Serve a mouthwatering holiday dish your family and friends obsess over – while never knowing you did it on a budget! From appetizers, entrees, & dessert, these easy and cheap potluck meals make people to say, ‘OMG, who made this??’” Spoiler: It’s you, the budget genius.
🍣 Appetizers
Kick off the meal with small bites with big flavor to get the party started! These Appetizer recipes are fun shareable bites are fast to throw together and easy to make in large batches!
1. Salmon Sushi Bake
Transform cold & boring leftover salmon into a fun interactive dinner – in under 30 minutes! This simple Salmon Sushi Bake is an epic crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners & potlucks that'll have everyone (especially sushi lovers) begging you for the recipe!
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2. Crunchy Tamarind Chicken Wings
If Pad Thai turned into chicken wings, THIS would be it. These crunchy Thai Tamarind Chicken Wings glisten in a sticky tamarind sauce and get tossed in crunchy peanuts, golden garlic crisps, and sweet fried shallots! They’re bold and deliciously chaotic – without the deep frying mess.
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3. Spicy Garlic Edamame
Make the most irresistible fiery snack in under 10 minutes! This Spicy Edamame with Garlic is insanely addicting and fool-proof. I dare you to have only one!
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4. Crab Rangoon Dip
Whip up a fun twist on a restaurant favorite that's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! This simple hot bubbly imitation crab rangoon dip recipe is made with creamy mayo, cheesy mozzarella, and a side of crispy homemade wonton chips that'll make you the winner at any gathering.
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5. Honey Soy Sauce Wings
Make the juiciest finger licking chicken wings made with simple pantry staples! These Sticky Honey Soy Sauce Chicken Wings are beautifully charred on the outside, tender on the inside, & packed with a punch of flavor in every bite. Make it in the air fryer or oven, either way – it's easy cleanup too!
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6. Shrimp Chips
Shrimp chips are a salty crispy snack that’s absolutely eye-catching! It’s so satisfying biting into a crunchy snack, you may want to make extra. Learn how to cook this shrimp chips recipe easily at home!
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🍗 Entrees
Here comes the main show everyone’s been drooling for! From caramelized chicken to succulent pork, these mouthwatering Entree recipes are showstoppers – even as a cheap potluck idea!
7. Chinese Char Siu Chicken
Kiss boring baked chicken goodbyeeee! This easy Char Siu Chicken transforms mundane dinners into exciting meals that are deliciously sticky, glossy, & juicy! THIS is the ultra flavorful BBQ chicken you never knew you needed.
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8. Lemongrass Chicken
Fire up the grill & get ready for the most mouthwatering chicken the fam will be begging for all year! The cheap & easy marinade does all the heavy lifting for this SUPER flavorful & juicy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Thighs recipe that cooks up in under 15 minutes!
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9. Char Siu Pork
Serve the juiciest Char Siu Pork with the easiest marinade that does all the hard work for super tender and flavorful pork! Glossy & caramelized on the outside, juicy & tender on the inside – it's the simple dish that impresses at gatherings & has the family always wishing you made more!
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10. Filipino Chicken Adobo
Make a SUPER flavorful & budget-friendly 30-minute meal you know everyone will love! This easy Filipino Chicken Adobo transforms simple pantry staples into a mouthwatering meal – with minimal dishes left behind! Weeknight dinners will never be the same 🙂
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11. Thit Kho (Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly)
There’s only one thing better than caramelized pork belly. Juicy tender caramelized pork that’s been braised in a savory, garlicky, umami-filled sauce. Has this Vietnamese braised pork got you drooling yet?
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12. Korean Pork Bulgogi
Bulgogi parties are the new taco night! Load up on the meats, lay out the lettuce wraps and banchan, then let everyone build their plates with their own meat-to-veggie ratio (but let’s be real, it’s mostly meat). Fire up the grill because the smell of grilled Korean Spicy Pork Bulgogi is the ultimate 'come over' text and it’s about to be a good time!
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🍜 Sides
Okay, don’t tell the entrees, but these Side Dish recipes are sooo good…. they might just outshine the mains! From Noodles and Rice to Vegetarian-Friendly Recipes, there’s something for everyone, even on a budget!
13. Kimchi Mac & Cheese
This deliciously gooey and unique mac and cheese will make you wonder why you had it any other way! This Kimchi Mac and Cheese is loaded with drool-worthy melty cheese, an irresistibly crunchy topping, and of course bursts of refreshing kimchi that beautifully cut through the richness of cheese for a beautiful balance. There's no going back after this Kimchi Macaroni and Cheese!
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14. Chicken Lo Mein
Whip out the chopsticks & grab a seat because dinner is served in 25 minutes! Devour these chewy saucy noodles with juicy tender chicken and crispy veggies by the slippery slurpy mouthful! This Chicken Lo Mein is stir-fried in one pot (because washing one pot is definitelyyy enough adulting for today)!
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15. Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce
Throw together a restaurant-quality side dish with 7 ingredients in under 15 minutes – without breaking a sweat! This Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce is the perfect low-effort side dish for last-minute weeknight dinners or family gatherings!
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16. Homemade Chicken Fried Rice
Had a tough day? Fried rice doesn’t judge, it just soothes your soul. And let’s be honest, carbs make everything better! So, come on in for a warm cozy hug in homemade Chicken Fried Rice form. This 15-minute one-pot meal leaves you with minimal dishes and maximum joy!
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17. Miso Butter Mushrooms
Make INSANELY delicious mushrooms with a handful of ingredients! These easy Miso Mushrooms are quickly sauteed until golden and smothered in delicious garlicky miso butter. It's a flavor-bomb side dish that'll satisfy vegetarians and carnivores – with minimal effort!
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18. Asian Garlic Noodles
Make the most GLORIOUS garlicky buttery noodles in 15 minutes – and without busting out all the pots and pans! This one-pot Asian Garlic Noodles recipe packs a TON of flavor using simple ingredients.
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19. Korean Braised Potatoes
Make an easy side dish that whispers “take a bite. You know you want to.” While everyone else is serving mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving, this Gamja Jorim, or Korean braised potato side dish, is a no-peel, no-mess kind of dish that saves you time and plays nice with everything it's served with. Because what do potatoes NOT pair well with?? I’ll wait.
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20. 10-Minute Vegetable Fried Rice
Fried rice without veggies is like a movie without popcorn. Just rice alone? Nah. Veggies add that pop of flavor, color, and crunch that’s devastatingly obvious when it’s not there. Plus it’s more fun when everyone can enjoy it! Your vegetarian (and meat-loving) homies will thank you for this 10-minute Vegetable Fried Rice with Egg because they gotta eat good too!
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21. Kimchi Fried Rice
Impress your friends (and yourself) with this easy Kimchi Bacon Fried Rice recipe that gives your fave Korean restaurant a run for its money! Yep, it's that good AND ready in less time than it takes to scroll through Netflix deciding what to watch. Plus, this 15-minute one-pan dinner means less clean-up! After all, you only deserve the best things in life.
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22. Eggplant Tofu Stir-Fry
This Eggplant Tofu Stir-Fry recipe is so simple to make and easily satisfies carnivores and vegetarians!
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23. Kimchi Pancakes
Easily make Crispy Kimchi Pancakes that's irresistibly crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside! Save time & money by skipping the hunt for savory pancake mix you'll only use once. Throw together this delicious Kimchi Jeon recipe using the pantry ingredients you already have!
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24. Sauteed Spinach & Caramelized Onions
Make the EASIEST last-minute side dish that pairs with everythingggg in under 15 minutes! This easy Sauteed Spinach with Garlic and Onions is the lazy vibe side dish for busy weeknights, quick meal preps, and days you straight up, don't feel like cooking!
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25. 5-Minute Egg Fried Rice
This easy Egg Fried Rice recipe is the lazy cook’s best friend that’s down to hang any time of the day! Whip it together for breakfast as you sip coffee & your brain turns on. Meal prep it in 5 minutes for this week's fastest lunch rice side dish. Or, throw it together as a midnight meal after a night out (because fried rice hits different when the moon is out)! No matter the time of day, egg fried rice is the homie that’ll never let you down (and never leaves you a ton of dishes, because you deserve better than that).
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26. Tteokbokki
Bust out the chopsticks & pull up a chair! This 30-minute easy Cheese Tteokbokki recipe is filled with chewy Korean rice cakes smothered in a sweet & fiery sauce, then topped with a glorious amount of melty cheese – because cheese is life. Let's dig in!
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🍲 Soups
‘Tis the season for everything warm and cozy! Nothing hits the spot more than a steamy bowl of your favorite soup! Soups are the perfect One-Pot Meals that go a long way AND taste even better the next day!
27. Pork Sinigang (Filipino Pork Tamarind Soup)
Get warm & cozy with a heartwarming bowl of Pork Sinigang that feeds that soul. Create layers of rich flavor with this simple Pork Sinigang the fam will ask for over & over again!
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28. Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
This heartwarming Thai coconut curry soup is loaded with aromatic herbs, earthy veggies, and has the perfect balance of creamy coconut and zesty lime for a comforting and filling meal in 30 minutes!
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29. Hot & Sour Soup
Hot and sour soup is arguably one of the most popular dishes at Chinese restaurants. It’s absolutely comforting and unbelievably easy to put together in just about 30 minutes! Get ready to fill up your bowls (and tummies!) with silky smooth soup coming in hot!
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🍮 Desserts
Finish your feast by satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth! The best part of making dessert at home is you can adjust the sweetness level so it’s not too sweet!
30. Mango Sticky Rice
When tender sticky rice meets ripe juicy mangos, it's a crowd pleasing dessert that's impossible to resist! You'll need simple 7 ingredients for this Mango Coconut Sticky Rice that just begs for just one more bite! And the best part about this Mango Sticky Rice recipe? No steamer required.
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31. Palitaw Recipe (Filipino Rice Cakes)
Meet mochi’s Filipino cousin – Palitaw. This chewy mochi is tossed in coconut & sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and jusssst enough sugar so it’s not too sweet! This 15-minute no-bake dessert is practically foolproof since they float in boiling water like, “hey, I’m done!” Make life easier & more delicious at your next dinner party with this chewy coconut-y Filipino rice cake!
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32. Mango Graham Float
Make an irresistible crowd-pleaser with this easy Filipino Mango Graham Float made of 7 simple ingredients! This delicious no-bake dessert makes every bite the perfect bite with layers of juicy mango, browned butter graham crackers, & the fluffiest whipped cream. It's the effortless summertime dessert no one’s going to put down!
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33. Taho (Filipino Silken Tofu Dessert)
Let me introduce you to brown sugar boba’s long-lost Filipino cousin: Taho. It’s a warm cup of chewy mini tapioca pearls (sago) and silky smooth tofu swimming in sweet brown sugar syrup. This Filipino Taho recipe is the easiest dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth!
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34. Puto (Filipino Steamed Rice Cakes)
Did you really have a Filipino party if you didn’t have Puto? Skip those baked desserts that take hours to make. These fluffy Filipino steamed rice cakes take minutes to steam and *POOF* come out as little clouds of happiness in bite-size form – no fancy steamer required! Watch the fam pile them onto their plates as your auntie sings “Wind Beneath My Wings” on karaoke (again).
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35. Mango Sago
Need an easy summer dessert recipe that won’t keep you in the kitchen for more than 25 minutes? I’ve got you covered! This Mango sago recipe with coconut milk is an absolute crowd-pleaser!
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hey homie! I’m Mikha!
…A fellow foodie! These quick & easy Asian recipes turn simple ingredients into drool-worthy meals – without spending all day in the kitchen! Now come in – Grab a seat & let’s eat!
5 days of easy AF dinners!
Adulting is hard.
Cooking doesn’t have to be.
Get your dinners planned for you – starting tonight!
