4 Professional Chefs Share Their Savvy Tips for Saving Big at the Grocery Store

Food prices only seem to be getting higher. In fact, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that grocery store food prices will continue to increase 1.3% in 2025.

That means it pays to have some solid grocery budget hacks. And who better to share their money-saving tips than those whose businesses revolve around food?

To cut down on those grocery bills, consider these 13 tips from professional chefs themselves.

Maricel Gentile, chef and owner of Maricel’s Kitchen in East Brunswick, New Jersey, suggests making a shopping list but planning and buying for just a few days at a time.

“I have done the mega shopping trips where you try and get everything you need for the month in one shot — the result is often I overspent and overbought,” she explains.

Busy families may not be able to make more than one grocery store trip per week, she says, but it still pays to start with a plan.

Whether you’re shopping at a big box store like Costco, your regional grocery store, or even a local shop, there are likely rewards programs you can take advantage of. These programs often have exclusive discounts and special offers that can help you save money.

“Don’t pass up their reward apps and clubs,” Gentile says. “Every year I get my free ham, turkey, etc. It adds up.”

While Gentile acknowledges that you can find great deals at big box stores like Costco or Sam’s Club, they’re not her go-to for saving on groceries.

“Often the money you can save in cost per item, you lose because you overbuy and waste,” she explains. “I noticed that the times I bought the mega packs of something, we never finished it, and we wasted money instead of saving.”

The advantage of shopping local and being friendly with store owners or managers is that they can alert you to bargains, Gentile says.

“Say hi, ask what’s on special, be kind, be human,” she suggests. “They will alert you to upcoming specials and deals, and if you have a large order, they will not only make sure your order is taken care of properly, they may be able to give you a discount.”

Gentile advises against buying items that can go bad quickly in bulk. Pantry staples, though, are another story.

“If you need or want to buy in bulk, focus on bulk purchases for pantry staples — rice, pasta, canned goods, and frozen proteins — that have a longer shelf life,” she says. These things won’t spoil, so you’ll save money in the long run.

Farmers markets sometimes offer bargains you wouldn’t expect, Gentile says. Even though they often sell high-end or organic products, they may be willing to work with you on pricing.

“If you go towards the end of the day, they don’t want to go home with their goods,” she explains. “They may be willing to make some discounts if you are a regular.”

Egg prices have been causing a lot of strife lately, so Joanne Gallagher, recipe developer and co-founder of Inspired Taste food blog, suggests using substitutes for recipes requiring eggs.

“One option I love for baking is flax seeds,” Gallagher says. “Made simply with water and flaxseed meal, they offer versatility and a nutritional boost and effectively replicate traditional eggs’ binding and moisture properties … You can typically find a 16 oz bag of flaxseed for under $7, and one bag can whip up 32 eggs.”

Dennis Littley, chef and recipe expert at Ask Chef Dennis, agrees egg substitutes offer a good alternative. “Buy liquid eggs or powdered eggs, which last longer and can be used in baking and scrambled egg dishes,” he suggests.

Buying in bulk from warehouses or local farmers markets may also help, Littley says.

Using less meat in your meal plans can seriously cut grocery bills as well, Gallagher says.

“I have a few meatless meals each week, which is good for my budget and lets me explore new vegetarian recipes,” she explains. “When I do cook with meat, I often use less than the recipe calls for and add extra veggies to make the dish go further.”

She suggests mushrooms, potatoes, and sweet potatoes to add bulk and flavor.

If or when you’re buying meat, Littley suggests being flexible with brands and cuts.

“If chicken breasts are expensive, switch to chicken thighs,” he says. “They’re often cheaper, more flavorful, and more forgiving when cooked. The same goes for beef: instead of pricey steaks, opt for chuck roast, short ribs, or flank steak.”

One recurring theme with the chefs we spoke to was that planning ahead really saves.

“Planning out your meals for the week helps you buy only what you need, reducing waste and unnecessary spending. Cooking big-batch meals like soups, stews, and casseroles also means you get multiple meals out of a single shopping trip,” Littley says.

Rena Awada, owner and head chef at Healthy Fitness Meals, suggests planning how much cash you’ll need for your shopping trip and leaving credit cards at home to avoid the temptation to spend more.

“When you can physically see how much you have to spend, it makes you more mindful of your purchases,” she says. “Plus, it’s easier to stick to your budget when there’s no temptation to reach for a card for those extra items that weren’t planned.”

Awada also suggests having a small snack or meal before heading to the grocery store to avoid straying from that shopping list.

“When you’re hungry, you’re more likely to grab extra items that aren’t on your list, and they tend to be the impulse buys that can add up quickly,” she says.

Gentile suggests directly asking for deals. This may not work at big box stores or grocery store chains, but at local shops and markets, you never know until you ask.

“The best way to save money is to ask,” she says. “If you know you have a large order you will need, talk to the store owner or manager ahead of time and ask if you order the case or large volume, can you get a discount. They can say no, but they probably will say yes.”

According to the USDA, a family of four spends about $987 a month on groceries. At a time when many people are trying to reduce their grocery bills, the best way to save money on essentials, according to those who do a whole lot of grocery shopping themselves, is to take a little extra time to plan. That includes making lists, avoiding wasteful bulk buying, and asking about discounts that may not be advertised.