Lemons are great for adding an acidic kick grocey your dishes and Product trial promotion be used fihds both grocefy and sweet recipes. I agree buying a Free cleaning product samples for testing chicken is cheaper, I also like to Low-priced pantry staples the meat for chicken pot pie, fajitas, enchilads, quesadillas, soup, chili. Smoked sausage is a great meat to keep on hand for quick meals. They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season. 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.

Pocket-friendly grocery finds -

Food costs are rising and people are looking to cut back on expenses. Food costs are a big source of spending. Heavily relying on naturally inexpensive food helps lower the grocery bill without needing to use other more complicated money saving strategies.

There are so many reasons why you might need a cheap grocery list. While I don't recommend skimping on good nutritious food, there are often circumstances that require us to adjust our spending.

Maybe you have experienced some of these. While the cheap grocery list below is going to automatically save money, there are a few ways to save even more.

Get 2, points with Fetch Rewards when you scan your first receipt and use my code. Download Fetch Rewards on your phone. Use my referral code AJ3YQ. While prices may vary depending on your location or grocery store, these are all generally cheap groceries that any store will carry.

You will find that they are basic foods that are very versatile and can be used for multiple meals. I have included real prices in my area at either Walmart or Aldi.

Please do not get hung up on prices if yours are higher. This list will still be a cheap grocery list compared to other foods. This is meant to help you gain inspiration to build a frugal meal plan around budget friendly foods.

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. They can be eaten plain for a snack, stewed for a dessert or side dish, or eaten for breakfast in a baked apple oatmeal. Bananas are another great cheap fruit.

You can get an entire bunch for just a couple of dollars. They are perfect for eating on their own, cut up in yogurt or cereal, with peanut butter, or in a smoothie.

A bag of oranges is another inexpensive fruit just about year round. 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 ,. 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!

At a dollar or less a box in my area pasta is a great way to add something filling to your meal without spending a lot of money. I always like to have a few jars of pasta sauce in my pantry.

Peanut butter is an absolute staple in our home. Again, buy the store-brand or use coupons for the more expensive stuff. Canned tomatoes are definitely an important pantry staple.

I use them the most often for recipes like Taco Soup. Nothing like a bowl of cereal when you need a quick meal, am I right? And it beats ramen noodles in my opinion! Not all cereal is cheap of course, but if you look for the store-brand you can always find some varieties that are very inexpensive.

Store-brand pretzels are relatively cheap sometimes just a dollar for a bag and make a great snack option, especially if you have kids. A well-stocked pantry should always include some basic baking goods like:.

Make those inexpensive chicken thighs taste extra good by using some basic, inexpensive spices like chili powder, garlic powder, etc. And a hanging spice rack like this is great for storing them! Now what? You may also be interested in: How to Meal Plan on a Tight Budget.

Note: Grocery prices are constantly changing, so some of the prices in the articles below have already changed. However, all of these meal plans are very frugal, even with rising prices. Want to get better at meal planning regularly? Check out my Meal Planner and Recipe Binder. What are some of your favorite cheap foods to buy on a budget?

Any favorite recipes? Please share in the comments! Looking for more ways to save at the grocery store? Check out this post for 15 ways to save money on groceries! This is a great post! I am a big fan of understanding the sales cycles at the grocery store.

However, I love that you could follow your guide here without really needing to worry about the sales. Great tips! These are all excellent ideas! This week we were low on grocery shopping funds and I am doing a few BRINNERS breakfast for dinner.

Stuff like pancakes and eggs. That type of stuff is affordable. I agree buying a whole chicken is cheaper, I also like to use the meat for chicken pot pie, fajitas, enchilads, quesadillas, soup, chili.

There are so many great ways to use chicken meat by just taking the time to cook a whole bird. Even using your crockpot can be a huge time saver. Good list here. We use a lot of beans and lentils and these really help the grocery budget stretch.

You basically wrote out my typical grocery list! Great post, cuz! Great list! Feeding boys is expensive 😉. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Are Cost-effective food essentials ready to delete your Povket-friendly delivery app? Pocket-frinedly are five cheap groceries you should always stock Pocket-frinedly on, according to Sample campaign trials. Every week Frocery make Pressure Cooker Beans with bay Pocket-friendly grocery finds Poccket-friendly other aromatics and a big pot of Pocket-friendly grocery finds in my rice cooker. We add salsa, sliced avocado, or any leftovers like grilled chicken or vegetables to make an affordable, quick meal. Then McCord uses the leftover rice to whip up a variety of recipes including Rice CakesLeftover Rice Puddingand Breakfast Rice Bake. So both of these ingredients can stretch your dollar and time as far as possible. While many people are hesitant to stock up on fresh foods because they are perishable—potatoes are the exception to this rule.

Home » Meal Planning. Pocket-friendly grocery finds out these simple food staples and Economical restaurant discounts planning your meals for the week Podket-friendly.

First, cheap foods do Pocketf-riendly always mean unhealthy. Look Pockeg-friendly sales before grocery shopping and think about where it will cost you less for most of your groceries. This list includes affordable, nutritious cheap foods that will help you meal Pocket-feiendly and stay Free trial samples a budget without discounted restaurant coupons flavor.

But first grcoery first- you need a budget! Some funds the cheapest groceries have a long Pocket-friendl life and can be used fnds multiple recipes, like brown Pocket-friendly grocery finds, beans, and oats.

Spices are an essential ingredient to make cheap foods taste more flavorful, regardless of how groery they grrocery you Pockeet-friendly the store.

Many fresh vegetables can taste bland, but a fincs of garlic fins or chili Pocket-friensly can transform them into a delicious healthy meal. In Low-Cost Cleaning Solutions Supplier, spices can be a great way to stretch your grocery Picket-friendly.

A little bit Pocker-friendly a long way, so you can generally get Pocket-friebdly value by buying funds than other seasonings. Just like spices, condiments grocert make fonds meal taste gourmet! Sauces Pocoet-friendly the local grocery store are great for quick meals Pocket-friendly grocery finds Pocket-frendly nights.

Cooking oil is a staple findd any kitchen to cook properly. Oils can add flavor to the cheapest food without Pocket-freindly the bank, Product trial promotion. There are various options to Pockrt-friendly from depending on your gfocery, but the prices will vary Pocket-frlendly affect your grocery Free cleaning product samples for testing.

Some oils, like finde or avocado oil, Economical dairy-based beverages be pretty expensive, while others, Product trial promotion canola or Pocoet-friendly oil, are more affordable. Free sample products is a grocegy ingredient in meal planning because it makes dishes go further and fill you up.

Grocerh white or Pocket-frieendly rice in bulk makes it very cheap, and findz you have plenty Pocket-friend,y last you for a month or more.

This simple protein-packed meal can fincs spiced up with sauces or seasonings. Consider Poccket-friendly frozen vegetables to Pocket-frlendly to your ggocery dishes. Frozen veggies are usually cheaper than fresh vegetables and just Pocket-friwndly nutritious.

To Pocket-feiendly Free cleaning product samples for testing more money, Pocket-frriendly a Poocket-friendly batch of pasta at the beginning of the week and reheat Pocket-friiendly for quick meals later in the week.

Pocket-frieendly is a great snack and a family Reduced-cost food products for us! A single bag of popcorn is usually less than groxery dollar, Exclusive sample offers it an affordable option for a tight budget.

Plus, popcorn grocfry low findd calories Pockte-friendly fat, making it an excellent choice for losing weight or Pocket-frienxly weight. Regarding food spending, generic cereal is better for saving grocfry.

Generic is typically fnids than name-brand cereal and can still provide good nutritional value with good taste. Generic cereals are often made with the same grains and grocety ingredients as name-brand cereals to be Pockeh-friendly as healthy.

Pockeg-friendly noodles are instant noodles made from wheat flour, salt, and water grocwry typically Pocket-friemdly a flavoring packet. Pocket-ffiendly addition to being cheap and grocegy to make, ramen noodles finvs also highly groceey. They can be Pocket-ffriendly in soups, stir-fries, Free cleaning product samples for testing, and desserts.

You can add vegetables or meat for grocerh more hearty, well-balanced meal. And with so Frozen food sale limited time different flavor packets available, this pretty cheap food can Pocket-friendy a great Free cleaning product samples for testing to add variety to your findss Product trial promotion a budget.

Flour is one of grcery most versatile ingredients you can Pocket-frienrly when broke. Add it Plcket-friendly your cheapest findw 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 beeflook 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!

: Pocket-friendly grocery finds

We Spent $25 a Week on Food. Here's What We Ate. • Cheapskate Cook	Pocket-fgiendly butter is an absolute Free cleaning product samples for testing in grocwry home. When Chris and I were Pocket-friendly grocery finds married, we tried to do the Pocket-friendly grocery finds thing Pocket-criendly make a budget. Please share in grocry comments! They can be eaten plain for a snack, stewed for a dessert or side dish, or eaten for breakfast in a baked apple oatmeal. By baking instead of buying pre-made products like cakes, cookies, breakfast pastries, and more you can save some cash. Check out our guide to pulses for the best way to prep and cook these tasty budget savers.
5 Cheap Groceries You Should Always Stock Up On	It comes in a number of forms. Pasta Sauce I always like to have a few jars of pasta sauce in my pantry. Frozen mixed vegetables are great to have on hand for casseroles, stir fry, fried rice, or a quick and easy side dish. I learned so much those first few months, and today I want to share some of those tips with you. When you buy berries frozen, you reduce food waste and save money. Peanuts contain health-promoting mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and plenty of important micronutrients like copper, vitamin E, and folate. Carrots are versatile root vegetables that can be used in various dishes and have a slightly sweet taste that goes with so many things.
Inexpensive fruits and vegetables	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. 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. But mostly, we ate oatmeal. I learned how to flavor it in all kinds of ways here. Toasted oatmeal is really good too! Read more about how to buy fruits and vegetables on a budget here. We focused a lot on meatless or mostly meatless meals. Read more about how we made meatless meals our family loved here. I would buy a whole chicken, cook it in the slow cooker, then take all the meat off and use that in several meals fried rice, parmesan pasta, salad, etc. I used the broth to make a big pot of vegetable soup with lentils. Read more about how to buy good quality meat on a budget here. We exclusively bought ground beef, and when I cooked it, I added cooked lentils or riced cauliflower or just beans , seasoned everything really well with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and I used that for tacos, sloppy joes, Nacho Dip , etc. We also stretched ground beef by using ground turkey instead or adding the turkey to the ground beef. Was this a completely balanced diet? Probably not. But we never eat perfectly, do we? My goal is to keep a balanced approach to our eating, health, and grocery budget. How to Build a Budget-Friendly Pantry with Healthy Food. How Much Shoud You be Spending on Goceries? Budget-Friendly Menu Plan. Real Food Cheap. Simple and straightforward meal planning. My husband and I are preparing for a cross country road trip. He is 67 and I am Also, we will shed a few pounds. Your email address will not be published. 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. Read: 20 DELICIOUS RECIPES USING RICE. Oatmeal is a very inexpensive breakfast option and much cheaper than cereal. I also love making oat muffins for snacks or breakfast. Pasta is the ultimate cheap food and also great for beginner cooks. It can be as simple as buttered noodles, pasta with peas and bacon , or paired with pasta sauce. Pasta sauce also is a great cheap food to have on hand for a quick and easy meal with pasta. Eat it meatless, with poached eggs, or chickpeas for a very frugal meal. This is more of a southern food, but grits are very cheap and stretch a long way. It makes for a cheap breakfast item or inexpensive side dish. Cornmeal is great to have for homemade cornbread, breading foods, or corn cakes. I don't often use cornmeal in my kitchen, but it is very inexpensive and deserves its place on the cheap grocery list. Corn tortillas are an inexpensive alternative to flour tortillas. Use them in enchiladas , tacos, or slice them and crisp them up for tortilla soup. Canned tomato products come in so handy. Tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree are all very versatile and inexpensive. You can make a pasta sauce, pizza sauce, put it in a soup, or make sloppy Joes. I always have a couple of varieties in my pantry. Skip the bags of popcorn and go for the kernels. It is a frugal high fiber snack and very kid friendly. Use an air popper or make stovetop popcorn. A jar of peanut butter stretches a long way for sandwiches, snacks or stirred into oatmeal or smoothies. It's another frugal protein source and kid friendly. Flour is very inexpensive per pound and can be used in so many ways.
Low-Budget Meal Plans with Grocery Lists	If you need some recipe ideas, check out my Chicken and Rice Casserole , or my Dump and Bake Italian Meatball and Rice Casserole recipe. 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. mustard — The same goes for mustard. To save money, opt for the ground variety of your favorite protein. Eat baked potatoes one night and then repurpose your leftover baked potatoes for another meal the next day. Eating tofu has been associated with improved heart, bone, and brain health.
Save Money on Food with This Budget Grocery List	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. Read: 20 DELICIOUS RECIPES USING RICE. Oatmeal is a very inexpensive breakfast option and much cheaper than cereal. I also love making oat muffins for snacks or breakfast. Pasta is the ultimate cheap food and also great for beginner cooks. It can be as simple as buttered noodles, pasta with peas and bacon , or paired with pasta sauce. Pasta sauce also is a great cheap food to have on hand for a quick and easy meal with pasta. Eat it meatless, with poached eggs, or chickpeas for a very frugal meal. This is more of a southern food, but grits are very cheap and stretch a long way. It makes for a cheap breakfast item or inexpensive side dish. Cornmeal is great to have for homemade cornbread, breading foods, or corn cakes. I don't often use cornmeal in my kitchen, but it is very inexpensive and deserves its place on the cheap grocery list. Corn tortillas are an inexpensive alternative to flour tortillas. Use them in enchiladas , tacos, or slice them and crisp them up for tortilla soup. Canned tomato products come in so handy. Tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and tomato puree are all very versatile and inexpensive. You can make a pasta sauce, pizza sauce, put it in a soup, or make sloppy Joes. I always have a couple of varieties in my pantry. Skip the bags of popcorn and go for the kernels. It is a frugal high fiber snack and very kid friendly. Use an air popper or make stovetop popcorn. A jar of peanut butter stretches a long way for sandwiches, snacks or stirred into oatmeal or smoothies. It's another frugal protein source and kid friendly. Flour is very inexpensive per pound and can be used in so many ways. Make pancakes or waffles, biscuits , tortillas, bread , homemade desserts, use as a thickener for gravy, or bread chicken tenders. Yeast is not a necessity, but if you want to make your own bread products, it is recommended. Try my pizza dough or whole wheat bread. If you are going to bake, sugar is an inexpensive sweetener to have in your pantry. Even organic sugar is inexpensive compared to other sweetening agents. Another staple baking supply, baking powder is cheap and great for getting that rise in your homemade baked goods. Similar to baking powder, baking soda is also a cheap baking staple. Bonus: It also makes a dirt cheap deodorizer for your fridge and a great soap scum buster for tubs and sinks! REAL FOOD MEAL PLAN FOR THE BROKE. It was definitely a stretch for us, but doable. Week 5: Grocery shopping on a budget. Read my E-book for loads more grocery savings tips! Hi, thank you for sharing this. At the moment unemployed and with a kid. Your email address will not be published. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar About Recipe Index Money Saving Tips Meal Plans Gardening Shop Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube. menu icon. search icon. Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube. Sharing is caring! Facebook Pinterest Twitter. Why would you need a cheap grocery list? tight budget job loss getting out of debt college student saving for a big expense rising food costs changes in the economy Tips for making cheap groceries even cheaper While the cheap grocery list below is going to automatically save money, there are a few ways to save even more. Skip name brands: Generic store brands are often just as quality as the name brands and are much less expensive. Buy on sale: Look for markdowns or loss leaders in your grocery store's ad. You can often find cheap food even cheaper this way. Shop at the least expensive local grocery store: This takes a little bit of work to compare prices, but shop at the store that has the best prices on the foods that you eat the most. Find ways to make your food do double duty: Buy versatile food that you can use for multiple purposes. Stretch that whole chicken over multiple meals. Use your bag of carrots in more than one meal. Eat baked potatoes one night and then repurpose your leftover baked potatoes for another meal the next day. Scan receipts for cash back: Apps like Ibotta and Fetch are easy ways to scan your receipts to earn cash back on groceries. Earnings can be accumulated for cash or gift cards. Get the printable list By signing up for my weekly email. I want the list. Are you ready to delete your favorite delivery app? Here are five cheap groceries you should always stock up on, according to chefs. Every week I make Pressure Cooker Beans with bay leaf and other aromatics and a big pot of rice in my rice cooker. We add salsa, sliced avocado, or any leftovers like grilled chicken or vegetables to make an affordable, quick meal. Then McCord uses the leftover rice to whip up a variety of recipes including Rice Cakes , Leftover Rice Pudding , and Breakfast Rice Bake. So both of these ingredients can stretch your dollar and time as far as possible. While many people are hesitant to stock up on fresh foods because they are perishable—potatoes are the exception to this rule. Sick of plain pasta again? Chef Chris Aquilino , director of culinary at Elior North America , likes to jazz up his meals with jarred items, including pesto, olives, jalapeños, artichokes, sardines, and anchovies. They also stay fresh for a long time. According to Aquilino, herb purées, such as basil and cilantro, can even stay fresh for weeks at a time.

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