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What Are the Cheapest Fruits? 12 Fresh Produce Options That Are the Best Bang for Your Buck, from Watermelon to Mangoes
By Katherine Gillen,
1 day ago
If the thought of grocery shopping makes your wallet shiver or you’ve ever contemplated cashing out your 401k for berries, well, same. If I’m not dreaming up a blueberry crumble pie to bake, I’m snacking on a fruit salad (or watching my 1-year-old demolish the pint of blueberries for said pie). I get that shopping for groceries can feel discouraging, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Wondering what are the cheapest fruits you can buy? From watermelon to apples, these 12 fruits are the best fresh produce choices for your budget, with prices sourced from the USDA’s most recent Economic Research Service reports .
Psst: The below list refers to conventional fresh produce, not organic.
Juicy, refreshing watermelon tops this list as the cheapest fruit you can buy. And although you’ll cut away a portion of rind to get to the flesh, you can actually pickle the green parts if you want to make use of the entire melon. If you’re wondering how to pick a ripe watermelon , look for one that’s deep green with a yellow ground spot and sounds hollow when it’s tapped.
At just 60 cents per pound, you have no excuse to not pick up a bunch of ’nanas the next time you go to the store. What’s that? You don’t like how they all seem to go ripe at the same time? That’s what banana bread is for. Bananas are high in potassium, which, per the USDA , may help regulate blood pressure. (Perfect for when you go grocery shopping.)
I didn’t expect pineapple to make the list of cheapest fruits, but the tropical cuties clock in at about 62 cents per pound. While they’re sweet-tart and juicy on their own, they’re also well-suited for savory recipes (especially if you grill them ), so skip the pre-cut stuff in favor of a whole fruit. You’ll use it—and it’s much more affordable that way.
Cantaloupe is at its peak from June through August, so take advantage of it while summer lasts. When ripe, it’s perfectly fine cubed or in a fruit salad, but it also shines when sprinkled with salt and hot pepper flakes for a savory spin. Wondering how to pick a cantaloupe that’s worth your coin? Sniff it for a sweet aroma and check that the blossom end gives slightly when pressed.
Poor honeydew has a reputation for being totally bland, but if you know how to tell that it’s ripe , it’s a sweet stunner that’s worth your attention. The rind of a ripe honeydew will be a bright, creamy yellow color with a smooth, waxy texture. Use it in salads or serve it straight up.
Another tropical pick, papaya makes the list of cheapest fruits at about $1.34 per pound. If you’ve never enjoyed one before, they have a buttery texture and sweet, juicy flavor that’s slightly musky and almost melon-like (but a bit more tart). They’re equally tasty in savory dishes, like a salad with cilantro and cucumber.
With its tangy, complex flavor, this low-sugar fruit doesn’t always get the spotlight—but considering it’s pretty easy on your wallet, it should. Grapefruit are at their best when they’re in season, during the winter months, so seek out the juiciest ones then. If you get a good one, it should be sweet on its own (but you can always sprinkle on a little brown sugar).
Standard oranges (not blood oranges or the fancy Sumo kind) will go easy on your wallet, especially when they’re in season in the wintertime. Buy a bag for making fresh juice, but don’t overlook that an orange can be used similar to lemon in savory meals—it has a less sour, more floral flavor that lends itself nicely to sweet root veggies (like carrots) and poultry.
Not only do mangoes taste like vacation, they’re versatile in any dish, from chicken to fish to a yogurt parfait. Let the fruit ripen fully on the counter, and when it’s soft, store it in the fridge to extend its life (but only once it’s fully ripe). According to the Cleveland Clinic , mango is high in vitamin C and potassium and is a good source of fiber .
Although they’re only in season in the winter, these easy-to-peel citrus are one of the cheapest fruits you can buy (and good thing, because I like to eat at least two in one sitting). Fun fact: Clementines are a hybrid between mandarins and sweet oranges, which gives them a super sweet flavor and almost no acidity. (Ideal for packing in school lunches , no?)
Pears and apples are both about $1.85 per pound, and in my opinion, they’re an underrated fall produce item. Juice, crisp and sweet, you can use them in sweet preparations and savory dishes, or simply as a fruity garnish for a charcuterie board . There are many types of pears to choose from, but my favorite for snacking are Bartletts.
Apples are tied with pears at $1.85, and although some varieties are more expensive than others, they’re still a cheap fruit to add to your cart overall. Even better, if you store them in the crisper drawer of your fridge, they’ll last for a month (or longer). I like Granny Smith for baking, Honeycrisp for snacking and Red Delicious for nothing. (Kidding! Or am I?)
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