Instead of spending money on specialty ingredients or foods that only work for one recipe, shoppers are turning to familiar grocery staples that are affordable, filling, and easy to use in different meals.
A recent survey by the Idaho Potato Commission found that 31% of respondents are cooking at home much more often than they were a year ago. With grocery bills putting more pressure on household budgets, four everyday foods are showing up in shopping carts more often.
Eggs
Eggs came in first, with 38% of respondents saying they rely on them more than they did a year ago. They’re easy to work into almost any meal, whether you’re making an omelet for breakfast, egg salad for lunch, or fried rice for dinner.
Potatoes
Potatoes are another familiar staple people are buying more often. One bag can go a long way, turning into baked potatoes for dinner, breakfast potatoes the next morning, or mashed potatoes and soup later in the week.
Rice and Pasta
Rice and pasta are handy pantry staples that make it easier to put a meal together with whatever you already have. They pair well with vegetables, beans, leftover meat, sauces, and soups, so you don’t have to buy a whole new set of ingredients every time you cook.
Beans
Beans round out the four foods Americans said they’re relying on more. They’re affordable, filling, and easy to keep in the pantry, making them a good fit for chili, tacos, soups, salads, and rice bowls.
