It’s highly likely that you’ve noticed a significant increase in the amount of money you’re paying for groceries lately. Things like ground beef and pasta have jumped in cost significantly for a host of reasons, and according to economists, we shouldn’t expect to see any noticeable relief anytime soon. Although it’s hard to deny that things are getting more expensive by the day, there are plenty of ways to save yourself a little extra cash at the grocery store.
The real secret to saving money on your grocery bill has less to do with catching a deal and more to do with smart shopping. That means, before you head into the store, planning your list to get a general idea of what you need, deciding which items are worth the splurge, and which you can swap for cheaper alternatives or buy in bulk. And when it comes to buying in bulk, there’s no better place to shop than Costco.
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Related: Shoppers Are Losing It Over This ‘Smart’ Sam’s Club Dessert Hack That’s Perfect for Parties
Of course, despite that fact, not everyone is sold on a recent grocery hack shared by @interplanetjanet88 on TikTok that shows you how to use your Costco membership card to its fullest extent. The hack is fairly straightforward and involves the bulk-grocers’ legendary rotisserie chicken. Simply head to the meat department and ask for a case of uncooked rotisserie chicken. You should then be handed a massive 45-pound box of whole, pre-brined Costco chicken.
TikToker Shares Bulk Rotisserie Chicken Hack
According to the TikToker, the box contains 10 whole chickens for $49.99, which works out to $5 per chicken or just under $1 per pound. After bringing the box home, she breaks the chicken down into parts and vacuum-seals the pieces so she can store them in the freezer for later use. Although the chickens aren’t seasoned or cooked, they are pre-brined with a mix of water, salt, spices, sugar, modified food starch, and carrageenan.
@interplanetjanet88 Did our monthly shopping today at Costco. We still have stocked up steak from last time using this similar hack..we needed chicken this time. #costcofinds #costcohacks #foodsaver #mealprepsunday
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While the hack itself is incredibly smart, several users in the comments couldn’t get over the idea of having to break the chickens down themselves, with many saying, “I feel like the amount of savings vs. [the] amount of work is not worth it.” Beyond that, the only other real hesitation people had was that carrageenan is included in the ingredients list. “Why does it have carrageenan 😑,” questioned several people. Although the answer isn’t incredibly straightforward, the long and short of it is that carrageenan is often added to improve texture and moisture retention.
The Carrageenan Controversy
The substance derived from red seaweed is known for its gelling and thickening properties, which is why it’s often used in food production. But some research suggests that it can potentially cause adverse health reactions, including gastrointestinal issues and inflammation. While most of the studies conducted suggest that only degraded carrageenan—which isn’t approved for use by the FDA—is the cause of these issues, it isn’t exactly clear how food-grade carrageenan degrades in the stomach.
That being said, you still can’t beat this money-saving Costco hack, regardless. On average, you can feed 3 to 4 people with one rotisserie chicken, but with some creative planning, you can stretch it to feed several more. Not to mention, you can use the bones to make chicken stock from scratch, making this an even more budget-friendly hack. Personally, we’ll take it over a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, a corn tortilla, and one other thing any day.
Related: This Tender and Smoky Costco Find Has Shoppers Racing to Find It: ‘I Now Have Chipotle at Home’
