The price of food products remains a hot topic. According to a recent CNET survey, it’s still the number one source of shock for Americans, including me. We’ve covered lots of ways to save a little money on your grocery budget: food-saving apps like Flashfood; the difference in cost between branded and store brand groceries; and whether shopping at Trader Joe’s offers significant savings compared to other grocery chains. And of course, there is bulk buying.
After doing some calculations, I found that the average person could save $1,000 a year by buying food in bulk at Costco. Buying in bulk, however, can be more complicated due to storage considerations and the difference in shelf life between different items.
According to Mary Ann Kelley, the meal planning expert behind Add salt and serve“Shoppers can ask themselves three questions: Will my savings be significant compared to the lowest price in any store? Will I use the items before their expiration date or before they lose quality? A good price does not save money if the item is not used And finally, do I have room to store the items I buy in bulk?
Learn more: Here’s What an Expert Told Me About Food Expiry Dates
Accepting that buying in bulk is generally a financially sound decision, and taking into account the considerations posed above, I asked a few shopping and meal prep experts about the best foods to buy in bulk. Here they are:
1. Canned or dried beans
Beans are packed with protein and are the perfect candidate for buying in bulk.
“Canned beans are a pantry staple and a smart bulk buy, thanks to their long shelf life and affordability at warehouse stores,” says Kristen Markel, the food shopping expert. bulk behind Warehouse tramp. Beans are also incredibly versatile for food preparation, as they can fit into almost any meal, including desserts. (The black bean brownies are worth your time.)
In addition, they have real endurance. “Properly stored in a cool, dark place, canned beans can last up to five years,” says Markel. An eight-pack of canned beans at Costco costs about $7.99, which brings the cost per can to less than a dollar and the cost per serving to about 30 cents. If you have the time and means to purchase dried beans, the savings are even greater. A 10-pound bag of black beans costs about $18, for a cost per serving of less than 25 cents.
2. Frozen proteins
If freezer space allows, fish is much more affordable when you buy it in bulk.
Meat and seafood stored in the freezer section are often frozen right after harvest, so they can still be very high quality. You can also process purchased proteins fresh and freeze them yourself, and in any case, certain types of meat and seafood can stay in your freezer for up to a year. (This Guardian of the food (The app from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a handy guide to how long you can store various foods.)
“Shoppers can often find fresh and frozen meat packaged in bulk at a better price, or they can stock up on large quantities of regular packages of meat when they are on sale,” says Kelley. It’s possible to have a bulk buying mentality even if you don’t have access to a traditional bulk store.
“Meat purchased in bulk at a good price can be frozen as is, but shoppers can also save space – and make dinner preparation less stressful – by cooking meats in advance that will be used later in cooked form in recipes For example, shoppers can cook bulk packages of ground beef or chicken when they bring them home, then they can use the cooked meat for recipes like tacos, chili and soup. with chicken.
3. Butter
Butter keeps longer than most people think, making it a good candidate for buying in bulk.
We usually think primarily of the pantry or freezer when it comes to buying in bulk, but “don’t overlook dairy, especially butter,” says Markel. “Butter freezes wonderfully and can last up to a year in the freezer.”
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Butter is considered one of its best value offerings among fans, around $18 (in my area) for 4 pounds, which doesn’t require overwhelming freezer space. At the nearest grocery store, the same amount of butter costs twice as much.
4. Pasta
Boxed pasta will keep for up to two years.
Boxed pasta may require some storage space, but if you can store it, it has the longevity that makes it worth it. “Dried pasta is another winner when it comes to bulk purchasing, with an unopened shelf life of up to two years,” says Markel. “For even longer storage, consider vacuum-sealing pasta to maintain freshness well beyond its usual expiration date.” (Here are the best sous vide machines we’ve tested.)
Eight pounds of Barilla penne cost $12.99 at Costco, which is a savings of over a dollar per pound compared to buying individual boxes at my local supermarket. Italian-American families or carb lovers, take note.
5. Specialty items
Not all spices are good to buy in bulk, but whole peppercorns keep their zing for a while.
Items with the highest price per ounce may be prime candidates for bulk purchases on a case-by-case basis depending on their longevity. “Specialty items that cost much less on sale may be worth purchasing in bulk, but only if they will be used,” says Kelley. “A good example of this is expensive spices that may be used frequently, such as quality black peppercorns,” she says.
Other specialty products that can be expensive but can be stored while on sale include saffron, canned fish, and even caviar, which can actually be frozen when unopened and stored until ‘at one year.
6. Paper products
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, buy paper towels and other household products in bulk.
As long as you’re shopping in bulk, here’s a bonus non-food item. “Paper products are some of the cheapest items to purchase in bulk packaging, especially toilet paper and paper towels,” says Kelley. “Since paper products do not need to be stored in a climate-controlled area, utility spaces, attics, and other unfinished spaces are ideal for storage, making it easier to repurpose them. place.
If you’re dependent on paper towels, like me, consider a 12-pack of Kirkland paper towels for $22.99, versus single rolls that can cost up to $3 and up.
