The Best & Worst Foods To Buy In Bulk

October 17, 2023

There are many benefits to buying foods in bulk. When you purchase food in bulk, it tends to be a lot cheaper. If you're feeding a large family, this is extremely beneficial. If you can find anywhere to cut costs on food, this can be such a big relief. It's also great to purchase food in bulk so you don't have to go to the grocery store as often. It can be pretty exhausting to go grocery shopping every few days to fill up your entire refrigerator and pantry. However, there's a balance. While there are tons of foods you can purchase in bulk, you can't do everything that way. If you want to know the best and worst foods to buy in bulk, consider the following list of foods.

Frozen Berries And Vegetables

Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries are some of the most popular and commonly frozen berries in the marketplace. They're also filled with tons of antioxidants and vitamins. There are probably very few vegetables you can't freeze to enjoy. You can freeze everything from spinach and kale to broccolini and okra. You can use frozen berries and vegetables in so many different dishes, such as in delicious smoothies, fruit compotes, and baked desserts. You can also use frozen vegetables in casseroles, soups, and sauces. When you purchase frozen berries and vegetables, they'll be able to last a really long time. In many cases, farmers pick and freeze produce at the peak of ripeness. You're still getting all of the nutritional value you'll want and need, but you're able to preserve the produce a lot longer. If you decide to purchase frozen broccoli and chopped frozen onions, you can easily and quickly whip up a healthy side dish within minutes.

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Dried Beans And Lentils

Dried beans and lentils are excellent for any time of year. If you'd like to eat them during the colder months, they work well in chilis, soups, and casseroles. They also work well on their own. Some individuals love to enjoy some well-seasoned Cuban black beans with white rice. It's wise to soak dried beans and lentils for a period before you start to cook them to make them taste good. When you're ready to cook them, you can prepare them on the stovetop or use a slow cooker. If you choose to use the slow cooker, you can enjoy the benefits of not having to watch the pot every few minutes.

You can also get quite creative with how you prepare beans and lentils. You can make delicious black bean burgers for a meat-free meal. Chickpeas can also be considered a form of beans, and they taste incredible in a fresh hummus dip. You can also enjoy them when they're stewed in a delicious curry sauce. Dried beans are actually the healthiest way to purchase. When they're in the can, they tend to get steeped in sodium-filled liquids.

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Honey

It's one of those ingredients many individuals don't think about purchasing in bulk, though it's a great way to sweeten your food and add flavor. If you can purchase honey in bulk, you'll be able to add it so many incredible meals. You can use it to sweeten your morning smoothie or add it to a hot bowl of oatmeal along with fresh fruit. You can also drizzle it on your breakfast croissant and stick it in the microwave for a few seconds. The results will be phenomenal.

Furthermore, who doesn't love the taste of some great savory meals? Once you've cooked broccoli in a small pot of water, drizzle honey just moments before taking it out of the pot for a hint of sweetness. It also goes well on top of cooked, baked, and pan-fried fish. It can also be a delightful addition to a savory sauce to place on top of meat dishes.

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Nuts, Seeds, And Oats

If you purchase nuts, seeds, and oats in bulk, you'll tend to save a lot of money. Certain nuts tend to be higher in price than others. Macadamia nuts and pine nuts are a few of the most expensive nuts. You can use them in pesto and chimichurri sauces. You can also purchase some nut meals in bulk. Some individuals love to purchase almond meal, pecan meal and other types of nut meal so they can sprinkle some on top of cereals or use in vegetarian dishes. Oats are great for oatmeal, which sticks to the bones as a great source of fiber. More individuals recognize the benefits of flaxseeds and chia seeds for overall nutritional health. If you purchase these items in bulk and use a tablespoon each day, these seeds can last a really long time.

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Worst: Anything Fresh Or Used In Small Amounts

It's a terrible idea to purchase fresh foods in bulk. Fresh fruits and vegetables tend to spoil within a week. If you don't use them quickly, you'll end up wasting a lot of money. It's also not a great idea to purchase food in bulk that you know you're not going to use often. If you know you're only going to use a little bit of fresh garlic to prepare your entree for dinner, it's probably best to purchase one garlic clove and store it in the fridge. If you purchase fifty garlic cloves, you'll end up in trouble later on.

You can also opt to use the spices in bulk instead. If you purchase garlic powder, it'll deliver the flavor you're looking for. If you don't use fresh spices like cinnamon sticks and bay leaves that often, don't buy them in bulk. For the infrequently used items, it's okay to take advantage of your local grocery store's options on a weekly basis. For a list of what's worst: anything fresh or used in small amounts is what you'll want to remember.

If you stick to this formula, you won't have too much difficulty. Make sure you're careful with how you store the different foods. This can make a significant difference in how long they last as well. Store them properly for maximum freshness, and you'll be in great shape.

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