The Cheapest And Most Expensive Groceries For Super Bowl 2023
As game day approaches for this year's Super Bowl, you'll find no judgment here if you're still scrambling to find the perfect spread for your get-together. Plus, with the price of groceries going up, now is the time to think about your purchases wisely and get the most bang for your buck.
Maybe you've noticed acts of "shrinkflation," when you buy something like laundry detergent for a familiar price but then find that you're getting less product than you used to (via Market Place). Even if changing weights are making you suspicious, the USDA estimates that food prices will continue to rise in 2023, but at a slower rate than in 2022. The agency predicts an increase of 7.1% in overall food prices, which isn't exactly thrilling news.
But it's not all bad news amid rising prices. In fact, you can still rest easy knowing you can continue to throw a killer Super Bowl food party. All you have to do is plan a little different. If you're looking for wallet-friendly snacks and ingredients, some costs of groceries might actually surprise you with falling costs. Meanwhile, some of the more expensive classics might be best left on the grocery store shelf this time around. These are the cheapest and most expensive groceries you might buy for your Super Bowl party in 2023.
Cheaper: Chicken wings
We all know that omitting chicken wings from your Super Bowl party wouldn't hold up in a court of law. And luckily for us Super Bowl watchers, we won't have to even think about doing that this year. So, if you choose to load up on chicken wings this year, your budget surely will not regret it.
According to a Wells Fargo report and the USDA, retail price data show that whole chicken wings are priced at $2.65 per pound in 2023, whereas in 2022 they came in at $3.38 per pound. This significant difference is mainly due to the actions of poultry producers. In 2023, they brought more of this supply to the table, despite higher feed costs for their chickens. However, the lower cost of using freight trains to transport poultry also helped to keep chicken wing costs down, as per Yahoo Finance.
The current supply of chickens is the highest it's been since 2019, so there is a good amount to go around for the Super Bowl whether you're prepping for a party at home or indulging in some wings at a neighborhood bar in front of a giant television. So now, what are you waiting for? This is your green flag to go ahead and enjoy an old-school favorite without seriously impacting your wallet.
More expensive: Eggs
A key ingredient if you're planning to make decadent deviled eggs for your Super Bowl spread this year or baking scrumptious cupcakes, eggs often show up in some shape or form on game day. This year, unfortunately, you're going to have to pay up if you keep to egg tradition. But don't chicken out just yet, but only expect your wallet to take a little more of a hit than in previous years.
In December 2022, the average price for a dozen eggs was $4.25, which was 67 cents cheaper just a single month before that. However, in December 2021, that same dozen would have cost just $1.70, according to Black Hills FOX. The price of eggs has risen most recently due to an attempt to control the spread of avian flu. Poultry farmers slaughtered many egg-laying chickens in states with a high production of eggs to help halt the spread of the disease, according to Missouri's FOX 2. It's no surprise that scarcity brings higher costs to the average consumer. Despite the price increase, eggs are still an affordable protein overall, so it's not unreasonable to include them. Just know you'll be asking your wallet to stretch a little more than usual this time around.
Cheaper: Ground beef
If you thought hamburgers were out of the question this year, think again. You won't even have to put off your plans to make a delicious and more ingredient-stretching chili. That's because ground beef is surprisingly affordable this Super Bowl season, so you'd better jump on it before word gets out.
Despite the soaring cost of some groceries, beef prices have managed to remain consistent, according to Black Hills FOX. In 2022, the average price of ground beef was $4.80. Just a year earlier, in 2021, the same amount of ground beef cost only 20 cents less. With an annual increase in price of a little over 4%, it's safe to say you'll be able to make hamburgers a part of your Super Bowl menu without breaking the bank.
Despite this being helpful to the consumer purchasing beef, these dipping prices present a serious disadvantage to cattle ranchers. With skyrocketing feed costs, not to mention the price of gas needed to transport animals, ranchers are struggling. Unless they're selling beef privately, where they can set their prices, ranchers are in a difficult spot.
More expensive: Beer
If you were planning on buying beer for your party guests, perhaps this is the year to go back to your college roots and ask everyone to BYOB. Jokes aside, you will notice a spike in beer prices when perusing beverage aisles, so make sure you know what you're getting yourself into first before committing to the next beer run.
Beer is 11% more expensive in 2023 than it was in 2022, according to Yahoo Finance. In December 2022, consumers mainly purchased cheaper beers like Budweiser and Miller or chose to buy less than usual to hold onto extra cash wherever possible (via USA Today).
You can blame inflation. Beer producers have upped their prices because it now simply costs more to make and ship the product. However, wine and spirits prices are not soaring the way beer costs have. The relative power of the U.S. dollar has attracted more wine to the states from wine-producing regions like South America and Europe. While wine prices are about 3% higher and spirits costs have risen by 2%, it's certainly cheaper than beer. If you're looking for further savings, a large-batch mixed drink like sangria is a cost-efficient and highly shareable option.
More expensive: Soda
This might seem odd, but soft drinks aren't letting you off the hook for this year's Super Bowl. While the prices will not be at your mercy if you're buying a small amount, you will notice that they just cost more. Sodas are up a full 25% since 2022, according to a Wells Fargo report. Since the cost of ingredients to make soft drinks and ship them is up, producers have had to shift some of those expenses onto consumers.
However, the Citrus County Chronicle reports that this price hike is worse when you look at 12 packs. In some groceries, Coca-Cola can cost around nine dollars for a dozen, compared to past prices of $4 or less. Coca-Cola and Pepsi products are about 45% more expensive than what they cost four years ago. Soda companies have declared that things from the cost of aluminum to increased hoarding of soda have led to price spikes. Either way, you can expect to pay a little more than you may believe your bubbly drinks to be worth. Buying soda this year is a bit of a mixed bag.
Cheaper: Cheese
Cheese will probably be the main character in at least one of your Super Bowl dishes this year. Whether you are making a dip, or casserole, or have another dairy-based meal on deck, cheese is a reliably tasty product that will not break your wallet.
Domestic cheese prices (meaning we're not counting fancy imports) have gone down since the beginning of 2023. If you are planning on preparing a dish where cheddar will do, your wallet will be able to forgive you. According to Trading Economics, cheese prices have decreased by 10% since the start of 2023.
Since 2022, consumers have pushed greater demand for a variety of dairy products, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. Even though demand could decrease as the year goes on, consumers generally continue buying cheese products, as past consumer behavior indicates that this is an ingredient most shoppers depend on, even when its price fluctuates.
More expensive: Milk
If you've noticed that something is off with milk prices as of late, you're right to assume that something's up. Dairy has experienced an uptick in pricing, so if you're looking to use it as an ingredient for your Super Bowl party this year, now's the time to buy a smaller container if you'd like to keep your bank account in good spirits.
No matter what, most consumers in the U.S. will have milk in their household for one use or another. According to the National Milk Producers Federation, in 2022 milk production was down. Per hundredweight, milk is $25.50 on average, which is $1.50 higher than it was in 2014 when that same amount went for $24. What's happening? The cost of producing dairy has gone up for farmers, so consumers are paying more at the store.
However, since milk production is set to increase in 2023, there's a chance shoppers can expect prices of milk to go down, though it's not clear when that will happen or to what degree. Forecasters predict a $3.50 lower average price compared to 2022. However, prices are mainly dictated by whether or not milk production can keep up with demand, so it remains to be seen if milk will become more affordable.
Cheaper: Avocados
Ah, avocados. This necessary ingredient is sure to amp up your Super Bowl get-together. If you plan on making a classic dip like guacamole a part of your game day spread, then you're in luck this year. That's because avocados are landing on the cheaper-than-usual side, so go ahead and add a few to your shopping cart.
As compared to 2021, avocados will cost you way less this year. That's because, according to Yahoo Finance, these fruits are down a full 23% compared to February 2022. So, you'll want to take advantage of these low prices while you can. Even though freight rates were a topic of serious conversation between the U.S. and Mexico (which happens to be the leading producer of avocados), prices have remained reasonable this time around.
Avocado sales tend to spike during holidays and events, however. During the 2021 winter holidays, demand drove the overall sales of avocados that year to $164 million, as per the Hass Avocado Board (via The Produce News). According to Marketplace, the average cost of an avocado will usually cost you $2 or less each.
Cheaper: Shrimp
If you needed a sign to go ahead and cook up some shrimp for your Super Bowl party this year, here it is. Consider making shrimp scampi or taking out the grill if the weather permits. Maybe you'd prefer to keep things simple with a quick shrimp cocktail. However you choose to prep these little crustaceans, you'll be delighted to find that, for once, shrimp won't cost you an arm and a leg. You'd better take advantage while you can.
Why this culinary Super Bowl miracle? In 2022, shrimp costs were high, according to a Wells Fargo report. As a result, most consumers cut back on purchasing the item. This then led to a surplus of frozen shrimp in grocery stores, leading to crowded fridges and the need to get rid of that surplus going into 2023. So, grocery stores lowered the costs of shrimp. As for the numbers? CNN Business reports that shrimp prices have decreased by 17% (averaging $3.78 per pound) compared to 2022. So go ahead and make your shrimp dreams come true for game day.
More expensive: Butter
Life is just better with butter. Using some in your Super Bowl spread is no exception — hello butter boards! Even if you're skeptical of the butter board concept, chances are pretty good that butter may come in handy for at least one dish you plan on making for your guests this year.
However, butter prices have skyrocketed 31.4% since 2022, according to WTVO. How come? Well, the cost of producing dairy products surged in 2022, in part because rising temperatures impacted dairy cow output. In some places in Illinois, for example, one pound of Land O'Lakes butter (that's four sticks if you're not a butter and math wizard) costs a little over six dollars.
Target and Walmart, however, are selling their brands for cheaper, averaging $3.50 to $4 for the same amount. Still, this is quite the jump in butter prices for this Super Bowl. As for butter substitutes like margarine, those will be a little kinder to your wallet, but don't expect a great deal there, either. Prices for those are up as well, by about 43% since December 2022.
Cheaper: Bacon
Calling all bacon fiends. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches? Bacon-wrapped scallops? How about a homemade bacon-chicken-ranch pizza? The sky's the limit this year for every bacon lover who is hoping to incorporate this ingredient into their Super Bowl meal lineup. At the grocery store, you're likely to see significantly lower prices for this meat. So, here's your sign to go ahead and buy some today as you're prepping for the perfect snack spread.
According to CNN Business, bacon prices have dipped considerably since 2022. As per BNN Bloomberg, bacon prices have gone down by 2.9%. Prices of bacon have shot down the most since 2019, which is quite a record considering the cost of inflation for groceries, in general, has risen. Walmart is just one grocery store carrying relatively cheap bacon, with prices ranging from a little under $4 to $10, depending on the size of the pack.
Cheaper: Sirloin steak
Sirloin steak? Don't be intimidated to cook some up for your Super Bowl food party. Maybe you're looking to make steak tacos or cook up some delicious, sizzling steak fajitas to share for game day. Whatever the choice, know that 2023 is the year to purchase steak if you are on a tight budget.
In 2021, the average price for one pound of sirloin steak was $11 (via Statista). In 2023, the average price is closer to $10. According to CNN Business, steak prices have indeed gone down about one dollar per pound. Though not a huge decrease, this does make an impact on overall cost if you're buying sirloin steak in preparation for a large party. The price of sirloin steak was considered low in 2022 and is expected to rise in 2023, according to NPR. So, this may be a small win for us steak lovers, but a win nonetheless.