This page may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon and Rewardstyle affiliate, we may earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links. Click here for the disclosure statement. 

Cheap pantry staples to always have on hand

While I have days when my refrigerator is empty aside from coffee creamer and a Brita water pitcher, I always like to make sure I have a stocked pantry full of goodies. Not only are the following items inexpensive, but they are also incredibly versatile and can remain fresh far longer than many other ingredients. Here are a few ideas for what to buy for groceries next time you visit the supermarket.

Beans (dried or canned)

I love to add a can of beans to a pound of ground turkey to make it stretch a bit further. They’re also delicious to throw into soups or salads. If you’re a bit more savvy in the kitchen, dried beans are even cheaper than canned. Just make sure you soak them the night before you want to use them! 

Rice

Rice is a chameleon in the kitchen. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it tastes delicious in almost any capacity. It’s a must-have for all budget pantries. 

Pasta

Is there anything more comforting or delicious than a bowl of warm, buttered pasta? Stock up on your favorite noodle when it's on sale. Dried pasta can last in your pantry for years. 

Instant mashed potatoes

Instant potatoes have come a long way from the grainy glop you may remember from childhood. While nothing beats the real thing, you can find dozens of different flavors at the store, and they will last in your pantry much longer. Eat these as a side dish or add a tablespoon to sauces or soups to act as a thickener. 

Tortilla

Aside from the obvious (burritos, tacos, quesadillas, oh my!), you can also use tortillas for homemade pizzas. My current favorite use of a tortilla is a peanut butter and jelly roll up. 

Dried fruit

Here is another item that you can use for tons of different applications. Toss into a salad or eat by the handful. I particularly love raisins and dried apricots.

Quick oats

Oats give you a huge dosage of fiber, and you can use them in so many different ways. Make your own oat milk, create a new granola combination, make cookies or protein bites, or use it on its own for a hearty breakfast. 

Lentils

While lentils may be intimidating if you haven’t cooked with them before, you can do so many different things with them in the kitchen. Add them to soups, use as a ground beef substitute, or make your own dal with them. A one pound bag also costs less than two dollars and will last you a long time.

Which fresh fruits and vegetables should you be buying?

The produce section usually comes with a hefty price tag. However, if you’re shopping smartly, you can find the cheapest vegetables, as well as the cheapest fruits at the store. Having a cheap grocery list does not mean you’re skimping on healthy foods! 

Bananas

An individual banana usually costs around a quarter. You can also break off a few bananas from the bunch if you do not want to buy half a dozen at once. 

Celery

Celery sticks are perfect for sweet and savory snacks. Dip into ranch or smother with peanut butter—the choice is yours. You can also break individual stalks of celery off of a bunch just like you can with bananas. 

Carrots

Who doesn’t love a crisp carrot stick? Roast in the oven for a delicious side dish or eat straight from the fridge. Best news is, you’re probably only spending a few cents per carrot (unless you’re buying the pre-packaged variety). 

Apples

At first glance of the price tag, apples may not seem like the cheapest fruit at the store. However, you can usually get several apples per pound, making the cost per apple much lower. They’re a versatile fruit that you can eat as a snack, add to salads, and eat with smoothies or oatmeal.

Bell peppers

Colorful bell peppers are a perfect veggie to add bulk to any meal. Not only will they add delicious flavor, they will also provide texture to any dish. 

Onions

Onions are another ingredient that adds flavor to every dish and are usually pretty cheap! While there are different varieties that could factor into the price, onions typically cost around $1.50 per pound. 

Save money on produce

When it comes to produce, however, I suggest purchasing items in bulk. Pre-cut fresh fruits and veggies usually come with a much higher price tag, and you can prepare your produce at home for a fraction of the cost. You may also find that frozen fruits and vegetables are most convenient for your meal prep (and last longer, too!). 

Save money on snacks 

We all still want to eat well in between meals. Fun and delicious snacks are much easier to make affordable than you may think. Instead of reaching for the shiniest and most colorful snacks on the shelf, add some of these options to your grocery list when you’re on a budget. 

Popcorn

Skip the potato chips and reach for popcorn instead. Microwave popcorn is usually less expensive per bag than regular chips. You can get even thriftier by buying kernels and popping your own corn on the stove.

Cheese and crackers

Who said a cheese board had to be fancy? Go to the cheese section of your grocery store and you’ll probably find “sample” cheeses, or slices that were too tiny to sell. These usually ring up at less than five dollars. Add some crackers and you’ve got a tasty treat. 

Yogurt parfaits

Toss some apples and homemade granola into yogurt and boom, you’ve got a delicious, homemade snack. 

Nuts

You can find nuts for pretty cheap at the supermarket. (Bonus points if you buy them in bulk for extra savings.)

Be sure to check out your pantry when you want to munch between meals. With a little creativity, you should have plenty of goodies on hand to help tide you over. 

Other strategies to save money grocery shopping

Sometimes, buying the least expensive things at the store still isn’t enough. There’s more to being a smart shopper than just picking up items with the lowest price tag. Here are a few more helpful hints to keep your budget in check. 

Come up with a menu in advance

Having a detailed list is key when it comes to a cheap grocery list. When you plan out what meals you’re making for the week, you can eliminate impulse buys. It also gives you a bird’s-eye view of what you plan on eating for the week so that you can make sure that you’re getting plenty of healthy foods in the mix. I particularly love this adorable meal planner notepad you can use for every meal. It also includes a section to write your weekly shopping list.

Do A Fridge and Pantry Inventory

One of the biggest ways that we overspend on groceries? Food waste! Before your next grocery store trip, make sure to do an inventory of everything that you currently have on hand. Sure, an extra can of soup won’t spoil quickly, but why spend money on extras when you could create a delicious weekly menu instead?

Use Swaps For Uncommon Food Ingredients, if Possible

Find a new recipe on Pinterest that you can’t wait to try? If there is an ingredient in the dish that you know that you only need a small amount of and that you won’t use frequently after (such as an unusual spice), look to see if you can swap a similar ingredient that you already have to save money and reduce waste (or clutter) in your fridge or pantry.

Think of creative ways to utilize leftovers

Just because you have leftovers does not mean that you have to eat the same thing for every single meal. The leftover pulled pork you have would be great on nachos or on a baked potato. Have fun with it and get creative! 

Don’t be afraid of frozen foods

Fresh produce can be some of the most expensive things at the store. Although the frozen section may not look as appealing as the colorful produce section, the nutritional benefits are the same. Frozen fruits and veggies are also usually prepped and peeled in advance, meaning you’re cutting down on time spent in the kitchen. A win-win situation if you ask me! I love having frozen mixed vegetables on hand to quickly throw into stir frys or soups.

…Or Canned Foods

Must like their frozen counterparts, canned foods are packaged at their nutritional peak and many of those nutrients are retained through the canning process. The best part? Canned goods can be shelf stable for years, letting you stock up when they’re on sale and staying good until you’re ready to eat them!

Visit your local farmer’s market

Just because you’re shopping local doesn’t mean you’re necessarily spending more money. My local farmers market runs incredible deals on fresh produce just before closing up for the day. Ask around next time you’re at the farmer’s market. 

Cook With Less Prime Cuts of Meat

Do you love a ribeye steak but hate the price? Depending on how you are using this cut in a recipe, a strip steak or flat iron steak might be a worthy alternative and much less expensive than it’s recognizable sibling. Other cheaper cuts include less desirable parts of the animal, such as meat from the flank or shank, as well as more “complete” portions, such as thighs, drumsticks, or bone-in pieces. While there are certainly more prime cuts, if you are marinating or slow cooking, you may be able to save money by choosing a more traditionally tough or fatty portion.

Look For Discounts On Food That Is Close To Its Expiration Date

Many grocery stores will have sections set aside for food that is nearing its expiration date. These items, most often found in the meat and dairy sections, are great options to save a little extra money, especially if you are shopping for ingredients for a meal that same day (or the next!). Also, don’t be hesitant to pick up food that is closer to the expiration date — this is a label that the producer provides for consumers to let them know when a food will be at its best quality. It’s also a great way to know how long a product has been at your local grocery store or market! However, many products are still good well past their “best by” or expiration date, such as canned foods, which can last for years!

Always join the reward program

Although receiving extra emails from your local supermarket may be one more item you send to your spam folder, in many cases, joining the loyalty program is free and comes with tons of perks. 

Use Coupon and Cash back Apps

There are numerous cash back apps that make saving money on your grocery bill a breeze. Apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards offer coupons and cash back on everyday grocery items when you scan your receipts. Or, use apps like KCL or Flipp to find and organize digital coupons and savings from the retailers that you shop at most often!

Get $5 when you upload your first receipt on Ibotta!

Use Subscribe-and-save

For items that you know that you will always want to have on hand, consider setting up a recurring schedule with Amazon’s Subscribe-and-Save. The program allows you to set an automatic schedule for when you need a restock on those staples and, depending on how many items are in your order, you can save anywhere between 10-20% on the items that you use most often. Plus, if you need to pause or skip a delivery, there’s no penalty.

Buy In Bulk

It should come as no surprise that individual servings or aptly named ‘snack packs’ are more expensive than their bulk counterparts. For common ingredients, such as rice, beans, or nuts, buying in bulk can not only save you (and the planet) from unnecessary packaging, but also big money!

Tip: Check out the spice section of your local supermarket, especially if you are looking for a unique spice or seasoning. Buying just the right amount for a recipe will prevent you from spending money on an expensive jar that will just gather dust in the back of your pantry!

Shop around

I know the stores in my area that have the best deals for specific items. For example, the big name supermarket down the street has the cheapest protein, but Whole Foods usually has the cheapest vegetables, and Trader Joe’s has the cheapest fruit. To keep things simple, I like to keep several reusable grocery bags in my car so I can pop into the grocery whenever I’m nearby (and not waste gas driving). I really love the Standard Baggu–it comes in tons of colors and folds up into a neat little pouch. 

Grocery lists for a $50 week budget

Shopping on a strict budget may seem like doing the impossible, but when you only have a certain amount to spend each week, there are certain items that you should be prioritizing. Rather than purchasing groceries that can only be used for one dish, think creatively and use your ingredients for multiple meals.

Tip: Think ahead and plan your weekly trip with the entire month in mind. Some items can be purchased in bulk and last much longer than a single week, freeing up money in next week’s budget. 

If I had $50 a week to spend on my grocery budget, here’s what I would get from the grocery store:

• Rolled oats for breakfast or DIY oat milk 

• Yogurt for parfaits and thickening sauces

• A frozen vegetable stir fry for adding to soups, rice dishes, or eating on their own 

• Tinned protein (think: chicken or tuna) to add bulk and nutrients to dishes like salads and stir fry

• Purchase carbohydrates in bulk, such as noodles, rice, or quinoa for added fiber

• Romaine lettuce to add crunch to meals, serve as a salad, or create lettuce wraps with 

Grocery lists for a $100 week budget

If you have a bit more money to work with each week, you can expand your menu to include fresh produce, dairy, and snack options, along with the items above.

If I were to budget $100 a week for groceries, here is a list of what I would buy:

• Eggs for added protein and a delicious breakfast 

• Shredded cheese to add to tacos, sandwiches, or just to munch on 

• A pound of ground beef or turkey for tacos or spaghetti sauce

• 1-2 fresh, seasonal fruits, whatever you prefer! This is great for a healthy snack or to add to salads

• 2-3 fresh veggies. Choose something versatile, like onions, sweet potato, bell peppers, or zucchinis 

• Fresh bread for sandwiches, bread crumbs, or even french toast

• Nuts that you can add to a salad or eat by the handful

Having a cheap grocery list can sometimes feel like a professional sport. Next time you run to the supermarket, refer back to this list so that you can save some of your hard-earned coin. Happy shopping!