20+ Best Healthy Foods to Buy in Bulk (and save money!) (2024)

Buy in bulk to save money on a variety of grocery items. Here’s my list of 20+ healthy foods that will last a least a year in storage, plus helpful tips on HOW to store all your bulk buys!

Buying in bulk is one of the fail-proof grocery tips that works consistently, time and time again. You get a lower price per unit of the item that you’re buying because you’re buying a larger amount at one time.

However, the biggest argument against buying in bulk is not being able to use it all up before it goes bad.

But what are the best healthy foods to bulk buy? What items can I buy in bulk to save money that will last longer than a month or two?

As it turns out, there are quite a few. Some of these ideas require a freezer, but the majority of them will last just fine stored unopened in a pantry or basem*nt. You can also divide out some of your bulk items for stockpiling for emergency use, and those can then be rotated and replaced for as little as $5 a week.

The next time you build your shopping list, consider making a bulk purchase. I recommend starting with one of the items on the list below.

THE BEST HEALTHY FOOD TO BUY IN BULK

What are the best groceries for bulk buying?

1. Whole Grains. Think wheat, spelt, einkorn, etc. You’ll need a grain mill, but you’ll be amazed at how delicious freshly milled bulk flour is!
2. Rice (brown or white).
3. Beans & Lentils. Dried beans and lentils will have a longer shelf life than canned.
4. Pasta.
5. Oats (all varieties).
6. Popcorn.
7. Meat. Store meat in sealed dinner-sized portions in the freezer, rather than in glass jars. Canned meat like tuna will have a long shelf life too.
8. Maple Syrup. Maple syrup will keep indefinitely if left unopened, so aim to buy a case of smaller glass jars, rather than one big jar.
9. Honey. Unopened, honey will keep indefinitely. Once opened, its expected shelf life is about two years so long as it is kept in a sealed container.
10. Coconut Oil.
11. Butter. Store butter in the freezer.
12. Canned Fish. Similar to maple syrup, it would be easier and more practical to buy a case of smaller cans than one large can.
13. Canned tomatoes.
14. Vinegar.
15. Whole Peppercorns.
16. Ketchup.
17. Mustard.
18. Frozen Vegetables. Like meat, store sealed in dinner-sized portions in the freezer.
19. Dried Fruits.
20. Nuts in a Shell. Don’t forget the nutcracker if you don’t have one!
21. Sugar.
22. Salt.

Psst…Since we want to stock up on healthy foods, did you know that many salts contain MICROPLASTICS? It’s a sneaky toxin that may be in your everyday salt, and thus your everyday food (um, gross). I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because their salt is FREE of microplastics, and it tastes delicious! PLUS, you can get your own FREE 8 oz bag of salt on this page! (just pay shipping)

LONGER-TERM FOOD STORAGE WHEN BUYING IN BULK

• What type of containers should you use? Glass is always best since chemicals won’t leak into your food, and it’s your most frugal option if you already have it on hand.
• Always use airtight containers. Think lids with seals, not chip clips or rubber bands, or paper clips. Keeping moisture and air out is vital to keeping your food fresh and pest-free while in storage.
• Make sure to label everything! Some items look similar, so it’s good to clearly note what’s in each jar or container.

Small Storage

• Mason jars or reclaimed glass jars (that once held spaghetti sauce or peanut butter) are perfect for storing smaller amounts of food. Even if you have to use several jars for the same item, they are still your most frugal option.

Medium Storage

• If you use one particular item fairly often in the kitchen, want to have plenty on hand, and don’t have space for tons of jars, you can invest in a few half-gallon glass jars.
• For items that you REALLY use a lot of, like whole grains if you mill flour on a weekly basis, a gallon glass jar would be a worthwhile investment. A good example of this for my family would be oats.

Large Storage

• When you buy larger quantities of food, like 10+ pounds, you’ll want to invest in food-grade storage containers. These 5-gallon buckets and lids are BPA-free and have a really tight seal. So much so, that a lid opener is recommended.
• Check restaurant supply stores for larger containers at better prices. If you have a restaurant supply store in your area, they’ll have larger food-safe storage containers at cheaper prices than you may find elsewhere.

Note: Just to give you an idea, a 5-gallon bucket will hold about 37 pounds of whole wheat.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON STORAGE CONTAINERS WHEN YOU BUY IN BULK

The cost of containers themselves can add up, so one way you can trim that is by purchasing food that comes in a suitable storage container.

• For glass jars, half-gallon and gallon jars of pickles are available at Walmart and you re-use that jar. To get the pickle taste out of the jar, fill it with a couple of drops of dish soap and hot water. Tighten the lid and turn it upside down. Let it sit on the counter for 2-3 days and wash out.
• For 5+ gallon buckets, make an initial bulk purchase that includes the storage container and simply refill from there. If the price is better WITH the storage container, continue to buy that one and repurpose the old bucket for items that don’t ordinarily come with storage-friendly packaging.

MORE BULK BUYING TIPS

STORE YOUR BULK BUYS IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE

I wouldn’t store a bunch of 5-gallon buckets in the pantry. Instead, keep them in the basem*nt or even in a closet. Keep a smaller container in the pantry for daily use and refill as needed.

There are a lot of great places around the home to store your larger containers of items you buy in bulk: under the bed, in the bottom of closets, even on an extra shelf in the garage (just pay attention to temperature fluctuations where you live, as that can affect the quality of the food).

You’re allow to be creative when it comes to storage space for long shelf life items!

WRITE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE JARS

Write the basic preparation recipe on the glass jar before you throw the package away. You can use cute chalkboard labels, super basic white mailing labels, or a permanent marker.

Use this method for removing the label from a glass jar if needed.

SPLIT A BULK ORDER WITH A FRIEND

If you want to get a better deal on a grocery item but aren’t sure you’ll be able to use it all in time, split the bulk order with a friend or family member who also uses the same item. You’ll both save time and money!

ONLY BUY IN BULK IF YOU KNOW YOU LIKE IT

What’s worse than being disappointed by a new brand of something? Being disappointed by the product and having 9 more of them to eat! Wait to buy in bulk until you know for sure you like an item. Thankfully, most of the grocery items on this list of the top healthy foods to buy in bulk are items you’re probably already familiar with.

ONLY BUY IN BULK IF THE PRICE IS TRULY BETTER

Don’t assume that buying bulk will always be the lower cost. Be sure to compare prices! I use my price book to cross-reference price points from my local grocery store and online stores like Amazon. Wholesale prices are usually better but not always.

Bulk shopping online can be a great option if you don’t have a local store with bulk options. Look for free shipping and discounts too!

REMEMBER TO ROTATE YOUR BULK BUYS

If you buy more of an item before you’re completely out of what you have, make sure to rotate your bulk purchase, so that you use the older items first before digging into the newer items.

NON-FOOD BULK BUYS

The same tips above apply to non-food items too. Some of my favorite household items to stock up on include:

• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Trash bags
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Cleaning supplies
• Freezer bags
• Plastic wrap
• Foil
• Parchment paper

BULK ORDER FAQS

MORE WAYS TO SAVE ON HEALTHY FOOD

• Creating a Price Book
• How to Stick to Your Grocery Budget
• 12 Simple Ways to Avoid Food Waste
• How to Eat the Whole30 on a Budget
• 25 Food Substitutions That Will Save You Money
• How to Afford Organic Food