7 Cheap Frozen Foods Under $20 To Buy at BJ’s Wholesale Club Before Summer Ends

With summer coming to an end, now is the time to score last-minute deals on frozen food at BJ’s Wholesale Club. As food costs continue to soar, making the most of every dollar counts for shoppers. “Grocery prices skyrocketed during the pandemic, and in many cases, they’ve kept going up, even though the pandemic is over,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said in a recent Senate hearing. “Grocery prices are up because of good old-fashioned corporate price gouging,” Warren said. “And they can gouge consumers on prices because there’s only a small number of companies controlling every level of the food chain.”

People are looking for relief at the register when putting food on the table, and the member-ship-only warehouse club has plenty of cost-effective meal options. BJ’s offers many cheap frozen foods under $20, which are healthier than you think. Frozen foods can get a bad rap because many are ultra-processed and full of sodium and sugar. However, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, “their nutritional content is locked in, meaning they’re just as nutritious as fresh produce.”

Here are seven frozen must-haves to stock up on before the end of summer. 

• Price: $7.99, 6 lbs.

Not only do you get your money’s worth with the Wellsley Farms Tater Puffs, but it’s a versatile frozen food you can enjoy in many ways. Whether you eat them alone as a snack, add them to a breakfast burrito, or have them as a side dish with eggs and sausage, there are ample ways to eat the tater puffs. 

• Price: $8.99, 4 lbs.

For budget and health-conscious shoppers, cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative that’s cheap and good for you. According to WebMD, cauliflower is hydrating, low in calories and sugar, and can help fight certain cancers. At just under $9 for a 4 lb bag, you can whip up several meals and diverse dishes such as cauliflower crust pizza, cauliflower curry, cauliflower soup, and more. 

• Price: $9.99, 3 lbs.

Tilapia is a quick and versatile meal that can be prepared differently. From fish tacos to salads or baked and served with your favorite side dishes, tilapia is an easy option for people on the go. Plus, it’s a generous portion of fish for just under $10. 

• Price: $11.79, 3 lbs.

Fruit can spoil quickly, but buying frozen is one way to avoid waste. Ideal for smoothies or topping off yogurt or oatmeal, Wellsley Farms Organic Blueberries are refreshing and a way to get a healthy dose of antioxidants.

• Price: $11.99, 2 lbs.

Whether you’re in the mood for a stir-fry, tacos, fajitas, or a salad, adding shrimp elevates the dish instantly. Just defrost, prepare, and enjoy a delicious, hassle-free meal.  

• Price: $13.99, 4 lbs.

Buying in bulk doesn’t always work with fresh produce because it can often go bad before it’s consumed, but frozen has a long shelf life and can maintain its nutritional value. The Tropicland Grilled Organic Mediterranean Vegetables is the perfect way to add a healthy side dish to your main meal or jazz up a salad or stir-fry. 

• Price: $16.49, 3 lbs.

Cherries are a favorite summer treat for many. But they’re pricey and very seasonal. Cherries are expensive because of their short harvesting season and extreme weather that has destroyed crops, but you can grab a 3 lb bag of organic cherries to enjoy year round at BJ’s, which is less than what you’d pay fresh at most places.