Generic cereals are often made with the same grains and other ingredients as name-brand cereals to be just as healthy. Ramen noodles are instant noodles made from wheat flour, salt, and water and typically feature a flavoring packet. In addition to being cheap and easy to make, ramen noodles are also highly versatile.

They can be used in soups, stir-fries, salads, and desserts. You can add vegetables or meat for a more hearty, well-balanced meal. And with so many different flavor packets available, this pretty cheap food can be a great way to add variety to your diet on a budget.

Flour is one of the most versatile ingredients you can buy when broke. Add it to your cheapest groceries list to help you stretch your budget further. Four is perfect for making your own bread, pizza dough, pastries, etc. Sugar is another one of those ingredients essential for baking, but it can also be used in plenty of ways.

A bag of sugar is typically very inexpensive and has a long shelf life, making it an excellent option for those on a tight budget. A loaf of bread provides dozens of servings and can be used for everything from sandwiches and croutons to bread pudding and French toast. Tortillas are an excellent way to stretch your grocery budget.

They can be served as a main entree with many types of meat, used as a wrap for sandwiches, or even made into chips. Oats are one of the cheapest food additions to any diet.

They are also very versatile: you can enjoy oatmeal or porridge for breakfast, add them to baked goods like muffins or cookies, or even use them as a topping for savory dishes like chicken or fish.

If you want an inexpensive way to add variety to your cheap grocery list, consider picking up a few tea boxes in different flavors. From Earl Grey to chamomile, there is a tea flavor for everyone. Tea is not only a great way to relax at the end of the day, but it can also help you stay hydrated and save some money on expensive sodas and coffees.

When buying peanut butter, look for natural brands that contain only peanuts and salt as the main ingredients. Avoid brands that contain added sugar, oils, or other unhealthy additives.

Your taste buds—and your wallet—will thank you. They are an affordable way to enjoy out-of-season produce that can also be used to make great sweets. Canned tomatoes are one of the best-canned items to buy when broke.

They can be used to make homemade tomato soup, chili, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and salsa. You can even blend canned tomatoes to make sauce rather than buying jarred sauces, saving you more money at many grocery stores.

Fruits and vegetables are the best cheap foods to buy, especially in season and from your local farms. With a little bit of meal planning, you can save some money on your grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition or taste. When it comes to putting together a cheap grocery list, you want to add apples to it!

They are one of the most affordable and cheap groceries when in season. Fresh apples can be eaten as a fresh fruit snack or added to a fruit salad, while cooked apples make a delicious and budget-friendly dessert like apple crisp.

When it comes to eating healthy foods on a tight budget, bananas are one of the best cheap foods to buy. They are packed with nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and they have a relatively low calorie count.

Oranges are one of the cheapest foods to buy for your grocery list, and you can eat them fresh, juice them, or even use them in recipes. Broccoli is one of the best picks for fresh vegetables, and I love them with pasta dishes and just as a simple side when roasted in the oven.

Spinach is an excellent cheap food that is a source of vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium. Here are some meal ideas for incorporating spinach:.

Iceberg lettuce is one of the cheapest groceries that you can buy. Lettuce is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is very versatile. You can also use it to make wraps more healthy. Carrots are versatile root vegetables that can be used in various dishes and have a slightly sweet taste that goes with so many things.

They are an excellent source of vitamin c for the kiddos too. Carrots are often used in a stir-fry with peppers, as it helps to retain their nutrients while also giving them a slightly crispy texture. I like to cut them up small and roast them for an easy side dish.

One of the most popular meal ideas for using peppers is stir fry, but you can add them to your pasta sauce or tacos or make stuffed peppers. You can get them in a pack of frozen vegetables to get a little bit of everything for a bunch of different meal ideas, or buy them fresh on their own.

Celery is also one of the most healthy cheap foods to buy — a great option for budget-minded shoppers. This crunchy, low-calorie vegetable contains nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Some of our favorites include sweet potato fries, green beans, and carrots.

Plus, you should grab a stir-fry mix for some variety. You can also save some money by buying frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit. Some brands add sugar or other ingredients to their frozen fruit, so be sure to read the label before you buy.

A few items will always be super cheap, no matter when you buy them. Potatoes fit the bill perfectly for an item to buy when broke and looking for cheaper foods with several meal ideas.

You can do many things with potatoes. One meal idea is a baked potato with whatever you want on top of it, like cheese, broccoli, and chicken.

When it comes to stocking your pantry on a budget, proteins are often one of the most expensive items on your grocery list. Eggs can be used in a variety of dishes or by themselves. They are one of the cheapest foods to buy, especially when compared to other protein sources like meat or tofu.

Eggs can be boiled, scrambled, or made into an omelet, and they go well with various other ingredients. Add an egg to brown rice and vegetables to make a quick and healthy stir fry. Ground meat is a cheap source of protein that can be used in a variety of dishes, from tacos to meatloaves, and it is typically very budget-friendly.

When grocery shopping for ground beef , look for marked-down products close to their expiration date. These products will be discounted and still fresh and safe to eat. One of the cheapest foods to buy is ground turkey.

Plus, freeze ground turkey when you find good sales. Sausage is an affordable and delicious option for your cheap grocery list that can be used in everything from breakfast dishes to dinner casseroles.

If you are looking for meal ideas, consider using sausage in a frittata, omelet, or quiche. You can also add it to pasta, rice, or soups. For example, you could slowly cook it in a crockpot or Instant Pot for pulled beef sandwiches or tacos or simply dice it for beef stew.

No matter how you prepare it, chuck roast is delicious and affordable meat to add to your meal-planning ideas! Chicken thighs are another great source of protein and are usually one of the cheapest foods to buy- even cheaper than chicken breasts.

You can cook them almost the same as you would chicken breasts, including cutting the meat from the bone to add it to soups or casseroles. Bologna is one of the cheapest foods to buy.

You can put it in sandwiches, dice it up and add it to salads, or even fry it up as a main dish. Bologna is also made in different ways, so you can try various brands to suit your taste.

Check the nutrition label before you buy, as some varieties can be high in fat and sodium. Hot dogs are one of the cheapest foods to buy that your kids will love, and you can cook them quickly for nights on the go.

You can enjoy hot dogs plain or dress them up with your favorite toppings. Canned fish, like tuna or salmon, is a cheap but nutritious option for your grocery list. Canned fish is better to buy when broke, and you can make cheap meals like tuna salad or casserole in a flash.

They keep a long time in the freezer. Rice is a pantry staple that provides energy and fills you up. Rice keeps for a long time and goes with sauces, beans, meats and veggies. Basic pasta sauce is inexpensive when purchased in cans or jars.

Transforming pasta into a tasty meal is as easy as heating up some sauce and tossing with noodles. Add protein or veggies if you have any. Black beans provide protein and fiber. Black beans can be used in tacos, burritos, salads, soups and more.

Bread is an affordable basic for sandwiches or toast. Opt for whole wheat when possible for added nutrients.

Even plain bread provides carbohydrates for energy. Bananas are one of the cheapest fruits. Keeping bananas on hand prevents grabbing a more expensive snack when hungry. Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting for this article. February 12, Read more.

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Advertiser Disclosure. Pasta Pasta is an affordable pantry staple that can be used to make a variety of dishes. Pork Shoulder Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat that can provide several hearty, budget-friendly meals. Make Your Money Work for You. Lentils Lentils are inexpensive, versatile and packed with protein and fiber.

Pancakes Pancake mix and ingredients like eggs and milk are budget-friendly items that go a long way. Oatmeal Oatmeal contains fiber and nutrients to keep you full and energized all morning. Cabbage Cabbage is one of the most budget-friendly vegetables. Eggs Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein.

Chickpeas Canned chickpeas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Peanut Butter Peanut butter is packed with protein and healthy fats, and a jar goes a long way. Yogurt Yogurt is an affordable option that provides protein and calcium. Fresh Fruit In-season fresh fruits like bananas and apples are usually available at low cost.

Frozen Fruit Keeping a stash of frozen fruit means you can always have berries, mangos, etc. Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are inexpensive, versatile and nutritious. Breakfast Bars Pre-packaged breakfast bars are inexpensive and portable, and they provide protein and fiber to start the day off right.

Granola Bars Granola bars contain whole grains, protein and other nutrients. Pre-Made Breakfast Bowls Pre-made breakfast bowls offer an affordable way to get a hearty, balanced morning meal with protein, grains and fruit without the restaurant price tag.

Frozen Breakfast Burritos Frozen breakfast burritos offer an inexpensive way to enjoy a hot breakfast sandwich at home. Potatoes Potatoes are very versatile and affordable.

Canned Tuna Canned tuna is an inexpensive source of lean protein to keep on hand. Rice Rice is a pantry staple that provides energy and fills you up. Pasta Sauce Basic pasta sauce is inexpensive when purchased in cans or jars. Black Beans Black beans provide protein and fiber.

Bread Bread is an affordable basic for sandwiches or toast. Bananas Bananas are one of the cheapest fruits. More From GOBankingRates I'm a Shopping Expert: 9 Items I'd Never Put in My Grocery Cart You Can Get These 3 Debts Canceled Forever 8 Signs You'll Retire Wealthy 4 Reasons You Should Be Getting Your Paycheck Early, According to An Expert.

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Brown Rice Chicken Corn Tortillas

Bargain-priced grocery essentials - Beans Brown Rice Chicken Corn Tortillas

I use them the most often for recipes like Taco Soup. Nothing like a bowl of cereal when you need a quick meal, am I right? And it beats ramen noodles in my opinion!

Not all cereal is cheap of course, but if you look for the store-brand you can always find some varieties that are very inexpensive. Store-brand pretzels are relatively cheap sometimes just a dollar for a bag and make a great snack option, especially if you have kids.

A well-stocked pantry should always include some basic baking goods like:. Make those inexpensive chicken thighs taste extra good by using some basic, inexpensive spices like chili powder, garlic powder, etc.

And a hanging spice rack like this is great for storing them! Now what? You may also be interested in: How to Meal Plan on a Tight Budget.

Note: Grocery prices are constantly changing, so some of the prices in the articles below have already changed. However, all of these meal plans are very frugal, even with rising prices. Want to get better at meal planning regularly? Check out my Meal Planner and Recipe Binder.

What are some of your favorite cheap foods to buy on a budget? Any favorite recipes? Please share in the comments! Looking for more ways to save at the grocery store?

Check out this post for 15 ways to save money on groceries! Apples Apples are one of the cheaper fruit options and are one of the staple favorite foods in our home. Bananas Bananas are another inexpensive fruit option. Frozen Vegetables Frozen green beans, peas, etc.

Carrots Carrots are a staple around here. Healthy and cheap, they make the perfect snack! Lettuce Buy it uncut and unwashed if you want to save money!

Thankfully they are very economical. Potatoes I generally find that a big bag of Russet potatoes is the cheapest option. Whatever fresh vegetables are on sale Check the ad for your local store to see what fresh produce is on sale!

Whole Chicken Cooking a whole chicken and deboning it is a bit of extra work but it will save you money on your groceries! Chicken Breasts Chicken breasts are not the cheapest cut of chicken but if you stretch them ie: one chicken breast cut up with tons of veggies for stir fry they can be quite cost effective.

Chicken Thighs Chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks are usually pretty inexpensive and are very flavorful. Canned Tuna Who else grew up eating tuna fish sandwiches? Smoked Sausage Smoked sausage is a great meat to keep on hand for quick meals. Eggs Eggs can be a great cheap source of protein.

Lentils Again, another great, cheap protein option! Luckily, there are foods in every food group that are known for being particularly affordable. Even just swapping out some of your more expensive grocery list items for some of the options on this list can be a game-changer when it comes to your financial health.

According to The Kitchn, budget-friendly grocery store Aldi had the cheapest produce available across the board. No matter where you go, though, these tend to be the most affordable fresh fruits for sale, as Healthline points out:. According to MyMoneyBlog, there are a handful of fresh vegetables that are more affordable than others.

So if you think eating healthy is ridiculously expensive, think again. When in doubt when it comes to saving money on vegetable, remember that the whole vegetables as opposed to pre-cut or chopped are always more affordable.

That change alone can save a lot of money in the long-run. According to the Christian Science Monitor, there are certain cuts and types of meat that will always be more affordable than others. When it comes to dry and canned goods to stock up on for your pantry, there are a ton of affordable options and a lot that are super healthy, too , as ThriftyFrugalMom points out.

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