12 Foods That Are Better Bought Than Homemade

Some dishes are just not worth the hassle of making at home. Whether it's due to complex ingredients or time-consuming preparation, buying these foods is often a better choice. Save yourself the trouble and let the experts handle these tasty treats.

AUTHOR: Rebecca Holcomb

Table of Contents

1. Ice Cream
2. Tropic Thunder
3. Fish and Dumplings
4. Donuts
5. Indian Experts
6. Christmas Dinner
7. Pho Sure
8. Tamales
9. Cheesecake
10. Bagels
11. Queso Birria
12. Bacon Shells
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1. Ice Cream

One participant lamented that fresh ice cream, especially soft-serve, just isn't worth the effort, and another said that she got a little Kitchenaid ice cream machine from her son and, after tweaking the recipe, successfully made a quart. She was thankful it made just a quart or lamented she'd weigh 300 pounds.

2. Tropic Thunder

One foodie lamented that making croissants is next to impossible. I can't imagine living somewhere where I couldn't have croissants, but I also can't imagine making them when it's so easy to grab them at the store.

3. Fish and Dumplings

Chicken soup with dumplings and chives. Top view, copy space. — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

For one foodie, the idea of making something that takes so much effort was difficult to get past. After all, sushi and dim sum are both delicious; if you're not cooking for the simple pleasure of it, creating an intricate dish that will be gone in minutes is almost always not worth the effort.

4. Donuts

Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

When I was little, I came out of my room early in the morning to find my mother in the kitchen frying donuts. For many, however, creating the batter to make more donuts than they can eat isn't worth the effort. Imagine whipping up two or three dozen donuts and having them sit there. However, donuts are extremely easy to give away.

5. Indian Experts

Thai Peanut sauce — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Several posters agreed that Indian food can be tricky and expensive. They also lamented that Ghee clarified butter from cow or buffalo milk is too costly, and the spices are too obscure to make an effort worth the outcome. Having made peanut sauce for a chicken dish, I can attest to both.

6. Christmas Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

One contributor always buys their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner because they're vegan, and who wants to go through all that trouble for one person? They pick up their meal and take it on a visit to their husband's family for the holiday. I am also grateful I don't have to cook the standard Thanksgiving or Christmas meal simply because I don't like cooking.

7. Pho Sure

One individual said that Pho, while lovely, takes way too long to make at home. They've got about four hours, max, to devote to roasting meat. And to their understanding, Pho takes a hefty ten hours to do right.

8. Tamales

Close up of handmade Hot Tamales with shallow depth of field. — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

One food lover commented that they love tamales but don't have two days to commit to making them. Another person gave them a great suggestion about throwing a tamale party. Invite a bunch of friends; everyone chips in on making the tamales, and when finished, everyone has plenty to eat and even a few to take home.

9. Cheesecake

Cheesecake demands precision, from its silky texture to its crumbly base. Perfecting it requires expertise, specific ingredients, and a lot of time. Buying it ensures a decadent, consistent treat without the hassle of baking errors or specialized tools.

10. Bagels

The urge to recreate freshly baked bagels can be strong when you've had them before. But for one interested party, trying to make a subpar bagel wasn't worth the effort. And when you can go to a local bakery and order however many you'd like, it's easier to buy than bake them.

11. Queso Birria

Quesabirria tacos — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Traditionally made with goat meat, queso birria or 'red tacos' can be made with ground beef or turkey. The main idea is to cook the meat "birria-style" and fold it into the taco with melted cheese. To finish off the dish, you dip your lovely 'red tacos' in the broth from cooking your meat, and seriously, enjoy! The whole process takes about three hours, and the work is intense.

12. Bacon Shells

Bacon wrapped scallops in a scallop shell shaped dish at an outdoor cafe. Tarter sauce and lemon on the side. — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

One home cook admitted that they hate anything that needs to be wrapped in bacon or stuffed in a shell. They advised that if you need anything with either criterion, you kindly take yourself elsewhere because they aren't doing it.

Source: Reddit.