Rice
We can all agree that plain rice is one of the most basic staples, and it tastes virtually the same across all brands once cooked. Cheap rice provides the same carbs, calories, and flavor as more expensive brands, especially when you add sauce or other flavoring.
Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are the perfect ingredient to add to any dish, and the cheapest versions still provide rich flavor, plenty of sauce, and solid quality. If you pay more, you're paying for branding, rather than any discernible quality boost. We guarantee you won't taste a difference!
Flour
All-purpose flour is milled to consistent quality, so store-brand bags perform just as well as the big players when it comes to baking, thickening, and frying various foods. Since it's a consistent commodity, choosing to save money here won't affect your results in the kitchen.
Yogurt
Whether it's plain Greek or fruity flavors, you can get the same taste and texture from cheap yogurts as you can from fancier alternatives. You won't miss out on any calcium or prebiotic by choosing cheap, either. Pricey packaging doesn't make yogurt healthier, so budget wins here.
Cheddar Cheese
If you love posh cheese, then maybe don’t skimp out, but basic cheddar cheese is delicious from every brand. Budget cheddar melts, slices, and grates as well as any premium option, and you won’t taste the difference once it’s in a sandwich or between some crackers.
Lentils
Lentils are a basic, dry staple, and even the cheapest options go nicely in any dish. They’re fundamentally rich in protein, highly nutritious, and generally don’t cost much anyway. So, don’t shy away from the most budget lentils because they’ll still be flavor and texture powerhouses.
Ice Cream
We’re all partial to some delicious Ben & Jerry’s, but it’s just so expensive! If you want ice cream as more than a very rare treat, you can rely on generic options. They use the same basic ingredients (milk, sugar, cream), and satisfy that sweet craving without breaking the bank.
Soda
Though you can sometimes taste the difference, there’s nothing wrong with the cheapest versions of popular sodas. Store-brand sodas mimic the flavor and fizz of the real thing, for a fraction of the price. Cola, lemon-lime and root beer are all just as refreshing, especially when served cold.
Frozen Vegetables
Why buy fresh vegetables when frozen is just as good? They’re flash-frozen at peak freshness, no matter the brand, so they taste ripe and juicy when you cook them. The cheapest bags also deliver in bulk, so you’ll save more money over time by making them last.
Tea Bags
Put the fancy teas aside and take a look at budget black and green teas for a moment. They have the same amount of caffeine and flavor as expensive brands, providing a comforting, satisfying cup of tea that stretches your dollar, especially if you drink several each day.
Bottled Water
Water quality standards make most bottled waters virtually identical before they even get onto the shelves. The cheapest waters are perfectly hydrating and taste clean, which is all that really matters. Paying for a logo or buzzword in this case is unnecessary.
Sugar
Like salt, sugar is chemically pure, so there’s no difference between brands. The cheapest bag sweetens coffee or tea, mixes perfectly into batter, and tastes great on top of any dish. Save your money for ingredients where quality actually changes flavor.
Sandwich Bread
We’ll admit that artisan breads are divine, but basic white sandwich bread is a great, affordable staple food. It’s generally soft, versatile, and works well in its original form or toasted. Pricier sandwich breads rarely offer enough improvement to justify paying extra.
Butter
Butter is delicious because of its salt and fat content, so it’s good that store-brand butter must meet the same standards as premium types! You’ll save plenty of money by being frugal with this option because a little goes a long way.
Soy Sauce
That delicious umami flavor is one of the best things about soy sauce, but many people are tricked into believing that expensive sauce is better. However, there’s very little difference, and since most recipes mix it in with other ingredients, the cheapest bottle delivers the same savory punch.
Vinegar
Speaking of sharp and savory, vinegar is a flavoring that many people can’t live without. Distilled vinegar uses the same chemical solution across brands, and cheap versions aren’t weaker or less punchy. Go for the cheapest jug and use it freely in the kitchen.
Cooking Oil
Whether it’s vegetable, sunflower seed, or olive oil, you can find some premium-tasting options at budget-friendly prices. Any price oil performs the same for frying or sauteing, so it’s all about shopping around and finding your new affordable favorite. Save the expensive oils for occasional drizzling.
Oatmeal
A big bowl of oatmeal will fill you up for the day, and you don’t need to spend a lot! Good old plain rolled oats taste and cook the same no matter what the packaging says, so you’ll get a generous helping of fiber and carbs for a low price.
Canned Beans
Anything that comes in a can should be cheap, and this staple good is exactly that. Ignore fancy canned beans in favor of cheaper versions because the same pre-cooked and preserved food is inside. Just rinse them and enjoy savings without sacrifice.
Mustard
Basic yellow mustard gives the same tangy zap to your taste buds as gourmet jars, so why waste your money? In sandwiches, dressings or marinades, you’ll barely notice a difference. It’s one of the easiest condiments to buy cheap without missing out on quality.
Frozen Fries
French fries don't have to be a rare treat if you save on every bag you buy, and even the cheapest frozen fries crisp up beautifully in the oven. Once they’re salted and sauced, they’re indistinguishable from premium brands. Remember you’re paying extra for packaging, not better potatoes.
Tortillas
Whether you want a burrito, a wrap, or a quesadilla, you don’t need posh tortillas to make it. Cheap and expensive have nearly identical ingredients and texture, so choosing the cheapest saves money and gives you plenty of tortillas to work with.
Chips
While you might pay more for adventurous flavors, generic potato chips taste good at any price point. Blind taste tests have shown that most people can’t tell the difference because the flavor and crunch isn’t affected by price. You can enjoy them as a regular snack without overspending.
Ketchup
Put down the Heinz! Cheap ketchup can be just as good, once you’ve found your favorite budget brand. If it achieves that delicious balance of sweetness and saltiness and comes out of the bottle with a good consistency, it’s a winner.
Coffee
If you prefer basic black coffee over fancy flavors, it never hurts to be frugal. Budget ground coffee brews strong and hot, covering the basics straightaway. A French press will further minimize flavor differences, especially once you’ve mixed in cream or sugar. Give some cheap caffeine a try.
Sour Cream
All sour creams share similar fat content and flavor, even when it comes from the cheapest tubs. There are endless meals you can make with affordable sour cream: tacos, baked potatoes, sandwiches, and dips. Paying more adds nothing extra, except a higher price tag.
Potatoes
If there’s any “classic” budget staple, it’s potatoes. They’re all grown the same in the ground, so what are you paying more for? Cheap potatoes are just as tasty, versatile, and easy to cook as the so-called premium ones, and you can get big bags for very little money.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is delicious, and there’s nothing extra they’re putting in the fancy jars that you can’t get for less. You can enjoy the same rich flavor and protein content without paying over your budget, satisfying your sweet craving in a financially responsible way.
Soup
Soup has been a staple food for centuries, but it’s only recently that brands started releasing fancy, expensive soups. The cheapest cans are designed to taste good and provide a comforting, easy meal that you can bulk with veggies or flavor with spices.
Hot Sauce
Most hot sauces share the same base: chillies, salt, and vinegar. Cheap bottles have all those things, and they’re just as hot and exciting. You don’t need to reach for top shelf hot sauce to enjoy some heat, and a little really does go a long way.
Frozen Pizza
Most frozen foods are just as good when they’re cheap, but many people overlook frozen pizza. As soon as you put them in the oven, they brown and crisp up, delivering tasty, cheesy goodness for much less. Some even rival the pricier versions.
Bananas
Bananas are identical across brands; they just come from different trees. They’re graded by ripeness, not logo, and there’s nothing extra slipped under the skin before they’re sold. Even the cheapest bunch will taste good and provide plenty of essential nutrients.
Milk
Speaking of nutrition, milk is a calcium powerhouse that also includes other minerals. It’s generally inexpensive, but some brands sell “premium” milks that cost more. We’re here to tell you that you can stick with cheap milk because you’re not missing out on anything extra.
Ramen
Instant ramen is designed to be two things: cheap and tasty. Even the lowest-cost packs offer that fundamental warm, salty comfort, and they go perfectly with any other foods, including veggies and eggs. Dress them up or down; just don’t overspend.
