We live in a DIY-obsessed culture, so there’s a strong emphasis on making everything from scratch. While it can be rewarding and sometimes cost-effective, certain things are just better left to the professionals.
Whether it’s due to the complexity of preparation, the time investment, or the need for specialized equipment, buying these items premade can save you a ton of hassle and often results in a higher quality product. Let’s dive into 20 things you’re better off buying than attempting to make yourself.
1. Barbecue
Getting that perfect smoky flavor, tender meat, and crispy outer bark on brisket, ribs, and other barbecue staples is an art form. It requires hours of slow cooking, constant temperature monitoring, and a level of expertise that most casual cooks don’t have.
Plus, the cleanup after a full day of smoking meats is daunting. Enjoying barbecue from a pitmaster who has perfected their craft is a treat and often a more practical choice.
2. Chinese Food
The complexity of flavors, techniques, and ingredients in authentic Chinese cuisine is hard to replicate at home. Dishes that seem simple, like fried rice or dim sum, have nuances that take years to master. Many recipes require ingredients that aren’t easily accessible in standard grocery stores.
Opting for takeout or dining in at a Chinese restaurant supports these businesses and ensures a more authentic and satisfying experience.
3. Deep Fried Foods
Anyone who has ever attempted to deep fry foods at home knows the aftermath all too well. The lingering odor of oil can stick around for days, and the cleanup process is less than desirable. Professional kitchens have high-powered ventilation systems and proper disposal methods to handle these challenges.
Plus, they’ve got the temperature and timing down to an art, ensuring your fried treats are perfectly crispy without being greasy.
4. Laundry and Dish Detergent
DIY versions of these household staples often perform poorly compared to their store-bought counterparts. Effective detergents require specific chemical knowledge and ingredients to clean well without damaging fabrics or dishes.
Commercial detergents result from extensive research and testing and are designed to work efficiently in various water types and washing conditions.
5. Tortillas
While homemade tortillas can be a fun weekend project, achieving the perfect texture and thickness requires practice and skill. Store-bought tortillas, especially from brands specializing in authentic recipes, offer consistent quality and convenience.
They allow you to focus on the fillings of your tacos or burritos, making meal preparation much quicker and easier.
6. Sourdough Bread
Sourdough baking is a commitment. It involves maintaining a live starter, understanding the intricacies of fermentation, and controlling numerous variables to achieve the perfect loaf. Professional bakers spend years honing their craft, producing bread with an ideal crust, crumb, and flavor.
Buying sourdough bread saves time and guarantees a product that reflects the baker’s expertise.
7. Pizza
While homemade pizza can be delicious, achieving a wood-fired oven’s crispy, charred crust at home is nearly impossible without specialized equipment. Pizzerias have the advantage of high-temperature ovens that cook pizzas perfectly in minutes.
Plus, the convenience of ordering your favorite pie with precisely the toppings you crave, without the cleanup, is unbeatable.
8. Pastries
The art of pastry-making involves precision, patience, and practice. From flaky croissants to delicate éclairs, the texture and flavor of these baked goods are difficult to replicate without professional training.
Pastry chefs use specialized equipment and techniques to ensure each treat is as beautiful as it is delicious.
9. Egg Noodles
Making egg noodles from scratch requires time, effort, and skill to achieve the right texture. While it can be a fun culinary experiment, store-bought noodles offer convenience and uniformity, ensuring your dishes turn out well every time.
With a variety of types and brands available, you can find high-quality egg noodles that rival homemade versions.
10. Jam
Crafting homemade jam involves cooking fruit with sugar and often pectin, which requires precise timing and temperature control to ensure perfect consistency. Store-bought jams offer a wide range of flavors, including combinations that might be challenging to replicate at home.
Plus, they have a consistent quality and shelf life that homemade jams can’t always guarantee.
11. Espresso
To brew espresso at home requires expensive equipment and a fair amount of expertise to pull the perfect shot. The pressure, temperature, and timing need to be just right, not to mention the art of steaming milk for lattes or cappuccinos.
Cafes have the advantage of professional machines and trained baristas, making it easier to enjoy a high-quality espresso drink without the investment.
12. Rotisserie Chicken
The convenience and cost-effectiveness of store-bought rotisserie chicken are hard to beat. Cooking a chicken to the same level of juiciness and flavor at home requires a rotisserie setup and several hours of cooking time.
These chickens can be a versatile ingredient for various meals, making them a practical choice for busy weeknights.
13. Pasta
While homemade pasta has a delightful texture and flavor, making it from scratch requires much time and effort. Rolling dough to the perfect thickness and cutting it into uniform shapes is a skill.
Store-bought pasta comes in numerous shapes and sizes, offering convenience and consistency for everyday cooking.
14. Hummus
Achieving the smooth, creamy texture of hummus that rivals store-bought or restaurant-quality versions can be challenging. It often requires a high-powered blender and the perfect balance of ingredients.
Buying hummus allows you to enjoy this delicious and nutritious spread without the hassle of soaking and blending chickpeas.
15. Pho
This Vietnamese noodle soup’s broth is simmered for hours, if not days, to achieve its complex flavors. Making pho at home involves sourcing specific ingredients in a considerable amount of time.
Enjoying pho from a restaurant ensures you get a depth of flavor that’s hard to replicate at home.
16. Prime Rib
Cooking a prime rib to perfection is an art that requires precise temperature control and timing. It’s a costly cut of meat, making the stakes high if the cooking goes wrong.
Buying prime rib from a restaurant or a caterer guarantees a succulent, perfectly cooked piece of meat for your special occasions.
17. Kombucha
The fermentation process to make kombucha can be lengthy and requires careful monitoring to avoid contamination. Commercial kombuchas are brewed in controlled environments and come in a variety of flavors, making them a more convenient and safer choice for enjoying this probiotic-rich drink.
18. Donuts
Achieving a perfect donut’s light, airy texture at home is tricky and involves deep-frying, which can be messy and odorous. Bakeries and donut shops have the equipment and expertise to produce consistently delicious donuts in various flavors and fillings.
19. Eggplant Parmesan
Preparing eggplant Parmesan at home involves several steps, including breading and frying eggplant slices before assembling the dish to bake. This process can be time-consuming and messy. Many Italian restaurants and delis offer this beautifully layered and perfectly cooked dish, saving you the effort.
20. Pie Crusts
The perfect pie crust is flaky, tender, and light, which requires a specific technique and ratio of ingredients. Even for experienced bakers, making pie crusts from scratch can be hit or miss.
Pre-made pie crusts offer a reliable foundation for your pies, saving time and ensuring a delicious outcome every time.
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