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The price of broccoli has increased by 130 per cent in the last 6 months, canola oil has soared to almost triple its regular price and a dozen carton of free-range eggs are now 70 per cent more expensive than normal. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ June Consumer Price Index, the overall average price of food and non-alcoholic beverages across Australia has jumped by six per cent in the last year, with two per cent of that accumulated since March 2024.
Despite the now ridiculously high (and rising) prices of pantry staples, quality home-cooked meals don’t have to be out of reach. That’s where we come in—our teacher community of local chefs and foodies are here to help you discover creative ways to save money on groceries in 2024.
1. Buy with your eyes and shop local
According to Canstar Blue’s July 2024 survey, 64 per cent of Aussies are buying fresh fruit and vegetables every single week, making it the most regularly purchased item in our carts. With many of us forced to forgo lettuce in recent months, it’s shone a light on the produce staples that we rely on throughout the year, no matter the season.
With the rising cost of fuel, a good portion of the produce inflation is linked to the transportation of these goods. However, getting creative in the kitchen with local seasonal produce is one of the fastest ways to save money on groceries.
Chef Tracey Lister, owner of Melbourne cooking school Brunswick Kitchen, recommends keeping an inventory of what’s in your fridge and pantry and always using that first before a big shop.
“We're all very conscious of food waste at the moment, not just for economic reasons but for environmental reasons too,” she says. “Use what you’ve got in your fridge and get a few standard recipes that you can be flexible with.”
In her hands-on cooking classes, she teaches forgiving recipes that can easily be altered to suit the season. Think hearty vegetable curries, crispy taro and potato croquettes and easy rice paper rolls.
Chef Mel Alafaci, owner of Brisbane cooking school Vanilla Zulu, says even the most basic of ingredients can taste amazing if you cook them well.
“Buy with your eyes, see what looks fresh and delicious and is on sale,” she says. “Seasonal will always taste better and save you money. Plus it's a great way to try something new every few months.”
2. Quality first, quantity second (sometimes!)
While it might seem contradictory, learning how to save money on groceries is not all about buying the cheapest option out there. Investing in quality ingredients where a little will go a long way will always save you money in the long run. Whether it’s aromatic spices that will level up your dishes or vegetable oils that can be used again and again when deep-frying, it’s well worth investing in quality stapes.
Tea sommelier and owner of Melbourne tea brand Impala + Peacock, Sarah de Witt, says while stock-standard tea bags might be appealing for their price, they’re sold at a low cost for a reason.
“Once all the good bits are taken out, there are these things called dustings that are left behind that they put in tea bags and that's what you're drinking,” she explains. “Plus there’s also microplastics in the bag, so every time you use a tea bag, it costs.”
“If you get a really premium tea, say something like our oolong or our jasmine pearls—it's a green tea that’s been pan rolled into a tight ball, also known as buddhas tears, you can reuse it,” she says.
While a canister of this tea is a little more expensive to buy up front, you can use the leaves up to four times. “You're getting better quality and it's actually more economical,” Sarah adds.
3. Keep your eyes and ears peeled
Some might call it eavesdropping but for Karima Hazim and Sivine Tabbouch of Sydney cooking school Sunday Kitchen, listening to the conversations in the supermarket is pivotal in their decision-making when grocery shopping.
“There have been so many times I've been at the grocer or I've been at the butcher and I've overheard chatter between elderly women discussing something that they're going to make or something that they made last week,” says Karima.
So, if you have the luxury of time, take a moment to slow down on your next supermarket trip. Listen to cooking conversations, watch what others are drawn towards in the aisles and take that as inspiration for your own cooking. You’ll likely return home with an abundance of seasonal goods and a grocery bill that looks a little more reasonable than the last.
4. Lean into the mindfulness of cooking
Convenience is always going to save you time but it won’t be the best option for your wallet. In order to achieve balance, you’ll need to find a sweet spot that suits your lifestyle.
For Karima, when she breaks down her day she always finds pockets of time to prepare and cook delicious meals.
“The other day I remembered that I had a giant bunch of parsley from my father-in-law and thought, if I don't do something with this bag I'm going to have to throw it out,” she recalls. “So I had to pause for one hour and pick all of the leaves of the parsley. Let me tell you, it calmed me right down. I was able to reset.”
Opting for homecooked meals and spending just a little extra time preparing meals will help shave some dollars off your grocery bill. And in the ultimate win-win scenario, you’ll have the chance to reap the benefits of immersing yourself in the process of cooking too.
“Of course it's easier to buy a barbecue chicken, and it's easier to get a salad already mixed together but I think it [cooking] generates conversations and connection, and you bring people together with food,” Karima explains.
Whether you’re a passionate home cook on a budget or just looking to slash a few dollars off your bill, learning soothing cooking skills is priceless. Need to spark some culinary inspiration? Cooking classes across Australia run by our community of chefs and foodies will open your eyes (and tummies) to delicious and achievable recipes even first-time cooks can recreate.
