The $60 Grocery Basket Challenge: Eat Smart, Spend Less.  A Full Week of Meals for One

🗓️ 5-Day Work Week Meal Plan (1 Person)

 

🍳 Breakfasts (Alternate Daily)

 

Oatmeal + Fruit + Nut Butter

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Instructions: Cook rolled oats with water or milk. Top with banana or apple slices and a tablespoon of peanut butter.

• Calories: ~350–400

• Fiber: 6–8g

• Cost: ~$0.80

 

Greek Yogurt Parfait

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Instructions: Layer plain Greek yogurt with chopped fruit and a sprinkle of oats or seeds.

• Calories: ~300–350

• Fiber: 3–4g

• Cost: ~$1.00

 

🥗 Lunches / Snacks (Rotate Based on Leftovers)

• Ideas:

  • Leftover dinner portions in wraps or bowls

  • Whole wheat toast with peanut butter

  • Greek yogurt and fruit

  • Fresh fruit (apple, banana, etc.)

 

🍽️ Dinners (5 Complete Recipes)

 

Dinner #1: Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry

• Prep Time: 25 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 4–5 oz chicken breast or thigh

  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

  • ½ cup cooked brown rice

  • 1 tsp cooking oil

  • Spices: garlic powder, salt, pepper

• Instructions:

  1. Cook brown rice.

  2. In a skillet, heat oil, cook chicken until golden and cooked through.

  3. Add vegetables, stir-fry until hot and tender.

  4. Serve over rice and season.

• Calories: ~500

• Fiber: ~6g

• Cost: ~$3.00

 

Dinner #2: Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos

• Prep Time: 30 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 1 medium sweet potato, diced

  • ½ can black beans

  • 2 whole wheat tortillas

  • 2 tbsp Greek yogurt

  • Spices: chili powder, cumin, salt

• Instructions:

  1. Roast sweet potato at 425°F for ~25 minutes.

  2. Warm beans and season.

  3. Warm tortillas. Assemble tacos with yogurt.

• Calories: ~500

• Fiber: ~9g

• Cost: ~$2.75

 

Dinner #3: Potato & Carrot Soup with Greens

• Prep Time: 35 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 2 potatoes, cubed

  • 2 carrots, sliced

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1–2 cups broth or water

  • Handful of spinach or greens

• Instructions:

  1. Sauté onion and garlic if available.

  2. Add potatoes and carrots, cover with water/broth, simmer ~20 minutes.

  3. Partially mash or blend. Add greens and wilt.

• Calories: ~400

• Fiber: ~8g

• Cost: ~$3.00

 

Dinner #4: Egg & Veggie Scramble + Toast

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs

  • ½ cup frozen vegetables

  • 1 slice whole wheat bread

• Instructions:

  1. Scramble eggs with veggies.

  2. Toast bread. Serve together.

• Calories: ~350

• Fiber: ~4g

• Cost: ~$2.00

 

Dinner #5: Chicken & Bean Wrap with Greens

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Ingredients:

  • 3–4 oz cooked chicken

  • ½ can beans

  • 1 whole wheat tortilla

  • Handful of greens

  • Optional: Greek yogurt or salsa

• Instructions:

  1. Warm chicken and beans in a skillet.

  2. Fill tortilla with mixture and greens. Wrap and enjoy.

• Calories: ~500

• Fiber: ~10g

• Cost: ~$3.00

 

🔢 Weekly Totals (Estimated)

Nutrient	Per Day	Per Week
Calories	1,800–2,000	~13,000+ kcal
Protein	70–90g	~600g
Fiber	28–35g	~210g
Daily Meal Cost (avg.)	~$8.00	~$56.00

 

🛒 Grocery List 

 

Proteins & Dairy:

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs (~1.5 lb total)

• Eggs (1 dozen)

• Plain Greek yogurt (32 oz container)

• Peanut butter or almond butter (small jar)

Grains & Carbs:

• Brown rice (1 lb or 32 oz bag)

• Rolled oats or instant oats

• Whole wheat bread (1 loaf)

• Whole wheat tortillas or wraps

Vegetables:

• Frozen mixed vegetables (12–16 oz)

• Sweet potatoes (2 medium)

• Russet potatoes (2 medium)

• Carrots (1 lb)

• Onion (1 medium)

• Fresh greens (spinach or mixed greens, 5–7 oz)

Pantry Items:

• Canned black beans (15 oz)

• Olive oil or cooking oil (small bottle)

• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin

• Optional: salsa or canned diced tomatoes

Fruits:

• Fresh fruit (4–6 bananas or apples)

 

🚀 Next Week's Teaser

Stay tuned for The $60 Family Basket Challenge, where we feed a family of four for five days with one smart, affordable grocery haul. Real meals, local prices, and zero fluff.

 

📣 Tell Us What You Think!

Did you try this challenge? Snap a photo, shoot a quick video, or just share your wins, struggles, or swaps with the group.

 

👉 Join the Summit City Group on Facebook
We want to see your $60 basket meals in action