Eating out often gets a bad rap for being expensive, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, grabbing a meal at your favorite spot can actually be lighter on the wallet than whipping it up in your own kitchen. Whether it’s the cost of ingredients or the time and effort involved, there are plenty of foods where dining out just makes more sense. In this article, I’ve rounded up ten such dishes that are surprisingly cheaper to buy ready-made than to cook from scratch at home. So, next time you’re debating between the stove and the drive-thru, consider these options for a tasty and economical treat.
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Breakfast Sandwiches
Popular fast-food chains often have breakfast sandwich deals that are more economical than making them at home. The cost of eggs, bacon, cheese, and bread can quickly add up. When you factor in the time and effort to cook these items, the convenience and price of buying them ready-made becomes apparent. Additionally, these sandwiches are often part of combo deals that include drinks and sides, further enhancing their value. Many fast-food restaurants use economies of scale to keep their prices low. Therefore, breakfast sandwiches are a prime example of a meal that’s cheaper to eat out.
Pizza
Pizzas from pizzerias or chains like Domino’s or Pizza Hut often cost less than making one from scratch. Buying all the ingredients – dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings – can be surprisingly expensive. Additionally, pizzerias benefit from bulk purchasing and streamlined processes, reducing their overall costs. For home cooks, the effort and time to prepare a pizza can be substantial. Moreover, pizzerias offer deals and discounts that further lower the cost. Thus, buying pizza is frequently cheaper than homemade alternatives.
Sushi
Making sushi at home requires specialized ingredients like sushi-grade fish, nori, and sushi rice, which can be costly and hard to find. Additionally, the skill and time needed to prepare sushi properly make it a less feasible home-cooked meal. Sushi restaurants can offer a variety of rolls at competitive prices due to bulk buying and efficient preparation. For many, the convenience and variety available at sushi restaurants outweigh the potential savings of making it at home. Therefore, sushi is often more economical to eat out.
Rotisserie Chicken
Supermarkets and delis often sell rotisserie chickens for less than it costs to buy and cook a raw chicken. The seasoning, cooking time, and energy costs involved in roasting a chicken at home add up. Stores utilize large ovens that can cook multiple chickens simultaneously, lowering their production costs. For consumers, the convenience of a ready-to-eat meal is a significant benefit. This makes rotisserie chicken a cost-effective option to buy rather than make at home.
Chinese Takeout
Dishes like General Tso’s chicken or beef with broccoli are often cheaper from a takeout place than making them at home. The variety of ingredients needed for Chinese cuisine can be expensive when purchased individually. Additionally, the time and expertise required to cook these dishes can be substantial. Chinese restaurants benefit from bulk purchasing and streamlined cooking processes. They can also offer meal combos that add further value. Thus, Chinese takeout is typically more economical than home-cooked versions.
Burgers
Fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King offer burgers at prices that are hard to beat when making them at home. The cost of ground beef, buns, cheese, lettuce, and condiments adds up quickly. These chains purchase ingredients in large quantities at lower prices, which translates to cheaper menu items for customers. Additionally, they often include fries and drinks in meal deals, increasing the overall value. Consequently, eating burgers out is often cheaper than preparing them at home.
Tacos
Making tacos at home involves purchasing multiple ingredients like tortillas, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and seasoning. The cumulative cost can be higher than buying tacos from a fast-food restaurant or taqueria. These eateries benefit from bulk purchasing and efficient preparation, keeping their prices low. Additionally, they often offer combo deals that include sides and drinks. Thus, tacos are frequently cheaper and more convenient to buy than to make at home.
Fish and Chips
The ingredients for fish and chips – fresh fish, batter, potatoes, and oil – can be expensive, especially when considering the cooking process. Fish and chips shops benefit from bulk buying and specialized frying equipment, reducing their costs. For home cooks, the time and effort required to prepare and fry the fish and chips can be considerable. Many shops also offer meal deals that include sides and drinks. Therefore, fish and chips are often more economical to buy than to prepare at home.
Fried Chicken
The cost of chicken, flour, oil, and seasoning can be significant when making fried chicken at home. Additionally, the cooking process is labor-intensive and messy. Fast-food chains like KFC and Popeyes benefit from bulk purchasing and efficient frying methods, lowering their production costs. They also offer meal deals that include sides and drinks, enhancing the overall value. Consequently, fried chicken is typically cheaper and more convenient to buy than to make at home.
Pasta Dishes
Restaurants often offer pasta dishes at competitive prices compared to the cost of making them at home. The ingredients – pasta, sauce, cheese, and potential meat or vegetables – can be expensive when bought individually. Restaurants benefit from bulk purchasing and efficient cooking processes. Additionally, they often provide large portions or meal deals that include sides and drinks. Thus, pasta dishes are frequently cheaper to eat out than to prepare at home.
This article originally appeared on RetailShout
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