Quebec Meal Plan: Asian Burgers for $6.42/Serving
Key Facts
- The cost per serving for a family meal of Asian Burgers is $6.42 when ingredients are sourced from Iga, Metro, and Maxi in Quebec. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- A complete meal of Bunless Burgers for four people has a total ingredient cost of $25.77. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Lean Ground Beef is available for as low as $9.91 at Metro for the Asian Burgers recipe. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Shoppers can find key ingredients at low prices by visiting multiple stores; for instance, Maxi offers Boston Lettuce for $3.99 and Dill Pickles for $3.50. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- The total cost for the ingredients for two featured family dinners (Asian Burgers and Bunless Burgers) is $57.86. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Iga features competitive prices on fresh produce, such as Kumato Tomatoes for $6.49 and Shallots for $4.39. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
This guide provides a flexible seven-day meal plan for a Quebec family, centered around two budget-friendly summer BBQ recipes. We will break down the exact cost of ingredients, show you which stores like Maxi, Metro, and Iga offer the best prices on key items this week, and provide a complete shopping list to streamline your trip. By planning ahead, you can enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without straining your finances.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
This Week's Summer BBQ Meal Plan: An Overview
A successful budget meal plan is built on a foundation of flexibility and smart use of staples. This week's plan is designed to be a template that you can adapt to your family's preferences and what you may already have in your pantry. The cornerstones of the plan are two flavourful and cost-effective burger recipes, perfect for a July evening. The remaining meals utilize leftovers and common, affordable staples.
This structure minimizes your time in the kitchen and maximizes the value of every dollar you spend. Lunches are simplified by relying on leftovers from the previous night's dinner, a classic strategy for saving both time and money. Breakfasts are built around inexpensive bulk items, and the other dinner suggestions are versatile templates you can customize based on current sales.
Here is a sample weekly structure:
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Oatmeal with Berries | Sandwiches & Carrot Sticks | Pasta with Simple Tomato Sauce |
| Tuesday | Toast with Peanut Butter | Leftover Pasta | Chicken & Veggie Skewers |
| Wednesday | Yogurt with Granola | Salad with Hard-Boiled Eggs | Bunless Burgers with Lettuce Wraps |
| Thursday | Eggs and Toast | Leftover Burgers & Side Salad | Lentil Soup & Crusty Bread |
| Friday | Cereal with Milk | Sandwiches & Apple Slices | Asian Burgers on Buns |
| Saturday | Pancakes | Leftover Burgers | Pizza Night (Homemade) |
| Sunday | Oatmeal with Berries | Salad with Leftover Chicken | Rotisserie Chicken with Roasted Potatoes |
This plan is a guide, not a rigid set of rules. If you find a great deal on pork chops, you can easily substitute them for one of the other meals. The key is to have a plan that reduces daily decision fatigue and directs your grocery spending toward items with the best value. You can use a price comparison tool like the eezly deals page to find the best prices on staples like pasta, chicken, and produce at your local Quebec stores.
Featured Dinner Recipes: Detailed Cost Breakdown
This week, we focus on two distinct burger recipes that are both affordable and easy to prepare. By sourcing ingredients from the stores with the lowest prices, you can serve these impressive meals for a fraction of the cost of eating out. The analysis below uses real-time pricing data to give you an accurate picture of what you will spend.
Recipe 1: Asian Burgers
This recipe brings a unique and delicious twist to the classic burger, incorporating the savoury flavours of hoisin sauce and Chinese five-spice powder. It's a sophisticated meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.* Cost Per Serving: $6.42
* Total Cost for 5 Servings: $32.09
* Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients & Price Breakdown:
* Lean Ground Beef (approx. 1.5 lbs): $9.91 at Metro
* Shallots Onions (1 bag): $4.39 at Iga
* Chinese Five Spice (1 jar): $6.00 at Maxi
* Crushed Red Pepper (1 jar): $2.79 at Maxi
* Sauce Hoisin (1 bottle): $9.00 at Maxi
Note: Buns and other condiments are not included in this recipe's core cost.*
To prepare, you'll simply mix the lean ground beef with finely chopped shallots, a teaspoon of Chinese five spice, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. Form the mixture into five patties and cook them on the grill or in a skillet until done to your liking. During the last minute of cooking, brush the patties generously with hoisin sauce. Serve on your favourite buns with crisp lettuce and other desired toppings.
Recipe 2: Bunless Burgers with Lettuce Wraps
For a lighter, low-carbohydrate option, these bunless burgers served in crisp lettuce wraps are an excellent choice. They are packed with classic burger flavour from the cheese and pickles but skip the heavy bun.* Cost Per Serving: $6.44
* Total Cost for 4 Servings: $25.77
* Prep Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients & Price Breakdown:
* Lean Ground Beef (approx. 1 lb): $10.00 at Maxi
* Marble Cheddar Cheese (250g block): $1.79 at Metro
* Boston Lettuce (1 head): $3.99 at Maxi
* Kumato Tomatoes (1 container): $6.49 at Iga
* Dill Pickles (1 jar): $3.50 at Maxi
This recipe is straightforward. Form the ground beef into four patties and season with salt and pepper. Grill or pan-fry to your preferred doneness, adding a slice of cheddar cheese to each patty during the final minute of cooking to melt. To serve, wrap each cheesy patty in a large leaf of Boston lettuce and top with sliced Kumato tomatoes and dill pickles. It's a refreshing and satisfying meal that is perfect for a warm July evening.
Your Complete Grocery List for Featured Recipes
To make shopping as efficient as possible, here is a consolidated grocery list covering all the priced ingredients for both the Asian Burgers and the Bunless Burgers. This list is organized to show you the total cost for these two family dinners, which comes to $57.86. By following this list, you can be confident you are getting the best available prices for these specific items this week.
Remember to check your pantry for staples like salt, pepper, and cooking oil before you go. This list focuses on the core components identified by eezly's price tracking.
| Ingredient | Best Price | Store |
|---|---|---|
| Lean Ground Beef (for Bunless Burgers) | $10.00 | Maxi |
| Lean Ground Beef (for Asian Burgers) | $9.91 | Metro |
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | $1.79 | Metro |
| Boston Lettuce | $3.99 | Maxi |
| Kumato Tomatoes | $6.49 | Iga |
| Dill Pickles | $3.50 | Maxi |
| Shallots Onions | $4.39 | Iga |
| Chinese Five Spice | $6.00 | Maxi |
| Crushed Red Pepper | $2.79 | Maxi |
| Sauce Hoisin | $9.00 | Maxi |
| Total Cost for Both Recipes | $57.86 | (Multiple Stores) |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
This combined shopping list provides ingredients for two complete family dinners, feeding four to five people each night. The total cost of $57.86 for nine servings across two meals demonstrates the significant savings available through strategic shopping and meal planning.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices This Week
One of the most powerful strategies for lowering your grocery bill is "split-shopping"—visiting more than one store to take advantage of the best deals at each. While it might seem inconvenient, the savings can be substantial. This week, the lowest prices for your two featured dinners are spread across Maxi, Metro, and Iga. Buying all your ingredients at a single, higher-priced banner could cost you significantly more.
To make this strategy work, plan your route to hit the necessary stores in a single trip. The data from eezly's AI-powered price database shows a clear financial benefit to this approach. Your shopping trip for these recipes would be broken down as follows.
Store-by-Store Shopping List
Your Maxi Shopping List:
* 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
* Total at Maxi: $35.28
Your Metro Shopping List:
* Lean Ground Beef: $9.91
* Marble Cheddar Cheese: $1.79
* Total at Metro: $11.70
Your Iga Shopping List:
* Kumato Tomatoes: $6.49
* Shallots Onions: $4.39
* Total at Iga: $10.88
By making targeted stops at these three banners, your total expenditure for these core ingredients is $57.86. This methodical approach ensures you are not overpaying on any single item. For example, while you are at Maxi for the ground beef and condiments, you avoid buying produce that is currently cheaper at Iga. This is the essence of smart, data-driven grocery shopping. Other banners active in Quebec, such as Super C, Provigo, and Walmart, may have sales on other items for your weekly shop, reinforcing the need for price comparison.
Beyond the Recipes: Building a Full Week's Menu on a Budget
While the two featured burger recipes provide a strong, cost-effective anchor for your week, filling in the other 19 meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) on a budget is just as important. The key is to rely on versatile, low-cost staples that can be used in multiple ways.
For breakfasts, items like large-flake oats, eggs, and whole-wheat bread offer excellent nutritional value for their cost. A large container of oats can provide breakfast for the entire week for just a few dollars. Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and can be prepared in numerous ways. When you see these items on sale, consider stocking up.
Lunches are an ideal opportunity to eliminate food waste by repurposing leftovers. The Bunless and Asian Burger recipes are perfect for this. A leftover patty can be crumbled over a salad, chopped up into a wrap, or simply reheated for a quick and satisfying midday meal. This prevents you from spending extra money on separate lunch ingredients.
For your other dinners, focus on meal "archetypes" that are inherently budget-friendly. Pasta dishes can be made with a simple sauce of canned tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. A large batch of lentil soup is incredibly inexpensive and can provide dinner for one night and lunches for several days. Building meals around seasonal vegetables and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils is another proven strategy for keeping costs down. For any of these meals, you can find more inspiration and build your shopping list from a wide variety of recipes and customize them to your budget.
Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies
A great meal plan can fall apart if you don't have the time to execute it. A little bit of preparation at the beginning of the week can make weeknight cooking feel less like a chore and more like a simple assembly job.
For the burger recipes, you can form all the patties for both meals at once. Separate the two batches (Asian and classic) with wax paper and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This turns a 20-minute prep task into a 2-minute "grab and cook" step on a busy weeknight. You can also wash and chop your vegetables ahead of time. Wash the Boston lettuce and store the leaves between paper towels to keep them crisp. Slice your tomatoes and onions and keep them in a container, ready to be used as toppings.
This concept, known as mise en place (everything in its place), is what professional chefs use to handle the dinner rush, and you can apply the same principle at home. Consider batch-cooking a large pot of rice or quinoa at the start of the week to serve as a quick side dish for any meal. These small investments of time on a Sunday afternoon will pay significant dividends in stress reduction and convenience throughout the week.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Ingredient | Best Price | Store |
|---|---|---|
| Lean Ground Beef (for Bunless Burgers) | $10.00 | Maxi |
| Lean Ground Beef (for Asian Burgers) | $9.91 | Metro |
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | $1.79 | Metro |
| Boston Lettuce | $3.99 | Maxi |
| Kumato Tomatoes | $6.49 | Iga |
| Dill Pickles | $3.50 | Maxi |
| Shallots Onions | $4.39 | Iga |
| Chinese Five Spice | $6.00 | Maxi |
| Crushed Red Pepper | $2.79 | Maxi |
| Sauce Hoisin | $9.00 | Maxi |
| Total Cost for Both Recipes | $57.86 | (Multiple Stores) |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?
The cheapest grocery store in Quebec changes depending on the week and the specific products you are buying. Real-time data shows that for this specific meal plan in July 2026, Maxi offers the best prices on several key items like ground beef and condiments. However, Metro has a better price on another cut of ground beef and cheese, while Iga leads on certain produce items. Your best strategy is to not be loyal to one store, but to compare prices on your specific shopping list using a tool like eezly before you shop.
How much should a family of four spend on groceries in Quebec?
Grocery spending varies widely based on location, diet, and shopping habits. However, a strategic meal plan is the most effective way to control your costs. The two featured dinners in this plan, which provide nine adult-sized servings, have a combined ingredient cost of $57.86. This demonstrates that you can serve flavourful, satisfying family meals for approximately $6.40 per person by planning ahead and shopping for the best prices.
How can AI help me save money on groceries?
AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the time-consuming task of price comparison. Instead of manually checking multiple flyers or websites, eezly's technology scans prices for over 196,000 products across 2,700 stores in Canada. It can instantly show you which local store—be it Super C, Metro, or Walmart—has the lowest price for each item on your list. This allows you to build the most affordable shopping cart and can even help generate optimized [meal plans](https://eezly.com/meal-plans) based on current sales.
Are these burger recipes healthy?
Both recipes can be part of a healthy diet. The Bunless Burger recipe is an excellent low-carbohydrate option, using crisp lettuce instead of a bread bun. Both recipes use lean ground beef, which is a good source of protein. To enhance their nutritional value, you can serve them with a large side salad or a medley of roasted vegetables.
What is eezly?
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.
Can I substitute ingredients in these recipes?
Absolutely. These recipes are very flexible. If you find ground chicken or pork on sale, you can easily substitute it for the ground beef. If you prefer a different type of cheese or have other vegetables on hand, feel free to incorporate them. The goal of a meal plan is to provide structure, not restriction. You can use eezly's search function to find the best prices on your preferred substitute ingredients.
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