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13 Things You Should Always Buy at Kroger

When it comes to grocery basics, this nationwide value chain is right up there with Walmart and Aldi in terms of quality, variety, and overall value. Budget-conscious shoppers, you're gonna want to bookmark this list.

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Organic staples

From applesauce to almond milk, you can find some of the lowest prices around on high-quality organic goods and a wide variety of products, says Alexis Joseph, the dietician and food blogger behind Hummusapien, of the store’s Simple Truth line. She also gives a thumbs up to Kroger’s for its store layout, with Simple Truth items spread throughout the aisles instead of being relegated to one “healthy/natural” section. You can even find coupons for the Simple Truth line on its website for additional savings.

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Fresh produce

Any trip to Kroger should include a sweep of its expansive produce section, shares Rachel Cooley, the blogger behind Live Simply. Cooley had been a lifelong Publix shopper until she moved to Georgia and first became acquainted with Kroger. She was pleasantly surprised to find both conventional and organic produce at a quality that rivals Whole Foods at a lower price point.

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Close up of chicken eggs in package.
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Dairy

Some of the best deals can be found in the dairy aisles. In a three-store cost comparison of Kroger, Aldi, and Walmart (conducted April 2018 in the Atlanta metro area), Kroger was found to have significantly lower prices on milk (by 46 cents) and eggs (by 69 cents).

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Convenience foods

In a comparison of everyday pantry items including canned goods, frozen veggies, snacks, juice, and soda, GoBankingRates.com reported Kroger’s prices versus Safeway were lower, time and time again. One of the highest reported savings was on Cheetos, which were $1 less at Kroger.

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chicken meat sliced as food background
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Meat

It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to saving on meat. For example, the GoBankingRates.com comparison found that boneless, skinless chicken breasts were $4 less at Kroger than at Safeway. For more savings, keep an eye out for yellow tags—specifically the ones that read “Woohoo!” You’ll often find them on meats that are within one to three days of expiration. Psst! Before you buy any more meat, brush up on these 20 secrets your butcher won’t tell you.

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Seafood

Kroger’s seafood case is well stocked with a nice ratio of wild-caught options among the typical farm-raised varieties. Plus, the grocery store walks its talk when it comes to seafood sustainability; Kroger sources 87 percent of its wild-caught fresh and frozen seafood in compliance with standards set forth by the Marine Stewardship Council and other Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI)‐recognized programs. You’ll find wild-caught frozen perch, pollock, and salmon, and a healthy selection of wild-caught fresh varieties like whole Dungeness crab and lobster. To maximize health benefits (and get the best quality for your grocery dollar), check out our definitive list of the best fish to eat, along with the varieties to avoid.

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Chia-seeds
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Bulk bin ingredients

Whether you need a little or a lot, it’s always a smart idea to pick up items in the bulk bin section. The options at Kroger’s range from dry beans to nutritional powerhouse seeds like flax and chia.

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Fresh flowers

Whether you’re angling for a basic bouquet or something more elaborate, Kroger’s floral department is hard to beat for both selection and price. A simple bouquet will set you back little more than $5.

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Friday freebies

Even for those who resist downloading yet another app to their smartphone, the Kroger one is well worth having. For one, every Friday they share a digital coupon for a free item. The Krazy Coupon Lady reports that recent freebies have included bread, yogurt, pet food, and candy. Find out the supermarket tricks you’re still falling for.

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Flour
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Kroger’s generic items

Kroger’s is so confident in its generic items that if you buy something and don’t like it, say, a five-pound bag of Kroger brand all-purpose flour, the store will replace it for free with a bag of the equivalent national brand under their Quality Guarantee. Kroger’s various generic label brands, include Kroger, Big K, Fresh Selections by Kroger, Home Sense, and more.

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Giftcards
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Gift cards

The grocer frequently offers digital download coupons for as much as $15 off gift card purchases. Plus, they carry more than 200 gift card varieties—we’re talking everything from Air BNB to Zappos—many of which would make a mighty swell surprise for even the pickiest person on your list. In addition, the grocer typically offers double points on gift card purchases that go towards your Kroger Loyalty Card. The Krazy Coupon Lady recommends also keeping a close eye out for the occasional 4x reward point campaigns that Kroger offers from time to time to really maximize your benefits.

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Specialty cheeses

Take time to peruse the deli, especially the sections that hold higher-end specialty cheeses. You can very often catch these marked down by as much as 50 percent or more, with sell-by dates that are at least one week away.

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Vegan burger patties
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Vegan

In its list of vegan-approved favorites available at Kroger, PETA applauded the national grocery chain’s wide selection of plant-based snacks, dairy-free cheeses, vegan burgers, and more. The list ranges from savory mains like MorningStar Farms Buffalo Chik Patties and White Castle’s take on the veggie slider, to snacks including vegan chips and protein bars. Don’t miss these other things your grocer won’t tell you.

Rebecca C. Walden
Rebecca C. Walden is a freelance writer with Deep South roots, an Alabama native now living in north Texas. Her writing has appeared in Reader's Digest, the Huffington Post, Southern Living, and many other regional publications, focusing on everything from health and wellness to parenting, family, and women's interests. Walden also writes for corporate clients in finance, government, healthcare, and higher education. Check out her latest work @rebeccacwalden.com.