What are your frugal and sustainable tips and tricks?

[gtaus]

All grease (hamburger and bacon mostly) is poured off into a container that sits in the fridge until it's full, then tossed. I've thought about using it for something, but never have.

I will dump grease on the logs in my fire pit. Burns well.

Cooking grease can help the burn barrel fires.

Yep. I recommend putting the grease on the wood before you light the fire.

I like lentil soup.

I like to make lentil soup, especially if we have any leftover ham. I cube up the ham and add it to the soup. I also like to add some fresh kale from the garden and green onions.

I prefer to eat the lentils as soup, with lots of liquid, but if you want to make it thicker, it goes really good over rice.

Lentil soup freezes well. When I make a big batch, I put it into separate plastic containers and put them in the freezer. Take one out the night before you want to eat it and let it thaw out in the refrigerator. Makes for a quick meal with a sandwich. Sometimes I make some cheese bread to go with the lentil soup. It's all good to me.

 

[gtaus]

We have tacos on Tuesday (like half the country!) and often again during the week, but recently I've made up the taco meat differently.

1 pound of hamburger, brown it, drain the grease, and add seasonings of your choice. 1 can of black beans, drained, stirred in.

I will have to mention that to Dear Wife next time we plan on having tacos. I'm OK with eating less red meat. In fact, for that past year or so, I have cut back on the meat portion of the tacos and just add more tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese. Almost a veggie taco, but not quite. I like that idea of using black beans mixed with the meat.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

I was raised saving bacon drippings in a jar in the fridge. No beef or sausage grease, just bacon. Most people here do this. You add just a little to a cast iron frying pan to fry eggs. Very yummy!

That’s one thing I haven’t tried to do and ought to.

 

[TooCheep]

I was raised saving bacon drippings in a jar in the fridge. No beef or sausage grease, just bacon. Most people here do this. You add just a little to a cast iron frying pan to fry eggs. Very yummy!

Bacon grease is magical stuff. One pound of bacon produces about 1 cup of grease which I filter through a paper towel into a small mason jar. It adds a nice bonus flavor to many meals- particularly eggs. I also use it instead of butter over many veggies.

 

[igorsMistress]

Sometimes I make "taco rice." I mix brown rice with taco filling. Heat them together in a pan. Nice and filling.

Hubby, on the other hand, will NOT eat rice. No way, no how.

Ground turkey is only $4 a pound here and with taco seasoning in it and all the fixings the kids don’t have a clue. Sometimes I’ll add it to a pound of hamburger and cook them together so it tastes more like beef. Especially for meatballs and spaghetti.

 

[igorsMistress]

Beans in the taco meat. Sounds good!

I don't know that I've ever had lentils?? I'll have to give those a try.

I was raised saving bacon drippings in a jar in the fridge. No beef or sausage grease, just bacon. Most people here do this. You add just a little to a cast iron frying pan to fry eggs. Very yummy!

Beans and rice are always good too.
I can't imagine anyone not liking rice!
I love rice and tomatoes cooked together. Makes a nice side to go with something cooked on the grill.

I recommend red lentils to start. They cook up quick and have a milder flavor than other lentils. So good with rice. Dal is an Indian dish made with lentils and served over rice, I highly recommend if you like curry.

 

[NanaK]

I also use it instead of butter over many veggies.

Agree! I do this too. I like to use it to fry summer squash and onions. It has so many uses and adds great flavor.

I recommend red lentils to start. They cook up quick and have a milder flavor than other lentils. So good with rice. Dal is an Indian dish made with lentils and served over rice, I highly recommend if you like curry.

I'll look for the red ones and give this a try. Thanks!

 

[fuzzi]

Ground turkey is only $4 a pound here and with taco seasoning in it and all the fixings the kids don’t have a clue. Sometimes I’ll add it to a pound of hamburger and cook them together so it tastes more like beef. Especially for meatballs and spaghetti.

I have never appreciated ground turkey. I don't know why but every time I have eaten some it tastes "off", almost metallic. I love turkey, too.

 

[Sally PB]

I have never purchased ground turkey. I might have to try it when hubby goes on vacation in October.

 

[ChicNmom]

All grease (hamburger and bacon mostly) is poured off into a container that sits in the fridge until it's full, then tossed. I've thought about using it for something, but never have.

Maybe a suet cake this winter....

I save bacon grease. I cook brussels sprouts, sauté cabbage, really anything that I want to add a little bacony flavor to. Especially if someone give me ground venison Ill add some because it's so lean.