Buying groceries in bulk can seem like a great idea to save money and reduce trips to the store. Over time, I learned that not everything I bought in large quantities was actually worth it. Some items ended up going to waste or just didn’t fit my lifestyle the way I expected.
This article shares the groceries I regret buying in bulk, so you can avoid making the same mistakes I did. Knowing what to skip can help you save money and keep your kitchen more organized without extra hassle.
Fresh berries
I used to buy fresh berries in bulk, thinking I’d get a great deal. But they spoil so quickly that I often end up throwing most of them away.
Berries are delicate and can mold or get mushy within just a few days. Even freezing them doesn’t always keep the texture or flavor the same.
Now, I only buy a small amount of fresh berries to enjoy immediately. It saves money and cuts down on waste. For more on which foods to avoid buying in large quantities, check out foods you think twice about buying in bulk.
Pre-cut salad mixes
Buying pre-cut salad mixes in bulk sounded like a time-saver, but it didn’t work out for me. The greens wilted faster than I expected, and sometimes they’d start to go bad before I even got through the bag.
I also learned they often come with preservatives and can have a higher chance of contamination compared to whole heads or bunches. If you care about freshness or safety, washing and prepping your own greens is usually better. For more on this, check out concerns about bagged salad mixes and E. coli risks.
Fresh herbs like cilantro
I once bought cilantro in bulk thinking it would last forever. Spoiler: it didn’t. Fresh herbs like cilantro wilt fast, and I ended up tossing most of it before I could use it all.
Storing them properly helps, but even then, they don’t stay fresh for more than a week or so. I now buy smaller bunches or try substitutes like parsley when I need to avoid waste. For ideas on alternatives, check out cilantro substitutes.
Sliced deli meats
Buying sliced deli meats in bulk sounded like a good idea at first. But I quickly realized they dry out fast and end up tasting stale. The pre-sliced meats in big packages don’t always stay fresh, even in the fridge.
I also had issues with the packaging. Vacuum-sealed options last longer, but once opened, the meat loses freshness fast. Plus, I find it hard to use them all before they spoil.
If you want fresh slices, getting them cut to order or buying smaller packs helps avoid waste. For me, bulk deli meats were more hassle than they were worth.
More on deli meat freshness concerns
Soft cheeses like Brie
I once bought Brie in bulk thinking it would last a while. The problem is, soft cheeses like Brie have a short shelf life and start to lose their texture quickly.
Even if stored carefully, they tend to get overly ripe or spoil before I can finish them. It’s better for me to buy smaller amounts or try similar options like Camembert, which still spoil fast but sometimes last a bit longer.
Buying Brie in bulk just ends up with wasted cheese, and that’s not worth the initial discount for me. If you want alternatives, you can check out some good Brie substitutes here.
Bread and bakery items
I used to think buying bread and bakery stuff in bulk would save me money. Turns out, fresh bread only lasts about 3 to 5 days before it gets stale or moldy. Unless I freeze it quickly, most of it goes to waste.
Bakery items tempt me with their big packs, but they’re tricky. They spoil fast, and unless I’m planning a party or can freeze a lot, it’s smarter to buy smaller amounts. I learned this the hard way with croissants and rolls that ended up in the trash.
Buying bread in bulk isn’t worth it for me anymore because of how fast it goes bad. For more tips, check out this guide on Costco products members regret buying.
Fresh fish and seafood
I’ve learned the hard way that buying fresh fish in bulk is usually a bad idea. Fish spoils quickly, even when kept in the fridge, so buying a lot at once often means throwing most of it away.
Seafood can also vary a lot in quality. Some types travel long distances and lose freshness before they hit the store shelf, which makes bulk buying risky. If you want to save money, it’s better to buy fish and seafood in smaller amounts or opt for frozen options instead.
For more details on why fresh fish isn’t great in bulk, check out this advice on grocery store fish.
Milk and cream
I once bought a big pack of milk and cream thinking it would save me trips to the store. But dairy spoils pretty fast, and I ended up throwing out a lot before I could use it all.
Heavy cream usually lasts longer than regular milk, but it still went bad quicker than I expected. Unless you’re planning a baking spree or a dinner party, buying these in bulk just doesn’t work well for me.
I’ve learned it’s smarter to buy smaller quantities more often to avoid waste and keep my fridge fresher. For more details on why dairy isn’t a great bulk buy, check out 8 Dairy Products You Should Avoid Buying in Bulk.
Yogurt
Buying yogurt in bulk seemed like a good idea at first. But those big tubs spoil quickly once opened, especially if you don’t finish them fast.
Also, many store-bought yogurts have added sugars and preservatives, which I don’t always notice until later.
I’ve found smaller containers are better for me because they stay fresh and I avoid wasting food. If you love yogurt, buying it in smaller amounts makes more sense.
You can read more about why yogurt isn’t always great in bulk at this page about foods you should never buy in bulk.
Avocados
I once bought a big bag of avocados in bulk, thinking I’d save money. Turns out, they spoiled before I could eat them all. Even storing some in the fridge only slowed the ripening, it didn’t stop it.
Picking avocados one by one at the store usually works better for me. Buying in bulk might seem convenient, but with avocados, it often leads to wasted fruit and money. For more on why bulk buying avocados can be tricky, check out this Daily Meal article.