Weekdays are a different kind of pagod. Between work, school, errands, and everything else in between, cooking dinner can feel like the last thing you want to think about. But of course… kailangan pa rin magluto 😅
That’s why having a Monday to Friday ulam menu helps so much. You don’t need anything fancy—just meals that are:
- Madaling lutuin
- Kayang i-budget
- Hindi paulit-ulit
- Gusto ng pamilya
This weekday menu is designed exactly for that.
Weekday Budget Guide
Good for a family of 3–4:
- Estimated budget: ₱1,200–₱1,500 (for ulam only)
- Mix of chicken, pork, fish, eggs, and gulay
- Ingredients can overlap to save money, but no repeat dishes
Monday to Friday Budget Ulam Menu
Monday – Chicken Adobo
A classic start to the week.
Reliable, filling, and very forgiving if pagod ka na.
Why it works:
✔️ Affordable
✔️ Kid-approved
✔️ Mas masarap habang tumatagal
Tuesday – Ginisang Monggo with Malunggay + Fried Fish
Protein from monggo, comfort from sabaw.
Budget tip:
Use galunggong or dilis—cheap but satisfying.
Wednesday – Pork Giniling with Potatoes and Carrots
One of the best ways to stretch pork.
Mom hack:
Add more gulay so konti lang ang karne pero busog pa rin.
Thursday – Chicken Tinola
Light, healthy, and perfect when gusto mo ng sabaw.
Why moms love this:
✔️ One-pot meal
✔️ Feels “healthy” without trying too hard
Friday – Fried Tilapia + Ensaladang Kamatis
Simple, crispy, and very Filipino.
Serve with:
Toyomansi or bagoong for extra sarap.
Why No Repeat Dishes Matter
Let’s be honest — kapag paulit-ulit ang ulam, reklamo agad ang maririnig 😆
Having no repeat dishes:
- Keeps meals exciting
- Prevents food fatigue
- Makes weekday dinners feel less boring
Even simple meals feel special when planned well.
Smart Mommy Meal Planning Tips
✔️ Do groceries once for the week
✔️ Prep veggies ahead (hugasan, hiwain)
✔️ Rotate proteins weekly
✔️ Keep itlog and sardinas as backup ulam
Hindi kailangang perfect. Ang mahalaga, may plano ka.
What to Read Next
If you’re into weekly planning, these will help:
- Ulam Ideas for the Week: 7-Day Budget Menu
- ₱200 Ulam Ideas for Today
- How Much Does It Cost to Cook One Filipino Ulam?
Some weeks, you’ll follow this menu exactly.
Some weeks, may takeout or prito-prito lang.
And that’s okay.
Meal planning isn’t about being strict—it’s about making weekdays lighter, one ulam at a time 💛
