Texas has the cheapest grocery store prices in the nation even after a 27.16% hike in prices over the last two years. A big reason is because of H-E-B.

“The state’s grocery costs are 9.7% below the national average, making it the most affordable in the study. Even with a 27.16% increase over the past two years, Texas continues to offer significant savings on groceries,” according to Food Label Maker.

“With rising inflation, understanding where your state stands in terms of grocery affordability has never been more important,” said a spokesperson from Food Label Maker via Chain Store Age. “Access to reasonably priced groceries directly impacts the ability to maintain a balanced diet and make healthier nutritional choices. Consumers are increasingly focusing on stretching their budgets while prioritizing the quality and nutritional value of their purchases. This study provides valuable insights that can help individuals and families make informed decisions about their food shopping habits.”

Here are the Top 10 States for lowest grocery prices:

1. Texas

2. Michigan

3. Mississippi

4. Arkansas

5. Kentucky

6. Indiana

7. Oklahoma

8. Kansas

9. Tennessee

10. Georgia

It is not much of a surprise to know Hawaii, California  and Alaska are the highest.

In a Consumer Report survey, Central Market’s produce section ranked highest out of 96 total chains nationwide–and not much has changed since.

The H-E-B Food/Drugs Texas chain is often recognized for its extensive and diversified produce selection. Much of the supply is sourced locally from Lone Star State growers, but the store also calls upon suppliers from all around the world to give its shoppers a sundry taste.

Staples such as berries, bananas, and oranges sit next to loquats, mamey sapote, and Brown Turkey Figs. On the veggie side of things, picks like Hungarian wax peppers, yellow Chanterelle mushrooms, okra, and Red Belgian endive promise to engage your taste buds in a nutritious kind of way.

All H-E-B stores continue to be named the top United States grocery retailer year by many surveys including the Retailer Preference Index (RPI).

“They carry high quality products, they have an incredible private brands program, they run very efficient, high-caliber stores—they’re always clean and well merchandised,” says Scott Benedict, director and executive professor at the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M University. “They understand their customer, which is tough for retailers to master.”

So what makes H-E-B so special?

The chain is beloved among Texans, who appreciate the pride the store takes in their state and its people.

“The ability to manufacture food and produce food locally here in Texas is really important for Texans,” Dya Campos, director of governmental and public affairs. “What customers may not be able to see all day is how much work it takes to get product to the shelf.”

H-E-B currently has 420 locations in total, including 50 in Mexico where the chain is called Supermercados Internacionales H-E-B, and is busy expanding into the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston regions.

Here are some of our H-E-B favorites:

H-E-B Creamy Creations Ice Cream

Nutrition:
Creamy Creations Java Chocolate Chunk (Per 2/3 Cup Serving)
Calories: 240
Fat: 13 g (Saturated Fat: 9 g)
Sodium: 50 mg
Carbs: 28 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 25 g)
Protein: 4 g

True Texans know how good H-E-B Creamy Creations Ice Cream is. As former Houston Press food critic Kaitlin Steinberg once wrote, “Blue Bell makes an effort to be Southern rather than touting its obvious Texas roots, but not Creamy Creations. The H-E-B brand ice cream is proud of its heritage and shows it through Texas-inspired flavors.” 

Swoon by H‑E‑B Banana S’mores Ice Cream

NUTRITION: (Per ⅔ cup Serving)
Calories: 400
Fat: 24 g (Saturated Fat: 13 g)
Sodium: 140 mg
Carbs: 45 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 40 g)
Protein: 4 g

H-E-B’s other Swoon-worthy ice cream brand focuses on gourmet flavors with no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors. 

Cafe Olé

The grocery chain’s own coffee brand Cafe Olé offers a charming “Taste of” series, spotlighting unique flavor profiles that define different Texas towns. Sustainably sourced from coffee regions around the world, the brand offers a comprehensive coffee collection including single cup, bagged ground, cold brew coffee, and bulk beans.

Meal Simple by H‑E‑B Rotisserie Chicken Salad

NUTRITION: (Per 1/2 cup Serving)
Calories: 310
Fat: 27 g (Saturated Fat: 4.5 g)
Sodium: 450 mg
Carbs: n/a (Fiber: n/a, Sugar: n/a)
Protein: 14 g

Don’t miss out on the Meal Simple series in H-E-B’s deli section. The Rotisserie Chicken Salad, made from the retailer’s in-house rotisserie chicken with diced celery, onion, and creamy dressing, is ideal for sandwiches, crackers, wraps, or simply on its own.

Meal Simple by H‑E‑B Chicken Poblano Corn Chowder Soup

Nutrition:
Meal Simple by H‑E‑B Chicken Poblano Corn Chowder Soup (Per 1 Container)
Calories: 480
Fat: 30 g (Saturated Fat: 17 g, Trans Fat: 0.5 g)
Sodium: 1,690 mg
Carbs: 38 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 8 g)
Protein: 16 g

If you do a weekly grocery run in Texas, you’ll likely wind up at H-E-B. Once there, you’ll find a variety of beloved products, including store-brand Meal Simple items. Kitchen staples like ready-to-heat soup are carried under the private label, with flavors like Chicken & Dumpling, Chicken Tortilla, and Chicken Poblano Corn Chowder.

H‑E‑B Mi Tienda Salsa Tradicional – Mild

NUTRITION: (Per 2 Tbsp)
Calories: 5
Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 230 mg
Carbs: 1 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 0 g

H-E-B Mi Tienda items aim to recreate the flavors and feelings of an abuelita’s kitchen. The Salsa Tradicional is a simple table salsa perfect for munching with chips, and it far outshines most watery, bland grocery store salsas (which often taste more like old tomatoes than salsa). Made from freshly blended tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapeños and cilantro, the mild version is a sure crowd-pleaser that will suit even the most sensitive palates.

Meal Simple by H‑E‑B Tex-Mex Brisket Queso Dip

NUTRITION: (Per 1/2 cup)
Calories: 320 calories
Fat: 26 g (Saturated Fat: 15 g)
Sodium: 1,100 mg
Carbs: 4 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 3 g)
Protein: 16 g

Combining two Texas standards—brisket and queso—this ready-to-cook Brisket Queso dip is an H-E-B classic that made Austin lifestyle magazine Tribeza‘s Best Of Texas list. All you need to do is stir in a half-cup water, broth, milk, or beer, then pop it on the grill or in the oven, and cook as directed. The decadent cheesy concoction is a perfect topper for tortilla chips, rice, or burgers.

H-E-B Mi Tienda Beef Fajitas

NUTRITION: (Per 4-oz. Serving)
Calories: 230
Fat: 17 g (Saturated Fat: 7 g)
460 mg sodium
1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar)
16 g protein

Ready for summertime grilling? Or just a quick, easy stovetop dinner? Pair this pre-seasoned, tenderized, and trimmed, H-E-B Mi Tienda beef skirt steak with some vegetables, flour tortillas, and salsa and get the family around the table.

H-E-B Bagel Not Included Spice Blend

Nutrition (Per 1/4 tsp Serving):
Calories: 0
Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 65 mg
Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 0 g

Looking for that Everything Bagel taste without the carbs? Sprinkle a little of HEB’s Bagel Not Included Spice Blend on your eggs, avocado toast, or smoked salmon for a little extra of that “everything” oomph. The garlic and sesame seed seasoning takes basic foods to the next level.

H-E-B Specialty Salsa

Of course, you can trust Texas’ hometown grocery (that makes its own tortillas and tortilla chips) to have an enticing array of branded salsas that are better than many restaurants’. The handful of flavors range from Green Chile Tomatillo to Habanero to Smoky Citrus.

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