These are technically healthier than rice. They go well in soups and salads. Best of all, you can freeze the leftovers if you need too! These are super cheap. Sometimes you can get a whole can of them for less than 50 cents. They go great in soups. You can also blend or mash them up with seasoning to make hummus.

Eggs are so healthy for you and can work with any type of meal. Check out all these amazing egg recipes , most of which are less than a dollar per serving!

Chicken is a great meat to use with basically any meal or recipe. This garlic butter baked chicken thigh recipe is excellent to try!

Another chicken-related food is legs. These make perfect drumsticks and are also easy for people who need to pack lunches for school or work. Cooking a whole chicken does take a lot of time, but you could get a lot of use out of a whole chicken.

Make some overnight oats in it to have a peanut-butter oatmeal breakfast! Sausage is very flavorful meat that you can add to normally bland or cheaper foods to make them taste more delicious. There are lots of different types of tofu that you can try.

The great thing about tofu is nutritional and takes in the flavor of whatever you are cooking with it. Vegetable rice is a great option for you if you are trying to spend less money on food while at the same time trying to reduce your calorie intake and lose some weight.

Compared to white or brown rice, veggie rice is very low in calories at around calories per 10 oz. Each bag gives you portions. The importance here is not to buy the single-serve boxes.

Instead, buy a large plain container and then flavor the yogurt yourself using things like honey, jam, or frozen fruit. According to Healthline , one cup of low-fat cottage cheese provides the following:. However, you can eat it with fresh fruit or in pasta.

Check out this list of the best cheese singles you can buy. This is what most people consider the expensive part of any food budget.

A few slices with your meal can make a sweet treat and get you the vitamins you need. If you have a blender, this is an excellent product to use for smoothies instead of fresh fruit. All you need is some bananas and ice and you have yourself a healthy, vitamin-rich drink.

Fruit that has been canned can have an unpleasant texture that turns people off. However, it tastes good if you mix it with things like yogurt, baked goods such as pies, or ice cream. Lettuce is a perfect filler for salads. Potatoes can be served a multitude of ways in a ton of different recipes.

Onions have been used as food for thousands of years in many civilizations. Kale has often been called a superfood because of its amazing nutrient levels. According to Healthline , a single cup of raw kale contains:.

This is a low-calorie plant that is packed with lots of fiber. You can add it to salads, soups, and sandwiches to make them more nutritious.

This is an easy to cook veggie that can go into any number of meals. You can usually get a whole head of cabbage for less than a dollar and its high in nutrients. They can be added to soups, salads, stir-fries, or even just roasted on their own.

Some cheap pasta, a can of sauce, and a few herbs can be filling and delicious. Next time you are shopping, check out the cheap bags of frozen veggies you can find in the freezer section.

Usually, you can buy them for less than a dollar and they have multiple servings. Learning to bake is an extremely useful skill if you are trying to work with a tight budget. Baking usually only takes a few ingredients and allows you to make multiple servings for cheap.

You might be wondering, why would I buy vinegar? It lasts a long time and you can combine it with various spices and oil to make it tasty. The number one thing you should have in your pantry is seasoning.

Things like onion powder, garlic, ginger, and cumin can completely change a basic dish of beans and rice into something tasty and still affordable. Tea is a good way to save money on drinks if you are someone who likes to spend a lot of money on soda or juice.

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. 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.

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. So don't be afraid to open up that tube.

Aquilino also suggests stocking up on tomato paste. There are numerous ways to cook with tomato paste including topping fish and making barbeque sauce.

While you can easily find canned tomato paste at most supermarkets, Aquilino prefers the kind available in a tube. Use limited data to select advertising.

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No one deserves to go hungry, and everyone deserves to have a meal on their table. We encourage you to research the following options in your local community so that you can grab some food for yourself and your family. Of course you can also consider growing your own food, getting started will not be free but from that point on there will be plenty of cheap food in your own back yard!

The last option may be considered a last resort for many people, but remember: you should never feel ashamed to ask your nearest and dearest for aid if you need it. More Reading: Best Freebie Websites. Many individuals believe that grocery shopping is as straightforward as showing up, throwing some things in your cart, and paying.

This is particularly true when it comes to buying food in bulk. Frozen and cupboard items are fairly safe, as they will last you months, or even years. When it comes to buying fresh food, however, you will need to prep your ingredients to ensure that you make the most out of them.

Below, we have listed 40 of the cheapest, most essential ingredients that you should have in your kitchen. Take your time, and sift through our list while thinking about the meals that you could create with the following ingredients and cheap foods. More reading: How to Sell Gift Cards for Instant Cash.

Open a checking or savings account with SoFi and receive a cash bonus. Click here. Out of the 4 food groups that we will be mentioning in this list, this is, perhaps, the most important group to focus on when you are trying to save money.

Cupboard foods including cereals, grains, nuts, herbs and spices, spreads, cooking oils, and canned meats should be purchased in bulk whenever feasible due to their lengthy shelf lives. Unlike fresh and frozen foods, ingredients that can be stored away for long periods of time will help you out in the long run.

As long as you have a handful of canned beans in your cupboard, you will always have a meal for dinner. Whether you prefer baked beans or black beans, these cans are a staple ingredient that you should always have handy in your kitchen. Plus, the high protein in beans makes it a good staple food.

Fish is not only a tasty food, but it is so good for you! These cans are filled with Omega-3, protein, and plenty of vitamins. There are so many choices available, too. Canned tuna, salmon, sardines, anchovies, shellfish… the opportunities are endless!

When it comes to cereal boxes, you may be spending more than you should be, depending on the brand. Our advice? If you live alone, one box of cereal can last a long time.

If you have a large family, you may want to buy in bulk. This is a quick, simple breakfast that takes no effort to prepare. Eggs are a great source of protein and B vitamins, and they can be utilized in almost any recipe.

Our recommendation is to choose brown, free-range eggs and keep them refrigerated for a longer shelf life. While this food does not last as long as the others in this list, since you can make so many different types of recipes with them they are an excellent food item to keep on hand.

Well, it is surprising how many recipes require flour, whether you need to thicken some sauce or coat some chicken. Flour lasts a long time in a cupboard, but you can even store it in the freezer if you want to keep it fresh for longer. Add some chopped hot dogs on pasta, rice, or a basic sandwich.

Lentils are high in potassium, fiber, and zinc, and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as soups and stews. You can even make your own healthy veggie burgers with them!

As we previously mentioned, cereal can be pretty expensive, especially if you are going through multiple boxes per week. Add some honey, chopped up fruit, or even a sprinkle of sugar for a tasty, nutritious alternative to cereal that is much cheaper.

Rivaling potatoes, pasta may just be the king of carbohydrates. This super food is the ultimate ingredient to use in so many meals. Peanut butter is a particularly nutritious food when eaten in little amounts since it is high in good fats, niacin, vitamin E, and manganese.

Next up, we have a fan favorite of college students around the world. The best part about ramen noodles is that you can eat them on their own, without any other ingredients, and they still taste great!

Just like pasta, rice is another staple food that should always be stored in your kitchen cupboard. You can eat it alone, or pair it with a larger meal. Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice, but it takes longer to prepare and costs more.

In the appropriate conditions, white rice can last up to a year. No one wants to eat an unseasoned chicken, and every meal deserves a sprinkling of salt and pepper, at least. There are so many choices to pick from, but we believe that every kitchen should have some salt and pepper.

We also recommend grabbing some mixed herbs and spices. A bag of sugar, or, at the absolute least, a sugar substitute, should be kept in every modest kitchen cabinet. Sometimes, a simple cup of tea can keep hunger pangs at bay.

With just a single spoonful of sugar, you can get that boost that you need to get through your day. Crackers are a great ingredient to have handy in your kitchen, no matter your age or living situation.

You can crunch them up and use them in several recipes, or you can simply pick one out of the packet for a quick snack. Add them to soup to bulk up a cheap at-home meal. Tortillas are such a versatile product, making them perfect for anyone on a budget.

This is a food product that you should always have in your pantry. Bread is yet another food item that works with any meal, sweet or savory. You could have a slice of toast for breakfast, and then have some bread and butter to accompany a bowl of soup. The possibilities are endless!

If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can skip past this section. If you are a person who enjoys a meaty diet, however, this is a section for you. Provided that you have a freezer, you will be able to keep meat for a handful of months.

In a refrigerator, however, most meats start to go bad after a couple of days. Meat is an excellent source of protein, and depending on the type of meat you choose, it can also give a variety of additional health advantages. Poultry has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cholesterol, while red meat is high in iron.

More Reading: How to Eat Out on a Budget. Fill your sandwiches with it, or break it up and toss it into a pasta dish. When it comes to using up a pack of bologna, the possibilities are endless!

Chicken is delicious in stews, soups, pasta dishes, and even accompanied by french fries. This meat product is an absolute must for anyone trying to save money. On a cold winter evening, nothing sticks to your ribs like a delicious, hearty stew.

And, it is easy on your food budget. Whoever said that turkey was only for Thanksgiving? This delectable poultry can be used for so many healthful meaty dishes.

Turkey is lean and so it falls more into the healthy foods category. Plus, it is one of the cheap foods you can opt for when it comes to meat.

Tip: if you want to save your money as much as you can, stock up on whole turkeys or ground turkey during the holiday season. This is when their prices are the lowest! Dairy is a brilliant source of calcium, which helps strengthen bones and teeth. These food items can be incorporated into a healthy eating pattern in a variety of ways.

Although dairy products tend to last a little longer than meat, you will still need to be careful about how much you buy in one go. Milk, for example, will go bad after a week, so there is no point in buying more than one carton unless you have a large family to feed.

Milk and dairy foods are linked to an expanding sample of research that links them to a variety of health benefits, from blood pressure control and bone health to newer correlations like lowering the risk of developing diabetes disease.

When you want to save dollars on groceries, avoid the pre-shredded or pre-sliced cheese and prepare your own! Slice the block with a cheese grater or a kitchen knife, then store it in the fridge for another time. You can use this product to cook other recipes, or simply use it to spread on a crusty slice of bread.

Milk is a kitchen essential, whether you live alone, or you have a family to feed. You can drink it, mix it with other ingredients, or use it as an additive to a recipe. Forget the single size pre-flavored containers, and go for the bigger containers of vanilla or plain yoghurt to save a lot of money at the grocery store.

Last, but certainly not least, we will be looking at some delicious and inexepensive fruit and veggies to fill up your fridge. Some of these products last longer when placed in the fridge, while others will be okay in a fruit bowl. Fruit and vegetables contain so many vitamins and minerals that will keep you fit and healthy.

Plus, they taste great! Because these fruits are inexpensive, you may experiment with different varieties without breaking the budget, and there are many to pick from. Bananas are a good source of potassium and fiber, and you can get a bunch for a low price at any time of year.

You can eat them plain or use them to make delectable treats. While there are several varieties of squash to choose from, a butternut squash is always a great option. They taste great, and can be cooked into so many different types of recipes. Try this Butternut Squash Soup recipe for a comforting favorite.

Cover cabbage in dampened paper towels and store it in a ziplock bag to keep it. Make a few openings in the container and place it in the freezer compartment. Canned tomatioes can last up to 18 months on the shelf, so you should definitely grab several cans in bulk! Tip: If you want to save the most money, buy huge, unpeeled carrots.

Baby carrots are nothing more than ordinary carrots that have been pared down to a stump. The only difference is they cost a lot more that way! Vitamin C is abundant in oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, and they taste delicious! Take a handful of these delectable fruits.

Usually, frozen vegetable packages can simply be thrown straight into the microwave and cooked according to the label instructions.

Popcorn is a great snack and a family favorite for us! A single bag of popcorn is usually less than a dollar, making it an affordable option for a tight budget. Plus, popcorn is low in calories and fat, making it an excellent choice for losing weight or maintaining weight.

Regarding food spending, generic cereal is better for saving money. Generic is typically cheaper than name-brand cereal and can still provide good nutritional value with good taste. 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.