Learn the best way to make a Grocery List on a Budget and get the most bang for your buck when shopping at the local grocery store!
Since the grocery prices have risen lately, it's become more and more expensive to buy food items at a reasonable price. Especially if you're feeding a family, it can really be hard on the wallet to purchase enough healthy food to keep everyone fed but still stick to your grocery budget.
Luckily, there are some simple ways to fight the rising costs and make your budget grocery list work for you!

Why Create a Grocery List on a Budget?
If you're tired of seeing that high grocery bill, here are some great tips on how to get as much out of your grocery trip for the best price possible! With just a little bit of creativity, you can find a way to stretch basic pantry items and other cheap groceries to fit even a tight budget!
Making a family grocery list on a budget may seem daunting, but keep reading and learn how to make a cheap grocery list that will keep all of your loved ones full and satisfied. These ideas will help you do more with not as much money even with the high food prices we have to deal with.
Best Ways to Save on Groceries
- Buy in Bulk - Bulk items are a great way to save money in the long run when grocery shopping on a budget. You'll end up getting more bang for your buck when buying large packages whether it's meat like ground beef, staple items like toilet paper and paper towels or a big bag of dry beans.
- Shop at Discount Stores - I find that some of the best places with discount groceries and great prices are Aldi, Walmart and Lidl. These stores have regular deals and sale prices on a wide variety of your favorite foods. Don't be afraid to purchase store brands or generic products as they can be some of the best deals and best prices. Many of these products are also made by big brands with the private store label put on them. Discount stores can really save you some money when grocery shopping on a budget.
- Don't Waste - Make sure you keep all leftovers and store them in proper containers to prolong their life as long as possible. You may also be able to use leftover ingredients for dishes like soups, stir frys, and more. For instance, this Leftover Turkey Orzo Soup is a fantastic way to repurpose turkey leftovers!
- Use Coupons - Never underestimate how much you can save with a few properly applied coupons. If you have the time to clip coupons or you've collected some, this is a great way to make a grocery list for a food budget.
- Plan meals - Meal planning is a great way to save much time and money! This keeps you from only buying what you need and a good idea is to plan how you will use any leftovers. Leftover dinners make great lunches the day day.
Cheap Groceries
Here are some of the best groceries and pantry staples to target when you're planning a grocery list for a budget.
- pasta - Perfect as a quick meal any night of the week. Pasta is inexpensive and will last for ages in your pantry. Look for when stores have sales on boxes of pasta and stock up! Make this Pasta with White Beans and Kale for a healthy and easy dinner.
- canned beans - Canned goods can last for years and years as long as the can isn't damaged. Buy a variety of beans and find ways to use them in soups, salads, and other dishes.
- frozen vegetables - Because they can last for long periods in the freezer, frozen veggies are a great investment. Super easy to heat up as a quick side dish and also great to incorporate into other meals.I always keep a stash of green beans, spinach and broccoli in my freezer. They are just as healthy as fresh vegetables too.
- bread - Depending on the type of bread, you can usually buy a few loaves at a good price. Bread can be frozen for 4-6 months, so if you can spare the freezer space, stock up!
- peanut butter - If you use it sparingly, peanut butter can last for months in the pantry and is great for making sandwiches and other snacks! It's a great item to buy when grocery shopping on a budget.
- potatoes/sweet potatoes - Potatoes are great to store in a cool pantry and can last months at a time. A baked potato can be a filling and nutritious meal that will cost you pennies! I make a batch of baked potatoes in my air fryer and then top them with some leftover chili or veggies for a satisfying dinner.
- chicken - Poultry is one of the cheapest forms of protein on the market. It comes in lots of different cuts and can be bought in bulk and frozen if needed. Use simple chicken to make delicious recipes like Boiled Chicken Legs or Baked Chicken Breasts. You can use the leftovers in soups, salads and sandwiches for another great meal. To save money, buy a whole chicken and cut into pieces yourself.
- rice - Another pantry ingredient that lasts for months and months. Rice is a great base for lots of other recipes and can be bought in large bags to save money. You can also cook a large batch of rice and freeze it in portions for easy meal prep. Rice is an essential pantry item when grocery shopping on a budget.
- tomato sauce - Keep this around to pair with pasta for a quick weeknight meal. The average canned/jarred pasta sauce is yummy and affordable.
- mac and cheese - Boxed mac and cheese is another super simple meal that the entire family will love!
- eggs - Always readily available, eggs are a staple ingredient that can be used for breakfast or in a wide variety of baked goods and other recipes. They typically last up to a month in the fridge and can even be frozen and then thawed. Right now eggs are more expensive then ever but they are still a good value for the nutrition you get from them.
- popcorn - This is a great snack to keep around. High in fiber and whole grain, it's surprisingly good for you as well.
- olive oil - Odds are, you'll be using olive oil in many of your regular recipes. Always keep some on hand and look for when it's on sale.
- premade broth - Keeps well and can be used in a wide variety of soups. I always keep several containers in my pantry. Pair them with some pasta and you have a quick soup!
- apples and bananas - Fresh fruits are a naturally healthy snack! Common fruits and fresh produce like apples and bananas are often incredibly affordable and they also have a good shelf life.
More Budget Grocery Shopping Tips
- Commit to Your List - Make a grocery shopping list of exactly what you need and stick to the list and the list alone. It's easy to get distracted in the grocery store and end up buying more than you meant to, but it can save money to only purchase exactly what you came for and not get impulse purchases.
- Loyalty Programs - If you find yourself typically shopping at the same grocery store, sign up for their rewards card or any loyalty program they might offer so you can take advantage of exclusive deals and offers or rewards.
- Compare Prices - This may take some extra time, but you can go online and look at the prices for the same/similar items and get an idea which stores have what you need for the lowest price. Even though prices can fluctuate, you may also want to pay attention to prices while you're in the store so you get a first-person experience of how much things cost at different grocery stores.
Cheap Recipe Ideas
- Best Chicken Noodle Soup - This recipe is a great way to use leftover chicken! Combine with pasta and veggies for a comforting and healthy dish.
- Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs - A quick and easy breakfast recipe. If you have eggs you're afraid will go bad, hard boil them in the air fryer!
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato - All you need is sweet potatoes, oil, and salt! This makes a great side dish or even a main course. Pair with a side dish for a hearty meal.
- Heirloom Tomato and Chickpea Salad - Great as a lunch or a side dish. This recipe is full of healthy and affordable ingredients and is entirely vegan.
- Lentil Vegetable Soup - Another yummy vegan meal, this soup is loaded with filling lentils and veggies. Super healthy and comforting and perfect for the colder months!
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