By prioritizing seasonal items, frozen foods and certain cuts of meat and seafood, shopping strategically can help keep sticker shock to a minimum. The key to locating cheap groceries is to create a system for shopping, and that begins before you even grab a cart.

Start by identifying the closest supermarkets to you hello, high gas prices! and cross check the cost of your favorite items online before you shop.

Think about what you spend the most on and prioritize finding the best price for those items. The next step is to follow that quintessential shopping advice: Don't go to the grocery store hungry.

You're much more likely to make impulse and unhealthy purchases if you do, so shop after a meal or grab a healthy snack before heading to the store.

And remember: The cheapest groceries are not always the most nutritious; consider spending slightly more for foods that are filling and nutrient-dense. For tips and recommendations for a more economical shopping experience, see below for advice from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab.

Fruit and vegetables are among the groceries with the largest price jumps lately , but you can still find affordable produce by buying seasonally. Purchasing when produce is abundant helps lower the cost and will all but assure the best taste and highest levels of nutrition.

Seasonal Fruits. Seasonal Vegetables. Another way to save money on produce is to opt for fruit and vegetables that have a longer shelf-life.

For example, to help extend your grocery dollars, choose apples over berries or carrots or celery over leafy greens. Generally, some of the cheapest fruit and vegetables year-round tend to be bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Meat can be the most expensive category for most food budgets, and can account for a large portion of the overall grocery bill. To save money, opt for the ground variety of your favorite protein.

Ground beef, chicken or turkey are super versatile, easily frozen and can be used in many different recipes. Larger cuts of meat will usually cost less per pound, but they may require marinating, braising and slow cooking to bring out the tenderness. If you do prefer to include cheaper cuts of meat, consider including:.

Buying a whole chicken instead of pre-portioned cuts can also save money and the leftovers, including the bones, are great for making chicken soup or bone broth. Consider cutting costs even further by implementing Meatless Monday or meatless dinners a few nights a week. Swap out meat for healthy plant-based meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, beans and legumes, as your protein source.

The cost of fresh seafood may also vary seasonally. According to the Seafood Nutrition Partnership , fresh Alaskan salmon is less expensive during the summer when the fish are more abundant.

Other popular choices that may be worth buying seasonally include Albacore tuna in season July-October and halibut in season March-November. Other ways to save money on seafood:. Whether you prefer dairy or non-dairy, you can find competitive prices due to the sheer number of products on the market.

While non-dairy milks may be more expensive than dairy, some non-dairy brands offer shelf stable options that can be bought in bulk when they're on sale. Just note that many dairy and non- dairy milks and yogurts contain added sugars and sometimes saturated fats.

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.

It has all the qualities you love about the Whopper — the toasted sesame bun, grilled beef patty, and loads of toppings — but in a smaller, much less guilt-inducing burger with fewer calories.

If you want to make it a cheeseburger, just ask. Another frontrunner at Burger King is the BK Stacker, a single patty cheeseburger with a slice of American cheese, thick-cut hardwood smoked bacon, and zesty BK sauce on a toasted bun.

Fun fact for you: this cheap fast food option is part of a family of burgers at Burger King that includes the Single Stacker King, Double Stacker King, Triple Stacker King, as well as the BK Double, Triple, and Quad Stacker. Talk about a mouthful. You can always make this a combo meal with a drink and fries, too.

This classic option is named after the restaurant for a reason, serving up a beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, melted cheese, mayo, and ketchup. Add a drink and curly fries to make a full meal that will cost just a few bucks extra.

They are quite small, but if you ask us, a couple of these puppies makes for a filling meal, with options to drown your grilled or crispy chicken in chipotle BBQ, honey mustard, or ranch. Taco Bell caters to the fast food lover in all of us, teasing us with those glorified beef tacos, exclusive sugar-packed Mountain Dews, and melt-in-your-mouth cheese quesadillas.

Plus, you can swap the meat for beans if you want to go vegetarian. A large fry is quite versatile, serving as a great food to scarf down after a breakup, a side to share with a friend, or a satisfying meal in itself. Be warned — the calories add up fast if you add a burger to your order, but the taste and price are unbeatable.

Toss the ketchup and dip your fries in the ice cream. For just three bucks, you can score two of these sandwiches that are topped with shredded lettuce and mayo. This is one of the best value chicken sandwiches, in our opinion.

With five fast food fried chicken options to choose from, you can customize your box to include a Crispy Colonel Sandwich, 3 Extra Cripsy Tenders, one Chicken Breast, a Pot Pie, or a Famous Bowl, all accompanied by a cookie and a drink. Select options even include potato wedges or mashed potatoes, as well as a biscuit.

Del Taco has snack time down to a science with this perfectly-portioned menu item. Other items on the menu that are just a buck during Happy Hour include cookies, small potato cakes, small curly fries, small shake, and small drinks.

This Happy Hour deal typically takes place from 2 p. Sonic also has a full list of mini snacks like tater tots, fries, onion rings, and popcorn chicken for 79 cents each, which is the cheapest fast food you can find.

To see other options to pair with your fries, check out the latest Chick-fil-A menu. The cheapest fast food you can find? White Castle sliders. You have the choice of more than ten different flavors, including Cheese, Sloppy Joe, Fish, Chicken Ring, Veggie, Bacon Cheese, Crispy Chicken, Chicken and Waffles, and more.

They may not be the friendliest when it comes to calories, but they sure do taste good. Opting for the cheapest fast food can help you save a few bucks. They offer the most value then any of the others I think. yee dude cuz like ya know i was on my way to go get some tacos n i totally went to walmart instead to buy banquets for a week for what id have paid on fast food for only a couple days.

Not sure the age of this article or if this is a regional offering , but the Jack in the Box Munchie Boxes are a great value too 9pm-4am.

For a single Washington? Cheap, greasy, and delicious, the American way. The only thing that could possibly make this burger better is bacon. Seriously… The portion sizes are small like everything at Taco Bell , so plan accordingly.

And if you want to get really fancy — and spend a few more dollars — you can try their Grande Nachos box. This Mexican fast food option is basically the Cheesy Nachos on steroids, topped with ground beef, tomatoes, and sour cream. For just one dollar , you can treat yourself with a vanilla or chocolate dessert, which somehow pairs well with everything on the menu.

As odd as it sounds, it blows a side of ranch out of the water. As part of the Whopper family , this single patty burger is the best value you can get for a burger from BK. It has all the qualities you love about the Whopper — the toasted sesame bun, grilled beef patty, and loads of toppings — but in a smaller, much less guilt-inducing burger with fewer calories.

If you want to make it a cheeseburger, just ask. Another frontrunner at Burger King is the BK Stacker, a single patty cheeseburger with a slice of American cheese, thick-cut hardwood smoked bacon, and zesty BK sauce on a toasted bun. Fun fact for you: this cheap fast food option is part of a family of burgers at Burger King that includes the Single Stacker King, Double Stacker King, Triple Stacker King, as well as the BK Double, Triple, and Quad Stacker.

Talk about a mouthful. You can always make this a combo meal with a drink and fries, too. This classic option is named after the restaurant for a reason, serving up a beef patty, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, melted cheese, mayo, and ketchup.

Add a drink and curly fries to make a full meal that will cost just a few bucks extra. They are quite small, but if you ask us, a couple of these puppies makes for a filling meal, with options to drown your grilled or crispy chicken in chipotle BBQ, honey mustard, or ranch. Taco Bell caters to the fast food lover in all of us, teasing us with those glorified beef tacos, exclusive sugar-packed Mountain Dews, and melt-in-your-mouth cheese quesadillas.

Plus, you can swap the meat for beans if you want to go vegetarian. A large fry is quite versatile, serving as a great food to scarf down after a breakup, a side to share with a friend, or a satisfying meal in itself. Be warned — the calories add up fast if you add a burger to your order, but the taste and price are unbeatable.

Toss the ketchup and dip your fries in the ice cream. For just three bucks, you can score two of these sandwiches that are topped with shredded lettuce and mayo. This is one of the best value chicken sandwiches, in our opinion. With five fast food fried chicken options to choose from, you can customize your box to include a Crispy Colonel Sandwich, 3 Extra Cripsy Tenders, one Chicken Breast, a Pot Pie, or a Famous Bowl, all accompanied by a cookie and a drink.

Select options even include potato wedges or mashed potatoes, as well as a biscuit. Del Taco has snack time down to a science with this perfectly-portioned menu item. Other items on the menu that are just a buck during Happy Hour include cookies, small potato cakes, small curly fries, small shake, and small drinks.

This Happy Hour deal typically takes place from 2 p. Sonic also has a full list of mini snacks like tater tots, fries, onion rings, and popcorn chicken for 79 cents each, which is the cheapest fast food you can find.

Other things, like the 25 cent returnable deposit to use the shopping carts, bagging your own groceries, and not listening to licensed music on the overhead speakers, decrease the store's overhead costs, which helps keep prices low.

And selecting produce out of the crates they came in rather than from aesthetically stacked displays is a small price to pay for cheap groceries. This four-letter German company also operates on a low-cost model, but it's not the same as Aldi.

Lidl has been offering affordable groceries since the s and is actively expanding across the East Coast of the U. Although there are fewer locations than Aldi, they're constantly in close competition for stocking the cheapest groceries.

The selection of items is curated to keep the essentials in stock, instead of the added expense of keeping every variety and brand on the shelf. Their private label brands also have a Love It Guarantee , which means if a product doesn't meet your standards you can get your money back and exchange the item for something else.

This big-box store has all of the appeal of members-only clubs like Costco or Sam's Club , but without the expensive fees. WinCo Foods boasts locations across the West Coast, and is almost entirely employee-owned—which means their staff receive better wages and benefits.

And yet the prices are still low. WinCo purchases directly from farmers and manufacturers and has a large quantity of bulk foods, which means their prices undercut many other low-cost retailers.

Another way to cut costs is by not accepting credit cards for payment. But fear not: they do allow payment with debit cards and federal food assistance cards. Market Basket is one of the smaller chains on this list, but their savings make it one of the most affordable places to shop in the U.

A recent study provided by the customer data firm dunnhumby revealed that the New England-based chain was the "top grocery retailer for inflationary times. For over years, Market Basket has maintained the fierce loyalty of their customers for the high quality food at low prices.

You can find anything from international cheeses, freshly squeezed juices, to even handmade sushi without racking up a massive grocery bill. Trader Joe's is one of our go-to spots for affordable essentials, some of the best frozen food around, and unique snacks. Beyond the adorably kitschy decor and friendly staff, it's also one of the best grocery stores to visit when you're on a budget.

Even amidst the current egg-price hike, the cartons at Trader Joe's remain inexpensive. While some items can get more expensive than at standard grocery stores the produce section can get costly if you're feeding a big family , their private label goods deliver on quality without sacrificing affordability.

If you need shopping inspiration, check out our favorite items here. When you're hunting for low-cost, high quality groceries, Food4Less is an obvious choice. It's literally in the name. Owned by Kroger, this no-frills grocery chain sacrifices a few amenities to save you money.

From bagging your own groceries to using the steep discounts offered in their weekly ads, you're sure to find what you need and pay less. Unlike some of these other affordable grocery stores, Food4Less offers at-home delivery, a pharmacy, and a wide variety of household essentials.

Feel them for weight. Buy the heavier one. They take 10 to 15 minutes to cook. Meal ideas: VanBeber says she often adds lentils to spaghetti sauce. It can be prepared within 30 minutes. Not all mushrooms are cheap. If you buy gourmet mushrooms, like oyster or shiitake, you might find them pricey.

Burgess says they tend to cost about 50 cents a serving. Meal ideas: Now, a meal of mushrooms may not sound all that appetizing, but Burgess points out that they can help round out a meal nicely.

Whole oats have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels, which helps to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. How cheap are oats? Prices vary depending on where you shop and the type of oats you buy: steel-cut, rolled or instant oats.

Meal ideas: Oatmeal, oatmeal cookies and oatmeal bars are just a few budget-friendly ideas. You could also make oat bread or use oats in a homemade granola recipe, or even search the internet for some oat-based dinner recipes, like a broccoli-cheddar oatmeal bake.

This classic nut butter is also a classic money-saver. Another plus is that most kids like it as well. As for how much you pay, it depends what brand you buy.

Meal ideas: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, naturally. If you like to cook, peanut butter also turns up as a supporting character in a lot of recipes, such as sauces. Versatile and inexpensive, pasta is a pantry staple of many cost-conscious shoppers.

Dietitians say pasta has plenty of beneficial nutrients , too. Meal ideas: Mantilla suggests adding frozen vegetables to pasta for additional bulk and added nutritional value.

And thanks to the versatility of pastas, you can pair the dish with a variety of inexpensive ingredients, including chuck roast and spinach. Meal ideas: Mash or bake them. There are a variety of fulfilling potato recipes you can add to breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This green, leafy vegetable is easy to incorporate into a variety of meals. Meal ideas: Spinach works in just about any meal. LaVardera suggests spinach omelets, spinach with whole grain pasta and spinach in a quesadilla.

VanBeber says you may get more bang for your buck by purchasing canned tomatoes. And they are inexpensive, albeit a little pricier than they were a year ago. You can find Meal ideas: You can make stuffed tomatoes, similar to stuffed peppers.

They also go well with pasta and in salads. By prioritizing seasonal items, frozen foods and certain cuts of meat and seafood, shopping strategically can help keep sticker shock to a minimum. The key to locating cheap groceries is to create a system for shopping, and that begins before you even grab a cart.

Start by identifying the closest supermarkets to you hello, high gas prices! and cross check the cost of your favorite items online before you shop. Think about what you spend the most on and prioritize finding the best price for those items.

The next step is to follow that quintessential shopping advice: Don't go to the grocery store hungry. You're much more likely to make impulse and unhealthy purchases if you do, so shop after a meal or grab a healthy snack before heading to the store. And remember: The cheapest groceries are not always the most nutritious; consider spending slightly more for foods that are filling and nutrient-dense.

For tips and recommendations for a more economical shopping experience, see below for advice from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab. Fruit and vegetables are among the groceries with the largest price jumps lately , but you can still find affordable produce by buying seasonally.

Purchasing when produce is abundant helps lower the cost and will all but assure the best taste and highest levels of nutrition. Seasonal Fruits. Seasonal Vegetables. Another way to save money on produce is to opt for fruit and vegetables that have a longer shelf-life.

For example, to help extend your grocery dollars, choose apples over berries or carrots or celery over leafy greens. Generally, some of the cheapest fruit and vegetables year-round tend to be bananas, apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Meat can be the most expensive category for most food budgets, and can account for a large portion of the overall grocery bill. To save money, opt for the ground variety of your favorite protein.

Ground beef, chicken or turkey are super versatile, easily frozen and can be used in many different recipes. Larger cuts of meat will usually cost less per pound, but they may require marinating, braising and slow cooking to bring out the tenderness.

If you do prefer to include cheaper cuts of meat, consider including:. Buying a whole chicken instead of pre-portioned cuts can also save money and the leftovers, including the bones, are great for making chicken soup or bone broth.

Consider cutting costs even further by implementing Meatless Monday or meatless dinners a few nights a week. Swap out meat for healthy plant-based meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, beans and legumes, as your protein source.

In , during the Coronavirus COVID pandemic, the share of disposable income spent on total food presented the sharpest annual decline 8. In , the share of disposable personal income spent on total food had the sharpest annual increase As their incomes rise, U.

households spend more money on food but it represents a smaller share of their income. High-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have higher food spending in absolute terms, but the share of household consumption expenditures devoted to at-home food is low—less than 10 percent.

Per capita calorie availability follows the reverse pattern. According to the most recent available data, U. Skip to navigation Skip to main content. Home Data Products Ag and Food Statistics: Charting the Essentials Food Prices and Spending Food Prices and Spending Retail food prices partially reflect farm-level commodity prices, but other costs of bringing food to the market such as processing and retailing have a greater role in determining prices on supermarket shelves and restaurant menus.

Filter By Topic International Consumer and Food Industry Trends Consumer and Producer Price Indexes Food Prices, Expenditures, and Establishments Reset.

Food-at-home prices increased Food price inflation over —22 is outpaced only by transportation. More than one-third of the U. food dollar spent on eating-out services in retail food prices are less volatile than farm prices.

Food prices are less volatile than fuel prices. food-away-from-home spending 16 percent higher than levels. Budget share for total food increased 13 percent in Food spending as a share of income declines as income rises.

Calorie availability and importance of food in household spending are inversely related.