12 Items That Are Way Cheaper in the International Food Aisle

You’ve probably heard all the typical ways to save money on groceries: shop at discount grocers, plan meals around items on sale, buy generic brands, and so on. But with stubborn inflation keeping food prices higher, it’s time to think of more creative ways to stretch your grocery budget.

One unique strategy you may not have considered is to wander into the international aisle of your local grocery store. Most major retailers have an aisle or two dedicated to Mexican, Asian, and other foods from around the world. It might take a second with Google Translate to read some of the packaging labels, but these brands carry many of your essential pantry products at lower prices than American brands.

If you’re ready to take your shopping list on a global adventure to save some cash, here are some of the best items to look for in the international aisle.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $1.99 for Goya, $1.79 for La Preferida vs. $2.29 for Kroger

Dried beans can be cheaper in the Mexican food aisle. Multiple brands with Spanish names are cheaper than even the generic store brand. Since they’re an agricultural product, you can rest assured that you’re getting the same thing in both bags.

Price: Fiesta $2.19 per ounce vs. Kroger $2.98 per ounce

This oregano doesn’t come in the fancy bottle that the Kroger stuff does, but at a lower price per ounce, you know the bottle is what you’re paying for. You can often get spices like oregano cheaper in the international foods aisle. Not sure if you’re getting the right spice because you don’t speak Spanish? Use Google Translate to double-check.

Price: La Victoria $2.29 (on sale from $3.59) vs Pace $2.99 for 16 ounces

Leave it to the Mexicans to make the best (and cheapest!) salsa. The most authentic flavors are bound to come from the international aisle, not next to the Fritos. Chances are, your grocery store’s Mexican aisle will have several brands to choose from.

Price: Foca $0.064 per ounce vs Tide $0.16 per ounce

You’ve probably passed by these bags of inexpensive laundry soap, wondering if they were as good as the pricey Tide in your cart. Well, the jury is in: Foca works great. Users note that they don’t have issues with fading either, and it only takes a small amount to get the job done.

Price: Chloralen $4.98 vs Great Value $6.16 for 121 ounces

Bleach is bleach; there isn’t really a recipe for it, so you can leave your brand loyalties at the door for this product. One Walmart customer noted, “It's just as good as Clorox for half the price.”

Price: Gamesa $2.29 vs Staufers $3.29

If you look at the nutrition labels, these cookies are extremely similar to the animal crackers we know and love. And for a dollar less per bag, it’s worth trying the Animalitos instead of the pricey name-brand animal crackers.

Price: Bauducco $0.25 per ounce vs. Voortmans $0.37 per ounce

The Bauducco brand of cookies was started by an Italian immigrant who immigrated to Brazil. These days, the cookies are made in the U.S., though you still might find them in the international foods aisle.

Price: Gamesa $0.47 each vs Moon Pie $0.53 each

Both of these chocolate-covered marshmallow-and-wafer cookies come in an 8-pack, but there’s no comparison when it comes to value. Not only is the Gamesa brand cheaper, but the cookies are slightly larger, and they have more marshmallow filling.

Price: Kellog’s Choco Krispis $0.21 per ounce vs Kellog’s Cocoa Krispies $0.26 per ounce

This price disparity is doubly crazy because the same manufacturer makes these cereals. Kellogs makes both of these brands and while the nutritional composition varies slightly, it’s not by much. These cereals likely taste very similar, but you can get a much better deal on the international version.

Price: Fabuloso $0.08 per ounce vs Pine Sol $0.19 per ounce

Even if your typical brand of floor cleaner is better, is it twice as good? Because that’s the price difference between a traditional brand and the Mexican Fabuloso.

And does it come in more than ten different scents? By branding into the international section, you can have watermelon or passion fruit-scented floors.

Price: Maggi $0.18 per ounce vs Knorr $0.27 per ounce

You might not think to look for everyday essentials in the international foods aisle, but staples like chicken bullion might be cheaper if you do. The Maggi brand of shelf-stable chicken bullion is less expensive than American brands, and your soups and sauces will be just as delicious with it.

Price: La Banderita $0.08 each vs Mission $0.09 each

When you see the plain Jane packaging of authentic Mexican tortillas, you know they’ll taste more authentic and be slightly easier on your wallet than the Americanized brands. Mexican brands often sell tortillas in bulk, giving you another opportunity for even greater savings.

Giving a few international brands a try is a fabulous way to save money on everyday essentials without changing your shopping habits very much. Many of these items are extremely similar to the American brands you’re used to buying—some are even made by the same manufacturer!

Ditching brand loyalty and branching out to new products can save you quite a bit on food in the long run. Plus, you might discover a new favorite product you wouldn’t have sampled otherwise.