Where to Get the Cheapest Peanut Butter

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Love peanut butter but hate the high prices? Here are some great ideas on how to save on peanut butter!

Love peanut butter but hate the high prices? Here are some great ideas on how to save on peanut butter!

How to Save on Peanut Butter

Have you ever noticed how the price of peanut butter keeps on going up and up? Peanut Butter has been a long-time source of good protein on a budget. It’s cheap, healthy(well, most of it!) and tastes good.

Peanut Butter has always been an affordable source of nutrients, fiber, and protein, but it seems lately that the price might be becoming prohibitive. It’s hard to think about the flavor and creamy consistency (or crunchy texture, whatever works for you!) going away just because of some price increases!

If you are a peanut butter lover and need to stock up, here are some ways to help.

Bulk Peanut Butter in a tub

Buying Bulk Peanut Butter

Instead of buying the little containers or one small jar of peanut butter at a time, check and see if you can get this pantry staple cheaper in bulk.

Check your local Sam’s Club, Costco, or health foods store. I’ve seen peanut butter in bulk at Sam’s and Costco, and both seem to have a fair price. I’ve also seen it in bulk for an even cheaper price at Amish bulk stores. Costco also has organic peanut butter.

Also, check your local co-op if you order from one. Azure Standard seems to have a good price. Another place to watch for this legume is Amazon. They often have peanut butter with a 15% Subscribe and Save discount.

We’ve been able to get the Azar brand natural peanut butter (it’s a smooth peanut butter) from our coop and also from Amish bulk foods stores for the best price. It comes in 5lb pails.

I put peanut butter in to glass jam jars and keep in the freezer. Also, I use the cheaper peanut butter in baking and save the natural stuff for our sandwiches.

Patty, Little House Living Reader
Grocery shelves filled with peanut butter

Cheapest Places to Buy Peanut Butter

Watch for Peanut Butter at Discount Stores

Check your local scratch and dent surplus grocery store for good deals on peanut butter. If your store prices based on what they pay per box the prices on peanut butter should generally remain unchanged, even if prices increase.

If they priced based on a percentage of retail, then you may see prices go up some, but they still shouldn’t compare to the price in the grocery store. I usually see peanut butter for around $1.50 – $2 at the discount stores.

Use Coupons With Sales

There are still plenty of sales out there for peanut butter. Watch for coupons to be available (they are rare so grab them when you can!) to get a great deal.

The Dollar Store

While you might not always be able to find it here, it’s worth checking for. You never know!

Homemade Peanut Butter in a jar

Other Ways to Save on Peanut Butter

Consider a Peanut Butter alternative.

If prices ever really do increase drastically on peanut butter, it may be more affordable to go with a peanut butter alternative such as Cashew Butter, SunButter, or Almond Butter. The reason the price would be increasing on peanut butter is that the cost of peanuts is rising, not all nuts, so these prices should remain steady on other nut butters.

Make your own homemade peanut butter.

This is a great way to save money on peanut butter, especially if you enjoy natural kinds. Here’s my article on How to Make Peanut Butter!

Making your own peanut butter is a great way to be in control of the ingredients list and to have fresh peanut butter like you might get at Whole Foods or a fancy store for much less.

This may sound odd but I make my own peanut butter out of peanuts you get for bird feed. A huge bag of peanut splits, about 20# is $18. The ingredients states “shelled peanuts.” I rinse them really, really well until the water runs clear. Then roast them in the oven at 200 deg until golden. When they cool a bit I put them in the food processor with just a touch of salt and drizzle oil in while they’re spinning away. It’s a lot of work but it tastes so good. This country reveres animals so much that sometimes the quality in pet and animal food is better than people food. Just saying.

Kim, Little House Living Reader

Common Questions About the Price of Peanut Butter

What is the least expensive peanut butter?

The cheapest peanut butter as of the time this article is being written is the Good and Gather Peanut Butter from Target. At about $0.13 per ounce, it’s currently the least expensive.

Why is peanut butter getting so expensive?

Due to issues with labor, increased packaging costs, and increased distribution costs, the price of peanut butter is increasing rapidly.

Is it ok to eat oily peanut butter?

Oily peanut butter simply means that the peanut butter contains no coagulants or binders and is in its natural state. Just stir the peanut butter before using. If your peanut butter has a rancid smell, don’t use it.

Before you put any peanut butter in your cart, check the shelf and make sure you are purchasing the jars with the longest expiration date you can find so it will last longer and you can stock up knowing that it won’t go bad before you can use it. Get more tips on Stocking Up here!

Homemade Nut Butter

Peanut Butter Recipes

How are you planning to save on peanut butter?

Me and Kady

Merissa Alink

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

This post on How to Save on Peanut Butter was originally published on Little House Living in October 2011. It has been updated in October 2023.

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15 Comments

    1. I’m not sure that it would be cheaper since the price of peanuts is going up, but it might be an idea if you can find some for very cheap…might not be worth the trouble though!

    1. I’m not sure that it would be cheaper since the price of peanuts is going up, but it might be an idea if you can find some for very cheap…might not be worth the trouble though!

  1. If I buy in bulk, is it a possibility to can it into smaller jars? I’m very interested in learning how to make or buy in bulk and stock up!

  2. If I buy in bulk, is it a possibility to can it into smaller jars? I’m very interested in learning how to make or buy in bulk and stock up!

  3. Im wondering why all the comments are in duplicates!!

    I put peanut butter in to glass jam jars and keep in the freezer. Also, I use the cheaper peanut butter in baking and save the natural stuff for our sandwiches.

  4. Hi there. This may sound odd but I make my own peanut butter out of peanuts you get for bird feed. A huge bag of peanut splits, about 20# is $18. The ingredients states “shelled peanuts.” I rinse them really, really well until the water runs clear. Then roast them in the oven at 200 deg until golden. When they cool a bit I put them in the food processor with just a touch of salt and drizzle oil in while they’re spinning away. It’s a lot of work but it tastes so good. This country reveres animals so much that sometimes the quality in pet and animal food is better than people food. Just saying.

  5. Melissa! Who knew there was so much to know about peanut butter and the purchasing of!! Even as a single person, I go through alot of peanut butter! My favourite is a natural peanut butter with sea salt, very hard to find.
    Thank you so much!
    Your frugal fan,
    Soo

  6. Merissa! Who knew there was so much to know about peanut butter and the purchasing of!! Even as a single person, I go through alot of peanut butter! My favourite is a natural peanut butter with sea salt, very hard to find.
    Thank you so much!
    Your frugal fan,
    Soo

  7. My local Kroeger store has the small jars for $.99 quite frequently. I buy this to make my grandkids’ PB cookies. I have to have a low-salt low-fat for my own use so buy the “expensive” stuff for me. Safeway’s Signature brand is great and cheaper than name brands, but they rarely hav . My favorite use of PB is celery logs for my afternoon snack – great protein for a pick-me-up till dinner. I also love it in the summer on whole grain toast and sliced tomatoes. Add a bit of salt and a generous sprinkle of pepper on tomatoes!

    !