The price of eggs may have come down from their spike earlier this year, but food prices are up overall. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices have been rising faster than overall inflation, with prices in May 2025 2.9% higher than in May 2024.
The good news is that it’s possible to reduce your home food costs, and many Americans are doing just that. In fact, in its earnings call on June 2, The Campbell’s Co. reported that snack sales were down, while sales of soup — a component of a low-cost meal — had increased. But, if you have a family, or you just love to cook for friends and family, you may not want to compromise.
So, you’ll be happy to learn that there are strategies you can use to still serve nutritious, fresh and elevated cuisine while controlling your out-of-pocket food costs. Here’s what you can do.
Create a budget. Food costs should be part of your household budget. Try to stay within the budgeted amount.
Limit snacks. While some snacks are healthy, like fruit, others have little nutritional value and are a waste of calories and money.
Choose less-expensive types of protein. Instead of serving veal, consider beef or chicken. Or, switch to plant-based options, which may cost less. “We eat a lot of protein in the U.S., more than our recommended daily allowance,” says Chef John Noble Masi, faculty lead of the culinary and restaurant management program at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. “The No. 1 protein consumed by Americans is chicken, followed by beef. While chicken is less expensive than beef, vegetable proteins are far less expensive, such as black beans and rice, which still provides ample amounts of protein, and it’s healthier.”
Buy more whole products. Purchase a whole chicken, not a package of boneless, skinless breasts, which can cost twice as much due to the labor involved. Similarly, a chopped fruit salad or pre-washed bagged salad costs more than buying the ingredients and preparing the dishes yourself. “Overall, you’re going to save a significant amount of money if you do the labor yourself,” Masi says.
Avoid waste. If you can’t finish a whole loaf of bread before it goes bad, freeze it. “The freezer is your friend,” Masi says. “Don’t let items go past their expiration date and spoil. Freeze them.” But be sure to check the freezer periodically to make sure it doesn’t become a graveyard of leftovers you’ll never eat.
Use leftovers creatively. If you have leftover chicken, make chicken salad, for example. Invest in some cookbooks to get new ideas, or watch cooking shows to add to your repertoire.
Buy in bulk. If there are things you use frequently, such as rice or beans, consider purchasing in large quantities, suggests Chef Alex Bustamante, executive chef for North End Hospitality, where he oversees the kitchens at Lamarina, The Cove Club and Cove Café in West Palm Beach.
Invest in a slow cooker or instant pot. “They can be a game changer when it comes to saving money,” Bustamante says. “You can cook dried beans in 20 minutes, and it will save you a bunch of money. Or, you can make a chicken stew or soups quickly and efficiently.”
Grow your own. Fruits and vegetables, such as lemons and limes, avocados or tomatoes, all grow well in our South Florida climate.
Consider less-expensive types of wine. Costco and Trader Joe’s sell wines that are much less expensive than better-known brands, but popular with many wine aficionados. “There’s a Blanc de Blancs champagne that I buy at Trader Joe’s for $6.99, and it’s delicious,” Masi says.
Perhaps the best tip for lowering your food costs is to just cook at home. Don’t go out to eat or order from DoorDash. Cut back on dining out, and you’ll automatically save money.
