It's OK to Buy Generic
If you’re trying to win brownie points in taste and texture by purchasing name brand items only, you’re really just losing money and not helping the flavor of your dishes. If you’ve stuck to name brand items only in the past, break away today and start buying generic brands so you can save your grocery budget for specialty items and organic produce.
Follow along as we debunk these pantry staples to start shopping smarter today.
4. Precut produce
Buy whole fruits and veggies and slice them yourself to avoid the nearly 40% markup.
6. Tomato Paste
Because most recipes use little more than a tablespoon or two, it’s practically impossible to tell the difference between premium paste and less expensive options in finished dishes.
7. Fresh Herbs
Buy combo packages, sometimes labeled “poultry mix,” that give you smaller amounts of several herbs to avoid waste.
8. Milk
12. Popcorn Kernels
Cheaper brands pop and taste about the same as premium kernels. They keep for as long as a year, so buy in bulk and store in airtight containers.
17. White Vinegar
The most fundamental of vinegars, what matters here is its 5% acidity level. While taste does indeed vary among brands of other vinegars, such as white and red wine, balsamic, and sherry, white vinegars are consistent.
