"There are a lot of things I think Europeans do better than us Americans: work-life balance, public transportation, and wine—just to name a few. To add to that list, people on the internet have recently started taking inspiration from how those across the pond shop for groceries. TikTok videos on European-style grocery shopping have gone viral over the past few weeks, and I have to admit that the concept is pretty appealing. In contrast to the huge weekly grocery hauls that are common practice in the U.S., this method prioritizes shopping more frequently and intentionally, which can in turn save you money and reduce food waste. Keep reading to learn more about European-style grocery shopping and how this method can transform how you shop and eat.
What is European-style grocery shopping?
The European grocery shopping method isn’t necessarily about the foods you buy but how you buy them. Europeans tend to take more frequent—sometimes daily—trips to the grocery store or market, buying only what they need and prioritizing fresh, high-quality ingredients. Grocery shopping is also generally a more leisurely experience in Europe and often consists of multiple stops to local markets and specialty shops. Compare that to the way most Americans grocery shop, which involves one weekly trip to the supermarket to stock up on everything you need for the week and beyond. You know those elaborate fridge and pantry restock videos that are so satisfying to watch on social media? European-style grocery shopping is essentially the opposite of that.
For many Europeans, this style of grocery shopping is a matter of practicality. Homes in Europe are generally smaller than those in the U.S., which means storage space is limited, even for things like food. Full-size refrigerators and walk-in pantries are luxuries that many Europeans don’t have access to, so buying and storing less food at a time is a necessity. European cities also tend to be very walkable, and many have daily markets where you can buy fresh, local ingredients. So, instead of weekly grocery store hauls, you might just pop by the market on your way home from work to grab what you need for dinner that night.
How to shop for groceries like a European
You may not have a daily farmers market and a family-owned bakery just around the corner, but you can still channel the European way of grocery shopping wherever you live. Here’s how to grocery shop like a European:
1. Shop more frequently
Instead of doing one big weekly grocery haul, try breaking up your shopping throughout the week. This may sound like more work (who wants to spend more time at the grocery store?), but it can actually save you time and money in the long run. Because you’re buying only what you need for the next few days, each trip takes less time. And since you don’t have to plan a whole week’s worth of meals in advance, this allows you to shop and eat more intuitively. You can build meals around what you’re craving that day, instead of making a big batch of something you’ll get sick of by the end of the week or resorting to takeout because nothing in your fridge sounds good.
2. Purchase only what you’ll eat
Most people don’t buy food at the grocery store that they never intend to eat. However, it is easy to buy something “just in case” or simply because it’s on sale. Then you’re stuck trying to find some use for it before it goes bad, and you inevitably have to throw it away. Avoid this whole dilemma by taking the more European approach: stop thinking of grocery shopping as a chance to “stock up,” and instead, only buy what you need immediately. To ensure you don’t spend money on food that will go to waste, plan out a few meals or recipes ahead of time and purchase only the necessary ingredients. This becomes much easier to do when you’re only thinking a few days in advance (see the tip above) and will streamline your whole grocery shopping process.
3. Choose ingredients that work well together
The key to making European-style grocery shopping work for everyday life is selecting a variety of ingredients that all go together. Don’t try to gather ingredients for several vastly different recipes in one go; instead, select items you can use in multiple ways. For example, seasonal vegetables can be seasoned and prepared in several different ways, fresh herbs can elevate nearly any meal, and ingredients like eggs and Greek yogurt can work for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
4. Buy certain items at different stores
It’s not uncommon for Europeans to visit a local market, butcher, cheese shop, and bakery to get everything they need for a meal. This might not be totally practical in the U.S.—especially in more suburban or rural areas—but you can still apply parts of this concept to your own grocery shopping. For example, maybe you’ve found that a certain grocery store has the freshest produce, but you can find meat and dairy products for cheaper elsewhere. Or maybe you prefer to purchase certain items at local businesses or directly from the farmers market. Whatever that looks like for you, be selective with the food you buy, and don’t be afraid to shop around for the best quality or price.
5. Prioritize quality over convenience
It’s widely known that Europeans love to eat well, and they expect high standards of quality when it comes to their food. To channel this mindset, start prioritizing quality over convenience. It might be more convenient to fill your cart with ready-made, pre-packaged foods, but choosing fresh, locally produced ingredients will result in better quality (and often more affordable) meals. Even if it does cost a bit more to buy that fancy cheese or a fresh-baked loaf of bread, your enjoyment is worth it.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.