Kits that include canned meat, canned sauce and pasta all in one box are great choices. This means the person receiving them can make them without having to purchase additional ingredients. Special treats or easy breakfasts are much needed and appreciated, and one of the simplest is pancake or muffin mix that only requires you to add water.

Mixes which require additional ingredients, such as oil or eggs, sometimes make it more difficult for a person or family to actually make the food item.

Soups or even canned ravioli or pasta meals that don't require anything other than a heat source to eat are excellent for those who have limited resources, including sometimes not a very well equipped kitchen. There are many places recipients of these donations may be able to heat up these types of meals, and many kids love them and it can provide a filling warm meal.

Tuna, chicken, salmon, Spam or similar types of meat are excellent choices for donation. Potted meat blends, sardines and similar choices are often donated because they are inexpensive, but these are really difficult to get a child to eat no matter how hungry they are.

If you are actually choosing what to donate, as opposed to decluttering things from your own pantry, focus your donations towards those canned meats listed first which are more usable in a wider variety of recipes, and also are more kid friendly.

Statistics say that food pantries really need more canned fruit. They often get fruit cocktail and pineapple, but peaches, pears and even cherries or tropical fruit blends would be welcomed.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes and similar are always welcome at any food pantry and rarely donated. There are many people in need who have food allergies. Donating items that are gluten free, nut free, dairy free and overall allergy friendly is always beneficial for those those with specific food needs.

Flour, sugar, cornmeal, rice, dry beans, oil, shortening, baking soda and powder, vanilla extract and seasonings of all kinds are always welcomed. Garlic, pepper, salt, chili powder, etc. can make a meal much more palatable. Milk is hard to keep cold, but individual serving sizes of shelf stable milk are a great choice to donate.

These are especially nice for families with kids who can't always afford the milk their kids need. Look for cans and pouches of fish like tuna or salmon to donate. These items are packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

This is another versatile item that can be thrown in anything from a soup to a casserole to eaten plain right out of the can if needed. You can consider donating a few different types if you want, like a soy milk or almond milk, in case someone at the pantry has an allergy or intolerance to regular milk.

For most pantries, fresh fruit is not an option but you can supply them with plenty of canned fruit or fruit cups. The best options are those which are packed in water or juice, not syrup. Canned vegetables are incredibly inexpensive and can be almost as nutritious as fresh if you search for the right types.

Look for varieties that are no-added-salt. Soup is a great way to get a complete meal, right out of the can. Look for varieties that have less sodium than their traditional counterparts. One thing that breaks my heart are the number of families going through food insecurity. These kids may not have anything to bring into school for snack time.

The applesauce cups or fruit squeeze pouches make perfect options to donate so that you ensure these kids have something for snack time. Nuts are rich in healthy fats and contain protein, and they are also calorie dense — this can be especially useful for children that may be struggling to meet their needs.

Consider different types if you find them on sale: peanuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, etc. Dried fruit is lighter and easier for folks to carry around than fresh or canned fruit, which makes it a nice choice if your pantry serves a big homeless population.

Basil, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, chili powder… these are things that many of us take for granted in our kitchens but struggling families may not have. While donations of soda and other sugar sweetened beverages should be nixed, boxes of tea are a great item to give.

Tea offers some variety from water for someone to drink, and is packed with antioxidants that support good health. Devon and I went to the store to get some donations yesterday for a local food drive currently taking place. The wreaths outside totally got us in the holiday spirit.

Browse the circulars, clip any coupons you may have, and then go shopping. Do you have any other tips or ideas for healthy food pantry donations? I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Why do you think someone else would want to eat what you are giving away? Most people do charity to make themselves feel better.

If we step out of ourselves and think about how what we are doing would make us feel, I think it would be more worthwhile.

Great post! My son and I try to do this every year around the holiday too! It is so important to give back and remember to be grateful.

This is such a great list!!! Thanks Crystal! I love that you mention getting your son involved with it. Great Ideas! So many people are in need of food during the holidays, this is a great way to give back. Great ideas to give back within a budget. Next time you're at the store grab the multipack of sauce; it will save you extra money and provide you with multiple meals for the month.

Canned meat, like chicken, salmon, and tuna, is a great alternative for fresh meats. And it's a non-perishable item that will last significantly longer than fresh meat would, even in your freezer.

Canned tuna can be used to make sandwiches, salads, and casseroles. While canned chicken can be used for soups, salads, and, of course, dips. Combine with a bit of breading, spices, and egg for fast and flavorful cakes or patties.

Stock is a common ingredient in soups, sauces, and casseroles. You can also use chicken stock to flavor your rice or other grains and sautéed vegetables.

And a bit of stock can help you stretch soups and sauces if you need a bit more for a full meal. Peanut butter is an inexpensive and versatile ingredient because it can be used in every meal of the day. From smoothies to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to peanut butter noodles , and tons of peanut butter desserts, the jar in your pantry will certainly not go to waste.

And if you have a peanut allergy, you can substitute other nut butters, like almond butter , in many recipes. So many recipes start with oil, and for typical cooking applications, a standard olive oil is all you'll need.

But buying a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil is important if you plan to make no-cook dishes, salad dressings, and sauces. Why's that? Cheap olive oils taste like bad olives. Good oils have a bright, floral flavor that shines through what you're eating. While a higher quality oil may be a bit pricey, remember you're using teaspoons or tablespoons at a time, which stretches the cost out over dozens and dozens of meals.

Have you ever wondered why so many recipes call for garlic? It's because garlic is an aromatic ingredient it has a distinctive smell, and smell is an important factor for taste , and it's an easy way to add a ton of flavor to your meal. There are so many ways you can add garlic to your dish based on preference and even budget — you can use fresh garlic cloves, store-bought minced garlic, or garlic powder.

Fresh garlic is usually preferred, but any garlic will work to pack in the flavor. Ground meat, like beef, turkey, and chicken, is great for making a quick and easy meal. You can make soups, casseroles, hamburger patties, and tacos with ground meat.

Ground meat isn't the most inexpensive meat, especially depending on how lean you want it, but it's a good thing to buy in a bulk package and freeze for later. And because it's so versatile, you can almost always replace one ground meat with what's on sale — like ground beef for ground turkey.

Canned Fish (Tuna and Salmon) Canned Meat (SPAM and Ham) Canned Vegetables

Inexpensive food pantry items - Canned Chicken Canned Fish (Tuna and Salmon) Canned Meat (SPAM and Ham) Canned Vegetables

These items are packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids. This is another versatile item that can be thrown in anything from a soup to a casserole to eaten plain right out of the can if needed. You can consider donating a few different types if you want, like a soy milk or almond milk, in case someone at the pantry has an allergy or intolerance to regular milk.

For most pantries, fresh fruit is not an option but you can supply them with plenty of canned fruit or fruit cups. The best options are those which are packed in water or juice, not syrup.

Canned vegetables are incredibly inexpensive and can be almost as nutritious as fresh if you search for the right types. Look for varieties that are no-added-salt.

Soup is a great way to get a complete meal, right out of the can. Look for varieties that have less sodium than their traditional counterparts.

One thing that breaks my heart are the number of families going through food insecurity. These kids may not have anything to bring into school for snack time. The applesauce cups or fruit squeeze pouches make perfect options to donate so that you ensure these kids have something for snack time.

Nuts are rich in healthy fats and contain protein, and they are also calorie dense — this can be especially useful for children that may be struggling to meet their needs. Consider different types if you find them on sale: peanuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, etc.

Dried fruit is lighter and easier for folks to carry around than fresh or canned fruit, which makes it a nice choice if your pantry serves a big homeless population. Basil, oregano, cinnamon, cumin, chili powder… these are things that many of us take for granted in our kitchens but struggling families may not have.

While donations of soda and other sugar sweetened beverages should be nixed, boxes of tea are a great item to give. Tea offers some variety from water for someone to drink, and is packed with antioxidants that support good health. Devon and I went to the store to get some donations yesterday for a local food drive currently taking place.

The wreaths outside totally got us in the holiday spirit. Browse the circulars, clip any coupons you may have, and then go shopping. Do you have any other tips or ideas for healthy food pantry donations?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Why do you think someone else would want to eat what you are giving away? Most people do charity to make themselves feel better. If we step out of ourselves and think about how what we are doing would make us feel, I think it would be more worthwhile.

Great post! My son and I try to do this every year around the holiday too! It is so important to give back and remember to be grateful. This is such a great list!!!

Thanks Crystal! I love that you mention getting your son involved with it. Great Ideas! So many people are in need of food during the holidays, this is a great way to give back. Great ideas to give back within a budget. Thanks for sharing that. Such a great post and a great reminder to give back!

What a great list! I often get worked up over charitable donations thinking they have to be this big take-on. When really, it can be as easy as sifting through my pantry. Love love love!! Or even simpler — just donating money to the food pantry!

We just volunteered at Feed Our Starving Children last weekend. My go-to items for food pantries are always canned veggies but it never occurred to me to look for the pop tops. Great info. Glad you found the tip about the pop tops to be helpful — and good for you for volunteering this past weekend to support this kind of cause!

I want to make an effort to do more year round. We give back during the holidays every year. A tradition my husband and I started and continued with our kids. This is so great! Good food like that makes such a big difference for those in need. what a great post with great ideas!!

So glad you wrote this to highlight healthy options people can donate. I also usually adopt a child during the holidays and also run in an annual 5k in my area where registration is a toy for a child in need.

Will be bookmarking this for sure! One of our favorite homemade dressings is my easy Mexican Dressing. RICE This is probably one of the most frugal pantry items and very versatile too, plus a little bit of uncooked rice ends up being quite a lot once cooked!

Rice can stand alone by itself as a side dish and of course, is delicious in main dishes as well. I love using beans to make Creamy White Chicken Chili , 5 Minute Bean Dip and these Easy Mexican Rice Bowls. Making your own Homemade Refried Beans is so easy and cheap too!

Super Easy Beef and Macaroni Skillet is one of my go-to recipes for busy days. We also love this No Boil Lasagna recipe too! DRIED HERBS SPICES Dried herbs and spices are a great way to add flavor to your recipes.

And while I occasionally buy fresh herbs, using dried is much more economical and they last much longer too! A few of the ones that I use regularly: basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, red pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg.

CHICKEN STOCK BOUILLON Chicken stock is a common ingredient in soups and casseroles and is super easy to make yourself! I also like to keep bouillon on hand since some recipes call for that instead. Also, if I happen to be out of liquid chicken stock, I can always use the bouillon to make some- although the stock made using bouillon is not nearly as tasty or as good for you as the real thing!

VINEGAR This is another ingredient that I use to make homemade salad dressings. I also use it for various other recipes and it works great as a natural cleaner too! SALSA I have quite a few Mexican-inspired dishes that call for salsa, so I like to always keep this on hand.

chips and salsa! DICED TOMATOES These are super inexpensive and way cheaper than buying fresh tomatoes. I love using them in recipes to give a bit of added flavor and color. And I even show you how to can diced tomatoes yourself if you want to try that. PASTA SAUCE I know making your own pasta sauce is pretty easy, but since I can buy it so inexpensively, I prefer to just do that.

Pasta sauce is great for a quick meal of meatball subs, pizza, spaghetti or, lasagna to mention just a few. KETCHUP, MUSTARD, MAYO Okay, so maybe I should have listed these 3 things separately. I use many more condiments than these, but these are the three that I think every kitchen should for sure stock.

BREAD I typically make my own bread , but it is something that I always keep on hand. We often use it to make sandwiches for lunch, toast it to eat with eggs and occasionally use it in recipes like my Cheeseburger Casserole too!

TORTILLAS I use these all the time to make enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas and wraps. In fact, these Salsa Ranch Chicken Wraps are one of my favorite quick meals!

And these easy recipes with tortillas are also great as well. ONIONS GARLIC I use both of these items regularly to inexpensively add extra flavor to lots of different recipes. Of course, you can always freeze them too , if you prefer. CARROTS These are not only a great addition to many soups, but they also make a healthy snack or side dish.

POTATOES Super versatile! You can use them in soups, casseroles, breakfast dishes or side dishes. A few of our favorite potato recipes are Creamy Sausage and Potatoes , Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham , and Country Potato Soup.

BUTTER This is probably the one thing that might seem iffy to put on a frugal pantry list. Plus, I love using it to make these easy Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits! SOUR CREAM I like to keep this on hand to use in soups, to make homemade dips and to use in several casserole recipes as well.

But , since I cook almost entirely from scratch, I do end up using it quite a bit even so. Just a little bit can make a lettuce salad, tuna salad sandwiches or refried bean quesadillas so much yummier!

And we love these White Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches! FROZEN VEGGIES Often much cheaper than fresh veggies, the other handy thing about frozen ones is that they last much longer!

I use them a lot as a side dish and also in recipes like my Easy Chicken Pot Pie , Cheesy Ham, Potato and Green Bean Bake and Easy Vegetable Beef Soup.

CHICKEN Probably the cheapest kind of meat there is and super versatile too! A few chicken recipes that we enjoy: Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes , One Pan Chicken and Rice , Creamy Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken.

In casseroles or soups, I often can get by with using less than the amount called for. A few ground beef recipes that we really like: Crockpot Tamale Pie and Super Easy Sloppy Joes. It helps me be frugal because I can buy in bulk when food is on sale becoming less and less, it seems, these days , portion it and freeze for later.

Yes, I love stocking up and freezing items that are on sale too! Such a great way to save. I so agree with you. We have worn out many vacuum food sealers over the years. Our son upgraded so he can vacuum seal whole chickens raised on his property. We opted for a slightly smaller model and use it daily.

when canning diced tomatoes can I pressure can them in stead of water bath? If so how long to pressure can? Yes, you can definitely pressure can them! As for how long, it will depend on your pressure canner and altitude.

I would look in the instruction manual that came with the pressure canner and go by what it says there. I would follow that. Tomatoes also freeze well! Either whole or diced or roasted. Consider that especially when your garden is at its peak.

Inexpensive food pantry items - Canned Chicken Canned Fish (Tuna and Salmon) Canned Meat (SPAM and Ham) Canned Vegetables

CARROTS These are not only a great addition to many soups, but they also make a healthy snack or side dish. POTATOES Super versatile! You can use them in soups, casseroles, breakfast dishes or side dishes. A few of our favorite potato recipes are Creamy Sausage and Potatoes , Cream Cheese Potato Soup with Ham , and Country Potato Soup.

BUTTER This is probably the one thing that might seem iffy to put on a frugal pantry list. Plus, I love using it to make these easy Garlic Butter Swim Biscuits! SOUR CREAM I like to keep this on hand to use in soups, to make homemade dips and to use in several casserole recipes as well.

But , since I cook almost entirely from scratch, I do end up using it quite a bit even so. Just a little bit can make a lettuce salad, tuna salad sandwiches or refried bean quesadillas so much yummier! And we love these White Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!

FROZEN VEGGIES Often much cheaper than fresh veggies, the other handy thing about frozen ones is that they last much longer! I use them a lot as a side dish and also in recipes like my Easy Chicken Pot Pie , Cheesy Ham, Potato and Green Bean Bake and Easy Vegetable Beef Soup.

CHICKEN Probably the cheapest kind of meat there is and super versatile too! A few chicken recipes that we enjoy: Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes , One Pan Chicken and Rice , Creamy Crockpot Mexican Chicken and Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken.

In casseroles or soups, I often can get by with using less than the amount called for. A few ground beef recipes that we really like: Crockpot Tamale Pie and Super Easy Sloppy Joes. It helps me be frugal because I can buy in bulk when food is on sale becoming less and less, it seems, these days , portion it and freeze for later.

Yes, I love stocking up and freezing items that are on sale too! Such a great way to save. I so agree with you. We have worn out many vacuum food sealers over the years.

Our son upgraded so he can vacuum seal whole chickens raised on his property. We opted for a slightly smaller model and use it daily. when canning diced tomatoes can I pressure can them in stead of water bath? If so how long to pressure can? Yes, you can definitely pressure can them!

As for how long, it will depend on your pressure canner and altitude. I would look in the instruction manual that came with the pressure canner and go by what it says there.

I would follow that. Tomatoes also freeze well! Either whole or diced or roasted. Consider that especially when your garden is at its peak. I would add celery to that list as I use it in making stews. Onions, carrots and celery is your mirre poir for all basic stews. Yes, celery is a great pantry staple, for sure!

Never heard of strained tomatoes but canned tomato products of any kind are handy to have, I think. This is one of my favorite ways to save on cheese too. Great list! A tip on keeping garlic longer — I buy the 3 packs of bulbs from Aldi and immediately put them in a small ziplock kept in the freezer.

It keeps a long time that way!!! Ready to mince, etc. I also keep Panko bread crumbs in the freezer as I use them in a variety of recipes. Lime juice gets used in marinades, etc.

and lemon juice is frequently used as well, not only desserts, but certain salad dressings too. Final note, this is not going to work for everyone, but try to hunt out whether or not there is a good local butcher shop in your area.

Or at least within reasonable driving distance. I make a few trips a year and stock the freezer with various meats. Got a great deal on those and they worked just fine for recipes that called for bacon bits or a bit of chopped bacon — just froze them and pulled out what I needed.

I never knew you could freeze garlic! That is totally going to change my life. Thank you! And I started keeping my bread crumbs in the freezer too.

Lesson learned. Freezing lemon and lime juice is so smart! I wish I could find a local butcher shop that has that kind of price on chicken! So glad you are finding the blog interesting and helpful!

It makes the work that I put into it so totally worth it when I get comments like that. There are two grocery stores near me different companies that every so often but always at different times! have chicken leg quarters for anywhere from 39 to 59 cents a pound. so, 4 to 6 dollars for 10 pounds of those which I take home and bake and debone.

I use the bones ad skin along with veggie scraps to make broth and usually enough chicken meat to make 2-cup packs that I stuff n the freezer.

It gives me a frugal break from my usual rotisserie chicken per week for much less broth and meat. It does take some work the day you buy but it saves so much money! Oats are one of the cheapest food additions to any diet. They are also very versatile: you can enjoy oatmeal or porridge for breakfast, add them to baked goods like muffins or cookies, or even use them as a topping for savory dishes like chicken or fish.

If you want an inexpensive way to add variety to your cheap grocery list, consider picking up a few tea boxes in different flavors. From Earl Grey to chamomile, there is a tea flavor for everyone.

Tea is not only a great way to relax at the end of the day, but it can also help you stay hydrated and save some money on expensive sodas and coffees. When buying peanut butter, look for natural brands that contain only peanuts and salt as the main ingredients.

Avoid brands that contain added sugar, oils, or other unhealthy additives. Your taste buds—and your wallet—will thank you. They are an affordable way to enjoy out-of-season produce that can also be used to make great sweets. Canned tomatoes are one of the best-canned items to buy when broke.

They can be used to make homemade tomato soup, chili, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and salsa. You can even blend canned tomatoes to make sauce rather than buying jarred sauces, saving you more money at many grocery stores.

Fruits and vegetables are the best cheap foods to buy, especially in season and from your local farms. With a little bit of meal planning, you can save some money on your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition or taste.

When it comes to putting together a cheap grocery list, you want to add apples to it! They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season. Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp.

When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and they have a relatively low calorie count.

Oranges are one of the cheapest foods to buy for your grocery list, and you can eat them fresh, juice them, or even use them in recipes.

Broccoli is one of the best picks for fresh vegetables, and I love them with pasta dishes and just as a simple side when roasted in the oven. Spinach is an excellent cheap food that is a source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium.

Here are some meal ideas for incorporating spinach:. Iceberg lettuce is one of the cheapest groceries that you can buy. Lettuce is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is very versatile.

You can also use it to make wraps more healthy. Carrots are versatile root vegetables that can be used in various dishes and have a slightly sweet taste that goes with so many things. They are an excellent source of vitamin c for the kiddos too.

Carrots are often used in a stir-fry with peppers, as it helps to retain their nutrients while also giving them a slightly crispy texture. I like to cut them up small and roast them for an easy side dish. One of the most popular meal ideas for using peppers is stir fry, but you can add them to your pasta sauce or tacos or make stuffed peppers.

You can get them in a pack of frozen vegetables to get a little bit of everything for a bunch of different meal ideas, or buy them fresh on their own. Celery is also one of the most healthy cheap foods to buy — a great option for budget-minded shoppers. This crunchy, low-calorie vegetable contains nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.

Some of our favorites include sweet potato fries, green beans, and carrots. Plus, you should grab a stir-fry mix for some variety. You can also save some money by buying frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit.

Some brands add sugar or other ingredients to their frozen fruit, so be sure to read the label before you buy. A few items will always be super cheap, no matter when you buy them.

Potatoes fit the bill perfectly for an item to buy when broke and looking for cheaper foods with several meal ideas. You can do many things with potatoes. One meal idea is a baked potato with whatever you want on top of it, like cheese, broccoli, and chicken.

When it comes to stocking your pantry on a budget, proteins are often one of the most expensive items on your grocery list.

Eggs can be used in a variety of dishes or by themselves. They are one of the cheapest foods to buy, especially when compared to other protein sources like meat or tofu. Eggs can be boiled, scrambled, or made into an omelet, and they go well with various other ingredients.

Add an egg to brown rice and vegetables to make a quick and healthy stir fry. Ground meat is a cheap source of protein that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to meatloaves, and it is typically very budget-friendly. When grocery shopping for ground beef , look for marked-down products close to their expiration date.

These products will be discounted and still fresh and safe to eat. One of the cheapest foods to buy is ground turkey. Plus, freeze ground turkey when you find good sales. Sausage is an affordable and delicious option for your cheap grocery list that can be used in everything from breakfast dishes to dinner casseroles.

If you are looking for meal ideas, consider using sausage in a frittata, omelet, or quiche. You can also add it to pasta, rice, or soups.

For example, you could slowly cook it in a crockpot or Instant Pot for pulled beef sandwiches or tacos or simply dice it for beef stew. No matter how you prepare it, chuck roast is delicious and affordable meat to add to your meal-planning ideas!

Chicken thighs are another great source of protein and are usually one of the cheapest foods to buy- even cheaper than chicken breasts. You can cook them almost the same as you would chicken breasts, including cutting the meat from the bone to add it to soups or casseroles. Bologna is one of the cheapest foods to buy.

You can put it in sandwiches, dice it up and add it to salads, or even fry it up as a main dish. Bologna is also made in different ways, so you can try various brands to suit your taste.

Check the nutrition label before you buy, as some varieties can be high in fat and sodium. Hot dogs are one of the cheapest foods to buy that your kids will love, and you can cook them quickly for nights on the go.

You can enjoy hot dogs plain or dress them up with your favorite toppings. Canned fish, like tuna or salmon, is a cheap but nutritious option for your grocery list.

Canned fish is better to buy when broke, and you can make cheap meals like tuna salad or casserole in a flash. Canned chicken is an excellent option for those looking for the cheapest groceries that are also healthy.

This protein-rich food can be used in various ways, from chicken salad sandwiches to casseroles. While the quality and taste of canned chicken can vary, some brands offer a good product at a reasonable price. Anyone who has ever gone grocery shopping knows that dairy products are not some of the cheapest groceries to buy.

Milk is a staple in many households, but it can be expensive at many grocery stores. There are a few ways to save on milk for the budget-conscious shopper. Another way to save some money is to buy milk in larger containers and plan to use it all rather than waste it.

A gallon of milk costs less per ounce than a half-gallon, so buying more saves you more. When it comes to a cheap grocery list, there are a few essential items that you can permanently save some money on by opting for the cheaper option—for example, butter or margarine.

Margarine is typically cheaper than butter, though butter does have a richer taste. Use butter for some dishes that need that buttery flavor, but use margarine on others that have a lot of other seasonings to provide flavor. Plain yogurt is relatively inexpensive, making it one of the cheapest foods and an excellent option for budget-conscious shoppers.

Plain yogurt can be used in place of sour cream or mayonnaise in recipes or enjoyed as a healthy snack by adding honey and canned fruit to it. You can buy it in bulk to save money and have it on hand for other cheap meals on your list.

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