43 Best Cheap Foods to Buy When Broke

Saving money on groceries is a goal for many, especially when trying to stick to a budget. Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student, or just looking to cut down on expenses, finding affordable yet nutritious food options is essential.

In this article, we’ll explore 43 of the cheapest foods you can buy to help stretch your dollar further. From pantry staples to fresh produce, these budget-friendly choices will save you money and ensure you’re eating well.

Let’s explore these cost-effective foods, which can significantly reduce your grocery bill without compromising on taste or nutrition.

The Cheapest Foods to Buy When Broke

When the price of groceries ever rises, we are all looking for ways to reduce our grocery bills. Finding cheap and affordable food options has become a top priority for many households. However, knowing where to start when trying to save on groceries can be challenging.

That is where finding the cheapest foods comes into play.

43 Cheapest Foods to Buy on a Budget

Discover these budget-friendly food options for times of financial strain or when aiming to cut costs on groceries! Also, check out these 85 frugal meals that only require a few ingredients.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are great to add to your basket when grocery shopping while broke because they can give you more energy and make you feel full longer. Carbs are my go-to when looking for cheap foods.

1. Old Fashioned Oats

Oats are super cheap and versatile, and they are one of the cheapest foods you can find.

You can use oats for making oatmeal, used in recipes like oatmeal cookies, or to pad foods and meal ideas to make your ingredients last longer.

2. Cream of Wheat

Cream of wheat is similar to oatmeal and comes in a box for cheap. It’s a delicious and easy breakfast option that is perfect for busy mornings. Cream of wheat is made from ground wheat and has a smooth, creamy texture.

It’s a great source of carbohydrates and fiber, making it a filling and satisfying meal.

3. Bread

Bread is another cheap ingredient you can buy from the grocery store or simply make yourself.

You can use this versatile ingredient as part of a meal, like breakfasts, lunches, or dinners. Or use it as a snack, or even dessert! We love a good slice of cinnamon bread for a nightly snack before bed!

Some of the most popular ways to use bread are toasting it and adding avocado and eggs for a hearty breakfast, making sandwiches with various fillings for lunch, or using it as a base for pizza or bruschetta for dinner.

4. Cereal

Who doesn’t love cereal? It’s a favorite food in our home.

To find the cheapest cereal, ignore the big brand names and focus on store-brand or generic options. These often have very similar ingredients and nutrition facts but at a much lower price. It’s important to note that just because a cereal is cheaper doesn’t mean it’s less nutritious or flavorful.

When shopping for cereal, look for whole grain options that have at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. This will help keep you full and satisfied until your next meal.

5. Rice

Good ole brown rice and beans! Rice is such a great option for a staple ingredient because it’s cheap and versatile.

Rice is perfect for lunch and evening meals, but it can also be used for many different things. White and brown rice should be pantry staples.

6. Pasta

One of our favorites is pasta because it’s so cheap and makes a delicious meal. You can make many different dishes for the whole family with just a few simple ingredients. Plus, it’s easy to customize and add in whatever vegetables or protein you have on hand.

Pasta is a staple food in many households because of its affordability and versatility. Whether you’re feeding a large family or cooking for one, pasta provides a satisfying and filling meal option.

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Proteins

Proteins are essential for a healthy diet and can often have a hefty price tag. But it is possible to get cheap versions. Here are some of the cheapest proteins to find.

7. Lentils

Some people consider lentils a pantry staple because they can help pad out your meals like oatmeal and rice can. They are a versatile legume that is a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like folate and manganese.

But why stop at just using them as a filling and nutritious addition to your meals?

Lentils can also be the star ingredient in many delicious and budget-friendly dishes! From soups and salads to curries and stews, the possibilities are endless.

8. Beans

Beans are at the top of the list for cheap proteins to buy when you’re broke or trying to save money. They are a staple in many culture’s cuisines and are readily available at most grocery stores.

You can buy canned beans for fast cooking or bagged dry beans. And you have a lot of uses, like soups, stews, chilis, and more. Black beans can be a great topper for tacos. Mixing dry beans with chili powder and vegetables can make delicious no-meat chili.

9. Ground Turkey

Meat is often the most expensive protein on your grocery list, so it’s good to check deals. Ground turkey is a good meat to buy when discounted as a healthier alternative to red meat.

Not only can you save money by buying ground turkey when it’s on sale, but you’ll also be making a healthier choice for your body. Ground turkey is lower in fat and calories compared to red meat, making it a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

10. Chicken

Meatless meals are the cheapest options, but chicken can be the cheapest meat. There’s a lot you can do with leftover chicken.

You can also go for different parts of the chicken when you need cheaper options, like chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Or you can buy a whole chicken and cut it up to freeze for different meals.

11. Frozen Meat

If you can’t go vegan, you can save money when broke by shopping for frozen meats.

Fresh meat can be expensive, so buying meat frozen foods is an awesome way to reduce costs. You can get frozen ground beef, chicken drumsticks, or chicken thighs.

12. Eggs

Eggs have a variety of uses! They’re a staple for baking, like in cakes and muffins.

Eggs can also make full meals, like , scrambled eggs, omelets or snacks like hard boiled eggs – eggs are an awesome cheap food to buy when broke.

13. Tuna

Fresh tuna is not cheap food. But it can be a cheaper addition to your meals than other meats. You can make things like tuna salad or tuna sandwiches. You can save cash by buying canned tuna.

14. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter can be slightly expensive up-front, but you can save money by using it wisely so it goes far and by shopping for generic labels.

Who doesn’t love PB&J sandwiches, especially kids?

Vegetables

Vegetables should be high on your grocery shopping list when you want to eat cheap but stay healthy.

And you can do a lot of stuff with fresh vegetables, making them essential. Let’s look at the cheapest vegetables to include during your shopping trip.

15. Broccoli

You can use the versatility of broccoli in nearly every meal you make. It works great in stir fry or topped with cheese.

It can also work as a yummy, healthy side dish for different meals and soups. You can get broccoli fresh or try frozen broccoli for a fast side.

16. Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are a staple in our home and something we recommend you keep in your pantry. You can also store diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato soup.

There are unlimited uses to chopped tomatoes, like to make chili, pasta sauce and other pasta dishes, bolognese, and more.

17. Carrots

You can stick to a slim grocery budget by buying bulk carrots. Checking with your local farmer’s markets can save even more.

Carrots can be a delicious side dish, part of your full meal, or as a healthy snack.

18. Garlic

If your meals taste a bit bland because you’re tight on money to use for ingredients, garlic can be a good seasoning to use.

Garlic powder is cheaper if you don’t want to use fresh garlic and it can last a while in your pantry. You can use garlic to add much needed flavor to all your meals.

19. Canned Pumpkin

Fresh pumpkins are a great seasonal produce for the fall. But you can have them year-round.

Save money by looking into purchasing canned pumpkins instead of fresh produce.

20. Kale

You often hear people in the fitness industry talking about kale – for good reason. It’s super healthy.

Kale is usually available for quite cheap at your local grocery store.

21. Peppers

There are a lot of health benefits to peppers, which you can enjoy raw or cooked.

Peppers are best bought in season. Some kids can enjoy bell peppers as a snack, but you can also use them in most recipes. We love them in chili and taco meat.

22. Squash

Squash is a good vegetable to look for in season (the fall) when it’s the cheapest.

You can use squash in a variety of dishes like soup and risotto. It’s also delicious fried.

23. Salad

Salad isn’t just a cheap way to stay healthy on a budget; it can also be a delicious meal.

You can save money by making them yourself, like chopping up the various ingredients and making your own dressing.

24. Spinach

Popeye isn’t the only one who should enjoy spinach, especially when you’re creating cheap, healthy recipes.

Adding spinach to a cheap meal can improve the health benefits and taste.

25. Potatoes

One of the cheapest foods you can get when you’re broke is potatoes. This versatile ingredient can help bulk out meals like stews or hotpots. You can make them as side dishes, salads, or as individual meals like baked potatoes.

They are cheap, nutritious, and can be found in almost every grocery store.

26. Sweet Potatoes

You can use a sweet potato the same way as red or russets but they have the advantge of being healthier. And they have a nicer sweet taste.

27. Zucchini

You can find zucchini for a cheap price when they’re in season, and it is a healthy ingredient to add to many dishes.

28. Onion

Onions can add a strong flavor to your food for a cheap cost. But did you know that there are different types of onions and each one has its own unique taste and purpose?

29. Frozen Veggies

You may be put off at first if you’ve never bought frozen vegetables before.

But it should make you happy to hear that frozen veggies retain the same nutrition as fresh produce.

Frozen vegetables last longer, can save you money, and are great wen you need to add veggies to a meal. Or you can use them for specific things like stews or vegetable soups.

Fruit

Fruit should also be at the top of your list when you’re shopping to feed a family while broke.

Eating on a budget doesn’t mean you have to choose unhealthy foods. You can still eat healthy when you’re broke.

30. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe can be nice to eat alone or as part of a fruit salad. You can save cash by watching out for deals.

31. Canned Fruit

When things get really tight, the cheapest fruits come in a can. There is nothing wrong with buying canned fruit when you’re broke. Or at any time!

There is a wide variety of canned fruit. We love peaches best.

32. Bananas

In our house, bananas are a favorite fruit because they don’t go moldy straight away. And they’re surprisingly filling and healthy.

33. Apples

Apples are also a good, healthy, affordable fruit that doesn’t go bad fast. They can also be used in a variety of ways, such as eating them raw as a snack or adding them to recipes for added flavor and nutrition. Apples are also rich in antioxidants and fiber, making them a great choice for promoting good digestion and overall health.

In addition to their nutritional benefits, apples are also versatile and can be easily incorporated into any diet. They come in a variety of types, from sweet to tart, making it easy to find one that suits your taste preferences.

34. Grapes

One of the cheapest fruits you can add to your list is grapes. They get eaten up pretty quickly around here, so they don’t have time to go bad.

35. Kiwi

A quick and healthy snack for your kids or yourself can be Kiwi. Kiwis are budget-friendly and lovely to eat.

36. Melon

Melon is one of my favorite things to eat as a healthy snack and easy on the wallet.

37. Watermelon

Melon and watermelon are both delicious and affordable, although it can save money by only getting watermelon while it’s in season.

38. Frozen Berries

Frozen berries are an affordable and effective alternative to fresh berries, which can spoil faster than they’re consumed.

39. Oranges

You can get your recommended vitamins from oranges, which keep well. They make a delicous snack on their own or you can squeeze them for a healthy tasty beverage that’s cheaper than buying store-bought orange juice.

Dairy

Dairy is a staple ingredient used fast and a lot in most households. So, finding ways to get it cheaper is helpful.

40. Milk

Milk is a broadly used ingredient for many dishes, but it is also a beverage that you can drink.

You also use milk in cereal and for protein shakes and smoothies or added to pancakes, waffles, or eggs to make them fluffier.

41. Yogurt

Yogurt can be a healthy, inexpensive snack to add to your list. Certain ones also have health benefits. You can find snack packs targeting gut health.

You can save more by shopping for generic brands and comparing costs to see if it’s better to buy larger sizes or in bulk.

42. Cheese

We love cheese! Cheese is a vital part of most of our favorite meals, and it’s delicious as a snack.

When shopping for cheese, avoid the more expensive ones. But you don’t have to give up all cheese when you’re broke.

You can pick up cheaper cheeses, such as cheddar or mozzarella, to use for cooking and as a snack.

43. Chocolate

Chocolate absolutely made the list! Cheap chocolate doesn’t taste as good by itself, but it works great for baking.You can bake many yummy things with chocolate that kids will love, like muffins or cookies.

How to Find and Buy Cheap Foods When Broke

It can be confusing to know where to start finding cheap food when you’re broke or trying to save money. If you’ve never done it before, you may find yourself overwhelmed.

But it’s not as difficult as you think.

Don’t Buy Name Brands – Go With Generic

Most of us are guilty of going for name-brand items when we’re shopping.

Marketers have warped our brains into believing that the more something costs, the better the brand.

But the truth is that is not the case. You may even find that you prefer generic brands if you give them a try.

Most of the time, different products get produced in the same factory and slapped with different labels. That is the only difference.

You can save money by not buying generic brands because you’re not paying for the branding. Always shop generic if you want to score the best cheap food.

Shop At Discount Grocery Stores

You can get an instant savings boost by shopping at discount grocery stores. You can stick to a cheap grocery list budget by taking advantage of discount grocery stores.

Score the cheapest foods by shopping bargain grocery store brands like Walmart, Winco, Food4Less, Grocery Outless, Aldi, H-E-B, Lidl, and Publix, among others.

Aldi is our favorite discount food store brand. They not only have great cheap foods but also awesome quality.

Shop Clearance Section

You can stick to a tight budget by searching your grocery store for their clearance section.

They often have marked-down prices on items close to their expiration date. You can usually locate the clearance section at the back of the store in a small corner. You might walk past the section all the time if you don’t know it’s there.

Compare Prices at Different Grocery Stores

Comparing prices between different grocery stores can take more work. But if it can help you save money, your effort will be worth it. There are times when comparing prices is the only way to find the best budget friendly foods to buy.

You may find products in one store that are cheaper other places. It may require you to search prices online or check store to store. It can take more time, but it can give you cheaper food in return.

Where to Buy Cheap Food Near Me

Start with shopping for cheap food options at the places around you. While sticking with your favorite grocery store may seem familiar, it’s worth it to step out of your comfort zone to try something new.

Check out your local area to find discount grocery shops. They won’t disappoint.

My Favorite Apps to Score the Cheapest Foods

If you’re trying to save money on your food, consider using an app set just for that purpose. My favorite apps that help me find cheap food are Ibotta and Fetch.

With these apps, you can save money on groceries by scanning receipt, earning cash back and finding deals on your favorite items. Best of all they are free to use and easy to navigate making saving money on groceries a breeze.

Check it out – We’ve saved almost $400 using Ibotta!

The Cheapest Foods to Buy– Final Thoughts

We hope this list of the cheapest foods at grocery stores will help you save cash when grocery shopping.

If you find yourself broke, it’s important to know how to find cheap foods. But you don’t want to compromise on health or food quality just because you’re broke. It’s possible to eat well on a budget.

You don’t have to compromise with boring, tasteless foods just because they’re cheap. It’s possible to have delicious meals even when money is tight.

You can use certain hacks to make cheap meal ideas, and there are certain items that are best to choose from.

What are your best tips for cheap foods to buy when broke?

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