Grocery prices have climbed more than 11% in the past two years, and almost everyone is feeling the impact. Whether you’re shopping for a big family, a picky eater, or just yourself, stretching your grocery dollar without compromising on fresh, healthy food might feel impossible. But, with the right strategies, you can keep your groceries fresh for longer, reduce waste, and save money. Here’s a practical guide broken down into shopping tips, storage hacks, and zero-waste cooking methods that anyone can master.

1. Start with a Strategic Shopping List

Plan and Prioritize (Without Going Overboard)

Impulse buys can wreck your grocery budget, especially when you toss items in your cart that you won’t remember to use once they’re in your fridge. A little meal planning can help avoid this, and it doesn’t have to mean locking yourself into an all-out meal-prep marathon. Instead, pick out two or three meals for the week that share ingredients, and build your shopping list around those. Even better, start with meals that use versatile items you already have. This way, you can avoid overbuying and reduce food waste right from the start.

Choose Bulk Buys Wisely

Buying in bulk can make sense, but only if it’s for items that last and can be used across multiple meals. Stick to bulk staples like rice, pasta, canned goods, oats, and beans, which last almost indefinitely when stored correctly. For items that spoil quickly, like fresh produce or baked goods, avoid buying in large quantities unless you have a plan to use them up within a week or two. If storage is a concern, team up with a friend for warehouse club memberships at places like Costco, which makes splitting bulk buys affordable.

Focus on Seasonal Produce

Shopping seasonally can help you get fresher and more affordable produce. During summer, for example, tomatoes, berries, and zucchini are often cheaper and tastier, while fall is perfect for squash, apples, and root vegetables. Seasonal produce tends to be richer in nutrients, has a longer shelf life, and supports local farmers. If you’re unsure what’s in season, the USDA’s Seasonal Produce Guide is an easy tool for planning your shopping.

Substitute When Prices Are High

Some items stay pricey year-round, so look for budget-friendly swaps that won’t compromise on nutrition. Instead of quinoa, try less expensive grains like barley or brown rice, which are equally nutritious and work in many recipes. Swap out fresh berries for frozen varieties; they’re typically just as nutritious and tend to be more affordable, especially when they’re out of season. Opt for canned beans over fresh ones for a cheaper source of protein and fiber with a longer shelf life. Small swaps like these make a big difference in lowering your grocery bill.

2. Store Produce So It Stays Fresh Longer

Customize Storage by Item

Different fruits and veggies have different storage needs, so understanding how each one likes to be stored will keep them fresh. Bananas, for example, are best left out on the counter, but they ripen slower when kept in a cool, shaded spot. For leafy greens, line their container or bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and prevent wilting. Carrots and celery last longer when kept in a container of water in the fridge. For berries, like strawberries or blueberries, only wash them right before eating to prevent mold. Proper storage can double the lifespan of many of your favorite fruits and vegetables.

The Paper Towel Trick for Leafy Greens

If you’re tired of buying greens only to find them wilting a few days later, this simple trick can help. Add a paper towel inside the bag or container with your greens to absorb moisture. If you’re really committed to fresh greens, consider reusable cloth produce bags, which allow air circulation and cut down on plastic use. You’ll be amazed at how much longer greens like spinach, lettuce, and kale stay fresh.

Timing Is Key: When to Wash Produce

For most fruits and vegetables, washing them right before you eat them is best. Washing items like berries too early adds moisture, which can accelerate mold growth. Hearty vegetables like carrots and bell peppers, however, can be pre-washed if they’re dried thoroughly before refrigerating. This approach makes meal prep easier while keeping everything fresh and ready to go when you need it.

3. Use Freezing to Extend the Shelf Life of Meat, Dairy, and Other Fridge Staples

Freeze Dairy for Later Use

If you’ve never frozen dairy products, it’s worth considering. Milk, shredded cheese, and even yogurt freeze well and can be thawed as needed. If you’re freezing milk, leave a bit of room in the container for expansion. Shredded cheese can be frozen in small portions and used directly from the freezer in cooking. Dairy items like these make sense to buy in bulk since freezing helps them last longer without sacrificing quality.

Transfer Meats to Airtight Containers

Meat, poultry, and fish last longer in the freezer when they’re stored in airtight containers or freezer bags, rather than the original packaging. This helps prevent freezer burn and preserves flavor. If you’re buying in bulk, portion out servings before freezing to make meal prep easier. Vacuum-sealed bags are an option if you want to extend the life of frozen meat even further.

Ditch Original Packaging for Longer Shelf Life

The original packaging for deli meats, cheeses, and cooked leftovers isn’t designed for long-term freshness. Transfer these items to airtight containers, which keeps them fresh longer and prevents any unwanted odors from spreading. Investing in good storage containers pays off over time, reducing the frequency of trips to the store.

Rethink Expiration Dates

Many “sell-by” or “use-by” dates are conservative, and foods often stay fresh beyond the printed date. Eggs, for example, are typically good for weeks past their sell-by dates if stored properly. Hard cheeses, grains, and canned goods also have longer shelf lives than you might think. Use your senses to check freshness, and consider downloading the FoodKeeper app from USDA for guidance on when to keep or toss certain items.

4. Embrace Zero-Waste Cooking Techniques

Turn Scraps into Stock

Instead of tossing vegetable scraps, start a freezer bag for them and turn them into stock when you’ve collected enough. Carrot tops, celery leaves, and onion skins add flavor, making homemade broth a zero-cost addition to your meals. Meat bones can be added to the pot for richer, nutrient-packed stocks.

Reinvent Leftovers Creatively

Leftovers don’t have to be boring repeats. Turn last night’s dinner into something new: pasta becomes a cold salad, grilled veggies can go into wraps, and leftover chicken makes a great stir-fry base. Experiment with what you already have on hand, and you’ll cut food waste while keeping meals interesting.

One-Pot Recipes for Easy Clean-Up

When you’re looking to use up odds and ends, one-pot meals are perfect. Stir-fries, curries, and soups allow you to throw everything into one dish. Not only do you avoid food waste, but you also cut down on clean-up time. Try one-pot meal recipes from trusted sources like Taste of Home for inspiration.

Composting Basics

For scraps you can’t use, composting is a sustainable way to reduce waste. Even if you don’t have outdoor space, countertop compost bins are available, and many community gardens accept compost donations. The EPA’s composting guide can help you get started with the basics.

5. DIY Preservation to Extend Freshness

Quick Pickling for Extended Shelf Life

Quick-pickling is an easy way to preserve veggies on the verge of spoiling. With a simple mix of vinegar, salt, and sugar, you can extend the life of cucumbers, carrots, and radishes by weeks. The best part? Pickled veggies add a tangy, flavorful kick to salads, sandwiches, and snacks.

Drying Herbs for a Homemade Spice Rack

Drying herbs like basil, parsley, and thyme preserves their flavors long past their typical shelf life. Lay them on a baking sheet and dry them in a low oven, then store in airtight containers. Fresh herbs can be pricey, so drying them yourself is a great way to save money while enhancing your spice rack.

The Freezer as a Storage Solution

Freezing isn’t just for leftovers. You can freeze bread, butter, fresh herbs, and cooked grains to extend shelf life. Store items in labeled containers or bags, and organize by date so nothing gets forgotten. Frozen bread can go straight into the toaster, frozen herbs work well in sautés, and cooked grains are ready to go for quick lunches.

6. Budget-Friendly Recipes to Maximize Your Groceries

Frittatas: Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner

Frittatas are one of the best dishes for using up leftovers. Mix in bits of cheese, meat, or veggies, and you’ve got a satisfying meal that’s ready in minutes. Frittatas are also incredibly versatile; serve them warm or cold, and they make a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Soup: The Ultimate Leftover Solution

Soups are great for using up vegetables, grains, and proteins that are a little past their peak. Throw everything into a pot with broth, season to taste, and let it simmer. Not only is this a comforting way to enjoy leftovers, but soups also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and enjoy it later.

Dump-and-Bake Dinners for Minimal Effort

Dump-and-bake recipes are perfect for using up miscellaneous ingredients with minimal effort. Just layer everything into a baking dish, bake, and enjoy. These dinners are incredibly forgiving, so you can throw in whatever ingredients you have without worrying about precision. For easy inspiration, check out Betty Crocker’s dump dinner recipes.

Final Thoughts

Stretching your grocery dollars doesn’t mean compromising on flavor or nutrition. With a few thoughtful changes to how you shop, store, and cook, you can save money, eat well, and reduce food waste. Take these tips and make your groceries work harder—and last longer. Check back with 30andRich for more ways to save money