5 Groceries I Started Buying at Walmart to Save Money
I’ve shopped at Walmart since I was a little girl; my earliest memories are of me and my brother picking out school supplies (my parents would take us every year to get the things on our back-to-school checklist). As an adult, it’s been a regular stop in my grocery store rotation and, lately, it’s become my first place I go.
Before I shop anywhere else, I check what’s available because frequently the prices are the most budget-friendly. Many of these deals are thanks to Walmart’s store brand: Great Value. If the name doesn’t give it away, these items are low in price and, in my experience, equal to (if not better-quality than) their name-brand counterparts.
While you won’t find spiral notebooks or rainbow-hued folders on my shopping list these days, here are five staples I’m constantly adding to my cart.
1. Great Value Organic Unsweetened Applesauce Cups
I’m a huge fan of unsweetened applesauce; I’ve tried many brands, and this one has a lovely, deep apple flavor that’s naturally sweet. It’s not watery or mushy, like some others I’ve had. I use it as an alternative to oil when baking; eat it as a snack; top it with oatmeal, cinnamon, and ground flax as a mini-meal on the go; and more. Apples are routinely on the Dirty Dozen List, which is why I prefer to buy the organic cups.
2. Great Value Shredded Wheat Cereal
Shredded wheat is my go-to boxed cereal — no salt or sugar, just whole-grain wheat! The biscuits are thicker and more puffed out (instead of flat), and have a slightly softer texture than other brands I’ve tried. It’s great for a quick breakfast, topped with sliced strawberries or frozen blueberries, some organic unsweetened soy milk, and a pinch of stevia or maple syrup.
3. Great Value Organic Farro or Quinoa
Next time you need to restock your nutrient-dense grains, I suggest you head to Walmart for a bag of quinoa or farro (or both!). They’re good sources of fiber and protein and, compared to other brands, these rank high on my list for several reasons: they’re organic, readily available, low in price, and have a nice nutty flavor and delicate texture. They also seem to cook up better! Both work excellent in soups and stews, which is usually how I enjoy them. I’ve also made porridge and cookies with quinoa!
4. Great Value Instant Brown Rice
You just can’t beat quick-cooking rice for those busy weeknights or lazy weekends where you want something filling, but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This rice truly surprised me! I thought it would be the same as the name-brand options sold in stores, but I like this one better. Why, you ask? It’s nuttier and has a deeper, richer flavor. I use these at least twice a week, sometimes for breakfast. Tip: Put this in the slow cooker for 20 minutes and you don’t even have to cook it yourself.
5. Great Value Organic Chia Seed or Flax Seed
These two nutrient-dense seeds are go-to smoothie add-ins for me. Flax and chia are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, plant proteins, and fiber, and contain many vitamins and minerals (magnesium, zinc, and more). I prefer Great Value’s organic brand because the natural nuttiness of the seeds really comes through. Some other brands are bland or inconsistent in texture. I grind them and add them to my oatmeal or brown rice porridge. (Use a coffee grinder to grind them in just seconds.) In a pinch, you can even swap either of these in for eggs in baking recipes.
What are your favorite Great Value items? Tell us about it in the comments below.