Quebec Family Meal Plan: Eat for $8/Day This July
Key Facts
- A full week's groceries for a family of four in Quebec can be purchased for approximately $220 this week. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- The average cost per person per day on this meal plan is approximately $7.85. (Source: eezly price analysis, July 2026)
- The Bunless Burgers dinner recipe costs $6.44 per serving, with key ingredients like lean ground beef available for $10.00 at Maxi. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- The Asian Burgers dinner recipe costs $6.48 per serving, utilizing ingredients from Iga and Maxi. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Marble Cheddar Cheese, a key recipe ingredient, is priced at $1.79 at Metro this week. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- By strategically shopping at banners like Maxi and Super C, Quebec families can save over 15-20% on their weekly grocery basket compared to other stores. (Source: eezly price basket analysis, July 2026)
This guide provides a complete seven-day meal plan, a detailed grocery list with price points, and a strategy for where to shop in Quebec to get the best value. By leveraging price comparison data, you can navigate the aisles of IGA, Maxi, Super C, and Metro with confidence, ensuring you get the most for your money without sacrificing taste or nutrition.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Your Budget-Friendly Quebec Meal Plan for July
Managing a family's food budget requires a plan. This week, you can feed a family of four nutritious and appealing meals for approximately $220, which breaks down to just $7.85 per person, per day. This plan is designed to minimize food waste by using overlapping ingredients and incorporating leftovers for easy lunches. It balances cost-effective pantry staples with fresh, seasonal produce available across Quebec grocery banners.The cornerstone of this plan involves two feature dinner recipes: delicious Bunless Burgers and flavourful Asian Burgers. The remaining meals are built around affordable, versatile ingredients like oats, eggs, pasta, and seasonal vegetables. This structure provides variety while keeping your grocery total firmly in check. The following daily breakdown provides a clear roadmap for your week of savings.
Daily Meal Breakdown (Family of Four)
Monday
* Breakfast: Oatmeal with a handful of seasonal berries. A large container of rolled oats is a pantry staple that offers incredible value.
* Lunch: Leftover Lentil Soup from Sunday's prep. This hearty soup is often even more flavourful the next day.
* Dinner: Bunless Burgers. This low-carb, high-protein meal is perfect for a summer evening. Each serving costs just $6.44. The recipe features lean ground beef, sharp marble cheddar, and fresh toppings like romaine lettuce and Kumato tomatoes. By serving it without a bun, you save on costs and carbs, focusing on the quality ingredients.
Tuesday
* Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with whole-wheat toast. Eggs remain one of the most affordable sources of high-quality protein.
* Lunch: Tuna salad sandwiches on whole-wheat bread with a side of carrot sticks.
* Dinner: Asian Burgers. At $6.48 per serving, this recipe offers a sophisticated twist on a classic. It uses lean ground beef infused with Chinese five-spice, shallots, and hoisin sauce for a unique umami flavour. This is a great way to introduce new tastes without a high cost.
Wednesday
* Breakfast: Oatmeal with berries.
* Lunch: Leftover Asian Burgers, crumbled over a bed of romaine lettuce for a quick and satisfying salad.
* Dinner: Spaghetti with a simple homemade tomato sauce. Use a large can of crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and dried herbs. Serve with a side of the remaining romaine lettuce, dressed simply with oil and vinegar. This classic meal is a budget champion.
Thursday
* Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and toast.
* Lunch: Leftover spaghetti and tomato sauce.
* Dinner: Chicken and Vegetable Stir-fry. Use chicken thighs, which are more flavourful and affordable than breasts. Combine with broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers, and serve over rice. A simple sauce of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic brings it all together.
Friday
* Breakfast: Oatmeal with berries.
* Lunch: Leftover chicken and vegetable stir-fry.
* Dinner: Homemade Pita Pizzas. This is a fun, customizable, and inexpensive Friday night meal. Use pita bread or naan as the base, top with leftover tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and any remaining vegetables or protein from the week.
Saturday
* Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and toast.
* Lunch: DIY Sandwich bar. Set out leftover proteins, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles and let everyone build their own creation. This helps use up any remaining ingredients before the next shopping trip.
* Dinner: "Clean out the fridge" frittata. Whisk together remaining eggs with any leftover cooked vegetables, cheese, or meats. Bake until set. This is a delicious and versatile meal that ensures zero food waste.
Sunday
* Breakfast: Oatmeal with berries.
* Lunch: Leftover frittata.
* Dinner: Hearty Lentil Soup. Prepare a large batch using brown or green lentils, carrots, celery, onion, and vegetable broth. This meal is incredibly inexpensive and nutritious. Make enough to have leftovers for Monday's lunch, starting the cycle over again.
| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Est. Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Oatmeal | Leftover Soup | Bunless Burgers | $6.44 |
| Tuesday | Eggs & Toast | Tuna Sandwich | Asian Burgers | $6.48 |
| Wednesday | Oatmeal | Leftover Burgers | Spaghetti & Salad | $2.50 |
| Thursday | Eggs & Toast | Leftover Spaghetti | Chicken Stir-fry | $4.50 |
| Friday | Oatmeal | Leftover Stir-fry | Pita Pizzas | $3.75 |
| Saturday | Eggs & Toast | DIY Sandwiches | Frittata | $3.00 |
| Sunday | Oatmeal | Leftover Frittata | Lentil Soup | $2.00 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking and database averages, as of July 2026. Costs are estimates per person.
Your Complete Quebec Grocery List
This shopping list is designed for a family of four and is based on the seven-day meal plan above. Prices for the featured recipe ingredients are sourced directly from eezly's real-time price database for Quebec stores in July 2026. Other prices are estimates based on weekly averages from the same database. Your final cost may vary slightly based on banner, brand, and package size.Produce
* Seasonal Berries (e.g., strawberries or blueberries, 1 container): ~$4.99
* Romaine Lettuce (1 head): $3.99 at Metro
* Kumato Tomatoes (1 container): $6.49 at Iga
* Shallots/Onions (1 bag): $4.39 at Iga
* Garlic (1 head): ~$1.00
* Carrots (1 bag): ~$2.99
* Celery (1 bunch): ~$2.99
* Broccoli (1 head): ~$3.49
* Bell Pepper (1): ~$2.00
* Ginger (1 small piece): ~$1.50
Meat & Protein
* Lean Ground Beef (approx. 2 kg for both burger recipes): $10.00 (per kg pack) at Maxi + $10.21 (per kg pack) at Metro
* Eggs (1 dozen): ~$3.99
* Canned Tuna (2 cans): ~$3.00
* Chicken Thighs (boneless, skinless, ~750g): ~$10.00
* Lentils (dried, 1 bag): ~$4.50
Dairy & Deli
* Marble Cheddar Cheese (250g block): $1.79 at Metro
* Mozzarella Cheese (shredded, 1 bag): ~$5.99
* Milk (2L): ~$5.50
* Butter/Margarine (1 block): ~$5.99
Pantry & Bakery
* Rolled Oats (1 kg container): ~$4.50
* Whole-wheat Bread (1 loaf): ~$3.79
* Spaghetti (1 box): ~$2.49
* Rice (1 large bag): ~$8.99 (cost per serving is low)
* Pita Bread or Naan (1 package): ~$3.50
* Dill Pickles (1 jar): $3.50 at Maxi
* Chinese Five Spice (1 jar): $6.00 at Maxi
* Crushed Red Pepper (1 jar): $2.79 at Maxi
* Hoisin Sauce (1 bottle): $9.00 at Maxi
* Crushed Tomatoes (1 large can): ~$2.50
* Vegetable Broth (1 carton): ~$2.99
* Soy Sauce (1 bottle): ~$4.50
* Olive Oil / Cooking Oil: (Assumed pantry staple)
* Salt, Pepper, Dried Herbs: (Assumed pantry staple)
Estimated Total: ~$145 for specific items, plus staples. A full shop including all items would be closer to the $220 weekly estimate.
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Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices
To maximize your savings on this meal plan, you cannot simply visit one store. A split-shopping strategy, guided by real-time price data, is the most effective approach. According to eezly's analysis of 27 Canadian grocery banners, discount-focused stores like Maxi and Super C consistently offer the lowest prices on pantry staples and many meat products in Quebec. Meanwhile, traditional supermarkets like Metro and IGA may feature aggressive weekly sales on produce or specific brand-name items.For this specific meal plan, you'll achieve the lowest cost by visiting at least two stores. Maxi is your destination for the lean ground beef, pickles, and several key pantry items for the Asian Burgers. Metro offers the best price on marble cheddar cheese, and IGA has the listed price for specific produce like Kumato tomatoes and shallots.
Weekly Staples Basket Comparison
To illustrate the price differences between major Quebec banners, we compiled a basket of common grocery staples. While individual sale items can shift the balance weekly, this comparison reflects the general price hierarchy you can expect.| Grocery Item | Maxi | Super C | IGA | Metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (2L, 2%) | $5.49 | $5.49 | $5.79 | $5.89 |
| Eggs (1 dozen, large) | $3.99 | $3.95 | $4.49 | $4.69 |
| Whole Wheat Bread | $3.79 | $3.85 | $4.29 | $4.39 |
| Chicken Breast (per kg) | $13.20 | $12.99 | $16.50 | $17.00 |
| Romaine Lettuce | $4.29 | $4.19 | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Canned Tomatoes (796ml) | $1.99 | $1.99 | $2.49 | $2.59 |
| Pasta (500g) | $2.29 | $2.35 | $2.79 | $2.89 |
| Basket Total | $35.04 | $34.81 | $40.34 | $41.44 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026. Prices are representative averages and may vary.
As the table shows, your basket at Super C or Maxi is over $5 cheaper than at IGA and over $6 cheaper than at Metro. Over a month, that's a savings of $24 or more just on these few items. This demonstrates the power of choosing your primary store wisely for pantry-loading trips. For access to the latest deals across all these stores, you can check the current flyers on eezly.com.
Prep Tips and Time-Savers for Your Week
A successful budget meal plan relies on a little bit of preparation. Investing an hour or two on Sunday can save you significant time and stress during the busy week.Your Sunday Prep Session (1-2 Hours)
- Cook the Lentil Soup: Start by making the large batch of lentil soup for Sunday dinner. This immediately gives you a prepared meal and a ready-to-go lunch for Monday. While it simmers, you can work on other tasks.
- Wash and Chop Vegetables: Wash your romaine lettuce, dry it thoroughly, and store it in a sealed container with a paper towel to keep it crisp. Chop the onions, celery, and carrots for the soup and stir-fry. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. You can also slice your bell peppers.
- Portion Your Proteins: Divide your ground beef into two portions for the burger recipes. You can even form the patties for Monday's Bunless Burgers in advance, separating them with wax paper. Cut your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces for Thursday's stir-fry and store them in a sealed bag or container.
- Mix Your Sauces: Prepare the sauce for the chicken stir-fry by combining the soy sauce, minced ginger, and garlic. Store it in a small jar. This makes Thursday's dinner a simple matter of cooking the chicken and vegetables and adding the pre-made sauce.
Throughout the Week
* Cook in Batches: When you cook, think about the next day's lunch. The meal plan is designed for leftovers, which is the ultimate time-saver. Always make enough dinner to cover at least one or two lunch portions.
* Embrace "Mise en Place": This is a French culinary term for "everything in its place." Before you start cooking dinner each night, take out all the ingredients and pre-chopped vegetables. Having everything ready to go makes the cooking process faster and more enjoyable.
* Use Your Freezer: If your plans change and you won't use the chicken thighs on Thursday, freeze them. The same goes for bread, which can be frozen to prevent it from going stale. Freezing is a key tool in preventing food waste and protecting your budget.
By implementing these strategies, you transform your meal plan from a list of ideas into an actionable system that works for your family's schedule and budget. For more recipe ideas that fit a tight budget, explore the recipe section on eezly.com.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Product | Best Price | Regular Price (est.) | Savings | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean Ground Beef (1kg) | $10.00 | $14.99 | 33% | Maxi |
| Marble Cheddar Cheese (250g) | $1.79 | $4.99 | 64% | Metro |
| Romaine Lettuce | $3.99 | $4.99 | 20% | Metro |
| Kumato Tomatoes | $6.49 | $7.99 | 19% | Iga |
| Dill Pickles | $3.50 | $4.49 | 22% | Maxi |
| Hoisin Sauce | $9.00 | $10.99 | 18% | Maxi |
| Chinese Five Spice | $6.00 | $7.49 | 20% | Maxi |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?
Based on comprehensive basket analysis from eezly's real-time price tracking, the cheapest grocery stores in Quebec are consistently the discount banners, primarily Maxi and Super C. For a typical basket of weekly staples like milk, eggs, bread, and chicken, these stores often have a total cost that is 15-20% lower than traditional supermarkets like IGA and Metro. However, the "cheapest" store for your specific needs can change weekly based on flyer deals, so using a price comparison tool is the best strategy.
How can AI help me save money on groceries in Quebec?
AI-powered platforms like eezly can save you significant money by automating the process of price comparison. Instead of manually checking multiple flyers, the AI scans prices for over 196,000 products across all major Quebec banners (IGA, Maxi, Metro, Super C, Walmart, and more). It can then identify the lowest price for each item on your list, build an optimized shopping list that tells you where to buy what, and even generate entire [meal plans based on the week's best deals](https://eezly.com/meal-plans). This saves you both time and money.
Is this $220 weekly budget realistic for a family of four in Quebec?
Yes, a budget of around $220 is realistic for a family of four in Quebec, provided you follow a strategic meal plan, cook most meals at home, and prioritize shopping at discount banners. This budget requires minimizing food waste by using leftovers, buying ingredients on sale, and choosing cost-effective proteins like lentils, eggs, and chicken thighs. As of July 2026, eezly's data shows that by carefully selecting items like lean ground beef for $10.00 at Maxi, this budget is achievable.
How can I save money on meat in Montreal or Quebec City?
To save on meat, you should always check weekly flyers using a price comparison tool before you shop. Look for "family packs" or larger formats of ground meat, chicken, or pork, which have a lower price per kilogram. You can portion these out and freeze them for later use. Also, consider incorporating more affordable cuts like chicken thighs instead of breasts and look for manager's specials on items nearing their best-before date, which are perfectly safe to cook or freeze immediately.
Besides price, what else should I consider when meal planning?
Beyond price, consider nutritional balance, preparation time, and food waste. A good meal plan should include a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and plenty of vegetables. It should also be realistic for your schedule—plan quick 30-minute meals for busy weeknights and more involved recipes for the weekend. Finally, design your plan to use up ingredients completely. For example, if a recipe calls for half a head of lettuce, plan a salad or sandwiches for the next day to use the other half.
Where can I find the specific products mentioned in this article?
The prices and store locations, such as Lean Ground Beef for $10.00 at Maxi and Marble Cheddar Cheese for $1.79 at Metro, are based on eezly's real-time price tracking across 2,700 Canadian stores as of July 2026. You can use the eezly platform to search for these specific products and confirm their current price and availability at a store near you, for example, on the [Maxi store page](https://eezly.com/stores/maxi).
Can I adapt this meal plan for dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. This meal plan can be easily adapted. For a gluten-free diet, simply substitute gluten-free pasta, bread, and oats. For a vegetarian diet, you can replace the ground beef with lentils or black beans in the burgers, swap the chicken in the stir-fry for tofu or chickpeas, and ensure your frittata is vegetable-based. The key is to check the prices for these substitutes, as they can sometimes be more expensive, requiring slight adjustments to the overall budget.
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