The price of groceries remains a hot topic. According to a recent CNET surveyit is still the No. 1 source of sticker shock for Americans, including me. We talked about several ways to save a little money on your grocery budget: food saving apps like Flash food; the cost difference between name brand and store and brand groceries; and when shopping at It’s Trader Joe’s resulting in significant savings to other grocery chains. And, of course, there is buy in bulk.

After doing some math, I found that the average person can save $1,000 per year by shop at Costco for more food. Buying in bulk can be more complicated, however, because of storage considerations, and the difference in shelf life between different items.

According to Mary Ann Kelley, the meal planning expert behind it Add SaltandServe“Shoppers can ask themselves three questions: Is my savings significant compared to the lowest price in all stores? Will I use the items before they expire or lose quality? One A high price does not save money if the item is not used. And finally, do I have a place to store the items I buy in bulk?”

Read more: Here’s what an expert has to say about food expiration dates

Accepting that bulk shopping is often a financially savvy move, and given the considerations given above, I asked some grocery shopping and food preparation experts what the best foods to buy in bulk. Here they are:

1. Canned or dried beans

“Canned beans are a pantry staple and a smart buy for many, thanks to their long shelf life and affordability at warehouse stores,” says Kristen Markel, the bulk of the backyard shopping expert. Warehouse Wanderer. Beans are also very versatile for food preparation, as they can complement any meal, including dessert. (The black bean brownies are worth your time.)

Plus they have real staying power. “Properly stored in a cool, dark place, canned beans can last up to five years,” says Markel. An eight-pack of canned beans at Costco sells for about $7.99, bringing the cost of each can to less than a dollar, and the cost of each serving to about 30 cents. If you have the time and equipment for dried beans, the savings are even greater. A 10-pound bag of black beans costs about $18, for a per-serving value of less than 25 cents.

2. Frozen proteins

The meat and seafood in the freezer section are usually frozen after harvesting, so they are still very high in quality. You can also process proteins bought fresh and freeze them yourself, and either way some types of meat and seafood can stay in your freezer for up to a year. (This Food Guardian app from the US Department of Health and Human Services is a handy guide to how long you can store various foods.)

“Shoppers can often find fresh and frozen meat at a better price, or they can stock up on more regular packages of meat when it’s on sale,” Kelley said. It’s possible to have a great shopping experience even if you don’t have access to a traditional large store.

“Meat purchased in bulk at a good price can be frozen as usual, but shoppers can also save space — and make dinner prep less stressful — by cooking in meats for later use in cooked recipes. For example, shoppers can cook several packages of ground beef or chicken when they bring them home, and then use the cooked meat for same recipe in tacos, chili, and chicken soup.”

3. Butter

We usually think of the pantry or freezer when it comes to bulk buying, but “don’t forget the dairy, especially the butter,” says Markel. “Butter freezes beautifully and can last up to a year in the freezer.”

Costco’s Kirkland Signature butter is considered one of the most economical offerings by fans, about $18 (in my region) for 4 pounds, which does not come with a much-needed freezer space. At my nearest grocery store, the same amount of butter costs twice as much.

4. Pasta

Boxed pasta may require some storage space, but if you can make a lot of it, it has a long shelf life to make it worthwhile. “Dried pasta is another big buy winner, with an unopened shelf life of up to two years,” says Markel. “For longer storage, consider vacuum-sealing pasta to maintain freshness beyond its usual expiration date.” (Here are the best vacuum sealers we tried.)

Eight pounds of Barilla penne cost $12.99 at Costco, resulting in 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. Special items

Items with the highest price per ounce may be prime candidates for bulk purchases, on a case-by-case basis depending on longevity. “Specialty items that cost less to sell may be worth buying in bulk, but only if they are used,” Kelley said. “A good example of this is expensive spices that can be used frequently, such as quality black peppercorns,” he said.

Other specialty items that can be expensive but can be stocked when they are on sale include saffron, tinned fish and even caviar – which can be frozen unopened and kept for up to a year.

6. Paper products

As long as you shop a lot, here’s a bonus non-food item. “Paper products are one of the least expensive things to buy in bulk, especially toilet paper and paper towels,” Kelley said. and some unfinished spaces are good for storage, which makes it easier to make room for them.”

If you rely on paper towels, like I do, consider a 12-pack of Kirkland paper towels for $22.99, compared to a roll that can cost $3 and up.