4 Grocery Staples That Aren’t Worth Your Money At Kroger

We’re all trying to make our grocery money stretch farther right now, whether that’s by opting into bulk-buying our favorite foods at warehouse retailers or opting for private label products instead of national name brands. But you also want to make sure what you’re buying offers value — and good flavor.

Videos by Sporked

So, if you’re hoping to save your money and spend in the smartest way possible, we’ve rounded up a few key items you’ll want to skip at Kroger. The following Kroger groceries aren’t worth your money or their current price tag.

Frozen Pizzas

Kroger’s very own private label pizzas used to be a steal of a deal in the frozen food aisle. The Kroger brand line of pizzas includes decent variety and reasonably-sized pies that could easily feed you for lunch or dinner. But today? Their price has climbed like so many other grocery items, and these effortless meals are no longer as smart of a buy as they once were.

Kroger’s very own frozen pizzas have seen their price increase and their flavor decrease, resulting in a bland pie regardless of the toppings you choose. The texture also isn’t the best, making it a pretty disappointing bite. It’s flat, rubbery, and uninspired, and although it’s still a convenient meal, it’s not enough to deliver good value for your money or your taste buds.

Leave these frozen pizzas in the freezer aisle, and opt for a cheaper, tastier alternative like Costco pizza instead.

Coffee Beans or Ground Coffee

Odds are your Kroger has a solid selection of coffee in both ground and bean form. But grocery stores tend to stock their own private label branded blends and beans alongside big coffee names like Dunkin’ and Starbucks. And if you’re looking for high-quality coffee at a reasonable price, Kroger isn’t exactly the best place to head.

Kroger sells perfectly acceptable coffee, but nothing on the shelves is more than mediocre. And that’s totally fine if you love Starbucks or Dunkin’ (or another brand) and the flavors or bean quality they offer. But if you’re a bit of a snob, you’re not going to find what you prefer here. Most of Kroger’s coffee choices fall right in the middle of the road, and they aren’t cheap (unless you’re opting for Folgers, but even that has gotten pricier). Instead, you’re better off heading to a warehouse retailer or your favorite coffee shop. 

Bagged Salad Kits or Premade Salads

Bagged salad has had a rough year in 2026, and if you’re shopping at Kroger for your groceries, we’re here to tell you that you should still walk right past these products without adding them to your cart. No, we’re not as worried about illnesses; we’re worried about their poor value, thanks to recent price increases and lower-quality ingredients.

Bagged salads, salad kits, and premade salads of all kinds tend to pose the highest risk for food-borne illnesses. But they’re also pricier than making your own salad. If you opt to purchase fresh produce from Kroger instead — including lettuce, veggies, and dressing or other toppings — you’ll find that you can whip up a salad for less, with ingredients that haven’t been sitting around waiting for their expiration date.

Oh, and there’s one more perk: Salad kits and bagged options tend to have a shorter lifespan than simply buying a head of lettuce. So, you’ll make your money go farther opting for a DIY version.

Bulk Bags of Frozen Meat

Meat is a grocery staple, and odds are you want to stock up when bulk-sized bags of meat are available at Kroger. The grocery store often stocks supersized (or simply larger) bags of chicken breasts, thighs, tenders, and wings. But frankly, if you’re looking for decent-quality meat at a cheaper price, these bulk bags of frozen meat aren’t the best investment for your money.

Although Kroger appears to sell these bulk frozen bags of chicken cuts at a better price than buying smaller or freshly-packed alternatives, they’re not nearly packed with the same value for your money as Costco. More importantly, they tend to be less impressive in quality, too. The pieces are often smaller and thinner, leaving you with less meat overall despite the size of the bag. And frozen meat rarely lives up to the non-frozen kind, turning out drier and less appealing.