Every Sunday night, I ask myself the same question:
“Ano na naman ang lulutuin ko bukas?”
If you’re a mom managing meals, budget, work, and everything in between, planning ulam for the week isn’t just helpful—it’s survival. That’s why I started doing weekly ulam planning. Less stress, fewer grocery runs, and no more staring at the fridge at 6PM.
This 7-day ulam menu is designed to be:
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to cook
- Family-approved
- Realistic (no fancy ingredients, promise)
🛒 Weekly Budget Guide (Estimated)
Good for a small family (3–4 pax):
- Target budget: ₱1,500–₱1,800
- Mix of pork, chicken, fish, eggs, and vegetables
- Uses leftovers smartly to stretch meals
🍽️ 7-Day Budget Ulam Menu (Monday to Sunday)
Monday
Chicken Adobo
Classic, tipid, and even better the next day
👉 Cook extra for leftovers
Side: Steamed rice + sliced tomatoes
Tuesday
Adobong Sitaw with Pork Bits
Uses leftover pork from adobo
Mas gulay, mas tipid
Wednesday
Ginisang Sardinas with Pechay
Cheap, filling, and comforting
Perfect for busy midweek days
Thursday
Pork Giniling with Patatas and Carrots
Stretch ground pork with veggies
Great baon ulam too
Friday
Fried Fish (Tilapia or Galunggong)
Crispy, simple, and budget-friendly
Side: Ensaladang kamatis or talong
Saturday
Chicken Tinola
Light, comforting, and family favorite
Also perfect if you want something sabaw
Sunday
Pork Afritada
A little special but still budget-conscious
Great way to end the week with something saucy and satisfying
🍳 Smart Mommy Tips to Save More
✔️ Plan before grocery shopping – stick to the list
✔️ Cook in batches – one ulam can turn into two meals
✔️ Use gulay to stretch meat – healthier and cheaper
✔️ Rotate proteins weekly – chicken, fish, eggs, pork
Why Weekly Ulam Planning Works (Real Talk)
Since I started planning our ulam weekly:
- Mas kaunti ang food waste
- Mas kontrolado ang gastos
- Mas less ang “takeout temptation”
- Mas calm ang utak ko (important ‘to 😅)
Hindi kailangan perfect. Kahit may palit-palit, having a plan already makes a big difference.
What to Read Next
If you’re planning your meals, these will help even more:
- ₱200 Ulam Ideas for Today
- Budget Ulam Ideas: 30 Days Cheap but Masarap Meals
- Affordable Salad Ideas Under ₱200
- How Much Does It Cost to Cook One Filipino Ulam in 2025?
Meal planning isn’t about being strict — it’s about making life easier. Some days you’ll follow the menu, some days you won’t. And that’s okay. Ang importante, may guide ka.
If this post helped you even a little, save it. Balikan mo next week. I promise, it’ll still work 💛
