How to cook around grocery shortages (2026 Guide)

There is a smarter way to approach cook around grocery shortages, and it starts with knowing a few key details. This guide covers them, along with tips you can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways

Here are a few concepts on how to pivot and plan when items are out of stock.
Some of you have commented recently about the difficulties you've been having in locating some of the ingredients needed for the weekly ALDI meal plans.
Trust me: I hear you, and understand the frustration in being unable to find the items you require for a meal you have planned.
Unfortunately these shortages and delayed shipments are hitting stores nationwide; it's not just ALDI.

Tips That Make a Difference

Worth noting: i've making some general modifications to the meal plans to try and alleviate some of this pressure. My store might get in a shipment of bone-in chicken thighs, where yours might get in a shipment of boneless chicken breast; cream cheese might be impossible to find in one state, yet fully stocked in another; your store might have a full shelf on Tuesday, but an empty one on Thursday.

How to cook near grocery shortages So, I thought it would be useful to talk a bit about my own strategies for cooking near grocery store shortages and supply chain issues.
I know that some of these pointers involve a bit more effort, or eliminate the convenience of one-stop, one-list shopping -- but, these times require us to cultivate flexibility.
More importantly, the strategies outlined here will assist you continue to apply my ALDI meal plans as a base to build upon, alleviating your dinnertime dilemmas with as little added effort as possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I'd also love to hear any of your own pointers for meal planning and cooking near supply chain issues, so please do comment below. Pointer 1: Substitute something else When you're looking at a recipe and can't find one of the main ingredients, take a moment to think about the function of that ingredient.

Here's a real-world example: A recent meal plan included a recipe for arrabbiata white bean & vegetable soup, on a week when ALDI ads nationwide listed arrabbiata sauce as a special purchase.
Remember that though, numerous locations didn't get in their shipments until a couple of weeks later.
Well, if your store doesn't have arrabbiata sauce in stock, let's take a step back and look at what that sauce adds to the soup: You get a tomato-y base, additional liquid, and a bit of a spicy-garlicky kick.

Is Cook Around Grocery Shortages Worth It?

To add those qualities to the recipe without applying the elusive arrabbiata, you could instead pick up a jar of regular pasta sauce and jazz up the soup with a little minced garlic and crushed red pepper. Your recipe might not be identical, but the end result should still be darn tasty.

As a rule, in this method, you can frequently substitute a different variety of the same item.
Is the store out of canned corn?
Pick up a bag of frozen, or several fresh ears to cook up and apply the kernels.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Are they out of fresh 80/20 ground beef? In short, pick up a frozen chub, purchase 73% lean, or look at a pack of organic.

No black beans in stock for your chili?
Try applying kidney and/or pinto beans instead.
Pointer 2: Visit another store I love my ALDI, genuinely I do.

A Closer Look at Cook Around Grocery Shortages

Worth noting: lately, though, I find myself having to visit other grocery stores more frequently to round out my shopping list. Different stores get shipments in at different times, so when your ALDI is out of cream cheese, or tortillas, or boneless chicken, your local grocery store might instead be out of orange juice, eggs, or 2% milk.

Of course you don't wish to waste gas running all over town, but you might wish to plan your shopping trips to encompass a couple of nearby stores whenever possible.
When the cream cheese shelf at my ALDI was empty for several weeks in a row, for instance, I picked up a six pack of name-brand at Costco to see me through for a while (at just a bit more per block than the regular ALDI price).
More importantly, on that same Costco trip, I also grabbed a few other frequently out-of-stock items, such as juice pouches for school lunch boxes.

What to Know About Cook Around Grocery Shortages

Pointer 3: Switch recipes I know, I know: Switching recipes kind of defeats the purpose of having a meal plan written out for you. But, sometimes you'll have better luck finding what you require if you shift over to a recipe applying similar, yet not identical, ingredients.

Apply the recipe search on this site (or widen out your search to other sites) and/or browse through older meal plans for inspiration.
Remember that think about what you have on hand already, in addition to what's in stock at your local store.
Search Mashup Mom recipes here Browse all of the older meal plans here Let's say that you're looking at a recipe that requires bone-in chicken thighs, potatoes, and mushrooms.

How Cook Around Grocery Shortages Really Works

If you can find the thighs & some kind of potato at your store, but not the mushrooms, you could see if a different chicken thigh recipe will work for your meal plan. You could, for instance, try making chile-lime chicken & potatoes instead.

As a rule, if you can find the potatoes and mushrooms, but not the bone-in thighs, then look for a recipe that uses potatoes & mushrooms plus another protein that your store has in stock.
You could, for instance, try this sheet pan chicken & veggies with boneless skinless thighs instead.
Pointer 4: Stock up while the stocking is solid This one requires a bit more planning ahead, but: As budget allows, purchase a little added when you do find major commonly-used ingredients on the shelf.

Getting the Most From Cook Around Grocery Shortages

My nearest ALDI, for instance, had been out of the cheaper family packs of chicken breast for a bit -- but then one day I went in and found that they'd stocked packs of chicken as far as the eye could see. In short, when this happens at your store, think about purchasing an added pack or two to portion out for the freezer.

For instance, if they tend frequently to be out of broth, begin making and freezing your own -- or purchase a jar of bouillon so that you can scratch together a quick substitute at any time.
If they tend to be out of fresh garlic, grab a jar of minced to keep in your refrigerator.
If they tend to be out of canned black beans, grab a bag of dried and cook them up when you have some time on a we.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on cook around grocery shortages?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. My store might get in a shipment of bone-in chicken thighs, where yours might get in a shipment of boneless chicken breast; cream cheese might be impossible to find in one state, yet fully stocked in another; your store....

Is it worth shopping around for cook around grocery shortages?

Usually yes. How to cook near grocery shortages So, I thought it would be useful to talk a bit about my own strategies for cooking near grocery store shortages and supply chain issues.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. I know that some of these pointers involve a bit more effort, or eliminate the convenience of one-stop, one-list shopping -- but, these times require us to cultivate flexibility.

Smart Ways to Save More on Cook Around Grocery Shortages

Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line on cook around grocery shortages: a little research goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is a click away.

Originally published at mashupmom.com.