The best foods to buy in bulk. These are the top foods I recommend you consider buying in bulk for your pantry and emergency stockpile.
Buying these items in larger quantities will ultimately save you money. I don’t always recommend buying in bulk but there are a few things I think really help the budget in the long run.
Not all of us have a budget readily available for bulk buying, and that is ok. So how can you build up a pantry and stockpile cheap? Check out my article on Building a Stockpile for $10 a week.
Another option to building up your pantry is to shop sale cycles. Each month stores run sales based on these cycles. I have a list for every month on what you should buy.
What to Buy Every Month of the Year
Equipment to Consider for Storing Bulk Foods
To keep your food storage as fresh as possible for the long term you might want to consider a few things:
- Vacuum Sealer
- Gallon Sized Jars with Lids
- Mason Jars in a variety of sizes (I always use wide mouth jars)
- Food Grade Buckets with Air Tight Seals
- Food Dehydrator
You can store for years as long as you know how to store food properly.
Why create a stockpile of food?
A stockpile is your saved for a rainy day food storage. This isn’t about hoarding food you’ll never eat. These emergency preps make sure that you have means to feed yourself and your family when disaster strikes. This might mean a layoff or a natural disaster.
The point is you are prepared, come what may.
Why buy in bulk?
- Some items, purchased in bulk, will save you money over buying single items.
- You build your pantry and or emergency food quickly (food security).
- Less waste in the packaging (a greener option).
- Fewer trips to the store for regularly used items (less gas wasted).
- Meal prepping is easier. If you like to meal prep or make freezer meals, bulk buying is very helpful.
Where to Buy in Bulk?
My recommendations for bulk shopping.
- Grocery stores during sales.
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- Amazon – yes Amazon has some great deals for bulk buying!
- Buying “clubs” like Azure Standard
Tips for Buying in Bulk
- Buy items you already use and eat regularly.
- This is not the time to buy experimental foods.
- Shop different stores that sell bulk items and compare prices.
- It is best to store items in a cool dry area inside the home.
The Best Foods to Buy in Bulk
Canned Food Items
Canned foods can be store a long time, so buying them in bulk is a great idea. Be sure to check the freshness dates on them before you purchase, to make sure you have plenty of time to eat and enjoy them.
Always organize your cans by dates so the ones that need to be consumed first are in the front.
Store your cans in a cool place indoors for the best results.
- Beans
- Tuna and other canned fish
- Vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Soups, Stews and Chilis
One note of caution on commercially canned foods; make sure they are BPA free.
Honey
Honey is one of nature’s most amazing products. It has a natural long shelf life, it never spoils! You can use honey as a replacement to sugar in almost every recipe.
Not to mention honey has amazing health benefits that other sweeteners do not have. The best honey to buy is from bees in your own area. I also prefer raw honey when I can find it.
Honey is best stored between 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so keep that in mind when choosing where to store it. Even if your honey crystalizes, it is still safe to eat. You just need to warm it up to return it to a liquid form.
Nuts and Nut Butters
It is best buy and store whole nuts in the shell. These will last up to a year in the refrigerator and up to 2 years if you store them in the freezer.
Nut butters, like peanut butter will last a long while if left unopened. Just check the dates before purchase.
Ground Beef
If you have the freezer space then buying ground beef in bulk can be a real money saver. The best part is there is so much that you can do with ground beef in terms of meals and recipes that will use other food storage items.
Be sure to read How to Freeze Meat and Ground Beef Recipes.
Dried Beans, Rice and Pasta
Dried beans and pasta can last up to 2 years if properly stored. I like to use my vacuum sealer for small portions are food grade buckets with an air tight seal for larger storage.
- Lentils
- Pinto Beans
- Peas
Rice can be store for up to a year in air-tight containers. Again I like to use my FoodSaver for small portions or buckets for larger storage.
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Jasmin
- Wild
Baking Staples
If you do a lot of homemade or from scratch cooking and baking, these items are great to buy in larger quantity.
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda
(will last for years stored in air tight containers) - Vanilla Extract
Dairy
Believe it or not buying dairy in bulk can be a wonderful investment. You can freeze milk you find on sale!
Cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, Swiss, Monterey Jack, etc can be stored for up to 4 months in your refrigerator and up to 8 months in the freezer. I suggest using a vacuum sealer for smaller portion sizes.
Shredded cheese can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Coconut Oil and Olive Oil
Store in a cool place, not next to your oven or a place where the oil can be heated and go rancid.
Other Items to Consider Buying in Bulk
- Maple Syrup
- Popcorn
- Butter (will store in the freezer for up to a year)
- Vinegar
- Condiments
- Herbs and Spices
- Salt
- Frozen fruits and vegetables if you have the freezer space
- Vitamins and Minerals you use regularly
- Chia Seeds
- Fresh berries. If you find berries in season they can be frozen for up to 6 months.
More on Buying in Bulk and Food Storage
Vacuum Sealers What You Need to Know
How to Build a Stockpile for $10 a Week
How to Freeze Meat
How to Use Powdered Eggs
How to Freeze Milk For Later Use
Food Dehydrators What You Need to Know
How To Preserve Bananas For Your Pantry
The Perfect Pantry How to Stock Your Cupboards
How To Store Your Food Storage
