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Ask anyone the best way to save money, and they’ll probably tell you, “eat at home.” Buying lunch at work adds up every day, and taking the family out to eat can be scary once the bill arrives.
But cooking at home isn’t always easy. If you’re short on time, feeding family members with special dietary needs like gluten-free or diabetic, or just bored with your go-to recipe, you might find yourself avoiding the kitchen altogether.
I’ve found a few free cookbooks to help you change that. These PDF guides are completely free (except for the third one on the list, which charges $1 shipping), and are easy to download onto your computer or tablet. And you won’t have to call grocery stores to find special ingredients — all of these cookbooks use typical ingredients you can find in a snap at your local grocery chain.
Pro Tip
Spending too much at the grocery store? Check out these tools and tips to save money on groceries.
Here are nine ways to get your hands on free recipes, so you can cook up something new tonight!
This cookbook was designed to provide flavorful, interesting recipes for families who cook with limited means — and often with government assistance. But regardless of your own financial situation, author Leanne Brown proves that you really can “eat well on $4 a day.”
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Most dishes have quick, simple recipes, with ingredient lists that won’t have you running all over town. And if you’re feeling ambitious, flip to the back of this free PDF guide for instructions for making your own pasta and dumplings.
2. 21 Days to Better Diabetes Control
How about a new recipe for each day of this three-week plan? From pizza bites to smoothies to spinach casserole, these recipes are simple and and tasty — regardless of your dietary needs. The plan is perfect for printing, and includes space to keep a food journal about the things you make and eat.
You’ll need to provide an address and phone number, and answer a survey about your health. But in return, you’ll not only get free recipes; you’ll also be able to get your hands on some coupons and discount programs.
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3.
I’m not going to make any health guarantees about these recipes, but they will be very sweet! This one requires that you sign up for one of those free trials, but not only will they send you a Disney cookbook, they’ll also send you a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter and a set of cupcake stencils ($1 for shipping).
The recipes include tips about how to involve kids in the baking process, even if they’re too young to work the oven. If your family has a birthday party on the horizon, this is a must-have!
4. Tablespoon’s Spring Parties 2015 Cookbook
Sign up for Tablespoon to get access to tons of free recipes and coupons for General Mills products. The spring freebie is great all-year round and includes ideas for brunch, occasions like baby and bridal showers, or a simple weekday cookout.
When you sign up, you’ll also get “Top 40 Rainbow Recipes” delivered to your inbox, for those days when you just need more color in your menu.
5. Celiac Central Gluten-Free Choices
It’s easy to download this book of spring-and-summer recipes, a must-have for families with a Celiac sufferer. You get five recipes, including some yummy dessert options.
Provided by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, Celiac Central’s resources include a long list of gluten-free food bloggers for even more ideas.
Vegan cooking doesn’t have to be boring. A quick online signup with Eating Well gets you a handful of recipes ranging from salads to burgers. (Yes, burgers. The secret: lentils, a savings superfood!)
Eating Well also offers free email newsletters packed with recipes and tips, and you’ll get a chance to sign up for your favorites when you download the cookbook.
7. Slow Cookin’ Magic: 28 Scrumptious Slow Cooker Recipes
Like to set it and forget it? This one’s for you, king of the Crock Pot. From roasts to stews to sides, most of these recipes have just three steps — or fewer!
Sign up for the Mr. Food’s Test Kitchen “Quick & Easy” Everyday Cooking newsletter to download this collection.
8. Bodyworks: A Toolkit for Healthy Teens and Strong Families
This PDF is massive, with more than 120 pages of recipes, ingredient guides and cooking shortcuts. It focuses on healthy eating, but many of the recipes add healthy extras like fruits and vegetables rather than taking away tasty ingredients.
This cookbook doesn’t have many photos, but hey — there’s no pressure to make your plate look as perfect as the one in the book!
9. Pinch of Yum’s eCookbook: Top 25 Recipes of 2014
Sign up for this popular food blog’s newsletter, and they’ll send you a free cookbook with 25 of their favorite recipes. With categories like “Whoa Salads” and “Lotsa Pasta,” it’s hard not to love this cheeky take on home cooking. There’s even a recipe that dresses up instant noodles to look (and taste) like they came from a restaurant.
But wait! There’s more. Three weeks after getting this first freebie by email, you get the previous year’s top 25 recipes. Fire up the stovetop!
The 5 Dumbest Things We Keep Spending Too Much Money On
You've done what you can to cut back your spending.You brew coffee at home, you don’t walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast. (Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You brew coffee at home, you don’t walk into Target and you refuse to order avocado toast. But no matter how cognizant you are of your spending habits, you’re still stuck with those inescapable monthly bills.
You know which ones we’re talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
Ready to stop paying them? Follow these moves…
Ready to stop worrying about money?
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