Food costs continue to squeeze household budgets across the country, and grocery bills remain causing the biggest sticker shock. To help people cope, we've tested different approaches to saving money: saving food at a discount using apps like Flash foodcontrasting famous brands common alternatives and a study of whether discount grocery stores like Trader Joe's are living up to their budget reputation.
Another proven approach is bulk purchasing. Buying essentials from warehouse clubs like Costco can significantly reduce your grocery costs. When I ran through the numbersThe potential annual savings was approximately $1,000 for the typical bulk purchaser.
But buying in bulk isn't as easy as subscribing to Costco or Sam's. You will need to think about storage space, expiration date and whether you will actually use what you buy.
Like Mary Ann Kelly, Meal Planning Expert Add salt and servewrites: “Buyers can ask themselves three questions:
- Will my savings be significant compared to the lowest price across all stores?
- Will I use items before they expire or lose quality?
- Do I have space to store items I buy in bulk?”
A great deal isn't a deal if you end up throwing away half of it.
Read more: Here's what an expert told me about food expiration dates
Recognizing that buying in bulk is generally a financially smart move, and with the considerations outlined above in mind, I asked several shopping and cooking experts what the best foods to buy in bulk are. Here they are:
1. Canned or dried beans
Beans are high in protein and are best purchased in bulk.
“Canned beans are a pantry staple and a smart bulk purchase due to their long shelf life and availability in warehouses,” says Kristen Markel, bulk buying expert. Warehouse Wanderer. Beans are also incredibly versatile for cooking, as they can be used in almost any dish, including dessert. (Black bean brownies are worth your time.)
Plus they have real staying power. “When stored properly in a cool, dark place, canned beans can last up to five years,” says Markel. An eight-pack of canned beans sells for about $8 at Costco, making a can cost less than a dollar and costing about 30 cents per serving. If you have the time and budget for dried beans, the savings will be even greater. A 10-pound bag of black beans costs about $18 and costs less than 25 cents per serving.
2. Frozen whites
If freezer space allows, fish will be much cheaper if you buy it in bulk.
Meat and seafood in the freezer are often frozen immediately after harvest, so their quality remains very high. You can also process proteins purchased fresh and freeze them yourself, and in any case, some meats and seafood can last up to a year in the freezer. (This FoodKeeper The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services app provides a handy guide to how long various foods can be stored.)
“Buyers can often find fresh and frozen bulk packaged meats at a better price, or they can stock up on larger quantities of regular packages of meat when it's on sale,” Kelly says. It's possible to have a wholesale buying mindset even if you don't have access to a traditional wholesale store.
“Meat purchased in bulk at a good price can be frozen as is, but shoppers can also save space—and make dinner prep less stressful—by pre-cooking meat that will later be used cooked in recipes. For example, customers can cook large packages of ground beef or chicken when they bring it home and then use the cooked meat in recipes such as tacos, chili and chicken soup.”
3. Butter
Butter is more shelf stable than most people think, making it a good candidate for bulk purchasing.
When it comes to bulk shopping, we usually think of the pantry or freezer first, but “don't overlook dairy, especially butter,” Markel says. “Butter freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.”
Costco's Kirkland Signature Butter is considered one of the most budget-friendly deals among fans, at about $18 (in my area) for 4 pounds, which doesn't require a ton of freezer space. At your local grocery store, the same amount of butter costs twice as much.
4. Dry pasta and noodles
Pasta in boxes can be stored for up to two years.
Boxed pasta may require some storage space, but if you can save it up, it will last a long time and be worth the money. “Dried pasta is another winner in bulk purchases, with a shelf life of up to two years in unopened packaging,” says Markel. “For even longer shelf life, consider using vacuum-sealed pasta to keep it fresh well beyond its normal shelf life.” (Here best vacuum sealers we tested.)
Eight pounds of Barilla penne costs $13 at Costco, saving over a dollar per pound compared to buying individual boxes at my local supermarket. Italian-American families or carb lovers, take note.
5. Special items
Not all spices are best purchased in bulk, but whole peppercorns retain their heat for a while.
Items with the highest price per ounce may be prime candidates for bulk purchasing on a case-by-case basis based on durability. “Specialty items that cost significantly less on sale may be worth buying in bulk, but only if they will be used,” says Kelly. “A good example is expensive spices that can be used frequently, like quality black peppercorns,” she says.
Other delicacies that can be expensive but can be kept in stock when they are on sale include saffron, canned fish and even caviar, which can actually 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.
If you're shopping in bulk, here's a non-food bonus. “Paper products are among the items that are cheaper to buy in bulk, especially toilet paper and paper towels,” Kelly says. “Because paper products do not need to be stored in a climate-controlled environment, utility rooms, attics and other unfinished areas are suitable for storage, making it easier to free up space for them.”
If you're paper towel dependent like me, consider a 12-pack of Kirkland paper towels for $23 instead of individual rolls, which can cost $3 and up.
