With the rising cost of living, aren’t we all in need of some budget friendly recipes? With humble, fresh ingredients lots of Mexican dishes can be surprisingly easy on your wallet. Everything from recipes with fewer ingredients, to leftovers recipes and vegetarian meals on a budget, we’re here to help! It’s time to Be Clever, Shop Smart and Waste Less.
GRAN LUCHITO MEXICAN’S BEST
Looking for a delicious and affordable Mexican meal? Look no further than our Slow Cooker Chicken Chilli! This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and your slow cooker to create a flavourful and satisfying dish that won't break the bank. See full recipe
Warm your soul (and your wallet) with Fideo Soup! This traditional Mexican dish is packed with flavour and easy on the budget. Our recipe uses simple ingredients like toasted noodles, tomatoes, and spices for a comforting and delicious meal. See full recipe
Spicy, hearty, and budget-friendly! Our Vegetarian Chili con Carne is packed with protein-rich beans, colourful veggies, and bold Mexican flavours. Perfect for a cost-effective meal that has a vegetarian twist on a Mexican classic. See full recipe
Batch cooking is the way forward when you’re thinking about a money saving challenge. Buying food in bulk can really help because you’re taking advantage of deals and discounts so it’s much cheaper than buying small amounts often. Therefore, some planning ahead is needed!
Also if you don’t have time to cook every day, batch cooking is a great way to make sure you have healthy meals ready when you need them. The idea is to cook up a large batch of soup, stew, or enchiladas and then freeze up portions to defrost and eat a couple of weeks down the line. If you do this weekly, there will always be a stash of home cooked meals in the freezer for the week ahead.
Leftovers can be amazing, and we’re all for it! Sometimes dishes taste even better the next day anyway, so don’t waste any food and keep it in the fridge to have the next day for quick lunches.
Our favourite leftovers recipes have to be our Mexican Omelette, Fajita Bowl and Tortilla Wrap Hack Luchito Style. The beauty of these is that they are customisable as to what you might have leftover in your fridge.
The best Gran Luchito products used for leftovers are definitely Burrito Wraps or Soft Taco Wraps, Refried Beans or Cantina Beans, Chipotle Salsa and Chipotle Paste. So always having a good stash of these in the cupboard means that anything you cooked up can quickly be made into a meal the following day.
Going vegetarian for a while is certainly one way to help you stay within your budget. Meat is expensive, and protein substitutes such as beans, mushrooms, halloumi and jackfruit as well as endless veggie options can be great replacements.
Just remember to not always shop organic or at Wholefoods! Consider growing your own herbs, and a good rule of thumb to remember when going vegetarian and keep things interesting is ‘a grain, a green and a bean’!
Check out our recipes for Mushroom Fajitas, Vegetarian Quesadilla, Refried Bean Burrito, Sweet Potato Quesadilla, Black Bean Burrito, Vegan Burrito, Vegetarian Enchiladas, and Mexican Molletes with Refried Beans.
Money Saving
Scratch cooked fajitas have never tasted so good! A dollop of our chipotle paste in the fajita marinade takes these Chicken fajitas to another level! ... See full recipe
Our recipe for authentic refried black beans with chipotle, perfect as a Mexican side, a delicious layer in a burrito, wrapped up in warm tortillas or as a dip.... See full recipe
With flavourful grilled chicken, not only is this a healthy taco, but the authentic pico de gallo and homemade guacamole toppings make it taste super fresh. ... See full recipe
Chicken Quesadilla recipe with a homemade Chipotle Mayo using Gran Luchito Chipotle Pasteis unbelievably moreish. Shredded roast chicken, melted cheese, Soft Taco Wraps with fresh Pico de Gallo and guacamole.... See full recipe
With our Tomatillo Enchilada Sauce we make it easy for you to make a delicious and savoury, ooey, gooey Chicken Enchilada recipe. This is a good one to make midweek!... See full recipe
Black beans and rice is a combination very popular in Latin American. It has to be one of the best side dishes that you can serve, as it goes with a big variety of main meals.... See full recipe
Lime and coriander make an appearance in most Mexican dishes, as garnish in soups, stews and every taco going! Our Lime and Coriander Rice is therefore the perfect side dish.... See full recipe
Saucy, melty and totally delicious Beef Enchiladas. A practical recipe after a busy day, this uses minced beef with onions and our Chipotle Enchilada Sauce.... See full recipe
Fluffy Mexican style rice with lightly fried veg and delicious crispy chicken pieces cooked on top. This is the perfect one-pot meal that you can prepare for your family!... See full recipe
Hearty veggies, black Cantina Beans and red Chipotle Enchilada Sauce are a delicious filling in this Veggie Enchilada recipe that is suitable for vegans too.... See full recipe
It's a popular choice for quick meals at home or on the go, offering a satisfying and filling option for lunch or dinner.... See full recipe
Sincronizada, a beloved Mexican delicacy, is a culinary masterpiece that combines the simplicity of a quesadilla with the irresistible flavours of ham and cheese. Two flour tortillas envelop a generous filling of savory ham and gooey melted cheese, creating a symphony of taste and texture. ... See full recipe
Fideo soup is a traditional Mexican dish known for its comforting and flavourful qualities. It typically consists of toasted noodles (called fideo) cooked in a tomato-based broth along with various vegetables and seasonings. ... See full recipe
Calabacitas is a mouthwatering Mexican dish that celebrates the vibrant flavours of Mexico. This savoury side dish features tender sweet corn, and often other vegetables like peppers and tomatoes, sautéed with fragrant garlic and onions. ... See full recipe
This slow cooker chicken chili is a fuss-free recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Simply combine chicken, beans, vegetables, and spices in your slow cooker and let it simmer for a hearty and flavourful chili.... See full recipe
Vegan pozole is a traditional Mexican soup crafted without animal products, replacing pork with ingredients like hominy, vegetables, and flavourful spices. It offers a rich, hearty taste, complemented by the essence of herbs and chilli peppers.... See full recipe
Authentic Puéblan Chicken Tinga in minutes! Use our Tinga Taco Simmer Sauce to create this classic taco dish at home for the family in no time. Tasty, hearty and delicious.... See full recipe
This fuss-free sauce delivers bold flavours in just one step. Simply fry ground meat, simmer with the sauce, and enjoy a hearty chilli in minutes. Beans are optional for a classic Texas-style dish.... See full recipe
Vegetarian Chilli con Carne is a hearty and flavourful stew, offering a meat-free twist on the classic chilli.... See full recipe
Double Decker Tacos are unique in that they feature not one, but two tortillas stacked together to create a double layer. The bottom tortilla is a soft flour tortilla, while the top tortilla, acting as a shell, is a hard corn tortilla.... See full recipe
Mexican Lentil Soup is comforting soup that can be enjoyed in various ways, from a vegetarian or vegan version to one with added meats like diced ham or chorizo. Pairs perfectly with tortillas or crusty bread and offers a wholesome and nutritious dining experience.... See full recipe
Experience a delightful twist with pan-fried chipotle turkey mince combined with sliced avocado, spring onions, and chipotle salsa. If you haven't tasted turkey mince before, it offers a refreshing alternative and boasts numerous health benefits!... See full recipe
Our Mexican Molletes Recipe with crusty bread slathered with Refried Beans and melted cheese is an amazing Mexican toastie, made in the comfort of your own home!... See full recipe
Flavourful and brothy black beans garnished simply with finely chopped onion, tomatoes, chillies and/or coriander, a delicious and easy side dish!... See full recipe
Authentic, restaurant style Mexican rice is easier than you think to make at home and goes with just about any Mexican meal, ours has a delicious dollop of Chipotle... See full recipe
Chilaquiles mainly consist of Tortilla Chips smothered in a green or red sauce, served here with fried eggs, melted cheese on top and a drizzle of crema.... See full recipe
Our Vegan Burrito with roasted chipotle potatoes, black Cantina Beans and magical Chipotle Paste results in a delicious and substantial filling to stuff your burritos with.... See full recipe
This Pollo Asado recipe for Mexican Grilled Chicken has an irresistible, flavourful, citrusy, Ancho BBQ flavour marinade. Talk about finger licking good -you have to try!... See full recipe
Quick to prepare and healthy, packed with fresh veggies, beans, rice and salsa, this black bean burrito is the perfect working from home lunch to power you through your day... See full recipe
Sauté your green beans in a bit of olive oil and some of our Crunchy Salsa Macha for a deliciously spicy side dish, with a lovely light crunch from the ground peanuts.... See full recipe
This Mexican scrambled eggs recipe is all about bringing together good quality fresh ingredients including onion, chilli and tomatoes with perfectly cooked eggs.... See full recipe
Mexican Cowboy Beans, or "Frijoles Charros", are an epic Mexican side dish with black beans, smoky chipotle, bacon, chorizo and onion - delicious!... See full recipe
Beef Tacos are a great introduction to making tacos at home. They're easy to make, a crowd pleaser, and a perfect way to use the packet of mince on your weekly shop! ... See full recipe
Our version of the Tik Tok wrap hack made even more delicious with chorizo, potatoes, Chipotle Refried Beans, a dollop of salsa and grated cheese.... See full recipe
Our delicious toasty, melty Sweet Potato Quesadilla is simply cooked with Chipotle Paste, Cantina Beans and a bit of butter. Dollop in salsa and you have a treat right there! ... See full recipe
A super tasty spatchcock chicken recipe seasoned with olive oil, our Guajillo Fajita & Taco Mix, and a bit of salt. This spice blend has everything you need for BBQ chicken!... See full recipe
Fajita bowls are perfect easy meals that you can prepare ahead of time and then have everything ready to assemble at lunchtime, or as a quick and healthy dinner for busy days.... See full recipe
Don't knock till you've tried it! Our Mushroom Fajitas are nothing short of delicious. A fantastic vegetarian substitute packed with flavour using our Red Fajita Simmer Sauce.... See full recipe
There's nothing more comforting than a bowl of hearty warm soup during a cold winter's day. Well this is exactly what we had in mind when we created this recipe.... See full recipe
Fancy a fajita recipe that you can make in the slow cooker? This Slow Cooker Fajitas recipe couldn't be easier! Just add everything in with our Red Fajita Simmer Sauce. ... See full recipe
One of the easiest meals to prepare, beef mince is fried with onions and garlic, then cooked with diced vegetables, served with refried beans and Mexican rice on the side. ... See full recipe
Transform leftover chicken into super tasty tacos! Fry onion, garlic, chorizo and leftover shredded chicken with some Chipotle Paste for a midweek easy dinner.... See full recipe
With our Smoky Chipotle Mexican Refried Beans, the humble bean burrito is taken up a notch and packed full of flavour! Add some Serranos with it for a pop of heat!... See full recipe
Our Vegetarian Quesadilla recipe is not only meat-free but with Cantina Beans, veggies and Serrano Green Chillies it is delicious and satisfying as well.... See full recipe
Elevate your Spicy Chicken Fajitas with two perfectly compatible products from our range. Marinate your chicken in our bold and flavourful Chipotle Fajita & Taco Mix, then wrap up all the delicious ingredients in our soft and super soft Fajita Wraps.... See full recipe
Quesadillas are super easy to make and in this recipe, the humble Cheese Quesadilla gets taken up an authentic notch with the addition of Sliced Mexican Green Cactus.... See full recipe
A delicious, meat free and crispy yet oozing with cheese quesadilla filled with flavourful and meaty mushrooms. A very easy and quick to make snack or meal.... See full recipe
The perfect comfort food, designed to make people happy. Tortillas are filled with cheese, layered in a dish, covered with sauce, more cheese, and baked in the oven until gooey!... See full recipe
Who doesn't love crispy fish fingers and warm Soft Tacos? This winning combo is guaranteed to make your life easier and your kids very happy. Also, grown ups like them too! ... See full recipe
A deliciously tasty Mexican twist on a classic omelette! We combine eggs with caramelized onions, coriander, grated cheese and some of our hero product Chipotle Paste!... See full recipe
Gran Luchito Mexican
Mexican food tends to be quite budget-friendly to start with, as many staple ingredients are naturally low in cost. So you can enjoy delicious homemade Mexican food even on a tight budget.
Mexican grocery stores have incredibly reasonable prices for all their products. A Mexican brand of hot sauce or peanut butter costs much less than their American counterparts. In addition to cheap meat cuts, you will also find food that is already prepared and packed for you, which is extremely convenient.
Beans, grains, some fats, milk, and eggs are all very healthy foods that are inexpensive sources of key nutrients. Planning your meals ahead, shopping with a list, buying frozen veggies, cutting costs with coupons, and growing your own herbs and veg are ways to eat healthily on a budget.
Learn to cook from scratch, go for wholesome, high nutrient ingredients, shop by special deals and not by a meal plan, batch cook and freeze leftovers, minimise snacks and soft drinks, and grow your own food!
Cooking techniques like slow cooking or pressure cooking can help tenderise cheaper cuts of meat and reduce cooking times. Planning meals ahead of time, utilising leftovers, and batch cooking can also save time and money.
