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. It comes in a number of forms. Compare prices to see what works best for you. Even garlic powder can come in handy.

fresh citrus — Prices of citrus will vary throughout the year, but having a lime, lemon, or orange on hand can add acidic flavor to any number of dishes.

Watch prices and when you see them on sale, enjoy! fresh green chiles — Buy your chiles fresh instead of canned to add heat to your cooking while spending less money. Focus on in-season, on-sale vegetables whenever possible.

Green peppers are usually cheaper than red or yellow, but you may see sales on a regular basis. Watch for marked down produce as well. frozen vegetables — In lieu of fresh, on sale veg, stock up on frozen vegetables. They are generally just as nutritious as fresh and the prep work is already done for you!

applesauce cups — Apples have become rather pricey of late, and while homemade applesauce is the better item, it can be expensive.

canned pumpkin — Available all year round, canned pumpkin can be used in sweet and savory. 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. Your email address will not be published. These stores sell some of the same products that are sold at salvage grocery stores such as close dated, outdated, overstock and discontinued shelf stable foods.

According to a study from experts at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy published January , dollar stores are the fastest-growing food retailers by household expenditure share, having doubled their share of grocery sales in rural areas.

Dollar stores sell national name brands of your favorite snacks for only a dollar, and they're also great places to find unusual imported foods, discontinued items, and exclusive products — usually at cheap prices.

Some of the products you buy at these stores might be close to or past their expiration date, but will still be safe to eat. Read the article Food Product Dating for more information about expiration dates. Wherever there's an Amish community, you're almost guaranteed to find an Amish grocery store that sells bulk foods.

Grains, beans, spices, candies and other dry goods are packaged in bags and containers and sold at bargain prices. Salvage grocery stores and dollar stores have a limited selection of products and their inventories can change on a weekly or daily basis.

It's very unlikely that you'll be able to find all of your weekly grocery needs at any one of these stores, so you'll have to do at least some of your shopping at a traditional grocery store.

The stores listed below are the cheapest places to do your grocery shopping and are listed in order from lowest priced store at the top to the highest priced store at the bottom.

Aldi comes in at first place as the food retailer with the lowest prices for the sixth year in a row. Fresh produce that's delivered daily, fresh meats and fish, and an extensive line of organic, gluten-free and vegan foods can be found at Aldi stores throughout the US no stores in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wyming.

You'll find the best deals on bread, milk, yogurt, cereals, baking essentials, fresh produce, canned goods, cheese and wine. Many products, such as coffee, grains, snacks and pastas are sold in bulk and can be purchased by the pound, and a good selection of herbs and spices can be purchased by the ounce.

You'll have to bag your own groceries and only cash and debit cards are accepted as payment. View specials and find locations at www.

Grocery Outlet has operates more than stores in California, Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. This "extreme value" supermarket has been described as "the TJMaxx of grocery stores" and they keep their loyal customers returning for the warehouse store-like prices without the membership fees.

You'll find affordable groceries and big savings on brand name items, but you'll have to be flexible when it comes to your shopping list since Grocery Outlet is, in many ways, a salvage grocery store. Considered to be New England's bargain grocery chain, the motto at Market Basket is "more for your dollar.

Some locations have a "Market's Kitchen" serving up salads, sub sandwiches, pizza, burgers, chicken wings, fried chicken and more. Food4Less operates about 50 no-frills grocery stores in Southern California, Illinois, Indiana, and Nevada.

A division of grocery giant Kroger, the company offers deeply discounted groceries, fresh produce, bakery and dairy items, ethnic foods, and meat. Select locations also include gas stations, photo processing, pharmacies, and wellness services.

According to research by Eat This, Not That , Food4Less is the most popular chain of grocery stores within California. Get coupons, view specials and find locations at www.

Lidl has an excellent fresh produce selection as well as a very impressive fresh bakery where you'll find ciabattas, focaccias, and rustic loaves made on site that can be sliced to order along with muffins, croissants artisan breads, oversized cookies, yeast doughnuts, and more.

Since Lidl is an international grocery store, they bring in lots of products from other countries: pasta from Italy, chocolate from Germany and cured meats from Spain.

They also carry familiar brands like Jif and Coca-Cola, but availability will vary and name brand product availability won't be consistent. Lidl also has an award-winning wine department that has won more than industry awards.

Never go hungry with these snacks and staples. Shop Target for grocery deals at great prices. Free shipping on orders $35+ or free same-day pickup in store From tomato paste to beans, here are the cheap grocery items chefs recommend always keeping on hand for delicious and affordable meals The Ultimate Cheap Grocery List to Save You Money · Meat and meat alternatives · Seafood · Dairy, dairy alternatives and eggs · Pantry staples

Pocket-friendly grocery deals - Discover amazing deals at Aldi, Vons, and Albertsons Safeway while getting budget-friendly meal ideas that will help you save money without Never go hungry with these snacks and staples. Shop Target for grocery deals at great prices. Free shipping on orders $35+ or free same-day pickup in store From tomato paste to beans, here are the cheap grocery items chefs recommend always keeping on hand for delicious and affordable meals The Ultimate Cheap Grocery List to Save You Money · Meat and meat alternatives · Seafood · Dairy, dairy alternatives and eggs · Pantry staples

Generic cereals are often made with the same grains and other ingredients as name-brand cereals to be just as healthy. Ramen noodles are instant noodles made from wheat flour, salt, and water and typically feature a flavoring packet.

In addition to being cheap and easy to make, ramen noodles are also highly versatile. They can be used in soups, stir-fries, salads, and desserts. You can add vegetables or meat for a more hearty, well-balanced meal. And with so many different flavor packets available, this pretty cheap food can be a great way to add variety to your diet on a budget.

Flour is one of the most versatile ingredients you can buy when broke. Add it to your cheapest groceries list to help you stretch your budget further. Four is perfect for making your own bread, pizza dough, pastries, etc.

Sugar is another one of those ingredients essential for baking, but it can also be used in plenty of ways. A bag of sugar is typically very inexpensive and has a long shelf life, making it an excellent option for those on a tight budget.

A loaf of bread provides dozens of servings and can be used for everything from sandwiches and croutons to bread pudding and French toast.

Tortillas are an excellent way to stretch your grocery budget. They can be served as a main entree with many types of meat, used as a wrap for sandwiches, or even made into chips. 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. Since Lidl is an international grocery store, they bring in lots of products from other countries: pasta from Italy, chocolate from Germany and cured meats from Spain.

They also carry familiar brands like Jif and Coca-Cola, but availability will vary and name brand product availability won't be consistent. Lidl also has an award-winning wine department that has won more than industry awards.

Most of the stores offer about 80 wines at any given time. When shopping at Lidl be sure to bring your own bags, otherwise you'll have to pay for them or go without. Save-A-Lot keeps their prices low by selling only the most purchased items and selling their own brands.

In the words of Save-A-Lot communications manager Dan Kimack: "We carry one size and one variety of each item. If it's a can of whole-kernel corn, it's going to be one size and one variety — and it's going to be the most popular size and variety.

Price Rite Marketplace is a chain of supermarkets found in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Owned by the same corporation that owns Shop Rite stores, Price Rite is a limited-assortment, deep-discount supermarket meant to compete with no-frills grocery stores such as Aldi, Lidl, and Save-a-Lot.

The older Price Rite stores don't have the service departments found in most conventional modern supermarkets, such as Deli, Bakery, Meat, and Seafood — these departments are replaced by pre-packaged offerings prepared at centralized facilities which reduces costs.

Walmart is the largest food retailer in the US, with over 3, supercenters across the country. You'll find the best deals on items sold under its Great Value brand, name brand cereals and snacks, frozen produce, paper goods, pantry staples, toiletries, laundry detergents and cleaning supplies.

According to Consumer Reports, Walmart consistently ranks toward the bottom of their listing of supermarket chains in terms of the quality of fresh foods and vegetables, meats, store-prepared foods and baked goods. Marc's Stores is a discount drugstore and grocery chain with stores in northern and central Ohio.

Marc's targets the value conscious family shopper. Marc's closeouts is one of the store's most popular departments and features the best buys that Marc's buyers can find worldwide. The chain has over 60 stores in the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, Columbus, and Dayton areas.

SAVE MONEY. SAVE FOOD. SAVE EARTH. US Map Page Find a Salvage Grocery Store Near You. SAVE MONEY SAVE FOOD. Save Money.

Save Food. Save Earth. Cheapest Grocery Stores If You Don't Have A Salvage Grocery Store Near You. Unfortunately, there aren't that many salvage grocery stores around and most of us don't have one within a reasonable driving distance. See if there's a salvage grocery store near you.

BIG SAVINGS ON GROCERY ITEMS AT DOLLAR TREE.

Pocket-friendly grocery deals - Discover amazing deals at Aldi, Vons, and Albertsons Safeway while getting budget-friendly meal ideas that will help you save money without Never go hungry with these snacks and staples. Shop Target for grocery deals at great prices. Free shipping on orders $35+ or free same-day pickup in store From tomato paste to beans, here are the cheap grocery items chefs recommend always keeping on hand for delicious and affordable meals The Ultimate Cheap Grocery List to Save You Money · Meat and meat alternatives · Seafood · Dairy, dairy alternatives and eggs · Pantry staples

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. It comes in a number of forms. Compare prices to see what works best for you. Even garlic powder can come in handy. fresh citrus — Prices of citrus will vary throughout the year, but having a lime, lemon, or orange on hand can add acidic flavor to any number of dishes.

Watch prices and when you see them on sale, enjoy! fresh green chiles — Buy your chiles fresh instead of canned to add heat to your cooking while spending less money.

Focus on in-season, on-sale vegetables whenever possible. Green peppers are usually cheaper than red or yellow, but you may see sales on a regular basis. Watch for marked down produce as well. frozen vegetables — In lieu of fresh, on sale veg, stock up on frozen vegetables.

They are generally just as nutritious as fresh and the prep work is already done for you! applesauce cups — Apples have become rather pricey of late, and while homemade applesauce is the better item, it can be expensive.

canned pumpkin — Available all year round, canned pumpkin can be used in sweet and savory. 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.

The price shift is most visible when you're making your weekly trip to the supermarket. However, not all stores were created equal. Minimizing your grocery bill starts by picking the stores with the lowest possible prices.

We've rounded up the top six low-cost grocery stores in the United States, from regionally specific chains to nationwide and even international brands. These stores have everything you may need for your grocery haul without the massive price tag. If you haven't shopped at Aldi yet, you're missing out on some of the cheapest groceries around.

According to YouGov , a market research and data analytics firm, Aldi is considered one of the most popular grocery stores in the country. Not only is the product quality top-tier, the German-based company's business model is designed to minimize the cost to the consumer.

According to Aldi , 90 percent of the products on their shelves are private-label brands. Other things, like the 25 cent returnable deposit to use the shopping carts, bagging your own groceries, and not listening to licensed music on the overhead speakers, decrease the store's overhead costs, which helps keep prices low.

And selecting produce out of the crates they came in rather than from aesthetically stacked displays is a small price to pay for cheap groceries. This four-letter German company also operates on a low-cost model, but it's not the same as Aldi.

Lidl has been offering affordable groceries since the s and is actively expanding across the East Coast of the U. Although there are fewer locations than Aldi, they're constantly in close competition for stocking the cheapest groceries. The selection of items is curated to keep the essentials in stock, instead of the added expense of keeping every variety and brand on the shelf.

Their private label brands also have a Love It Guarantee , which means if a product doesn't meet your standards you can get your money back and exchange the item for something else.

This big-box store has all of the appeal of members-only clubs like Costco or Sam's Club , but without the expensive fees. WinCo Foods boasts locations across the West Coast, and is almost entirely employee-owned—which means their staff receive better wages and benefits.

And yet the prices are still low. WinCo purchases directly from farmers and manufacturers and has a large quantity of bulk foods, which means their prices undercut many other low-cost retailers. Another way to cut costs is by not accepting credit cards for payment.

But fear not: they do allow payment with debit cards and federal food assistance cards. Market Basket is one of the smaller chains on this list, but their savings make it one of the most affordable places to shop in the U.

A recent study provided by the customer data firm dunnhumby revealed that the New England-based chain was the "top grocery retailer for inflationary times.

For over years, Market Basket has maintained the fierce loyalty of their customers for the high quality food at low prices. You can find anything from international cheeses, freshly squeezed juices, to even handmade sushi without racking up a massive grocery bill.

Trader Joe's is one of our go-to spots for affordable essentials, some of the best frozen food around, and unique snacks.

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