10 Kitchen Tools That Save Us Hundreds on Groceries
Groceries in Canada are expensive right now—there’s no way around it.
But one of the biggest shifts we made that actually helped us save money wasn’t cutting out foods or shopping at five different stores…
👉 It was changing how we use our kitchen.
kitchen tools that save money
The right tools make it:
easier to cook at home
easier to use what you already have
and WAY less likely you’ll waste food
And that adds up fast.
Why Kitchen Tools Matter More Than You Think
When your kitchen is set up properly:
you cook more
you waste less
you rely less on takeout
👉 And that’s where most grocery money disappears.
(If you're trying to get your grocery bill under control, this pairs perfectly with my $100/week grocery budget for a family in Canada.)
1. Slow Cooker (Set It and Forget It Meals)
This is one of the biggest money-savers in our home.
👉 Why it works:
Turns cheap cuts of meat into full meals
Lets you cook in bulk
Reduces the urge to order takeout
2. Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven (The Workhorse)
If you only invest in one “nice” kitchen tool, please make it this. I bought my first enameled cast iron second hand for less than $10, and it served my family so well for many years.
👉 Why it saves money:
Roast large, affordable cuts of meat
Stretch meals across multiple days
Make bone broth from leftovers
👉 One meal turns into 3–4 with this.
3. Large Freezer (Even a Small Chest Freezer Works)
If you’re serious about saving money:
👉 this is HUGE
Why:
Buy meat on sale
Freeze leftovers
Batch cook meals
👉 No wasted food = major savings
4. Glass Containers + Souper Cubes (Your Leftover System)
This is where most families either save money—or waste it.
👉 Why this combo works:
Glass containers keep leftovers visible and easy to reheat
Souper cubes portion meals perfectly for freezing
Glass Containers
encourage you to actually eat leftovers
don’t stain or hold smells
last longer than plastic
👉 If you can see it, you’ll eat it!
Souper Cubes
portion soups, meat, rice, sauces
prevent “mystery freezer food”
make reheating quick and easy
👉 Freeze → pop out → store → use anytime
👉 Together, these turn leftovers into planned future meals instead of waste.
5. Food Processor (The Most Versatile Tool You Can Own)
If you’re choosing between a blender and a food processor, I suggest going with this.
👉 Why it saves money:
Replaces multiple tools
Helps you make more from scratch
Use it for:
smoothies
hummus
pesto
baby purees
frozen banana “nice cream”
chopping veggies up small for sauces (saves effort on my part, and is especially helpful for picky eaters!)
and so much more
I reach for my food processor 90% of the time, and could totally live without my blender.
6. Immersion Blender (Secret Weapon for Moms)
👉 Why it saves money:
Turns veggie scraps into soups or sauces at the end of each week (a major hack for minimizing food waste!)
Hides vegetables for picky eaters
👉 Less waste + easier meals = huge win
7. Reusable Kitchen Cloths & “Paper Towels”
👉 Why it saves money:
Replaces disposable paper towels
Cuts recurring costs
lasts for years
👉 Small change → big long-term savings. I like to go with all-white, and bleach them about once a month to keep everything looking and smelling very fresh.
8. Sharp Chef’s Knife
👉 This one is simple, but important. When prep is easier:
you cook WAY more
you avoid expensive convenience foods
you’re also less likely to hurt yourself than you are with a dull knife
9. Sheet Pans (One-Pan Meals = Less Effort, More Cooking)
👉 Why:
minimal cleanup
fast prep
easy to scale
roasted veggies are elite. ;)
10. Measuring Cups & Food Scale (Optional but Helpful)
👉 Helps you:
stretch ingredients
reduce waste
portion meals
🔥 The Real Secret: It’s Not the Tools—It’s the System
You don’t need everything at once. What matters is:
using what you have
keeping meals simple
making cooking easier than ordering food
How This Looks in Real Life
In our home:
we cook simple meals
we reuse leftovers
we freeze extras properly
we avoid waste
👉 Nothing fancy by any means, but it works really really well.
If You’re Trying to Save on Groceries… Start Here
Instead of:
👉 cutting everything out
Start with:
✔ cooking more
✔ using what you already buy
✔ making meals easier
How This Connects to a Bigger Plan
These tools support:
budget meal planning
consistent cooking
less food waste
