The Best Day of the Week to Go Grocery Shopping
Updated: Jan. 12, 2024
To save money on groceries, start shopping on Wednesdays.
Fewer crowds, fully-stocked shelves and freshly delivered produce—welcome to any given Wednesday at a grocery store near you!
This mid-week day is when to shop if you’re looking to save money on groceries. It’s all the better if you can swing an afternoon or evening trip when perishable items are more likely to be marked down.
Wednesday Is the Best Day to Grocery Shop
The reason Wednesdays rule at the grocery store is really two-fold. In addition to it being the day when new specials take effect—hence all the new endcaps you see—it’s also that weekday grocery workers are most likely to give you a little grace. Whether it’s for a raincheck you forgot to use or a manufacturer’s coupon you remembered for last week’s sale item that’s now full price, clerks and store managers are more likely to honor those discounts on Hump Day. Here are the best budget grocery list ideas to keep your bill low.
Get more smart grocery shopping tips here.
Best Day to Grocery Shop for the Best Quality Meat, Dairy and Seafood
Another plus of shopping on Wednesdays is that the meat, dairy and seafood section should be newly restocked with fresh picks. For the best selection, you’ll want to get to these sections as close to opening hours as possible. This leaves you with first pickings, whereas going at the end of the day could result in fewer options remaining.
Best Day to Grocery Shop for the Best Deals
Wednesdays win this category too. As we already mentioned, this day is not only when most retailers roll out their new weekly specials and coupons, but they’ll most likely still take last week’s coupons as well. This means double the deal!
Most retailers will also start to mark down the prices for perishables during Wednesday evenings, so make sure you get there in time before they’re all out.
Best Day to Grocery Shop for the Best Produce
Restock days could depend on whether your local store is a larger company or a smaller one. Larger company stores restock their produce everyday whereas smaller stores have a specific day of the week of when they get their fresh produce in. Either way, it’s best to ask an employee or store manager so you can get the correct restock day straight from the source.
Best Day to Grocery Shop for Less Crowds
While we suggest avoiding the weekends for their obvious busyness, shopping during the weekdays when it’s less crowded mostly depends on the time that you’re going. Experts recommend going shopping Monday-Thursday, during the early morning or late at night—closest to the store’s opening and closing hours. You’ll also want to avoid shopping during the weekdays around 5 pm, as this is when stores become crowded with people just getting off work and picking up their dinner ingredients.
Best Day to Grocery Shop for the Best Selection
The best day of the week to get the best selection is Wednesday, specifically during the afternoons. By then, Tuesday night’s deliveries should be fully restocked on shelves, so you’ll have dibs on the freshest goods before the hungry after-work crowd arrives.
Best Day to Grocery Shop to Beat Holiday Crowds
We’ve all seen the chaos that can occur when the holidays are getting closer. Last minute shopping leads to more than usual crowded grocery stores. The best way to get ahead of these crowds during the holiday is to grab your groceries a few days in advance. Two to three days before the holiday is recommended—specifically the Tuesday before Thanksgiving—or even a few weeks ahead for the grocery items that can be stored frozen.
Now that you’re in the know, check out our expert tips to create a well-organized grocery list and then get going!
Our Best Budget-Friendly Dinners
What could be more comforting (or easy!) than a slow cooker mac and cheese? Nothing! This cheap dinner idea is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish, and I've never met anyone who didn't ask for second helpings. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
How do you save money on groceries? Share your tips with us!
Au Gratin Ham PotpieWe first had Aunt Dolly’s potpie at a family get-together. We loved it and were so happy she shared the recipe. Now, we make it almost every time we bake a ham. —Mary Zinsmeister, Slinger, Wisconsin
Find out our smartest ways to save money at the grocery store.
Creamy Spinach Chicken DinnerCleanup is a breeze with this creamy spinach chicken. To make things even easier, tear the spinach with your hands instead of cutting it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
These are the things experts want you to know about grocery shopping on a budget.
Baked Swiss ChickenCanned soup, white wine, Swiss cheese and crushed croutons dress up the chicken breasts in this elegant entree. Ideal for unexpected guests, it requires only a few ingredients. The creamy sauce is excellent with garlic mashed potatoes or rice. —Beverly Roberge, Bristol, Connecticut
Grandma’s Tomato SoupThis recipe is my grandmother’s. Originally, she even made the tomato juice in it from scratch! Gram had this recipe cooking on the stove every time I visited her. She enjoyed making this tomato soup and other favorite dishes for family and friends, and she made everything with love. —Gerri Sysun, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Hay and StrawThis recipe is not only quick and easy to prepare, it's pretty, too. This colorful pasta dish combines julienned ham, Parmesan cheese, peas and linguine.—Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
Ramen Noodle Stir-FryThis mildly flavored ramen noodle stir-fry combines tender strips of chicken with vegetables and popular ramen noodles. I came up with this ramen noodle recipe when I wanted a quick-fix meal for myself. Sometimes I change the vegetables or substitute ground turkey for the chicken. —Dawn Boothe, Lynn Haven, Florida
Sausage and Squash PenneI love using frozen cooked winter squash because the hard work—peeling, chopping and cooking—is all done for me. —Jennifer Roberts, South Burlington, Vermont
If you like finding cheap recipes, you'll love these dinners for under $10.
Rosemary-Apricot Pork TenderloinYou'll be surprised at how quickly this dish comes together for an easy weeknight meal. And with very little effort, you'll have tender and juicy meat that begs to be added to a salad or sandwich the next day. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Chicken Cheddar Stuffing CasseroleThis tasty chicken stuffing casserole is chock-full of homey, comforting flavor! It’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken, plus it’s so quick to assemble using handy pantry items. —Cathy Smith, Wyoming, Michigan
Mushroom Pasta CarbonaraI absolutely love this creamy and cheesy mushroom carbonara. I serve it with a side salad and rolls to make a complete meal. —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Soupy Chicken Noodle SupperAt least once a week my six-year-old son, also known as Doctor John, hands me a “prescription” for chicken noodle soup. Needless to say, I'm always happy to fill it. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Simple Creamy Chicken EnchiladasThis chicken enchilada recipe is one of the first dishes I created and cooked for my husband right after we got married. He was so impressed! We fix these creamy enchiladas for friends regularly. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Honey-Mustard Breaded ChickenI get bored with the same old breaded chicken, so I came up with this simple recipe. The coating adds fast flavor to tender chicken cooked on the stovetop. —Laura Theofilis, Leonardtown, Maryland
Great Northern Bean StewThis thick and hearty stew with great northern beans is sure to chase the winter chills away. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
One-Pot Mac and CheeseWho likes cleaning up after making mac and cheese? Not this girl. This one-pot mac and cheese is a family favorite, and my 3-year-old is thrilled to see it coming to the dinner table. We love to add sliced smoked sausage to this creamy mac recipe! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Spaghetti Pie CasseroleMy family adores this spaghetti casserole. It's old-timey comfort food. This is how to make baked spaghetti with cream cheese. —Patricia Lavell, Islamorada, Florida
Mexican Beef-Stuffed PeppersI grew up eating stuffed peppers and thought my husband would immediately love them as well. He didn't at first, but then I created this slow-cooked recipe. Because he loves fajitas and tacos, I created these peppers with all his favorite flavors tucked inside. —Nicole Sullivan, Arvada, Colorado
Baked Feta PastaThere's a reason this recipe went viral on TikTok! Baked Feta Pasta is about to become a new household favorite. It's simple to throw together and incredibly creamy and delicious. —Sarah Tramonte, Taste of Home Associate Culinary Producer
Shepherd’s PiesWhen you need a real meat-and-potatoes fix, try this hearty layered casserole that blends from-scratch mashed potatoes with cream cheese and a meat filling. Your favorite barbecue sauce gives the dish an extra tang. —Cindy Kliskey, Pepperell, Massachusetts
Apple Balsamic ChickenI just love the sweet and tart flavor that balsamic vinegar gives to this dish. It's easy to prepare and after cooking in the slow cooker, the chicken thighs are tender and flavorful. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
Walking TacosThese Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
Enchilada CasseroleEvery time I serve this dish, I get satisfied reviews—even from my father, who usually doesn't like Mexican food. Plus, it smells delicious while baking. —Nancy VanderVeer, Knoxville, Iowa
Next Up: Take a look at these cheap breakfast ideas.
Originally Published: August 29, 2018
