8 Must-Shop New Year Food Deals Under $20—Perfect for Stress-Free Hosting

Planning a celebration doesn’t mean you have to drain your wallet, especially when inflation keeps pushing grocery prices higher. We’ve surveyed major supermarket chains and identified eight exceptional food deals under $20 that will help you create an impressive spread while keeping costs down. Whether you’re throwing an intimate gathering or a larger bash, these picks cover everything from elegant appetizers to show-stopping desserts.

Bite-Sized Starters: No-Fuss Appetizers

Uncured Cocktail Beef Franks in Puff Pastries - $17.99

BJ’s has an unbeatable option for anyone looking to serve something warm and crowd-pleasing. Wellsley Farms’ uncured cocktail beef franks wrapped in buttery puff pastry come in a 60-count pack—enough to serve 12 guests as appetizers. The magic here is simplicity: pop them in the oven for a few minutes, and you’re done. Arrange them on a platter with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them disappear. This single item takes care of your hot appetizer problem without requiring you to spend hours in the kitchen.

Tortilla Chips and Potato Chips Pack - $8.98

Nothing says “party ready” like crowd-favorite snacks. This two-pack featuring Tostitos restaurant-style tortilla chips and Ruffles original potato chips is available at BJ’s and offers tremendous value. Stock multiple packs if you’re expecting a larger crowd—chips pair perfectly with salsas and dips, and they’re always the first items to vanish from the snack table. At under $9, this is one of the smartest deals on this list.

Gourmet Platters: Show-Stopping Cold Plates

Charcuterie Tasting Board - $14.46

For those who want an elegant yet effortless option, head to Walmart for the Columbus charcuterie tasting board. Priced at $14.46, it includes Italian dry salami, Calabrese salami, Castelvetrano olives, dark chocolate covered cranberries, roasted garlic and rosemary crackers, and white cheddar cheese—everything you’d buy separately costs significantly more. The plastic serving tray comes built-in, so you literally just open it and serve. This is one of the best food deals if you want to look like you spent hours preparing.

Hard Salami and Pepperoni With Cheese and Crackers - $14.76

Walmart also stocks the Hormel Gatherings party tray, another winner in the deals department. This arrangement features salami, pepperoni, sharp cheddar, colby-jack cheese, and crackers, with everything individually wrapped to maintain freshness. Just unwrap and serve—perfect for hosts who’d rather spend time with guests than fussing over food preparation. The combination of proteins and cheeses appeals to most palates, making it an all-around crowd pleaser.

Main Event: Heat-and-Serve Solutions

Fully-Cooked Homestyle Meatballs - $8.47

Great Value’s fully-cooked homestyle meatballs at Walmart are a versatile bargain. Made with beef, pork, gourmet seasoning, and bread crumbs, these reheat in just two minutes. Serve them as-is with toothpicks for appetizers, toss them with pasta for a casual main, or layer them into meatball sandwiches—the possibilities are endless. This is flexibility and savings rolled into one package, making it an easy recommendation for any host looking to maximize their food budget.

Sweet Conclusions: Desserts That Dazzle

Brownie Bites - $8.99

Why bake when you can impress? Costco’s Sugar Bowl Bakery brownie bites come as a two-pound package containing roughly 32 individual brownies. Their bite-size format means guests can try multiple flavors or pair them with other desserts without feeling overstuffed. At $8.99, these are an incredible value and eliminate the stress of last-minute baking. Set them on a plate with other sweets, and no one will guess they didn’t come from your oven.

Large Cheesecake Sampler - $19.99

Looking to end the evening on a truly indulgent note? BJ’s carries The Cheesecake Factory’s 7-inch grand cheesecake selection for $19.99. This collection includes eight slices representing four flavors: white chocolate raspberry truffle, chocolate mousse, Snickers bar chunks, and strawberry topped cheesecakes. Since each slice features a different profile, your guests can sample multiple flavors. All you need to do is thaw and serve—this new year food deal delivers luxury with zero effort.

Festive Sips: Toast the Celebration

Sparkling Cider - $17.49

No new year celebration is complete without something festive to raise a glass. Martinelli’s gold medal sparkling cider, available at BJ’s as a 12-count package of individual bottles, is the perfect alcohol-free option for guests of all ages. Made from USA-grown apples, this carbonated juice delivers that celebratory “pop” without the alcohol. At $17.49 for 12 servings, the per-bottle cost is remarkably reasonable. It’s the ideal way to include everyone in the toast.

Smart Shopping Takeaways

These eight items prove that throwing an impressive celebration doesn’t require a huge budget or endless hours of prep work. By leveraging these food deals—all under $20 and available at major retailers like Walmart, Costco, and BJ’s—you can create a diverse menu that looks and tastes expensive while staying within a tight grocery budget. The combination of cold platters, heat-and-serve mains, simple snacks, and indulgent desserts covers every base. Mix and match these deals according to your guest count, and you’ll have everything needed for a memorable gathering without the financial stress that traditionally accompanies party planning.

Pricing and availability may vary by location and retailer.