Applesauce is a great inexpensive snack to keep on hand. You can get a large container for cheap and it feeds a lot of mouths. Stay away from the squeeze pouches if you are on a budget. Although they are very convenient, they are much more expensive per ounce than the large jars.

Remember that convenience costs money. A bag of carrots is incredibly cheap and an essential vegetable to keep on hand.

It is the base for many soups and sauces. It also is a cheap side dish and a great snack. Onions are another cheap grocery staple to always have in the pantry. They add flavor to just about every dish.

I find a bag of onions to be more economical than loose. I buy a 10 lb bag of potatoes every two weeks. Not only are they a favorite at my house, they are incredibly cheap and versatile.

When prioritizing what foods to buy with my grocery budget, potatoes are at the top of my list. READ: 16 ways to use leftover baked potatoes. Although they aren't as cheap as white potatoes, sweet potatoes are still inexpensive. I love baking them, stuffing them with bbq, making sweet potato fries, or using them in a hash.

There's a reason peasant food included cabbage and lots of it. It's so cheap and there is so much you can do with it. Put it in vegetable soup , boil it , make an Italian ground beef and cabbage skillet , use it in a cabbage roll casserole , sauté it, or make a slaw. One cabbage can stretch for a couple of meals and it is packed with nutrition.

They are one of the most economical vegetables in the grocery store and great for snacking or using in salads. A bunch of celery is also a great versatile vegetable to buy.

Use it in soups, casseroles, or stir fry. It is also a cheap snack to cut up at the beginning of the week to use for dipping in homemade sour cream dip or slathering in peanut butter. If you have ever had a garden, you know how squash grows like crazy from one single plant.

That is one reason it is so cheap in the store. Squash is excellent in the summer sautéd, fried, grilled, in a stir fry, or in a casserole. Zucchini is an excellent cheap nutritious vegetable in the summer. Sauté it, fry it, make stuffed zucchini boats ,.

Corn in the summer is dirt cheap. In the summer when fresh corn is not readily available and inexpensive, frozen corn is very cheap as well. Frozen peas should be a staple of every kitchen. Throw them in a pasta, put them in a soup, fried rice, or as an inexpensive side dish.

I love frozen peas! Fresh broccoli is fairly inexpensive, but frozen broccoli is even cheaper. The best part is that the broccoli is also already chopped for you which makes it super convenient.

Roast it, use it in a stir fry, or make broccoli cheddar soup. Frozen green beans are an absolute staple in my home. While canned green beans are also cheap, I prefer the crisp and freshness of the long thin frozen green beans.

Use them as a side dish like garlic green beans , in a soup, a stir fry, or Cowboy casserole. Frozen mixed vegetables are great to have on hand for casseroles, stir fry, fried rice, or a quick and easy side dish.

Spinach is an excellent versatile green. You can eat it as a salad, in a soup, blended in a smoothie, sautéd with eggs, or on top of a sandwich. I often sing the praises of how economical a whole chicken is.

Watch my video and read my post on how I get multiple meals from one chicken. It is a great way to stretch your food. Not only do you get the meat, you also get the bones to make broth! As far as beef goes, ground will be your most budget friendly option. To get the best price, wait for it to go on sale and stock up on the sale price.

Chicken thighs are one of my favorite meats. They don't dry out as easily as breasts and they are more flavorful in my opinion. Try my grilled chicken thighs or sheet pan herb roasted chicken thighs with vegetables. Out of all of the cuts of chicken, drumsticks are probably the cheapest. They are also very kid friendly.

Try my oven baked bbq chicken legs for a great cheap meal. Pork is often less expensive than beef and is very delicious. I often find large pork roasts on sale for a great price which can be stretched for multiple meals.

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon and Rewardstyle affiliate, we may earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links. Click here for the disclosure statement.

When it comes to cooking, I love being in the kitchen. The bill I get when I check out at the grocery store. If you have also been struggling with grocery shopping or simply want some cooking inspo, keep reading for some helpful tips and tricks. While I have days when my refrigerator is empty aside from coffee creamer and a Brita water pitcher, I always like to make sure I have a stocked pantry full of goodies.

Not only are the following items inexpensive, but they are also incredibly versatile and can remain fresh far longer than many other ingredients.

Here are a few ideas for what to buy for groceries next time you visit the supermarket. I love to add a can of beans to a pound of ground turkey to make it stretch a bit further. Just make sure you soak them the night before you want to use them!

Rice is a chameleon in the kitchen. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it tastes delicious in almost any capacity. Is there anything more comforting or delicious than a bowl of warm, buttered pasta?

Stock up on your favorite noodle when it's on sale. Dried pasta can last in your pantry for years. Instant potatoes have come a long way from the grainy glop you may remember from childhood. While nothing beats the real thing, you can find dozens of different flavors at the store, and they will last in your pantry much longer.

Eat these as a side dish or add a tablespoon to sauces or soups to act as a thickener. Aside from the obvious burritos, tacos, quesadillas, oh my! My current favorite use of a tortilla is a peanut butter and jelly roll up.

Here is another item that you can use for tons of different applications. Toss into a salad or eat by the handful. I particularly love raisins and dried apricots. Oats give you a huge dosage of fiber, and you can use them in so many different ways. Make your own oat milk, create a new granola combination, make cookies or protein bites, or use it on its own for a hearty breakfast.

Add them to soups, use as a ground beef substitute, or make your own dal with them. A one pound bag also costs less than two dollars and will last you a long time. The produce section usually comes with a hefty price tag. An individual banana usually costs around a quarter.

You can also break off a few bananas from the bunch if you do not want to buy half a dozen at once. Celery sticks are perfect for sweet and savory snacks. Dip into ranch or smother with peanut butter—the choice is yours.

You can also break individual stalks of celery off of a bunch just like you can with bananas. Roast in the oven for a delicious side dish or eat straight from the fridge.

At first glance of the price tag, apples may not seem like the cheapest fruit at the store. However, you can usually get several apples per pound, making the cost per apple much lower.

Colorful bell peppers are a perfect veggie to add bulk to any meal. Not only will they add delicious flavor, they will also provide texture to any dish. Onions are another ingredient that adds flavor to every dish and are usually pretty cheap!

When it comes to produce, however, I suggest purchasing items in bulk. Pre-cut fresh fruits and veggies usually come with a much higher price tag, and you can prepare your produce at home for a fraction of the cost.

You may also find that frozen fruits and vegetables are most convenient for your meal prep and last longer, too! This old fashioned potato soup recipe adds gnocchi, shredded chicken, and bacon for a hearty dinner idea ready in under an hour. These easy meal prep recipes will give you weekly meal inspiration to make for healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinners for you or your family.

We all still want to eat well in between meals. Fun and delicious snacks are much easier to make affordable than you may think. But in case you do have access to any of these, they are typically the cheapest places to buy groceries.

Tip: If you prefer to shop online Azure Standard is one of the cheapest places for groceries in bulk that I can find. This list of the cheapest fruits and vegetables is based on price per pound. Some will be more expensive in certain areas and at different times of the year.

But in general, this is a good list to start with. In general, store-brand or generic-brand dairy products will be the cheapest.

Dairy products have become very expensive to buy, almost more expensive than meat! But if you need foods from the dairy aisle for your meal plans, here are the cheapest you can get. If you want and have the time, you can make many of these grocery staples from scratch.

But many of us enjoy eating meat in some form, and so it inevitably goes on our grocery lists. Oh, the magic of a well-stocked pantry! Trust me, keeping those shelves lined with the right staples is one of the best things you can do as a home cook.

Here are the pantry staples that are my go-to for affordable feasts. Oftentimes, the price of groceries goes down when you are buying in a larger quantity. You can get my Ultimate Guide to Buying in Bulk here. Tip: Need even more ideas? Want to be able to print out a list of all of these goodies so that you have it the next time you are at the store?

Grab a copy below! Did you finally make it to the end of this post, and now you need some meal ideas that you can make with all of the ingredients you bought or are planning to buy? Here are some of my favorite budget recipes.

Brown Rice Chicken Corn Tortillas

Bargain-priced grocery essentials - Beans Brown Rice Chicken Corn Tortillas

Plus they can be used in so many ways. They can be eaten plain for a snack, stewed for a dessert or side dish, or eaten for breakfast in a baked apple oatmeal.

Bananas are another great cheap fruit. You can get an entire bunch for just a couple of dollars. They are perfect for eating on their own, cut up in yogurt or cereal, with peanut butter, or in a smoothie. A bag of oranges is another inexpensive fruit just about year round.

Sometimes cuties are cheaper and sometimes the large oranges are. Check the sales before purchasing to get your best option. After apples and bananas, I look for fruit that is on sale or the lowest cost per ounce. This week that is pineapple for me.

It may be different for you depending on the time of year and your location. Applesauce is a great inexpensive snack to keep on hand. You can get a large container for cheap and it feeds a lot of mouths. Stay away from the squeeze pouches if you are on a budget.

Although they are very convenient, they are much more expensive per ounce than the large jars. Remember that convenience costs money. A bag of carrots is incredibly cheap and an essential vegetable to keep on hand. It is the base for many soups and sauces.

It also is a cheap side dish and a great snack. Onions are another cheap grocery staple to always have in the pantry. They add flavor to just about every dish. I find a bag of onions to be more economical than loose. I buy a 10 lb bag of potatoes every two weeks. Not only are they a favorite at my house, they are incredibly cheap and versatile.

When prioritizing what foods to buy with my grocery budget, potatoes are at the top of my list. READ: 16 ways to use leftover baked potatoes. Although they aren't as cheap as white potatoes, sweet potatoes are still inexpensive.

I love baking them, stuffing them with bbq, making sweet potato fries, or using them in a hash. There's a reason peasant food included cabbage and lots of it.

It's so cheap and there is so much you can do with it. Put it in vegetable soup , boil it , make an Italian ground beef and cabbage skillet , use it in a cabbage roll casserole , sauté it, or make a slaw.

One cabbage can stretch for a couple of meals and it is packed with nutrition. They are one of the most economical vegetables in the grocery store and great for snacking or using in salads.

A bunch of celery is also a great versatile vegetable to buy. Use it in soups, casseroles, or stir fry. It is also a cheap snack to cut up at the beginning of the week to use for dipping in homemade sour cream dip or slathering in peanut butter. If you have ever had a garden, you know how squash grows like crazy from one single plant.

That is one reason it is so cheap in the store. Squash is excellent in the summer sautéd, fried, grilled, in a stir fry, or in a casserole. Zucchini is an excellent cheap nutritious vegetable in the summer. Sauté it, fry it, make stuffed zucchini boats ,. Corn in the summer is dirt cheap.

In the summer when fresh corn is not readily available and inexpensive, frozen corn is very cheap as well. Frozen peas should be a staple of every kitchen. Throw them in a pasta, put them in a soup, fried rice, or as an inexpensive side dish.

I love frozen peas! Fresh broccoli is fairly inexpensive, but frozen broccoli is even cheaper. The best part is that the broccoli is also already chopped for you which makes it super convenient.

Roast it, use it in a stir fry, or make broccoli cheddar soup. Frozen green beans are an absolute staple in my home. While canned green beans are also cheap, I prefer the crisp and freshness of the long thin frozen green beans. Use them as a side dish like garlic green beans , in a soup, a stir fry, or Cowboy casserole.

Frozen mixed vegetables are great to have on hand for casseroles, stir fry, fried rice, or a quick and easy side dish. Spinach is an excellent versatile green. You can eat it as a salad, in a soup, blended in a smoothie, sautéd with eggs, or on top of a sandwich.

I often sing the praises of how economical a whole chicken is. Watch my video and read my post on how I get multiple meals from one chicken. It is a great way to stretch your food. Generally, some of the cheapest fruit and vegetables year-round tend to be bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Meat can be the most expensive category for most food budgets, and can account for a large portion of the overall grocery bill. To save money, opt for the ground variety of your favorite protein.

Ground beef, chicken or turkey are super versatile, easily frozen and can be used in many different recipes. Larger cuts of meat will usually cost less per pound, but they may require marinating, braising and slow cooking to bring out the tenderness. If you do prefer to include cheaper cuts of meat, consider including:.

Buying a whole chicken instead of pre-portioned cuts can also save money and the leftovers, including the bones, are great for making chicken soup or bone broth. Consider cutting costs even further by implementing Meatless Monday or meatless dinners a few nights a week.

Swap out meat for healthy plant-based meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, beans and legumes, as your protein source. The cost of fresh seafood may also vary seasonally.

According to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership , fresh Alaskan salmon is less expensive during the summer when the fish are more abundant. Other popular choices that may be worth buying seasonally include Albacore tuna in season July-October and halibut in season March-November.

Other ways to save money on seafood:. Whether you prefer dairy or non-dairy, you can find competitive prices due to the sheer number of products on the market. While non-dairy milks may be more expensive than dairy, some non-dairy brands offer shelf stable options that can be bought in bulk when they're on sale.

Just note that many dairy and non- dairy milks and yogurts contain added sugars and sometimes saturated fats. Always check the label before purchasing. More ways to save:. When it comes to cheap groceries, pantry staples are the big winners. This category includes dry and canned goods such as flour, oatmeal, chicken stock, nuts, nut butters and seeds.

Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods.

Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition. Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months. Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards. Best Cash Back Credit Cards. Critics' Choice Credit Cards. Best Travel Credit Cards. Best Airline Credit Cards. Check Credit. Build Credit. Repair Credit. Build Credit Fast. FIND THE BEST CARD FOR YOU.

Best Student Loan Refinance Options. Social Security. IRAs for Beginners. Retirement Savings. Retire Early. Retirement at Every Budget. Net Worth. Financial Planning.

Apply for a Mortgage. Create a Financial Plan. GEN Z: The Future of Finances. Small Business Spotlight. Best Banks Financially Savvy Female. Economy Explained. What's the State of US Real Estate. Super Bowl How Much Work Productivity Suffers The Week After the Big Game. CD Rates Today: Feb 9 — Earn 5.

Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear.

These offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products. Pasta is an affordable pantry staple that can be used to make a variety of dishes. The noodles themselves are inexpensive, and you can jazz them up with whatever sauces or ingredients you have on hand.

Pasta is filling and provides long-lasting energy. Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat that can provide several hearty, budget-friendly meals. The whole shoulder can be roasted, pulled and used in tacos, pasta dishes, soups and more throughout the week.

Lentils are inexpensive, versatile and packed with protein and fiber. They can be used to make stews, chilis, soups, salads and more. Lentils are filling and provide sustained energy. Buying them dried in bulk quantities keeps the price down.

Pancake mix and ingredients like eggs and milk are budget-friendly items that go a long way. Pancakes make a filling, homemade breakfast.

The basic batter also can be dressed up with whatever ingredients are on hand like chocolate chips, berries, banana, etc. Oatmeal contains fiber and nutrients to keep you full and energized all morning.

Oatmeal can be customized sweet or savory and makes a warm, comforting breakfast. Cabbage is one of the most budget-friendly vegetables. Use it to make homemade coleslaw, stir-fry, soup or roasted as a side.

Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. They are endlessly versatile and can be prepared simply or incorporated into larger dishes. Hard-boiled eggs also make a convenient high-protein snack. Canned chickpeas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Rinse and toss them into salads, grain bowls, soups and hummus, or eat them right out of the can.

You can also save the liquid from the can and use it as a cheap egg replacer in baked goods. Peanut butter is packed with protein and healthy fats, and a jar goes a long way. Peanut butter can be spread on bread and fruit or eaten by the spoonful for an instant protein boost.

Yogurt is an affordable option that provides protein and calcium. Buying plain yogurt in large containers is most economical. Yogurt can be topped with affordable granola or fruit for a balanced breakfast or snack. In-season fresh fruits like bananas and apples are usually available at low cost.

Fruit provides important vitamins and fiber and gives an energy boost. Keeping a stash of frozen fruit means you can always have berries, mangos, etc. Frozen fruit is nutritious and more affordable. Sweet potatoes are inexpensive, versatile and nutritious.

Roast them with olive oil or make them into fries, add to soups and stews, or mash them as a side. Pre-packaged breakfast bars are inexpensive and portable, and they provide protein and fiber to start the day off right.

Granola bars contain whole grains, protein and other nutrients.

Bargain-priced grocery essentials - Beans Brown Rice Chicken Corn Tortillas

You can get my Ultimate Guide to Buying in Bulk here. Tip: Need even more ideas? Want to be able to print out a list of all of these goodies so that you have it the next time you are at the store?

Grab a copy below! Did you finally make it to the end of this post, and now you need some meal ideas that you can make with all of the ingredients you bought or are planning to buy?

Here are some of my favorite budget recipes. Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple life since and has internationally published 2 books on the topic.

You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page. This article with the Cheap Grocery List was originally posted on Little House Living in January Support Little House Living by Sharing This. Your email address will not be published.

You did so much work for these lists — thanks! Something to try is finding out if there is a community-sponsored or other small scale farm near you, and asking if you can exchange volunteer work for produce. There is one in our region and it has a store. In addition to selling, they also provide groceries to those with reduced incomes, even for some who cannot afford groceries.

Because of their kindness and community awareness, grocery stores and markets in the area will often send their overstock. The volunteer work includes packing orders, sorting, helping in the store, and tidying up.

When the various items are on sale, is when I stock up!! Then, over the next few months, I can meal plan. It feels good to always feed my family at the lowest possible food cost, per pound!

We've been independently researching and testing products for over years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process. Get to the checkout line of any grocery store these days and you may be shocked to see the amount at the bottom of your receipt.

One of the best ways to find cheap groceries is to create a budget-friendly, healthy grocery list and stick to it. By prioritizing seasonal items, frozen foods and certain cuts of meat and seafood, shopping strategically can help keep sticker shock to a minimum.

The key to locating cheap groceries is to create a system for shopping, and that begins before you even grab a cart. Start by identifying the closest supermarkets to you hello, high gas prices!

and cross check the cost of your favorite items online before you shop. Think about what you spend the most on and prioritize finding the best price for those items. The next step is to follow that quintessential shopping advice: Don't go to the grocery store hungry.

You're much more likely to make impulse and unhealthy purchases if you do, so shop after a meal or grab a healthy snack before heading to the store. And remember: The cheapest groceries are not always the most nutritious; consider spending slightly more for foods that are filling and nutrient-dense.

For tips and recommendations for a more economical shopping experience, see below for advice from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab. Fruit and vegetables are among the groceries with the largest price jumps lately , but you can still find affordable produce by buying seasonally.

Purchasing when produce is abundant helps lower the cost and will all but assure the best taste and highest levels of nutrition. Seasonal Fruits. Seasonal Vegetables. Another way to save money on produce is to opt for fruit and vegetables that have a longer shelf-life.

For example, to help extend your grocery dollars, choose apples over berries or carrots or celery over leafy greens. Generally, some of the cheapest fruit and vegetables year-round tend to be bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Meat can be the most expensive category for most food budgets, and can account for a large portion of the overall grocery bill. To save money, opt for the ground variety of your favorite protein. Ground beef, chicken or turkey are super versatile, easily frozen and can be used in many different recipes.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards. Best Cash Back Credit Cards. Critics' Choice Credit Cards. Best Travel Credit Cards. Best Airline Credit Cards. Check Credit. Build Credit. Repair Credit.

Build Credit Fast. FIND THE BEST CARD FOR YOU. Best Student Loan Refinance Options. Social Security. IRAs for Beginners. Retirement Savings. Retire Early. Retirement at Every Budget.

Net Worth. Financial Planning. Apply for a Mortgage. Create a Financial Plan. GEN Z: The Future of Finances. Small Business Spotlight. Best Banks Financially Savvy Female.

Economy Explained. What's the State of US Real Estate. Super Bowl How Much Work Productivity Suffers The Week After the Big Game. CD Rates Today: Feb 9 — Earn 5.

Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here.

This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. These offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan or credit products. Pasta is an affordable pantry staple that can be used to make a variety of dishes.

The noodles themselves are inexpensive, and you can jazz them up with whatever sauces or ingredients you have on hand. Pasta is filling and provides long-lasting energy.

Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat that can provide several hearty, budget-friendly meals. The whole shoulder can be roasted, pulled and used in tacos, pasta dishes, soups and more throughout the week. Lentils are inexpensive, versatile and packed with protein and fiber.

They can be used to make stews, chilis, soups, salads and more. Lentils are filling and provide sustained energy. Buying them dried in bulk quantities keeps the price down.

Pancake mix and ingredients like eggs and milk are budget-friendly items that go a long way. Pancakes make a filling, homemade breakfast. The basic batter also can be dressed up with whatever ingredients are on hand like chocolate chips, berries, banana, etc.

Oatmeal contains fiber and nutrients to keep you full and energized all morning. Oatmeal can be customized sweet or savory and makes a warm, comforting breakfast. Cabbage is one of the most budget-friendly vegetables. Use it to make homemade coleslaw, stir-fry, soup or roasted as a side.

Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein. They are endlessly versatile and can be prepared simply or incorporated into larger dishes. Hard-boiled eggs also make a convenient high-protein snack.

Canned chickpeas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Rinse and toss them into salads, grain bowls, soups and hummus, or eat them right out of the can. You can also save the liquid from the can and use it as a cheap egg replacer in baked goods. Peanut butter is packed with protein and healthy fats, and a jar goes a long way.

Peanut butter can be spread on bread and fruit or eaten by the spoonful for an instant protein boost. Yogurt is an affordable option that provides protein and calcium.

Buying plain yogurt in large containers is most economical. Yogurt can be topped with affordable granola or fruit for a balanced breakfast or snack. In-season fresh fruits like bananas and apples are usually available at low cost.

Fruit provides important vitamins and fiber and gives an energy boost. Keeping a stash of frozen fruit means you can always have berries, mangos, etc. Frozen fruit is nutritious and more affordable.

Sweet potatoes are inexpensive, versatile and nutritious. Roast them with olive oil or make them into fries, add to soups and stews, or mash them as a side.

Pre-packaged breakfast bars are inexpensive and portable, and they provide protein and fiber to start the day off right. Granola bars contain whole grains, protein and other nutrients.

Video