With a food budget and a system for making budget-friendly meals, you can make ends meet with extra to spare. The secret is knowing which food items deserve your hard earned money.

Lower your food bill when you plan meals based on generally affordable ingredients. A budget grocery list offers flexibility. I first created a cheap grocery list after we purchased our first home and money was tight. I started a spiral notebook and jotted down all the budget foods we enjoyed along with meal ideas to go with.

In this way, I was never short of inspiration for cheap meals. Your budget grocery list is nothing more than a list of generally affordable ingredients that you can turn to when you need to pivot.

If chicken breast is too expensive this week, what can you have instead? One of the easiest ways to save a little money is to build your grocery shopping list with the best cheap foods your household enjoys.

Here are some of the cheapest groceries you can buy these days:. Protein is usually going to be the most expensive category in your local grocery store.

When you find a great price on foods you normally buy, buy extra to store for later. eggs — Eggs are great budget foods in baking, but also serve as a key protein element on their own or worked into casseroles, salads, or sandwiches.

canned beans — Add beans to soups, salads, chilis, and burritos in addition to serving them as a side dish. Add them to your list tout de suite. lentils -Lentils are a hearty budget food, a cheap protein that you can add to soup and salads.

You can also make homemade dal and save on restaurant food prices. dry split peas — A key ingredient in Instant Pot Split Pea Soup , split peas are another cheap plant protein.

canned chick peas — You can serve garbanzo beans in salads and soup, but you can also make your own Homemade Garlic Lime Hummus. Some cuts will be cheaper than others, but generally speaking pork will be cheaper than most chicken, beef, or fish. Load up when you see a sale and stash the extra in the freezer.

chicken legs and chicken thighs — Bone-in chicken legs and thighs tend to be the most affordable cuts of chicken. Compare prices at the store though! I have seen situations when the boneless skinless breast was cheaper than chicken legs or quarters.

Consider it as a viable option for soups, casseroles, and Chicken Salad Sandwiches. ground turkey — While ground beef is super easy to stretch, the price of beef can be too high for many budgets. Ground turkey is a nice alternative, but make sure that the only other ingredient besides turkey is rosemary extract.

This will ensure a very fresh clean flavor and not that weird ground turkey thing that turns people off. canned tuna — Widely available and generally affordable, canned tuna has been a good cheap eat for generations.

sausage — Bacon may be your preference, but bacon prices probably are not. Consider sausage as a more affordable alternative to bacon. You can find it in all kinds of flavors, including turkey, pork, and even plant-based options.

ham — Like its fresh pork counterpart, ham is going to be the more affordable lunch meat. marked down meats — Depending on where you shop, you may be able to keep any meat you like on the table by purchasing marked down meats.

Talk to your butcher about their manager specials and when they sell those items at a discount. Use or freeze these cuts prior to their best-by dates. It can be fried, scrambled, grilled, baked, and even worked into smoothies.

peanut butter — Peanut butter is another affordable plant protein, one of those budget foods that can jazz up smoothies, breakfast toast, and baked goods. 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.

Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling. You will often, but not always, find the best deal in the bigger bags of grains.

Be sure to store them in airtight containers to prevent food waste. rice — Rice is key for breakfast, lunch, or dinner: in Cream Of Rice , Vegetable Fried Rice , or as a base for bowl meals.

Rice is one of those no-brainer budget foods to add to your list of pantry staples. oats — Use oats for Baked Oatmeal Cups, as oatmeal, or in granola. They are a powerhouse of fiber and super cheap to buy.

It makes for a good cheap eat any night of the week. Ditch the msg-laden seasoning packet and make your ramen something more. The noodles are super cheap and quick to fix. tortillas — You can do so many things with tortillas: pizza! and enchiladas! They are definitely a great addition to your budget grocery list.

There are so many things to do with flour! Bake bread, rolls, pizza, and so much more. Flour is a must-add to your budget grocery list. Baking at home is fun and can save you a lot of money compared to commercial or more expensive bakery items. Keep these grocery items on hand:.

sugar — Since baking your own is almost always cheaper than buying it pre-made, have some sugar on hand. baking soda — Likewise with the leavening. salt — Salt is a necessary nutrient for life, but also a great seasoning for meat, veggies, and baked goods.

baking powder — Baking powder is required for a number of baked goods, but remember you can make your own baking powder if need be. dry active yeast — Store bread is pricy, unless you buy it on clearance. Baking your own bread is the way to go!

Start with something easy like Everything Hamburger Buns and work yourself up to a sandwich loaf, like Sourdough Rye Bread. Shopping in the snack aisle can jack your bill up tremendously. Avoid impulse purchases and make your own snacks and treats at home. popcorn — Popcorn is a great snack that costs just a few pennies per serving!

You can even make your own microwave popcorn. This caramel corn recipe is currently on repeat at my house. Raisins and dried cranberries are generally affordable and a little goes a long way. saltine crackers — Many crackers can be incredibly expensive, but soda crackers are long lasting and generally the cheapest on the shelf.

Fresh fruit and veggies are an important component to a healthy diet. You can often find good deals on fresh produce if you buy items that are in season. Remember canned or frozen fruit and veggies are a great option as well.

canned crushed tomatoes — Crushed tomatoes are a key component in Marinara Sauce. Why buy canned pasta sauce when you can make your own in minutes. canned tomato paste — Likewise, tomato paste is an important ingredient to pizza sauce which is so much more affordable to make at home.

canned tomato sauce — Having canned tomato sauce on hand makes for easy soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes. cabbage — Cabbage is one of the longer lasting vegetables. Whether you buy it shredded or whole, make sure cabbage is on your budget grocery list.

bananas — A nutrient-dense food, bananas are great for snacking, for homemade baby food, for baking, and for smoothies. carrots — Another long lasting vegetable that is generally affordable, carrots are a staple to keep on hand for snacks, roasting, baking, and soup-making.

They generally last long and can be used in so many dishes. celery — One of the main components in stir-fries, veggie platters, and mirepoix, celery is typically a good cheap eat that will last you awhile in the fridge. onions — Onions are a building block of almost any savory recipe.

Buy them in bulk, and load up when you see a sale. garlic — Garlic packs a lot of flavor for a small price. Celery is a budget-friendly vegetable with a distinct and unique flavor that can be added to multiple recipes.

To prolong the life of your celery, place it in a jar with a small amount of water. Lemons are great for adding an acidic kick to your dishes and can be used in both savory and sweet recipes.

They make great marinades and dressings as well, like my Lemon Vinaigrette. For example, powdered milk is a cheap alternative to fresh milk. Sweet cream butter is often the cheapest option, and since butter can be easily frozen until you need it, if you see a deal, stock up!

If you really want smooth whipped butter, you can make your own! My Honey Butter recipe is a perfect option for spreading on cornbread or biscuits. Instead of buying smaller containers of flavored yogurt, buy non-fat yogurt in larger containers and add cinnamon, honey, raisins, or other flavors yourself.

Plus, yogurt can be used as an egg substitute in baking if the cost of eggs is too high. Avoid the pre-sliced cheese bags and save some cash by grating your own cheese. Opt for harder cheese like Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, parmesan, and Swiss, which last several weeks in the refrigerator after being opened.

If you need some hearty meal ideas to stretch your budget, check out my Stovetop Mac and Cheese and my Cheese Grits recipe.

Frozen items last much longer than fresh and can be portioned out, which means less waste in the long run. You can also save even more money by freezing your leftovers for another day. Frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, and beans , provide a good selection of different nutrients and are one of the most affordable bags of frozen veggies.

Berries can be added to a number of items including desserts, overnight oats, or cereals. I use berries in breakfast recipes like my Croissant Breakfast Casserole , as well as in sweet treats like my Strawberry Cake recipe. Ground beef can be used to make a variety of meals, including chili , burritos , spaghetti bolognese sauce , and casseroles.

You can save money by buying larger packs in bulk look for sales , portioning, and freezing them. Similar to ground beef, buying chicken breasts in bulk can be very cost-effective, and buying it frozen is often cheaper than fresh.

In the U. Do your homework before you shop to find the stores that have the best deals and prices. Sign up to benefit from member-only discounts and special offers.

Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying individual items. The savings might seem small, but it all adds up. Going along with buying in bulk, if you order a larger cut of meat like chuck roast for example , it can be cooked and then used in many different recipes like filling casseroles or hearty stews.

Generic grocery products were first introduced in the s during record levels of inflation and are still incredibly relevant today. Branded products are more expensive than generic or supermarket-owned brands.

Often cheaper brands have the same ingredients as big brands but are half the price. Supermarkets constantly run promotions to compete with other leading retailers, so take advantage of BOGO buy one get one sales and other discounts whenever you can.

Get the most out of your supermarket shopping by clipping coupons. Get a copy of the weekly newspaper in the mail and spend time finding deals that are relevant to you. Cut out and save the coupons for your next shop.

Alternatively, there are digital coupons that can be found on relevant shopping apps. You can check popular sites like Pillsbury. com, BettyCrocker. com, and Coupons. Not only will using your leftovers save you money, but it also helps to reduce food waste. Make your food last longer by preserving and storing it correctly.

Common methods of food preservation include freezing, chilling, salting, sugaring, canning, and vacuum packing. Experiment with different methods and find one that works for you. You can make your own preserves using leftover fruit, like my Damson Plum Reserves.

Creating wholesome and affordable meals for your family is easier than you think. The following recipes only require a small number of ingredients, making them great budget-friendly meals for your whole family to enjoy:. Read More. Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Wonderful information. Thanks for all your work composing the lists. I enjoy your Sunday post and keeping up with your family. I was surprised and pleased that your budget shopping list was so close to my own shopping list.

My husband and I are seniors on a fixed income and have made lots of adjustments to our grocery shopping in the last few years. Thanks for this article and for your recipes. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Skip to content Get 5 quick-prep meals you can make tonight.

Carrots, potatoes and bananas are usually cheap and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Get seasonings from the dollar store. They're usually 1 lbs bag of rice ($). Four pounds of whatever vegetable is in season (zucchini is $lb, so $). That's 14 meals for $, just over Missing

Low-cost grocery finds - 5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On · Rice and Beans · Potatoes · Jarred Items · Herb Purées · Tomato Paste Carrots, potatoes and bananas are usually cheap and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Get seasonings from the dollar store. They're usually 1 lbs bag of rice ($). Four pounds of whatever vegetable is in season (zucchini is $lb, so $). That's 14 meals for $, just over Missing

You can get even thriftier by buying kernels and popping your own corn on the stove. Who said a cheese board had to be fancy? These usually ring up at less than five dollars. You can find nuts for pretty cheap at the supermarket. Bonus points if you buy them in bulk for extra savings. Be sure to check out your pantry when you want to munch between meals.

With a little creativity, you should have plenty of goodies on hand to help tide you over. Here are a few more helpful hints to keep your budget in check.

Having a detailed list is key when it comes to a cheap grocery list. I particularly love this adorable meal planner notepad you can use for every meal. It also includes a section to write your weekly shopping list. One of the biggest ways that we overspend on groceries?

Food waste! Before your next grocery store trip, make sure to do an inventory of everything that you currently have on hand.

Just because you have leftovers does not mean that you have to eat the same thing for every single meal. The leftover pulled pork you have would be great on nachos or on a baked potato.

Have fun with it and get creative! Fresh produce can be some of the most expensive things at the store. Although the frozen section may not look as appealing as the colorful produce section, the nutritional benefits are the same.

A win-win situation if you ask me! I love having frozen mixed vegetables on hand to quickly throw into stir frys or soups. Must like their frozen counterparts, canned foods are packaged at their nutritional peak and many of those nutrients are retained through the canning process.

The best part? My local farmers market runs incredible deals on fresh produce just before closing up for the day. Do you love a ribeye steak but hate the price?

While there are certainly more prime cuts, if you are marinating or slow cooking, you may be able to save money by choosing a more traditionally tough or fatty portion.

Many grocery stores will have sections set aside for food that is nearing its expiration date. These items, most often found in the meat and dairy sections, are great options to save a little extra money, especially if you are shopping for ingredients for a meal that same day or the next!

Although receiving extra emails from your local supermarket may be one more item you send to your spam folder, in many cases, joining the loyalty program is free and comes with tons of perks. There are numerous cash back apps that make saving money on your grocery bill a breeze.

Apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards offer coupons and cash back on everyday grocery items when you scan your receipts. Or, use apps like KCL or Flipp to find and organize digital coupons and savings from the retailers that you shop at most often!

For common ingredients, such as rice, beans, or nuts, buying in bulk can not only save you and the planet from unnecessary packaging, but also big money! Tip: Check out the spice section of your local supermarket, especially if you are looking for a unique spice or seasoning. Buying just the right amount for a recipe will prevent you from spending money on an expensive jar that will just gather dust in the back of your pantry!

I know the stores in my area that have the best deals for specific items. I really love the Standard Baggu —it comes in tons of colors and folds up into a neat little pouch. Shopping on a strict budget may seem like doing the impossible, but when you only have a certain amount to spend each week, there are certain items that you should be prioritizing.

Rather than purchasing groceries that can only be used for one dish, think creatively and use your ingredients for multiple meals.

Tip : Think ahead and plan your weekly trip with the entire month in mind. A frozen vegetable stir fry for adding to soups, rice dishes, or eating on their own. Tinned protein think: chicken or tuna to add bulk and nutrients to dishes like salads and stir fry.

Purchase carbohydrates in bulk, such as noodles, rice, or quinoa for added fiber. Romaine lettuce to add crunch to meals, serve as a salad, or create lettuce wraps with. If you have a bit more money to work with each week, you can expand your menu to include fresh produce, dairy, and snack options, along with the items above.

Shredded cheese to add to tacos, sandwiches, or just to munch on. A pound of ground beef or turkey for tacos or spaghetti sauce. This is great for a healthy snack or to add to salads. Choose something versatile, like onions, sweet potato, bell peppers, or zucchinis.

Fresh bread for sandwiches, bread crumbs, or even french toast. Having a cheap grocery list can sometimes feel like a professional sport. Next time you run to the supermarket, refer back to this list so that you can save some of your hard-earned coin.

Happy shopping! Cart 0. Lifestyle Wellness Food Fitness Travel Shop About Contact. Cheap pantry staples to always have on hand 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.

Beans dried or canned I love to add a can of beans to a pound of ground turkey to make it stretch a bit further. Rice Rice is a chameleon in the kitchen. Pasta Is there anything more comforting or delicious than a bowl of warm, buttered pasta?

Instant mashed potatoes Instant potatoes have come a long way from the grainy glop you may remember from childhood. Tortilla Aside from the obvious burritos, tacos, quesadillas, oh my! Dried fruit Here is another item that you can use for tons of different applications.

Quick oats Oats give you a huge dosage of fiber, and you can use them in so many different ways. Grocery Shopping List. Weekly Shopping List. Which fresh fruits and vegetables should you be buying?

Bananas An individual banana usually costs around a quarter. Celery Celery sticks are perfect for sweet and savory snacks. Apples At first glance of the price tag, apples may not seem like the cheapest fruit at the store.

Bell peppers Colorful bell peppers are a perfect veggie to add bulk to any meal. Onions Onions are another ingredient that adds flavor to every dish and are usually pretty cheap!

Before you go to the store, check through your cupboards to see what you actually need — and stick to your list! Here are 30 essential budget groceries to help you save money in the kitchen.

You can download a free PDF of the ultimate budget grocery list HERE! When grocery shopping on a budget, aim to focus on some key pantry items that can be used for multiple recipes and can remain on your shelves until you need them.

This creates a foundation for you to build upon with other ingredients. All-purpose flour is a go-to type of flour that can be used in multiple recipes and can even be used as bread flour in a pinch.

Meals that are made using flour tend to be hearty and wholesome, which will leave you feeling satisfied and full. For filling snacks and breakfast items, oats are cheap and easy to make.

Rice is a must for a budget grocery list. If you need some recipe ideas, check out my Chicken and Rice Casserole , or my Dump and Bake Italian Meatball and Rice Casserole recipe.

Pasta is another filling food that can be used in a variety of different ways. They can be easily added to stews, chili, and soup, or you can use them for pizza and pasta sauce, lasagna, and DIY salsa.

I regularly use canned tomatoes to make my Dump-and-Bake Salsa Chicken recipe. Canned chickpeas can be used straight away, whereas dried chickpeas need to be prepared by soaking them overnight so they can expand and soften.

Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed type, meaning it retains its vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthier oil overall. It can be used for all types of cooking as well as drizzling, dipping, seasoning, and marinating, and is great for DIY salad dressings as an alternative to pricey bottled dressings.

Lentils are great for stews, soups, curries, and salads. Salt is a must-have for a well-stocked pantry. Beyond sprinkling it on just about everything, you can use it for DIY seasoning on meat and vegetables, preserving items, and pickling although pickling salt is recommended for the latter, which can be used as table salt if you want.

Buying salt in bulk will save you money, and you can also use it around the house for getting stains out of coffee cups and pots, sanitizing cutting boards, and for restoring worn sponges just soak them in salt and water overnight.

Adding pepper to your recipes can transform the taste. Another addition to your budget grocery list is apple cider vinegar, which can be used in numerous recipes and can be used for cleaning up afterward. I use it in many of my recipes including my Roasted Chicken Breast with Molasses and Apples and my Cowboy Baked Beans.

Or, combine it with olive oil for an easy salad dressing or marinade. Chicken stock is a versatile and cheap pantry item that can be used to create sauces, gravy, chicken stew, and soups. To save some cash, consider baking your own bread!

My dinner rolls and easy homemade bread are two great beginner bread recipes to get you started. Sugar is another must-have for your budget grocery list.

Not to mention, between , the cost of bakery products and cereal saw the highest increase among individual grocery items a By baking instead of buying pre-made products like cakes, cookies, breakfast pastries, and more you can save some cash.

Baking powder and baking soda can be used in a variety of dishes and are necessities for home bakers. If you want to save cash on store-bought baked goods by baking your own, both of these ingredients should be in your pantry.

When considering which budget-friendly groceries to buy, stick to produce that can be used in multiple ways. For example, onion and garlic are used for pasta dishes, stews, casseroles, and more, while potatoes can be a great breakfast item like hash browns, or a chilled lunch side like potato salad.

Whenever possible, buy in bulk to reduce costs even further. You can also prep and freeze certain produce to use later. Onions are a must-have as almost every savory recipe calls for them. 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.

If you store them correctly in a cool, dark, and dry place, onions should last for months. Much like onions, garlic is a staple item in most kitchens.

Potatoes are an incredibly versatile and economical food with a fairly long shelf life about two months if stored in the refrigerator.

They can be mashed, baked, roasted, fried, and steamed and are great for filling up hungry bellies. Cabbage is a cheap, long-lasting vegetable that can be used in different ways.

You can add it to recipes such as hearty stews and soup or create a tasty side dish. For an easy cabbage recipe that you can make in bulk and stash away in the freezer, try my Crockpot Cabbage Soup recipe. They can be eaten raw as a healthy snack or roasted, baked, and steamed.

Plus, they make a colorful addition to soups and salads. One of my favorite things to do with carrots is to make homemade carrot cake. Celery is a budget-friendly vegetable with a distinct and unique flavor that can be added to multiple recipes.

To prolong the life of your celery, place it in a jar with a small amount of water. Lemons are great for adding an acidic kick to your dishes and can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. They make great marinades and dressings as well, like my Lemon Vinaigrette.

For example, powdered milk is a cheap alternative to fresh milk. Sweet cream butter is often the cheapest option, and since butter can be easily frozen until you need it, if you see a deal, stock up!

If you really want smooth whipped butter, you can make your own! My Honey Butter recipe is a perfect option for spreading on cornbread or biscuits. Instead of buying smaller containers of flavored yogurt, buy non-fat yogurt in larger containers and add cinnamon, honey, raisins, or other flavors yourself.

Plus, yogurt can be used as an egg substitute in baking if the cost of eggs is too high.

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