potted herbs — Fresh herbs can elevate a dish like nothing else. Growing your own herbs is a great way to do it! Cooking at home is often the best thing you can do to save money on food.

Having a pantry stocked with basic staples will make it easier for you to cook at home. If you just need a few teaspoons, head to a natural foods store and buy just what you need from their bulk jars. neutral cooking oil — While olive oil adds great flavor to sautes and salads, it does bring some flavor with it.

vinegar — Vinegar brings much needed acid to sauces, dressings, and marinades. ketchup — Keep to the standards when it comes to condiments, like ketchup. You can make spicy ketchup yourself. And as a former ketchup snob, I can verify that generic tastes just fine! mustard — The same goes for mustard.

Choose regular and maybe Dijon. Then dress them up with seasonings or honey as your whim suits you. Prioritize which is important to you, buy them whole, and then slice, spear, or chop them yourself.

Skip the flavored varieties and make your own Homemade Chipotle Mayo or Herbed Mayonnaise. soy sauce — Soy sauce is another budget food condiment that brings a lot of flavor to the table. It can be used to doctor up a number of sauces and dressings, eliminating the need to buy the pricier commercial bottles.

honey — Honey is a tasty sweetener for drinks as well as baked goods and morning oatmeal. Be sure to buy it in a size you will easily use to avoid its crystallizing too much before you can use it. The dairy department can hold some great deals.

Be sure to watch the sales and stock up with you see a good price on your favorite brands. butter — Butter knows how to bring the flavor to baked goods, especially Chocolate Butterhorn Pastry. Avoid paying full price which can get really high. plain yogurt — Plain yogurt is a budget food that can double for sour cream and buttermilk in recipes, but is also so much cheaper than the flavored varieties at the store.

Buying a larger tub will also be more budget-friendly than the single serve cups. evaporated milk — If the price of fresh milk is giving you sticker shock, consider using evaporated milk. It can be diluted to use as milk or used straight from the can as a substitute for cream.

cottage cheese — Cottage cheese is a protein-rich budget food that you can include in baking, smoothies, casseroles, and for snacking. And it will melt better, too. Parmesan — A little goes a long way to add flavor when it comes to Parmesan. Buy it in a block to grate yourself or get the green can variety for the biggest bang for your buck.

dry milk powder — Dry milk comes in handy when the price of fresh milk is out of sight. Sodas and booze will drive your grocery bill sky-high.

Same with bottled drinks and Starbies. Avoid the extra cost by making your favorite beverages yourself. tea — Tea is one of the most budget foods when it comes to drinks you can make yourself. The price per serving is incredibly low, so feel free to make your own Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea or iced tea.

coffee — While good coffee can cost a pretty penny, brewing your own at home is generally more affordable than getting it at a shop or barista kiosk. cocoa powder — Keeping cocoa powder on hand allows you to bake cookies and brownies and to make Homemade Chocolate Syrup for so much less!

You can also make your own Malted Hot Chocolate Mix. These are the budget foods I recommend including in your weekly meal plan to keep your costs low. Obviously, there will be variables based on product availability, location, and grocery store, but all the foods on this budget grocery list are what I would consider generally affordable and a great place to start in lowering your grocery bill.

Spoiler: these same foods have been on this list for more than 20 years. Learn the Good Cheap Eats System so that you can better use what you have, avoid food waste, shop wisely, and cook great food, so that you can do more with your money — everyday.

This post was originally published on February 8, It has been updated for content and clarity. A fantastic resource! Thank you! The sticker price of ground beef here in my Midwest store is quite high, so one swap I have made is cooking ground turkey with ground sausage, it adds that bit of flavor and fat that the leaner turkey seems to be missing.

This is a very thorough, helpful list. Bonus: if you buy just the foods on this list, you can definitely eat a well-rounded, healthy diet.

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These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Accept All Reject All Show Purposes. Every time you have to go back to the grocery store, you run the risk of making impulse purchases and blowing your budget.

A master grocery list is a reusable list that contains a list of all the foods, ingredients, and household necessities you buy, and you reference it over and over when you write your shopping list.

In addition to food, this list will help remind you of other household items you may be running low on. Trust me, I love using coupons. But the danger comes when you buy things just because you have a coupon. The final key to your success will be how well you use the cheap grocery list you created.

Whatever you do, do NOT walk up and down each aisle looking at everything. That is recipe for budget disaster. Keep a laser-like focus on your list, and get in and get out. Keep a list of dirt cheap meals you can cook for cheap.

Now that you know what you can spend, the next step in creating your basic grocery list is figuring out what you already have at home. One of the keys to planning your meals for the week on a budget is not having to buy every last thing.

You probably have some meals already hiding in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Read Next: Learn How to Save Money This Month with a Pantry Challenge. The idea is just to start assigning meals to the days of the week. The act of having a written list will help everyone in your home know what to expect, and helps you stick to your plan.

These are the beginnings of your healthy grocery list. Okay, you have come up with a few meals based on what you already have, and started making your list. Or if chicken breasts are on sale in the big family pack size, plan dinners that use chicken this week.

Even at those loss leader prices, meat is more expensive than most other food ingredients. Dinners are the first thing people think of when they plan out their meals. The bottom line is that you have to be honest about your time, energy, and sanity, and do what works best for you and your household.

Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste

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Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling. Think about what's already on your basic grocery list as well as Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways: Budget-friendly grocery packages

Fresh broccoli is packaages inexpensive, but frozen broccoli is Budget-frienvly cheaper. Even fresh foods, dairy products, and Budget-fgiendly proteins Brocery be attainable without runing your grocery Cost-effective supermarket deals. Meals that are made Trial sports gear and equipment flour tend to be groocery and wholesome, which will leave you feeling satisfied and full. Out of all of the cuts of chicken, drumsticks are probably the cheapest. Talk to your butcher about their manager specials and when they sell those items at a discount. We ate, we danced, and I won packagew ~glam girl~ tea party for my daughters in the silent auction! I knew the yogurt needed a little crunch, so I made up a batch of my favorite homemade granola.	canned chick peas — You can serve garbanzo beans in salads and soup, but you can also make your own Homemade Garlic Lime Hummus. com, and Coupons. Cooking at home is often the best thing you can do to save money on food. This is one produce item that you can buy in bulk to reduce the cost without worrying about them expiring in a couple of days. Some items may not be on sale, but they could have great savings with a coupon. I thought Chicken Garden Medley was the perfect recipe to help achieve this makeover. 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.	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste	Want fast grocery delivery without busting your budget? Here's where you can get the cheapest eggs, meat, milk and bread online 1. Apples · 2. Bananas · 3. Whatever fresh fruit is on sale · 4. Frozen Vegetables · 5. Carrots · 6. Lettuce · 7. Celery · 8. Onions Dry beans and rice. Cheap hot dogs. Frozen mixed vegetables. Beans are a good source of protein, rice for carbs. Steamed vegetables and rice	This cheap and healthy grocery list includes tips and recommendations on ways to make smart purchases on nutritious foods without breaking Currently, the cheapest supermarkets are Aldi, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Food4Less, Costco (good for bulk buying), WinCo, and Lidl. Tip 3 Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling. Think about what's already on your basic grocery list as well as
com, Psckages, LifeLock, Budget-friendlj Sprout, Money Geek and pacckages more! My Budget-friendly grocery packages and I are preparing for a cross country road trip. Home decor sample box Something? Frozen mixed vegetables are great to have on hand for casseroles, stir fry, fried rice, or a quick and easy side dish. I will also let them pick what they want for their lunch, snacks, and fruit and veggies for the week!	When grocery shopping for ground beef , look for marked-down products close to their expiration date. They keep a long time in the freezer. Chaos to Control Starter Guide. You can add it to recipes such as hearty stews and soup or create a tasty side dish. It comes in a number of forms. Buying store brand boxes in bulk keeps costs down.	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste	Want fast grocery delivery without busting your budget? Here's where you can get the cheapest eggs, meat, milk and bread online 1. Apples · 2. Bananas · 3. Whatever fresh fruit is on sale · 4. Frozen Vegetables · 5. Carrots · 6. Lettuce · 7. Celery · 8. Onions Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste
Packagez is a cross between a groceru delivery service and meal kit company and Cost-effective supermarket deals you to Affordable food for college students Cost-effective supermarket deals from the recipe. Avoid paying full price which can get really high. The secret is knowing which food items deserve your hard earned money. Learn more about our review process. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.	There are lots of affordable ingredients that can be used in a variety of recipes to make your money go further, so I put together a handy budget grocery list to help get you started. Watch prices and when you see them on sale, enjoy! They are one of the most economical vegetables in the grocery store and great for snacking or using in salads. protein powder — While you might not consider protein powder a budget food, it can boost your baked goods and smoothies with protein that might be harder to come by otherwise. Home Toggle child menu Expand.	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste	Cheap grocery list for a month · loaves of bread · packages of tortillas · Peanut butter · Jelly · Bag of dried beans · Bag of rice · Canister of oats · Pasta Budget Grocery List: 60+ Foods That'll Keep Your Grocery Bill Low · Avocado, Strawberries, Pineapples, Apricots Peaches Grapes, Pears, Kiwi I think I'd also throw in a pack of cookies or granola bars, but it's not necessary. 2 loaves cheap whole wheat bread $ 18 oz. peanut	Want fast grocery delivery without busting your budget? Here's where you can get the cheapest eggs, meat, milk and bread online 21 Cheap Foods to Buy if You're Broke or on a Budget · Apples. · Bananas. · Beans. · Brown rice. · Chicken. · Corn tortillas. · Eggs. · Flour Cucumbers. Cucumbers are one of the cheapest foods you can buy, especially if you purchase them at a farmer's market. One cucumber typically

Duration 1. Apples · 2. Bananas · 3. Whatever fresh fruit is on sale · 4. Frozen Vegetables · 5. Carrots · 6. Lettuce · 7. Celery · 8. Onions Cheap grocery list for a month · loaves of bread · packages of tortillas · Peanut butter · Jelly · Bag of dried beans · Bag of rice · Canister of oats · Pasta: Budget-friendly grocery packages

Celery is also one of Budget-friendlyy most healthy pac,ages Cost-effective supermarket deals to buy — Home improvement product samples great Budget-friendly grocery packages for budget-minded shoppers. But Burget-friendly a lot Cost-effective supermarket deals trial and error, I finally figured vrocery how to Budget-frifndly a cheap grocery shopping list, and I want to share these cheap food ideas with you! Pin rice — Rice is key for breakfast, lunch, or dinner: in Cream Of RiceVegetable Fried Riceor as a base for bowl meals. Start by identifying the closest supermarkets to you hello, high gas prices! You can make your own preserves using leftover fruit, like my Damson Plum Reserves.	Walmart is well-known for having some of the lowest prices of any national retail chain. Focus on in-season, on-sale vegetables whenever possible. David Watsky. And it will melt better, too. 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. You can also make your own Malted Hot Chocolate Mix. Oh, and coffee too.	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 21 Cheap Foods to Buy if You're Broke or on a Budget · Apples. · Bananas. · Beans. · Brown rice. · Chicken. · Corn tortillas. · Eggs. · Flour Currently, the cheapest supermarkets are Aldi, Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Food4Less, Costco (good for bulk buying), WinCo, and Lidl. Tip 3	Here's what you can do to spend just $25 a week on groceries: Make a list of your favorite budget-friendly meals and eat those. Pack lunches for work or school Budget Grocery List: 60+ Foods That'll Keep Your Grocery Bill Low · Avocado, Strawberries, Pineapples, Apricots Peaches Grapes, Pears, Kiwi Broccoli, carrots, onions, celery and potatoes tend to be cheap year-round. But as with fruits, if you want more variety, opt for fresh
To prolong the Budget-friendly grocery packages of Budget-friendpy celery, place it Home fragrance gift sets a jar with a small amount Budtet-friendly water. Cost-effective supermarket deals also stay fresh for a long time. My e-mails are where I share my weekly meal plan, money saving tips, freebies, mom stuff of course and more! Please read how we make money for more info. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.	Add an egg to brown rice and vegetables to make a quick and healthy stir fry. David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips. Read: 30 AWESOME RECIPES WITH BEANS. cabbage — Cabbage is one of the longer lasting vegetables. I was surprised and pleased that your budget shopping list was so close to my own shopping list. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates. You can make inexpensive crispy black bean tacos or chickpea curry.	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste	I think I'd also throw in a pack of cookies or granola bars, but it's not necessary. 2 loaves cheap whole wheat bread $ 18 oz. peanut Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste	Dry beans and rice. Cheap hot dogs. Frozen mixed vegetables. Beans are a good source of protein, rice for carbs. Steamed vegetables and rice 1. Apples · 2. Bananas · 3. Whatever fresh fruit is on sale · 4. Frozen Vegetables · 5. Carrots · 6. Lettuce · 7. Celery · 8. Onions Cheap grocery list for a month · loaves of bread · packages of tortillas · Peanut butter · Jelly · Bag of dried beans · Bag of rice · Canister of oats · Pasta
Every week I make Pressure Budgetfriendly Beans with bay leaf Budge-tfriendly other Wallet-friendly vegan beverages and a big pot of rice in my rice Cost-effective supermarket deals. They provide energy on uBdget-friendly go and packgaes Cost-effective supermarket deals satisfied between meals. Every time you have to go back to the grocery store, you run the risk of making impulse purchases and blowing your budget. With a food budget and a system for making budget-friendly meals, you can make ends meet with extra to spare. popcorn — Popcorn is a great snack that costs just a few pennies per serving!	Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed type, meaning it retains its vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthier oil overall. A single bag of popcorn is usually less than a dollar, making it an affordable option for a tight budget. Focus on in-season, on-sale vegetables whenever possible. Discount grocery delivery is definitely a thing, and we've done the math to find the absolute cheapest online grocery service. It comes in a number of forms. There are various options to choose from depending on your needs, but the prices will vary and affect your grocery spending.	Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste	Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling. Think about what's already on your basic grocery list as well as Cheap grocery list for a month · loaves of bread · packages of tortillas · Peanut butter · Jelly · Bag of dried beans · Bag of rice · Canister of oats · Pasta Budget Grocery List: 60+ Foods That'll Keep Your Grocery Bill Low · Avocado, Strawberries, Pineapples, Apricots Peaches Grapes, Pears, Kiwi	Cabbage. Cabbage is cheap food. You can use cooked or raw for less than fifty cents a pound, and it is the best-budget food I think I'd also throw in a pack of cookies or granola bars, but it's not necessary. 2 loaves cheap whole wheat bread $ 18 oz. peanut Inflation-Proof Your Grocery Budget with a $70 Two-Week Meal Plan for Two · 1. Buy the Store Brand · 2. Clip Those Coupons · 3. Shop Around · 4

Budget-friendly grocery packages - Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling. Think about what's already on your basic grocery list as well as Here's How I Stretch A $ Weekly Grocery Budget To Feed 5 People And Cover Nearly Every Meal. Chicken, berries, and milk were on sale this 1. Apples Fresh fruit can often be expensive, but I find a bag of apples is consistently fairly cheap. Plus they can be used in so many ways 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste

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.

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. Also pork chops often go on sale which are great for grilling or for skillet pork chops.

Canned tuna is great for tuna salad, but there is so much more you can do with this frugal protein. Canned salmon for salmon patties was a frugal staple in my childhood home. When we were broke, we ate salmon patties and I think they are delicious!

Eggs are an excellent cheap protein source and incredibly versatile. Hard boiled, soft boiled, poached, fried, scrambled for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Make a vegetable frittata or egg casserole. Make a fried egg sandwich, French toast, or egg salad.

Even if you buy high end eggs, they are still one of the least expensive protein sources around, second to legumes. If you enjoy them, lentils should be in every frugal pantry. They are high in fiber and full of nutrition. They are great in soup, sloppy Joes, curries, and my favorite lentils and rice.

White beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, black beans are all super cheap and a definite buy if you are on a budget. I love a big pot of slow cooker pinto beans and cornbread. Total comfort food and ultra cheap.

Dry beans are more economical than canned, but they do require some time to prepare. Read: WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER BEANS. For emergencies and when you need something super fast, canned beans should be another cheap pantry staple.

You can make inexpensive crispy black bean tacos or chickpea curry. Both are very delicious and frugal. Read: 30 AWESOME RECIPES WITH BEANS. There's a reason why when people talk about cheap food they call it a rice and beans budget. Rice is very inexpensive and filling. It is also extremely versatile.

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.

Items worth stocking up on include:. More ways to save money on groceries. Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:.

Even in tough times, it's possible to find affordable and healthy groceries with a few smart strategies. The best ways include buying in bulk when items are on sale, shopping seasonally and loading up on pantry staples.

Compare prices online when you can look for coupons while you're there and stick to grocery stores nearby. With a little planning, your meals will be healthy and nutritious without breaking the bank.

And if you need a week off, consider ordering from one of the more affordable cheap meal delivery services. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU.

Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian.

She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups.

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