Quebec Meal Plan: Feed Your Family for Under $7/Serving
Key Facts
- A sample weekly grocery basket can cost as little as $67.17 at Provigo, compared to a maximum of $129.03 at other stores. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- You can prepare budget-friendly Salmon Cakes for your family at just $1.94 per serving using smart ingredient choices. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Lean Ground Beef, a family staple, is available for as low as $9.91 at Metro this week. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Lotus Biscoff Cookies are on sale for $2.25 at Metro, a 50% discount from the regular price of $4.49. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Shoppers can save up to $61.86 on a weekly grocery list by strategically choosing where they shop in Quebec. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Black Plums are available at a 50% discount at Maxi for just $0.44 this week. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
This guide provides a complete five-day dinner plan designed for a Quebec family of four, focusing on seasonal ingredients and maximum value. We will break down each recipe, provide a complete grocery list with the best current prices, and analyze where you should shop to achieve the most significant savings. By leveraging real-time data, you can move beyond simply hoping for sales and start making informed purchasing decisions that directly impact your bottom line.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Your Quebec Summer Meal Plan: Delicious Dinners on a Budget
Managing your grocery spending starts with a plan. This week’s five-day dinner plan is designed to be delicious, family-friendly, and cost-effective, with per-serving costs ranging from an impressive $1.94 to a reasonable $6.44. The recipes utilize ingredient overlap to minimize waste and leverage current prices at major Quebec grocery banners like Maxi, Metro, and IGA. This approach ensures you are not just eating affordably, but also reducing food waste in your household.
Your total food cost for these five family dinners will vary based on where you shop, but by following our price guide, you can confidently keep your budget in check. The following table outlines the plan, giving you a clear overview of the week's meals and their associated costs. This structure allows you to anticipate your spending and demonstrates that a home-cooked, satisfying dinner can be significantly more affordable than takeout or last-minute meal decisions.
| Day | Dinner Recipe | Cost Per Serving | Total Cost (Family of 4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Curry Tofu Noodle Stir Fry | $5.50 | $22.00 |
| Tuesday | Bunless Burgers | $6.44 | $25.76 |
| Wednesday | Budget-Friendly Salmon Cakes | $1.94 | $7.76 |
| Thursday | Asian Burgers | $6.42 | $25.68 |
| Friday | Fun Breakfast-for-Dinner Pizza | $3.05 | $12.20 |
| Total | 5 Family Dinners | Avg. $4.67/serving | $93.40 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026. Costs are for specified recipe ingredients only.
Detailed Recipes and Ingredient Breakdown
Here is a closer look at each dinner, including the key ingredients and where to find the best prices this week in Quebec. Each recipe is designed for four servings, perfect for a family meal.
Monday: Curry Tofu Noodle Stir Fry
Kick off the week with a fast, flavourful, and vegetarian-friendly stir fry. This Curry Tofu Noodle Stir Fry comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a busy Monday night. The combination of silken tofu, a rich coconut-curry sauce, and hearty egg noodles is both satisfying and packed with flavour.
The cost per serving is just $5.50, a fraction of what you would pay for a similar dish from a restaurant. The key to this low cost is using affordable protein like tofu and building a sauce from pantry staples. According to eezly's price database, you can find Silken Tofu for $2.79 at Maxi and Premium Coconut Milk for $2.99.
Tuesday: Classic Bunless Burgers
Embrace summer barbecue season with a lighter take on a classic. These Bunless Burgers are served on crisp Boston lettuce instead of a bun, reducing carbs while maximizing fresh flavour. Topped with cheddar cheese, ripe tomatoes, and pickles, they deliver all the satisfaction of a traditional burger. This is a great way to enjoy a family favourite while incorporating more fresh produce into your meal.
At $6.44 per serving, this meal feels indulgent without breaking the bank. The primary cost is the lean ground beef, which you can find for $10.00 at Maxi. To complete the meal, consider serving it with a simple side salad or some grilled vegetables you may already have on hand.
Wednesday: Budget-Friendly Salmon Cakes
Wednesday's dinner is the budget superstar of the week. These delicious Salmon Cakes cost an incredible $1.94 per serving, proving that seafood can absolutely fit into a tight budget. The secret is using canned wild Pacific pink salmon, which is a fraction of the cost of fresh fillets but still provides excellent flavour and nutrition.
The recipe combines the salmon with egg whites, shallots, and crushed croutons as a binder, creating a tender, flavourful patty that can be pan-fried in minutes. You can find Pink Salmon for $4.79 and Shallots for $4.39 at Iga. Serve these cakes with a squeeze of lemon and a side of steamed green beans for a complete, healthy, and exceptionally affordable meal.
Thursday: Flavourful Asian Burgers
Change up your burger routine with this Asian-inspired version. These burgers use lean ground beef as a base but introduce a new level of flavour with ingredients like hoisin sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, and a hint of crushed red pepper. It's a simple way to bring a new culinary experience to your family's dinner table without complex cooking techniques.
The cost per serving is $6.42, comparable to the classic burger. The best price for lean ground beef this week is $9.91 at Metro, and you can find Hoisin Sauce for $9.00 at Maxi. While the hoisin and five-spice are upfront costs, these ingredients have a long shelf life and can be used in numerous future meals, from stir-fries to marinades, making them a worthwhile pantry investment.
Friday: Fun Breakfast-for-Dinner Pizza
End the week with a meal that is guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults: Breakfast Pizza. This creative recipe uses a hash brown base topped with sausage, eggs, and a blend of cheeses. It’s a fun, comforting, and surprisingly easy meal for a relaxed Friday night.
At only $3.05 per serving, it’s also an economical choice. The key value ingredient is the C'est prêt! Hash Brown from Iga, priced at just $0.99. You can find Pork & Bacon Fresh Sausage for $6.79 at Maxi. While the original recipe data included an unrelated ingredient, we recommend using a standard pizza crust or flatbread as your base if you prefer something more traditional. The cost of this base is not included in the per-serving calculation.
Your Complete Grocery List and Price Analysis
To execute this meal plan, you need a clear and organized shopping list. The table below consolidates all the necessary ingredients for the five dinner recipes. It shows the best-priced store for each item based on eezly's real-time data for Quebec. Using this list to guide your shopping, whether at one store or several, is your first step toward significant savings.
Note that this strategy, known as "split-cart" shopping, involves visiting multiple stores to secure the lowest price on every item. While it yields the absolute lowest total cost, it requires more time. In the next section, we will analyze the cost difference between this method and a single-store shop.
| Ingredient | Best Price | Store | Used In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lean Ground Beef | $9.91 | Metro | Bunless & Asian Burgers |
| Silken Tofu | $2.79 | Maxi | Curry Tofu Stir Fry |
| Pink Salmon Wild Pacific (canned) | $4.79 | Canada inc. | Salmon Cakes |
| Pork & Bacon Fresh Sausage | $6.79 | Maxi | Breakfast Pizza |
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | $1.79 | Metro | Bunless Burgers |
| 100% Parmesan Shredded Cheese | $10.29 | Canada inc. | Breakfast Pizza |
| Mozza Cheddar Shredded Cheese | $8.49 | Iga | Breakfast Pizza |
| Naturegg Simply Egg Whites | $5.99 | Canada inc. | Salmon Cakes, Breakfast Pizza |
| Boston Lettuce | $3.99 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Kumato Tomatoes | $6.49 | Iga | Bunless Burgers |
| Organic Red Tomatoes | $6.59 | Iga | Curry Tofu Stir Fry |
| Shallots Onions | $4.39 | Iga | Salmon Cakes, Asian Burgers |
| C'est prêt! Hash Brown | $0.99 | Iga | Breakfast Pizza |
| Medium Egg Noodles | $4.69 | Canada inc. | Curry Tofu Stir Fry |
| Dill Pickles | $3.50 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Premium Coconut Milk | $2.99 | Canada inc. | Curry Tofu Stir Fry |
| Sauce Hoisin | $9.00 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Quick Lemon Juice (1 L) | $8.49 | Canada inc. | Salmon Cakes |
| Curry Powder | $2.50 | Maxi | Curry Tofu Stir Fry |
| Chinese Five Spice | $6.00 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Crushed Red Pepper | $2.79 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Granulated Sugar | $1.99 | Maxi | Curry Tofu Stir Fry |
| Reduced Salt Pepper Gravy | $1.79 | Maxi | Curry Tofu Stir Fry |
| Creamy Caesar Croutons | $3.49 | Canada inc. | Salmon Cakes |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026. "Canada inc." refers to stores where a specific banner was not provided in the data feed.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Where to Shop in Quebec for Maximum Savings
Knowing the lowest price for each item is one thing; understanding the most efficient way to shop is another. According to eezly's analysis of a sample 22-item weekly grocery basket in Quebec, your total bill can vary dramatically depending on where you shop. You could spend as little as $67.17 by shopping at a single store or as much as $129.03 for the exact same items elsewhere. That is a potential savings of $61.86 on a single week's groceries.
The data reveals a clear trade-off between convenience and cost. The absolute cheapest option for this specific basket is to do your entire shop at Provigo, with a total of $67.17. However, what if Provigo isn't convenient for you, or you prefer the selection at other banners like IGA, Maxi, or Metro?
An alternative strategy is an optimized multi-store shop. If you are willing to visit up to five banners (IGA, Maxi, Metro, Provigo, and Super C) to cherry-pick the best deals at each, your total comes to $71.54. This is only $4.37 more than the single-store Provigo shop but saves you $57.49 compared to the most expensive option. For many families, the flexibility of shopping at their preferred stores while still achieving over 90% of the maximum possible savings is a winning combination. Your decision depends on how you value your time versus the extra few dollars in savings.
| Shopping Strategy | Stores Visited | Total Basket Cost | Potential Savings vs. Max Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Single Store | Provigo (1) | $67.17 | $61.86 |
| Optimized Multi-Store | IGA, Maxi, Metro, Provigo, Super C (5) | $71.54 | $57.49 |
| Most Expensive Option | (Varies) | $129.03 | $0.00 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026. Analysis based on a sample 22-item basket.
This Week's Top Grocery Deals in Quebec
Beyond the ingredients for your meal plan, you can find significant savings on snacks, pantry staples, and specialty items. Being aware of these top deals allows you to stock up on household favourites when the price is at its lowest. Here are some of the best discounts available this week across Quebec, as identified by eezly's AI-powered platform.
A standout deal is the 50% discount on Lotus Biscoff Cookies at Metro, bringing them down to $2.25. Similarly, Maxi is offering Black Plums for $0.44, also a 50% saving. These deep discounts are often on items you might buy anyway, and timing your purchase can lead to substantial savings over time. Explore more offers on the eezly deals page.
| Product | Store | Sale Price | Regular Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Biscoff Cookies | Metro | $2.25 | $4.49 | 50% |
| Black Plums | Maxi | $0.44 | $0.88 | 50% |
| Sour Patch Kids Candy (154 g) | Metro | $1.74 | $3.49 | 50% |
| Irrésistible 3-Cheese Chips | Metro | $1.77 | $2.99 | 41% |
| Doré-Mi Haloumi Cheese | Maxi | $5.50 | $8.00 | 31% |
| Castello Havarti Cheese (200 g) | Maxi | $6.00 | $9.00 | 33% |
| Pom Original Protein Tortillas | Metro | $4.99 | $7.29 | 32% |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026.
Meal Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies
A great meal plan is only effective if it's manageable. To make your week even smoother, incorporate these meal prep and time-saving strategies.
Prepare Components in Advance
Dedicate an hour or two on Sunday to "component prep." You can cook the full quantity of lean ground beef and divide it for Tuesday's and Thursday's burgers. Chop your shallots and tomatoes at once and store them in airtight containers. This front-loads the effort, making weeknight dinner assembly much faster.
Smart Breakfast and Lunch Prep
While our plan focuses on dinner, you can use data-driven recipes to prep for other meals too. Consider making a batch of Breakfast To Go Bars. The recipe costs $53.64 for 8 bars ($6.71/serving), but this includes bulk ingredients like a $19.49 bag of mozzarella and an $8.29 tub of cream cheese. The initial cost is high, but these ingredients will last for several batches, drastically lowering the long-term per-serving cost.
Similarly, a recipe for Curried Eggs can be a quick and protein-rich lunch. The cost for the first serving is $8.99, but this is because it includes the full purchase price of mayonnaise ($4.99) and curry powder ($2.50). Every subsequent serving you make using those same containers will cost only the price of the eggs, around $1.50. This concept of amortizing ingredient costs is key to understanding your true food expenses.
Embrace Leftovers
Design your meals to create useful leftovers. Extra Bunless Burger patties can be crumbled over a salad for a quick lunch the next day. The Curry Tofu Stir Fry is often even more flavourful on day two. Thinking of leftovers as "planned-overs" transforms them from a problem to a time-saving solution. You can explore thousands of other options on the eezly recipes page.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Product | Store | Sale Price | Regular Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Biscoff Cookies | Metro | $2.25 | $4.49 | 50% |
| Black Plums | Maxi | $0.44 | $0.88 | 50% |
| Sour Patch Kids Candy (154 g) | Metro | $1.74 | $3.49 | 50% |
| Irrésistible 3-Cheese Chips | Metro | $1.77 | $2.99 | 41% |
| Doré-Mi Haloumi Cheese | Maxi | $5.50 | $8.00 | 31% |
| Castello Havarti Cheese (200 g) | Maxi | $6.00 | $9.00 | 33% |
| Pom Original Protein Tortillas | Metro | $4.99 | $7.29 | 32% |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec this week?
According to a sample basket analysis by eezly in July 2026, Provigo offered the lowest total price for a single-store shop at $67.17. However, the cheapest store can change weekly based on flyer deals. For the most current information, it's best to compare prices on your specific shopping list using a real-time tool. You can see store-specific deals at banners like [Provigo on eezly](https://eezly.com/stores/provigo).
How can I find the best grocery deals in Quebec?
Traditionally, shoppers rely on paper flyers, but this can be time-consuming. A more efficient method is to use a digital price comparison tool. eezly's AI-powered platform automatically scans prices for over 196,000 products across all major Quebec banners, including Maxi, Super C, IGA, and Metro, presenting the best deals in one place.
How much should a family of four budget for groceries in Quebec?
Grocery budgets vary widely based on diet, age of children, and eating habits. This meal plan shows that five dinners for a family of four can be made for approximately $93.40. When you add breakfast, lunch, and snacks, a common benchmark for a family of four in Canada can range from $250 to $400 per week. Using a detailed [meal plan from eezly](https://eezly.com/meal-plans) is the best way to build a predictable and accurate budget for your family.
Is it cheaper to shop at multiple grocery stores?
It can be, but it's a trade-off. eezly's data shows that shopping at five different stores for the best deals resulted in a total of $71.54 for a sample basket, while the cheapest single-store option (Provigo) was $67.17. In this case, the single-store shop was cheaper. However, the multi-store option was still $57.49 cheaper than the most expensive possibility. The best strategy for you depends on whether the convenience of a one-stop shop outweighs potential extra savings.
How can AI help me save money on groceries?
AI can process vast amounts of data far faster than a human can. An AI-powered platform like eezly analyzes 40 million price points per week from 2,700 stores. It uses this data to identify the lowest price for every item on your list, find top deals you might have missed, and generate optimized meal plans based on current sale items, directly helping you lower your grocery bill.
Are the prices in this article guaranteed?
The prices cited are accurate as of mid-July 2026, based on eezly's real-time grocery price database. Grocery prices are dynamic and can change frequently due to sales, supply, and other market factors. They are intended as a guide to demonstrate potential savings.
What are the best budget-friendly proteins?
This meal plan highlights several excellent budget-friendly proteins. Tofu, as seen in the stir-fry, is an affordable plant-based option. Canned fish, like the pink salmon used in the salmon cakes, offers a very low-cost way to eat seafood. Finally, buying ground meat in larger packages when it's on sale provides a versatile protein for many family meals.
Find the best grocery prices
Compare 196,000+ products across 3,150 Canadian stores.
Compare prices now

