These 20 Dishes Are Cheaper to Eat Out Than to Make at Home
In an era where eating out can often entail a significant expense, it’s nice to find meals that can satisfy your hunger without draining your wallet compared to preparing them yourself.
From economical options to delectable dishes that won’t strain your budget, here are 20 surprisingly less expensive meals when enjoyed at restaurants or diners.
Salads
While salads might appear to be a budget-friendly choice for home cooking, the cost of fresh produce and toppings can be unexpectedly high. Many establishments provide generous salads with substantial portions of protein and toppings at a fair price, making them an economical and healthy option.
Pasta
Though pasta dishes can be straightforward to whip up at home, the price of quality ingredients like fresh herbs, cheese, and sauces can accumulate. Dining at an Italian restaurant allows you to sample various pasta offerings without the trouble of cooking or the expense of buying individual components.
Fried Chicken
Achieving perfectly crispy and golden fried chicken at home requires substantial time and effort, along with the cost of ingredients like chicken, flour, and oil. Treating yourself to this Southern staple at a local diner or fast-food outlet is typically more affordable and convenient.
Pad Thai
Authentic pad Thai can be made at home with a selection of ingredients, including tamarind paste, fish sauce, and rice noodles, which may not be easily found in your kitchen. Luckily, many Thai restaurants have reasonably priced lunch specials or dinner combos that feature this popular dish.
Curry
Although making homemade curry can be an intricate process, purchasing spices and specialty items can become expensive. Choosing to enjoy curry at your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant lets you relish the rich flavors of this dish without exceeding your budget.
Pho
This comforting Vietnamese noodle soup is flavorful, but gathering ingredients like beef bones, spices, and rice noodles can be both time-consuming and pricey. Savoring pho at a Vietnamese restaurant enables you to delight in a hot bowl of soup without the hassle of prep or the high ingredient costs.
Tacos
Creating the ideal taco demands a range of ingredients such as meat, tortillas, cheese, and salsa, which can be quite pricey when bought separately. Fortunately, many Mexican eateries have taco Tuesdays or happy hour promotions where you can enjoy tasty tacos at a reduced price.
Burgers
Although grilling burgers at home is a delightful summer pastime, the price of good-quality ground beef, buns, and toppings can be steep. Eating out at a burger restaurant usually provides value meals or combo offers that make relishing a delicious burger more economical than preparing one at home.
Sushi
Indulging in sushi can be costly when buying ingredients like fresh fish, rice, and seaweed. However, numerous sushi establishments feature wallet-friendly lunch specials or all-you-can-eat offers that allow you to sample various rolls for much less than the cost of making them yourself.
Pizza
Creating homemade pizza is an enjoyable and tasty project, but the expenses for ingredients like cheese, toppings, and dough can accumulate quickly. A slice or full pie at a nearby pizzeria frequently ends up being more affordable, especially when considering the time and effort saved.
Sushi Burrito
Merging sushi flavors with the convenience of a burrito, sushi burritos have gained popularity as a quick meal option. Although creating one at home may necessitate acquiring specific ingredients, numerous restaurants provide budget-friendly choices to relish this fusion dish without overspending.
Ramen
Preparing a delicious bowl of ramen from scratch demands time, dedication, and a variety of ingredients, including broth, noodles, and toppings. Thankfully, many ramen establishments offer affordable lunch specials or set menus that deliver a fulfilling bowl of noodles at a reasonable cost.
Eggplant Parmesan
Achieving crispy, golden-brown eggplant slices layered with marinara sauce and melted cheese takes time, dedication, and a well-stocked kitchen. Dining at an Italian restaurant presents an easy and affordable way to relish this classic dish without the trouble of home cooking.
Ceviche
This refreshing seafood specialty is typically made by marinating raw fish in citrus juices and spices, which may require finding fresh seafood and unique ingredients. Enjoying ceviche at a Latin American restaurant or seafood establishment allows you to appreciate this dish’s vibrant flavors and textures without the necessity for homemade preparation.
Gyros
Making the ideal gyro at home necessitates marinating meat, grilling it until tender, and assembling it with fresh toppings and tzatziki sauce. Choosing gyros at a Greek restaurant or food truck provides a convenient and affordable opportunity to relish this tasty Mediterranean dish without the hassle of preparing it yourself.
Dumplings
These small parcels of delight are a common feature in many Asian cuisines, but making them at home can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. By choosing dumplings at a Chinese restaurant or dim sum venue, you can enjoy a range of flavors and fillings without the stress of preparing them yourself.
Falafel
Creating perfectly crispy falafel balls involves soaking chickpeas, blending spices, and frying them to a golden brown. Savoring falafel at a Middle Eastern restaurant or food truck presents a convenient and economical way to enjoy this tasty dish without the complications of homemade cooking.
Fish and Chips
Achieving crispy, golden-brown fish and chips at home requires deep-frying expertise and a well-stocked kitchen. Many pubs and seafood restaurants feature affordable fish and chips deals that offer a satisfying meal without the mess or expense of home preparation.
Pad See Ew
This well-known Thai stir-fried noodle dish calls for specialty ingredients like dark soy sauce and wide rice noodles, which may not be commonly found in your kitchen. Enjoying pad see ew at a Thai restaurant lets you experience this dish’s sweet and savory notes without the requirement of making it at home.
Barbecue Ribs
Slow-cooking tender barbecue ribs to perfection takes time, care, and a quality barbecue sauce. Eating at a barbecue joint or smokehouse allows you to indulge in fall-off-the-bone ribs without the need for smoking meat or the cost of buying ingredients.
Related: 15 Clever Hacks To Reduce That Never-Ending Grocery Bill
Managing grocery expenses can be challenging for many households, especially with rising food costs and fluctuating budgets.
However, with some creativity and resourcefulness, you can implement numerous clever hacks to reduce your never-ending grocery bill without sacrificing the quality or variety of your meals.
