Winter Is Expensive. But Dinner Doesn’t Have to Be

There’s no denying it — winter bites, and not just outside. Electricity bills climb. Grocery budgets stretch. And everyone seems hungrier than usual. Between keeping the house warm and the family full, the colder months can take a real toll on your wallet.

But here’s the good news: winter is soup season and, with a few simple strategies (and a stash of Knorr soup in the pantry), you can make it Ngqo while spending smart. Here’s how to take control of your winter food budget — without giving up on warmth, flavour or satisfaction.

1. Start with a Plan

Meal planning might sound like a chore, but it’s your best weapon against wasted food and impulse buys. Sit down once a week, jot down a few flexible meal ideas, and build your shopping list around them. You’ll spend less, throw away less, and always know what’s for dinner. And don’t forget your Knorr soup on that list, they’re the best way to stretch the meal and the flavour. For some Ngqo ideas, visit www.whatsfordinner.co.za

2. Cook Once, Eat Twice (or More)

Soups, stews, and casseroles are the ultimate winter comfort — and they just happen to be brilliant budget-stretchers. Double your recipe and save the extras for lunch, tomorrow’s dinner, or freeze portions for later. Knorr soup are perfect for this — one packet can help flavour a whole pot that feeds the family and still leaves leftovers.

3. Bulk Up with Seasonal Veg

Root veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut are at their best in winter — tasty, filling, and easy on the wallet. Add them to almost anything to make it go further: roast them, blitz them into a soup, or stir them through a curry or pasta sauce.

4. Let Your Freezer Do the Heavy Lifting

Freeze leftovers. Freeze herbs. Freeze soup. Freeze bread. Your freezer isn’t just for emergencies — it’s a strategic money-saver. Got a few Knorr soups on hand? You can batch-cook hearty meals now and store them for later, meaning fewer rushed takeaways when life gets busy.

5. Stock a Clever Pantry

A well-stocked pantry gives you options. Keep basics like rice, pasta, canned beans, and Knorr soups or stock cubes ready to go, and you’ll always be able to whip up a satisfying, low-cost meal with whatever fresh bits is in the fridge.

6. Swap Meat for Plants (Now and Then)

While we South Africans love our meat, there is a growing movement towards healthy, affordable plant substitutes. You don’t need to go full vegetarian — just skipping meat once or twice a week makes a difference. Hearty lentil soups, bean-based stews, and veg-packed pastas are cheap to make and full of winter comfort. With the right flavours, no one will miss the meat.

7. Use the Right Tools for the Job

Investing in a few smart kitchen tools can save you money over time. A decent set of pots with lids helps you cook efficiently and keep heat in. An air fryer can reduce hassle and time. A slow cooker can turn cheaper cuts of meat into melting perfection. And a gas stove can save on electricity. 

Winter might hit hard, but your meal bill doesn’t have to. With a little planning, a few good tools, and the right flavours on hand, you can keep meals affordable, hearty, and full of goodness — all season long.

To help you make winter more ngqo, Knorr has partnered with Defy to give you a chance to winyour share of Defy kitchen appliances worth R1 million! All you have to do is make Knorr your kitchen wingman this winter and you could win anything from kettles and blenders to air fryers and even a gas stove. Perfect for levelling up your kitchen game – and keeping those hearty meals coming.

Here’s how it works:
Buy any 4 Knorr soup packs, keep your till slip, follow the directions to enter, and you could walk away with a brand-new Defy appliance. Gives you a warm feeling inside, doesn’t it? 

For all the details on how to enter, visit:  https://www.whatsfordinner.co.za/knorr/make-soups-ngqo-knorr.html?pn=579432