Quebec Family Meal Plan: Dinners for Under $8.10/Serving
Key Facts
- This 5-day dinner meal plan for a Quebec family has an optimized average cost of just $6.18 per serving. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- By making strategic ingredient swaps, the Bunless Burgers meal costs only $4.60 per serving. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- The total grocery bill for five complete family dinners is $129.69 when sourcing items from the cheapest available stores. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Lean Ground Beef is available for $7.43 at Metro this week, a significant saving compared to the $10.00 price at Maxi for a similar product. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- The most expensive meal in the plan, a Quinoa Stir Fry with smoked turkey, still comes in at a manageable $8.09 per serving. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
- Strategic shopping across Quebec grocery banners like Maxi, Metro, and IGA is proven to generate significant savings on your weekly bill. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, June 2026)
This comprehensive guide provides a complete five-day dinner plan designed specifically for a Quebec family. We break down five simple and satisfying recipes, provide a fully-costed and optimized grocery list, and offer strategies for where to shop to secure the lowest prices. By leveraging price intelligence, you can take control of your grocery spending and put healthy, home-cooked meals on the table every night.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
This Week's Quebec Meal Plan: Five Dinners Under $8.10 Per Serving
This meal plan is designed to offer variety, nutritional balance, and significant cost savings. The total cost for all ingredients to make these five dinners, each serving four to five people, is approximately $129.69. This works out to an average of just $25.94 per family meal, or $6.18 per individual serving. The menu incorporates a mix of vegetarian, poultry, and beef dishes to cater to different tastes while utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The key to achieving this low cost is strategic shopping, a practice made simple by comparing prices across different grocery stores. The costs outlined below are based on purchasing each ingredient at the store offering the lowest price in Quebec this week, as identified by eezly's AI-powered grocery price comparison platform. While one meal, the Quinoa Stir Fry, reaches $8.09 per serving due to its extensive ingredient list, others like the Bunless Burgers come in at an impressively low $4.60 per serving.
This Week's Dinner Menu & Costs
| Day | Meal | Cost Per Serving | Total Meal Cost (4-5 Servings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Thai Green Curry (with Tofu) | $5.40 | $21.61 |
| Tuesday | Quinoa Stir Fry (with Smoked Turkey) | $8.09 | $32.34 |
| Wednesday | Bunless Burgers (with Lean Ground Beef) | $4.60 | $18.40 |
| Thursday | Vegetable Stir Fry with Brown Rice | $6.93 | $27.73 |
| Friday | Asian Burgers (with Lean Ground Beef) | $5.92 | $29.61 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026. Costs reflect optimized ingredient sourcing.
Monday: Thai Green Curry with Tofu
Start your week with a quick, flavourful, and incredibly affordable vegetarian meal. This Thai Green Curry is ready in under 20 minutes and costs only $5.40 per serving. The recipe uses extra-firm tofu for protein, a creamy coconut milk base, and a blend of stir-fry vegetables for nutrients and crunch. The best price for the essential Green Curry Paste ($4.29) is at Maxi, while Metro offers the best deal on Light Coconut Milk ($2.79). This dish is perfect for a busy weeknight when you want something satisfying without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Tuesday: Quinoa Stir Fry with Smoked Turkey
This is the most nutrient-dense and, consequently, the most expensive meal of the week at $8.09 per serving. However, it is packed with value. This Quinoa Stir Fry features protein-rich quinoa, smoked turkey breast, and a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables including broccoli, sugar snap peas, and crimini mushrooms. It is a complete meal in a single bowl. To manage costs, our optimized list sources the Smoked Turkey Breast from Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. for $4.99 and Organic Quinoa from Metro for $3.99. While the total cost is higher, this recipe often yields leftovers that are perfect for the next day's lunch, further stretching your food budget.
Wednesday: Bunless Burgers
Wednesday's dinner is a family classic with a healthy, low-carb twist. These Bunless Burgers are served on a crisp bed of Boston lettuce instead of a traditional bun, cutting down on cost and refined carbohydrates. At just $4.60 per serving, this is the most budget-friendly meal of the week. The key to this low price is smart shopping. We substituted pricier Kumato tomatoes for regular tomatoes, available for just $1.69 at Maxi. Furthermore, we sourced the Lean Ground Beef from Metro, where it is priced at $7.43, a saving of over $2.50 compared to other stores. Topped with marble cheddar and dill pickles, it's a satisfying meal that won't break the bank.
Thursday: Vegetable Stir Fry with Brown Rice
Another versatile and quick stir-fry makes an appearance on Thursday. This Vegetable Stir Fry with Brown Rice costs $6.93 per serving and comes together in minutes, especially if you've prepped your vegetables in advance. The recipe uses a convenient Veggie Stir-Fry Kit ($5.99 at Metro) to save on chopping time. The simple sauce, made with soy sauce and a hint of butter chicken soup for a unique creamy flavour, is both inexpensive and delicious. By using ready-to-serve basmati rice, you can have this meal on the table in under 15 minutes.
Friday: Asian Burgers
End the week with a burst of flavour. These Asian-inspired burgers cost $5.92 per serving and offer a delicious alternative to the classic cheeseburger. The patties are seasoned with Chinese five-spice, crushed red pepper, and hoisin sauce for a sweet and spicy kick. Served with fresh shallots, this meal is both sophisticated and simple. The most affordable Lean Ground Beef for this recipe is found at Metro for $7.43. The key flavour component, hoisin sauce, is a pantry investment, but a large bottle can be found at Maxi for $9.00 and will last for many future meals.
Your Complete Optimized Grocery List for the Week
To achieve the total weekly dinner cost of $129.69, you'll need to purchase specific ingredients from the stores offering the best prices. This practice, often called "cherry-picking," requires visiting more than one store but guarantees the maximum savings. Below is the complete, consolidated shopping list for all five dinners, with the lowest price and corresponding store for each item as of June 2026.
Note that some items, like spices, oils, and sauces, are pantry staples. While they represent an upfront cost, they are used in small quantities and will last for many weeks, bringing down the per-meal cost over time. This list assumes your pantry is starting empty for these specific items.
Optimized Grocery List for 5 Family Dinners
| Ingredient | Best Price | Store | Recipe(s) Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Produce | |||
| Boston Lettuce | $3.99 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Tomatoes | $1.69 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Shallots | $4.39 | Iga | Asian Burgers |
| Sugar Snap Peas | $4.99 | Metro | Quinoa Stir Fry |
| Crimini Mushrooms | $5.99 | Metro | Quinoa Stir Fry |
| Green Onions | $1.49 | Iga | Quinoa Stir Fry |
| Broccoli | $4.50 | Maxi | Quinoa Stir Fry |
| Whole Sweet Red Peppers | $4.00 | Maxi | Quinoa Stir Fry |
| Stir-Fry Veggies (Blend) | $4.50 | Maxi | Thai Green Curry |
| Veggie Stir-Fry Kit | $5.99 | Metro | Vegetable Stir Fry |
| Squeezed Lime Juice | $2.25 | Maxi | Thai Green Curry |
| Protein & Dairy | |||
| Lean Ground Beef (2 packs) | $7.43 ea. | Metro | Bunless & Asian Burgers |
| Marble Cheddar Cheese | $1.79 | Metro | Bunless Burgers |
| Regular Extra Firm Tofu | $3.99 | Canada inc. | Thai Green Curry |
| Smoked Turkey Breast | $4.99 | Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc. | Quinoa Stir Fry |
| Pantry | |||
| Dill Pickles | $3.50 | Maxi | Bunless Burgers |
| Chinese Five Spice | $6.00 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Crushed Red Pepper | $2.79 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Hoisin Sauce | $9.00 | Maxi | Asian Burgers |
| Soy Sauce | $2.39 | Maxi | Quinoa & Veggie Stir Fry |
| Organic Quinoa | $3.99 | Metro | Quinoa Stir Fry |
| Green Curry Paste | $4.29 | Maxi | Thai Green Curry |
| Fish Sauce | $3.79 | Maxi | Thai Green Curry |
| Light Coconut Milk | $2.79 | Metro | Thai Green Curry |
| Corn Starch | $2.88 | Maxi | Vegetable Stir Fry |
| Ready To Serve Basmati Rice | $2.79 | Metro | Vegetable Stir Fry |
| Campbell's Butter Chicken Soup | $2.69 | Canada inc. | Vegetable Stir Fry |
| Sunflower Oil | $10.99 | Maxi | Vegetable Stir Fry |
| Total Optimized Cost | $129.69 | Multiple | All 5 Dinners |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026. Store names like "Canada inc." represent specific banner locations tracked by eezly.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Where to Shop in Quebec for the Best Prices
Analyzing the optimized grocery list reveals a clear strategy for saving money: no single grocery store is the cheapest for everything. To get the best value, you need to spread your shopping across several banners. For this meal plan, the lowest prices are found at Maxi, Metro, Iga, and a few independent grocers.
Maxi proves to be the champion for pantry staples this week. It offers the best prices on a wide range of items including spices (Chinese Five Spice, Crushed Red Pepper), sauces (Hoisin, Soy, Fish Sauce), and other essentials like sunflower oil and dill pickles. If you are stocking up your pantry, Maxi is an essential stop.
Metro shines in the protein and dairy category. It has the undisputed best price on Lean Ground Beef at $7.43, a crucial ingredient for two meals this week. Opting to buy your beef here instead of other stores where it might cost $10.00 or more results in immediate, tangible savings. Metro also has competitive prices on produce like Sugar Snap Peas and essentials like Light Coconut Milk.
Iga offers value on specific produce items, such as Shallots and Green Onions. While it may not be your primary store for this particular shopping list, stopping in for these items contributes to the overall savings.
The data also highlights the importance of looking beyond the major chains. Specialized or independent stores like "Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc." and " Canada inc." can have unbeatable prices on certain products, such as the Smoked Turkey Breast and Campbell's Soup in this plan. An AI-powered tool like eezly is invaluable for discovering these hyper-local deals you might otherwise miss. You can explore all deals at your local stores on the eezly deals page.
While a single shopping trip to one store is convenient, the financial benefits of visiting two or three are significant. For this meal plan, the multi-store approach saves you well over $20 compared to buying all items at the most expensive available price.
Meal Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies
A little preparation at the beginning of the week can save you immense amounts of time and stress on busy weeknights. Here is how you can prep for this specific meal plan to make your evenings smoother.
1. Cook Your Grains
On Sunday evening, cook a large batch of quinoa for Tuesday's stir-fry and basmati rice for Thursday's meal. Once cooled, store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, your grains are ready to be added directly to the pan, cutting your cooking time significantly.2. Prepare Your Vegetables
Wash and chop all the vegetables for the week at once. This is the most time-consuming part of preparing stir-fries. For the Quinoa Stir Fry, you can chop the broccoli, red peppers, and green onions. For the burgers, you can slice your tomatoes and separate lettuce leaves. Store everything in labeled containers or bags in the fridge. This "mise en place" approach turns a 30-minute recipe into a 10-minute one.3. Form Your Burger Patties
You have two burger nights this week. Prepare all the patties at once. Create the mix for the Bunless Burgers and form the patties. Then, create the mix for the Asian Burgers and form those patties. You can separate the two types with wax paper and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, or freeze them for later use. This way, on Wednesday and Friday, all you need to do is cook the patties.4. Mix Your Sauces
The sauces for the Thai Green Curry and the two stir-fries can be pre-mixed and stored in small jars in the refrigerator. For the Thai curry, you can combine the curry paste, fish sauce, and a splash of lime juice. For the stir-fries, you can combine the soy sauce and other flavourings. This eliminates the need to measure out multiple ingredients during the dinner rush.By investing about an hour on Sunday, you can set yourself up for a week of fast, easy, and stress-free dinners. This also reduces the temptation to order expensive takeout when you're short on time.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Day | Meal | Cost Per Serving | Total Meal Cost (4-5 Servings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Thai Green Curry (with Tofu) | $5.40 | $21.61 |
| Tuesday | Quinoa Stir Fry (with Smoked Turkey) | $8.09 | $32.34 |
| Wednesday | Bunless Burgers (with Lean Ground Beef) | $4.60 | $18.40 |
| Thursday | Vegetable Stir Fry with Brown Rice | $6.93 | $27.73 |
| Friday | Asian Burgers (with Lean Ground Beef) | $5.92 | $29.61 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery store in Quebec?
There is no single "cheapest" grocery store in Quebec, as prices and promotions change weekly. Discount banners like Maxi and Super C are consistently competitive on price for many items. However, as this meal plan shows, traditional grocers like Metro and IGA can have the best price on specific items, especially fresh meat and produce. The most effective strategy is to use a real-time price comparison tool like eezly to see which store is cheapest for the specific items on your list each week.
How can I make this meal plan even cheaper?
There are several ways to reduce the cost further. You can substitute proteins; for example, use chicken thighs instead of smoked turkey breast in the stir-fry. Always look for store-brand (private label) versions of pantry items like sauces, spices, and canned goods, as they are almost always cheaper than name brands. Finally, be flexible with your vegetables and buy whatever is on deep discount that week.
Is this meal plan healthy for a family?
Yes, this meal plan is designed to be well-balanced. It includes a variety of lean proteins (tofu, beef, turkey), a wide array of colourful vegetables, and a mix of carbohydrates. The bunless burger option reduces refined carbs, and the stir-fries are packed with nutrients. You can easily adapt recipes to your family's dietary needs, for example, by using low-sodium soy sauce or adding more vegetables.
How can AI help me save money on groceries?
AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the process of finding the best deals. Instead of manually checking multiple flyers, eezly's AI scans 40 million price points per week from 2,700 stores across Canada, including all major banners in Quebec. It can instantly build an optimized shopping list that tells you where to buy each item for the lowest price, create budget-friendly meal plans based on current sales, and ensure you never miss a deal.
How much should a family of 4 in Quebec budget for groceries?
According to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian household spending on food can vary widely based on income and location, but it represents a significant portion of any budget. This meal plan demonstrates that with strategic planning, five complete dinners for a family can be achieved for approximately $130. By cooking at home and minimizing food waste, you can significantly lower your spending compared to relying on takeout or unprepared foods.
Are the prices in this article current?
The prices cited in this article were sourced from eezly's live pricing database in June 2026. Grocery prices are dynamic and can change daily due to sales, supply, and other market factors. For the most up-to-the-minute pricing, it is always best to check a real-time price tracker like eezly before you head to the store.
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