They may be sold at higher prices, but these are the kitchen staples that are worth the splurge:

I am a bargain shopper, and for as long as I remember, I have compared prices from one store to another to make sure I get the best deal on the market. Yep, it’s not an easy mission, that’s for sure, but when the budget is tight, you have to do what you have to do. However, some kitchen staples may be worth it to buy even if they’re a tad more expensive.

Purchasing cheaper versions of these foods can be a big mistake, regardless of whether the extra expense is because of their superior sourcing, sustainability, or taste. After thorough research, personal experience, and a talk with a couple of experts, here are all the kitchen staples that are worth the splurge.

Stock

For me and my family, having a great soup base is one of the most important things. We love to eat tasty soup, so even if I don’t have the time to cook it from scratch and I go to the grocery store, I always look to buy a high-quality stock.

However, if you choose a premium variety that has all the depth and complexity of the real thing, ready-made stock is only a great shortcut. So, instead of using thin-flavored, excessively salty cubes, use fresh pouches, which are more costly but far better. I know this is more expensive than the instant salty cubes from Knorr, but stock is one of the kitchen staples that are worth the splurge.

Vinegar

Few would argue that malt vinegar is superior when it comes to sousing fries. However, high-quality types do well when it comes to using spice to enhance a dish’s flavor, unify a sauce, or add sparkle to a salad dressing.

For instance, a high-quality bottle of white wine vinegar will last for years, serve a variety of purposes, and add the ideal amount of fruitiness and acidity to a dish. So don’t be afraid to spend a little bit more on better-quality vinegar to add taste to your meals. For example, the ones sold by Blue Print and Bragg and the ones from Ethan’s are pretty great taste-wise.

Maple syrup

This is definitely one of the kitchen staples that are worth the splurge, especially if you are following a low-sugar diet. Additionally, you will have to spend more money on a bottle made from genuine maple tree sap if you want to enjoy those wonderful butterscotch, spiced, or floral notes at their most intense and sticky. More affordable alternatives using cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup just don’t have the same delicious flavor. So again, why sacrifice taste for a few dollars?

Coffee

How many times a week do you drink coffee? If your answer is twice or more every day of the week, then don’t hesitate to invest in a good-quality coffee, no matter how tempting it is to keep the grocery bill low. Why? Because you deserve it! You deserve to enjoy your favorite drink and get your fuel for the day.

Using cheap beans could lead to disappointment quickly. Robusta and other hardier, easier-to-grow beans may be less expensive than Arabica beans, but they have a different flavor profile, and many people find them bitter.

Olive oil

Yes, that’s true! Olive oil is among the kitchen staples that are worth the splurge because consuming a good-quality oil is good for your health. I suggest investing in a high-quality olive oil after choosing an affordable all-purpose cooking oil. Great cold-pressed olive oil adds spiciness, peppery notes, and an additional dimension of flavor to many dishes, from finishing salads to drizzling over pasta and pizza. Therefore, it is well worth the cost.

The best olive oils that won’t disappoint your palate are Cobram Estate California Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil Rich Taste, and Graza Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is available on Amazon most of the time.

Butter

Over the past ten or so years, the price index for dairy products has been skyrocketing, but if the fact that it’s becoming a bit too expensive makes you reach for margarine, think twice before making this mistake.

The distinct flavor and mouthfeel that only real butter provides are the foundation for the popularity of many butter-forward recipes, such as shortbread, scones, pastries, rich sauces, and lightly fried fish fillets.

In addition to losing out on health benefits, substituting it with processed, less expensive alternatives will require you to use more or add additional flavorings to make up the difference. Therefore yes, butter is one of those kitchen staples that are worth the splurge.

Honey

One of the best natural jars of honey to buy is Local Hive Raw & Unfiltered Honey, SoCal. Yes, it’s definitely a bit more expensive than others, but it’s worth every dollar. As with other staples from the list, honey should be natural and abundant in micronutrients good for your health. And you won’t benefit from these if you go for low-budget honey.

To extract every drop of honey from the comb, the cheapest method has been heat extraction, which means exposing the honey to temperatures that destroy its nutrients. You will benefit from paying more for honey that is labeled as raw, cold pressed, or cold extracted.

If you don’t believe me and you want to try it for yourself, click on the highlighted text from above and order your honey jar from Amazon right away.

Flour

While a bag of flour might seem like a mundane way to spend your hard-earned cash, seasoned cooks know that the alchemy of baking rewards careful sourcing. Keep in mind that fresh, premium flour will be more nutritious than mass-produced varieties, and extra-milled flour delivers a lighter sponge. If you want to improve your bakes, upgrade your flour options, mind your health, and you’ll see (and taste) the difference.

Parmesan

If you include pasta on your regular menu, then you should spend more money on good-quality parmesan. One of the best parmesans out there is usually found in those fancy deli stores and not in regular supermarkets. But it’s worth forking for!

The best type of Parmesan is the Parmigiano Reggiano, a product made in Italy that still follows the old-school recipe from centuries ago. Oh, and you should also pay attention to the label and look carefully if it’s 12 months old. That one is the best Parmigiano!

Chicken (whole or parts of it)

This isn’t me telling you that when it comes to good quality meat (chicken meat in this case), you get what you pay for. I am not saying that you should start raising chickens in your backyard or build a farm, but if you want savory meals without using a ton of spices for them, it’s time for you to spend more on chicken meat.

In most cases, this good-quality chicken won’t be found in supermarkets unless you’re really lucky, so it’s best if you go to local stores that buy their stuff from organic farms.

Fish

Last but not least of the kitchen staples that are worth the splurge is fish. Buying a piece of salmon for less money indeed sounds like a great deal, but in most cases that meat isn’t exactly healthy. That’s why both doctors and nutritionists recommend going to the fishery if you have one in your neighborhood and buying whole fish instead of fillets.

You can cut them on your own in different sizes and put them in the freezer for later use. You will also remain with bones, trimmings, and heads, which are great to make stock.

For which staples are you willing to pay more money? Tell me in the comments.

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