Home Kitchen

We’ve got the grill fired up here at Budget Bytes and that means it’s officially summertime, baby! And what better way to kick off grilling season than with a juicy,…

During grilling season, I make this Grilled Chicken for my family at least once a week. It’s one of those simple recipes that works for even the pickiest eaters! I…

We have now entered grilling season and whether you’re firing up the outdoor grill or using an indoor grill like we did, there is one food that’s always a crowd…

When I’m looking for a snack, I want it to be wholesome. These Homemade Granola Bars are delicious and free of all the junk and preservatives you can’t pronounce on…

Oh, Caprese Salad… let me count the ways! Nothing screams summer to me more than perfectly ripe, juicy, colorful tomatoes, and this fresh and flavorful Caprese salad is loaded with…

Pasta, veggies, and an addictively creamy sauce? Say no more! I’m all about quick one-pot weeknight meals these days; juggling work, a toddler, and a barnyard full of animals to…

This budget-friendly protein-packed tofu is begging to be the center of attention at your dinner table. If you’re looking to fire up a Meatless Monday tradition, or you’ve been on…

Listen, I am hard on myself when it comes to food waste. It’s up there on my top 10 list of pet peeves, right next to the car being left…

I’m on a roll with these air fryer recipes y’all! And since I loved how well my air fryer chicken nuggets turned out, I wanted to try some air fryer…

When I opened my former restaurant, AVO, in Nashville, I knew this Kimchi Spring Roll appetizer would make it onto the menu. Not only did it make it onto the…

There’s nothing I crave more on a hot summer day than a refreshing scoop of sorbet. It’s lighter and more refreshing than ice cream, so I never feel too full…

Friends, this is the pasta salad recipe that I grew up on! A simple mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and pasta, all tossed together in a zesty and tangy…

My Red White and Blue Salad is Summer in a bowl. Christmas and Thanksgiving are great holidays, but I’m a summer gal through and through. There’s just something magical about…

Springtime is salad season, and boy, do I have the perfect hearty salad for you! Niçoise salad is protein-packed, crunchy, and oh-so-satisfying. It’s perfect for meal prep and will keep…

This Air Fryer Asparagus might be the easiest recipe I’ve ever developed, and you know what? I’m not mad about it! Sometimes the simplest method truly is the best, and…

Did you know you can freeze avocados? This information was life-changing when I opened my former restaurant, AVO, in Nashville back in 2015; we used frozen avocado in our signature…

I love any dish where I can sneak in some kale without complaints from the haters; there’s just something so fun about sneaking them in and hearing the good ol’,…

It’s nearly grilling season, and I need a reliable side dish to bring to parties, family reunions, and barbecues. This broccoli salad is the perfect creamy, crunchy, rich, and flavorful…

Listen, I love Taco Tuesday as much as the next gal, but Taco Salads are really where it’s at. I have always said that salad is the ultimate “fast food”,…

With the sun working overtime during these hot summer months, I’ve got tacos on my mind (and tortillas in my fridge) 24/7. I love how balanced and fresh Mexican-inspired cuisine…

I have a major weakness for Southwestern flavors, and this Santa Fe salad is the ultimate combination. It’s loaded with tender, juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy black beans. I…

In my opinion, a bright and refreshing soup is the perfect way to welcome spring, and this vegan Mediterranean Lentil Soup is the perfect comforting meal for the rainy days…

Potatoes, or “spuds” as my Irish brother-in-law affectionately calls them, are truly a favorite for just about everyone. Potatoes can be cooked 1,000 ways and they always steal the show!…

We’re in love with stuffed bell peppers here at the Budget Bytes kitchen, so I decided to make a new variation just so I could have an excuse to eat…

When I think of comfort food, I always think of chicken parmesan. It’s everything I want in a cozy meal– crispy, saucy chicken topped with melty cheese! This one-pan chicken…

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that most dips can also double as an amazing pasta sauce, and this Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a great example. I took…

We’re all guilty of ordering Chinese takeout on a desperate night. But with this Chicken Fried Rice recipe, you won’t have to resort to that any longer! Make delicious, ultra-flavorful…

If you’re looking for a simple yet flavorful pork recipe, these Air Fryer Pork Chops are it! Coated in a sweet and savory spice blend and cooked to crispy perfection,…

I know it’s still spring, but the days are getting warmer, the sun is starting to shine, and I am ready for summer and all of its cold, fruity drinks.…

These hot and cold spring days have me feeling all kinds of confused about what to make for dinner. One day it’s warm and sunny, and the next it feels…

Carrot cake is one of those recipes where some people love it and others strongly dislike it. Well today, these Carrot Cake Muffins deserve to be in a class of…

Today we’re sharing our favorite Easy Dessert Recipes that are perfect for holidays, parties, family gatherings, or as a simple weeknight dinner treat. We’ve included several no-bake desserts, freezer-friendly desserts,…

Making an impressive main dish is hard work, so we’re partial to simple sides that pack a punch with little effort. This sauteed asparagus is crunchy, flavorful, and delightfully easy…

When the holidays roll around (Hello, Easter!), there’s nothing my family craves more than a sweet and savory baked ham. I know what you’re thinking, ham is expensive. But this…

Lately I’ve been loving how easy it is to cook vegetables in the air fryer. Just prep, season, and air fry. It’s almost too easy. And carrots are a great…

Creamy Parmesan risotto is comfort food at its finest! Warm, rich, and cheesy, this dish is a perennial favorite. It’s loaded with belly-filling Arborio rice and Parmesan cheese to keep…

If you’ve never made a homemade Caesar salad, then you might be surprised by just how easy it is to whip up. Our version includes fresh homemade croutons and a…

I love taking classic recipes and adapting them to be budget-friendly, and chicken Marsala is my latest endeavor. This Chicken Marsala recipe is so rich and flavorful, you won’t believe…

Make those potatoes go the extra mile with this creamy, cheesy potato casserole! Fit to serve a crowd, this potato casserole recipe is comfort food at its best. The crunchy,…

Fried cabbage is an incredibly underrated side dish, IMHO. It’s cheap, you only need a handful of simple ingredients, and it goes with everything. Plus, cabbage is one of my…

Easy and inexpensive side dishes like these Glazed Carrots are my go-to during busy weeknights. They’re super simple to make, they have the perfect amount of sweetness, and they pair…

Every now and then you come across one of those recipes that just leaves you speechless. Well, today I’m introducing you to one of those recipes. This Creamy Garlic Chicken…

I know it’s super easy just to open up a jar of store-bought marinara sauce and pour it over your pasta, and sometimes that’s all the energy we have (no…

I’m all about the creamy soups during the cold winter months, and this incredibly creamy Mushroom Soup is one of the best. This mushroom soup recipe is so easy to…

I really love french fries, but deep frying can be such a hassle. On busy weeknights when I’m craving a crispy side, I make these Air Fryer French Fries, and…

Chicken Cordon Bleu is one of those recipes that feels super fancy but doesn’t actually take a ton of effort. It can be pricey if ordering at a restaurant, but…

Quick and easy soups made with canned beans have become my favorite go-to easy meal when I’m too tired to cook and too broke to eat out. I’ve made several…

In case you haven’t noticed, we love avocados over here at Budget Bytes. They’re creamy, extremely versatile, and they taste great in avocado salad recipes, avocado dressings, on avocado toast,…

Bacon is my go-to protein of choice for breakfast on the weekends or during the week when I have a little extra time in the mornings. And I love how…

When it’s game day, there’s no food I crave more than spicy, saucy Buffalo Wings! I always thought they’d be such a pain to make, but baking them in the…

I’ve lived in the south most of my life and we eat grits all the time, so I thought I knew what polenta was all about. But let me just…

If you’re looking for a meal that feels like a splurge, look no further! Chicken Cacciatore is a wonderfully flavorful dish that’s ready to eat in just one hour. This…

Every now and then I get a taste for something sweet and decadent like homemade cookies, brownies, or carrot cake from my favorite restaurant. But buying pre-made desserts from a…

You certainly don’t have to be a vegetarian to fall in love with these Tofu Recipes. Tofu is a naturally budget-friendly and versatile source of protein that can be combined…

We’re taking the stress out of worrying about “what’s for dinner” this week and making this quick and easy Chicken Stir Fry recipe. It includes lots of chicken, tons of…

I’m a soup lover, through and through. I eat soup when it’s cold outside, when it’s hot outside, and anytime between. So you may have noticed that we have a…

So you grew up on Hamburger Helper, but now you’re an adult and have a more ✨refined✨ palate (read: sarcasm). Well, this One Pot Chili Mac recipe is your grown-up…

It’s that time of year when we all try to get back into the groove of daily life, make a fresh fresh start, and rebuild good habits after the chaos…

We are still in the middle of soup season and if you’re looking for a new soup recipe to make this month, then friend you’re in luck! Today we’re making…

If you’ve ever been to Chipotle, you know how good cilantro lime rice is and just how much flavor it can add to a meal. Luckily, it’s super easy and…

Caramelized onions are one of my favorite flavors EVER, so even though you can make a quick French Onion Dip made with just a packet of onion soup mix and…

I’m sure by now we all know that the air fryer makes life just a little bit easier, so if you’re looking for a simple way to cook chicken breasts,…

Let me start by saying, we have a deep love for Italian sausage. It’s one of our favorite meats to cook with because it’s already packed full of herbs and…

When I don’t have time to make a big breakfast, one of my favorite ways to start the day has always been with a quick smoothie. They’re refreshing, satisfying, easy…

It’s that time of year again! At the end of every year, I like to round up my favorite recipes that we published throughout the year to make sure you…

If you love spicy and you love cheesy, you’ll definitely love Jalapeño Poppers! This cute little appetizer recipe has New Year’s Eve written all over it, and it’s perfectly easy…

It’s the countdown to the New Year and we have several tasty New Year’s Eve appetizers to help you celebrate in style! Whether you’re hosting a big party and feeding…

Our Easy Homemade Cornbread, which is like the classic Jiffy cornbread mix, has been a reader favorite on Budget Bytes for years, but I was craving a richer, more decadent…

It may be tradition to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, but I’m here to say that you need to be making these delicious and budget-friendly beans year-round! This…

If there’s something you can never have too much of it’s definitely party snacks! These buttery Ranch Oyster Crackers are coated in melted butter, and seasoned with ranch seasoning and…

Whether you’re hosting a big Christmas party this year or plan to spend the chilly evenings of December cozy at home, this easy Christmas Punch recipe will put you in…

Roasting is my preferred method of cooking this time of year because it’s easy and hands-off, plus it creates the most scrumptious caramelized flavors and super tender and juicy meat.…

Chicken noodle soup is great and all, but have you tried Italian Wedding Soup?? This classic soup shares a lot of the same cozy ingredients as chicken noodle soup, but…

It’s Christmas cookie season!! This is one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season and we wouldn’t dare let you miss out on it! Baking cookies with your…

If you’re looking for an easy addition to your Christmas cookie platters, or maybe just a quick way to get your chocolate fix, you’ve got to try this easy homemade…

You know those candied pecans they sell from kiosks in shopping malls this time of year? The ones that beckon you from yards away with their buttery, nutty aroma? Well,…

One of the best ways to reduce food costs is to reduce food waste, and my favorite way to do this is to cook freezer-friendly recipes. Being able to stash…

Fast and easy meals are the only thing helping me survive this time of year (…or any time of year for that matter), and this super quick and creamy pasta…

Spice up your weekend breakfast with this easy one-skillet Sweet Potato Hash. Made with a simple combination of sweet potatoes, breakfast sausage, peppers, and onions, it includes the perfect balance…

You know those foods you grew up thinking you didn’t like even though you never actually tried them? Yeah, well Brussels sprouts was one of those vegetables that I just…