10 Budget Items to Stock in Your Kitchen

Have you noticed that your trips to the grocery store are costing more? You're not dreaming: According to the USDA, food prices increased on average by 2.5% last year. With higher food prices in mind, there are still ways to shop smart and stretch your budget. It all starts with your grocery list! Pick foods that are cheap, nutritious, and easy to store. In other words, a well-stocked pantry, fridge, and freezer can be a boon for your budget.

Here are 10 budget-friendly grocery items that can help you make quick and easy meals—especially when using Anyday dishes and your microwave.

Canned Beans

A classic pantry staple, canned beans are a powerhouse of nutrition. They offer protein, fiber, and essential minerals. They're super versatile, too! Beans can be the base for hearty soups, salads, tacos, and simple sides, all with minimal effort.

Recipes to try with this item: Braised White Beans and Leafy Greens, Chicken and Black Bean Taco Bowls, or Chipotle Black Bean Soup

Bouillon

Bouillon is your secret weapon for adding depth and flavor to your meals. It's the better-tasting, cost-effective alternative to boxes of store-bought stock. It can transform soups, stews, and sauces with its rich, concentrated flavor in an instant.

Recipes to try with this item: Ginger Garlic Soup, Quick Chicken Stock, Easy Tomato Sauce

Ramen Noodles

The epitome of budget-friendly eating, ramen noodles are not just affordable; they're a canvas for your cooking creativity. Plus, it only takes 5 minutes to cook them in the microwave from start to finish! By stocking up on bricks of ramen, you have the foundation for countless meals that can be customized with various toppings and sauces. Who said eating on a budget was boring?!

Recipe to try with this item: Fancy Instant Ramen

The 14-Piece Complete Set

Our biggest set of microwave cookware also has the biggest savings! Get every size of round dish — from Small all the way to Extra Large — to cook, serve, store, and reheat anything.

Shop Now: The 14-Piece Complete Set

Flour Tortillas

You can make almost anything a taco! Having tortillas on hand guarantee a fast, easy lunch, plus they’re easy to store in the fridge or freezer. Use them to make fast "pizzas" with tomato sauce and shredded cheese, or make a good old-fashioned wrap.

Recipes to try with this item: Bacon, Egg and Cheese Burrito, The Easiest Scrambled Eggs, Old School Taco Filling

Cabbage

There’s a reason cabbage is a staple —it’s budget-friendly, lasts forever in the fridge, and works in so many recipes. It steams to tender perfection in the microwave, soaking up any flavor you throw at it! Shave it into a thin strips for a bright and tangy slaw or cut it into wedges for a rich, buttery braise.

Recipes to try with this item: Cacio e Pepe Cabbage, Egg Roll in a Bowl, Hot Pot

Potatoes

Potatoes can be the star of a meal or a complementary side. They're low-cost, filling, and delicious, and can last for a long time when stored in a cool, dark place. Add them to delicious curry, mash them to serve alongside a simple protein, or chop them finely and make a hash.

Recipes to try with this item: Hasselback Potatoes, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Scalloped Potato Gratin

Ground Meat

Easy to customize and decently priced, ground beef or ground turkey is your best bet for budget-friendly meals. Use it to add protein to a soup, stir fry, taco, dumpling filling, salad topper—the only limit is your imagination.

Recipes to try with this item: Queso with Ground Beef, Sloppy Joes, Meatloaf

Canned Fish

Oil-packed or water-packed, canned tuna or salmon can flex into so many different meals. It also has a crazy-long shelf life! Try it flaked over a salad, mixed with mayo for a sandwich, or served over rice.

Recipes to try with this item: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Frozen Vegetables

We can’t live without frozen vegetables like peas, corn, or broccoli—which are packed at peak freshness. We love how fast and easy they are to use, whether they’re served as simple sides or used in full recipes. Stock your freezer with a variety of veggies and you'll always be just minutes away from a nutritious meal.

Recipes to try with this item:  Cheese Cauliflower Casserole,  Spinach Gomae with Sesame Dressing,  David Chang’s Succotash

Rice

There’s a reason rice is a pantry essential around the world—it’s affordable, filling, and endlessly versatile. Rice provides the perfect foundation for hearty toppings like chili, curry, or chickpeas. Plus, you can cook it in the microwave using a Deep Dish! You won’t waste money burning it on the stovetop ever again.

Recipes to try with this item: Buttery Herbed Rice, Hainanese Chicken and Rice, Turmeric Rice Pilaf with Almonds

By focusing on these affordable grocery staples, minimizing food waste, and making the most of your microwave for quick, cost-effective meals, you can keep delicious, home-cooked meals on the table without overspending.