Ingredients for Two
Grocery stores are designed to entice shoppers to buy more, with buy-one-get-one sales, lower prices for bigger quantities, and everything packaged in “family-size” portions. It can seem impossible to shop for two without waste, but we’ve found there are a few simple ways to buy just what you need.
Shop the Salad Bar
Produce is often the most difficult thing to buy for two. Stores sell carrots by the bunch, lettuce by the head, and grapes and cherries in 2 pounds or more. Many grocery stores have a salad bar—perfect if you need just half a cup of chopped pepper or a handful of lettuce. Frozen fruits and vegetables are also very useful when cooking for two. Individually quick frozen produce is often as good or better than what you can get fresh—frozen peas and blueberries are two good examples.
Hit the Meat Counter
If you can buy your meat at a local butcher shop or if your supermarket has a meat counter, go for it. With everything packaged and priced to order, you can purchase just what you need, whether it’s ½ pound of ground beef or two chicken breasts. And don’t hesitate to buy frozen shrimp; most “fresh” shrimp already has been frozen and defrosted, so it’s best to buy it frozen. You can defrost just what you need in minutes under cold running water.
Pay More Per Pound
It’s hard to turn down a good deal, and it can seem silly to buy a small package of meat when you could get twice as much for less per pound. However, the alternative is spending more money, buying more than you need, and likely throwing it away when it spoils before you can eat it all. Instead, look for six eggs instead of a dozen, a 4-ounce container of sour cream, or a package of just two pork chops. You’ll pay more per pound or ounce, but spend less overall—and what you buy won’t end in the garbage.
Choose Individually Wrapped Options
Many items are available in single-serving packages that make it easy to use just a small amount and keep the rest sealed. Single-serving containers of yogurt, applesauce, sliced fruit, precooked rice, and even milk and juice can help you scale back on food waste.
Buy Some items in Bulk
If you do want to shop in bulk to take advantage of lower prices, choose items that will keep well long term. Frozen vegetables and fruits, dried pasta, beans, and rice are all good to buy in bulk. Meat is often significantly cheaper in bulk, so although there will be a slight loss in quality, it can be worth buying in bulk and freezing. Most cuts can be kept frozen for several months; simply buy a large package and separate it into individual portions before freezing. For more information on freezing meat, see the section on utilizing your freezer.
