Convenience may be king at the grocery store, but when it comes to pre-cut fruits and vegetables, you might pay a premium for a whole lot of nothing. While grabbing a container of sliced apples or chopped onions might save you a few minutes in the kitchen, it’ll often cost you extra cash and potentially freshness and flavor.
Keep in mind, though: We’re not saying you always should avoid pre-cut fruits and veggies at the grocery store. Angie Meltsner, cultural insights and trends strategist at Tomato Baby, noted that the products are symbols of the time-strapped reality of modern American life. “For those who have limitations on their ability to cook, such as elderly or disabled consumers, these products offer access to fresh foods in a simplified manner that may be difficult to find otherwise,” she says.
Buying pre-prepped produce is a time-saving way to incorporate nutrient-dense fruits and veggies into our cooking and we all deserve a shortcut now and then—so don’t feel guilty doing it!
That said, we tapped Jem Mantiri, the plant-based recipe developer, blogger, and photographer behind The Fruity Jem, to share her thoughts on what fruits and vegetables are better (and cheaper) to buy whole and do the slicing, dicing, or peeling yourself and pre-prepped items that are worth the spend.
Pre-Prepped Products to Skip
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Apples
Whether you’re buying them to snack on or incorporate into your favorite pie recipe, pre-sliced apples often brown faster and can cost four times more than whole ones. “Slicing your own takes less than a minute, or just eat them whole,” says Mantiri.
Mushrooms
While picking up containers of pre-sliced creminis or button mushrooms for your chicken marsala might save you a few minutes, they’ll definitely spoil quicker. Mantiri says whole mushrooms stay fresh longer and enable you to slice them however you like (for example, halved for grilling or super thin for salads).
Melons
Pre-cut watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe are usually significantly marked up—sometimes nearly double the cost of the whole fruit—and spoil quickly. “Whole melons are easy to prep and stay fresh much longer in the fridge,” she says.
Celery and Carrots
Filling a dip platter with store-bought celery and carrot sticks is tempting but the veggies won’t be as crunchy and fresh as spears you cut yourself. “It takes just a few minutes, and you don’t even need to peel carrots as most of the nutrients are in the skin,” Mantiri says.
Onions
“Chopped onions are pricier and tend to break down and smell quickly,” according to Mantiri. “Whole onions are cheaper, last longer, and taste better.” She recommends investing in a vegetable chopper to save time if slicing feels like a chore.
Bell Peppers
In addition to putting a bigger dent in your budget, pre-sliced peppers tend to lose their crunch quickly. “Whole peppers are super easy to chop once you get used to it and they store better,” Mantiri says.
Riced Cauliflower
“Riced cauliflower is trendy, but overpriced,” Mantiri says. “You can easily make your own by pulsing florets in a food processor. Store-bought versions also tend to spoil quickly and can develop a funky smell.”
Jarred Garlic
While peeling and mincing garlic can be a pain, jarred products can taste bland or even bitter due to preservatives. “Fresh garlic is cheap, lasts for weeks, and has way better flavor when you mince it yourself,” she says.
Pre-Cut Veggies (Usually) Worth the Spend
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Coleslaw Mix
Bagged shredded cabbage will save you a ton of chopping time and is perfect for stir-fries, tacos, slaws, or salads. “It holds up well, even pre-cut,” Mantiri says. “I reach for this when I’m low on time but still want something fresh and nourishing.”
Cubed Squash, Pumpkin, and Sweet Potatoes
Gourds and potatoes are often tough and time-consuming to peel and prep. Purchasing them in pre-cut packages saves effort, especially when you only need a small amount for a recipe.
Zucchini Noodles
Store-bought strands of zucchini noodles are handy if you don’t have a spiralizer (or don’t want to clean one). “To make them last longer, place a clean kitchen towel in the bag as it’ll absorb extra moisture and keep them from getting soggy,” Mantiri says.
Wash and Trimmed Salad Greens
“Pre-washed greens make it easier to throw together a quick salad or sandwich,” Mantiri says. “Again, stick a paper towel or clean kitchen towel inside to keep them fresher longer.”
