Yahoo Finance 8 Pantry Staples Experts Say You Should Always Buy in Bulk
Savvy shoppers know that buying in bulk can mean substantial savings. But knowing what to buy can be tricky. The problem with buying in bulk is that you have to be sure you will use all of the ingredients.
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Purchasing large quantities of a perishable item could mean that you end up tossing a substantial amount of the product. What should have been cost savings now ends up as wasted food and ultimately wasted money.
GOBankingRates asked food and nutrition experts which pantry staples you should always buy in bulk. They dive into the benefits of buying the product and how it can help you live a healthier lifestyle. Here are the eight essentials they suggest stocking up on the next time you are at the store.
Grains
Grains are a staple that most people use to build meals around. If you want to cut costs, buying these in bulk is a good way to do that.
“Grains like quinoa, oats and brown and white rice … are the foundation of many meals, and they’re a good source of complex carbohydrates,” said Lacey Muinos, a plant-based blogger in Southern California and the creator of the blog Guide to Vegan. “They have a shelf life of around six months to a year. Buying plain, dry grains is the most cost effective, but I also like instant oatmeal and rice to save time.”
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Salt
When it comes to buying in bulk, you want to buy items you know you’ll use often. Salt is definitely one of those items.
“Most people never think about storing salt in bulk, but it is by far the most used pantry item in any home,” said Diane Kuthy, founder of How to Grow Everything. “Every meal, even desserts, requires salt. Salt stores indefinitely and can be easily stored in any pantry or closet. You don’t even have to think about how much salt you’ll use, because you’ll always use it and it will store forever.”
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Sugar
Much like salt, sugar is another product you likely burn through.
“Like salt, sugar is a kitchen staple that you’ll never want to be without,” Kuthy said. “Sugar can also be pricey when purchased in smaller quantities, so why not save a ton of money and time by stocking up on sugar.
“The best part? Sugar has an almost indefinite shelf life when stored properly away from air and moisture. That means that you can buy years’ worth of sugar in bulk from places like Costco or Azure Standard without having to worry about it going bad.”
Dry Pasta
Not only is it an easy meal to make, pasta can last a long time if you want to buy it in bulk.
“All dried pastas like spaghetti and penne have shelf lives of up to two years when stored properly,” Kuthy said. “If you’re the kind of family that eats pasta a few times per week, then it’s a good idea to buy it in bulk, store it in your pantry, and save time and money.”
Flour
For all of your baking and cooking needs, flour is a must-have at all times, so you might as well stock up.
“I’m always using flour for baked goods and sauces,” Kuthy said. “Flour is one of those things that there aren’t many good substitutes for, so it’s nice to always have extra on hand. Typically, unopened flour has a shelf life of about one year. However, if you store your flour in a long-term storage container (like a Mylar bag) you can extend the shelf life to 10-15 years.”
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Spices
If you like to cook a lot, it can be worth buying spices in bulk if it’s a spice you know you’ll use regularly.
“Spices are worth buying in bulk whenever possible,” said Rachael Miller, a nutritionist and owner of Zhi Herbals. “Black pepper, turmeric powder, cinnamon, cayenne and any other dried cooking herbs that you enjoy are usually much cheaper and higher quality when purchased in the bulk section or through a bulk supplier.
“Store your spices in a glass jar away from light and moisture, and they should retain their freshness for several years. Even for spices that you use less often, buying in bulk is worthwhile and economical, as you can purchase only what you need without committing to a larger and more expensive container.”
Canned Goods and Dried Beans
“Canned beans are already a cheap and convenient vegan protein source,” Muinos said, “but, if you want to take the savings even further, grab a big bag of dried beans or lentils. A little goes a long way, so you’ll be able to get extra protein and fiber at an incredible price.
“So many recipes call for diced tomatoes, so it’s nice to keep them on hand. Canned tomatoes can be somewhat pricey if you buy them one at a time, so buying in bulk is a good way to save on an ingredient you’ll need now or later.”
Cooking Oils
Determine which oils you use the most and think about buying bulk options to avoid some high costs.
“Olive oil and avocado oil are some of the most popular cooking oils, but they can come at a steep price,” Muinos said. “I stopped buying oils from regular grocery stores years ago and find that the bulk bottle lasts me so long and helps save money. If you cook with oil daily, it’s a must. The bottle is big and bulky, so I just transfer some of it to an oil dispenser and keep that on the counter.”
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