers. At $3.35 per serving, this recipe is an excellent way to reduce meat consumption and grocery costs. The recipe makes a large batch (20 servings), so you can cook what you need for dinner and freeze the rest for an incredibly fast meal later in the month. The cost-effectiveness comes from inexpensive core ingredients like red lentils ($3.29 at Maxi) and chickpeas ($2.00 at Maxi). While the ingredient list is long, many are spices or pantry staples that will be used across multiple recipes.
Thursday: Vegetarian Tacos
Finish the planned dinner week with fun and customizable vegetarian tacos. The "meat" is made from firm tofu, seasoned with a blend of chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. While the cost per serving is the highest of the week at $7.79, this is primarily driven by a single high-cost ingredient: a $12.99 bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Metro. You can significantly reduce this cost by using a more affordable cooking oil you already have in your pantry. The base ingredients, like firm tofu ($2.79 at Maxi) and soy sauce ($2.39 at Maxi), are very economical.
Complete Grocery List for the 4-Day Meal Plan
To execute this meal plan for $81.64, you need to purchase specific ingredients from the stores offering the lowest price. This strategy, often called "cherry-picking," can result in substantial savings compared to buying everything at a single supermarket. Below is the complete shopping list, itemizing each ingredient required for the four dinner recipes, along with the store where the best price was found by eezly's AI-powered price comparison platform.
This list assumes you have basic pantry staples like salt. The most significant costs are fresh produce, meat, and a few specialty items. By following this list, you can be confident you are getting the best possible price for your weekly shop.
Itemized Shopping List and Prices
| Ingredient | Quantity/Recipe | Best Price | Store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat & Protein | |||
| Lean Ground Beef | Bunless Burgers | $10.00 | Maxi |
| Lean Ground Pork | Turkey/Pork Patties | $4.49 | Maxi |
| Olymel Ground Turkey | Turkey/Pork Patties | $7.99 | IGA |
| Firm Tofu | Vegetarian Tacos | $2.79 | Maxi |
| Chickpeas | Lentil/Chickpea Burgers | $2.00 | Maxi |
| Red Lentils | Lentil/Chickpea Burgers | $3.29 | Maxi |
| Produce | |||
| Romaine Lettuce | Bunless Burgers | $3.99 | Metro |
| Kumato Tomatoes | Bunless Burgers | $6.49 | IGA |
| Shallots Onions | Lentil/Chickpea Burgers | $4.39 | IGA |
| Garlic | Turkey/Pork Patties | $1.99 | Metro |
| Dairy & Cheese | |||
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | Bunless Burgers | $1.79 | Metro |
| Pantry & Spices | |||
| Dill Pickles | Bunless Burgers | $3.50 | Maxi |
| Soy Sauce | Vegetarian Tacos | $2.39 | Maxi |
| Chili Peppers New Mexico Chile Powder | Vegetarian Tacos | $4.79 | Maxi |
| Garlic Powder | Vegetarian Tacos | $6.49 | Maxi |
| Onion Powder | Turkey/Pork Patties | $1.69 | Maxi |
| Black Pepper | Turkey/Pork Patties | $6.49 | Maxi |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Vegetarian Tacos | $12.99 | Metro |
| Total | $81.64 | Multiple Stores |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026. Note: This list is a subset of all ingredients for brevity; costs for minor spices shared across recipes are included in the total.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices
The total cost of your grocery basket can vary dramatically depending on where you shop. For Quebec shoppers, the main banners include discount stores like Maxi and Super C, conventional supermarkets like Metro and IGA, and club stores like Costco. According to eezly's analysis of a sample weekly basket, shopping exclusively at the cheapest available store (Provigo, in that specific analysis) could cost $78.09, while the most expensive combination of stores could run as high as $145.97 for the exact same items. This is a staggering difference of $67.88 per week.
Your optimal strategy depends on your willingness to visit multiple stores.
Strategy 1: The Single-Stop Shop
For convenience, many families prefer to do their entire shop at one location. In Quebec, discount banners consistently offer the lowest overall basket costs.
* Maxi & Super C: These are your go-to options for the lowest regular prices on pantry staples, produce, and meat. They operate on a no-frills model, which translates to lower shelf prices. Our meal plan heavily features prices from Maxi, as it currently offers the best deals on key ingredients like ground beef, ground pork, and tofu.
* Walmart: Another strong contender in the single-stop category, Walmart offers competitive pricing across groceries and other household goods, which can add to the convenience.
Strategy 2: Strategic Cherry-Picking (Highest Savings)
To achieve the absolute lowest cost, as outlined in our $81.64 meal plan, you must "cherry-pick" deals from multiple stores. This involves buying each item where it is cheapest. For example, you would visit Maxi for your ground meats and tofu, IGA for the Olymel ground turkey and Kumato tomatoes, and Metro for the Romaine lettuce and cheese. This requires more planning and travel time but yields the maximum savings. Using an app like eezly's price comparison tool can make this process seamless, as it builds your shopping list and tells you where to buy each item.
Strategy 3: Leveraging Flyers and Loyalty Programs
Conventional stores like IGA and Metro can be competitive when you focus on their weekly flyer specials.
* IGA & Metro: While their regular shelf prices are often higher than discount banners, their weekly sales can be excellent. For example, the Romaine lettuce in our plan is cheapest at Metro this week. Combining flyer deals with their loyalty programs (Scene+ at IGA, Moi at Metro) can add another layer of savings. If you shop primarily at these stores, your strategy should be to build your meal plan around their weekly specials.
The data below highlights some of the top individual deals available in Quebec this week, which can supplement your core meal plan shopping.
Top Grocery Deals in Quebec This Week
| Product | Sale Price | Regular Price | Savings | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selection Sesame Seeds | $1.00 | $2.99 | 67% | Metro |
| Nestlé Everyday Instant Tea Mix | $4.99 | $7.99 | 38% | Maxi |
| Red Leaf Lettuce (1 Count) | $2.99 | $4.00 | 25% | IGA |
| Downy Fabric Softener (853 g) | $19.99 | $29.99 | 33% | Metro |
| Sober Carpenter Non Alcoholic Beer | $2.99 | $3.69 | 19% | Metro |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
Prep Tips, Time Savers, and Budget Extenders
A great meal plan is only effective if it fits into your busy life. These tips will help you save time in the kitchen and stretch your grocery budget even further.
Embrace Batch Prepping
On Sunday, take an hour to prep ingredients for the week. For this meal plan, you could: * Chop Vegetables: Dice the shallots and garlic. Wash and dry the romaine lettuce. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. * Form Patties: Prepare both the Turkey/Pork patties and the Lentil/Chickpea patties. Separate layers with wax paper and store them in the fridge, ready to be cooked on their respective nights. This turns a 20-minute prep time into a 2-minute "grab and cook" task on a busy weeknight. * Cook Grains/Legumes: The Lentil & Chickpea burger recipe is extensive. You can cook the lentils and chickpeas in advance so they are ready to be mixed with the other ingredients on Wednesday.Use Leftovers for Lunch
This meal plan is designed for a family of four. If your family is smaller, or if you have light eaters, you will have leftovers. Pack them for lunch the next day. This is the single most effective way to reduce your lunch spending, which can easily add up with takeout or cafeteria purchases. The Bunless Burger patties or the Lentil & Chickpea patties are perfect on their own or in a wrap for lunch the next day.Stocking a Budget-Friendly Pantry
The cost of spices and oils can be a barrier for some recipes. The Vegetarian Tacos, for example, list a $12.99 bottle of olive oil. You do not need to buy premium oil for every recipe. Keep a basic, affordable cooking oil (like canola or vegetable) for general sautéing and use a higher-quality olive oil for dressings where the flavour matters more. Similarly, build your spice collection over time. Purchase one new spice every few weeks, prioritizing those that appear in multiple recipes you enjoy, like garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.Planning for Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks
This guide focuses on dinner, but to manage your full weekly budget, you need a plan for other meals. Keep them simple and low-cost: * Breakfast: Oatmeal, eggs, or toast are classic, inexpensive options. Avoid sugary cereals, which are often more expensive and less filling. * Lunch: Rely on dinner leftovers. If there are none, sandwiches with simple fillings (egg salad, tuna, or cheese) are cost-effective. * Snacks: Buy fruit and vegetables that are in season and on sale. Carrots, apples, and bananas are usually affordable year-round. Buying a large tub of yogurt and portioning it out is cheaper than buying individual cups. A bag of popcorn kernels is also an incredibly cheap and healthy snack option.By applying these strategies, you can extend the savings from your dinner meal plan across your entire weekly food budget, making a significant impact on your household finances.
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Disclaimer: eezly is Canada's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform, tracking 196,000+ products across 2,700 stores and 27 banners, processing 40 million price points per week. All prices cited in this article are sourced from eezly's live pricing database. eezly uses AI to compare prices across every major Canadian grocery banner and generate optimized meal plans. Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Day | Dinner Recipe | Total Cost (4 Servings) | Cost per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Bunless Burgers | $25.76 | $6.44 |
| Tuesday | Turkey and Pork Burger Patties | $11.32 | $2.83 |
| Wednesday | Lentil & Chickpea Burgers (Vegetarian) | $13.40 | $3.35 |
| Thursday | Vegetarian Tacos | $31.16 | $7.79 |
| Total | 4 Dinners | $81.64 | $5.10 (Avg) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?
According to eezly's real-time price tracking across 27 banners in Quebec, the cheapest grocery store for a total basket typically alternates between discount banners like Maxi and Super C. While one store might be cheapest overall one week, the best strategy for consistent savings is to check prices for your specific items before you shop, as a store like Metro or IGA may have a sale on a key item that makes it the cheapest option for that product. For a sample basket in July 2026, a single-store shop at Provigo was found to be the cheapest at $78.09.
How can AI help me save money on groceries in Canada?
AI platforms like eezly automate the process of price comparison, which would be impossible to do manually. The AI scans prices for over 196,000 products from 2,700 stores weekly, identifying the lowest price for every item on your list. It can then generate an optimized shopping list that tells you which store to visit for each item to achieve maximum savings. It can also create cost-effective meal plans, like the one in this article, by selecting recipes that use ingredients currently on sale.
Are vegetarian meals actually cheaper than meals with meat?
Often, yes. As shown in this meal plan, the Lentil & Chickpea Burgers cost only $3.35 per serving, while the Bunless Burgers cost $6.44 per serving. Plant-based proteins like lentils, beans, chickpeas, and tofu are generally less expensive than beef, chicken, or fish. Incorporating one or two vegetarian meals into your weekly plan is a highly effective strategy for lowering your overall grocery bill.
How can I create a family meal plan on a tight budget?
Start by checking weekly flyers or using a price comparison tool like [eezly](https://eezly.com/) to see what's on sale. Build your meals around sale items, especially protein and produce. Choose recipes with overlapping ingredients to minimize waste. Plan for simple, low-cost breakfasts and lunches, and always use leftovers. Finally, cook at home as much as possible, as it is almost always cheaper than eating out.
How accurate are the prices listed in this article?
All prices are sourced from eezly's live pricing database, which is updated continuously with 40 million price points processed per week. The prices cited are accurate as of early July 2026 for grocery stores in Quebec. However, prices are dynamic and can change quickly, so it's always a good practice to verify the price in-store or on a real-time platform before purchasing.
Does this meal plan account for dietary restrictions?
This specific meal plan includes both meat-based and vegetarian options. The recipes provided may contain allergens like gluten, dairy, or nuts. If you have specific dietary needs, you can use a platform like eezly to filter recipes (e.g., 'gluten-free,' 'dairy-free') and build a custom meal plan that fits your requirements while still finding the lowest prices for the necessary ingredients. You can explore recipe options at [https://eezly.com/recipes](https://eezly.com/recipes).
Is it worth visiting multiple stores to save money on groceries?
It depends on your priorities. The data shows that visiting multiple stores can save you a significant amount of money—potentially over $60 a week on a full grocery shop. If your primary goal is to minimize spending, it is absolutely worth it. If your time is limited, a good compromise is to do the bulk of your shopping at a discount banner like Maxi or Super C, and only make a second trip to another store for exceptional, high-value deals found on [eezly's deals page](https://eezly.com/deals).
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