The Recession-Core Grocery List You Didn’t Ask For (But Honestly Need To Screenshot) — Plus, The Word On Tariffs At The Supermarket

Between the dramatic rise and fall of egg prices, the spikes in cost for items we love like potato chips and matcha, and the ever-changing news around global tariffs, grocery shopping in 2025 has us, to put it bluntly, crashing out.

So, whether you’re already feeling the recession vibes, inflation spirals, or just don’t want to give up your particularly particular current fixation meal, here are some tariff-proof(ish), recession-resilient foods that are budget-friendly and, for now, drama-free:

Okay, because of the recently announced tariff on imported steel and aluminum, there will likely be a spike in the cost of canned legumes (like chickpeas and lentils), but the good news is dried beans are more cost-effective anyway!

While cooking dried beans and lentils is time-consuming, it's pretty much entirely hands-off, and the money you save is so worth the pesky overnight soak.

One more hack I've used for quick-ish bean dishes: the Instant Pot. (If you're interested in learning how to make your favorite bean recipes from dry, let me know in the comments.)

It was borderline traumatizing to check egg prices just six months ago, so I’m honestly in disbelief about this one. That said, a few caveats: avian flu still looms over egg production, and tariffs could impact imported egg products (like processed or powdered eggs used in packaged foods).

So, yes — buy a dozen of the US's finest and make that egg salad this summer. Just keep an eye on the headlines so your next deviled egg platter doesn’t cost more than your main course.

Some of us have straight up been bypassing the meat section of the grocery store because it's simply too expensive per serving. And while beef prices are high (and still rising), the USDA reports that pork prices are holding steady. So, swap those grilled steaks for pork chops on the grill this summer and bring on the baby back ribs!

Hold on, consulting my notes from 10th-grade social studies to confirm that NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) protects tariff-free trade of agricultural products between the US and bordering nations. It is. Phew.

So your bell peppers and blueberries? Safe, for now. (But seriously, buy local when you can. It’s giving flavor and sustainability.) 

American PB&J lovers, rejoice — your sandos are safe. The US is one of the world’s top producers of peanuts (shoutout to Georgia, Alabama, and Texas), and most of that peanut goodness stays right here at home. In fact, we export relatively few compared to how much we grow, which means the domestic supply is strong and less vulnerable to global price swings or import tariffs.

Translation: peanut butter is one of the rare grocery items that’s still affordable, available, and emotionally supportive. It’s shelf-stable, protein-packed, and recession-resistant.

So whether you're team crunchy or creamy, your go-to sandwich spread isn’t going anywhere, at least for now.

It may be time to swap that French Roquefort for some Maytag blue cheese (made in Iowa), and trade your Irish cheddar cheese for Vermont cheddar! While fresh agricultural products from our bordering nations are protected from US tariffs, imported processed foods — like many of our favorite cheeses — are not. Cheese from Europe, for example, is subject to a 20% tariff, according to the USDA. And who pays the price? We do.

But there is no way I'm giving up one of my favorite pastimes: cheese board devouring. Instead of cheeses from far-off lands, Americans can opt for dairy products made closer to home. You might just find an American cheese you prefer over the imported variety (though the price hike for Irish cheddar is a blow, for sure).

While a bag of chips might be flirting with $6 these days, the humble potato itself is actually doing just fine. In fact, wholesale potato prices are lower now than they were just a few years ago. That’s because potatoes are grown in huge quantities across the US — from Idaho to Maine — which makes them less vulnerable to the kind of global supply chain chaos or tariff drama that’s affecting imported goods.

So while processed potato snacks might be on the pricey side (thanks to labor, packaging, and transport costs), the raw spuds in the produce aisle are still one of the most affordable and recession-resilient foods out there.

The average American eats a lot of rice, about 27 pounds per year, but US farmers grow a lot of it! US-grown rice is still affordable, tariff-resistant, and built for bulk meals. Short grain, long grain, basmati, arborio — it's economically stable as long as it's US-grown!

The US grows a ton of wheat, so your basic sandwich loaves are likely to stay consistently inexpensive and won’t be subject to the wackadoodle market fluctuations hitting other groceries.

But if you’re into seeded rye, focaccia made with imported olive oil, or bougie brioche crafted with European butter, brace yourself — those prices might rise faster than my sourdough starter on a hot day.

Translation: Wonder Bread is chill. That $8 artisanal boule? Might start costing... even more.

Biggest takeaways: Stick to US-grown basics, keep an eye out for sneaky import drama, and follow the advice moms around the world have known for centuries: rice and beans is all you really need.