A trip to the grocery store as a busy college student can be so easy if you plan ahead. Make a college grocery list with all your favorite healthy ingredients, snacks, and convenient meals that will come in handy for those late-night study sessions. Save money by shopping weekly and with a set realistic budget.
Jump to:
- How to start a basic college grocery list?
- What are the best grocery stores for college students?
- 7 Money-Saving Food Tips
- Check Out These Articles for More Food Ideas
- What should I put on my college grocery list?
- Shelf-Stable Foods and Flavorful Ingredients
- Canned and Jar Foods
- Snacks and Produce
- Meats and Dairy
- Convenience Foods
- Storage and Cleaning
- Health/Beauty
- College Meals
How to start a basic college grocery list?
Figure out what appliances you will have access to. In most dorms, you might have access to or be able to have a microwave, mini-fridge, electric hot water kettle, coffee maker, and a mini blender. If you are sharing an apartment with friends, you’ll have access to an awesome full kitchen. Where you can have an air fryer, multi-cooker, or toaster oven.
This will help you determine what ingredients or items to buy at the grocery store. For example, you might be purchasing more shelf-stable ingredients because you have less refrigerator space.
Don’t forget to have microwave-friendly cups or mugs, bowls, and plates around to heat food up or store leftovers in the refrigerator. Silicone microwavable bakeware is also perfect for “microwave baking”.
What are the best grocery stores for college students?
The grocery store with cheap food prices is Walmart and Aldi. You can find amazing quality ingredients with a small budget. See what other grocery stores are in the area check out their prices online to see if they fit your budget. You can also shop online for shelf-stable foods and have them shipped to the dorm or use grocery delivery like Walmart +.
7 Money-Saving Food Tips
- Buy your favorite shelf-stable foods in bulk. Go half or split costs with a friend or roommates and save even more.
- Keep sauce packets and utensils from takeout. They’ll come in handy.
- Check out Dollar or Discount stores like Dollar Tree, you can find brand name and quality store brand ingredients for about a buck.
- Try to eat out least as possible, making your own meals are most times cheaper and more filling.
- If you are awake go to the grocery store on Monday or Tuesday mornings to find discounted ingredients like bread, yogurt, produce, and meat.
- Save money with a window herb garden. You can easily grow herbs to flavor your meals for example green onions from scraps.
- Keep a running list of all your favorite foods, it will make next week's list easier.
Check Out These Articles for More Food Ideas
Cheap Foods to Buy When Your Broke
Foods That Last a Long Time in the Pantry
What should I put on my college grocery list?
Grab a pen and paper or your phone and let’s get started. When you are in a grocery store the perimeter most times has fresh perishable ingredients like fruits, vegetables, bread, meats, dairy, and refrigerated items including convenience foods. In the middle aisles, you’ll find shelf-stable, cans or jars, packaged snacks, spices, oils, drinks, soups, paper products, and cleaning supplies. Pick an area or group of ingredients and write down what you need or want. The list below has easy convenient food options, check out this post if you are a broke student on a budget and want basic ingredients options.
Shelf-Stable Foods and Flavorful Ingredients
- Hot Sauce
- Salt & Pepper
- Spices/Powders - ie. Oregano, Onion, Garlic, Italian or Cajun
- Mayo
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- BBQ Sauce
- Salad Dressing
- Boullion Cubes
- Cooking/Salad Oil
- Vinegar
- Pancake Mix & Syrup
- Sliced Bread or Buns
- Flour or Corn Tortillas
- Packaged Soup - Ramen or Noodle Soup Mix
- Packaged Flavored Rice or Pasta - Mac & Cheese, Knorr or Rice a Roni
- Cereal
- Granola
- Baking Mixes - Cake, Muffin, or Brownie
- Coffee - Instant or Ground
- Flavored Powdered Creamer
- Powdered Milk
- Tea Bags
- Hot Chocolate Mix
- Cappuccino Mix
- Sugar
- Flavored Oatmeal Packets
Canned and Jar Foods
- Pasta Sauce - Canned or Jarred
- Salsa
- Peanut or Nut Butter
- Jam or Jelly
- Nutella or Cookie Butter
- Marshmallow Fluff
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Soup
- Canned Beans - ie. Refried or Baked
- Canned Milk - Evaporated or Condensed
- Shelf Stable Packaged Milks - Dairy or Non-Dairy
- Canned or Pouch Tuna and Chicken
Snacks and Produce
- Crackers/Pita Chips
- Tortilla Chips
- Potato Chips/Pretzels
- Veggie Chips
- Pudding
- Popcorn
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate
- Nuts
- Beef Jerky
- Snack Cakes
- Trail Mix
- Bars - Granola/Cereal
- Flavored Protein Powder
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Meats and Dairy
- Eggs
- Precooked Sausage ie Breakfast or Links
- Hot Dogs
- Deli Meats
- Pepperoni
- Fresh Meats
- Sour Cream
- Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Chunk or Sliced Cheese
- Fresh Cow’s Milk or Non-Dairy Milk
- Butter
Convenience Foods
- Salad Mix
- Cooked Convenience Meats - ie. Rotisserie Chicken, Shredded Beef, or Pork (Carnitas)
- Hummus or Dips
- Freezer Burgers or Veggie Burgers
- Ready to Bake Cinnamon Rolls
- Ready to Bake Cookies
- Freezer Sandwiches, Burritos, or Beef Patty
- Freezer Meals and Snacks
- Frozen Pizza
- Frozen Vegetables
Storage and Cleaning
- Cleaning Supplies
- Disinfectant Spray or Wipes
- Air freshener
- Paper Towels/Napkins
- Plastic Wrap
- Zipper Bags
Health/Beauty
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Soap/Body Wash
- Razor/Shaving Cream
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Feminine and Male Products
- Brush/Comb
College Meals
These convenient ingredients can be easily made in the microwave, including pasta, rice, noodles, baking, and pancake mixes. Use precooked items to your advantage, especially protein, buying a rotisserie chicken can be a great filling addition to meals.
Buy ingredients and foods that you know you're going to eat and love. Wasted or spoiled food is just throwing money away. Don’t forget snacks because you’ll have busy days ahead, they’ll come in handy on the go.
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