3-3-2-2-1 Grocery Method (with Free PDF)

I love seeing new grocery shopping and meal planning methods! I also know that what works for me might not work for others, so I like to share these methods to help you find a strategy that you can stick to!

This method is very similar to the 6-to-1 grocery method, but with slightly different items. The 6-to-1 method had you working with 21 items to make your meal plan, and this one simplifies it a little more with only 11 items on the list.

Now this plan can be used if you have dietary restrictions, allergies, or any other preferences when it comes to grocery shopping. So, let’s dive into the specifics!

The Grocery List

We are going to choose certain items in different categories and use these items to plan our meals. The key here is to find ingredients you can use in multiple ways as well as foods that work well together.

The categories:

• 3 Vegetables– these can be any vegetable you like but try to go for cheaper items that can be used in multiple dishes like potatoes, carrots, lettuce, etc.
• 3 Proteins– this can be any protein sources that you like including chicken, pork, and ground beef. It can also include items like beans, lentils, tofu, dairy, etc.
• 2 Grains- Grains can be pastas, rice, quinoa, and more.
• 2 Fruits- You want to pick fruits that can be used for meals as well as snacks, so for example you may pick a watermelon and apples. Both can be used in dishes as well as just for eating plain!
• 1 Dip/Spread/Sauce- Get creative with this one and try a new item. Whether it be a new sauce or a new flavor of salad dressing.

Now of course we will still want to use up any items we have at home. So don’t forget to look in your pantry, freezer, and fridge to see what you can pair these items with to create new dishes.

Will this help me save money?

Since we are only selecting 11 items, this plan does have the potential to save you some money on your grocery budget!

BUT it can also encourage you to spend more. If you buy a lot of ingredients that you are not familiar with and start trying out new recipes that require a lot of extra items that you don’t have, this could cost your more.

I think if you can pick your focus items and use what you have, this could easily turn into a low spend week for groceries.

Who is this not for?

I can only think of three instances where this method is not going to work for making meal planning easier or lowering your grocery budget.

1. Little to No Food already at Home

If you have very little items at home already this plan can be difficult. You want some pantry basics like flour, sugar, yeast, favorite seasonings, etc to work with.

2. You Need Variety

Since we are going to be using these ingredients in multiple ways for multiple dishes, some people may get bored very quickly with the lack of variety. Yes, you can cook potatoes and carrots in multiple ways, but at the end of the day you will eat them a lot this week!

3. You Like Elaborate Meals

This plan is going to need some creativity to make it work. You will need to think outside the box and make simple meals. Since we only have a few ingredients to work with we are not going to be able to make super elaborate meals.

Now if these 3 items do not describe you, then I think this grocery shopping or meal planning method could help you a lot. It gives you a basic structure to work with and can help you curb unnecessary spending at the supermarket!

Free Printable PDF

Here is a free blank template to get you started using the 3-3-2-2-1 grocery method.

3 3 2 2 1 Grocery Shopping Method

Hopefully this strategy can help inspire you with your meal planning. Just remember a strategy is only worthwhile and good for you if you stick to it.

So, if this plan is not helpful, please don’t give up! We just haven’t found the strategy for you yet, but we will!