Top 10 Budget-Friendly Foods | Cook Smarts (2024)

1. Seasonal Fruits & Veggies

This might sound obvious, but it’s more complicated than simply seeing what the grocery store has in its aisles. With global trade, some produce is available in stores year-round. However, non-seasonal produce is more expensive. Even though it might only seem like a just few cents more, when the end of a year comes around, those cents will have added up to dollars you may wish you put elsewhere. By buying fruits and veggies when they’re in season, you’ll get a better deal (and more nutrients and flavor!).

Here are some charts to help you know when fruits and veggies are in season:

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Vegetables by Month (US)

Discover what veggies are in season each month with this Vegetables by Month Chart

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Fruits by Month (US)

Enjoy fruits at their peak every month with this Fruits by Month Chart

2. Frozen Fruits & Veggies

There will be times when you’ll crave some of the produce that isn’t in season, but there’s a great option to do this affordably. Frozen fruits and veggies are cost-effective and can be just as good as fresh, since they are picked at their peak to be frozen; they still contain all the good nutrients. Having frozen produce on hand in your freezer is also important because it means you can add fruits and veggies to every meal. It’s super simple to steam, roast, or stir-fry them in no time!

3. Dried & Canned Beans

Dried beans are cheap and a great way to feed large groups of people and have plenty of leftovers. They can be cooked in a slow cooker and any extras can be frozen and then defrosted for a quick future meal. While dried beans are cheaper than canned beans, canned beans are also very budget-friendly, especially when compared to meat proteins. They’re a quick option when you don’t have time to slow cook dried beans, and are perfect for bulking up enchiladas, quesadillas, salads, soups, and rice. And of course they are always great when you add spices and enjoy them as protein-rich side dish.

4. Canned Tomatoes

Purchasing preserved tomatoes can save you time and money and lets you add bursts of flavor to a dish at any time. You can get crushed, whole, diced, and paste in cans, tubes, and boxes. If tomatoes are not in season, or even if they are, buying them canned is perfect for a quick spaghetti sauce or for stirring into chilis or soups.

5. Pastas & Grains

Rice, farro, quinoa, and dried pasta are easy to inexpensively buy in bulk and can usually be stored for quite awhile. Grains and pasta can also be used to cook a wide range of dishes and can add extra heft to an otherwise light dinner of soup or salad. Since there are dozens of grain and pasta types, you can always mix things up and prevent getting into any dinner ruts. To up your fiber intake, choose whole grain varieties with the help of our Whole Grain Guide here:

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Guide to Cooking with Whole Grains

Learn more about this food group and how to make whole grains a healthy part of your diet.

6. Potatoes

Potatoes often get a bad rap due to infamous french fries and chips. But don’t banish potatoes from your kitchen quite yet! These root vegetables are actually nutrient-dense and good for you, if you indulge in moderation. (If you’re diabetic or Paleo, simply opt for sweet potatoes.) Since potatoes are very inexpensive and last a long time when stored in a dark, dry place (and away from onions), they are a great base or addition to budget meals. And did we mention how versatile they are? They can be chopped / sliced and roasted, added to soups, mashed and grated, and of course baked whole and loaded with healthy toppings.

7. Eggs

Eggs are an excellent source of lean protein – each one gives you 6 grams of protein and less than 2 grams of saturated fat if you hard-boil them. Buying them in bulk will give you the best deal, so if that’s a tad bit too expensive for your food budget, think about splitting them with a friend or neighbor. And remember, eggs aren’t just good for breakfast scrambles and omelettes. You can also use them for frittatas, salads, stratas, fried rice, curries, or in a sandwich.

8. Canned Tuna

Canned tuna isn’t just a treat for your cat – it’s a great source of protein that is usually quite cheap! Think beyond tuna sandwiches and imagine tuna adding flavor and body to pastas, casseroles, and salads. Albacore (“white” tuna) tends to be a little more expensive than skipjack (“light” tuna) and skipjack generally has lower levels of mercury. (Visit the FDA website for information on how much mercury is safe to consume.)

Tuna in water has less calories and fat, although a majority of the oil in canned tuna provides healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, so choose the best option for your personal health.

9. Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie chickens are a great bang for your buck because they take no prep and can feed your family for several meals. From tacos to salads to sandwiches, rotisserie chicken is a great source of protein and key vitamins and minerals. Since it can be high in sodium, we suggest not getting one every single week – even if it’s tempting! But if you do (for example, buying two rotisserie chickens in one week because of a really good deal), they can be be pre-shredded or chopped and frozen for future quick and easy meals, like fried rice, stir-fries, and burritos.

10. Tofu

If you didn’t grow up on tofu, we know that you may approach it with some trepidation. But we highly recommend giving it a try! Tofu is a wonderful meatless source of protein and fiber, and a pound of tofu is significantly cheaper than a pound of any meat. Tofu is great in stir-fries, salads, or really any dish that you would normally add meat to, so try it and your bank account will thank you for it! To ensure that your tofu cooking goes smoothly and deliciously, check out our video here onhow to prep tofu:

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How to Prepare Tofu

Learn how to prep and cook tofu the right way with this short video.