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Sticking to this List of Cheap Foods Will Help you Save Money
It seems like with every trip to the grocery store, extra dollars are added to my bill, even with fewer groceries in my cart. We’re seeing that food prices around the world are steadily increasing every single week!
I’ve always been frugal when it comes to grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking at home. But recently, I’ve had to stick to the bare minimum and the cheapest groceries at the grocery store. I’ve also been sticking to extremely budget-friendly recipes, and the cheapest food ideas, when meal planning!
What can I say? Right now, it’s all about how much you can stretch a dollar! Over the last year, I’ve been consistently meal planning around what’s cheap in the grocery, while trying to strike a balance with ensuring that my family eats healthily.
If you’re in the same boat where you’d like to get more for your money when it comes to your monthly food bill, I’d love to share all the cheap foods that we eat, my go-to cheap grocery list, and of course all of my budget grocery shopping tips!
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According to an article by the USDA’s Economic Research Service, the food-at-home Consumer Price Index has increased 1.4% from June 2022 to July 2022 and was 13.1% higher than July 2021!
Food-at-home (grocery store or supermarket food purchases) prices have actually skyrocketed in the last year! The article goes on to explain that it is predicted that food prices will continue to increase over the course of the next year and beyond.
Add the fact that I haven’t received a raise in pay from my “9 – 5 job” in years, and you’ll see why I’ve been forced to buy the cheapest groceries and cook the cheapest foods! (See why it’s important to have a side hustle?!)
Now that we’ve taken a look at the food price predictions, and we realize that we’re not going to see any price reductions soon, let’s look at our list of cheapest food and groceries!
15 Cheapest Food to Make when Money is Tight
These are the foods that are currently making an appearance on my meal plans from week to week. There’s a reason why I’ve been sticking to these foods – they’re yummy and cheap!
I’ll admit that some aren’t the healthiest options, so you can control how frequently you make those.
1. Eggs
You can have eggs with any side you wish. To stick to a cheap grocery list, I usually have mine with a dinner roll. Pop it into the panini press, and you’ve just upped your breakfast game.
You can also pair eggs with any cheap veggie, or you can simply have an egg alone.
2. Grilled Cheese Sandwich
I buy a small block of cheddar cheese, and slice a part of it to make sandwiches. You wouldn’t believe how heavenly a grilled cheese sandwich can be, especially with a cup of coffee or tea!
3. Fries
When I was younger, I remember my mom regularly buying a sack of potatoes to make fries. It was actually quite a treat and one of my favorite meals! Skip the frozen options, such as crinkle cut and shoestring, to save money!
I always include a bag of potatoes on my weekly cheap grocery list. And fries are one of the easiest foods to make using this. Use your air fryer for a healthier option!
4. Spaghetti Marinara
Meatless Spaghetti Marinara is one of the cheapest foods that I make, and also a family favorite in my home. Spaghetti packs are relatively inexpensive, and I often opt for the cheapest can of pasta sauce! Easy AND cheap!
FAQ
How can I eat for $10 a week?
Being able to eat for $10 a week requires serious planning and discipline. With a $10 budget, you’ll need to understand that eating out is not an option. And you’ll need to cook cheap and affordable meals at home.
Even the meals that you plan to cook will need to be dirt cheap struggle meals that can stretch your dollar. These include meals like eggs, ramen and hot dogs.
You’ll also need to stick to buying the cheapest groceries, and exercise extreme frugal habits, like eating half of a hot dog per meal.
With proper planning, it is absolutely possible to east for $10 a week! It’s not easy, but it’s possible!
5. Pasta Casserole
There are so many cheap meals that can be made when pasta is the main ingredient! I’ve found that the price of pasta hasn’t skyrocketed like other ingredients have.
Use a small piece of your cheddar cheese block, throw in any other ingredient that you love, bake, and voila!
Here’s our budget-friendly Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe for inspiration! Skip the chicken, and choose cheaper brands to save money!
6. Fried Rice
Fried rice is a cheap meal to make when you already have all of the staples in your pantry. Now, fried rice can run up a pretty high bill if you choose to add in expensive ingredients.
I usually stick to making a basic fried rice, using chopped onion and garlic (staples in my pantry) and a diced carrot. Of course, you’ll need oil and soy sauce as well.
I’ve found that the price of rice isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still possible to cook up a cheap fried rice meal!
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7. Noodles
Noodles is one of my favorites to add to our family’s meal plan! The method is quite similar to how I make my cheap fried rice.
The carrots are cut into thin strips, instead of being diced. And of course, noodles is used instead of the rice. So simple, and one of the cheapest foods to make!
8. Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats is must-add to your list of cheap foods. Not only is it easy on your wallet, but it’s super healthy, and makes for an easy morning.
All of the prep work is done the night before, so you can enjoy an easy and delicious breakfast, without breaking the bank!
9. Wraps and Flatbreads
Even though the price of flour has increased, it still remains lower when compared to other grocery items. This makes wraps and flatbreads a top contender on our list of cheapest food!
Personally, I don’t buy prepackaged wraps; I like to make my own. You’ll find that you can save so much more money by kneading your own dough for flat breads, or making your own mix for wraps!
FAQ
What should I eat on a very low budget?
When you’re trying to eat on a very low budget, you’ll need to stick to cheap and affordable meals. These meals include eggs, rice and beans, potato dishes, hot dogs, peanut butter or grilled cheese sandwiches, ramen and soups!
Once you’re on a low budget, you’ll have to make a huge effort to only buy the cheapest groceries and only cook the cheapest food!
10. Hot dogs
Hot dogs may not be the healthiest food, but it’s undeniably one of the cheapest! If your goal is eating cheap, hot dog is a must!
11. Beans & Rice
There is a reason why people say they’re on a “beans and rice diet” when they’re trying to save money. It’s because it’s cheap! Beans (both canned and dried) is one of the cheapest foods to buy when you’re watching your spending!
12. Peanut Butter Sandwich
For a family who is eating cheap, a peanut butter sandwich is a must! It’s easy, delicious and affordable!
FAQ
What is the cheapest food ever?
There are many “cheap food” options. However, one of the cheapest foods on our list, that is also healthy is egg. When you buy a crate of eggs, the cost of one egg is usually less than 20¢!
Eggs are also packed with nutrition, and can be cooked and eaten in several different ways. Eggs can be quite filling when eaten with bread, another extremely cheap food. Eggs can also be paired with other cheap sides, or even eaten alone.
Ramen is another contender for “cheapest food ever”. When bought in bulk, you can get many packs for a low price. However, ramen does not have a high nutritional content, and so, will come in at a close second.
13. Soups
Soups are known for being an inexpensive meal when you’re looking to cut costs. What’s even better is that you can throw in ingredients that your family loves, and they’re almost guaranteed to taste yummy!
Add soups to your cheap meal plan; they’re perfect for when you’re looking for an easy comfort meal!
14. Chili
Chili is a great option when you’re looking for cheap foods to make. Sometimes, I even add leftover chili to my hotdogs later on in the week!
15. Ramen
Ramen is as cheap as it gets! My kids love ramen, just as it is. Honestly, I have no idea why. Personally, I need to add a few extra seasonings and ingredients to enjoy it.
It’s not the healthiest option so I try to avoid adding it regularly to our weekly meals line up.
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All of the above meal ideas are real foods that I include on my meal plan week after week. I choose to make these meals regularly because the ingredients needed for them are cheap and affordable.
My grocery list generally looks the same every single week. I religiously stick to buying the cheapest groceries, and all of my recipes are planned around this.
Here are the grocery items you’d typically see in my cart!
27 Cheapest Groceries to Buy during Tough Times
1. Eggs
As previously mentioned, one egg usually costs under 20¢ (in my area, at least!). It’s cheap and packed with nutrition!
Meal Options: Scrambled, Hard-boiled, Sunny Side Up, Poached, Over Easy, Omelette, Can be eaten with bread (Panini, Toast & Eggs), Veggies
2. Ramen
Ramen is as cheap as it gets, but not very nutritional when served by itself.
Meal Options: Served as is, Served with added ingredients such as seasonings, meat, cheese, eggs
3. Hot dogs
Hot dog sausage links can be eaten as is. However, with a hotdog bun, it makes a full meal!
Meal Options: Served with a hotdog bun, eaten as is, or with veggies
4. Pasta
There are so many different pasta options, all of which are cheap.
Meal Options: Noodles, Meatless Spaghetti Marinara, Meatless Fettucine Alfredo, Pasta Salad, Pasta Casserole, Mac & Cheese
5. Pasta Sauce
This is to pair with the pasta. You can choose either marinara or alfredo.
Meal Options: Marinara Pasta, Alfredo Pasta
6. Flour
Flour is versatile and can be used to make so many different foods.
Meal Options: Bread, flatbreads, wraps, dumplings, biscuits, pies, pastries
7. Oats
Oats is cheap and can be used to prep easy breakfasts. It can also be ground into Oats Flour (or you can just purchase Oats Flour separately).
Meal Options: Overnight Oats, Oatmeal bars, Oats Wraps (from the Oats Flour)
8. Bread
A loaf of bread can cost about one dollar (in my area), and can yield many sandwiches!
Meal Options: Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Egg Panini, Toast, Peanut Butter Sandwich
9. Peanut Butter
This is great to make sandwiches, or to have with apple slices.
Meal Options: Peanut Butter Sandwich
10. Cheese Block
You get more for your money when you buy a block of cheese instead of shredded, or sliced cheese! I usually buy a block of cheddar cheese and use thin slices for sandwiches, and shred some for casseroles.
Meal Options: Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Casseroles, Cheesy Ramen
11. Muffin / Pancake Mix
This is quick and easy to make.
Meal Options: Muffins, Pancakes, Waffles
12. Popcorn
Popcorn is a cheap, but healthy snack. This is popular in our household!
13. Rice
Rice is a staple that can be used for so many meals!
Meal Options: Rice and beans, Fried Rice, Gumbo
14. Beans
Dried beans are cheaper, but go ahead and grab canned beans if you prefer!
Meal options: Red beans and Rice, Black Eye Peas, Soups
15. Lentils
Lentils are healthy and cheap. It is rich in fiber and protein. Opt for the packaged dried lentils, as they are easy to make and will yield a few servings.
Meal Options: Lentil Soup, Lentils and Rice, Lentil Patties (for burgers), Lentils and Pasta
16. Ground Beef / Ground Chicken / Ground Turkey
When you’re looking to add protein to the mix, the cheapest option is ground meat. You can choose from ground beef, chicken or turkey. I even split one tray into two. For example, I sometimes use half in my pasta sauce, and half as wanton fillings.
Meal Options: Pasta, Casseroles, Burger Patties, Wantons, Dumplings, Wraps, Tacos, Can be served with veggies
17. Canned Tuna / Sardines
Canned tuna, sardine or other preserved fish is another great option when you’re looking for cheap groceries.
Meal Options: Tuna Salad, Tuna Sandwich
18. Chicken
One tray of chicken can be split into two portions to be cooked in two different ways. Larger pieces can also be cut into smaller pieces.
Smaller pieces can be added to a curry, or shredded and added to a pasta salad. Larger drumsticks can be air-fried or baked.
Meal Options: Fried chicken, Baked chicken, Curry, Soups, Pasta, Chicken Salad, Sandwiches
19. Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the cheapest groceries, and is on my list every single week! It’s so versatile since it can be used to make so many different recipes!
Meal Options: Potato Salad, Fries, Baked Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Can be added to curries
20. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes is yet another healthy but cheap meal option.
Meal Options: Boiled Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Mash, Fries, Wedges
21. Carrots
Carrots is healthy and pairs with almost anything!
Meal Options: Can be eaten as is, Roasted Carrots, Can be added to soups, Carrot rice
22. Lettuce
Lettuce, specifically iceberg lettuce is a must for sides and salads when you’re eating cheap.
Meal Options: Can be eaten as is, Salads, Wraps, Lettuce Boats
23. Cucumbers
Cucumbers is always on my weekly grocery list as a cheap food!
Meal Options: Can be eaten as it, Salads, Wraps
24. Frozen Fruits & Vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables are often cheaper than fresh produce, and will also last longer in the refrigerator.
Meal Options: Fruit Salads, Stir Fried Vegetables, Chow Mein, Roasted Vegetables
25. Apples
Apples are affordable, nutritious and make a great snack.
Meal Options: Can be eaten as is, Can be eaten with peanut butter, Apple pie
26. Bananas
Bananas are super healthy and affordable. They are versatile, as they can be eaten as a snack, and can also be added to some foods.
Meal Options: Can be eaten as a snack, Banana bread, Banana pancakes, banana muffins, sliced with pancakes or oatmeal
27. Corn
Corn can be bought in a can, or on the cob.
Meal Options: Grilled Corn, Corn on the cob, Soups
Sample Cheap Grocery List for a Month
Now that we’ve covered most of the cheapest food items that you’d find in the grocery store, here’s what a sample cheap grocery list might look like. You can add or take away from it based on your family’s needs and preferences!
All prices below were obtained from Walmart.
1 Crate of Large Eggs (18 count) – $3.22
Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup (12 count) – $2.87
Gwaltney Hot Dogs Links (8 count) – $1.44
Great Value Hot Dog Buns (8 count) – $1.00
8 Packs of Spaghetti – $0.92 x 8 = $7.36
4 Cans of Pasta Sauce – $1.18 x 4 = $4.72
Great Value All Purpose Flour (5 lb) – $2.12
1 Great Value Bread Loaf (20 oz) – $1.00
1 Great Value Hamburger Buns (8 count) – $1.00
2 Great Value Cheddar Cheese Blocks (8 oz each) – $2.00 x 2 = $4.00
2 Boxes Great Value Pancake & Waffle Mix – $1.98 x 2 = $3.96
Great Value Long Grain Parboiled Rice (5 lbs) – $3.76
2 Packs Great Value Red Beans (16 oz each) – $1.28 x 2 = $2.56
2 Packs Conchita Lentils (12 oz each) – $1.18 x 2 = $2.36
2 Packs of Ground Beef (1 lb each) – $4.08 x 2 = $8.16
2 Packs of Ground Chicken (1 lb each) – $3.64 x 2 = $7.28
2 Packs of Chicken Drumsticks (2 lbs each) – $5.34 x 2 = $10.68
6 lbs Potatoes – $6.00
4 bunches of Bananas – $1.70 x 4 = $6.80
6 Sweet Corn on the Cob = $0.33 x 6 = $1.98
Total = $82.27
You’ll see that not every single item from our list of cheapest groceries made it to our sample grocery list. This is because you do not need to make every single recipe every month.
This list is a basic list that you can use as a template, so feel free to change out ingredients for other cheap options. You’ll also need to add staples such as salt, seasonings etc. You can even try growing your own herbs at home to save even more!
I usually split my grocery into 4 so that I can grocery every week, instead of a monthly basis. Items such as the breads are bought each week as needed, to prevent them from going bad.
Bonus Tips for Saving Money on Food
• Make a Budget & Stick to it
The first step to saving money on food is making a food budget, and sticking to it!
If you really, truly want to step up your money saving game, you’ve got to have an overall budget based on when you get paid. This accounts for all of your income and expenditure, and will give you some insight to how much money can be allocated towards your food budget for the month.
Of course, you’ll want to keep this as low as you possibly can, without compromising your health (or sanity)! Believe it or not, in the past, I’ve actually fed my family on $18 per week!
Once you’ve determined how much money you have for groceries for the month, divide this amount by 4 to get your weekly grocery budget, and start to plan your meals accordingly.
• Meal Plan & Cook at Home
Once you have set your weekly grocery budget, you can now plan your meals for the upcoming week. The goal is to choose cheap meals that are family favorites, and that are also easy to make!
The last thing you want is the feeling of overwhelm from having to cook a complicated meal, pushing you to spend a fortune on takeout.
Simplify the process as much as possible by planning meals that are quick and easy, doubling up on recipes so that you can utilize leftovers on some days, and meal prepping meats and vegetables ahead of time.
• Shop your Pantry & Make your Cheap Grocery List
Don’t forget to “shop your pantry” before you make your grocery list! Trust me, this prevents buying ingredients that you already have, which saves you a ton of money in the long run!
Meal planning and shopping your pantry often goes hand in hand, as you can actually plan meals based on ingredients that you already have. Always keep track of expiry dates so that EVERYTHING can be used!
No ingredient left behind!
• Use Delivery/Pick-up
Now that you’ve got your grocery list, it’s time to do your grocery shopping. One of my BIGGEST tips for saving money on groceries is utilizing delivery or pick up! Seriously, this will save you big time!
Not only does it prevent impulse purchases, but it simplifies grocery shopping so much! Click, click, click, and done!
• Use Cashback Apps
Doing your grocery shopping online makes it all the more easier to benefit from rebates and cash back apps. If you make your grocery purchase online through apps like Drop or Rakuten, you actually get some of the money you spent back!
This significantly reduces your grocery bill and can add up to hundreds of dollars at the end of the year. What would you do with a few extra hundreds each year? Pay off debt? Put it towards a vacay? Splurge on yourself?
Even better, after you use Drop to order your groceries, use the app to play games and complete short activities to earn even more money! An app that helps me save money AND make money?! YES, PLEASE!
Start earning money with Drop now!
• Practice Money Smarts when Shopping In-store
Now, if you don’t have a choice and you do need to do your grocery shopping in-store, please practice money smarts! Once you step foot in-store, you are already far more likely to overspend than when you buy your groceries online. But once you’re fully aware of this, and you practice self control, you can do this thing!
Here are some of the things you’ll want to remember.
Always eat before you go grocery shopping! You’re more likely to overload your cart when you’re shopping whilst hungry.
What else leads to overloaded shopping carts? Kids! Leave them home. Got a spouse who also loves to spend? Leave him/her at home too! I love ya lots, but bye!
While you’re at the store, remember to look higher up and lower down on shelves. The most expensive products are usually placed at eye-level. Also, skip name-brand products, and consider choosing canned fruits and vegetables to save more money!
Lastly, stick to your grocery list! Not an item more!
• Take Advantage of Sales & Coupons
Thrifty shoppers know how to meal plan and choose meals based on current sales and available coupons. Be sure to take advantage of these avenues to save even more money on your groceries!
• Buy in Bulk
Are there certain meals you see being consistently repeated on your meal plan, week after week? Perhaps you make these because they are family faves, and also affordable?
Well, you can save even more on these specific ingredients by buying these in bulk! Buying in bulk usually gets you a cheaper price per unit.
For example, spaghetti is a staple in my weekly meal plan. It’s one of the cheapest food on my list, and so, I make it every week. Each week I cook 2 – 3 packs of spaghetti to go with my jar of marinara sauce.
One box of spaghetti is around $0.92. Buying 3 per week costs me a little under $3.00. But since I already know I’m going to make spaghetti again the next week, I prefer buying spaghetti in bulk to save some money in the long run! Sometimes, I can get bigger boxes, or a bulk of 6 boxes, for a cheaper per unit price.
This isn’t always the case, so you should always do the calculations to make sure you’re getting the best deal when buying in bulk!
• Buy in Season
Planning your weekly meals based on ingredients that are in season can save you a lot of money in the long run. Be sure to use this to your advantage for all your produce for the upcoming week!
Additional Info on the Cheapest Food & Cheapest Groceries – FAQs
How can I eat for $20 a week?
Being able to eat for $20 a week requires serious planning and discipline. With a $20 budget, you’ll need to understand that eating out is not an option. And you’ll need to cook cheap and affordable meals at home.
Even the meals that you plan to cook will need to be dirt cheap struggle meals that can stretch your dollar. These include meals like Meatless Spaghetti Marinara and Baked Potatoes.
You’ll also need to stick to buying the cheapest groceries, and exercise frugal habits like splitting one tray of meat to add to 2 to 3 meals.
With proper planning, it is absolutely possible to east for $20 a week! Check out this $18/Week Meal Plan for inspiration!
How can I eat for $5?
$5 can probably cover your meals for one day if you cook one meal, that yields a few servings. If you know how to stretch your money, you can probably even get the meal to last two days!
Once you’re okay having the same leftovers for breakfast, lunch and dinner, eating for $5 is easy! More than likely, you’ll have to skip the meat, as $5 may only get you some vegetarian recipe options.
Options include potatoes (baked, mashed, fries), pasta recipes, meatless spaghetti marinara, grilled cheese sandwich, rice and beans, ramen and hot dogs. Just know that when you’re trying to survive on a $5 food budget, you’ll probably be eating half of a hot dog per meal!
What is the cheapest food to buy right now?
The cheapest food to buy right now include potatoes, pasta, beans, ramen, hot dogs, oats and eggs. Stick to cooking meals that use these cheapest ingredients to be able to save hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill!
What is the cheapest supermarket chain?
According to this recent article on Ramsey Solutions, the cheapest grocery store award goes to Aldi! Apparently, Aldi is able to keep their prices low because they’ve implemented major cost-cutting strategies, like having their customers pay a quarter to rent a shopping cart, or paying for the bags for their groceries.
According to the article, Aldi doesn’t paid employees for tasks like collecting the carts. By cutting such costs, they are able to pass on the savings to customers, in the form of lower prices.
What is the cheapest way to buy food?
Despite having many cheap grocery stores around, the cheapest way to buy food is online, with a scheduled pick-up or delivery.
Not only does buying online help you stick to your list and prevent impulse purchases, but it also makes it easier to utilize cash-back and rebates apps, like Drop, to get money back.
If you’re really serious about saving money on groceries, online grocery shopping is a must!
Related Posts on the Cheapest Food for Tough Times
17 Cheap Air Fryer Recipes that are Easy & Delicious
12 Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas that Cost $1 per Person
12 Dirt Cheap Struggle Meals for When Money is Tight
Final Thoughts on the Cheapest Foods & Cheapest Groceries to Buy
So you see, eating cheap doesn’t have to be complicated! Just stick to buying the cheapest groceries, cooking the cheapest foods at home, avoid takeout, and stay disciplined!
Are there any other cheap foods that you swear by? Do you have any other money saving tips? Share with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
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