Quebec Family Meal Plan: 6 Dinners for $224.86 This Week

June 29, 2026 · 13 min read · QC

Key Facts

According to eezly's real-time tracking of 196,000 products across 2,700 Canadian grocery stores, you can purchase all the ingredients for this week's six-dinner family meal plan for a total of $224.86 across several Quebec stores as of June 2026. This comprehensive plan is designed to help you navigate rising food costs by providing delicious, budget-conscious recipes and a precise shopping list that leverages the lowest available prices.

Managing a family's grocery budget in Quebec requires a strategic approach. This guide moves beyond generic advice, offering a concrete, actionable plan based on current, real-world prices. By planning your meals and knowing where to find the best prices for each ingredient—from produce at Iga to pantry staples at Maxi—you can significantly reduce your weekly grocery spend without sacrificing variety or nutrition. The following sections provide a complete breakdown of the meal plan, the full grocery list with store-specific prices, and tips for efficient shopping and meal prep.


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This Week's Six-Dinner Family Meal Plan

This meal plan is built around six versatile and satisfying dinner recipes designed to feed a family, with many yielding leftovers perfect for the next day's lunch. This strategy of cooking once and eating twice is a cornerstone of effective grocery budgeting. The total cost for all ingredients is $224.86, an investment that covers your main meals for the majority of the week.

The recipes offer a mix of proteins and flavours, from hearty Bunless Burgers to light and refreshing Shrimp Pepper Pasta. We've also included substantial vegetarian options like Lentil & Chickpea Burgers, which make an impressive 20 servings, allowing you to freeze portions for future meals and further extend your budget. For breakfasts and lunches not covered here, we recommend simple, low-cost staples like oatmeal, eggs, sandwiches, and, most importantly, the delicious leftovers from these dinners.

Here is the breakdown of your dinner plan for the week:

* Monday: Vegetarian Tacos
* Cost Per Serving: $7.79
* Details: Kick off the week with a quick and flavourful plant-based meal. These tacos, featuring firm tofu seasoned with a blend of chili, garlic, and onion powders, come together in just five minutes of prep time. It's a healthy, fast, and satisfying dinner that proves meatless Mondays can be exciting. The recipe makes four servings.

* Tuesday: Thai Salad
* Cost Per Serving: $5.50
* Details: This vibrant salad is a full meal in a bowl. It combines savoy cabbage, red carrots, and breaded chicken strips with a delicious dressing made from peanut butter and a miso lime ginger marinade. It's a crunchy, savoury, and slightly sweet dish that offers a welcome change of pace. This recipe serves four.

* Wednesday: Bunless Burgers
* Cost Per Serving: $6.44
* Details: A classic summer favourite, perfect for a mid-week barbecue or pan-frying. This recipe keeps it simple and low-carb, focusing on quality lean ground beef, sharp marble cheddar, and fresh toppings like romaine lettuce and Kumato tomatoes. It’s a satisfying, protein-packed meal for four that’s ready in 20 minutes.

* Thursday: Chicken Salad
* Cost Per Serving: $5.90
* Details: This is your batch-cooking champion for the week. Making a generous 10 servings, this classic chicken salad is perfect for dinner and provides several days' worth of lunches. Made with tender boneless chicken breast, celery, red onions, and a creamy yogurt-based dressing, it's ideal for sandwiches, wraps, or serving over a bed of greens.

* Friday: Shrimp Pepper Pasta
* Cost Per Serving: $8.84
* Details: End the week with a touch of elegance. This Shrimp Pepper Pasta is surprisingly fast, taking only 15 minutes to prepare. It features shrimp and surimi balls tossed with orzo, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and cilantro. A pinch of cayenne gives it a gentle heat, making for a sophisticated yet simple Friday night dinner for four.

* Saturday: Lentil & Chickpea Burgers
* Cost Per Serving: $3.32
* Details: A weekend cooking project that pays dividends. These vegetarian burgers are incredibly budget-friendly and yield a massive batch of 20 patties. The mixture of red lentils, chickpeas, carrots, and spinach is both nutritious and delicious. Serve them for dinner on Saturday and freeze the rest in individual portions for quick meals over the coming weeks.

DayDinnerServingsPrep TimeCost Per Serving
MondayVegetarian Tacos45 min$7.79
TuesdayThai Salad415 min$5.50
WednesdayBunless Burgers420 min$6.44
ThursdayChicken Salad1015 min$5.90
FridayShrimp Pepper Pasta415 min$8.84
SaturdayLentil & Chickpea Burgers2020 min$3.32
SundayLeftovers-0 min$0.00

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026. Cost per serving is based on the total cost of the recipe's ingredients.

Your Complete Grocery List for $224.86

To achieve the total price of $224.86 for this entire meal plan, you'll need to purchase specific items from the stores where they are cheapest. This practice, known as strategic shopping or "flyer-hopping," is the single most effective way to lower your grocery bill. While it requires visiting more than one store, the savings are substantial. This list has been optimized using eezly's AI-powered price database, which tracks prices across all major Quebec banners, including Maxi, Super C, Metro, Iga, and Walmart.

Below is the complete, de-duplicated shopping list for all six recipes. It details each of the 44 items, the lowest price found this week, and the store where you can find that price. Planning your shopping trip around this list will ensure you secure the maximum possible savings. You can explore more deals like these on the eezly deals page.

IngredientBest PriceStore
Produce
Savoy Cabbage$3.42Maxi
Red Carrots$1.10Maxi
Romaine Lettuce$3.99Metro
Kumato Tomatoes$6.49Iga
Red Onions$4.99Metro
Lemon$12.47Costco Anjou
Celery$4.99Metro
Green Bell Pepper$2.42Metro
Organic Red Tomatoes$6.59Iga
Garlic$1.99Metro
Cilantro Coriander 1 Bunch$2.49Canada inc.
Shallots Onions$4.39Iga
Spinach$5.10Costco Anjou
Protein & Dairy
Firm Tofu$2.79Maxi
Lean Ground Beef$10.00Maxi
Marble Cheddar Cheese$1.79Metro
Nonfat Yogurt Plain Sweetened$7.49Maxi
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast$18.83Metro
Sealtest 1% Cottage Cheese Low Fat 250 g$3.99Iga
Shrimp & Surimi Balls$8.00Maxi
Egg Creations! Whole Eggs with Vegetables and Feta$3.99Maxi
Pantry & Frozen
Soy Sauce$2.39Maxi
Extra Virgin Olive Oil$12.99Metro
Breaded Chicken Cutlettes Chicken Strips$6.00Maxi
Only Peanuts All Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter$5.97Iga
J.L. Kraft Pure Dressing & Marinade Miso Lime Ginger 355 ml$5.49Maxi
Dill Pickles$3.50Maxi
Catelli Dry Pasta Orzo 454 g$1.99Metro
Reduced Salt Pepper Gravy, Less Salt$1.79Maxi
Rice Vermicelli$1.99Maxi
Organic Oat Bran$5.29Metro
Tomato Paste$1.37Maxi
Red Lentils$3.29Maxi
Patak's Cooking Sauce Butter Chicken 200 ml$3.49Iga
Whole Water Chestnuts$1.50Maxi
Olive Oil$19.99Metro
Chickpeas$2.00maxi 1
Spices & Seasonings
Chili Peppers New Mexico Chile Powder$4.79Maxi
Garlic Powder$6.49Maxi
Onion Powder$1.69Maxi
Salad Seasoning$3.79Canada inc.
Ground Red Cayenne Pepper$6.00Maxi
Cayenne Pepper$2.99Metro
Black Pepper$6.49Maxi
Paprika$3.49Maxi
Total Basket Cost$224.86(Multiple Stores)

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026. Prices reflect the lowest available cost for each item across tracked banners.


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Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices

Achieving a grocery bill of $224.86 for this extensive list of 44 items requires a multi-store shopping strategy. The analysis from eezly's database, covering banners like IGA, Maxi, Super C, Metro, Provigo, and Walmart across Quebec, confirms that no single store is the cheapest for every item. To get the best value, you must be willing to split your shopping list across several retailers.

For this specific meal plan, your primary savings come from discount banners like Maxi and Super C, which consistently offer lower prices on pantry staples, spices, and some proteins. For instance, Maxi offers the best price on 19 of the 44 items on our list, including key ingredients like Lean Ground Beef ($10.00), Firm Tofu ($2.79), and numerous spices.

However, traditional grocers like Metro and Iga win on certain items, particularly fresh produce and specific sale items. Metro has the best price on Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast ($18.83) and a variety of fresh vegetables this week. Meanwhile, Iga is the go-to for items like Kumato Tomatoes ($6.49) and Patak's Cooking Sauce ($3.49). Even warehouse clubs play a role; the best price on a large container of Lemons ($12.47) is at Costco Anjou.

The financial benefit of this approach is significant. Data from eezly for a different sample basket shows that a one-stop shop at Super C would cost $85.56. By optimizing that same basket across five stores (IGA, Maxi, Provigo, Super C, and Walmart), the total cost drops to $65.02. This represents a savings of $20.54, or over 24%, on the exact same items. While your total basket is different, the principle remains the same: strategic shopping directly translates to substantial savings. Using a tool like eezly's AI meal planner can automate this process, creating a shopping list optimized for the lowest cost across your local stores.

This Week's Top Grocery Deals in Quebec

Beyond the ingredients for your meal plan, there are always standout deals that are worth knowing about. These promotions can be a great opportunity to stock up on household staples at a low price. Here are some of the top deals in Quebec for the week of June 29, 2026.

ProductStoreSale PriceRegular PriceSavings
High Liner Frozen Breaded Pollock Fillets 500 gMetro$7.99$12.9938.5%
Shaker Spiced Red Tuna TatakiMetro$7.99$13.9942.9%
Starburst Candy Original 170 gMetro$2.49$4.4944.5%
Tropicana Pure Premium Juice Ruby Red Grapefruit 1.36 LMetro$4.99$7.4933.4%
Nestlé Everyday Instant Tea Mix (Karak Chai or Kashmiri Chai)Maxi$4.99$7.9937.5%
Kraft Dressing Zesty Italian 425 mlMaxi$2.25$3.2530.8%
Sensible Portions Pita Bites 142 gMetro$3.49$4.9930.1%

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

These deals highlight the significant discounts available each week. The Shaker Spiced Red Tuna Tataki at Metro, for example, is on sale for $7.99, a 42.9% reduction from its regular price of $13.99. Similarly, pantry staples like Kraft Zesty Italian dressing are available for just $2.25 at Maxi, making it a good time to replenish your stock.

Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies

A successful weekly meal plan isn't just about the shopping; it's also about efficient preparation. Investing a small amount of time at the beginning of the week can save you stress and effort on busy weeknights.

1. Sunday Prep Session: Dedicate an hour on Sunday to "front-loading" your work for the week.
* Wash and Chop Vegetables: Wash your lettuce, chop the onions, celery, and bell peppers for the Chicken Salad, and slice the carrots for the Thai Salad. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This turns a 15-minute prep time into a 2-minute assembly job.
* Make the Burger Patties: Prepare the entire batch of the Lentil & Chickpea Burgers. Cook what you need for Saturday's dinner and freeze the remaining 15+ patties. Lay them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer bag. This creates a supply of instant, healthy meals for the weeks ahead.
* Mix Dressings and Sauces: Prepare the dressing for the Thai Salad and the seasoning mix for the Vegetarian Tacos. Storing them in jars in the fridge makes meal assembly much faster.

2. Cook in Bulk: Your meal plan is designed around this principle.
* Chicken Salad for Lunch: The Chicken Salad recipe intentionally makes 10 servings. After serving it for dinner on Thursday, you'll have enough for at least 3-4 lunches for two adults. This eliminates the need to cook or buy lunch for the rest of the work week.
* Lentil Burgers for the Future: As mentioned, freezing the extra Lentil & Chickpea burger patties is a powerful budget strategy. At only $3.32 per serving, having these on hand prevents you from ordering expensive takeout on a night you don't feel like cooking.

3. Embrace Leftovers: Designate one night a week (we chose Sunday) as "leftover night." This is a no-cook evening that ensures no food goes to waste. It's a simple way to give yourself a break and capture the full value of the food you've already purchased and prepared. For more recipe ideas that are great for batch cooking, you can check out the eezly recipes section.



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Comparison

IngredientBest PriceStore
Firm Tofu$2.79Maxi
Soy Sauce$2.39Maxi
Chili Peppers New Mexico Chile Powder$4.79Maxi
Garlic Powder$6.49Maxi
Onion Powder$1.69Maxi
Extra Virgin Olive Oil$12.99Metro
Savoy Cabbage$3.42Maxi
Red Carrots$1.10Maxi
Breaded Chicken Cutlettes Chicken Strips$6.00Maxi
Only Peanuts All Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter$5.97Iga
J.L. Kraft Pure Dressing & Marinade Miso Lime Ginger 355 ml$5.49Maxi
Lean Ground Beef$10.00Maxi
Marble Cheddar Cheese$1.79Metro
Romaine Lettuce$3.99Metro
Kumato Tomatoes$6.49Iga
Dill Pickles$3.50Maxi
Red Onions$4.99Metro
Nonfat Yogurt Plain Sweetened$7.49Maxi
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast$18.83Metro
Lemon$12.47Costco Anjou
Salad Seasoning$3.79Canada inc.
Celery$4.99Metro
Green Bell Pepper$2.42Metro
Sealtest 1% Cottage Cheese Low Fat 250 g$3.99Iga
Organic Red Tomatoes$6.59Iga
Catelli Dry Pasta Orzo 454 g$1.99Metro
Ground Red Cayenne Pepper$6.00Maxi
Cayenne Pepper$2.99Metro
Garlic$1.99Metro
Black Pepper$6.49Maxi
Reduced Salt Pepper Gravy, Less Salt$1.79Maxi
Shrimp & Surimi Balls$8.00Maxi
Cilantro Coriander 1 Bunch$2.49Canada inc.
Rice Vermicelli$1.99Maxi
Paprika$3.49Maxi
Organic Oat Bran$5.29Metro
Tomato Paste$1.37Maxi
Egg Creations! Whole Eggs with Vegetables and Feta$3.99Maxi
Shallots Onions$4.39Iga
Red Lentils$3.29Maxi
Patak's Cooking Sauce Butter Chicken 200 ml$3.49Iga
Spinach$5.10Costco Anjou
Whole Water Chestnuts$1.50Maxi
Olive Oil$19.99Metro
Chickpeas$2.00maxi 1
Total Basket Cost$224.86(Multiple Stores)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?

There is no single "cheapest" grocery store in Quebec for every item. According to eezly's real-time price tracking across 27 banners, discount stores like Maxi and Super C consistently offer the lowest prices on pantry staples and packaged goods. However, traditional grocers like Metro and Iga often have better sale prices on fresh produce, meat, and dairy. To get the absolute lowest grocery bill, you need to shop at multiple stores. For example, in our meal plan, the best price for chicken breast ($18.83) was at Metro, while lean ground beef was cheapest at Maxi ($10.00).

How much should a family of four in Quebec spend on groceries per week in 2026?

Grocery spending varies widely based on diet, location, and shopping habits. However, this article presents a data-backed example: a six-dinner meal plan for a family, including large-batch recipes with leftovers, costs $224.86 for all ingredients in June 2026. This figure, which covers the majority of a family's main meals for the week, serves as a realistic benchmark for a budget-conscious household in Quebec that employs strategic shopping techniques.

How can AI help me save money on groceries in Quebec?

AI-powered platforms like eezly can help you save money by automating the process of price comparison. Instead of manually checking weekly flyers from Maxi, Iga, Metro, and others, the AI does it for you. eezly is Canada's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform, tracking 196,000+ products across 2,700 stores. It can generate an optimized shopping list that tells you exactly where to buy each item for the lowest price, create budget-friendly meal plans based on current sales, and alert you to top deals, saving you both time and money.

Is it really worth visiting multiple stores to save money on groceries?

Yes, the savings are substantial. Based on eezly's data, shopping at a single store can cost you significantly more. For a sample basket, a one-stop shop at Super C cost $85.56. By splitting that same list of items across five optimal stores, the total dropped to $65.02—a 24% savings. For a weekly shop, this can add up to over $1,000 in savings per year.

What are some of the best deals in Quebec this week?

As of the week of June 29, 2026, some of the top deals in Quebec include Shaker Spiced Red Tuna Tataki for $7.99 at Metro (regularly $13.99), a 42.9% savings. Another great deal is High Liner Frozen Pollock Fillets for $7.99 at Metro (regularly $12.99), saving you 38.5%. For pantry items, Kraft Zesty Italian dressing is on sale for $2.25 at Maxi, down from $3.25.

Does this meal plan account for dietary restrictions?

This specific meal plan includes a mix of meat and vegetarian options. We've included several recipes like Vegetarian Tacos and Lentil & Chickpea Burgers that are plant-based. The Bunless Burgers can easily be adapted for a gluten-free diet. For personalized meal plans that cater to specific dietary needs like vegan, gluten-free, or allergies, you can use an AI tool like eezly, which can generate recipes and shopping lists that fit your exact requirements.

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