Buy once a month, top up weekly
A monthly grocery list for UK households.
Monthly staples top-up
21 items · ~£78.65 / £85 budget
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Cupboard
- Pasta (3kg) £3.90
- Basmati rice (5kg) £9.50
- Olive oil (1L) £6.20
- Plain flour (1.5kg) £1.50
- Sugar (1kg) £1.05
- Tea bags (240) £4.40
- Coffee, ground (227g) £4.50
- Tinned tomatoes (12) £5.40
- Baked beans (12) £6.60
- Tinned tuna (6) £5.10
- Cereal, family pack £3.20
- Stock cubes (24) £2.40
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Frozen
- Garden peas (1.5kg) £2.40
- Oven chips (1.5kg) £2.40
- Mixed vegetables (1kg) £1.90
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Household
- Toilet roll (24 pack) £9.00
- Kitchen roll (6 pack) £4.50
- Washing powder (50 wash) £7.50
- Washing up liquid (1.5L) £2.20
- Bin bags (50) £3.00
- Dishwasher tablets (40) £7.50
The honest answer
Why a pure monthly shop doesn't work in the UK.
Fresh meat, fish, fruit and veg won't last a month. Bread goes hard. Milk goes off. You'd end up freezing half the shop or throwing it out.
What does work is splitting the job: bulk-buy the cupboard, frozen and household staples once a month (this list), then run a smaller weekly fresh shop for the dinners (we build that one for you, automatically).
The two halves slot together. Roughly £80 once a month plus £55 to £95 a week, depending on family size.
Pair it with this week's fresh shop
Weekly shop, family of 4
31 items · ~£89.40 / £95 budget
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Fruit & veg
- Bananas (6) £0.85
- Carrots (1kg) £0.70
- Onions (1kg) £0.85
- Mixed salad (200g) £1.20
- Tomatoes (6) £1.10
- Apples (6) £1.95
- Broccoli £0.75
- Baking potatoes (2.5kg) £2.20
-
Meat & fish
- Chicken breasts (1kg) £6.50
- Beef mince 5% (500g) £4.20
- Salmon fillets (2) £4.75
- Sausages (8 pack) £2.60
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Dairy & eggs
- Milk (4 pints) £1.75
- Cheddar (350g) £3.30
- Eggs (12) £2.85
- Greek yogurt (500g) £1.80
- Butter (250g) £2.40
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Bakery
- Bread, medium sliced £1.20
- Wraps (8) £1.40
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Cupboard
- Pasta (1kg) £1.30
- Basmati rice (1kg) £2.10
- Chopped tomatoes (4) £1.80
- Olive oil (500ml) £4.50
- Baked beans (4) £2.20
- Chicken stock cubes £1.40
-
Frozen
- Garden peas (1kg) £1.65
- Oven chips (1.5kg) £2.40
-
Snacks & drinks
- Kids juice cartons (8) £2.10
- Cereal bars (6) £1.85
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Household
- Toilet roll (9) £4.80
- Washing up liquid £1.20
Quick answers
What should go on a monthly shopping list in the UK?
Things that keep for a month or more: pasta, rice, tins, cereal, oils, sauces and spices, frozen veg and freezer staples, plus household items like toilet roll, cleaning products and bin bags. Fresh food is better bought weekly.
Is it cheaper to shop monthly or weekly?
A mix usually works best. Buying long-life staples once a month cuts trips and impulse buys, while a smaller weekly fresh shop means less fruit, veg and meat going off before you use it.
The weekly half