Kitchen hacks to make your food last longer
Published on 26th October, 2022 at 04:49 pm
With inflation continuing to rise, it’s not surprising that South Africans are feeling the pinch on their grocery budget. Here’s how to make your ingredients stretch that much further.
Reading time: 3 minutes
In this article you’ll learn:
- How to shop smarter to stay within your grocery budget.
- How to store your groceries to keep them fresh for longer when you get home.
- What to do with ingredients about to be thrown away to avoid waste.
Shop smart and stretch your budget
What to buy
Plan your daily meals for the week and opt for recipes that overlap in ingredients. “The rule of thumb is to buy the perishable items as and when you need them, and only as much as you need,” says Daniela Gutstadt, executive chef and owner at Culinary Table in Joburg. “When it comes to grains, oil and other pantry items, buying in bulk generally saves!”
As a Reality Club or Reality Access for Sanlam Group Risk member, you can save monthly on your grocery shop at Shoprite and Checkers with coupons. Learn more about this benefit here, and how you can save where you need to most.
Prep for success and store groceries correctly
“Spend a little time once you’re home wrapping or transferring items to sealed containers or bags that will extend the life of your ingredients,” says Gutstadt.
| Store in the fridge | Store in a cool, dry place |
| Apples and pears | Potatoes and sweet potatoes |
| Berries | Onions and garlic (store in a dark place to avoid sprouting) |
| Oranges, lemons and grapefruit | Butternut, pumpkin and gem squash |
| Bananas | Tomatoes |
| Cheese (wrapped in wax paper) | Mangoes (until ripe, then store in the fridge) |
| Carrots, beetroot, turnips and radishes | Avocadoes (until ripe, then store in the fridge) |
| Cabbage, spinach and kale | Grains (in a sealed container) |
| Mushrooms | |
| Eggs |
Here are a few other easy tricks that will only take you a few minutes after a run to the shops, but will give you days back in ingredients’ shelf life, according to Gutstadt:
- Don’t wash your produce before storing – do so just before cooking or eating. The added moisture may cause proliferation of mould and bacteria over time.
- Cut the leafy tops off carrots, radishes or turnips. These draw nutrients from the vegetable themselves, preventing them from staying fresh for longer.
- Freeze meat and bread (sliced) while still fresh to lock in freshness and flavour. Pop a slice of bread into the toaster to defrost, and transfer meat to the fridge on the day you plan to cook with it. Take it out two hours before cooking to ensure it’s fully defrosted.
- Lay a strip of paper towel on top of herbs, berries or lettuce in a punnet, close and flip to store. The paper towel will soak up any additional moisture that could lead to rot.
- Store biscuits in a sealable plastic bag with half a slice of bread. The bread will soak up any moisture in the bag and keep the biscuits fresh and crisp.
What to do with ingredients you’re about to throw away
“A frugal approach to ingredients will always make things last a little longer,” suggests Gutstadt. These clever kitchen hacks help you avoid wasting the most common items:
- Submerge wilted lettuce or soft carrots in ice water for 30 minutes to make them crisp and fresh again.
- Freeze the last remains of wine in ice cube trays, and add to pasta sauces, gravy or any recipe for added flavour and richness.
- Make a paste from leftover herbs with a pinch of salt and oil and freeze in bags or trays for a fresh and flavourful kick to meals.
When you want to have a break from cooking, you can save on dining out, too! Get access to the Sanlam Group ENTERTAINER for free with hundreds of 2-for-1 deals and discounts on food and drink.
Want to learn more?
We send out regular emails packed with useful advice, ideas and tips on everything from saving and investing to budgeting and tax. If you're a Sanlam Reality member and not receiving these emails, update your contact details now.
Update Now
