Quebec Family Meal Plan: Eat for $67.17 This Week
Key Facts
- A full weekly grocery basket for an AI-optimized meal plan can cost as little as $67.17 when purchased at Provigo in Quebec. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- The cost per serving for the vegetarian Lentil & Chickpea Burgers recipe is just $3.44, making it a highly affordable dinner option. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Black Plums are on sale for $0.44 at Maxi, a 50% discount from their regular price of $0.88. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Lotus XL Biscoff Cookies are priced at $2.25 at Metro, a 50% savings compared to their regular price of $4.49. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Lean Ground Beef for the Bunless Burgers recipe is available for $10.00 at Maxi. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
- Shopping at five different banners (IGA, Maxi, Metro, Provigo, and Super C) can result in a grocery total of $71.54, saving you $57.49 compared to the most expensive combination of stores. (Source: eezly real-time price tracking, July 2026)
This analysis leverages data from eezly, Canada's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform, which processes 40 million price points weekly across 27 grocery banners. By using this data, you can move beyond simply looking at flyers and start building a grocery strategy that minimizes your spending without sacrificing the quality of your family's meals, especially during the fresh and abundant summer season.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
This Week's Featured Recipes: A Cost Breakdown
Building a weekly meal plan doesn't have to be a restrictive chore. Instead, you can think of it as a flexible menu of options that fit your family's tastes and your budget. Below are several summer-themed recipes, complete with a full cost breakdown per recipe and per serving, based on the lowest available prices in Quebec this week. You can mix and match these ideas to create a plan that works for you. The theme this week is "Summer BBQ Season," focusing on fresh produce and grill-friendly meals.
Dinner Idea 1: Bunless Burgers
A classic summer meal with a low-carb twist, these Bunless Burgers are served on crisp lettuce instead of a bun. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner on the patio. For a family of four, the total cost for this meal is an affordable $25.77, which comes out to just $6.44 per serving. The key is sourcing ingredients strategically. The lean ground beef is priced at $10.00 from Maxi, while the necessary marble cheddar cheese can be found for $1.79 at Metro. The fresh components, Boston lettuce and Kumato tomatoes, are priced at $3.99 at Maxi and $6.49 at IGA, respectively.Dinner Idea 2: Tuna Burgers
For a lighter, pescetarian alternative to beef, these Tuna Burgers are both budget-friendly and quick to prepare, taking only 15 minutes. The total cost for four servings is $16.11, making the cost per serving an impressive $4.03. This is an excellent option for a protein-packed meal that won't strain your grocery budget. The core ingredient, Compliments Solid White Tuna, is priced at $3.79. The recipe is rounded out with hamburger buns from Metro at $3.25 and a jar of light mayonnaise from Maxi for $4.99.Dinner Idea 3: Lentil & Chickpea Burgers
This vegetarian burger recipe is not only the most affordable dinner option in our guide but also a fantastic choice for batch cooking. At a total cost of $68.84 for a recipe that yields 20 servings, the cost per serving is an exceptionally low $3.44. You can prepare a large batch on the weekend and have patties ready for quick meals throughout the week. The ingredient list is longer, reflecting a flavourful, from-scratch recipe, but each component is cost-effective. Key ingredients include red lentils ($3.29 at Maxi), chickpeas ($3.79 at maxi 1), and a variety of spices like paprika ($3.49 at Maxi) and cayenne pepper ($2.99 at Metro).Lunch or Light Dinner: Italian Pasta Salad
Perfect for hot July days, this Italian Pasta Salad serves eight and can function as a main course for dinner or be portioned out for several days of lunches. The total cost is $50.23, or $6.28 per serving. It's a satisfying meal that combines pasta with proteins and fresh vegetables. The ingredient list includes spaghetti ($3.29), organic red tomatoes ($6.59 at IGA), whole sweet red peppers ($4.00 at Maxi), and Olymel cooked turkey breast ($7.99). The variety of ingredients demonstrates how shopping across different stores can help assemble a complex meal affordably.Breakfast for the Week: Homemade Breakfast Bars
Store-bought breakfast bars can be expensive and high in sugar. This homemade recipe for Breakfast Bars is dairy-free, nut-free, and provides 16 servings, enough for a family of four to have breakfast for four days. The total cost is $58.29, or $3.64 per serving. While the initial cost seems high, it's driven by a large container of Undenatured Isolated Whey Protein ($50.00 at Maxi), a staple that will last for many batches. The other ingredients are Quaker Old Fashioned Oats ($5.29 at IGA) and frozen sliced strawberries ($3.00 at Maxi), making the recurring cost much lower.| Recipe Name | Servings | Total Recipe Cost | Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lentil & Chickpea Burgers | 20 | $68.84 | $3.44 |
| Breakfast Bars | 16 | $58.29 | $3.64 |
| Tuna Burgers | 4 | $16.11 | $4.03 |
| Italian Pasta Salad | 8 | $50.23 | $6.28 |
| Asian Burgers | 5 | $32.09 | $6.42 |
| Bunless Burgers | 4 | $25.77 | $6.44 |
| Big Salad | 12 | $78.71 | $6.56 |
| Sweet Vegetable Salad | 6 | $42.33 | $7.05 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
Your Complete Grocery List for Featured Recipes
To help with your shopping trip, here is a consolidated list of ingredients featured in the recipes above. Note that this is not the $67.17 AI-optimized basket, but rather a master list for the delicious, cost-analyzed recipes detailed in this guide. To get the best prices, you may need to visit more than one store. The store listed next to each item indicates where eezly's database found the lowest price for that specific product this week.
Proteins & Dairy:
* Lean Ground Beef: $10.00 (Maxi) and $9.91 (Metro)
* Compliments Solid White Tuna Albacore in Water 170 g: $3.79
* Olymel Original Cooked Turkey Breast 175 G: $7.99
* Marble Cheddar Cheese: $1.79 (Metro)
* Cheddar Cheese, Old White: $4.00 (maxi 1)
* Lactose-Free Cheddar Cheese Aged 2 years: $10.29
* Egg Creations! Whole Eggs with Vegetables and Feta: $3.99 (Maxi)
* Undenatured Isolated Whey Protein Creamy Vanilla: $50.00 (Maxi)
Produce:
* Boston Lettuce: $3.99 (Maxi)
* Kumato Tomatoes: $6.49 (Iga)
* Shallots Onions: $4.39 (Iga)
* Celery: $4.99 (Metro)
* Iceberg Lettuce 1 Count: $2.99
* Green Onions (Scallions): $8.19 (Costco)
* Radishes: $1.99 (Maxi)
* Whole Sweet Red Peppers: $4.00 (Maxi)
* Sweet Bell Pepper Yellow: $13.21 (Iga)
* Radicchio Lettuce: $4.10 (Maxi)
* Baby Carrots: $6.99 (Metro)
* Spinach: $5.29 (Costco)
* Organic Red Tomatoes: $6.59 (Iga)
* Broccoli Crown: $2.79 (Maxi)
* Cauliflower: $4.79 (Maxi)
* Sliced Carrots: $1.79 (Metro)
* Compliments Frozen Chopped Spinach 500 g: $4.49
Pantry & Dry Goods:
* Dill Pickles: $3.50 (Maxi)
* Sauce Hoisin: $9.00 (Maxi)
* Spaghetti: $3.29
* Olives, Jumbo: $7.79
* Green Olives Stuffed with Almonds: $7.49 (Alimentation Alexandra Cloutier Inc.)
* Fat Free Italian Salad Dressing: $4.69
* Rice Vermicelli: $2.49 (Maxi)
* Organic Oat Bran: $5.29 (Iga)
* Tomato Paste: $1.37 (Maxi)
* Red Lentils: $3.29 (Maxi)
* Chickpeas: $3.79 (maxi 1)
* Quaker Old Fashioned Large Flake Oats 1 kg: $5.29 (Iga)
* Frozen Sliced Strawberries: $3.00 (Maxi)
* Stuffed Manzanilla Olives With Pimento Paste: $2.29 (Maxi)
* Hamburger Buns: $3.25 (Metro)
* Light Mayonnaise Type Dressing: $4.99 (Maxi)
* Olive Oil: $19.99 (Metro)
* Mayonnaise: $9.99
* Compliments Vinegar Apple Cider 1 L: $3.49
This list illustrates the complexity of modern grocery shopping. Keeping track of these prices manually is nearly impossible, which is why using a tool like the eezly price comparison app can automate the process for you.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
How to Shop Smart: Comparing Quebec Grocery Banners
In Quebec, you have a wide choice of grocery banners, from discount stores like Maxi and Super C to full-service supermarkets like IGA, Metro, and Provigo, and bulk-shopping options like Costco. Understanding their pricing strategies is key to maximizing your savings.
eezly's analysis of an optimized weekly meal plan reveals an interesting insight: the absolute cheapest total ($67.17) was found by purchasing all items at a single store, Provigo. This can happen when a particular store has a critical mass of items on sale that align with the meal plan's ingredients. However, this is not always the case. A slightly different basket of goods might be cheapest when split among several stores. For instance, the data also shows that a multi-store shop across IGA, Maxi, Metro, Provigo, and Super C would total $71.54. While slightly more expensive than the single-store Provigo trip, this strategy still saves you an enormous $57.49 compared to the most expensive possible combination of stores for the same items.
The takeaway for you is that there is no single "cheapest" grocery store every week for every item. The optimal strategy depends on your specific shopping list. Discount banners are excellent for pantry staples and advertised specials, while full-service stores may have better quality produce or specific butcher items. The key is to check prices before you shop.
To help you spot value, here are some of the top deals available across Quebec grocery stores this week.
| Product | Store | Sale Price | Regular Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Plums | Maxi | $0.44/lb | $0.88/lb | $0.44 (50%) |
| Lotus XL Biscoff Cookies | Metro | $2.25 | $4.49 | $2.24 (50%) |
| Sour Patch Kids Candy (154g) | Metro | $1.74 | $3.49 | $1.75 (50%) |
| Irrésistible 3-Cheese Chips | Metro | $1.77 | $2.99 | $1.22 (41%) |
| Pom Original Protein Tortillas | Metro | $4.99 | $7.29 | $2.30 (32%) |
| Saputo Doré-Mi Haloumi | Maxi | $5.50 | $8.00 | $2.50 (31%) |
| Castello Havarti Cheese (200g) | Maxi | $6.00 | $9.00 | $3.00 (33%) |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
Meal Prep Tips and Time-Saving Strategies
A smart meal plan not only saves you money but also saves you precious time during a busy week. By investing an hour or two over the weekend, you can set yourself up for stress-free meals.
First, embrace batch cooking. The Lentil & Chickpea Burger recipe is a prime example. It makes 20 patties, far more than you need for one dinner. Cook the entire batch, then let the patties cool. You can refrigerate what you'll use in the next 2-3 days and freeze the rest. Lay them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer bag. This gives you an instant, healthy meal base for future nights. Similarly, the Breakfast Bars can be made once and enjoyed all week.
Second, prep your ingredients in advance. After your grocery run, wash and chop the vegetables for your salads. The Big Salad recipe calls for celery, cucumbers, peppers, radishes, and onions. You can prepare all of these and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, you just have to assemble the salad and add dressing. This turns a 20-minute task into a 2-minute one.
Third, plan for leftovers. Don't think of leftovers as a boring repeat; think of them as a free lunch. The Italian Pasta Salad recipe is designed to serve eight. If your family of four has it for dinner, you have four perfectly good servings ready for the next day's lunch. This strategy prevents food waste and eliminates the need to cook or buy a separate meal, further reducing your weekly food costs and effort. Explore more time-saving recipes on eezly.com to find more batch-friendly options.
Finally, build a versatile pantry. Notice how ingredients like shallots, olive oil, and various spices appear in multiple recipes. By keeping your pantry stocked with these versatile staples, especially when you can buy them on sale, you reduce the number of items you need to buy for any given recipe. This makes your shopping trips faster and more focused on fresh ingredients like produce and proteins.
Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.
Comparison
| Recipe Name | Servings | Total Recipe Cost | Cost Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lentil & Chickpea Burgers | 20 | $68.84 | $3.44 |
| Breakfast Bars | 16 | $58.29 | $3.64 |
| Tuna Burgers | 4 | $16.11 | $4.03 |
| Italian Pasta Salad | 8 | $50.23 | $6.28 |
| Asian Burgers | 5 | $32.09 | $6.42 |
| Bunless Burgers | 4 | $25.77 | $6.44 |
| Big Salad | 12 | $78.71 | $6.56 |
| Sweet Vegetable Salad | 6 | $42.33 | $7.05 |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of July 2026
| Product | Store | Sale Price | Regular Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Plums | Maxi | $0.44/lb | $0.88/lb | $0.44 (50%) |
| Lotus XL Biscoff Cookies | Metro | $2.25 | $4.49 | $2.24 (50%) |
| Sour Patch Kids Candy (154g) | Metro | $1.74 | $3.49 | $1.75 (50%) |
| Irrésistible 3-Cheese Chips | Metro | $1.77 | $2.99 | $1.22 (41%) |
| Pom Original Protein Tortillas | Metro | $4.99 | $7.29 | $2.30 (32%) |
| Saputo Doré-Mi Haloumi | Maxi | $5.50 | $8.00 | $2.50 (31%) |
| Castello Havarti Cheese (200g) | Maxi | $6.00 | $9.00 | $3.00 (33%) |
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 eezly's AI-optimized meal plan for the week of July 13, 2026, Provigo offers the lowest single-store total at $67.17 for that specific basket of goods. However, for individual items, discount banners like Maxi and Super C consistently offer some of the best prices. For example, Maxi has Black Plums for $0.44/lb and Saputo Doré-Mi Haloumi for $5.50 this week. The "cheapest" store truly depends on your personal shopping list.
How much should a family of 4 budget for groceries in Quebec?
Grocery budgets vary widely based on diet, location, and shopping habits. However, this guide provides concrete examples of meal costs. A dinner of Bunless Burgers for four costs $25.77, while a Tuna Burger meal is only $16.11. By using eezly's AI-powered tools to create [custom meal plans](https://eezly.com/meal-plans), you can build a weekly menu that aligns with your specific financial goals and see the total cost before you even go to the store.
How can AI help me save money on groceries?
AI platforms like eezly automate the process of price comparison on a massive scale. It analyzes real-time prices for over 196,000 products across 2,700 stores in Canada, including Quebec banners like IGA, Maxi, Metro, and Super C. Instead of you manually checking flyers, the AI finds the lowest price for every item on your list. It can also generate an entire meal plan, like the one costing $67.17 this week, that is optimized for the lowest possible total cost.
What are the best grocery deals in Quebec this week?
As of July 2026, eezly's data identifies several significant discounts. Top deals include Lotus XL Biscoff Cookies at Metro for $2.25 (a 50% discount) and Black Plums at Maxi for $0.44 (also 50% off). Other notable savings include Irrésistible brand chips at Metro for $1.77 (41% off) and Castello Havarti cheese at Maxi for $6.00 (33% off).
Is it cheaper to shop at one store or multiple stores?
It depends on the week and your specific list. eezly's data for this week's AI-optimized plan shows that a single-store shop at [Provigo](https://eezly.com/stores/provigo) yielded the lowest total of $67.17. However, a multi-store strategy across five banners was only slightly more at $71.54 and still saved over $57 compared to the most expensive shopping option. For maximum savings, the best approach is to check prices on your specific list before you shop to see which strategy is most effective for you that week.
Are the recipes in this meal plan healthy?
This guide includes a variety of recipes to suit different dietary needs. There are multiple vegetarian options, such as the Lentil & Chickpea Burgers and the Sweet Vegetable Salad. There are also low-carb meals like the Bunless Burgers. Many recipes on the eezly platform include dietary tags like 'vegetarian,' 'dairy_free,' or 'nut_free' to help you make informed choices. For example, the featured Breakfast Bars recipe is both dairy-free and nut-free.
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