Walmart Grocery Items That Are Not Worth Your Money

Additional Coverage:

13 Walmart Grocery Items You Should Never Waste Your Money On (financebuzz.com)

Don’t Get Fooled: These Walmart Groceries Might Not Be the Bargains You Think They Are

We all love a good deal, and Walmart is practically synonymous with budget-friendly shopping. But hold onto your shopping carts, folks, because not every item in their grocery aisles is a winner. In fact, some products could leave you with less-than-fresh food, a dent in your wallet, or even a questionable taste in your mouth.

To help you navigate the vast expanse of Walmart’s grocery section, we’ve compiled a list of items that might be better left on the shelf. By being a savvy shopper, you can avoid these common pitfalls and keep your hard-earned cash where it belongs – in your pocket!

(Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.)

1. Marketside Fresh Organic Gala Apples (Price: $7.28)

While organic sounds appealing, Walmart’s Marketside organic apples often fall short on freshness compared to competitors like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. One customer even described the taste as “poison”! Yikes.

2. Great Value White Sandwich Bread (Price: $1.42)

Nobody wants dry, quickly stale bread. Walmart’s Great Value white bread often suffers from this fate, and even their name-brand loaves can have a shorter shelf life than those from other grocery chains. One reviewer, Joseph, lamented that it “molds a couple days after purchasing.”

3. Marketside Cut Watermelon (Price: $4.98)

Pre-cut convenience can come at a cost, and in this case, Walmart’s Marketside Cut Watermelon is often both overpriced and prone to early spoilage. You’ll find a fresher, cheaper option at Aldi for just $4.25.

4. Great Value Frozen Tilapia Skinless & Boneless Fillets (Price: $6.28)

When you buy boneless fillets, you expect, well, no bones. Unfortunately, Walmart’s Great Value frozen tilapia has disappointed shoppers with “tons of tiny bones” when it was advertised as boneless. Quality control, anyone?

5. Freshness Guaranteed Traditional Rotisserie Chicken (Price: $5.97)

Rotisserie chickens are a weeknight savior, but Walmart’s version tends to be on the smaller, drier, and less flavorful side. For a juicier, bigger bird and a better value, head to Sam’s Club, where you can snag one for $4.98.

6. 73% Lean / 27% Fat Ground Beef (Price: $5.94)

Many Walmart locations stock this leaner ground beef, but beware: it often contains added water and fillers, leading to less flavor and more shrinkage during cooking. Aldi offers a healthier 85% lean alternative for a comparable $5.89 per pound.

7. Great Value Whole Vitamin D Milk (Price: $2.82)

Nothing’s worse than milk that spoils before its time. Reviewers of Walmart’s Great Value milk have reported inconsistent quality and surprisingly short expiration dates, with one customer noting it “spoiled quickly, well before the expiration date.”

8. Great Value Classic Medium Roast Naturally Caffeinated Ground Coffee (Price: $5.44)

For your morning pick-me-up, you want good coffee. Walmart’s Great Value Classic Roast often tastes stale or bitter, and some customers have even found the cans to be only “halfway full of coffee.” Talk about a rude awakening!

9. McCormick Kosher Garlic Powder (Price: $8.34)

While Walmart is known for low prices, their spices can be surprisingly expensive. McCormick garlic powder here rings in at 95 cents per ounce, while Aldi’s Stonemill garlic powder is a steal at just 40 cents an ounce. Spice up your savings elsewhere!

10. Great Value Lasagna with Meat Sauce (Price: $2.97)

For a quick frozen meal, Walmart’s Great Value lasagna often feels overpriced for its quality. The Dollar Tree, believe it or not, offers a similar single-serve lasagna for a much more budget-friendly $1.25.

11. Freshness Guaranteed Chocolate Chip Bakery Cookies (Price: $3.47)

Bakery items should be fresh, but Walmart’s Freshness Guaranteed chocolate chip cookies have been called out for excessive preservatives and, ironically, not staying fresh. One reviewer, Gregory, found his cookies “hard as a rock” right after opening the package.

12. Great Value Frosted Flakes (Price: $1.93)

While often cheaper than name brands, Great Value Frosted Flakes sometimes lack the satisfying crispness and flavor, leaning towards stale. One customer, Kayla, even reported finding “pieces of what seem to be rubber in the cereal.” Not exactly a gr-r-reat start to the day!

13. Great Value Lightly Salted, Deluxe Mixed Nuts (Price: $9.82)

For your nut fix, Walmart’s Great Value mixed nuts can be pricier than options at other stores. Aldi’s Southern Grove Mixed Nuts offer a similar amount for a significant saving at just $5.49.

The Bottom Line

Walmart certainly excels at providing competitive prices on many household necessities. However, when it comes to groceries, shoppers might find themselves compromising on quality, freshness, and overall value. Being a smart shopper means knowing when to expand your horizons for better deals.

Consider exploring discount grocers, warehouse clubs, or even your local markets for fresher, higher-quality alternatives that will make both your wallet and your taste buds happier. Happy shopping!