The price of groceries is still a hot topic. According to a recent CNET pollit's still the #1 source of sticker shock for Americans, myself included. We've covered a number of ways to save a little money on your grocery budget: food-saving apps like Flash food; the cost difference between the name brand and store brand groceries; and whether shopping in Trader Joe's resulting in significant savings over other grocery chains. And of course there is buying in bulk.
After doing some math, I found that the average person can save $1,000 a year shopping at Costco for wholesale food. Buying in bulk can be more complicated, however, because of storage considerations and the difference in shelf life between different items.
According to Mary Ann Kelly, 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 across all stores?” Will I use the items before they expire or will they lose their quality? A great price doesn't save money if the item isn't used. And finally, do I have room to store items I buy in bulk?”
Read more: Here's what an expert told me about the shelf life of food
Accepting that buying in bulk is generally a financially sound move, and with the considerations set forth above in mind, I asked several shopping and meal prep experts what the best foods to buy in bulk are. Here they are:
1. Canned or dried beans
Beans are packed with protein and they are perfect candidates for buying in bulk.
“Canned beans are a pantry staple and a smart bulk buy, thanks to their long shelf life and availability at department stores,” says bulk buying expert Kristen Markel. A warehouse vagrant. Beans are also incredibly versatile for food preparation, as they can be incorporated into almost any meal, including dessert. (The black bean brownies are worth your time.)
Plus they have real staying power. “Canned beans, properly stored in a cool, dark place, can last up to five years,” Markel says. An eight-pack of canned beans at Costco sells for about $7.99, bringing the price per can to under a dollar and the price per serving to about 30 cents. If you have the time and funds for dry beans, the savings are even greater. A 10-pound bag of black beans costs about $18, for a price per serving of less than 25 cents.
2. Frozen proteins
If freezer space allows, fish is much more affordable when you buy in bulk.
Meat and seafood in the freezer section are often frozen immediately after harvest, so they can still be of very high quality. You can also process fresh proteins 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 Food keeper app from the US Department of Health and Human Services is a handy guide to how long you can keep various types of food.)
“Shoppers can often find bulk-packaged fresh and frozen meat at a better price, or they can stock up on large quantities of regular packages of meat when they're on sale,” Kelly says. It's possible to have a bulk-buying mindset even if you don't have access to a traditional wholesale store.
“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 to be used later in a stew form in recipes. For example, shoppers can cook large packages of ground beef or chicken when they bring them home, and then use the cooked meat in recipes like tacos, chili and chicken soup.”
3. Butter
Butter is more shelf stable 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 bulk shopping, 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 one of its most economical offerings among fans, at about $18 (in my region) for 4 pounds, which doesn't come with too much freezer space demand. At my nearest grocery store, the same amount of butter costs twice as much.
4. Pasta
Boxed pasta lasts up to two years.
Boxed pasta can take up a lot of storage space, but if you can stack it up, it has the longevity to make it worthwhile. “Dry pasta is another winner for buying in bulk, with an unopened shelf life of up to two years,” Markel says. “For even longer storage, consider vacuuming pasta to maintain freshness well beyond the typical shelf life. (Here they are the best vacuum seals we tested.)
Eight pounds of Barilla penne cost $12.99 at Costco, resulting in 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. Special subjects
Not all spices are good to buy in bulk, but whole peppercorns retain their pepper for a while.
Items with the highest prices per ounce may be the best candidates for bulk buying on a case-by-case basis depending on longevity. “Specialty items that cost significantly less to sell can be worth buying in bulk, but only if they're used,” Kelly says. “A good example of this is expensive spices that can be used frequently, like quality black peppercorns,” she says.
Other specialty products that can be expensive but can be stored when on sale include saffron, canned fish and even caviar — which can actually be frozen unopened and kept 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 buy in bulk, here's a bonus non-food item. “Herte products are among the items that are cheaper to buy in bulk, especially toilet paper and paper towels,” Kelly says. and other unfinished spaces are good for storage, making it easy to make room for them.”
If you have a paper towel addiction like I do, consider a pack of 12 Kirkland paper towels for $22.99, versus single rolls that can be as much as $3 or more.