20 Budget-Friendly Ingredients That Make Any Meal Gourmet

Gourmet doesn’t necessarily mean the food is expensive. Oftentimes, you can cook delicious meals without breaking the bank. This article aims to provide 20 of the most affordable ingredients to purchase at the supermarket. From garlic to canned tomatoes. Turn your ordinary dishes into the extraordinarily delectable meals.

1. Garlic

Kaboompics.com on Pexels

Garlic is a staple in the culinary world. From sauces to meals, it gives your food a mouthwatering aroma and deepens its flavors.

2. Lemon

Lisa Fotios

The zest or juice of a lemon can brighten your dish and add a bit of freshness. The fruit’s acidity rounds out the flavors of both sweet and savory dishes.

3. Balsamic Vinegar

Anna Tarazevich on Pexels

If you love salad, balsamic vinegar can instantly elevate it. This sweet and tangy vinegar can also be used for marinades and roasted vegetables.

4. Parmesan Cheese

Nadin Sh on Pexels

Add rich, umami flavors to your dish with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. This inexpensive ingredient adds a gourmet touch to your meal, from salads to pasta.

5. Olive Oil

Mareefe on Pexels

Drizzle olive oil on your pasta, roasted veggies, or salads to add more depth and a bit of Mediterranean flavor to them.

6. Canned Tomatoes

Boryslav Shoot on Pexels

Though these are affordable, canned tomatoes are packed with flavor. You can use them for your soups, stews, and sauces to give them a tangy, robust taste.

7. Dijon Mustard

Ali Dashti on Pexels

Thanks to its tangy and slightly spicy flavor, Dijon mustard can add more complexity to simple meals. It’s best used in marinades, dressings, and sauces.

8. Fresh Herbs

cottonbro studio on Pexels

Fresh herbs, like parsley, basil, and cilantro, are one of the most affordable ways to freshen up your recipe. Add them right before serving to brighten the flavors of your food.

9. Soy Sauce

Nadin Sh on Pexels

Mixing soy sauce with sauces, soups, and marinades can add an earthy, umami flavor that rounds out the taste of your meal and makes it more sophisticated.

10. Honey

Three-shots on Pexels

If dressings or marinades are too acidic, adding honey balances out the taste, creating a harmonious blend of delicious flavors.

11. Coconut Milk

Oleksandr P on Pexels

When cooking curry, remember the coconut milk. This adds a creamy and sweet taste that rounds up your food. You can also use coconut milk for other soups, stews, and sauces.

12. Smoked Paprika

Kaboompics.com on Pexels

Smoked paprika can deepen the flavors of meats, veggies, and even dips, delivering a smoky, earthy flavor to them.

13. Chili Flakes

Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels

If you want to add a bit of a kick to your dish, chili flakes will do the trick. Their gentle heat can transform a variety of recipes into restaurant-quality ones.

14. Greek Yogurt

Amnah Mohammad on Pexels

Aside from its affordability, Greek yogurt is also quite versatile. It adds creaminess to sauces, dips, and marinades, and its tangy flavor adds complexity.

15. Panko Breadcrumbs

Eva Bronzini on Pexels

These Japanese breadcrumbs are light and crunchy, adding a crunchy texture to almost any baked or fried dish.

16. Canned Beans

Ron Lach

Canned beans give soups, salads, and stews a creamy and nutty texture and are a highly affordable source of protein and fiber.

17. Red Wine Vinegar

Charlotte May on Pexels

Just a splash of red wine vinegar can enhance the taste of marinades and sauces. This vinegar provides acidity and depth to your food.

18. Butter

Markus Spiske on Pexels

Adding a pat of butter to sauces, risotto, and vegetables creates a velvety texture. It also enriches the dish and offers a more luxurious finish.

19. Miso Paste

makafood on Pexels

Like soy sauce, miso paste adds deep, umami flavors to enhance your dish. It’s perfect for soups, marinades, and sauces.

20. Lentils

Daniela Crucez on Pexels

Lentils add heartiness to soups, stews, and salads while absorbing other flavors, creating a gourmet feel. They’re also quite inexpensive and filling.

• Tags:
• cooking
• Affordable
• Ingredients
• food
• Recipe