13 Walmart Pantry Buys That Are a Waste of Money (Despite Being Cheap)

When it comes to affordable prices, it's hard to beat Walmart. However, sometimes the store's low cost reflects poor quality, meaning not every bargain is worth buying.

While you can still save money on Walmart essentials, you should steer clear of some products that aren't worth the savings. Some pantry items that seem like a steal are not worth the few dollars they cost. They taste subpar, are chock-full of unhealthy ingredients that are bad for you, or both.

When it comes to stocking your pantry, think twice before buying these Walmart bargains.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $1.82

Great Value pasta sauce is affordable, but the value isn't there in terms of taste. Shoppers complain it's watery and flavorless, especially the "Traditional" and "Four Cheese" varieties.

Besides the lack of taste, Walmart pasta sauce is also high in sugar and artificial sweeteners, making it detrimental to your health.

Price: $0.83

Canned soup is a convenient go-to for a meal in a pinch, but the Great Value options are often watery and tasteless.

Additionally, these soups are often high in sodium and low in nutritional value due to their minimal amounts of vegetables and protein. Try Campbell's instead or, even better, make your own soup from scratch if you have the time.

Price: $1.94

If you've ever found that your Great Value peanut butter is gritty, bland, and hard to spread, you're not the only one.

Many shoppers complain about this cheap peanut butter, and for good reason. It's full of sugar and added oils, and low on peanuts. Go with Skippy or Jif, instead — they're only a few dollars more.

Price: $9.92

You may think it's hard to mess up coffee, but wait until you try Walmart's Great Value coffee. Actually, don't try it unless you like your coffee to taste bitter and burnt.

Budget coffee usually contains lower-quality Robusta beans, which translates to the taste. If you enjoy coffee every morning, just a few more dollars can make a world of difference.

Price: $3.98

While Walmart's baking mixes aren't necessarily of low quality, they're far from being affordable. You may look at the shelf price and think they're a bargain, but consider the ingredients.

Flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder are less expensive than the price of baking mix. Moreover, when you make your own mix, you can avoid questionable ingredients like preservatives.

Price: $5.54

Pre-packaged deli meats from Walmart may be cheaper than those from other stores, but the quality is lacking. Consumers often complain about the freshness and taste of these meats, leaving reviews noting that they seem stale and taste like little more than salt.

They have a point. Pre-packaged deli meats are high in sodium, nitrates, and preservatives. Shell out a few extra bucks and get fresh deli meats instead.

Price: $4.98

Many shoppers find Walmart's produce to be disappointing, even with organic options like this Marketside spring mix, despite its low price point.

Reviewers note that the freshness is lacking, and the produce often starts to spoil quickly after arriving home. Worse, the produce that appears fresher is often tasteless. Consider shopping at a farmer's market to avoid Walmart's low-quality produce.

Price: $7.27

Pre-cut fruit and vegetables often cost more than regular fruit and vegetables. Worse still, the freshness and flavor aren't always there. Avoid products that require you to pay more for convenience, and opt for the whole thing instead.

Price: $6.97

Walmart's rotisserie chicken should be your go-to for a quick, affordable weekday dinner. But is it worth it?

Many shoppers find it dry and tough. Some go as far as to say that sometimes they find it hard to tell the meaty parts apart from the bone.

Price: $17.88

Frozen fish, especially Walmart's Great Value Frozen Tilapia Skinless & Boneless Filets, isn't of good quality for the money, despite its relatively cheap cost.

The most common complaints about this product are a watery texture and the presence of bones in supposedly deboned fish.

Price: $5.97

While chicken nuggets are convenient comfort food for many, they're often made of low-quality chicken parts unfit to make their way into the fresh meat section.

Worse still, they're often filled with preservatives, salt, and additives. Just buy chicken breast and make your own chicken nuggets at home. They'll be a healthier alternative that tastes better.

Price: $6.89

While some Great Value granola bars are tasty and affordable, many consumers complain about their flavor and texture, describing them as overly sweet or cardboard-like.

To avoid disappointment, try KIND bars or Larabars made with simple, quality ingredients like nuts and fruit. While pricier, they're not filled with cheap ingredients like artificial flavors and corn syrup.

Price: $7.88

Open any online forum, and you'll read complaints about Great Value pasta meals. Shoppers seem to hate the Pesto Cheese Tortellini and the Beef Stroganoff the most.

According to them, these pasta meals barely contain any meat. Besides, they taste so bland that even adding seasonings at home cannot redeem them, despite their high sodium content.

To save money on groceries, you can always count on Walmart to deliver affordable products. However, you should stay away from deals that seem too good to be true.

Instead of picking up the cheapest alternative, look at the ingredient list and skip anything that contains too many fillers and preservatives. Reading customer reviews before shopping can also point you in the right direction.