9 Foods You Didn't Realize Were So Expensive
Sure, you know that avocados aren't the cheapest item in the produce aisle, or that frozen dinners can cost more than cooking a meal from scratch. But how many times have you been in the checkout aisle, only to be shocked at how high your weekly grocery bill is?
While it's never a bad idea to stock up on affordable, shelf-stable ingredients like beans, oats, and quinoa, it's also worth knowing which groceries will set you back a fair chunk of change. With that in mind, we've rounded up some of the foods you didn't know were expensive, so you can be prepared for the next time you're at the grocery store.
And for more, check out these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a grocery store staple, so how could they be expensive? Well, heirloom tomatoes are a special case. As Chowhound explains, heirloom tomatoes aren't mass-produced in greenhouses like some of their grocery-store counterparts. Instead, they're grown in the open and require extra TLC. The plus side is that you're more likely to get local heirloom tomatoes at your local grocery store or farmers' market—so if local produce is a big deal for you, they might be worth the splurge.
Hummus
Hummus is a great spread for carrots and pitas. But instead of paying several dollars for a tub at the store, you can buy a can of chickpeas and make it at home with some simple spices for way less money.
Avocado Oil
Avocados aren't cheap, so it stands to reason avocado oil isn't, either. But you might not realize just how much more this oil, which is great for high-heat cooking, costs than its counterparts. At Target, for instance, an 8.45-ounce bottle of Good & Gather avocado oil is $7.39, while a 16.9-ounce bottle of Good & Gather extra virgin olive oil is just $4.29.
Vanilla Extract
Is that little bottle in your spice cabinet true vanilla extract, or is it an imitation? The price you paid is a clue—real vanilla extract is significantly more expensive. As Smithsonian magazine explains, vanilla is one of the most expensive spices in the world. But if you have imitation vanilla extract in your pantry, don't worry—you won't be able to taste a difference in most baked goods.
Almond Butter
As with avocado and olive oils, you'll pay a lot more depending on which nut butter you choose. A 16-ounce container of creamy almond butter from Target is $8.39, while 16 ounces of Good & Gather's creamy peanut butter are just $2.59.
Cultured Butter
Butter options with higher butterfat contents tend to be more expensive. If you see cultured butter at the store, it likely has a higher butterfat content, especially if it's European-style. So you can expect to pay more for cultured butter than for its regular counterparts. But plenty of fans will tell you it's worth it for that creamy, tangy taste.
Steak
Steak is one of the groceries that's gotten more expensive during the pandemic, and as of February 2021, meat prices could still increase, per Bloomberg. Now is a great time to try out one of these 33 Easy Plant-Based Recipes!
Raspberries
In a Fox Business analysis of U.S. food prices, raspberries ranked among the most expensive fruits. One cup of fresh raspberries costs an average of $2.29 in U.S. markets, more than the per-cup cost of fruits like blueberries or peaches.
Asparagus
The same Fox Business study found that asparagus is among the most expensive vegetables. Now is a good time to try the veggie, though; it's in season in the spring.
Just because some groceries are expensive doesn't mean they shouldn't be in your shopping cart. But if you're trying to stick to a budget, it's worth knowing which groceries will set you back more money.
