88 Cheap Foods to Buy When You're Broke 

If you want to cut back your monthly food budget with the cheapest foods at the grocery store, start by making a broke grocery list. Make sure to include your favorite ingredients and foods the whole family will love. Uneaten or spoiled food will be a waste of money. For a list of Foods That Last a Long Time in the Pantry so you can stock up and save.

Jump to:

• What is a cheap food buy price?
• Best Grocery Stores to Buy Cheaper Foods
• Buying Grocery Items in Bulk
• Food Insecurity
• Where to get free food for my family?
• College Student Grocery List 
• 11 Budget Food Tips
• What foods are the cheap and filling?
• Pantry Foods to Buy When Broke 
• Cheaper Fresh Fruits and Vegetables 
• Cheapest Meats and Dairy 
• Save In the Grocery Freezer Section
• Budget Snacks to Buy at the Grocery Store

What is a cheap food buy price?

A buy price is an average or lesser dollar amount for the ingredient or food you are purchasing. That price is based on the grocery stores in your local area. Grocery store prices can vary depending on the area. For example, a lemon in grocery store A is $1.00 and store B is $.80 cents. My buy price for a lemon would be $.80 cents or less. If store A has a lemon on sale for $.75, It would definitely be in my cart because it’s even better than my buy price. 

Knowing your buy price for ingredients and food will help you save money when figuring out the cheapest food to buy. 

Best Grocery Stores to Buy Cheaper Foods

When planning on reducing your grocery budget look around your local area for a discount or salvage grocery store, dollar store, or grocery outlet. Popular names of similar stores are Dollar Tree, 99 cents only, Save A Lot, Winco, Lidl, Food 4 Less, and don’t forget private local and religious stores.  These types of discount or salvage stores will sell items close to the best buy dates. Look at the dates and be mindful if planning to stock up or stockpile cheap food deals. 

The cheapest place to buy food near me are grocery stores like Aldi and Walmart which have low everyday prices. Kroger, Albertsons, Shoprite, and HEB have amazing weekly deals with digital coupons that can help with savings. 

Buying Grocery Items in Bulk

Bulk grocery membership stores like Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and Costco can offer great pricing for units when buying large amounts. Plus you can share a card with a family member or friend to reduce the cost of the membership.

If you have a large family these stores are great for stocking up the pantry and freezer, also buying bulk fresh ingredients. Great way to make fewer trips to the store when food shopping and find shelf-stable cheap foods to buy in bulk. 

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household. There can be many reasons this can happen job loss, low income, unexpected or emergency expenses, or rising healthcare costs. You or/and your family might be in an unfortunate position between choosing between paying the bills or buying food. 

If you or someone you know is food insecure, there is income-based help like SNAP or WIC benefits. Non-income based help like food banks and religious organizations.

Where to get free food for my family?

If your family is in need of food, please contact a food assistance organization or ask family and friends. The truth is a large majority of people have been in a similar situation before and are happy to help. No one should go hungry please ask for help.

Local Area - Check with local churches and city social services.

Food Banks 

School Food Pantry Programs

Senior Food Programs

Facebook Marketplace or Groups

College Student Grocery List 

If you are a busy student living in a dorm and wondering how to make a grocery list? or Where is the cheapest place to buy groceries that will help you save time and money? Check out this blog post for convenient food and ingredients ideas.  

11 Budget Food Tips

1. Save by stocking up on your favorite pantry staples, by buying in bulk, or when they are on sale. 
2. Cook and bake from scratch using simple ingredients. For example, a simple no-knead bread recipe only has flour, water, yeast, and salt. Taste better and is more filling than store-bought sliced bread.
3. Meal planning will slash your food budget and save you time in the kitchen. 
4. Shop sales and discounts store with your buy price always in mind. 
5. Use your freezer to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables before they go bad. They can be used later for a smoothie, oatmeal, soup, or stew. 
6. Buy generic or store brands, most times they are very similar to name brands. 
7. Compare weekly local grocery store circulars online to find great deals. Don’t forget to signup for their card loyalty program and app. 
8. Buy fruits and vegetables in season and freeze or preserve your favorites. 
9. Use convenient digital coupons and cashback apps like Ibotta to save even more. 
10. Instead of dining out or picking up fast food keep emergency frozen meals and snacks in the freezer. 
11. Shop early on Monday or Tuesday to find discounts on meat, produce, and bakery items. 

What foods are the cheap and filling?

The cheapest foods that are quite filling are potatoes, eggs, beans, lentils, oats, bananas, apples, yogurt, and popcorn. The cheapest and most substantial proteins include canned tuna, chicken legs, ham, chuck roast, and whole turkey during the holidays. 

Pantry Foods to Buy When Broke 

1. Flour
2. Rice
3. Pasta 
4. Oats - Old-fashioned or Quick
5. Canned Beans - Red, Black, White, and Chickpeas 
6. Dry Beans, Lentils, and Split Peas 
7. Flour or Corn Tortillas 
8. Cornmeal or Masa 
9. Bread - Sliced or Buns 
10. Sugar
11. Yeast
12. Baking Powder
13. Baking Soda
14. Cornstarch
15. Cooking Oil
16. Pasta Sauce 
17. Canned Tomatoes
18. Canned Mixed Vegetables 
19. Canned Pumpkin
20. Canned Tuna or Chicken
21. Canned Evaporated Milk or Condensed
22. Canned Coconut Milk 
23. Salsa
24. Broth or Bouillion Cubes
25. Ketchup
26. Mayo
27. Mustard
28. BBQ Sauce
29. Soy Sauce
30. Hot Sauce
31. Vinegar - Red wine, apple, or white. 
32. Dry Blends and Powdered Spices - Onion, Garlic, Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Cajun, Italian, Oregano etc. 
33. Ramen or Noodle Soup Mix 
34. Pancake and Baking Mixes 
35. Syrup
36. Jams and Jelly
37. Peanut or Nut Butter
38. Cocoa Powder 
39. Generic or Store Brand Cereal 

Cheaper Fresh Fruits and Vegetables 

Fresh fruits and vegetable pricing vary based on availability and seasonality.  

1. Potatoes - White, Sweet, or Yams 
2. Cabbage
3. Carrots
4. Celery 
5. Zucchini 
6. Brocolli
7. Spinach
8. Lettuce 
9. Corn
10. Pumpkin or Squash
11. Cassava or Yucca
12. Plantain
13. Onion 
14. Garlic
15. Green Onion - can be regrown right on your kitchen counter
16. Italian Parsley
17. Apples
18. Bananas
19. Pineapple 
20. Watermelon 
21. Limes and Lemon
22. Cucumber
23. Tomato 
24. Sweet Pepper
25. Jalapeno or Spicy Peppers 

Cheapest Meats and Dairy 

1. Eggs
2. Sausage
3. Chicken Leg Quarters
4. Ground Beef or Chuck Roast
5. Pork and Ham
6. Whole Milk
7. Sour Cream
8. Yogurt
9. Chunk Cheese
10. Cream Cheese 
11. Butter or Margarine 

Save In the Grocery Freezer Section

Fruit and vegetables are so cost-effective when buying them frozen. They are picked and frozen right away, even more nutritious. Buying convenience freezer meals and snacks is most times even cheaper than dining out.

1. Frozen Vegetables - ie. Peas, Green Beans, Mixed, Root Vegetables, and Spinach 
2. Frozen Fruits - Berries, Peaches, Mango and Pinapple
3. Frozen Pizza and Snacks 
4. TV Dinners
5. Ice Cream

Budget Snacks to Buy at the Grocery Store

1. Popcorn
2. Pretzels 
3. Marshmallows
4. Peanuts and Almonds 
5. Raisins 
6. Generic Crackers 
7. Generic or Store Brand Cookies and Wafers 
8. Snack Cakes or Muffins