10 Supermarket Prepared Foods That Can Cost Less Than Takeout
There’s something wonderful about bringing home dinner without having to cook it. No chopping onions, no mountain of dirty dishes, and no standing over a hot stove wondering what to make.
Unfortunately, that convenience can come with a hefty restaurant bill.
But your local supermarket might have a few tricks up its sleeve. Between the deli counter, refrigerated meals, and ready-to-eat selections, grocery stores offer plenty of alternatives to ordering takeout.
Some even cost considerably less than comparable restaurant dishes.
To see where the savings might be hiding, we looked at ten supermarket prepared foods and compared their listed prices with real restaurant menu examples. Prices vary by location, and not every portion is identical, but these options are worth checking before placing your next takeout order.
Hot Fried Chicken
Who says delicious fried chicken has to come from a restaurant?
Walmart’s Freshness Guaranteed eight-piece hot fried chicken was listed at $7.97. Meanwhile, Ox Yoke Inn in Amana, Iowa, listed an eight-piece chicken-only assortment for $15.99.
That’s an $8.02 difference for the same number of chicken pieces, although the sizes and cuts may vary.
The supermarket version comes fully cooked and ready to eat. Pair it with something already in your kitchen, and dinner is practically handled.
Money-saving tip: Check whether your grocery store sells hot fried chicken by the piece or in larger packages. Compare the actual quantities before deciding which deal works best.
Whole Pepperoni Pizza
Pizza night doesn’t have to involve scrolling through delivery apps and debating whether another topping is worth the extra money.
Sam’s Club listed its hot, 16-inch Member’s Mark pizza for $8.98, including a pepperoni option.
For comparison, Route 66 Pizza Palace in Barstow, California, listed a 16-inch one-topping pizza for $30.80.
That’s a striking $21.82 price difference between these particular pizzas.
Of course, restaurant prices vary dramatically, and promotional pizza deals can narrow that gap. Sam’s Club membership requirements also deserve consideration.
Still, a hot supermarket pizza might be worth grabbing when everyone wants an easy dinner.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Sometimes, dinner doesn’t need to be elaborate. A warm bowl of chicken noodle soup can be enough.
Walmart listed a 16-ounce container of Marketside Chicken Noodle Soup for $3.47.
Brooklyn Cafe & Eatery in New York listed a pint of chicken noodle soup starting at $6.45.
That puts the supermarket container $2.98 below the restaurant’s starting price.
The grocery version is refrigerated and requires a few minutes in the microwave. It includes chicken, noodles, and familiar soup vegetables.
For a quick lunch or simple evening meal, that’s a pretty convenient arrangement.
Whole Rotisserie Chicken
Few supermarket foods work harder for your money than a rotisserie chicken.
Walmart listed a hot, 2.25-pound traditional rotisserie chicken for $5.97.
Ox Yoke Inn listed a larger, three-pound whole rotisserie-style chicken for $13.99.
Because the birds differ in size, comparing the price per pound is more useful. Walmart’s chicken works out to approximately $2.65 per pound, compared with $4.66 per pound at the restaurant.
That’s about 43% less per pound in this particular comparison.
And there’s plenty of flexibility. Serve the chicken with sides, use it for sandwiches, or add some to pasta.
One purchase can fit several different meal plans.
Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Craving something creamy and comforting without starting a pot of boiling water?
Sam’s Club listed its prepared Member’s Mark Chicken Alfredo at $3.98 per pound, with an average package price of $14.33.
The retailer describes the tray as suitable for approximately two to four people.
Meanwhile, Route 66 Pizza Palace listed a chicken Alfredo dinner for $21.25.
The restaurant meal includes garlic bread and salad, while the grocery tray offers a larger, separately packaged pasta dish, so the two aren’t perfectly comparable.
Still, if you’re feeding multiple people, the supermarket tray deserves a look.
Just remember that it needs heating, and the final price depends on package weight.
Hot Chicken Wings
Chicken wings have a way of turning a casual craving into a surprisingly expensive order.
Walmart listed a 12-count package of hot, ranch-seasoned bone-in chicken wings for $13.47.
Harold’s Chicken #41 in Illinois listed a bucket of twelve full wings for $20.
The grocery option has a lower displayed price, but there’s an important detail: supermarket wings aren’t always counted the same way as restaurant wings.
Some sellers count whole wings, while others sell individual sections.
Before celebrating a bargain, check exactly what comes in the package. Nobody wants to discover that twelve pieces mean something completely different at checkout.
Ready-Made Deli Sub Sandwiches
A good sandwich can rescue a busy afternoon, especially when there’s no time to prepare lunch.
Walmart listed its 14-ounce Marketside All American Full Sub Sandwich for $6.67 at one selected store.
It comes with ham, turkey, cheddar cheese, and condiment packets.
Route 66 Pizza Palace listed a turkey sub for $14.99, although that restaurant sandwich includes chips and different toppings.
The portions aren’t confirmed as equal, so the lower grocery price doesn’t automatically mean better value per ounce.
But a ready-made deli sandwich can still be a practical alternative to ordering lunch.
Grab one during your regular grocery trip, and you’ve already solved the next meal.
Prepared Chicken Caesar Salad
Ordering a salad sounds simple until you start adding up the price of chicken and other extras.
Walmart listed a 12.1-ounce Marketside Chicken Caesar Salad for $4.94.
The prepared tray includes grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and dressing.
For comparison, O’Callahan’s Publick House in North Carolina listed a large Caesar salad for $10, with chicken available for another $7.
That brings the restaurant version to $17.
The portion sizes aren’t established as equivalent, but the grocery tray has one major convenience advantage: everything is already included.
No chopping, grilling, or separate dressing purchase required.
Ready-to-Eat California Roll Sushi
Sushi doesn’t always require a restaurant visit.
Walmart listed an eight-ounce package of Marketside California Roll Sushi with Sweet Chili Aioli for $4.96.
Sushi Aji in Arvada, Colorado, listed its California Roll for $8.
The fillings, piece counts, and weights aren’t confirmed as identical, so this isn’t a direct savings calculation.
However, the supermarket version offers a lower-priced ready-to-eat option for someone craving sushi without ordering takeout.
Practical tip: Check the package size, ingredients, and freshness information before buying. A cheaper package isn’t necessarily the better deal if it contains much less food.
Rotisserie Chicken With Two Sides
Want something closer to a complete takeout dinner?
Walmart listed a hot rotisserie chicken meal bundle for $9.97. The package includes one whole chicken, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes.
Ox Yoke Inn listed a whole-chicken meal with three pint-sized sides for $25.
The restaurant offers a larger stated chicken weight and an additional side, so these packages shouldn’t be treated as equivalent meals.
Even so, the supermarket bundle is worth considering when you want multiple prepared dishes without cooking everything separately.
It’s especially convenient if you’re already stopping at the grocery store.
The Bottom Line
Supermarket prepared foods won’t beat restaurant takeout on every occasion. Portions, included extras, membership fees, and local promotions can change the math.
But the grocery deli counter can offer real opportunities to spend less, particularly on fried chicken, pizza, soup, and rotisserie chicken.
The smartest move is surprisingly simple: compare what you’re actually getting, not just the sticker price.
Next time you’re tempted to order takeout, check the prepared-food section first. Your dinner might already be waiting there, at a price that leaves a little more money in your pocket.
