This is post is part of 3-part series on how to cut costs at the grocery store.
With grocery prices increasing, finding ways to cut costs while still preparing nutritious meals is essential. One of the easiest ways to save money is by swapping out expensive ingredients for more affordable alternatives. Whether you’re cooking on a budget or just looking for creative ways to stretch your grocery dollars, these smart substitutions will help you reduce costs without compromising taste or quality. If you’re looking for some more tips, check out How to Save Money with Cheap Grocery Shopping: Budget-Friendly Shopping Tips and Best Budget Grocery Stores: Shopping to Save Money
This post is all about smart substitutions.
Table of Contents
Understanding Smart Food Swaps
Making ingredient swaps is an easy way to lower grocery bills while still enjoying delicious meals. These are only suggestions on how to cut down your grocery bill even further, and not necessarily what you have to do. The key to effective substitutions is choosing alternatives that maintain flavor, texture, and nutritional value while costing less.
Budget-Friendly Substitutions for Common Ingredients
Meat is really expensive, including meats that are usually considered cheap, like chicken and pork. We discussed previously all the different dynamics that go into the causes of rising costs. Instead of feeling defeated at the cash register though, we make little changes to feel less of a pinch. Let’s take a look to see what our options are.
Meat Alternatives
No, I’m definitely not telling you to go vegetarian or even vegan! However, there are some swaps that may be useful that you might not have thought of. Meat is one of the most expensive grocery items, but you can cut costs by incorporating plant-based protein sources or even different cuts of meat.
Try out the following:
- Ground beef → Lentils or beans: Use lentils or black beans in tacos, soups, and casseroles. Beans and lentils are so versatile. Don’t knock it till you try it.
- Chicken breast → Bone-in chicken thighs: Thighs are cheaper and often more flavorful. Yes, it’s a darker meat, but I’ve found that the chicken thighs just taste better overall. You can even purchase them without the bone if you find the bone to be annoying.
- Fresh seafood → Canned tuna or salmon: fresh seafood or even frozen seafood can be super expensive. Try canned options for making salads, pasta sauces, and so many more. Check out this post by the Food Network about using canned fish for recipe ideas!
Dairy Alternatives
My husband and I don’t drink a lot of milk, but our daughter definitely does. We still continue to buy milk in spite of the cost since it’s really only her drinking it, and I use a splash in my coffee. Dairy prices fluctuate, and substituting certain ingredients can help cut costs. Considering using the following for baking and other swaps:
- Fresh milk → Powdered or evaporated milk: Works well for cooking and baking. You may not have to use fresh milk for every recipe if you’re a baker.
- Cream cheese → Blended cottage cheese: A budget-friendly alternative for dips and spreads.
- Greek yogurt → Plain yogurt: Regular yogurt costs less and can be strained for a thicker consistency. Consider getting plain yogurt without anything added in. If you check out the fruit yogurts, they’re very high in sugar too! Instead add your own toppings at home. I love to add granola (either store bought or homemade) and sweeten it up with maple syrup. I don’t mind using maple syrup or honey just because I use these as ingredients for so many things that I make.
Egg Substitutes
Ok, hear me out on this one. Obviously not everyone can have their own chickens. But, I’m not talking about powdered eggs, because ew! That doesn’t sound appetizing at all. (No offense to anyone who may like them) Egg prices have spiked in recent years, but again, we don’t have to break the bank. Research the following alternatives as you might be able to use them:
- Flaxseed meal or chia seeds: Mix with water to replace eggs in baking.
- Applesauce or mashed banana: Great for binding in cakes and muffins. Both are a natural sweetener too!
These could even be a great option for saving eggs for other meals, and swapping out when it’s not absolutely necessary.
Flour & Baking Essentials
Depending on your dietary needs, these may or may not be options for you. Specialty flours and baking ingredients can be costly and add up! So what are some good swap examples?
- Almond flour → All-purpose flour: Regular flour is much cheaper and works in most recipes. Costco has a great deal for 2 bags (10 pounds each) of organic all-purpose flour for only $20! In today’s economy, that’s a steal.
- Buttermilk → Milk + vinegar or lemon juice: Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk substitute.
Produce Swaps
Fresh produce can be pricey, especially when out of season. Produce that’s out of season also doesn’t taste very good, so I really don’t have too many fruits in my diet during the winter. (Just my opinion!) Try the following alternatives to lower your grocery bill:
- Fresh vegetables → Frozen vegetables: Just as nutritious but often cheaper. Of course look for sales/discounts when they’re available. When possible, buy in-season fresh vegetables. For example, during the winter time, produce like squash and cauliflower (depending on where you live) are good to buy.
- Berries → Bananas or apples: More affordable options for smoothies and snacks.
- Lettuce → Cabbage: A heartier, budget-friendly green for salads and slaws. This will definitely depending again on where you live. Always compare prices between the two. As another note, contrary to popular belief, lettuce is a cool weather crop. It doesn’t do well in hot weather.
Rice & Grains
We always have a large bag of rice on hand in our home since we eat it so often. It’s a great staple to have, especially for anyone that’s gluten-free like we are. Grains are pantry staples, but some are more cost-effective than others.
- Quinoa → Brown rice: Brown rice is significantly cheaper and still provides fiber and nutrients.
- Cereal → Oatmeal: Buying oats in bulk is much cheaper than boxed cereals. If anyone is looking to buy in bulk, consider checking out Costco. We grab “One Degree Organic Foods, Sprouted Rolled Oats”, which comes in a large bag at Costco.
Cooking Techniques to Maximize Savings
If you’re worried about using cheaper cuts because they’re a pain to cook and have a tendency to be tougher, we’ve got you covered. Aside from ingredient swaps, you can save money by cooking smarter. Try slow cooking cheaper cuts of meat to make them tender and flavorful. Use beans, potatoes, and pasta to bulk up meals and make them more filling. Make homemade sauces and seasonings instead of buying pre-packaged versions. Think of the amount of sauce you can make! Cook up a large batch of sauce and divvy it out into smaller batches that can be frozen.
Conclusion
Saving money on groceries doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or nutrition. By making simple ingredient swaps and being mindful of cost-effective alternatives, you can stretch your grocery budget while still enjoying delicious home-cooked meals. Try incorporating these smart substitutions into your next shopping trip and see how much you can save!
This post was all about smart substitutions.
