Who says meals can’t be inexpensive, nutritious, and delicious? 

Struggle meals are economical, easy to make, and made with ingredients you can find anywhere. They are those meals you turn to when you are too busy to spend more than 20 minutes in the kitchen or when you are running low on cash. 

With the rising costs of groceries, many are turning to their tried and true struggle meals that are affordable and keep you full for hours, not to mention that they are absolutely delightful. While you may associate low-cost meals with instant dinners like ramen or canned food (not that there’s anything wrong with that), Latinos have their own set of traditional struggle meals that are a cornerstone of their cuisine. 

Here are some of our favorite meals you should remember next time you’re at the grocery store. 

Rice with eggs and ketchup 

This struggle meal is very popular in many parts of Latin America. In fact, many people eat it year-round due to its simplicity, nutritional value, and delicious taste. Now that the price of eggs is decreasing again, this meal is perfect for those days when you are in a rush and don’t have much time to come up with an elaborate recipe. 

All you will need to make is some white rice and scrambled eggs. In Colombia, we also like to add bananas on the side, making it the perfect mix of sweet and salty.

Add some ketchup on top of your rice and eggs, and enjoy! You will be full for hours. 

Migas 

Migas is a popular breakfast recipe in countries like Mexico and Colombia. It is similar to a “dump dinner” as it involves adding all your ingredients into a skillet and cooking them all at once. 

Simply put, migas are pieces of fried tortilla cooked with scrambled eggs. Other ingredients typically added are onions, tomatoes, peppers, and even slices of ham. Let your creativity shine here, and add anything you think will accentuate the flavor. That is the beauty of this migas dish, after all. 

Arroz con frijoles 

We can’t forget about good ol’ rice and beans. This plate is a staple in many Latin American and Caribbean households.
Beans have a high nutritional value, as they are an excellent source of protein and are high in fiber, which helps keep you satiated for longer periods of time. Rice provides you with energy, so this combination is a no-brainer. 

Picadillo 

Picadillo is a classic and traditional struggle meal. It is one of our favorite beef dishes, and its affordability is just an added benefit. 

Picadillo is made with seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, and vegetables. You can even use a can of tomato sauce if you’re running extra low on time.

Some recipes also like adding raisins or potatoes to it, and these ingredients are equally as accessible. Picadillo can be paired with white rice, tortillas, or tostadas.  

Chorizo and eggs

By this point, you have probably already realized that rice and eggs are the foundation of various Latino struggle meals. And that is because they are versatile ingredients that lend themselves to be cooked in various dishes. 

For this meal, however, chorizo is the star of the show. You only need to pick your favorite chorizo (Mexican, Argentine, and Colombian are a few types), slice it into bite-sized pieces, and throw them into your pan of scrambled eggs. 

Serve with some tortillas or arepas and a side of hot sauce or ketchup, and you’re good to go.