It can be fried, scrambled, grilled, baked, and even worked into smoothies. peanut butter — Peanut butter is another affordable plant protein, one of those budget foods that can jazz up smoothies, breakfast toast, and baked goods.

protein powder — While you might not consider protein powder a budget food, it can boost your baked goods and smoothies with protein that might be harder to come by otherwise. Grains such as white rice, brown rice, oats, and pasta are cheap and filling.

You will often, but not always, find the best deal in the bigger bags of grains. Be sure to store them in airtight containers to prevent food waste.

rice — Rice is key for breakfast, lunch, or dinner: in Cream Of Rice , Vegetable Fried Rice , or as a base for bowl meals. Rice is one of those no-brainer budget foods to add to your list of pantry staples.

oats — Use oats for Baked Oatmeal Cups, as oatmeal, or in granola. They are a powerhouse of fiber and super cheap to buy. It makes for a good cheap eat any night of the week.

Ditch the msg-laden seasoning packet and make your ramen something more. The noodles are super cheap and quick to fix.

tortillas — You can do so many things with tortillas: pizza! and enchiladas! They are definitely a great addition to your budget grocery list.

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

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

baking powder — Baking powder is required for a number of baked goods, but remember you can make your own baking powder if need be. dry active yeast — Store bread is pricy, unless you buy it on clearance. Baking your own bread is the way to go! Start with something easy like Everything Hamburger Buns and work yourself up to a sandwich loaf, like Sourdough Rye Bread.

Shopping in the snack aisle can jack your bill up tremendously. Avoid impulse purchases and make your own snacks and treats at home. popcorn — Popcorn is a great snack that costs just a few pennies per serving! You can even make your own microwave popcorn. This caramel corn recipe is currently on repeat at my house.

Raisins and dried cranberries are generally affordable and a little goes a long way. saltine crackers — Many crackers can be incredibly expensive, but soda crackers are long lasting and generally the cheapest on the shelf.

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

canned crushed tomatoes — Crushed tomatoes are a key component in Marinara Sauce. Why buy canned pasta sauce when you can make your own in minutes.

canned tomato paste — Likewise, tomato paste is an important ingredient to pizza sauce which is so much more affordable to make at home. canned tomato sauce — Having canned tomato sauce on hand makes for easy soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta dishes.

cabbage — Cabbage is one of the longer lasting vegetables. Whether you buy it shredded or whole, make sure cabbage is on your budget grocery list. bananas — A nutrient-dense food, bananas are great for snacking, for homemade baby food, for baking, and for smoothies.

carrots — Another long lasting vegetable that is generally affordable, carrots are a staple to keep on hand for snacks, roasting, baking, and soup-making. They generally last long and can be used in so many dishes.

celery — One of the main components in stir-fries, veggie platters, and mirepoix, celery is typically a good cheap eat that will last you awhile in the fridge. onions — Onions are a building block of almost any savory recipe. Buy them in bulk, and load up when you see a sale. garlic — Garlic packs a lot of flavor for a small price.

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.

Learning to properly store and freeze foods can also extend their shelf-life, reducing the likelihood of them going to waste. In essence, reusing food and embracing leftovers is a simple, budget-friendly habit that also supports a more sustainable lifestyle. With a little creativity and planning, you can make your grocery budget go a long way while also reducing your environmental footprint.

Take their personalized quiz and get started on your budget-friendly and healthy grocery journey! Buying in bulk is a proven strategy to save money on groceries. Wholesale store chains like Costco or your local grocery stores often have bulk departments where you can buy larger quantities of items at a reduced price per unit.

The savings can be significant, especially for staple foods and non-perishable items that you use regularly. It's important, however, to buy in bulk wisely. Focus on pantry staples that have a long shelf life and that you use frequently.

Non-perishable items such as spices, pasta sauce, dry beans, flours, grains, and rice can be stored for an extended period without spoiling. Similarly, snack items like crackers and chips, when stored properly, can last for a good amount of time.

It's also worth considering buying meat in bulk, as it can be portioned and frozen for future use. Buying bulk items is a smart shopping strategy that can help stretch your grocery budget further.

It's a practical habit that not only saves money but also helps reduce packaging waste, contributing to more sustainable living.

Another savvy move when it comes to grocery shopping on a budget is focusing on buying seasonal produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are typically at their cheapest when they're in season.

Besides being cost-effective, seasonal produce tends to be fresher and tastier because it is harvested at the peak of its ripeness and doesn't need to be shipped long distances.

For instance, during the summer months, you'll find that berries, peaches, tomatoes, and cucumbers are abundant at local farmers' markets and generally less expensive.

In the fall, produce like apples, squash, pumpkins, and root vegetables like carrots and beets come into season. By aligning your meal plans and shopping lists with what's in season, you can save money while enjoying a variety of nutritious, flavorful foods throughout the year.

As part of their commitment to providing fresh and nutritious foods, services like Hungryroot offer seasonal produce delivered directly to your door. This not only helps ensure that you're eating a varied, balanced diet but also saves you money by supplying you with fruits and vegetables at their peak availability and affordability.

Take their personalized quiz and kickstart your health journey today. Choosing generic brands is another effective way to stretch your grocery budget. These store brands are often significantly cheaper than their name-brand counterparts, yet they often contain the same or very similar ingredients.

The lower cost doesn't necessarily mean lower quality. A common misconception is that generic brands are less healthy than name brands, but that is not always the case. It's important to compare nutrition labels rather than just brand names, as you'll often find the nutritional content to be very similar.

At Hungryroot , health and quality are core values when it comes to their grocery and snack selection. They aim to provide healthier choices at affordable prices, making sure you can maintain a nutritious diet while staying within your budget.

Don't let brand names sway your grocery shopping decisions. Opting for generic brands can lead to significant savings without sacrificing quality or nutrition. Remember, the best measure of a product's worth is its nutritional value and taste, not its packaging or brand name.

Make the smart choice for your health and your wallet by giving generic brands a try. Contrary to popular belief, frozen foods like fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts, if not more so, because they are usually flash-frozen at peak ripeness, thus preserving their nutrient content.

They are also typically less expensive and have a longer shelf life, making them a fantastic choice for anyone trying to save on groceries. Frozen foods are particularly helpful in reducing food waste. They allow you to use only what you need and save the rest for later, without worrying about it spoiling.

This is especially useful for those who live alone or have small families and find it hard to finish fresh produce before it goes bad.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, consider other frozen foods like meats including chicken thighs, ground beef, chicken breast, pork chops, fish, and pre-made meals. They can save you time on days when you're too busy to cook from scratch, and they often cost less than fresh options or dining out.

Many grocery stores, including online ones, offer discounts and coupons on various products throughout the year. By taking advantage of these deals, you can often purchase your favorite products at significantly reduced prices. Reward or loyalty programs are another great avenue for savings.

These programs typically allow you to accumulate points for each purchase you make, which you can then redeem for discounts on future purchases.

Some stores may also offer members-only deals, additional discounts on certain items, or even free products as part of their loyalty programs. For instance, services like Hungryroot provide their customers with unique promotions like their 'Free Veggies for Life' offer for new sign-ups.

This kind of incentive not only helps you save money but also encourages healthier eating habits by making fresh vegetables a staple in your diet.

Ordering groceries online can be a game-changer for your budget, your schedule, and your environmental impact. When shopping online, you can easily compare prices, keep track of your grocery spending, and avoid the impulse buys that often happen in physical stores.

You can also plan your meals and grocery list more effectively, which helps reduce food waste and keeps you within your budget. Plus, with the convenience of home delivery, you can save the time and energy that you would have spent on a trip to the grocery store.

Services like Hungryroot take online grocery shopping to the next level by focusing on healthy and fresh ingredients. They provide a personalized mix of groceries according to your dietary preferences and deliver them straight to your doorstep.

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.

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

In the U. Do your homework before you shop to find the stores that have the best deals and prices. Sign up to benefit from member-only discounts and special offers. Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying individual items. The savings might seem small, but it all adds up. Going along with buying in bulk, if you order a larger cut of meat like chuck roast for example , it can be cooked and then used in many different recipes like filling casseroles or hearty stews.

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

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

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

Cut out and save the coupons for your next shop. Alternatively, there are digital coupons that can be found on relevant shopping apps. You can check popular sites like Pillsbury. com, BettyCrocker. com, and Coupons. Not only will using your leftovers save you money, but it also helps to reduce food waste.

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

Creating wholesome and affordable meals for your family is easier than you think. The following recipes only require a small number of ingredients, making them great budget-friendly meals for your whole family to enjoy:.

Read More. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Wonderful information. Thanks for all your work composing the lists.

Always check the label before purchasing. More ways to save:. When it comes to cheap groceries, pantry staples are the big winners. This category includes dry and canned goods such as flour, oatmeal, chicken stock, nuts, nut butters and seeds.

Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods. Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition.

Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months. Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale.

Items worth stocking up on include:. More ways to save money on groceries. Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:. Even in tough times, it's possible to find affordable and healthy groceries with a few smart strategies.

The best ways include buying in bulk when items are on sale, shopping seasonally and loading up on pantry staples. Compare prices online when you can look for coupons while you're there and stick to grocery stores nearby. With a little planning, your meals will be healthy and nutritious without breaking the bank.

And if you need a week off, consider ordering from one of the more affordable cheap meal delivery services. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian.

She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups. What to Eat for Breakfast to Feel Your Best.

Why You Should Eat a Banana Every Single Day. These High-Carb Foods Are Seriously Good for You. The Superfood We All Need More Of. The Real Health Benefits of Eating Carrots. What You Need to Know About Collagen Supplements.

Brown Rice vs. White Rice: Which is Better? Avocado Vs. Olive Oil. Skip to Content Product Reviews Life Health Food Beauty. sign in. Best Flower Delivery V-Day Gifts For Kids V-Day Gifts For Women V-Day Gifts For Men Amazon Valentine's Gifts.

Amy Fischer M. Contributing Writer. Nutrition Facts. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.

It has become evident that staying on top of our grocery shopping budgets is now more crucial than ever. Planning and budgeting are indispensable tools to ensure we make smart choices during our trips to the store.

By planning ahead and adopting savvy shopping habits, you can not only reduce your overall spending but also contribute to the battle against food waste. Moreover, with the rising awareness of the environmental impact of our food choices, embracing budget-friendly and sustainable grocery shopping practices has taken center stage.

Finally, with smarter planning, you can ensure that you always have food on hand and avoid costly and unhealthy delivery or takeout meals. In this comprehensive guide, we will empower you with the knowledge to navigate the aisles with confidence, making conscious choices that benefit both your health and your wallet.

Tracking your current spending and planning your grocery budget can be game changers for those wanting to keep their finances under control. Look for patterns, like recurring purchases or impulse buys, which can often creep up without notice. This will provide a clear picture of where your money is going and help you identify potential areas where you could save.

Next, divide your monthly grocery budget into weekly or bi-weekly portions so it coincides with your usual shopping trips. If you want to take it a step further, consider creating a meal plan based on your budget.

This can help avoid overbuying or wasting food and allows you to factor in the cost of each meal. Hungryroot takes the hassle out of meal planning by offering a curated selection of healthy groceries that transform into mouthwatering recipes. Hungryroot helps you plan meals in advance and sends you the right amount of ingredients needed, eliminating any guesswork and risk of overbuying which helps minimize food waste!

The predictability of the cost associated with Hungryroot allows for accurate budgeting, as you know exactly how much you'll be spending on groceries each week. Take their personalized quiz here and get tailored, budget-conscious recommendations just for you.

Meal planning is an effective strategy for keeping your grocery budget in check. It involves determining what you're going to eat for each meal, including snacks, over a certain period—usually for the week ahead. Furthermore, planning budget-friendly meals allows you to make better use of what you already have in your pantry or fridge, thus minimizing food waste.

By planning meals based on weekly sales and discounts at local stores or online, you can also take advantage of deals and lower the cost of your meals. Meal planning can also be your ally when you have specific food allergies or are following a specific diet — be it vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, or any other diet!

You can find many resources online, including Hungryroot, that offer a variety of meal plans and recipe ideas suited to different dietary lifestyles! Although meal planning may seem intimidating at first, with a bit of practice, it can become a seamless part of your grocery shopping routine! For those who need a little extra help with meal planning and grocery shopping, services like Hungryroot can be a great option.

Hungryroot is a grocery delivery service that takes your dietary preferences, health goals, and cooking style into account to deliver personalized groceries and corresponding recipes directly to your door.

Not only can this save you time and energy, but it can also help you stay within your budget by providing right-sized ingredients, reducing the risk of food waste.

Take their personalized quiz here and get tailored grocery and recipe recommendations just for you! Embracing leftovers and reusing food is an incredibly savvy strategy for grocery budgeting.

Not only does it help stretch your budget further, but it also significantly reduces food waste, which is beneficial for both your household and the environment!

Many households often waste a large amount of groceries every year due to poor planning or overbuying, which leads to an increase in methane emissions as food decomposes in landfills and makes a substantial impact on climate change.

The trick to successfully reusing food and embracing leftovers lies in strategic meal planning. Incorporating meals in your plan that yield enough servings for leftovers and can be repurposed into other meals can create diversity without additional food costs.

Veggie-based dishes, casseroles, stews, or proteins like chicken or beef often taste better the next day and can be served in a variety of ways.

Another effective strategy is to portion and freeze meals. By doing so, you can have a ready-made meal on hand for those days when you're too busy to cook. This can prevent the temptation to order take-out or delivery, saving you money and helping you stay within your budget.

Among the cheapest staples are dried and canned beans — they're also easy to prepare and provide a great source of plant-based protein and fiber, two very important nutrients that are often only available in more costly foods.

Grains like brown rice and oatmeal also score high in cost-effectiveness and nutrition. Frozen foods can be stored in your freezer for months.

Again, consider buying in bulk when frozen products are on sale. Items worth stocking up on include:. More ways to save money on groceries. Here are a few other simple tips from our experts to food shop on a budget:. Even in tough times, it's possible to find affordable and healthy groceries with a few smart strategies.

The best ways include buying in bulk when items are on sale, shopping seasonally and loading up on pantry staples. Compare prices online when you can look for coupons while you're there and stick to grocery stores nearby.

With a little planning, your meals will be healthy and nutritious without breaking the bank. And if you need a week off, consider ordering from one of the more affordable cheap meal delivery services. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and a master's degree in clinical nutrition from NYU.

Prior to Good Housekeeping , she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian. She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups.

What to Eat for Breakfast to Feel Your Best. Why You Should Eat a Banana Every Single Day. These High-Carb Foods Are Seriously Good for You.

The Superfood We All Need More Of. The Real Health Benefits of Eating Carrots. What You Need to Know About Collagen Supplements. Brown Rice vs. White Rice: Which is Better? Avocado Vs. All-purpose flour is a go-to type of flour that can be used in multiple recipes and can even be used as bread flour in a pinch.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Or, combine it with olive oil for an easy salad dressing or marinade. Chicken stock is a versatile and cheap pantry item that can be used to create sauces, gravy, chicken stew, and soups. To save some cash, consider baking your own bread! My dinner rolls and easy homemade bread are two great beginner bread recipes to get you started.

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

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

When considering which budget-friendly groceries to buy, stick to produce that can be used in multiple ways.

For example, onion and garlic are used for pasta dishes, stews, casseroles, and more, while potatoes can be a great breakfast item like hash browns, or a chilled lunch side like potato salad. Whenever possible, buy in bulk to reduce costs even further. You can also prep and freeze certain produce to use later.

Onions are a must-have as almost every savory recipe calls for them. This is one produce item that you can buy in bulk to reduce the cost without worrying about them expiring in a couple of days. If you store them correctly in a cool, dark, and dry place, onions should last for months.

Much like onions, garlic is a staple item in most kitchens. Potatoes are an incredibly versatile and economical food with a fairly long shelf life about two months if stored in the refrigerator. They can be mashed, baked, roasted, fried, and steamed and are great for filling up hungry bellies.

Cabbage is a cheap, long-lasting vegetable that can be used in different ways. You can add it to recipes such as hearty stews and soup or create a tasty side dish.