SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH MY ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING TIPS

Huge discounts, better organisation, and more ‘me’ time are just some of the many benefits you’ll experience from doing your grocery shopping online!

I recently started online grocery shopping, and I can’t for the life of me work out why it took me this long to do so! It has meant so much more than simply saving time and money, and I have actually got the whole process down to quite a fine art. I honestly don’t think I will EVER look back!

I was always a little reluctant to do all my grocery shopping online. I liked to touch and see the food I was buying, and was convinced that walking the aisles myself was necessary in order to save money and be inspired for meal times. Oh how wrong I was! It turns out there are actually HEAPS of savings that are available ONLY to online shoppers, and the freshness of my fruit and veggies is as good as if I’d picked them myself. I also feel like I have a bonus hour each week because I no longer do my routine trip to the supermarket each weekend!

If you have been hesitant about shopping online, please keep reading. I feel like grocery shopping online has been a game-changer for me, helping to simplify my weekends that little bit more.

So what are some of the tricks and tips to making online grocery shopping work for you?

1. MANAGE YOUR BUDGET

ONLINE ONLY OFFERS – with online grocery shopping, not only am I able to shop the in-store sales, but I can shop the exclusive Online Only Offers too! I didn’t even realise that Woolworths offered these discounts until recently, but basically they put a range of products on sale each week purely for online shoppers. I have started buying items from this section in bulk, which in turn saves me even more money!

I recently picked up a few bottles of this Rose & Geranium Hand Wash which were on sale in the Online Only Offers.

EASILY STICK TO BUDGET – when I finish my online order and get to checkout, I sometimes see that I’ve ordered beyond my weekly budget. I have the chance to remove items from my cart (ice-cream and chocolate are usually the first things to go) or replace with a cheaper alternative. When shopping in-store I used to gasp when they told me the total, but it’s a little harder (and more embarrassing) to scavenge through the bags and give items back to the checkout assistant.

2. EASILY BUY IN BULK

It is so easy to buy items in bulk when shopping online, because you don’t have the hassle of actually carting the additional items around the supermarket and piling them on to the checkout. You also don’t have to contend with other people wondering why you’re buying so many rolls of toilet paper – LOL!

In addition to the Online Only Offers that Woolworths offers, they also have Bulk Bundles that are exclusively available to online shoppers – helping you save even more money on your shop!

Woolworths also gives you all the specials for your regular purchase, you’ll find these under “my weekly picks”. I go through this list each week and purchase items I know we use frequently like cereal, tuna, and washing detergent. I buy enough to last a few weeks.

3. SHOP QUICKER

I’m not just talking about removing the time it takes to drive to the supermarket and walk the aisles (although I do love not having to do this anymore!), I am talking about being able to save multiple online shopping lists so that I can easily and quickly place my orders. I’ve created a fortnightly and monthly list for the items I don’t need as often, and I check each week if they are on special and will add to cart if they are. I have also set up an Essentials List, which is packed with all my regular items – feel free to check out my list and use it too!

I’m so excited to partner together with Woolworths who have allowed me to share my own personal lists with you all, helping to save you time when you’re doing your weekly shop too.

4. BE REMINDED

Woolworths have a great system where they know what you regularly buy, and they will remind you before checkout if you have forgotten some of the items you usually add to the cart. Darn you Woolworths for reminding me how much I love the new mini summer rolls.

4. BE INSPIRED

Woolworths Dinner Bundles are only available to online shoppers and are a great way to fill the family up on nights when you’re lacking a little inspiration. I also like that if I am inspired by a recipe that I see during the week, I can easily add the ingredients to my online shopping list from my phone, ready for dinner the following week!

5. GET ORGANISED + AVOID MULTIPLE TRIPS

It’s much easier to plan dinners and school lunches for the week at the same time as I’m doing my grocery shop. I simply fill out my Weekly Meal Planner and Lunch Box Planner Pad for the week ahead, and then make sure all necessary ingredients are included in my online order. Being able to do my grocery shopping from the kitchen also means I can check what items I actually have in the pantry and fridge, which prevents me doubling up on these things, whilst also allowing me to easily replenish items so I don’t run out during the week.

6. SHOP ON YOUR TIME

Being able to grocery shop from home when the kids are doing their homework or whilst I’m watching TV means my afternoons and weekends – when I used to do my shopping – have now opened up. I am now free to spend this time doing things I love instead; like cooking, reading a book, watching Netflix shows I love, or spending quality time with my family and fur babies. I also love that I can add items to my online shopping list throughout the week when I notice that things are running out – and I can do this from my phone or my computer.

7. GET THE CONVENIENCE OF DELIVERY, PICK UP, AND NOW DRIVE THRU

PICK UP – I pick my online grocery order up from Woolworths on my way home from work for FREE! I usually order the night before for pickup the following afternoon. It is so convenient, and it costs me nothing! I’ve only recently discovered that I can do this. My local Woolworths has a drive thru pick up and they help you pack it into your car… winning!! I had always thought that online groceries had to be delivered to your door, but I found it hard to give a 3 hour window for when I was going to be home. Now I can track my order to the hour and also select ‘leave unattended’ if I think I might need to pop out for the school run.

MY TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING

Online grocery shopping and picking up from drive-thru is my new thing, and I preach to everyone that will listen lately that they should give it a go. Here are a few of my tips:

1. Take your time to perfect your ordering system – it took me 3 goes to fine tune my online ordering process, so give yourself time to learn and understand how to order online.
2. Create lists – Create lists to help make shopping easier.
3. Use the search option – choose from a variety of different display options for your search results. If you are wanting to save, use the ‘sort by lowest unit price’. I LOVE this feature!
4. You can start adding to cart and continue adding to it throughout the week – place your order anywhere.  You can start your order while waiting at the doctors for your appointment, while in your lunch break at work and finish it off the night before you want to pick it up. If you start an order from my phone, you can even complete it later from your computer because it remembers you!
5. Double check your produce quantities – on one of my first orders I thought I was ordering 10 potatoes, but instead I ordered 10 packs of 2kg of potatoes. Woolworths were very kind and allowed me to return 9 packs 🙂
6. Add notes to items – for example, I like to receive a few green bananas so I know they last through the week, and if I know I am making a mince dinner 5 days from my order date, I add a not asking for the expiry date to be beyond that date of 5 days.
7. Items get substitutes – if they don’t have an item in stock they they will replace it with the closest match at the same price.
8. Let them know when you’re there – as they get your order ready and will have it waiting for you when you arrive.
9. Hot chooks – I have found you can’t order hot BBQ chooks online. We love a nice BBQ chook on rolls for lunch on weekends, so I usually get one of the kids (mine are teens) to run into the store to get it while I go through drive through to pick up the groceries.
10. Use tubs – to pack items into your car and easily take into the house.

Chicken Burgers!

Chicken burgers get a bad rap. They're super lean, which can sometimes read as boring. Not these burgers, though! Spiced with smoked paprika and loaded with crunchy, bright coleslaw, these burgers rival their beef counterparts.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 lb. 

ground chicken

3/4 tsp. 

smoked paprika

1 

clove garlic, minced

3 

green onions, minced

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tbsp. 

extra-virgin olive oil

4 

slices cheddar

4 

leaves butterhead lettuce

2 c. 

coleslaw 

1 

avocado, thinly sliced

1/4 

small red onion, thinly sliced

1 

jalapeño, thinly sliced

4 

brioche burger buns, split and lightly toasted

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DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine chicken, paprika, garlic, and green onions, and season with salt and pepper. Divide mixture into 4 patties. 
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add burger patties and cook, flipping once, until golden and a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165°, 8 to 10 minutes. Top with cheddar, cover, and cook until just melted, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer patties to a plate. 
3. Stack lettuce, coleslaw, chicken burgers, avocado, red onion, jalapeño, and more coleslaw on top of bottom buns. Close sandwiches with top buns.

All 15 McDonald’s Sandwiches, Ranked!

Every once in awhile, there's a void in life that only a visit to the house of the golden arches can fix. Whether it was putting together a broke college meal, visiting the McDonald’s in Times Square just to eat a Stroopwafel McFlurry, or making a pitstop on a road trip, the chain has been a small source of comfort, joy, and fulfillment for me over the course of my life. And while I’ve basically hounded the entire menu throughout my 25 years, I’ve never done so in one sitting -- eating all 15 burgers and sandwiches -- to discover which one is the best. Until now.

Yes, on a recent visit to McDonald's, I -- in true Thrillist fashion -- ordered over $60 worth of sandwiches and burgers and one by one meticulously ate each. I took notes. I burped. I opened sandwiches and inspected their guts for mustard and onions. I chewed thoughtfully on some sandwiches and resisted the urge to spit out others. And, through the resulting heartburn and indigestion, I was able to compile a ranking of all of McDonald’s sandwiches, from worst to best.

After some deliberation, here are my thoughts as a professional food writer:

15. Hamburger

Sandwich Build: Very sad beef patty, ketchup, mustard, diced onions, two tiny pickles, regular bun

The McDonald’s hamburger was specifically crafted for the picky child in your family. It is, without a doubt, the least exciting thing on the menu: a dry, nearly tasteless patty; pickles and onions; and not enough ketchup and mustard to bring moisture to your mouth. In the world of McDonald’s flat patties, cheese is mandatory and this hamburger comes in dead last in our ranking. The good news is that this is one of the only remaining items that cost a mere dollar -- so if you can get over how depressing this burger is, at least you can save money. 

14. McRib

Sandwich Build: Yoga mat-like pork patty, thin BBQ sauce, onion slivers, pickles, hoagie-style bun

It shocks me year in and year out how much hype the McRib gets. The patty is like a pork sponge with the consistency of a meatball. The sauce on the McRib is thin and the one I received was not well coated, although not bad flavor-wise; sweet and subtly smoky. I can appreciate the slivers or raw onions and I like the hoagie-style bun, but because of the patty’s texture, I can’t put the McRib any higher on this list in good conscience.

13. McChicken

Sandwich Build: Peppery chicken patty, shredded lettuce, mayonnaise, toasted bun

From a nostalgia perspective, I love the McChicken. It was there for me in high school, when I’d gorge on a McChicken and a McDouble and spend what used to be a total of $2 (RIP the Dollar Menu). The mayonnaise was always pleasing, and I enjoyed the peppery breading that encases the McChicken. The McChicken I ate on this trip to McDonald's, however, did not lead to a pleasant wave of nostalgia. The typically crunchy coating was soggy, the shredded lettuce lacked crunch, and the chicken patty itself was bone dry. The two other chicken sandwiches on the menu, which we'll get to later, are orders of magnitude better.

12. Cheeseburger

Sandwich Build: Sad beef patty made less sad with a slice of American cheese, ketchup, mustard, diced onions, pickles, regular bun

The cheeseburger on McDonald’s menu is a tale of simplicity. It is fine. It’s basically the hamburger with a magical slice of American cheese that improves the flavor tenfold. If you’re in a bind and need a burger with cheese for $1.29, then you’ve found it. Just don’t expect bliss. 

11. McDouble

Sandwich Build: Two beef patties sharing a single slice of American cheese, ketchup, mustard, diced onions, pickles, regular bun

Take the cheeseburger, add another patty and boom: you’ve got a McDouble. The McDouble is more filling, meatier, and saucier than the cheeseburger. There’s just something comforting about biting into two patties sandwiching a slice of melty cheese. I’ll always opt for a double over a single when I can get it.

10. Double Cheeseburger

Sandwich Build: Two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, ketchup, mustard, diced onions, pickles, regular bun

Did you know that there’s a difference between a McDouble and a Double Cheeseburger? This is something I just learned: a double cheeseburger has two slices of cheese, whereas the McDouble only has one. Both are virtually the same otherwise, but if I can get two slices of cheese versus one then I’m always going to go for more cheese.

9. Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Sandwich Build: Buttermilk-battered crispy chicken filet, BBQ sauce, onion slivers, pickles, sesame seed bun

I wrote about the Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich more in-depth when it first came out, and my feelings remain the same.

It’s a solid sandwich that gets a little bit too messy after a couple bites. The BBQ sauce does have pleasant, warming heat to it and the batter remains crispy despite being submerged in the smoky and sweet glaze. I also enjoy the addition of pickles and raw onions to cut through the sugary sensation of the sauce, though I’d prefer diced onions to raw so they wouldn’t slide out as much. Overall, the Spicy BBQ Chicken Sandwich is tasty, but wouldn’t be my first choice. 

8. Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Bacon

Sandwich Build: 1/4lb fresh beef patty, three thin strips of bacon, two slices of American cheese, ketchup, mustard, onion slivers, pickles, sesame seed bun

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but not every burger gets better with the addition of bacon. Such is the case of the Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Bacon. The strips of bacon are thin and devoid of moisture, making them like salty meat shards. The beef in the Quarter Pounder is already well-seasoned, so adding bacon just feels like a sodium overload. If it were a different type of bacon, seasoned with brown sugar, and contains a bit more fat, then maybe this would have worked. But this is McDonald’s and the bacon is lacking, therefore making this the least appealing Quarter Pounder. It’s still good! Just too salty.

7. Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Sandwich Build: Juicy grilled chicken filet, Roma tomatoes, lettuce, zesty herb vinaigrette, “artisan” roll

The Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich isn’t the most exciting menu item of all time, but it’s absolutely done well. The grilled chicken breast filet was juicy and well-seasoned. The tomatoes tasted fresh and bright. The herb vinaigrette tied the entire sandwich together. At 350 calories with only seven grams of fat, it’s also one of the relatively healthier items on McDonald’s menu. Again, it’s not an innovative sandwich -- but all the components together work well and make for a reliable option.

6. Quarter Pounder with Cheese Deluxe

Price: $5.79
Sandwich Build: 1/4lb fresh beef patty, two slices of American cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, slivers of onion, ketchup, mustard, a weird addition of mayo, pickles, sesame seed bun

I’m usually in the camp of adding more veggies to burgers. Give me crisp lettuce! Give me tomatoes! Drown me in pickles! But in the case of the Deluxe Quarter Pounder, I find the vegetables are a distraction to the juiciness of the burger and the meltiness of the cheese. The beef and cheese are glorious on their own: salty, oily, and exactly what a cheeseburger should be. So when there’s wilted lettuce and tomatoes getting in the way of the best part of the burger, I’ve got to dock points. Additionally, the Quarter Pounder isn’t in need of any mayo -- the burger is already full of cream and fat, thanks to all the cheese and beef, so the mayo is overkill. 

5. Big Mac

Price: $4.99
Sandwich Build: Two beef patties that really should be replaced by Quarter Pounder patties, McDonald’s best sauce ever, a single slice of American cheese, shredded lettuce, diced onions, pickles, sesame seed bun, extra central bun between patties

The glorious Big Mac has made it into the top five, and for good reason: the Big Mac is a classic. The Mac Sauce is delicious -- tangy, sweet, and creamy -- while the layers of beef, sesame buns, shredded lettuce, pickles, and raw onions marry together to create a burger that is well balanced and flavor-forward.

I feel like every element does its part here. The sauce enriches the meat, the cheese is gooey, the pickles and onions cut through the fat, and the lettuce lightens the whole thing. The Big Mac, however, could infinitely be improved. If the current patties were swapped out for the Quarter Pounder patties, this sandwich would be a complete game-changer (McDonald’s execs, I hope you’re reading this). I think an additional slice of cheese on the top patty would also be beneficial. Despite this, I love the Big Mac. Maybe not as much as that guy who has eaten it 30,000 times, but close.

4. Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Price: $5.19
Sandwich Build: 1/4lb fresh beef patty, two slices of American cheese, onion slivers, pickles, ketchup, mustard, sesame seed bun

Ever since McDonald’s changed its beef recipe for Quarter Pounders, opting for fresh beef over frozen, the chain has sold 30% more Quarter Pounders (according to USA Today). And I totally understand why: The fresh beef actually tastes like beef and glistens as beef burgers should. The patty is the star of the show, salty and meaty and juicy. I want to come back, bite after bite. The supporting players -- the sliced onions and pickles -- add some much-needed tang, without overwhelming the flavors of the beef. The two slices of cheese are silky surrounding the beef. It is, overall, a very good and very classic burger.

3. Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Price: $5.49
Sandwich Build: Buttermilk-battered crispy chicken filet, Roma tomatoes, lettuce, lots of mayo, “artisan” roll

I wrote a piece ranking fast-food chicken sandwiches and -- in it -- I waxed on about how good McDonald’s Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich is. Honestly, it surprised me too. The chicken is perfectly fried without forfeiting any moisture, the batter is well-seasoned with the flavor of buttermilk prevalent throughout, and the tomatoes are gloriously refreshing. Additionally, McDonald’s velvety mayo is generously spread, ensuring each bite is creamy and fulfilling. This is the best chicken sandwich in Ronald McDonald’s kingdom and worth forking over the extra cash instead of a McChicken. 

2. Filet-O-Fish

Price: $4.79
Sandwich Build: Crispy fish filet patty, pickle-studded tartar sauce, a half slice of American cheese, steamed bun

The Filet-O-Fish reminds me of my grandmother. For some reason, my Thai grandma would only order this -- on road trips, as an after school snack, or to satisfy a mere McDonald’s craving. I can’t tell if it’s because the fish is the only thing she trusted on the menu, or because she genuinely thought it was the best item, but like all Thai grandmothers who know food, she was onto something.

Filet-O-Fishes (is that the correct use of plural? Filets-O-Fish?), in my book, are top-notch. The tartar sauce is full of pickles, yet balanced in its creaminess. The square of fish has an appealing, crunchy outside, but flaky and almost delicate inside. The buns on Filet-O-Fishes are always the softest because they’re steamed rather than toasted, resulting in a pillowy, cloud-like experience. And the American cheese brings the whole fish sandwich together. Through this reporting, however, I discovered that the American cheese slice that arrives on a Filet-O-Fish is a mere half slice. What gives, McDonald's? No wonder it’s always off-centered.

GIVE US THE FULL SLICE OF CHEESE, YOU COWARDS!

1. Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

Price: $6.29
Sandwich Build: Two 1/4lb fresh beef patty which makes the burger infinitely better, two slices of American cheese, onion slivers, pickles, ketchup, mustard, sesame seed bun

This is it. The best sandwich/burger at McDonald's is the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese.

Take everything good I said about the Quarter Pounder with Cheese over in fourth place and double it. The result is a satisfyingly meaty, salty, and cheesy burger that is surprisingly filling. I love that you can really taste the char on the beef patties within the Quarter Pounder, so having two beef patties and two slices of cheese only heighten the experience.

Everything works in tandem with this burger. The beef and cheese are the highlights, but you can find reprieve from them in the tart pickle chips, the bite of onion slivers, the tang of mustard, and the gentle sweetness of ketchup. Switching to fresh beef shows, and arguably was one of McDonald’s best decisions yet.