The price of food products remains a hot topic. According to a recent CNET poll, it’s still the no. 1 sticker punch for Americans, myself included. We’ve covered numerous ways to save a little money on your grocery budget: food-saving apps like Flashfood; the difference in cost between name brand and store brand groceries; and whether shopping at Trader Joe’s results in significant savings over other grocery chains. And, of course, there’s bulk buying.
After doing some math, I found that the average person can save $1,000 a year by buying bulk groceries at Costco. Buying in bulk can be more complicated, however, due to storage considerations and the difference in shelf life between different items.
According to Mary Ann Kelley, the meal planning expert behind AddSaltandServe, “Shoppers can ask themselves three questions: Will my savings be significant compared to the lowest price in all stores? do I use items before they expire or lose quality?A great price doesn’t save money if the item won’t be used and finally, do I have room to store items I buy in bulk?
Read more: Here’s what an expert told me about food expiration dates
Acknowledging that buying in bulk is generally a smart move financially, and with the considerations laid out above in mind, I asked some shopping and meal prep experts what are the best foods to buy in bulk. Here they are:
1. Canned or dried beans
Beans are packed with protein and are perfect candidates to buy 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 bulk buying expert behind Warehouse Wanderer. Beans are also incredibly versatile for food preparation, as they can fit into almost any meal, including dessert. (The black bean brownies are worth your time.)
Plus they have real staying power. “Stored properly in a cool, dark place, canned beans can last up to five years,” says Markel. An eight-pack of canned beans at Costco retails for about $7.99, bringing the cost per can to under a dollar and the cost per serving to about 30 cents. If you have the time and resources for dry beans, the savings are even greater. A 10-pound bag of black beans costs about $18, with a cost 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-bought proteins and freeze them yourself, and however some types of meat and seafood can stay in the fridge for up to a year. (This FoodKeeper app from the US Department of Health and Human Services is a handy guide to how long you can keep different foods.)
“Shoppers can often find fresh and frozen meats packaged in bulk at a better price, or they can stock up on bulk packs of regular meats when they’re on sale,” Kelley says. It’s possible to have a bulk shopping mentality 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 cooking meat ahead of time to be used later in cooked form into recipes. For example, shoppers can cook a package of beef or chicken when they bring it home, and then use the cooked meat for 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 refrigerator when it comes to buying in bulk, but “don’t overlook dairy, especially butter,” says Markel. “Butter freezes well and can stay up to a year in the refrigerator.”
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Butter is considered one of its most economical offerings among fans, at about $18 (in my area) for 4 pounds, which doesn’t come with a huge fridge space requirement. 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 bit of storage space, but if you’re able to stock up on it, it has the shelf life to make it worthwhile. “Dry pasta is another bulk buy winner, with an unopened shelf life of up to two years,” says Markel. “For even longer storage, consider vacuum-sealing pasta to maintain freshness beyond its typical expiration date.” (Here are the best vacuum sealers we’ve tested.)
Eight pounds of Barilla pennies cost $12.99 at Costco, which works out to 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 freshness for a while.
Items with the highest prices per ounce may be prime candidates for bulk purchases on a case-by-case basis depending on shelf life. “Specialty items that cost significantly less to sell may be worth buying in bulk, but only if they’re going to be used,” says Kelley. “A good example of this is expensive spices that can be used frequently, like quality black peppercorns,” she says.
Other specialty items that can be pricey but can be stocked up when they’re 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 shop in bulk, here’s a bonus non-food item. “Paper products are among the least expensive items to buy in bulk, especially toilet paper and paper towels,” Kelley says. “Since paper products don’t need to be stored in a controlled area from climate, utility spaces, attics, and other unfinished spaces are good for storage, making it easier to create space for them.”
If you have a paper towel addiction like I do, consider a 12-pack of Kirkland paper towels for $22.99, versus single rolls that can be $3 and up.
