4 Best Ways To Make Your Groceries Last Longer

Does the sight of wilted greens or forgotten leftovers in your fridge make you groan? We’ve all been there. And with grocery prices on the rise, who wouldn’t want to stretch their budget further? Learn these 4 simple tips to make your groceries last longer, saving you money and reducing food waste.

Plan Your Grocery List

Creating a grocery list is the cornerstone of making your groceries last longer. This plan helps you avoid impulse purchases at the store and prevents food spoilage. Also, planning the items you’ll buy allows you to take advantage of sales and buy in bulk for staples you use often. Consider these points when planning:

• Inventory Check: Before heading to the store, look at what you already have in your pantry and fridge. Build your grocery list and meals around those ingredients to minimize waste.
• Organize by Category: Instead of a random list, categorize your groceries by department or section of the store. This way, you can navigate the store efficiently, hitting each aisle only once to grab everything you need. It reduces backtracking and impulse purchases, saving you time and money. Common categories include:
  • Produce
  • Meat and Seafood
  • Dairy and Eggs
  • Bakery Items
  • Pantry Staples (grains, pasta, canned goods)
  • Frozen Foods
  • Condiments and Baking Supplies
  • Personal Care Items
  • Household Cleaning Supplies

Create A Weekly Meal Plan

Planning your meals for the week goes hand-in-hand with creating a smart grocery list. By knowing what you’ll be cooking, you can buy only the ingredients you need, preventing waste. This approach also allows you to batch cook for the whole week, saving time and creating delicious leftovers you can transform into entirely new meals. It’s a win-win for both your wallet and your schedule.

Here is a sample 7-day plan that offers a wider variety while incorporating some leftovers for convenience. You can always swap meals around based on your schedule or preferences.

Below are some of the recipes included in this sample meal plan to help make your groceries last longer:

CDO Luncheon Meat Caldereta

Image from: CDO Kitchen Studios YouTube channel

Short on time and ingredients? This Filipino stew is a hearty and flavorful dish made with CDO Luncheon Meat, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and tomato sauce. This budget-stretching caldereta is a win-win! CDO Luncheon Meat keeps costs down as an alternative to pork, chicken, or beef, while leftover veggies add flavor and nourishment.

Breaded CDO Luncheon Meat With Mushroom Gravy Sauce

@cdofoodsphereBreaded luncheon meat smothered in a rich mushroom gravy 😋. CDO Luncheon Meat is available in all leading supermarkets nationwide.♬ original sound – cdofoodsphere

This recipe takes canned luncheon meat to a new level! The CDO Luncheon Meat is coated in egg, flour, and breadcrumbs and then fried until crispy. Serve it with a creamy mushroom gravy sauce. It’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Sisig CDO Luncheon Meat

@cdofoodsphere Recreate the popular Pinoy bar chow Sisig with this easy and quick Sisig Luncheon Meat recipe by @connhcruzthemodernnanay! #CanDo ♬ original sound – cdofoodsphere

Sisig is a popular Filipino dish traditionally made with chopped pork. This recipe uses CDO Luncheon Meat as a substitute, making it a more affordable and accessible version of the classic dish. It’s a sulit ulam idea for those who still want the bold flavors of sisig without the prep work.

CDO Corned Beef Bola-Bola Misua

Image from: CDO Kitchen Studios YouTube channel

Don’t let corned beef go to waste! This CDO Karne Norte Bola-Bola Misua recipe is a brilliant way to repurpose leftover corned beef into a whole new dish. Packed with guisado flavor and ready in no time!

Vegetable Fried Rice With CDO Chicken Flakes in Oil

Image from: CDO Kitchen Studios YouTube channel

This simple and satisfying dish is ideal for a busy weeknight. Simply fry some rice with vegetables, then stir in the CDO Home-Style Chicken Flakes in Oil. This will help you feel satisfied and less likely to snack between meals.

Kimchi Ramen With CDO Beef Loaf

Image from: CDO Kitchen Studios YouTube channel

This recipe takes instant ramen to a whole new level! Add kimchi, vegetables, and cooked CDO Beef Loaf for a delicious and flavorful meal. Kimchi is a fermented Korean cabbage that adds a spicy and sour flavor to the dish. Think differently about what’s in your pantry.

San Marino Chili Corned Tuna Spaghetti

This is a quick and easy twist on classic spaghetti. Simply use San Marino Chili Corned Tuna instead of ground meat. It’s a delicious and budget-friendly meal best for a weeknight dinner.

Cheesy Lumpia With CDO Karne Norte

Image from: CDO Kitchen Studios YouTube channel

Lumpia are Filipino spring rolls that can be filled with various ingredients. This recipe uses cheese, potatoes, carrots, and CDO Karne Norte as the filling. It’s then deep-fried until golden brown and can be served with the creamy Danes Mayo dressing.

By using canned goods creatively, you can make groceries last a month and enjoy delicious, budget-friendly meals all week long.

Know How To Store Your Groceries

Not everything needs to be in the fridge. Understanding which foods belong where – fruits and vegetables, dairy, canned goods, bread, and meat – will help make your groceries last longer.

• Fruits and vegetables: Some fruits and vegetables, like apples and potatoes, can be stored at room temperature. Others, like leafy greens and berries, need to be refrigerated.
• Dairy: Milk, cheese, and yogurt all need to be stored in the fridge to prevent spoilage.
• Canned goods: Canned foods last a long time in the pantry but move them to a sealed container and refrigerate after opening.
• Bread: Bread can be stored at room temperature for a few days or frozen for longer storage.
• Meat: Fresh meat should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Keep Your Pantry Stocked With Staples

Planning meals around pantry staples is a great way to stretch your grocery budget. Stock up on rice, pasta, beans, and canned goods like CDO Luncheon Meat or San Marino Corned Tuna. These budget-friendly staples help you create delicious meals all week long when groceries run low.

Get the most out of your grocery shopping trips with less time and less expense. Buy all the ingredients you need at your nearest store or get them delivered straight to your door from CDO Foodsphere online stores on TikTok, Shopee, or Lazada.

So, there you have it. Get creative, have fun, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. Make your groceries last longer and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals for weeks to come with these simple tips!