Nothing beats a home-cooked meal but the groceries can add up! Luckily, there are tips and tricks on saving money that can make shopping a breeze.
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There are few things we love more than grocery shopping, although we’re partial to the delicious dinners that come afterwards (and the eating that comes after that). But we know that shopping for the gang can quickly add up. On average, a weekly grocery bill for a family of four can run between $150 and $300. That’s why we’ve compiled some of our favorite ways to save money while grocery shopping to keep your wallet and your family happy.
Build an inventory
At least once a month, go through your freezer and pantry to take stock of what you have and what you don’t need to buy. When you’re at the store, you won’t impulse-buy an item you already have, and you won’t be wondering about what else you might need.
Buy things in bulk
This doesn’t just apply to toilet paper. Buying food like pricey meat in quantity can dramatically cut costs down the road. Ordering from a meat supplier is a great way to save, but be aware that to get deals, you might have to order up to 40 pounds of chicken breasts or beef at once. If you don’t have the space, split the order with a friend. (Wondering what you’re going to do with all that chicken? Check out our best chicken dinners.)
Freeze
Cooking large amounts of food at once is a great time-saver, and who doesn’t love coming home the next day and finding dinner already made? Make sure nothing spoils by freezing leftovers-a way to save money, time and headache. Stashing each serving in different Tupperware containers will also give you easy-to-grab meals for when you’re on-the-go. Need inspiration? Start with these freezer-ready meals.
Go shopping once a week
As far as math equations go, it’s pretty simple: the less you’re shopping, the more you’re saving. You’ll reduce impulse purchases and save money, time and gas by only heading to the store once a week. Plus, it will get you into the habit of planning ahead for the whole week, helping you organize your meals in advance. Meal prep, anyone?
Look for substitutes
We all have our indulgences, whether it’s goat cheese, gelato or a nice bottle of wine. Saving isn’t about cutting out what makes you happy but about shopping smarter. Each time you get back from the store, review your receipts to find the most expensive items. Can you substitute something else, or a different brand, next week? There are tons of pantry staple recipes you can make yourself for much less money.
Use coupons
There’s no better friend for a thrifty shopper than coupons. Find them in your store’s newsletter, or check out sites like coupons.com, smartsource.com, or redplum.com. Then use them wisely. There’s no rush as long as you’re aware of the expiration date, so wait for the items to go on sale to stack up discounts on discounts.
Be a loyal shopper
Variety may be the spice of life, but it isn’t the best way to save money. Stick to frequenting one grocery store, and take advantage of their loyalty program. You’ll start to rack up rewards, learn their promotions, and become familiar with how the program works so you can score freebies and generous markdowns.
Prepare a soundtrack
Our favorite way of feeling like we’re in a movie: Strut your stuff to a mix of upbeat songs while you shop, instead of the slower-paced tunes the store is playing. Martin Lindstrom, author of Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy, found that the stores’ songs actually make us move slower, leading buyers to reach for more.
Say adieu to the cashier
Opt for the self-checkout line. Not only will the wait time generally be shorter-a perk we can get behind-but you’ll have less chance to linger around the sweets and last-minute temptations near the cashier. A study by IHL Consulting Group found self-checkout slashed impulse buys by 32% for women and 17% for men. You’ll also be more conscious of what you’re buying, giving you an opportunity to pass on any impulse items that might have wandered into your cart.
Pay attention to weight
There’s no better place to be concerned about weight than the grocery store. An item’s sticker price can only tell you so much, but look a little closer and you’ll see how much it costs per ounce or gram. Compare different brands, and different amounts between brands, to score the best deal.
Eat first, then shop
You’ve heard it before and we’re going to say it again: don’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Studies have shown you’ll be tempted to grab more than you need, especially high-calorie snacks you’d otherwise avoid. Need a bite before you go? We recommend one of our protein-packed salads.
Brushing up on some of the best ways to save money while grocery shopping will make you a smarter, savvier shopper and save you time, money and energy.
Shop smart with these budget-friendly dinner recipes.
What could be more comforting (or easy!) than a slow cooker mac and cheese? Nothing! This cheap dinner idea is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish, and I've never met anyone who didn't ask for second helpings. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
We first had Aunt Dolly’s potpie at a family get-together. We loved it and were so happy she shared the recipe. Now, we make it almost every time we bake a ham. —Mary Zinsmeister, Slinger, Wisconsin
Cleanup is a breeze with this creamy spinach chicken. To make things even easier, tear the spinach with your hands instead of cutting it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Canned soup, white wine, Swiss cheese and crushed croutons dress up the chicken breasts in this elegant entree. Ideal for unexpected guests, it requires only a few ingredients. The creamy sauce is excellent with garlic mashed potatoes or rice. —Beverly Roberge, Bristol, Connecticut
This recipe is my grandmother’s. Originally, she even made the tomato juice in it from scratch! Gram had this recipe cooking on the stove every time I visited her. She enjoyed making this tomato soup and other favorite dishes for family and friends, and she made everything with love. —Gerri Sysun, Narragansett, Rhode Island
This recipe is not only quick and easy to prepare, it's pretty, too. This colorful pasta dish combines julienned ham, Parmesan cheese, peas and linguine.—Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
I had this cheap dinner idea in the early 1970s when I was down to very little food in the house. Because it's a combination of barbecue sauce, hamburger, hot dogs and beans, this one-skillet meal makes both children and adults happy. —Val Rananawski, Millville, New Jersey
These air-fryer lemon chicken thighs remind me of Sunday dinner. The lemon and herb butter really makes the chicken flavorful and juicy! If you don’t have an air fryer, the chicken can be baked in the oven at 400° for about 45 minutes. —Alyssa Lang, North Scituate, Rhode Island
Here's a quick, easy hamburger stir-fry that uses ground meat instead of the traditional beef strips. It has a nice sauce and is different enough to feel like a treat for the taste buds! —Kathi and John Horst, Westfield, New York
This sausage sweet potato sheet-pan dinner is a healthy, foolproof weeknight dinner! It's also easily adaptable to whatever seasonal fruit or veggies are lying around. Try substituting apples, peaches or nectarines for pears. —Melissa Erdelac, Valparaiso, Indiana
Kids won’t think twice about eating their vegetables after tasting this cheesy soup. It's a delicious but cheap dinner! —LaVonne Lundgren, Sioux City, Iowa
This mildly flavored ramen noodle stir-fry combines tender strips of chicken with vegetables and popular ramen noodles. I came up with this ramen noodle recipe when I wanted a quick-fix meal for myself. Sometimes I change the vegetables or substitute ground turkey for the chicken. —Dawn Boothe, Lynn Haven, Florida
This hearty chicken potpie recipe with biscuits takes just 10 minutes to assemble before you can pop it in the oven. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas
I created this pork tenderloin sheet-pan dinner to suit our family's needs. It's so quick and easy to clean up since you use one pan for everything! Use any variety of small potatoes—fingerlings or other colored potatoes are a fun and delicious option. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
I love using frozen cooked winter squash because the hard work—peeling, chopping and cooking—is all done for me. —Jennifer Roberts, South Burlington, Vermont
I've been making this mild family-pleasing southwest casserole recipe for years. It tastes wonderful, fits nicely into our budget and, best of all, makes a second one to freeze and enjoy later. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet and slightly spicy taste of Carolina vinegar chicken. I make my version in the slow cooker. After the tempting aroma
fills the house, your family is sure to be at the dinner table on time! —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
You'll be surprised at how quickly this dish comes together for an easy weeknight meal. And with very little effort, you'll have tender and juicy meat that begs to be added to a salad or sandwich the next day. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
This tasty chicken stuffing casserole is chock-full of homey, comforting flavor! It’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken, plus it’s so quick to assemble using handy pantry items. —Cathy Smith, Wyoming, Michigan
I absolutely love this creamy and cheesy mushroom carbonara. I serve it with a side salad and rolls to make a complete meal. —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin
This tasty pizza is the perfect combo—quick and easy to make, and a winner with even picky eaters. It's a handy option for a family dinner on a busy night or for the center of the table at a kids' party. —Karen Wittmeier, Parkland, Florida
I love Mexican-inspired food. I also enjoy experimenting with recipes like this one and making them healthier—and downright good! —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia
I like to make pizza, and this one is my favorite. I use a ready-to-use pizza crust when time is tight. If you like taco salad, you'll love this. —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio
This quick and healthy chicken and peppers recipe tastes like a naked taco and is bursting with fresh flavors. And it can all be prepared in the same pan for easy cleanup—it's a win-win! —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
These flavorful "steaks" fit into everybody's budget. A special friend shared the recipe, and I think of her each time I make it. —Susan Wright, Mineral Wells, West Virginia
At least once a week my six-year-old son, also known as Doctor John, hands me a “prescription” for chicken noodle soup. Needless to say, I'm always happy to fill it. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
These Italian-inspired roll-ups are fast and fun to make. They may look elegant, but they are also very kid-friendly (and budget-friendly, too!). —Cindy Romberg, Mississauga, Ontario
I adapted this dish from my favorite chicken Caesar salad recipe. It has many of the same ingredients as the salad: croutons, grated Parmesan, chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing. This makes the perfect comforting meal on a busy weeknight. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
I was born in Montreal and lived in New England and the Southwest, so I’ve merged these influences into recipes like this shepherd’s pie with turkey, corn and green chiles. —Lynn Price, Millville, Massachusetts
I made this for our pastor one night. He loved it so much we nicknamed it “Jason’s Pasta.” It’s a sneaky way to get our kids to eat more veggies. —Suzie Foutty Mansfield, Ohio
This chicken enchilada recipe is one of the first dishes I created and cooked for my husband right after we got married. He was so impressed! We fix these creamy enchiladas for friends regularly. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Ground beef, sausage and cheese make this tater tot casserole with green beans a crowd-pleaser. Cayenne pepper and hot Italian sausage give it a pleasant kick. —Ryan Jones, Chillicothe, Illinois
“Foolproof” is a perfect way to describe my barbecue pork recipe. With just four ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make these fabulous sandwiches with very little effort. —Sarah Johnson, Chicago, Illinois
I get bored with the same old breaded chicken, so I came up with this simple recipe. The coating adds fast flavor to tender chicken cooked on the stovetop. —Laura Theofilis, Leonardtown, Maryland
French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet, too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida
This simple fettuccine Alfredo recipe combines heavy whipping cream Parmesan and Romano cheese or a creamy, cheesy sauce that'll come together in minutes. —Jo Gray, Park City, Montana
This Kentucky grilled chicken is perfect for an outdoor summer meal, and my family thinks it's fantastic. It takes about an hour on the grill but is worth the wait. I use a new paintbrush to mop on the basting sauce.
-Jill Evely, Wilmore, Kentucky
I get a kick out of serving this chicken sausage dish—everyone's always on time for dinner when they know it's on the menu. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
You could call this a comfort food mashup made in heaven. Jumbo stuffed pasta shells are loaded up with cheeseburger goodness in a dish that will soon become a family favorite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I love chili verde. I order it whenever I can at restaurants, and figured out how to make an easy, tasty version at home. People have the option to eat the chili verde with a fork or in tortillas with a variety of toppings such as cheese, cilantro, minced onions or lime wedges. There are never leftovers at my house. —Julie Rowland, Salt Lake City, Utah
The everything-mashed potato casserole seemed to evolve over a year and it’s a great dish to take to a covered dish event. If I need to keep it warm for a longer time, I sometimes place the mixture into a Crockpot and then add the sour cream, bacon, cheese and chives. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia
This Sunday dinner staple is first fried and then baked to a crispy golden brown. Well seasoned with oregano and sage, this classic is sure to satisfy diners at church potlucks or late-summer picnics. I love fixing it for family and friends. —Donna Kuhaupt, Slinger, Wisconsin
I always have the ingredients for this cheesy bean burrito recipe on hand. Cooking the rice and shredding the cheese the night before save precious minutes at dinnertime. —Beth Osborne Skinner, Bristol, Tennessee
After my first child was born, I needed meals that were satisfying and fast. This easy chicken fried rice is now part of our regular dinner rotation. —Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York
Looking for a way to get a little more heart-healthy fish into your family's diet? You'll win them over with this quick and easy entree. —Melanie Bachman, Ulysses, Pennsylvania
Because this ground beef hash brown casserole is practically a meal in itself, I simply pair it with a salad and dessert. —Rochelle Boucher, Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Who likes cleaning up after making mac and cheese? Not this girl. This one-pot mac and cheese is a family favorite, and my 3-year-old is thrilled to see it coming to the dinner table. We love to add sliced smoked sausage to this creamy mac recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
These chimichangas get a little love from the air fryer, so they’re much healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. Black beans provide protein, and the recipe is a smart way to use up leftover rice. —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
This recipe is special to me because it’s an easy one-pot meal that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama
This is a fabulous slow-cooker ranch chicken recipe that we have passed around to all our friends, especially those who have young children. It's wonderful for a cold winter night or a hot summer day when you don't want to turn on the oven. Serve it as a weeknight family dinner or for a large group. —Sonya Stark, West Jordan, Utah
I got this Taco Puffs recipe from a friend years ago. I still make these cheesy sandwiches regularly for dinner alongside a steaming bowl of soup or a fresh green salad. Any leftovers taste even better the next day for lunch. A helpful hint: Plain refrigerated biscuits seal together better than buttermilk types. —Jan Schmid, Hibbing, Minnesota
My husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it always laugh in surprise because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois
My family adores this spaghetti casserole. It's old-timey comfort food. This is how to make baked spaghetti with cream cheese. —Patricia Lavell, Islamorada, Florida
I grew up eating stuffed peppers and thought my husband would immediately love them as well. He didn't at first, but then I created this slow-cooked recipe. Because he loves fajitas and tacos, I created these peppers with all his favorite flavors tucked inside. —Nicole Sullivan, Arvada, Colorado
This simple five-ingredient dinner is special to me because my daughter and I created it together. You can make variations with other veggies you might have at home. It's a smart way to get kids to eat healthier. —Tanna Mancini, Gulfport, Florida
I love to make this when summer is in full swing and the vegetables are at their very best. You can substitute almost any vegetable when in season and at my house, this dish is almost never the same. —Tre Balchowsky, Sausalito, California
There's a reason this recipe went viral on TikTok! Baked Feta Pasta is about to become a new household favorite. It's simple to throw together and incredibly creamy and delicious. —Sarah Tramonte, Taste of Home Associate Culinary Producer
This is a rich and tasty combination of all the Tex-Mex dishes blended into one packed, beautiful casserole. Best of all, it’s ready in only half an hour! —Janet McCormick, Proctorville, Ohio
Although I enjoy this dish throughout the year, it's even more special when I use my garden to supply the vegetables. A splash of white wine and a sprinkle of fresh basil really add flavor. I have also roasted the vegetables and mixed in chicken breasts with scrumptious results. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland
This recipe is healthy yet satisfying, quick yet delicious. It's on the table in less than 30 minutes, and it's something that my children will gobble up! If you are not fond of kale, stir in baby spinach or chopped broccoli instead. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey
Corned beef is a real treat in our family and we love the savory flavor the vegetables pick up from simmering in the pickling spices in this delicious boiled dinner. —Joy Strasser, Mukwonago, Wisconsin
You'll be proud to serve this stand-up chicken at any family gathering. Treated with a savory rub and then roasted over a beer can for added moisture, it’s so tasty you’ll want to call dibs on the leftovers! —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin
When you need a real meat-and-potatoes fix, try this hearty layered casserole that blends from-scratch mashed potatoes with cream cheese and a meat filling. Your favorite barbecue sauce gives the dish an extra tang. —Cindy Kliskey, Pepperell, Massachusetts
This spicy family favorite calls for just a few basic ingredients, so it’s quick and easy to stir up in your skillet on a weeknight. —Molly Newman, Portland, Oregon
My brother-in-law teased that I only knew five ground beef recipes. I proved him wrong with my inventive spicy burritos. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
I just love the sweet and tart flavor that balsamic vinegar gives to this dish. It's easy to prepare and after cooking in the slow cooker, the chicken thighs are tender and flavorful. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
This zesty ground beef and vegetable soup is flavorful and comes together so quickly. It makes a complete meal when served with warm cornbread, sourdough or French bread, if you can squeak in a few more calories. —Lynnette Davis, Tullahoma, Tennessee
We love rotisserie chicken, and now with a pressure cooker, I can have it ready to eat in an hour or so. I combined several recipes to come up with this favorite. If you are new to the kitchen tool, this is a perfect recipe to begin with since it is so easy. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Growing up, I would eat this sausage and potato skillet recipe almost every day. I could never get enough of my favorite meal! —Amelia Bordas, Springfield, Virginia
Our Test Kitchen created this delicious vegetarian bean and polenta bake that combines spicy chili, mixed veggies and homemade polenta. It's a warm and comfy casserole that is sure to please everyone, vegetarian or not.
These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
I make this family-favorite garlic spaghetti at least a couple of times a month. It's wonderful with a salad and fresh Italian bread. —Jackie Messina, Chardon, Ohio
Every time I serve this dish, I get satisfied reviews—even from my father, who usually doesn't like Mexican food. Plus, it smells delicious while baking. —Nancy VanderVeer, Knoxville, Iowa
Kim Bussing is a writer and editor living in Los Angeles. She has written for publications including Reader’s Digest, Modern Farmer, Clean Plates and Vice, among others, and she is working on her first novel. She is always on the hunt for the perfect gluten-free cinnamon roll.