13 Unexpected Places To Find Grocery Discounts & Deals

We’re here to tell you that you can find some of the best grocery discounts in the least likely places. Even with ongoing inflation, you can still get great savings if you know where to look.

Sure, keep shopping at your favorite grocery stores, but also keep an eye out for some of these deals we’ve sourced for you below. We’re talking bargain savings on beef cuts, stock-up prices on seasoning, and more.

But before you jump into these grocery discount tips and tricks, be sure to download The Krazy Coupon Lady app so you never miss a deal.

 

1. Score discounted gourmet foods at T.J. Maxx and Ross.

Not sure about buying foods at T.J.Maxx or Ross? Many people think the foods sold at discount retailers are expired, but that’s just not the case. Next time you’re in one of these stores, look for discounted high-end goods — they’re perfect for gift baskets and dinner parties!

Here’s an example of one deal where I saved almost 140% by shopping for gourmet food at T.J.Maxx:

• Truffle Hunter Preserved Truffle Condiments, set of 3, $59.95 at Williams Sonoma
• Truffle Hunter Preserved Truffle Condiments, set of 3, $24.99 at T.J.Maxx

 

2. Buy beef (or a whole cow) online.

Search sites like Americangrassfed.org, EatWild.com, and CrowdCow.com to find a farm near you that will kill, butcher, and wrap your beef, letting you order prepared cuts straight from the farm.

All you need to do is pick it up — and probably buy a bigger freezer. The best rates for beef I’ve seen recently range from $7.27 – $13.04 per pound. And we’re talking about non-GMO, 100% grass-fed local beef — quality stuff!

TIP: A quarter cow typically weighs 115 pounds, a half cow 230 pounds, and a full cow 460 pounds. And here’s how much it costs to buy meat by the whole cow.

 

3. Get spices at the Asian supermarket.

The cheapest cumin at Walmart is their generic brand, which costs $4.16 for 4.5 ounces. You’ll find the same spice for at least a dollar cheaper at your local Asian market. The variety of spices is better, too.

TIP: You may need to buy refillable containers since a lot of the spices at Asian markets come in bags instead of bottles.

 

4. Fresh vegetables are also cheap at Asian food markets.

I recently went to Kroger for bok choy and found it for $1.79 a pound. I can get the same stuff for only $0.89 a pound at my local Asian food mart — $0.40 less than the national supermarket average.

Snow peas, lemongrass, bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli, ginger root, and several types of bok choy and mushrooms are just some of the veggies you’ll find at Asian markets.

Related: Check out our best tips for buying inexpensive produce.

 

5. Find wine for nearly 90% off at Grocery Outlet stores.

Find a Grocery Outlet store near you and get shopping. You can save an average of 60% by shopping at Grocery Outlet without coupons, but some of the best deals are on wine when bottles go on sale.

For example, a bottle of Auburn James Cabernet Sauvignon normally retails for around $30 a bottle (and got 83 points from Wine Enthusiast). At Grocery Outlet, that wine sells for $5.99 a bottle! That’s 87% off the retail price. Stock up when they have their 20% off wine sale to save up to 80% on original prices.

TIP: Use the Ibotta rebate app to save on wine and beer at grocery stores and restaurants. All you have to do is select a wine or beer offer, make the purchase, and submit a photo of your receipt into the app to receive cash back via PayPal.

 

 

6. Get fresh bread at Dollar Tree.

Why pay around $4.29 for Oroweat bread at Target when you can get the same stuff for a buck at Dollar Tree? Inventory varies per store, but I’ve seen Oroweat and Thomas’ bread regularly at my local store.

TIP: Use manufacturer coupons to maximize your savings at Dollar Tree. For the best deal, check the fine print and use coupons that don’t have a size restriction. You can often get products for pennies or even free!

See all the latest Dollar Tree coupons.

 

7. Also find brand-name frozen and refrigerated foods at Dollar Tree.

I’ve often found free and super cheap frozen prepared meals and even bacon at my Dollar Tree. In the past, I used a $0.75-off one Jennie-O product coupon and spent only $0.25 total on turkey burgers.

Other brands I’ve seen at Dollar Tree include Atkins, Hormel, John Morrell, and Michelina’s.

 

8. Purchase dog food on Amazon.

Find the same quality dog food you’d get at Costco on Amazon. Costco’s 35-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain dry dog food comes from the same manufacturer as Diamond Naturals dog food but is $1.63 per pound versus $1.39 per pound on Amazon.

Did I mention you don’t have to lug a 35-pound bag of dog food around the store since Amazon is delivering it right to your home? Double score!

TIP: You can save up to 15% on your first delivery when you choose to order pet products through Amazon Subscribe & Save.

 

9. Get milk at drugstores like CVS.

CVS offers more than just in-store shopping; you can also get prescriptions and essentials delivered for free or through Instacart.

Now on to how you can save: Although the regular price tends to be higher than what you’d find at a grocery store, CVS often offers sale prices and ExtraBucks promotions that you can stack with regional newspaper coupons.

At Walgreens and Rite Aid, you’re also able to use store and manufacturer coupons on top of store rewards promos for great savings.

 

10. Buy baking products at Walgreens or other drugstores.

At Walgreens, some of the best prices are found with their digital coupons. Use them to find low prices on sugar, pumpkin, chocolate chips, cake mix, and more — particularly around the holidays.

You’ll find similar deals at CVS and Rite Aid as well.

 

 

11. Get deals on fresh vegetables through a local co-op or farmers market.

Local food co-ops may offer their members discounts on fresh locally grown organic produce. Another option for fresh produce is your local farmers market. Some areas have them every weekend during the peak months of spring, summer, and fall.

 

12. Look for steep discounts on meat, produce, and more in the Flashfood section of your grocery store.

Of course, you’ll find discounts in your grocery store, but have you ever checked to see if they have a “Flashfood” section? This cooler area holds foods that are nearing their expiration date that you can get for up to 50% off. There’s even an app where you can shop, pay, and pick up your order.

TIP: If your store doesn’t have a Flashfood section, look for clearance shelves, where you can find grocery discounts as high as 90% off.

 

13. Use online grocery delivery services when they have a special deal.

Some online grocery delivery services like Instacart, Shipt, and Amazon Fresh may offer discounts or deals if you’re a first-time customer, if you buy certain products, or if you order from a certain store.

For example, in April 2022, Instacart offered $50 off $150+ Costco orders when you shopped through SameDay.Costco.com and used the promo code Easter22.

What are your favorite ways to cut down your grocery bill? Let us know in the comments below. As always, thanks for reading!