Ever wondered if ‘ugly produce’ could wipe $50 off your Thanksgiving bill?

Groceries keep getting pricier, and Thanksgiving can throw your food budget straight through the roof. But what if there’s an easy way to snag all the veggies and fruit you need—and still keep $50 in your wallet? The answer: ‘ugly’ produce, flash sales, and grocery hacks so simple you could start saving on your very next checkout. Here’s how to turn supermarket secrets into real holiday savings.

1. Find Flash-Sale Produce at Your Local Grocery Store

Most stores have racks or bins for food close to its sell-by date, often with some of the deepest discounts of the year.

“Kroger shoppers in Richmond save up to 50% on perishables using the Flashfood app.” (Axios)

Clearance racks can offer veggies and fruits for up to 80% off—perfect for holiday sides!

• Check the produce department for “Manager’s Specials” or yellow tags—Sprouts has discounts up to 75% on near-date fruits and greens (Mile High on the Cheap).
• Look for special flash-sale sections or ask an employee when produce is marked down—it’s usually early or late in the day.
• Plan to use veggies quickly (think roasted carrots or mashed potatoes from the markdown shelf!).

TRY IT: Walk into your store’s produce section tonight and specifically hunt for use-soon discounts. You might find 5 lbs of veggies for the price of one regular bag.

2. Test Ugly Produce Deliveries for a Cheap November

Services like Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods sell “imperfect” or surplus groceries—sometimes for less than half price! Their intro deals can fill your fridge for the price of a pizza delivery.

“Misfits Market offers ‘ugly’ organic produce at up to 40% less than store prices, with subscription plans starting at $35 a week.” (In The Know)

Sign up for a one-month box and save $30–40 off your first order!

• New members at Misfits Market get $10 off a $35+ purchase, with discounts on staples like organic blueberries and oat milk (Hip2Save).
• Imperfect Foods offers 20% off your first four boxes, and low-income families can get 33% off with SNAP/EBT (Hello Subscription, Schimiggy).
• Don’t commit—just try a box in November for a one-time savings blitz.

FAST ACTION: Sign up tonight and schedule your discounted box to arrive before your big holiday shopping trip.

3. Stack Savings with Store Apps and Digital Coupons

The biggest mistake shoppers make? Forgetting to check their supermarket’s app or website for digital coupons—especially ones that stack with in-store markdowns.

“Walmart and Target apps let shoppers combine digital coupons with store promos for double-digit discounts.” (ValueSup)

It’s common to score an extra $5–$10 off your bill just by tapping a few digital coupons.

• Open your store’s app while making your shopping list—clip all produce, dairy, and frozen deals.
• If your store runs a “rewards” system, link loyalty cards to get bonus points or dollars back.
• Check for extra “holiday” or “fresh” categories—they often have exclusive produce discounts in November.

ONE STEP: Add at least three digital coupons to your next grocery shop—even on markdown items—to see immediate savings.

4. Build Your Menu Around Big Savings

Many stores, like Grocery Outlet, offer discounted—and even overstocked—brand-name holiday basics. The trick? Plan at least one Thanksgiving dish around the best deals you find on “rescued” or on-sale produce.

“Grocery Outlet features closeout and overstocked foods, letting you plan meals around what’s cheapest this week.” (Wikipedia)

A family-sized bag of creamed spinach, discounted sweet potatoes, or bargain apples can anchor a side dish.

• Pick up what’s marked down and use free recipes online (search “budget roasted veggie recipes”).
• Leftover closeout ingredients? Use them for lunches or freeze for future meals.
• Holiday markdowns get deeper after Thanksgiving—shop sales for produce that lasts, like squash or onions.

START NOW: Let store clearance picks decide one or two sides on your menu this year.

5. Time Your Shopping for Maximum Markdown

Did you know most stores start early clearance (25% off) before holidays, boost to 50% just after, and sometimes hit up to 90% off?

“Clearance discounts can go as high as 90% after major holidays—but 80% off deals appear even before.” (Wikipedia)

Shop two to three days before Thanksgiving for the sweet spot: big discounts on produce that’s perfect for side dishes.

• Ask an employee: “When do sale tags switch over for holiday produce?”
• Go early for the widest selection—or late for the deepest price cuts.
• Buy shelf-stable veggies (potatoes, squash) for extra savings, even weeks after the holiday rush.

TRY IT THIS YEAR: Schedule your next grocery run right before Thanksgiving and watch for 50–80% markdown stickers!

Conclusion

With some clever shopping and a willingness to try “ugly” produce, you can easily slice $50 or more off your Thanksgiving grocery tab. Mark down the deals, grab an intro box this month, and tap your store’s app for every dollar you can. Start saving—grocery by grocery—today!