(Said in my best Oprah “I love bread” tone.) Specifically, I’m a fan of Dollar Tree. You might think of it as a paradise for budget-friendly craft materials, but what many people don’t realize is that this bargain chain is also a handy place to stretch your grocery dollars.
I’m not only referring to snack items. Over the years — whether I’ve been on an extremely tight budget or just naturally thrifty — that neon-green storefront has often felt like a refuge from the unnecessarily inflated costs at traditional grocery stores.
That said, I’m not going to pretend that every food product on the shelves is worth grabbing. There are definitely some duds.
Case in point: the $1 3.5-ounce ribeye steak the chain has been known to carry in some places. When I first saw it, I was legitimately surprised. Curiosity won out, and I sampled it so you — dear readers — wouldn’t have to.
Let’s just say the thin, chewy slice of “ribeye” was not a bargain — I’d sooner hit the McDonald’s dollar menu for a quick beef fix — but there are plenty of Dollar Tree finds that are worthwhile.
Before we dive in, one caveat: as with anything at Dollar Tree, availability varies by store, though the list below gives a solid sense of what you might encounter.
While the company typically won’t disclose specifics about vendor arrangements, these are items I’ve consistently noticed stocked on the shelves.
Meals
Pancake mix
For roughly half the cost (or even less) of what you’d usually pay, boxed pancake mix here is commonly the “just add water” variety, so the only additional item you’ll likely need is syrup — which is often nearby on the same shelf.
Frozen full breakfasts
You’ve probably seen Brown ’N Serve-style items in the freezer aisle. These single-serving meals can include two pancakes, waffles or French toast plus sausage links and hash browns — convenient for hectic mornings.
Bread
Loaves and other bread products are plentiful at Dollar Tree. Besides classic sliced white bread, you can often find hamburger and hot dog buns, flour tortillas and even pizza crusts.
Eggs
I was surprised to spot fresh eggs the first time, but they’re available, and the price is tough to beat. Carton sizes fluctuate; I’ve seen everything from eight-count up to 18-count, all at the same low tag.
Cereal
Pick carefully when selecting cereal. Do buy the 12-ounce boxes of cereal if they’re in stock. But don’t be misled by the mini boxes or small brand-name bags — a 3-ounce Fruit Loops pack can cost far more per ounce than a full-size box on sale.
Sliced deli meat
This one depends on your local deli prices to judge value. Four-ounce packs of turkey or ham work out to roughly $4 per pound. I’ve also seen larger, less healthful packs of bologna — perfect, if you’re in the mood for a fried bologna sandwich.
Pasta
This is another item where you need to use judgment. If you need pasta right away, a one-pound box for a dollar is a decent deal, though sometimes grocery-store promotions will beat that price.
Cheese
Yes — Dollar Tree offers cheese. My tip: go for the 6-ounce cheese blocks when you find them. That’s real cheese at an attractive price. You’ll also find shredded cheese sometimes, but be aware it may not melt like block cheese.
Frozen meats
Generally, the frozen meat selection leans toward college-dining simplicity: popcorn chicken, meatballs, individual chicken-patty sandwiches and even White Castle-style sliders. (Kumar was not present.)
Frozen french fries
I was thrilled when my local Dollar Tree stocked sweet potato fries and nearly cleared them out. Those aren’t always available, but shoestring or regular fries are usually an option.
TV dinners
Brands and selections shift often, but I’ve seen macaroni and cheese, orange chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, and even biscuits and gravy over time. (Yes — the latter featured Larry the Cable Guy branding.)
Snacks
Soft pretzels
This is my go-to snack from Dollar Tree. Pop one (or two or three) on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for a few minutes. Add a sprinkle of salt and you’re set. I’ve also noticed bite-size frozen pretzels — great for parties.
Pastries
Yes, you read that correctly. Not fresh-baked goods, of course, but the freezer often hides mini iced eclairs, cream puffs and similar treats.
Chips
Unlike many dollar stores, this one stocks recognizable brands: Cheez Doodles, Cheetos, Lays, Funyuns, Doritos and even T.G.I. Friday’s potato skins chips.
Candy
Dollar Tree is definitely a candy destination. It’s not only obscure brands — you’ll find mainstream favorites like Twizzlers, Werther’s Original, Skittles, M&Ms, Snickers, Haribo and more.
Soda: Expect off-brand two-liter sodas at dollar stores, but I was surprised to see trendy LaCroix on the shelf during a recent trip.
Condiments
Fixings
You know the staples: ketchup, mustard, relish, hot sauce, soy sauce and more — all the pantry dressings you reach for regularly.
Spices
We’re not limited to salt and pepper. You’ll spot allspice, chili powder, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, paprika and parsley, among others. And no — these aren’t tiny sample vials; they’re full-size-ish containers similar to what you’d buy at a typical grocery store.
Cooking spray
I frequently pick up cooking spray here. My recommendation: stick with canola or coconut oil sprays and skip the butter-flavored spray for high-heat cooking — it doesn’t perform as well.
Sweetener
I practically run on coffee (always decaf — yes, really), so Dollar Tree’s variety of off-brand Splenda, Equal and Sweet’N Low alternatives, plus Sugar in the Raw, is a lifesaver.
As you can tell, this isn’t your average dollar store. While it won’t fully replace your neighborhood supermarket, Dollar Tree can certainly help soften grocery bills when you need pantry basics and a few extras. If you’re curious about other bargain buys, check out what to buy at the dollar store, and for fresh produce tips at discount retailers, see dollar general fresh produce.
