6 Tips for Grocery Shopping Without a List

Thanks to Foster Farms for sponsoring this post.

Everyone has their own system for grocery shopping. Maybe you’re one of those people who goes multiple times per week, getting items as needed. Or maybe you’re like me, and prefer a big trip to get everything at once…because one trip to the grocery store is enough every week.

Either way, you can’t deny that bringing a list makes shopping much easier. You don’t forget things; you’re less likely to fill the cart with products you don’t need, and you can get in and out of the store in less time.

I used to meal plan like a boss and make beautifully complete grocery lists, which made my trips to the store extremely purposeful and efficient. Over the past couple of years, though, I’ve started winging it a lot more. (Apparently spending an hour every week planning our meals and grocery list was too much of a commitment.)

While I do still try to keep a running list of general items we need (right now, it’s frozen blueberries, chocolate chips, milk, and apples—because priorities), that’s about all I do anymore. I often find myself at the store trying to figure out what actual meals I want to cook for the week.

Shopping with a limited or nonexistent grocery list can make trips to the store long, not to mention require you to return a few days later because you forgot things. As I’ve started to refine the art of grocery shopping without a plan, I’ve noticed that certain habits can be the difference between… “Wow, I’ve made a legit dinner three nights in a row; where’s my ‘Wife of the Year’ award?” And “Whelp, guess it’s a wine and popcorn kind of night.”

For a look at SIX of my go-to grocery shopping strategies (including a surprisingly useful resource from Foster Farms if you cook chicken often), read through my list below!

Buy items you frequently need to restock.

If there are specific foods you regularly eat, there’s a good chance you run out of them regularly too. That’s probably why you’re at the store anyways—you need more of a certain item and can’t avoid a grocery trip for much longer. Eggs, milk, and bread tend to be at the top of this list for most people. If you didn’t write these down, maybe grab them just in case.

Walk through every aisle to see if anything jogs your memory.

When I can’t remember what I needed, I’ve found it helps to just…walk around. Seeing the different food categories is often enough to remind me I’m running out of something (this is the only way I ever remember to get pasta). Even when I DO make a list, there’s usually at least one item I realize I need to restock, just because I happened to spot it in the display.

Follow recipes on the back of product packaging.

Even if meal planning isn’t your jam, that doesn’t mean you have to awkwardly stand around in the store trying to look up that recipe you saw online and forgot you wanted to make (not that I’ve done this before or anything…). If you look at the backs of packages (e.g., rice, frozen veggies, canned goods, and sauces), you might find some good recipe ideas.

Get everything you might need for a couple of your go-to meals.

If you have no idea what to make for the week, think of a few of your go-to dinner meals and buy the ingredients you need for them. At the very least, you’ll have those to throw together and won’t be at a loss for what to make with your limited grocery haul.

Buy a variety of produce that can be used in different ways.

When I go through the produce section, I get the items I eat almost daily (i.e., apples, bananas, and spinach), but I also try to grab a variety of other items as well. Even if I don’t have a plan for them, they often come in handy during the week. Seeing the various fruits and vegetables in season sometimes even inspires new meal ideas!

Use the Foster Farms DORI™ QR Code for quick recipes.

Another idea you probably don’t even realize is a thing: Use your smartphone camera to scan the Foster Farms DORI™ QR code on Foster Farms fresh chicken packages to pull up an easy-to-use database of recipes and so much more. This is a new interactive system that helps people plan their meals (and know what to buy) without doing any prep before getting to the store (you’re speaking my language, Foster Farms).

Worth noting: I usually don’t like researching recipes when I’m already at the store because it takes me forever to figure out what I want. But when I tried the Foster Farms DORI™ QR code, I literally chose the first recipe I saw because it sounded perfect: Grilled Lemon Chicken. It’s easy to look through the recipes, find the ingredient list, and figure out what you want on the spot.

If you’re curious and want to try it, just find Foster Farms chicken with the DORI™ label, and use your smartphone to scan the QR code. This will pull up exclusive coupons, hundreds of recipes, product information, and labeling terms.