The Ultimate Fruit and Veggie Price Chart

Fruits and vegetables are vital to a healthy diet, but only 1 in 10 adults in America are eating enough of them. A big part of the problem is that many Americans don’t have proper access to cheap produce or have not had adequate nutrition education. When shopping for produce, it’s important to know the costs and how to get the most bang for your buck.

The HowToCook.recipes team studied data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to identify produce prices for a cup of some of the most popular fruits and vegetables.

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The Ultimate Fruit and Veggie Price Chart

What Are the Cheapest Vegetables and Fruits?

According to the data, these are the ten cheapest fruits and veggies in America:

  1. Pinto beans, dried ($0.17 per cup)
  2. Potatoes, fresh ($0.20 per cup)
  3. Watermelon, fresh ($0.20 per cup)
  4. Lentils, dried ($0.22 per cup)
  5. Black beans, dried ($0.24 per cup)
  6. Navy beans, dried ($0.24 per cup)
  7. Carrots, fresh ($0.24 per cup)
  8. Apple juice, frozen concentrate ($0.26 per cup)
  9. Great northern beans, dried ($0.26 per cup)
  10. Cabbage, fresh ($0.26 per cup)

Dried beans are very affordable, are full of protein, and have the added benefit of being shelf-stable.

It’s worth noting that only two fruits are listed here. Cheap fruit can be hard to come by; most fruit in America is imported from countries with warmer climates, and the added transportation costs lead to a higher fruit price. Frozen fruit is often a cheaper alternative to fresh fruit and does not spoil as quickly.

What Are the Most Expensive Vegetables and Fruits?

Based on the USDA data, these are the common fruits and vegetables that have the highest costs:

  1. Cherries, packed in syrup ($2.53 per cup)
  2. Asparagus, fresh ($2.47 per cup)
  3. Artichokes, fresh ($2.43 per cup)
  4. Asparagus, frozen ($2.33 per cup)
  5. Raspberries, fresh ($2.29 per cup)
  6. Corn, fresh ($2.20 per cup)
  7. Artichokes, canned ($1.97 per cup)
  8. Blackberries, fresh ($1.89 per cup)
  9. Okra, fresh ($1.75 per cup)
  10. Asparagus, canned ($1.66 per cup)

Most of the most expensive fruits and veggies are fresh. However, consumers should consider not only the price per cup but also the number of servings obtainable from that measurement. For instance, a standard serving size of fresh asparagus is a half-cup, making the cost of each serving only $1.24. While it may seem that fresh produce is expensive, there are plenty of cheap veggies and fruits available once you consider serving sizes.

The Benefits of Going Vegetarian

Adopting a vegetarian diet is a great way to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet and learn how to cook new varieties. Many people think that vegetarians only eat salads and plain vegetables, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are many ways to add variety and spice to a vegetarian diet, from whipping up a falafel recipe for a pita with fresh vegetables to a fresh and easy avocado toast recipe.

In addition, many dishes that traditionally include meat can be adapted to be solely plant-based. Meat replacement products are becoming more and more available in supermarkets and restaurants. There are also hacks to cook vegetables in a way that simulates the texture of meat, like using shredded jackfruit to mimic pulled pork.

Whether you’re considering going vegetarian or are just looking to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, this price list will help you make informed decisions at the grocery store.

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This page was last updated by Megan Miller