Food prices in the UK are still on the upswing, projected to rise by 4.2% by the end of 2025, putting our grocery budget under constant pressure.
That’s not just numbers on a chart, its actual pounds disappearing from your wallet every week.
Basics like eggs, cheese, butter are starting to feel more like treats than staples.
But even with prices creeping up, there are some solid ways to spend smarter at the supermarket without living off instant noodles.
1. Plan your meals and stick to the list
It’s not glamorous, but meal planning works. People who plan their weekly meals tend to waste less food and spend less at the till.
You don’t end up wandering the aisles tossing random stuff in the trolley “just in case.”
- If you know you’re making stir fry Tuesday and curry Thursday, you can buy a big bag of peppers and use them for both.
- Or if pasta is on the menu twice, you just grab one big bag, not two small ones.
What to do:
Use something simple like Mealime or Yummly. Write down meals for the week, check what you already have in the fridge, then build your list.
Look at the supermarket’s online deals before you plan, not after.
2. Give own brand stuff a go
You’d be surprised how often it’s the same factory, just a different label.
Supermarket own brands can save you 30% or more per item, sometimes more.
Like, Tesco’s own brand baked beans are often half the price of Heinz. Most people won’t notice the difference once they’re on toast or with breakfast.
Same goes for rice, pasta, cleaning products, even peanut butter.
What to do:
Do a side-by-side test at home. Buy one branded, one store brand. If it tastes the same or close enough, stick with the cheaper one.
3. Try the budget chains
Aldi and Lidl are goldmines if you’re watching your spending.
You’ll get decent fruit and veg, cheaper meat, and basics like bread, cereal, and dairy for a lot less.
Aldi’s “Super 6” deals change every week and usually knock a chunk off seasonal produce, think 69p for a bag of carrots or a punnet of grapes.
What to do:
Plan a weekly shop at one of these stores just to compare your usual bill. Keep your receipts and do a comparison with your regular shop.
Even shaving £10–15 off makes a difference over a month.
4. Use loyalty cards
If you’re shopping without a loyalty card these days, you’re probably leaving money on the table.
Tesco Clubcard prices are often lower only for cardholders, same product, different price.
Fair? No. Save money? Yes.
Also, the points add up. £5 off your next shop every few weeks might not seem like a game changer, but that’s money you’re not spending.
What to do:
Download the app. They send targeted offers (like 50p off milk or triple points on produce). Stack that with your planned meals for even more savings.
5. Hunt for the yellow stickers
Timing is everything here. Discounts start mid-to-late afternoon and get deeper by early evening.
You can save up to 70% off meats, bread, or ready meals, freeze them, and save them for next week.
What to do:
Pop into the shop an hour before closing. Keep an eye out near the bakery and meat sections.
A pack of chicken thighs for £1.20 instead of £4? That’s worth a detour.
6. Buy in bulk and freeze the rest
Things like minced beef, chicken breasts, or even bread and cheese can be bought in big packs and frozen.
Someone I know buys 5kg bags of rice and repackages them into jars and it lasts months. Others batch cook chilli or stew and freeze portions for lunches.
Way cheaper than meal deals.
What to do:
Buy freezer bags and containers (you’ll use them more than you think). Label and date things to avoid freezer roulette.
If your fridge-freezer is tiny, look out for second-hand chest freezers on Facebook Marketplace. They go quick, but they’re worth it.
7. Eat less meat (Even just a bit)
Switching a few meals a week to meat-free options can knock a lot off your bill.
Dried lentils, tinned beans, and frozen veg make hearty meals for pennies.
A veggie shepherd’s pie with lentils and frozen mixed veg costs maybe £1.50 to make and it feeds four.
What to do:
Start with one or two meat-free days. Look up cheap veggie recipes like chickpea curry, spaghetti with lentil bolognese, or stir-fried tofu.
Frozen spinach and canned tomatoes are lifesavers here.
8. Stick to what’s in season
When produce is in season locally, it’s cheaper. And usually tastes way better.
You’ll pay more for strawberries in December than in June. Same for asparagus, courgettes, or apples.
Also, some markets near closing time will cut prices just to clear stock.
What to do:
Find out what’s in season in the UK each month. Or download a seasonal food calendar. If you’ve got a local market, go at the end of the day as they’re often happy to haggle or throw in extras.
9. Cashback and budget apps are your friends
Cashback sites like TopCashback and Quidco give you money back just for clicking through their links before you shop online.
And budgeting apps like Emma or Snoop show you where your grocery money’s really going.
Some banks even offer “roundup” savings. You spend £4.60, it rounds up to £5 and saves the extra 40p. It adds up without much effort.
What to do:
Check for cashback before doing your online shop. And link your bank to a budgeting app. It will flag your habits without you having to think about it.
10. Ask for help if you need it
No shame in this. If things are tight, there’s support out there. Local food banks, Citizens Advice, church halls, they’ve been stepping up since costs started rising.
If you’re choosing between eating and heating, it’s time to get help.
What to do:
Search for local community food hubs or low-cost cafes. They’re becoming more common.
You can also contact Citizens Advice for help with benefit checks, energy grants, and food bank referrals.
Final thoughts
Food prices might be going up, but you’ve still got choices. And those choices? They can actually make a difference.
Swap out a few branded items. Shop at a different time of day. Freeze what you don’t eat now.
It’s not about giving up everything you like, it’s just about being a little more deliberate.
You don’t have to overhaul your life to save money. You just need a few new habits.
