Skip Name Brand Products and Save Big with Off-Brand Foods Instead
Save even more money on groceries with our comprehensive guide to buying off-brand foods.
Are you curious if off brand foods can stand toe-to-toe with the big-name brands that line your pantry shelves? It's a question many budget-conscious shoppers ponder as they navigate the aisles of grocery stores. To help you and your family make informed choices about where to allocate your grocery budget, we've compiled a list that uncovers which off-brand foods offer the best value for your money.
Specific Store Brand Products To Look For
When it comes to finding the best generic store brands for food, there are several that consistently deliver high-quality products that rival their name-brand counterparts. Whether you're looking to purchase canned beans, beauty products, coffee, eggs, or other grocery items, these generic brands have you covered.
Here are some of the generic store brands that are worth checking out:
Kirkland Signature by Costco
Costco's in-house brand, Kirkland Signature, is renowned for its quality across a variety of products. From organic foods and store-brand milk to gourmet snacks, Kirkland Signature offers value without compromising on taste.
Great Value by Walmart
Walmart's Great Value line provides a vast array of pantry staples, frozen foods, and snacks. Walmart shoppers can expect to find everything they need at a fraction of the cost of a name-brand counterpart.
Up & Up by Target
Target's Up & Up brand includes a wide selection of food items, such as snacks and pantry essentials like eggs, cheese, and bread, that combine affordability with quality. Their commitment to sustainability is also a plus for eco-conscious consumers.
Trader Joe's
While not a traditional generic brand, Trader Joe's offers a unique range of its own private-label products. Known for its innovative flavors and health-conscious options, Trader Joe's has a cult following for a reason. Never been? Stop by and take part in one of their many in-store taste tests!
365 Everyday Value by Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market's 365 Everyday Value brand offers organic and non-GMO options at more accessible prices. Their products are a great choice for those shopping for healthy whole foods on a budget.
Happy Belly by Amazon
Amazon's Happy Belly offers another line of off-brand foods that rival name-brand competitors. From cage-free cartons of eggs and canned goods to even sweet treats and breakfast staples, Happy Belly has everything your family needs without breaking the bank.
ALDI Exclusive Brands
ALDI is a leader in providing exclusive brands that cover everything from fresh produce, coffee, eggs, snacks, and other daily staples to more gourmet foods. Their rigorous testing ensures that their products meet or exceed the quality of national brands.
Simple Truth by Kroger
Kroger's Simple Truth brand is focused on natural and organic products free from artificial ingredients. It's an affordable alternative for those seeking cleaner and less processed food options.
Market Pantry by Target
Another Target brand, Market Pantry, is known for its budget-friendly prices on everyday items. Their selection includes a broad range of foods that cater to the needs of the average household. Whether you need coffee, eggs, tea, or a box of cookies, save money with Market Pantry without compromising on quality.
Signature Select by Safeway
Safeway's Signature Select offers a premium selection of grocery items that aim to match the quality of leading national brands. Their diverse product line satisfies all tastes and preferences.
Essential Everyday by SuperValu
SuperValu's Essential Everyday brand is designed to compete with major national brands on both quality and price. Their extensive product line covers nearly every category of grocery items, from juice and tea to bread, eggs, and cheese.
Generic Store Brand Categories The Family Will Love
On average, you can save 25% to 30% compared to name brands. For example, a store-brand 28-ounce can of tomatoes might cost $1.49, while the name brand could cost $2.00, saving you over 25%.
You'll find notable savings in many categories, such as condiments (20%-65%), sugar (around 10%), pasta (35%-45%), and tea, all without compromising on taste or nutritional value.
Cereals
Off-brand cereals often come in larger quantities and at lower prices compared to their branded counterparts. While some may argue that the taste isn't exactly the same, many off-brand cereals provide a comparable breakfast experience at a fraction of the cost. Look for store brands or generic versions of popular cereals (and store-brand milk!) to save even more.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Great Value cereals over Post and other name brands
Canned Goods
Whether it's beans, vegetables, or soups, off-brand canned goods can be a fantastic way to stock your pantry without breaking the bank. Keep an eye out for store brands or generic options, which often offer similar quality to name brands with significant savings.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Everyday 365 brands of canned goods, like canned tomatoes, over Hunt's or Muir Glen.
Condiments
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, syrups, and other condiments are often indistinguishable from their brand-name counterparts when you opt for off-brand versions. Considering these items are typically used in small quantities, choosing the more affordable option can result in substantial savings over time. Many grocery stores offer their own versions of popular condiments, often at lower prices than national brands.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Market Pantry ketchup over Heinz
Pasta and Rice
Basic staples like pasta and rice are ideal candidates for off-brand purchases. These items are largely uniform in taste and texture across different brands, making it easy to opt for the most budget-friendly option without sacrificing quality.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Market Pantry or ALDI pasta and rice over Barilla
Baking Essentials
For bakers on a budget, generic or store-brand flour, sugar, baking powder, and other essentials are just as effective as name brands. Bulk store-brand baking supplies offer great savings, and don't overlook off-brand chocolate chips, nuts, and extracts for cost-effective variety.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Great Value All-Purpose Flour over Gold Medal and other name brands
Chips and Crackers
Exploring off-brand chips and crackers can lead to pleasant surprises and savings. Opt for store-brand or generic versions to enjoy your favorite snacks economically.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Market Pantry or Trader Joe's graham crackers over Honey Maid and other major brands
Cookies and Biscuits
Off-brand cookies and biscuits often provide a similar taste experience to name brands at a lower cost per serving. Consider trying out different off-brand varieties to discover your new favorite snack. Look for store-brand versions of classic cookie flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal, and peanut butter, as well as off-brand options for specialty cookies like sandwich cookies, wafer cookies, and shortbread.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Kirkland Signature or Trader Joe's sandwich cookies over Nabisco Oreos.
Candy and Chocolate
Look for store-brand versions of popular candy bars, chocolate candies, and gummy candies, as well as off-brand options for specialty sweets like licorice, caramels, and jelly beans, which can provide a budget-friendly way to indulge in your favorite treats.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for 365 Everyday Value brands of candy and chocolate over Hershey
Snack Bars
Granola bars, protein bars, and other snack bars are available in off-brand varieties that offer both taste and nutrition. Store-brand options can provide substantial savings without compromising on flavor.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Great Value chewy granola bars over Quaker
Nuts and Dried Fruits
Look for store-brand versions of popular nuts, nut butter, and dried fruits like almonds, cashews, raisins, and cranberries, as well as off-brand options for specialty snacks like trail mix, fruit chips, and flavored nuts, which can provide a budget-friendly way to enjoy a variety of snack options.
MySavings Suggestion: Opt for Kirkland Signature or Great Value peanut butter over Jif.
Food You Should Never Buy the Generic Brand Of
Choosing store brands is often a smart decision to save money, but there are times when opting for name brands is preferable. Factors such as flavor, consistency, or familiarity can influence this choice, as some name brands may be preferred.
Specialized Dietary Products
If your diet requires special attention, such as organic or gluten-free food products, name brands, such as for name brand milk, often offer a wide range and detailed nutritional information. Opting for name brands can be beneficial when seeking items with significant nutritional value or those tailored to specific medical dietary needs.
Beauty and Personal Care Items
In the realm of beauty, makeup, and personal care, you may instinctively choose name brands. This is because they typically invest in research and development, like with skincare products, resulting in more effective formulas and innovative products not typically replicated by generic brands.
Wine, Beer and Specialty Cheeses
For connoisseurs, the allure of name-brand wines and cheeses may be more appealing. Despite higher costs, their rich flavors and expert craftsmanship often merit the expense.
Additional Shopping Tips to Get the Best Price on Groceries
Saving money at the cheapest grocery stores isn't just about choosing off-brand products; it's also about smart shopping strategies. Here are some extra tips to help you pay less and stretch your grocery budget further:
- Make a List and Stick to It: Before you head to the store, make a detailed shopping list based on your meal plan for the week. This helps prevent impulse buys, which can quickly add up.
- Use Coupons and Loyalty Cards: Take advantage of coupons and store loyalty programs. Many stores offer digital coupons that you can load directly onto your loyalty card for added convenience.
- Buy in Bulk: For non-perishable items and household staples, buying in bulk can lead to significant savings. Just be sure you have the storage space and will use the items before they expire.
- Shop Seasonal Produce: Fruits and vegetables that are in season are not only fresher and have better flavor but also usually cheaper. Plus, you can buy extra and freeze or can them for later use.
- Check Unit Prices: Compare unit prices on the shelf tags to see which brand or size offers the best deal. Sometimes larger sizes are more economical, but not always.
- Avoid Pre-Cut Fruits and Vegetables: While convenient, pre-cut produce often comes with a higher price tag. Opt for whole fruits and vegetables and prepare them at home.
- Limit Convenience Foods: Pre-packaged meals and convenience foods are typically more expensive. Instead, buy whole ingredients and cook from scratch when possible.
- Shop Sales and Clearance Items: Watch for sales and clearance items. If it's something you use regularly and it has a long shelf life or can be frozen, stock up.
By combining the savings from off-brand purchases with these shopping tips, you can maximize your grocery budget and enjoy a variety of high-quality foods at home.