12 Groceries You Should Buy At Dollar Tree To Save You Money

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When it comes to food shopping, saving money is essential to customers looking for ways to get around the rising cost of groceries. Food prices have increased by 29% from where they were in early 2020, according to NPR, causing many Americans to make serious adjustments to how and where they shop. Amid rising food costs, Dollar Tree remains a popular destination for budget-friendly shopping. Not only can you find very affordable items for the home in Dollar Tree stores, but if you have an eye for savings, it can be a welcome alternative to some of the pricier grocery chains. 

Even among dollar stores, some items tend to cost less than direct rivals like Dollar General. While Dollar Tree is known for offering a lot of off-brand items for cheap, you may be surprised to find many popular food brands here as well. With some big names occupying store aisles, there's a very good chance you could find your favorite products for less. There are a few caveats to keep in mind. For instance, some food items might only be available in tiny packages. You might also struggle for variety here compared to a place like Walmart or Target. That aside, these big-name groceries are a better deal at Dollar Tree and are worth the savings.

Jimmy Dean is one of the most easily recognizable food brands in American grocery stores, and, according to Statista, was the leading brand for refrigerated breakfast sausage and ham sales in 2025. As popular as these products are in the U.S., shoppers will be doing themselves a disservice if they don't look for more cost-effective alternatives to larger chains. As it turns out, Dollar Tree has been offering Jimmy Dean products for some time, with some products starting at $1.25. Shoppers can save two to four times as much by getting Jimmy Dean products from Dollar Tree as they would at Target, where the starting price for these beloved breakfast items is $3.29. Although Family Dollar offers a few comparably priced Jimmy Dean items, you will likely find greater value for money in terms of variety and cost by shopping at Dollar Tree. 

Dollar Tree primarily sells Jimmy Dean breakfast food as single servings; if you're only shopping for yourself or a small family, then you'll likely see the savings. Otherwise, those who need to feed a family of four or more might find the package sizing to be limiting and prefer a greater range of serving options. Some shoppers may also encounter availability issues, as popular and affordable food items can sell out quickly. If you're a fan of Jimmy Dean, consider getting in on the savings while the products are available to buy in your local Dollar Tree store.

For parents and teachers, Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers have long been a popular snack-time treat to share with eager children. As such, it's little surprise these are among the most popular crackers on the market, earning more than half a billion dollars in sales in 2017 alone, and the demand has not slowed. That said, rising food prices could make it challenging for some shoppers to fit this snack into their budget, at least, without seeking a price-friendly alternative to large stores. Packs of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers are available in Dollar Tree stores starting at $1.25. You can get them in small cartons or 2.45 and 2.65-ounce packets. Fans of the original cheddar cheese flavor or the colorful option will be happy to know they are available at Dollar Tree.

The only real issue with buying from Dollar Tree is the package sizing, as these are much smaller than the options found in larger grocery chains. Still, if you are someone who buys items in bulk to save, it may be worth buying these smiling snack crackers here rather than spending more at a larger retail chain.

For many American households, choosing low-cost pasta ingredients is a budget-friendly way to save on groceries, making it sensible to stock up on affordably priced sauce. Whether you need pasta sauce for a spaghetti meal or ketchup for a burger, a quick stop at Dollar Tree will only set you back about $1.25 per item before taxes. These same cans start at $1.47 at Walmart stores; Hunt's brand ketchup is also more expensive here.

While Dollar Tree is a cost-effective choice for stocking up on Hunt's condiments or certain types of pasta sauce, you may want to look elsewhere for other products, such as their diced tomatoes or pastes.  In fact, while you can find a few of Hunt's more popular tomato products here for cheap, it's another item where you'll have to hit up a different retailer if you are seeking variety. If that's not the case, and you want a good deal for this grocery item, then Dollar Tree is the best place to go.

Pop-Tarts are a beloved part of breakfast for many American households. In fact, over the course of 2024, Numerator reports that 39.7% of U.S. shoppers purchased the pastry snack close to four times per year on average. Such numbers suggest that not only are many people fans of Pop-Tarts, but they also have good reason to want to get their hands on this food item while spending as little as possible. Luckily, this popular purchase is available for sale in-store at many Dollar Trees, starting at just $3.00. This is cheaper than at some retailers, such as Walgreens, where they go for $4.79 per box. The Dollar Tree price is also better than Target, where these breakfast items start at $3.99.

While affordably priced at Dollar Tree, you could still do slightly better at Walmart, where the eight-count boxes are priced as low as $2.62. That said, depending on where you live, you might not have access to a Walmart, making this dollar store retailer the best option for a bargain. Pricing considerations aside, another thing to consider is variety. Pop-Tarts, like many other groceries sold at Dollar Tree for cheap, are available in just a few flavor options, though they're among the most common. Those shopping for large families or with a particularly strong craving for this food may want to consider alternative options for larger serving sizes.

Still, if Pop-Tarts pastries are a must-have for breakfast or snack time, then this is one grocery item where you could save by getting them from Dollar Tree.

For busy people who want to make quick meals, instant mashed potatoes are a convenient, shelf-stable staple. This grocery item has remained a hit with American families since it became widely available during the 1950s. For many shoppers, Idahoan is the go-to brand for instant mashed potatoes, especially when looking for a wallet-friendly option. For that reason, it makes perfect sense to grab packages of this grocery item for Dollar Tree, where they start $1.25 each; a few Idahoan potato products are priced at $1.50. Overall, this food product costs less than the same product at Walmart or offered at Target.

While it's true that larger retailers are going to have a broader variety of most name-brand items, the range of this product at Dollar Tree is pretty decent for the price. As with other groceries sold here, there is a greater availability of smaller packages; if you want larger servings, then you'll probably want to try a different retail option.

If you want to make a quick skillet meal or breakfast pancakes, then Hungry Jack is a fast and easy option. While you can find Hungry Jack products at stores like Walmart, you should be prepared to pay out two or three times the cost of purchasing them from a local Dollar Tree store. The original and buttermilk flavors of pancake and waffle mix can be purchased in-store, as can Hungry Jack's hashbrown potatoes or beef pasta and cheeseburger mac-flavored skillet meals. It's also worth noting that these are full-size items, not smaller boxes, making them especially budget-friendly purchases. 

We observed that some Hungry Jack products, such as mashed potatoes and pancake syrup, are not currently available in Dollar Tree. If making an in-store purchase, you'll probably also notice Dollar Tree stocks the most popular options rather than more niche flavors. That aside, if cost-cutting on breakfast and dinner options is the primary goal, then this is a must-grab food item while shopping. 

Campbell's brand foods remain popular staples due to affordability. As rising food costs continue to impact American wallets, it's not surprising Campbell's reported a 3% increase in net sales in 2024 alone. For those shopping for comfort foods that won't break their budget, it's likely this brand's soups and gravies will be near the top of their grocery list. Not only can you easily find Campbell's products in-store at Dollar Tree, but they also start at just $1.25 per can.   We found a few slightly cheaper options at Walmart, but noted that the can sizes were smaller than those sold at Dollar Tree. Likewise, Dollar Tree prices were lower overall for Campbell's products that were the same size. When stocking up on soup, beans, or gravies from Campbell's, you will likely see greater savings overall by shopping at Dollar Tree than at another store. The exception may be for those who prefer to buy in bulk. For instance, Walmart sells four-count packs of 10.75-ounce cans of Campbell's soup for $4.88; that makes each can worth $1.22, a slightly lower value than those sold individually through Dollar Tree. 

Although nutritional drinks are easy meal replacement options and ideal for healthy lifestyles, their price can sometimes deter shoppers. For those who want to buy Boost protein shakes but aren't fans of the pricing, you can purchase individual eight-ounce bottles for $1.25 per unit. By contrast, Dollar General charges $10.95 for six-count packages of eight-ounce bottles, which works out to $1.82 per bottle. The shake was also better priced at Dollar Tree than at retailers like Walmart and Target. Whether you prefer to buy these nutritional drinks individually or as packages, you will find that getting Boost protein shakes at Dollar Tree will be a much more cost-efficient choice overall. 

The only downside of buying these shakes from Dollar Tree is the limited variety compared to other grocery chains. Here, Boost is solely available in vanilla and chocolate flavors. You also won't find multi-count packages for sale in stores. Still, for the price, getting Boost nutritional shakes from Dollar Tree is going to be a massive bargain when compared to getting these drinks almost anywhere else.

As the name suggests, Lunchables is a well-known, child-friendly staple of school lunches. For parents facing limited time to get their kids ready for school, Lunchables are a fast and easy choice, while remaining largely very affordable. It's no surprise, then, that you can find Lunchables in Dollar Tree stores starting at $1.25. The cracker stacker option is priced a little lower than at Walmart, where they cost $1.87 each. 

Even so, Walmart has variety working in its favor, offering a wide range of flavors and sizes. Unfortunately, Dollar Tree's selection of Lunchables products is highly limited. From what we could tell, Dollar Tree only offered Lunchables cracker and cheese options; only one of the items for sale comes with a beverage, a Capri-Sun. Moreover, due to cost and popularity, shoppers may find that items available will sell out quickly. Because of this, if you do decide to save on Lunchables by grocery shopping at Dollar Tree, you shouldn't hesitate when you see the item in the store, as it could be gone before you head back at a later time.

For those who enjoy baking cookies and cakes, Pillsbury brand products offer a delicious shortcut. You might be surprised at just how much you could save on these bakery food items at Dollar Tree. If you opt for a box of Pillsbury cake mix and a small tub of icing, you'll spend just $2.50. If you decide to purchase the brand's brownie mix or chocolate chip cookie dough from Dollar Tree, the price is only $1.25 per box. Walmart does have a few similarly priced items, but when comparing the same items, you are likely to come out slightly ahead by shopping at Dollar Tree.

The only notable issue that arises is in variety, particularly for those interested in special and seasonal items. Dollar Tree offers familiar flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Dollar Tree does sell red, blue, and green-colored Pillsbury icing, but that's as niche as choices get. If the lack of Halloween-themed Pillsbury products is a sticking point, you may want to try a larger chain. However, it's all about affordability and convenience, then Dollar Tree is the ideal place to purchase this grocery item.

Nutella might be one of the most unexpected finds at Dollar Tree. These hazelnut spreads can be found in-store for just $1.25. By comparison, jars of Nutella are priced as low as $3.19 at Walmart or $3.19 at Target, albeit for jars that are larger than the ones for sale at Dollar Tree. Even so, being able to get your hands on a Nutella spread for just over a dollar is a significant win for bargain shoppers. 

The only measurable drawback here is availability. As the product's Dollar Tree webpage states, the availability could be impacted by location, meaning there's a chance the location in your area doesn't sell Nutella. It's also possible that this is strictly a seasonal offering, as a similar-sized jar of Nutella can be found on Walmart's website, but does not appear to be in stock. It's also worth noting that the jar of Nutella sold by Dollar Tree is notably smaller than the jar sizes available at other retailers. If that's not a deterrent, then you'll want to take advantage of just how affordable Nutella is at Dollar Tree versus other stores.

If you're looking for a more affordable way to top off your salads, Dollar Tree is currently selling Kraft salad dressings for $1.25 per bottle. You'll also find Kraft condiments like mayonnaise and barbecue sauce for the same price. We observed a lack of variety in bottle serving sizes. While you will pay more at other grocery chains for bigger bottles, some shoppers may prefer a broader range of size choices. While cheaper than most places, you might also miss out on specific flavor options. Those drawbacks aside, fans of Kraft condiments will likely save money by opting for Dollar Tree.

Interestingly, the same isn't necessarily true for buying Kraft's famous macaroni and cheese. While these Kraft items cost $1.25 at Dollar Tree, these same products are on sale for as low as $1.19 at Target. It's one of the rare instances where Dollar Tree's fixed pricing actually works against it. Even so, Kraft products are affordably priced here overall, and if you want to save on Kraft salad and sandwich condiments, then Dollar Tree provides good value for money overall.