Americans are now spending over 23% more on food than they did just a few years ago, as grocery prices rose 23.6% from 2020 to 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. With grocery prices still straining budgets, many shoppers are turning to Walmart for affordable grocery staples.
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For those who want to save money on groceries, shoppers and experts point to these seven items as some of the best value picks at Walmart.
Great Value Canned Goods
Laurie Hise, founder of Passionate Penny Pincher, stands behind the Great Value canned goods at Walmart. “Your pantry becomes a savings palace with beans, broths and even canned fruits, perfect for those $5 dinner nights!” Hise wrote in an email.
For example, one option is Great Value’s fire-roasted tomatoes, which Hise noted have a great taste and cook beautifully. Plus, they’re often cheaper than other brands.
And other Walmart shoppers agree. A full 78% of the item’s reviews are five out of five stars, with customers highlighting the good taste and low price.
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Syrup and Pancake Mix Combos
Looking for a sweet, affordable breakfast option? Syrup and pancake mix combos are deals you can’t find elsewhere.
“Walmart’s combo pricing for Great Value pancake mix and syrup often beats other big box stores by $1-$2 per combo,” Hise wrote.
Meat Department Rollbacks
Now this is where Walmart wins against traditional grocery stores.
“Bone-in chicken thighs are often under $1.25 per pound and beat grocery stores,” Hise explained. “These are great for freezer meal preps like barbecue chicken, one-sheet pan dinners and slow-cooker tacos.”
Dairy Deals
Dairy prices can fluctuate, but Walmart typically runs competitive deals on staples like milk and cheese.
“Real butter sticks, sour cream and shredded cheese at Walmart are regularly 20% to 40% cheaper than grocery chains,” Hise said.
Walmart’s fiesta blend shredded cheese, for example, is often cheaper than comparable items at grocery stores, and shoppers give it a 4.6 out of five rating. “I get this large bag because it is cheaper per ounce and I also dont have to worry about not having enough … I definitely recommend trying it,” one shopper wrote.
Marketside Produce Kits
Walmart’s Marketside brand includes a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables as part of its private-label lineup.
“Fresh, tasty and surprisingly affordable — Walmart’s pre-chopped salads and slaw mixes rival store brands and keep fresh longer,” Hise wrote. “Toss in rotisserie chicken, and you can have dinner for under $5 per person.”
For example, this 7.25-ounce Marketside chef salad bowl is only $2.97 at Walmart, versus the 6.7-ounce kit for $3.67 at Kroger.
Baking Ingredients
When you need to stock up on your baking essentials, Walmart has some of the lowest prices on almost anything you need.
“Flour, sugar, cocoa powder and baking soda: Walmart’s per-ounce pricing rivals club stores without needing to stock 20 pounds in your pantry,” Hise noted.
Oatmeal and Cereal
Breakfast doesn’t need to come in bulk to be a good deal.
“No need to lug giant boxes when Walmart’s Great Value oatmeal is 40% cheaper per ounce than club brands and easier to store,” Hise wrote. “Plus their Millville-style cereals give name brands a run for their crispy crunch.”
Walmart’s maple brown sugar oatmeal gets high marks from shoppers, with 4.6 out of five rating. “Saved money and compared to other oatmeal that requires a second mortgage to afford and it’s a better product,” one reviewer wrote.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Shoppers Say These Are the Best 7 Grocery Items for Your Money at Walmart
