Whether you shop for groceries monthly, weekly, or a few times each week, there are some items you should always have on hand. Having a few essentials in your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry means that you can usually make something to eat with needing to run to the store {where you’ll inevitably pick up a few impulse items} or just make a detour through the drive-thru.
One of my family’s biggest expenses – and probably your too – is food. You might be looking for frugal tips whether you are on a tight budget or are trying to save money to spend it on something else. You might also just want to avoid fast food and eat a bit healthier, even when you’re short on time.
I rounded up some of my favorite grocery items to always have in the house. These are items you can buy in bulk or stock up on in a sale, although most are pretty cheap regularly. They’re good in a wide range of meals and most need just 1 or 2 other ingredients to make a filling supper for your family.
I do almost all of my grocery shopping at Aldi. What I can’t find there, I usually pick up at Walmart, although I do make a run to Target or Kroger for a great deal.
Grocery items you should always have
1. peanut butter, $1.69 for a 16-oz. jar
Perfect in a classic PBJ sandwich, but also great on toast for breakfast or apples for a snack.
2. apples, $1 to $1.50 per pound
Speaking of apples, they’re the perfect snack to take “to go.” They’re a healthy food that I let me kids eat anytime they want something. They also tend to last longer than any other fruit before going bad.
3. oatmeal, $2.29 for a 42-ounce container
Oats are good for breakfast, but also make a good addition to baking recipes. With a few more ingredients, make your own granola.
4. canned tuna, 69c
Canned tuna is probably the most kid-friendly fish. It’s good for classic tuna salad. You can also make hot tuna melt sandwiches or make tuna alfredo.
5. pasta, 99c for a 12-16 ounce box
Pasta is a great starting point for any meal. Add whatever vegetables and meat you have for a simple weeknight supper.
6. eggs, $1.55-$2.75 per dozen
Eggs are so versatile: fried with a side of toast, boiled and added to salad, or scrambled with a few veggies mixed in for an omelet. These are sometimes pretty variable in price, but they last several weeks.
7. popcorn, $1.69 for a 2 lb. bag of kernels
If you’re not popping your own popcorn at home, you’re missing out. We used to have an air popper, but when it quit working, I switched to making it on the stove. Popcorn is the perfect quick, cheap, filling snack.
8. beans, 59c for a can
Dried beans are cheaper, but I usually keep several cans of beans for when I’m in a time crunch. Beans and rice are the perfect meal, just add your favorite seasonings.
9. rice, less than $1 per pound
Rice is kind of like pasta, it can be a base for anything. Just add vegetables {and meat if you want} and you’ve got a simple stir-fry.
10. lettuce, about $2 for a bag mix
Salads have a bad reputation of being boring, but they’re really not. Think outside the classic lettuce-carrots-tomatoes bowl and add a combination of proteins, colorful vegetables, fruit, and nuts.
11. canned vegetables, 49c for a can
Fresh is great, but not if it will go bad before you use it up. I always have canned green beans, corn, and tomatoes in my pantry.
12. chicken, $1.69-$4.49 per pound
Chicken is one of those items where the price varies widely from place to place. It is almost always cheaper than other meats, though, and more versatile. You can use it in chicken soup, caesar salad, or grilled chicken, to name just a few.
What’s one item that’s always on your shopping list?
If you enjoyed this post, you might want to learn how I use a price book to keep track of what everything costs:
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