As the cost of butter, bread, coffee, and even hot dogs goes up, here's how to save money on your grocery bill.
Why Are Food Prices Rising? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
Whether the cause is the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation or all of the above, you’ve definitely noticed that food prices are going up. And not just fancy or gourmet food, but fast food and everyday staples. It’s a challenge for many Americans who grocery shop on a budget. Even if some states are cutting their grocery tax to try and ease the burden.
According to CNBC, the price of butter is up more than 24 percent and flour has risen nearly 25 percent, while bread and rice are up around 16 percent. The price of coffee, hot dogs, and lunch meat have all also risen more than 18 percent. You’re likely already feeling the crunch, especially with the food shortages like recent egg shortages that have been the norm for much of the last couple of years. Plus, a new phenomenon of tipflation has continued to rise.
Many of us know that overall inflation has reached 40-year highs, rising over 8 percent. But the increase in food prices is even steeper. According to the USDA’s Consumer Price Index, average food prices are up more than 11 percent since August 2021. Grocery store or supermarket purchase prices are up 13.5 percent, and restaurant bills are up 8 percent since last summer. This all combined certainly takes a toll on the monthly budget.
Why Are Food Prices Rising?
For basics like butter and milk, it’s a basic supply chain issue in the dairy industry. The cost of feed is increasing, there’s an ongoing labor shortage, and the cost of maintaining cows is more expensive than ever for farmers. The USDA reported in early 2022 that milk production was down 1.4 percent, which didn’t help matters. Experts say high prices of butter and milk are not going to come down any time soon, and a butter shortage is likely.
The same supply chain issues like the ones facing the dairy industry are affecting nearly every other food category. A tomato shortage is predicted as well, so we’re starting to prep to stretch our grocery budget.
Tips for Dealing with Rising Food Prices
Choose what—and where—to buy more carefully
Basic food purchases are not discretionary, and so these price hikes are causing major shifts in how families shop and their eating habits. Many are saving money by buying food in bulk at stores like Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s, avoiding red meat and other more costly items, eating less takeout or switching to casual restaurants. These budget-friendly restaurant copycat recipes can help you save at home.
Look out for “shrinkflation” and “skimpflation”
Many large national brands have already raised their prices on food and beverages. But more subtly, to trim costs, they’ve also made their packaging smaller in weight and size in what the industry calls “shrinkflation.” Shrinkflation is otherwise known as “getting less for the same price” and in surveys, more than two-thirds of consumers are worried about the phenomenon. Even sneakier, some companies swap in less expensive ingredients and charge the same price, a practice called “skimpflation.” Keep an eye out for grocery store items with the highest markups.
Meal planning is key to saving money
Meal planning in advance is one of the best ways to save money. Planning helps avoid impulse purchases, but meal planning also helps save time on cooking during a busy week. Meal planning tips such as roasting a whole chicken for the week to use in various meals, or making a casserole, lasagna, or soup and storing ahead in the fridge or freezer, are ways to manage costs. Schedule a “meal-prep Sunday” to ensure delicious, budget-friendly meals in advance of your busy week.
Delicious Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas
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
How do you save money on groceries? Share your tips with us!
Au Gratin Ham PotpieWe 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
Find out our smartest ways to save money at the grocery store.
Creamy Spinach Chicken DinnerCleanup 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
These are the things experts want you to know about grocery shopping on a budget.
Baked Swiss ChickenCanned 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
Grandma’s Tomato SoupThis 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
Hay and StrawThis 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
Cowboy StewI 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
Looking for a dessert for later? Try this vintage poor man's cake recipe.
Hungry Man’s Baked PotatoesSweet potatoes are topped with bacon, veggies, pulled pork and goat cheese for a unique take on a baked potato dinner.
Yes, you can eat healthy on a budget! Here's how.
Hamburger Stir-FryHere'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
Here's where to find the best deals at your supermarket.
Sausage Sweet Potato Sheet-Pan DinnerThis foolproof weeknight dinner is naturally gluten free, and is on your table in no time! It is easily adaptable and can be made using seasonal fruits or veggies. —Melissa Erdelac, Valparaiso, Indiana
Discover our favorite cheap and healthy meals.
Cheese Chicken SoupKids 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
Ramen Noodle Stir-FryThis 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
Chicken Biscuit PotpieThis 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
Pick a budget-friendly dessert to finish off your cheap meal!
Sheet-Pan Pork SupperI 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
Sausage and Squash PenneI love using frozen cooked winter squash because the hard work—peeling, chopping and cooking—is all done for me. —Jennifer Roberts, South Burlington, Vermont
If you like finding cheap recipes, you'll love these dinners for under $10.
Southwestern CasseroleThis southwestern casserole is a riff on chili mac, with the added spice of green chiles and sliced jalapenos, all underneath a melted layer of Monterey Jack cheese.
Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ ChickenI 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
Rosemary-Apricot Pork TenderloinYou'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
Chicken and Stuffing CasseroleThis hearty six-ingredient chicken and stuffing casserole is a breeze to make, requiring just five minutes of prep time, making it ideal for busy weeknights and group gatherings.
Mushroom Pasta CarbonaraI 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
Chicken Parmesan PizzaThis 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
Easy HamburgersThis is the only hamburger recipe you need! We'll walk you through how to make hamburger patties that grill up to juicy perfection.
Conga Lime PorkDinner guests won’t be too shy to get in line when this yummy chipotle pork moves to the buffet table. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
Beef & Pepper SkilletI 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
Chicken FajitasSizzling chicken fajitas are super easy to make and full of flavor. The secret is in the skillet, which can go from stove to table for restaurant-quality presentation.
Slow-Cooker Salisbury SteakThese 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
Soupy Chicken Noodle SupperAt 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
Taco-Stuffed Pepper CupsThese taco-stuffed peppers are ready in record time. The bell peppers create a colorful container for this meal. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
Lasagna Roll-UpsLasagna roll-ups are a quick way to the cheesy, meaty flavors of lasagna you love. Individually rolled, the mini lasagnas bake up faster than a whole pan, and they store easily for dinner later.
Chicken Caesar FlorentineI 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
Sausage Pasta with VegetablesI 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
Simple Creamy Chicken EnchiladasThis 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
Tater Tot CasseroleThanks to a few ingredients and easy prep, this cheese-smothered Tater Tot casserole will be a recurring star at your dinner table.
Slow-Cooker Pulled PorkEnjoy tender, juicy pulled pork with this easy slow-cooker recipe. Perfect for sandwiches or tacos, slow-cooker pulled pork combines tangy, sweet and spicy flavors for a mouthwatering meal.
Honey-Mustard Breaded ChickenI 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
Cassoulet for TodayFrench 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
Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo SauceYou can recreate Olive Garden Alfredo sauce at home in only 20 minutes! This rich, creamy, cheesy sauce makes a fantastic fettuccine Alfredo—but you can use it as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, too.
Kentucky Grilled ChickenThis 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
Great Northern Bean StewThis thick and hearty stew with great northern beans is sure to chase the winter chills away. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Cheeseburger Stuffed Pasta ShellsYou 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
Easy Chili VerdeI 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
“Everything” Mashed Potato CasseroleThe 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
These are the best cheap crock-pot meals that are a must-try.
Fried ChickenThis crispy fried chicken recipe uses a batter instead of a flour coating. That helps the flour adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off after cooking!
Bean BurritosI 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
Easy Chicken Fried RiceAfter 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
Tilapia FlorentineLooking 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
One-Pot Mac and CheeseWho 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
Air-Fryer Black Bean ChimichangasThese 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
Cabbage RollsCall them old-fashioned, but these stuffed cabbage rolls are just as cozy and comforting as they've always been. Once you've got the hang of the rolling technique, you can stuff them with just about anything.
Slow Cooker Ranch ChickenThis 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
Dill Pickle Hamburger PizzaMy 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
Spaghetti Pie CasseroleMy 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
Mexican Beef-Stuffed PeppersI 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
Spinach Pizza QuesadillasThis 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
Angel Hair PrimaveraI 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
Baked Feta PastaThere'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
Salsa Verde Chicken CasseroleThis 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
Garden Vegetable PrimaveraAlthough 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
Hearty Vegetable Beef RaguThis 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
Traditional Boiled DinnerCorned 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
Beer Can ChickenYou'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
The Best Shepherd’s PieOur top-rated shepherd's pie recipe delivers a cozy, filling, homestyle dinner that never disappoints.
Black Bean Chicken with RiceThis 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
Smothered BurritosMy 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
Apple Balsamic ChickenI 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
Hamburger StewSimmer up a big pot of hamburger stew to feed the whole crew. It's packed with beef, veggies, rice and potatoes, but you can add whatever else you like.
Instant Pot Whole ChickenWe 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
Sausage Potato SkilletGrowing 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
Polenta Chili CasseroleOur 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.
Walking TacosThese 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
Garlic SpaghettiI 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
Enchilada CasseroleEvery 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
Next Up: Take a look at these cheap breakfast ideas.
