Marinated Pork Tenderloin Stars in This Budget Weeknight Meal

There’s a lot of value in taking advantage of something you unexpectedly happen upon that’s on super sale.

This budget dinner for two costs less than $15, and includes Asian cucumber and pepper salad, pork tenderloin lettuce wraps, and chocolate chip "emergency" cookies. Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS

The smartest way to shop if you’re looking to pinch pennies is often with a menu and a list of specific ingredients in mind before you head to the store.

But for flexible home cooks who don’t mind changing course on a dime, there’s a lot of value in taking advantage of something you unexpectedly happen upon that’s on super sale.