A Smart Shopper’s Guide to Buying in Bulk
Sure, buying in bulk sounds like the smart thing to do: fewer trips to the grocery store, and you'll save money if an item is currently on sale. But not so fast: not everything is meant to be bought in jumbo sizes and stored forever in your pantry (we're looking at you, milk). So, how can you shop smartly? Here are 10 grocery items you should never buy in bulk—and 10 to always stock up on.
1. Spices
You might think it's a smart idea to keep various spices stored in your pantry—that way you can season your dishes anyway you like without having to rush to the store to get them on a whim. But think twice: spices, such as dried herbs and anything pre-ground, lose their flavor fast after they've been opened, so they might not taste the same if you store them long-term.
2. Cocoa Powder
Who doesn't love sprinkling cocoa powder onto tiramisu and other favorite desserts? Even though you can still technically use it after its expiration date (so long as it doesn't smell rancid or sour), this chocolatey powder loses potency quickly, meaning it would likely taste different after you've left it in your pantry for a while.
3. Vegetable Oil
Considering you need to cook most dishes with oil, it's not a bad idea to buy it in bulk, right? Think again: while unopened bottles can stay good for years, once they've been exposed to air and light, they'll start to spoil and become rancid quicker than you think.
4. Brown Rice
Brown rice is a great, healthier alternative to white rice, and it's smart to buy it in bulk if you have a large family who enjoys having a bowl with every meal. But if you know you won't finish it quickly, it's best to avoid buying huge or multiple bags of it, as the natural oils in the bran will start to break down and affect its flavor.
5. Baking Powder
Unless you're someone who bakes all the time, it's best not to buy baking powder in huge cans. Choose the smallest size on the shelf, or what you know you'll need for your recipe. While it's technically still safe to use after its expiration date, you'll notice it doesn't do what it's supposed to do—make your baked goods rise.
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6. Salad Dressing
Ranch and blue cheese might make delicious salad dressings, but if you're not someone who eats huge bowls of greens every day, it's probably not a good idea to purchase salad dressings in bulk. An alternative? Stock up on olive oil, which makes a healthy, light dressing and is great for cooking, meaning you'll use it up quicker.
7. Milk & Dairy
You already know why you shouldn't buy milk and dairy in bulk: they spoil easily. Once they go rancid, there's no going back, and you'll have to toss them out. Unless you know you'll drink or use a lot of milk in recipes, opt for smaller cartons. For cheeses, hard ones (such as cheddar and parmesan) spoil less quickly than soft ones (such as mozzarella and cottage cheese).
8. Soda
It's not that soda expires quickly per se, but if you're buying two-liter bottles, just know that they'll go flat soon after you've opened them. Plus, you don't want to stock up on sodas anyway, considering the amount of sugar in them and how leaving them in your pantry would encourage overconsumption.
9. Baked Goods
Bread, pastries, cakes, and cookies look delicious and you might be tempted to buy huge packs of them to satisfy a craving, but again, you'll want to think twice. While store-bought baked goods generally don't spoil as quickly as homemade versions, they're still mold magnets, so you'll need to refrigerate them soon after you've opened them.
10. Coffee
What's better than a steaming cup of Joe in the morning to wake you up? But no matter how much you love coffee, it's another thing you shouldn't buy in bulk. It doesn't help that it still smells amazing even though it isn't fresh anymore. Keep in mind that ground coffee usually loses flavor and goes bad more quickly than whole beans.
Now that you're aware of what grocery items you shouldn't stock up on, let's jump into the ones you can—and should.
1. Frozen Fruits
Whether you're adding them to a smoothie, parfait, or oatmeal, frozen fruits are great to purchase in bulk. Unlike fresh fruits, they won't spoil as quickly, meaning you'll be able to use them in your recipes long after you've brought them home from the grocery store, so long as you store them correctly.
2. White Rice
Unlike brown rice, white rice doesn't go bad as quickly. In fact, if stored properly in an airtight container, it can last indefinitely on your pantry shelf. However, just know that white rice technically isn't the go-to grain that dieticians recommend, so if you're still keen on buying brown rice, make sure you know how to store it correctly.
3. Pasta
Pasta for dinner, anyone? For pasta lovers out there, you'll be happy to know that it lasts for years, provided it's stored correctly: in an airtight container and placed in a cool, dark, dry area, like your pantry. As long as you don't smell or see any signs of spoilage, you can safely buon appetito!
4. Butter
Although we mentioned that it's a bad idea to buy dairy in bulk, butter is an exception. If stored properly—wrapped and kept in the refrigerator—it can last for months or more. You'll likely end up using all of it before it spoils anyway, considering its versatility.
5. Eggs
You might think that eggs are a grocery item you shouldn't buy in bulk, but it's the opposite—unless, of course, you're someone who doesn't use or eat them very often. But considering how versatile eggs are and how many recipes and dishes call for them, you'll likely end up emptying the carton soon after you purchase it.
6. Beans
Whether they're fresh or canned, beans are another grocery item that you can safely stock up on. If unopened and uncooked, these legumes can last for years. Once you've cracked the can open or cooked them, however, the clock starts ticking.
7. Canned Tomatoes
Thinking of making a classic pasta dish with tomato sauce? Well, you'll be pleased to know that both ingredients last fairly long; canned tomatoes, in particular, can stay fresh for up to three years. They won't last as long as canned beans due to their acidity, but if you're ever craving a tomato pasta dish, you can probably safely make it any time you'd like.
8. Bouillon
Are you a soup lover? If you regularly make hearty stews, don't go for the chicken or beef stocks that are packaged in cartons—those tend to spoil quickly. Instead, stock up on bouillon cubes, which last longer and often taste richer than boxed bases.
9. Oatmeal
You've heard that oatmeal makes a great, healthy breakfast dish, so why not stock up on it? If stored properly in a cool, dry place (and preferably in an airtight container), oatmeal can last up to two to three years. Defrost some frozen berries to top your bowl, and you'll start your mornings deliciously for a long while.
10. Flour
Have a baker in the house? Well, you'll be happy to know that all-purpose flour lasts pretty long—up to 12 months. If you transfer it into a sealed or airtight container and place it in the refrigerator, it'll last much longer. Keep in mind that whole-grain or nut flours, in contrast, generally spoil quickly, due to the oils in the germ that can go rancid.
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