Plot Synopsis

In each one-hour episode of BIG BAD BUDGET BATTLE, host Ree Drummond welcomes three talented home cooks, who must save money, time, and headaches in the kitchen to create next-level meals. With only a small stash of cash, they must shop in Flavortown Market and buy all the ingredients needed to make the best inexpensive and delicious dish they can. From dishes made only from pantry items to re-imagined leftovers, their cooking abilities is tested in two rounds of challenges. They need to pinch pennies so they don't blow their budget, make thrifty and delicious brunches and elevated one-pot dinner party meals. Ree, along with a panel of rotating judges including, Darnell Ferguson, Eddie Jackson, Beau MacMillan, Catherine McCord, Damaris Phillips, and Justin Warner decide the winner. In the end, the best cook and savviest saver takes home the trophy and one year's worth of groceries. Executive produced by Guy Fieri.

In the series opener, "Supermarket Shortcuts," Ree sends three home cooks to the market with $20 to grab the store-bought items they need to make their signature shortcut dish in just 20 minutes. Then, Ree challenges the cooks to make a dinner to impress using some of her own favorite shortcut items. Ultimately, the home cook who makes the biggest impression on the judges will win a year's worth of groceries!
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On Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 10pm ET/PT, Food Network premiered "Pantry Pioneers," the season finale of BIG BAD BUDGET BATTLE. Ree instructs the three home cooks to make a family friendly weeknight meal, but with no time to stop at the market, they'll have to make the entire meal using only what they can scrounge up in their pantry! Then, Ree gives the cooks $10 to replenish their pantry for an elevated dinner. The home cook whose pantry dishes make the biggest impression on the judges will win a year's worth of groceries.