This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Cooking dinner can feel expensive fast, so I put together a \u201cSplurge or Save\u201d menu that lets you build the perfect meal without the stress of budget. Each category has a high version and a low version, and both taste amazing.<\/p>\n You can easily mix and match recipes based on your budget, your crowd, and how much time you want to spend in the kitchen (or on your grocery bill)!<\/p>\n This post is laid out to make your<\/em><\/strong> menu come together without the stress or the price shock. Everything is organized by course so you can see exactly where you want to spend and where you want to save.<\/p>\n Start with your main dish, add a couple of sides<\/a>, then choose an appetizer<\/a> and dessert<\/a>. You will find recipes that taste amazing without blowing your grocery budget. Or, if it\u2019s a special occasion, which recipes are worth splurging on! It is the easiest way to plan a dinner that feels special and still makes sense for real life.<\/p>\n The Recipe Critic Recommendation<\/p>\n The Best (And Most Affordable!) Meat Thermometer<\/p>\n If you are going to splurge on a big cut of meat like prime rib, please do not ruin it by guessing the temperature. Nothing hurts worse than spending all that money and ending up with something overcooked. A good thermometer is the difference between \u201cwow, this is incredible\u201d and \u201cwell\u2026 that was an expensive mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n I tested all the top meat thermometers out there, and you know what surprised me? The\u00a0super affordable\u00a0one was the winner. It was literally the lowest priced option in the whole lineup that I tried and it beat every fancy thermometer I tried. So yes, you can splurge on the meat and save on the tool that protects it. Total win.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Let\u2019s start with the star of the show. Go fancy if you are feeling like a splurge or keep it simple if today is not the day.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/p>\n Pick your sides like you are building the plate of your dreams. Veggies, potatoes, all the good stuff. High or low, they all belong here.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sometimes the smartest dinner move is grabbing a few things premade. These store-bought items taste great, save time, and blend right in with a homemade meal.<\/p>\n If you want to add even more to your menu, here are a few tried and true favorites that you will love all year long. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n <\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/therecipecritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/airfryergarlicbuttersteakbites.jpg\"\/)
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If You Splurge on the Meat, Do Not Waste It<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>\nMain Course<\/h3>\n
Budget Friendly<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Side Dishes<\/h2>\n
Higher Priced<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n
Budget Friendly <\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Store-Bought Shortcuts That Work Every Time<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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