If you’re anything like me, you loathe how much money you have to throw at groceries every week...and you freakin’ love Target. While I realize there are things I can’t control—like food inflation and the amount of spaghetti that ends up on the floor instead of in my 5-year-old’s mouth—I have found that I can save a significant chunk of change on pantry and refrigerator staples by choosing the generic (bullseye) brand. Read on for the proof.
18 Generic Brand Items I Buy at Target to Save $40 On My Grocery Bill
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1. Good & Gather whole milk ($3.99) vs. Horizon whole milk ($5.69)
You couldn’t live without a generous splash of milk in your coffee and your kids practically swim in the stuff for breakfast. Fortunately, a gallon of milk doesn’t have to break the bank, provided you opt for the Target brand instead of the pricier Horizon version.
2. Good & Gather medium cheddar ($2.29) vs. Tillamook medium cheddar ($4.89)
Quesadillas, omelets, grilled cheese sandwiches…it doesn’t take long to go through a block of cheddar. That’s why I opt for Target’s Good & Gather cheese that has just the right amount of bite (and the savings don’t taste too bad, either).
3. Good & Gather cage-free large brown eggs ($4.19) vs. Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs ($7.39)
Everyone knows that the best eggs come from happy chickens, but you don’t have to pay hand over fist for the humane choice. The Target brand cage-free eggs are easy on your conscience and your wallet, too.
4. Good & Gather salted butter ($4.79) vs. Land O Lakes salted butter ($6.79)
Fact: Butter makes everything taste delicious. That said, you’d be wise to save a buck by skipping the Land O Lakes and spreading the generic stuff on your toast instead.
5. Good & Gather long grain rice ($1.59) vs. Carolina long grain rice ($2.79)
Psst: The secret to perfect pilaf is not which brand you choose but to wash your rice before cooking. Which means that you might as well opt for the cheaper version.
6. Good & Gather spaghetti ($0.85) vs. Barilla spaghetti ($2.59)
We never thought we’d say this, but Barilla is giving us sticker shock.
7. Good & Gather whole peeled tomatoes ($1.39) vs. Cento San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes ($3.99)
Whole peeled tomatoes are a staple you can’t do without when the craving for midnight pasta calls. Here, we suggest you pocket the difference and put it in your piggy bank so you can taste the real deal in Italy one day.
8. Favorite Day multigrain bread ($4.39) vs. Brownberry multigrain bread ($5.69)
Both options are good for your gut, but only one is good for your bank account (just sayin’).
9. Good & Gather boneless, skinless chicken breast ($3.99/lb) vs. Perdue boneless, skinless chicken breast ($4.99/lb)
Have you seen the price of meat these days? And when you’re hauling home ten pounds of poultry at a time, a $1 per pound price difference is a pretty big deal.
10. Good & Gather EVOO ($8.89) vs. California Olive Ranch EVOO ($10.79)
In case you missed it, the price of olive oil is rising due to the unusually hot and dry climate conditions in Europe. As such, it’s a good idea to check the sticker on this pantry staple. (Spoiler: Target’s brand is a steal.)
11. Up & Up make-a-size paper towels ($18.29) vs. Bounty select-a-size paper towel ($23.99)
Sorry, Bounty, but we found a cheaper, quicker picker upper.
12. Favorite Day vanilla bean ice cream ($3.49) vs. Breyers natural vanilla ice cream ($5.69)
Because sometimes you need to go to town on a container of ice cream and not feel bad about it.
13. Good & Gather whole milk plain Greek yogurt ($4.19) vs. Chobani whole milk plain Greek yogurt ($5.49)
Here, a versatile refrigerator staple that plays nicely with fruit and granola in the morning and can be used to make a mean curry come evening.
14. Good & Gather 20ct peanut butter sandwich crackers ($3.99) vs. Ritz 16ct peanut ($9.29) butter sandwich crackers
It turns out you can save big on this convenient and kid-friendly snack when you go off-brand.
15. Up & Up 192ct sensitive skin baby wipes ($5.29) vs. Pampers 168ct sensitive wipes ($8.19)
If we’ve learned anything from the packs we keep in our car, on the countertop or in our purse, it’s that the uses for baby wipes extend way beyond what you, ahem, commonly think. [Insert poop emoji here.]
16. Up & Up original liquid dish soap ($3.99) vs. Dawn ultra liquid dish soap ($4.99)
Needless to say, this will be our go-to until the dishes start washing themselves.
17. Market Pantry mac & cheese dinner ($0.75) vs. Annie’s mac & cheese dinner ($1.69)
Your kid’s favorite meal is also one of the easiest to make… and cost-effective to boot, provided you opt for the generic brand version.
18. Good & Gather self-rising crust pepperoni pizza ($7.59) vs. DiGiorno self-rising crust pepperoni pizza ($8.89)
When late night hunger strikes and laziness reigns supreme, this tasty frozen pizza has your back.