Which fruit, vegetables and herbs are best value to grow?

[cloudy23]

Hi all,
I'm thinking about starting a little vegetable garden next year, mainly to save a bit of money on the food shop, but I'm not sure if it's actually worth it.
For those of you who grow your own, what has been the best value? Are there any vegetables, fruit or herbs that save you a noticeable amount, or do the costs of compost, pots, seeds and watering end up cancelling out the savings?
I'd love to hear what you've found worthwhile (and what you'd avoid), especially if you're gardening on a budget.
Thanks!

We only have a tiny garden but I agree on all those things. My runner beans are always prolific and the surplus each day gets frozen. At the end of the season there's always one huge old bean which I use for planting next year's I have self-seeded tomatoes (from my compost) which are hardier than any bought ones and always some kind of self seeded squash. This year its a butternut squash, in previous years I've had Crown Prince pumpkins.

I don't think you can make significant food savings for most home gardeners. Its the variety, freshness and better flavour that makes me do it.
I started with home bargains and 2nd hand pots and lidl/aldi seeds which are 29p a packet. We were renovating and living in a caravan and it was amazing what I could grow in a tiny space.

I have a greenhouse and multiple water butts collecting water along with several beds in the garden now. You can save a bit by buying things that cost more in the shops or harder to find. I've grown a few weird and wonderful things in my time. Seeds are cheaper than seedlings and you might find locals on nextdoor/market place that do seed/plant swaps.

-Various tomato varieties from cherry type, red, yellow, orange, stripey and even a cream coloured one
-Instead of regular, green courgettes, I grow yellow ones and also patty pan shaped ones (round, scallop). I also grow a tromboncino which is a climber so needs a trellis. When young, its a drier version of a courgette and if left on the vine to mature, it turns almost into a butternut squash colour. I find it so versatile but note they can be 1m long!
-Beetroot are quick and easy and the flavour is far superior to shop bought. I have the regular red but also yellow, white and a pretty striped version (chioggia)
-Runner beans easy to grow up poles or tee-pee frame and very productive
-Jerusalem artichokes. I grow in large pots because they can take over in the ground. Once planted, all they need is water and come back every year.
-Yellow Raspberry. They are expensive in the shops and more difficult to find
-Cucumber. I've never done a taste test to compare to shop bought but I have the space so grow them. The yellow crystal, round variety is a bit different.
-Aubergines. Again, I've never done a taste test with shop bought, but its the varieties I like including little Thai pea type, various coloured egg type and a long, thin variety
-Chilli. Any leftovers I freeze. Padron, scorpion, reaper, peppers and Thai dragon type (yes we like spice!)
-Squash/pumpkins- honeybear are a very sweet variety and don't take up too much space- same area as a courgette plant. They are a small, acorn type winter squash. I'm also trying a spaghetti squash this year, but they are climbers.
Elephant garlic- Once planted they need little attention. Not as strong as regular garlic.

I have to grow in pots as very little room in my garden for a bed.

Actually that's a lie - I have rhubarb and honey berries and a few strawbs in single bit of garden bed that gets light. Rosemary, thyme and oregano in a small area around a tree. Takes a few years to get the most out of them all.

In pots, tomatoes work well - don't use all your seeds if you buy packets, you will end up with too many. Spread them out over the years and it's ok. You'll spend on compost but get loads in return.

Courgettes - not in pots, not for me. Much cheaper to buy. Same for carrots, spring onion, radishes - all easy to grow but so cheap in shops.

Cape physalis has worked well for me, I buy as small plants in May.

Yes to chives and mint in pots - they last forever too. Basil every year.

Cut and grown again lettuce sown too closely in a big pot - has worked really well.

Tried raspberries in pots and ants got to them all. Have some tayberry in a rubbish bit of ground and it's done really well. (Blackberry/raspberry cross).

Soft fruit is the best pay off in terms of time and money and require minimum skill - plant once, fertilise/water as needed, and you get a crop each year which adds up to a fraction of the cost in shops.