As you scan the myriad aisles of frozen and processed food at any major grocery store, you’d been forgiven for thinking that healthy and delicious options are limited. We’d beg to differ though and with just a little effort and careful shopping you can easily purchase a range of products for a healthy dinner.
Not only that, but if you shop smart you can also create a range of dishes with international flavors – Mexico to Morocco; it’s all there on the shelves of your local Walmart if you know where to look. Finally, many of the dishes listed below come from jars, cans, boxes and the freezer – that means you can always ensure you have several meals on hand and at the ready.
Find more recipe ideas on our sister site, Easy Dinner Guide here.
Vegetarian enchiladas
This dish comes complete from cans, jars and freezer bags; you’ll need to keep an eye on the sodium, but its otherwise a very healthy vegetarian friendly dish from the shelves of Walmart. I used MorningStar Farms Grillers Crumblers with S&W Black Beans as the filling. I also cooked the Crumblers with a tablespoon of McCormic Hot Taco seasoning too.
From there I wrapped the filling up in low carb tortilla and topped with Old El Paso red enchilada sauce. Lastly the dish is finished with jalapeno ranch, chopped white onion, a few slices of avocado (dressed in fresh lime juice) and a sprinkling of pepitas. This dish is loaded with fibre, and the flourish of fresh veggies at the end give it a nice vibrant finish.
Fish tacos
I know what you’re thinking. Fish! Fish from a big name grocery store! Give this one a try though. The frozen Mahi-Mahi fillets from Walmart are a must for your freezer. They’ll ensure you’ll always have a healthy protein option to hand.
In the above dish I first defrosted the fish overnight in the fridge before pan frying and finishing with a few spices: garlic, oregano and cayenne – but go wild with your preferred choices. I think the zest of oregano is a must though. From there I served it simple with some fresh pico, guacamole, cabbage, pickled jalapeños and tortilla. All right there on the shelves of your local Walmart Grocery store. Fresh and healthy.
Vegan meatballs and pasta
We love this one for three reasons: its quick, its from the freezer and it’s ultra healthy. Seriously, you can whip this one up within 20 minutes and the fact its all from cans, boxes and bags means you can always have it on hand for when you’re in a pinch – time or ingredient wise.
Simply simmer a few Gardein Meatless Meatballs in a little Newmans Garlic Tomato sauce and serve over some orzo pasta. I also like to finish my pasta with a little drizzle of California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil too – it adds a lovely fruity and rich finish to the dish.
Vegan Korean tacos with all the fixings
Along the aisles of Walmart you’ll find plenty of healthy additions that you can use creatively. Case in point, here I’ve used some Mother In Law’s Kimchi, frozen edamame, homemade spicy pickled radish and carrot, homemade quick pickled cucumber for a healthy and vibrant range of sides. The bunch supports some Korean style Gardein Beef tips sautéed in the pan with some hoisin sauce, soy, garlic and sriracha.
Home cooked Indian cuisine
It might seem improbably – but save a few specialty items you can cook many fun and healthy Indian dishes with items easily accessible from the shelves of any Walmart.
Take for example, this recipe for Indian cabbage with peas, a fabulously healthy and vibrant dish, with not a single hard to find ingredient.