6 Foods You Should Buy in Bulk, According to an Expert
Food prices continue to be a hot topic. According to a recent CNET pollit’s still the leading cause of sticker shock for Americans, myself included. We have featured numerous ways to save a little money in your grocery budget: food saving apps like Flash food; the cost difference between brand names and Load up on branded groceries; and whether while shopping Trader Joe’s results in significant savings over other grocery chains. And of course there is Buy in bulk.
After doing some math, I found that the average person could save $1,000 per year Shopping at Costco for loose foods. However, purchasing in bulk can be more complicated due to storage considerations and the varying shelf life of different items.
According to Mary Ann Kelley, the meal planning expert behind it Add salt and serve“Shoppers can ask themselves three questions: Will my savings be significant compared to the lowest price in all stores? Will I use the items before they expire or lose quality? A good price doesn’t save money if the item isn’t used.” And finally, do I have space to store items that I buy in bulk?”
Read more: Here’s what an expert told me about food expiration dates
Given that bulk buying generally makes financial sense, and given the considerations outlined above, I asked some shopping and meal prepping experts what foods are best to buy in bulk. Here they are:
1. Canned or dried beans
Beans are packed with protein and are perfect for buying in bulk.
“Canned beans are a pantry staple and a sensible bulk purchase thanks to their long shelf life and affordability at big box stores,” says Kristen Markel, the bulk buying expert behind them Camp hikers. Beans are also incredibly versatile for meal prep, as they go well with almost any meal, including dessert. (Black bean brownies are worth your time.)
They also have real staying power. “If stored properly in a cool, dark place, canned beans can last up to five years,” says Markel. An eight-pack of canned beans retails for about $7.99 at Costco, bringing the cost per can to less than a dollar and per serving to about 30 cents. If you have the time and money for dried beans, the savings are even greater. A 10-pound bag of black beans costs about $18, which works out to a per-serving price of less than 25 cents.
2. Frozen proteins
If freezer space allows, fish is far cheaper in bulk.
Frozen meat and seafood are often frozen immediately after harvest and can therefore still be of very high quality. You can also process freshly purchased proteins and freeze them yourself. Either way, certain meats and seafood can stay in your freezer for up to a year. (The FoodKeeper The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services app is a handy guide to how long you can keep various foods.)
“Shoppers often find bulk fresh and frozen meat at a lower price, or they stock up on bulk packages of regular meat when it’s on sale,” says Kelley. Even if you don’t have access to a traditional wholesale store, it’s possible to develop a mindset toward buying in bulk.
“Meat bought in bulk at a good price can be frozen as is, but shoppers can also save space – and make dinner prep less stressful – by cooking meat in advance to be stored later in cooked form recipes is used. For example, shoppers can prepare large packages of ground beef or chicken when they bring them home and then use the cooked meat for recipes like tacos, chili and chicken soup.
3. Butter
Butter has a longer shelf life than most people think, making it good to buy in bulk.
When it comes to buying in bulk, we usually think primarily about the pantry or freezer, but “don’t overlook dairy, especially butter,” says Markel. “Butter freezes beautifully and can last up to a year in the freezer.”
Costco’s Kirkland Signature butter is considered by fans to be one of the most economical offerings, about $18 (in my area) for 4 pounds, which doesn’t come with an overwhelming amount of freezer space. At my nearest grocery store, the same amount of butter costs twice as much.
4. Noodles
Pasta packaged in boxes has a shelf life of up to two years.
Boxed pasta may require some storage space, but if you’re able to store it in bulk, it’s long-lasting and worthwhile. “Dry pasta is another winner when buying in bulk because it has a shelf life of up to two years if unopened,” says Markel. “For even longer storage, vacuum seal pasta to preserve its freshness well past its typical expiration date.” (Here are those best vacuum sealers we tested.)
Eight pounds of Barilla penne costs $12.99 at Costco, which is a savings of over a dollar per pound compared to buying individual boxes at my local supermarket. Attention Italian-American families or carb lovers.
5. Special items
Not all spices can be purchased in bulk, but whole peppercorns retain their spice for a while.
Items with the highest prices per ounce may be the best candidates for bulk purchasing depending on their shelf life on a case-by-case basis. “Specialty items that cost significantly less to sell may be worth buying in bulk, but only if they are used,” says Kelley. “A good example of this is expensive spices that may be used frequently, like high-quality black peppercorns,” she says.
Other specialties that can be expensive but can be stockpiled when sold include saffron, canned fish and even caviar – which can even be frozen if unopened and stored for up to a 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 making bulk purchases, you’ll find a bonus non-food item here. “Paper products are one of the items that are cheaper to buy in bulk, especially toilet paper and paper towels,” says Kelley. “Since paper products do not need to be stored in a climate-controlled area, utility rooms, attics, etc., and other unfinished spaces are good for storage, making it easier to make room for it.”
If you’re like me and rely on paper towels, consider a 12-pack of Kirkland paper towels for $22.99, compared to single rolls that can cost up to $3 or more.
