Finally compared store brand beans vs. name brand in my chili...

I did a side by side with a $1.50 can of store brand pinto beans and the $3.50 brand name, and honestly the cheaper ones held up way better after simmering for 20 minutes. Has anyone else found a specific store brand ingredient that beats the expensive stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

rayc8916d ago

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the name brand trap for years? I used to be that way with canned tomatoes, always went for the pricey ones. But I tried a store brand once during a tight budget week and honestly it worked just fine. Now I grab whichever is cheaper and I'm not sorry. Sounds like you had the same kind of eye opener with those pinto beans, which is good to hear.

robert6416d agoMost Upvoted

Ha, yeah I've been there too! For me it was olive oil - I used to only buy the expensive Italian stuff. Then I grabbed a store brand from a local chain during a sale and honestly couldn't tell much difference in everyday cooking. Now I save the fancy oil for dressings and use the cheap stuff for sauteing and roasting. Your mileage may vary but it's worth trying the cheaper option once just to see.