There are quite a few items in the grocery store that you should never, ever buy. These 16 foods all come with inflated price tags that are completely absurd. Save your money and stay far away from the foods on this list. They are not worth going broke over!
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer’s personal beliefs.
Pre-packaged stuffing mix
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Amateur chefs are roped into buying pre-packaged stuffing mix because they aren’t confident with their skills yet. However, pre-packaged stuffing mix is worse than anything a beginner chef could create.
This grocery food is costly in hopes of attracting sales. It has poor nutritional value and doesn’t taste good. You’ll get better results if you make a stuffing mix at home.
Premade pies
Pies are one of the most intimidating desserts. So we understand why you might want to invest in premade pies; you don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of guests.
However, premade pies don’t taste good; they contain flavoring and additives that impact their quality. Premade pies might also be unhealthy, so they’re not good food to put on the table. Try this easy homemade pie crust recipe instead.
Premade gravy
It’s challenging to nail down gravy because it contains a variety of herbs and spices and must be curated to everyone’s liking. Most people buy premade gravy to accommodate guests and save time.
However, premade gravy tastes awful. It has a weird powdery flavor and lacks seasoning, so you’ll only be disappointed. It’s also ridiculously priced, so it’s best to stick to homemade concoctions.
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables
Many of us hate meal preparation more than cooking because it takes time. Countless buy pre-cut fruits and vegetables to save time and effort. However, you’re actively causing more harm by buying such things.
Pre-cut fruits and vegetables lose their freshness, even if they’re tightly packed. They contain preservatives, so they might not have excellent quality. They will expire much faster than uncut fruits and vegetables, affecting taste.
Pre Made Cookies
Those cookie trays may look pretty on the grocery store shelf but they are not worth the price tag. You can make cookies at home that taste way better than grocery store cookies and they will cost you way, way less. Plus, baking is fun! Preheat your oven, save your money, and try these cookie recipes instead.
Artisanal butter
Countless brands advertise artisanal butter to be the reason behind a good-tasting turkey. While artisanal butters are generally better quality, they don’t reflect better taste.
You can achieve similar results by using homemade butter or buying it fresh. You can even get promising results by using store-bought salted butter. The only thing you need to invest in is your confidence.
Specialty cheeses
Like artisanal butter, specialty or premium cheese doesn’t bring much. They are higher quality because they’re purer, but you can find similar cheeses from the farmer’s market.
Specialty cheeses are typically imported, so they come with heavy taxes. Their high price makes for high expectations, but you won’t meet them since food made from specialty cheese doesn’t taste that distinct.
Baking mixes
Making desserts from scratch is terrifying for beginner chefs, and even some hardened amateurs, but buying baking mixes won’t do any good. Most baking mixes contain preservatives to maintain shelf-life, so they’re unsuitable.
Baking mixes contain an unhealthy amount of sugar and might not suit everyone’s liking. They taste unique, so your guests will immediately realize something is off, which means these mixes aren’t worth the investment.
Designer ice cream
Imagine spending hundreds of dollars on a tub of ice cream. Designer ice cream is insanely priced, making you think it tastes good. However, it tastes nothing more than your average Ben and Jerry’s.
The worst thing about designer ice cream is its serving size. A pint doesn’t feel like a pint, so it quickly runs out, leaving guests craving more. Buying designer ice cream will only dampen the mood, so stick to local brands.
Expensive cooking wine
Countless recipes call for wine. However, they’re not your average table or red wine; such recipes call for pricier wines like burgundy or chardonnay. While this may look like a promising aspect, it isn’t.
Pricier wines taste better, but cooking with cheaper, boxed wines is best. Boxed wines are much easier to cook because they don’t overshadow other ingredients and are risk-free.
Gourmet snack nuts
You might want to impress the in-laws by adding a couple of snack mixes to the table. While these gourmet snack nuts will undoubtedly add a good impression, they may be too pricey for the quality.
You can find better snack nuts from local grocers. Gourmet snack nuts only offer premium labels; they don’t really taste that different. Only a nut connoisseur could distinguish the two, so it’s best to stick to the cheaper variety.
Gourmet spice mix
Anything that costs hundreds of dollars but you could buy the same thing for much less isn’t worth investing. Gourmet spice mixes cost several hundred bucks, but they’re nothing you can’t make.
Most gourmet spice mixes contain regular spices and herbs you can buy in bulk for cheaper. The only gourmet thing about a spice mix is its price; it’s best to avoid this food at all costs.
Fresh Seafood
The fresh seafood found in the grocery store is very often just frozen seafood that has been thawed. The price for fresh seafood is often higher than that of frozen seafood because people perceive it as fresher. However, this is not usually the case.
When you purchase fresh seafood, you are typically paying more solely for the appearance of freshness. You are much better off saving a few dollars by purchasing the same frozen seafood and thawing it at home.
Salad Mixes
While it may seem convenient to purchase a bag of salad mix that includes dressing and toppings, these pre-packaged options can be quite costly. Sure, they offer simplicity by providing everything you need for a salad, but they are also significantly overpriced.
You are much better off purchasing lettuce, a bottle of salad dressing, and a few toppings. This way, you'll get more for your money.
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This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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