30 Cheap Groceries To Buy

Most people are feeling the strain of rising prices. Putting food on the table is an unavoidable expense, so finding ways to stretch your grocery budget during inflationary times is critical.

Fortunately, there are products you can purchase that will keep your family fed without draining your bank account. We’ve found the best cheap groceries to buy that will keep more money in your wallet.

Best Affordable Groceries

If you are looking for affordable food items to add to your grocery list, we’ve done the research for you. Keep in mind that price estimates for each item vary based on your location.

In alphabetical order, here are the best cheap groceries you can buy.

1. Apples

Apples are an easy side, snack or dessert. They’re naturally sweet and packed with fiber. You can find them as cheap as $1 per pound.

For a fun twist, turn them into apple nachos by adding peanut butter for protein.

2. Bananas

Bananas are a great source of fiber that you can find for as low as 10 to 15 cents each. Try buying two bunches at the grocery store, including a yellow bunch for this week and a green bunch for next.

You can use bananas to sweeten muffins, make smoothies creamy or as an addition to fluffy pancakes. They even make a great side with a sandwich for kids.

3. Baking Powder and Baking Soda

At under $1 for each, these are game changers in the kitchen. Baking soda and baking powder are key ingredients when baking breads, cookies and cakes.

If you have these items on hand, you can make many different foods to fulfill your family’s cravings for baked goods.

4. Cabbage

Cabbage is one of the cheapest foods you can find. It comes out to around 50 cents for a pound and is highly versatile.

It’s the base of coleslaw, but you can also chop it up to stretch a nice garden salad or cook it down with a sauce and spices for a delicious side.

5. Canned Items

The shelf life of canned items makes them the perfect food to stock up on. Fruit lasts about a year on the shelf, but everything else easily lasts between two and five years. You can even create a full meal from canned goods.

Some of the best canned items to buy include:

Beans
Chicken
Fish
Fruit
Veggies

6. Carrots

Carrots are the base of many soups but are also versatile enough to be used in baked goods like carrot cake.

If you buy them in bulk and have the time, prep them in advance. You can peel, dice or grate them and store them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the freezer for future meals.

7. Chicken Legs or Thighs

Chicken legs and thighs are budget-friendly as well as juicy. Use them in stews, soups and anything else that requires shredded chicken.

These items cook quickly, shred easily and taste amazing. They are a great way to get your protein needs met without overspending.

8. Cucumbers

Some grocery stores have cucumbers for as little as ten for a dollar, so these are great to add to your meals when they are in season,

The most obvious way to incorporate them into your diet is in salads. However, you can also slice them up and use them as dippers for hummus, make cucumber salsa or use them in a hydrating smoothie.

9. Dry Lentils

Dry lentils are a source of protein and are a low-cost item in stores. Do not be afraid to swap meat for dry lentils in your meal. It’s a great way to ramp up your protein intake for a fraction of the price of meat.

Lentils are delicious as a soup, but you can also enjoy them as a curry served over rice. For an unusual twist, you can even try lentil brownies and cookies.

10. Eggs

Eggs fluctuate in price, but they are consistently one of the cheaper sources of protein. They are also one of the most useful ingredients in the kitchen.

Add fried eggs over a bowl of rice or on top of some toast. You can also use them in your baked goods, pancakes or enjoy them hard-boiled. The options are endless.

11. Flour

Another cheap staple to keep stocked in your kitchen is flour. You can find a bag of flour for as low as $4 for a 10-pound bag. It might be even cheaper when you buy in bulk.

Flour is a key ingredient in the kitchen. Use it to thicken sauces when you are cooking, to bread meat and chicken or to bake cookies, bread and cakes.

12. Frozen Veggies

Frozen veggies are some of the cheapest items you can buy. Even though they are frozen, they’re still packed with all the nutrients that are good for you.

Use frozen veggies in stir-frys, scrambled eggs, pot pies, roasts and even smoothies.

13. Generic Cereal

Generic cereal is an excellent options when cutting your grocery bill. It is often $2 to $4 cheaper than its comparable brand name.

Cereal can be used for breakfast, to bread chicken or to put on top of yogurt or ice cream. Kids and babies love it as a snack on its own as well.

14. Ground Beef or Turkey

Ground beef and turkey are cheap sources of protein that make meals delicious and filling. They are often half the price of regular beef or turkey and keep well in the freezer.

You can use ground beef or turkey for taco meat, hand pies, lasagna and casseroles. Better yet, you could pair it with a side dish for an inexpensive dinner.

15. Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a childhood favorite, but it can also be an adult favorite. You can get boxes for under a dollar each.

If you want something less childish, try making homemade mac and cheese. It is incredibly cheap, and you could serve it with grilled chicken or frozen veggies for an easy dinner.

16. Milk

Milk is a household staple. Kids love it, and it’s good for them as well. Although the price is higher than in years past, it is still a cheap grocery item that is versatile and healthy.

Drink a glass for a good source of calcium or use it in coffee, creamy soups and baked goods.

17. Oats

Oats are cheap and easy to make at home. Even if you buy the flavorful packets, it is cheap. However, if you buy a big container of old-fashioned oats and make your oatmeal at home, you’ll save even more money.

You can also use oats to make oat flour, baked oatmeal, cookies, smoothies and more.

18. Onions

Onions cost around a dollar per pound. This is great value for something that adds a ton of flavor to your food.

Use them to make meat and veggie skewers on the BBQ or finely chop them into your meals to add flavor. This is another great food to prepare as soon as you get home and freeze.

19. Pasta and Pasta Sauce

Pasta and pasta sauces are some of the cheapest dinner options out there. For under $3, you can prepare an entire pot of pasta. Plus, if you add some of the cheap meat options we shared above, you’ll have a well-rounded meal.

These are also great items to stock up on since the shelf life is often a couple of years.

20. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a grab-and-go snack or meal. Spread it on toast, dip crackers into it or add it to smoothies.

It is protein-packed and cheaper than all other nut butters, making it one of the best things to buy during a cheap grocery haul. As a bonus, kids tend to love it.

21. Peppers

Peppers are a kitchen staple. They add flavor at a low cost to you. The best part is that you can freeze them whole to preserve for a while.

Add these to stir fry or other meals that need an extra punch of flavor. They’re particularly delicious in black bean soup.

22. Popcorn

Popcorn is an excellent cheap snack that kids love, is filling and yields big portions. It is a no-brainer to keep on hand.

Another fun idea is to toss it in melted peanut butter and powdered sugar to make homemade puppy chow popcorn.

23. Pork

Of all the meats out there, pork is one of the cheapest. It’s easily half the price of any other cut of meat, and it can be prepared in many ways.

Make a tenderloin with potatoes, a pork chop with veggies or shredded BBQ pork into sandwiches. The options and flavor combinations are endless.

24. Potatoes

Potatoes are a filling side dish and pair well with almost any kind of meat. Whether you’re enjoying chicken, roast, steak or pork, potatoes are a great add-on.

You can mash, roast, boil or turn them into tater tots. For a low cost, you get a lot in return.

25. Rice

Rice is another cheap kitchen staple. It is filling and serves as the base for many great dishes. You can buy a 20-pound bag for as little as $5, so it is a great ingredient to keep on hand.

Use it for fried rice, as a side with soup, with any cut of meat or turn it into rice pudding.

26. Sour Cream

Sour cream is a simple ingredient that is cheap and versatile. It can be used for many different things, not just tacos.

Add it to mashed potatoes for extra tang and creaminess or use it as the base of a delicious salad dressing. You can even substitute it in place of yogurt in baked goods.

27. Spices

Yogurt is cheap, filling and potentially packed with protein. Find a tub for as low as $2 and use it for baking, eating as is or as a base to bread chicken.

Essential spices to keep on hand include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, oregano, paprika and Italian seasoning.

28. Sugar

Sugar is the base of many baking recipes. It is cheap and used frequently, making it a great pantry staple with a long shelf life.

Use it in baked goods, homemade ice cream or even sweet and salty sauces.

29. Yeast

Yeast is necessary if you want to make homemade bread. It is a cheap item that stays fresh in your fridge for two years and changes the bread-baking game.

You can make homemade sliced bread, cinnamon rolls, pizza dough and more using yeast.

30. Yogurt

Yogurt is cheap, filling and potentially packed with protein. Find a tub for as low as $2 and use it for baking, eating as is or as a base to bread chicken.

For some fun uses, try it in banana bread, as a parfait with fruit for breakfast or in smoothies.

Why Is It Beneficial to Buy Cheap Groceries?

Learning how to buy cheap groceries is one of the most helpful things you can do for your wallet because it gives you the ability to focus on other aspects of your finances.

Here are some of the main perks of buying cheap groceries.

Build Your Emergency Fund

Buying affordable groceries allows you to create an emergency fund. This is a critical component of your financial health.

When you have savings to cover an unexpected expense, you lower your chances of going into debt. In turn, this can give you the peace of mind of knowing that you can afford any financial curveballs life throws your way.

Catch Up on Bills

Catching up on bills might not be fun, but it is necessary. Small changes in the grocery store can lead to big results when you are trying to pay your bills.

Start buying lower-priced food items, then use the remainder of your cash to catch up or get ahead on your bills.

Create an Emergency Food Stockpile

With the rising cost of groceries and inventory shortages around the country, now is an excellent time to create an emergency stockpile of cheap food.

Buy cheap canned goods in bulk and find a place in your home to store them. These foods sometimes last for years, so it’s a one-time shopping trip for long-term peace of mind.

Pay Off Debt

If you are on a journey to become debt free, you know that every penny counts. Shopping for cheap groceries is one of the easiest ways to free up extra cash each month.

You could easily cut your grocery bill in half when you shop the list above for your day-to-day groceries. Then, you can use your savings to pay off your debt.

Save for Goals

Whether you are saving for a car, trip, college fund or retirement, chances are you have financial goals. Having more money to put towards those goals can help you achieve them faster.

Cutting costs on groceries is one of the simplest ways you can send more money to savings every month so that you can achieve your financial goals.

How Can You Buy a Lot of Food With Just a Little Money?

It is possible to buy a lot of food with little money. While it takes planning and budgeting, it can be done.

These are a few of the best ways to buy food for cheap.

Buy Generic

One of the easiest ways to buy cheap groceries is to switch to generic. For the most part, you can purchase generic foods without your family noticing.

A box of brand-name pasta and a jar of sauce come out to a little over $4 depending on where you live. But, if you buy the same two items in generic brands, you are looking at a cost of about $2.50.

Small swaps make big impacts, so don’t underestimate the little things.

Comparison Shop

Comparison shopping can help you know where to shop based on which stores have the lowest prices. Check the ads in the paper or use apps to see which stores have the best deals.

Maybe you don’t have time to shop at two or three stores every week. You can still have a big impact on your grocery budget if you look around and decide which grocery store has the best deals that week.

That may mean Target one week and Walmart the next. All you need is 10 minutes to sit down and look at this week’s specials.

Don’t Buy Prepared Food

Prepared foods can be convenient, but they are not budget-friendly. By purchasing cheap ingredients, you can make your own meals at home for a fraction of the price.

For example, a grocery store may sell a prepared meal for four that contains pulled pork, white rice, black beans and dinner rolls for $30. You could make that on your own for less than half the price.

This frees up $15 to $20 to go towards goals, emergency funds or bills.

Make a List

Creating a list that you can stick to and planning ahead will help you save money when you grocery shop.

You can use our recommendations to jumpstart the process of making your own list. Just make sure to only buy what’s on your list. Don’t succumb to impulse purchases.

Use Rebate Apps

Taking the time to download an app like Ibotta can help you save money at the grocery store. These apps give you cash back for buying certain items and then uploading your receipt.

While name-brand items tend to offer the biggest rebates, there are some cash back offers for generic items as well.

Summary

The average couple spends roughly $530 to $820 per month on groceries, but you don’t need to shell out this much to put food on the table. Make your list using our suggestions above, then research which stores in your area offer the best prices.

Cutting costs in the grocery store is a key way to help you reach your financial goals. A few simple steps can make a huge difference to your financial health. Hopefully this least of cheap groceries to buy can help.