There's something special about Costco's store-brand smoked ham. Kitchn contributor Meghan Splawn says that even without the glaze it comes with (which you can omit for your own) it's far superior to brand-name hams. Plus, she adds, "You really cannot beat the price!" Not a Costco member? Order through Instacart or use a guest pass.

When it came time for us to recommend a turkey, we all realized something: Most of us at Kitchn ordered our birds locally, whether directly from a farm or from a favorite regional grocery. So that's our recommendation. Support a local farm or market, and if you can find a pasture-raised turkey, that's even better.

Our testers tried a dozen different brands of cranberry sauce to find the ultimate turkey accompaniment. Ocean Spray's jellied sauce dazzled from the moment it slid out of the can the perfect shade of dark red. Our testers found the texture "jelly-firm yet smooth, with none of the graininess we detected in other brands." And they loved its balance of sweet and tart/bitter.

Frozen spinach just happens to be the unsung hero of holiday cooking. Associate Food Editor Cory Fernandez uses it for spinach dip in a bread bowl, and Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela Prakash makes a cheesy, creamy spinach gratin with it. The Birds Eye block of frozen greens takes some patience to defrost, but our editors appreciate how finely chopped it is.

Contributor Patty Catalano tried every grocery-store stuffing mix she could find, and this is the one that came out on top. Why? Bread cubes in a mix of sizes and textures; an herby, buttery flavor; and a 99-cent price tag.

We'd argue that Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn't be the same without a basket of warm, yeasty rolls, but nobody says you have to make them from scratch. In our frozen dinner roll taste test, contributor Danielle Centoni found this brand was the best shortcut to homemade. And at less than $6 for 36, they're far cheaper than bakery-department rolls.

Frozen dumplings are a must-have year-round, but they're even more clutch around the holidays. Keep a bag of Fly by Jing dumplings on hand for easy snacks, party apps, and for those nights when you forgot to think about dinner. The tender, succulent pork soup dumplings are perfect for winter get-togethers, or buy a variety pack if you're the kind of person who has lots of unexpected guests (and plenty of freezer space).

Who doesn't love waking to the scent of freshly baked cinnamon rolls on a holiday morning? Especially when store-bought dough makes quick work of creating that magic! That's why we love refrigerated cinnamon rolls for an easy holiday breakfast. Our pick wins for its truly homemade taste. But for the ultimate holiday breakfast, we insist you try this incredible cinnamon roll hack.

If you’re going to buy one pie this year, it should be this one. The contrast between the crisp-yet-crumbly crust; sweet, gooey filling; and crunchy (and glistening) nutty topping is on full display in this decadent classic. Bonus: We also like that the shipping cost is already included in the price.

Whipped cream isn't just for the holidays, but finishing a slice of pumpkin pie or a mug of hot chocolate with a dollop of fluffy cream sure does make things more festive — and more delicious. A can of Cabot whipped cream is the go-to for Executive Food Director, Nina Elder, because of its extra-creamy texture and hint of vanilla flavor.

This refrigerated dough scored the top spot in our sugar cookie taste test, thanks to its subdued sweetness; its buttery, vanilla-forward flavor; and its superior soft-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside texture. Bake up a batch, decorate your heart out, then bring on the cold glasses of milk!

The custom blend of Guittard chocolate (another Kitchn Essentials winner) and triple-distilled oil of peppermint, the creamy white chocolate, the satisfying crunch of the handmade peppermint candy pieces, the adorable tin! There’s a reason why Williams Sonoma’s Peppermint Bark is its single best-selling food item each year during the holidays: It’s a masterpiece.

Loison is considered to be one of the top producers of panettone throughout Italy, so you know it's the real deal. The company also collaborates with Slow Food to use native Italian ingredients that are at risk for extinction, like Ciaculli mandarins and Bronte pistachios. For purists, Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela Prakash (who even toured the factory in Italy) says classico is the way to go, and for something a little different, try citrus.

Of course, you’ll want the right sparkly base for your mimosas. Ca’ Furlan’s Cuvée Beatrice fits all three of Contributor and Certified Sommelier Diane McMartin’s criteria for the classic cocktail: It’s affordable, marries well with fruit, and tastes good on its own (sometimes you just want to nix the juice, even if it is before noon).

Some gift boxes (and baskets!) can feel pricey for what they are, but this spread from Murray’s is not one of them. Buttery cheddar and Brie team up with nutty Gouda, savory meats, salty snacks, and more in this box stuffed with Slam Dunk Snacks.

Bonne Maman’s mini jars of joy are really doing the most. The iconic brand behind some of our favorite preserves makes the countdown to Christmas so much more festive (and sweet!) with this Advent calendar, which features limited-edition spreads like Chestnut Orange Cinnamon, Mirabelle Plum and Spices, Strawberry Star Anise, and more.

Heinz is synonymous with ketchup, and that's because they've served up the classic condiment for more than 100 years. Sometimes there’s just no need to reinvent the wheel — and this familiar squeeze bottle is a prime example. Keep on dipping your fries in this standby; it's a classic condiment that stands the test of time.

Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela Prakash swears by Maille's tangy, smooth Dijon mustard to bring a punch to all sorts of savory recipes. The French brand was founded on the rue Saint-André des Arts in Paris in 1747, and has been producing refined mustard ever since. Bonus: The creamy blend doesn’t sneak in any sugar like some Dijons do.

This Southeastern brand started as a regional favorite, but it's since won over fans all across the world — including many of our editors, who'll tell you there's just no substitute. It's creamy, spreadable, and tangy — everything a good mayonnaise should be. Once you try it, you’ll never go back, as any Duke's devotee will attest.

This family business started out as a way to alleviate seasonal allergies, and transformed into a sweet, sticky condiment company. The raw honey is packaged oh-so beautifully, and made without additives or pesticides. We also love that the biz is named for the Johnson family’s two children. The lineup includes creative flavors like ginger, lavender, matcha, beetroot, and more and is now available in-store and online nationwide.

This creamy, 100% natural tahini comes ready-to-use in a convenient squeeze bottle. Our Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand, wonders how it's taken so long for this product to exist. We're just thrilled we can skip all the scraping and stirring and oil sloshing. Just shake and squeeze the tahini straight from the bottle.

Bonne Maman makes some of our favorite preserves. The iconic brand's simple, sweet spreads feature big chunks of fruit in every bite. The sweetly delicious strawberry preserves don't have to compete with high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or preservatives, so it’s just pure goodness through and through. Bonne, indeed.

These super-smooth, small-batch jams encourage you to think beyond the sandwich. Available in flavors like Blueberry Lemon Basil and Smoked Peach, they're great served with grilled meats, shaken into cocktails, or spooned into a little dish to jazz up your cheese plate. We're also thinking they might be the perfect thing to fill thumbprint cookies.

Our Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand, stands by this reliable, balanced choice. “It really is just right,” she says. “I want peanut butter that tastes roasted and robust, with enough texture to assure me that I am eating freshly ground peanuts. And I want some salt to balance the taste, but no sugar (that's the jam's job!)."

Sure, making homemade hummus is easy, but you know what's easier? Opening a tub. And our top tub is Ithaca Hummus. The flavorful spreads, which are made without preservatives for peak freshness, started their journey at the farmers market in Ithaca, New York, in 2013. Nine years later, they're available nationwide. Start with the Classic (it's super smooth and pleasantly lemony!) and then try all the other flavors.

You know when a dish is just missing that certain something? It probably needs Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp. Our editors put it on practically everything: eggs, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, rice bowls, dumplings, baked potatoes (you get the idea). It's intensely savory, crunchy, and just the right amount of spicy.

It wasn't easy picking just one winner from the ever-expanding hot sauce category, but this small-batch sauce brand is it. The bright and bold flavors, like Beet N Fresno and Sweet Potato N Habanero, bring a sweet complexity to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Rao's Homemade Tomato Basil Sauce is absolute perfection. It's rich and balanced, nailing the ideal ratio of spices to tomatoes (without that too-acidic tang you sometimes get). And, yes, it’s absolutely worth the few extra bucks it’ll run you.

Red Boat is the best of the best. The freshly caught wild anchovies are salted immediately and then fermented for 12 months in wooden barrels. Savory, pungent, a bit sweet, and deeply complex, this sauce will bring its magic to Thai and Vietnamese dishes and is also great to have around for boosting marinades, salad dressings, meaty stews, and more.

For a chef-quality dinner on demand, turn to this Indian vegan simmer sauce to transform vegetables, proteins, and grains. The rich, silky blend of coconut cream, tomatoes, and spices does all the work for you. Our Copy Chief, Lauren Kodiak, always keeps a few jars in her pantry for busy nights.

Omsom provides the ultimate dinner assist — each kit has all the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings you need for specific Asian recipes, like Japanese Yuzu Misoyaki and Chinese Mala Salad. "The bulgogi starter was the one thing I constantly cooked with and ordered this year,” says Social Media Editor, Andrea Kaufman. “Super easy and super good — it got me to eat tofu for the first time in years!”

Just like the name implies, Not Just Salad Dressing is so much more than salad dressing. This Miso Lemon Vinaigrette goes far beyond greens (although if you're looking for a way to add more salad to your day, start here!). Use the zippy, umami-packed multi-tasker for marinating meat, flavoring noodle bowls, or amping up roasted veggies.

These convenient little tubs of basil pesto taste like pure Italian sunshine. Pasta is a natural pairing, of course, but this pesto is also a great way to brighten up fish, pizza, or eggs. You can also stir some into sour cream or plain yogurt for an almost-instant party dip.

Made with three Mexican chiles — arbol, chipotle, and mulato peppers — and seasoned with soy oil, peanuts, salt, and garlic, La Comandanta’s smoky salsa macha gets its crunch from the addition of pumpkin seeds and hand-roasted sesame seeds. And despite being 80% chiles, this salsa isn't particularly spicy. It packs medium heat with maximum flavor.

There’s a clear consensus among the Kitchn staff that Dave’s Killer Bread is the absolute best for sandwiches. The 21 Whole Grains is nutty, seedy, and toasts perfectly. And the White Bread Done Right is essential for a classic PB&J or Fluffernutter. We are also big supporters of the company’s Second Chance Employment policy, a hiring process that grants job opportunities to people with criminal records.

We love everything about this brand — including their origin story and their 100% employee-owned approach. Oh, and these are truly superior oats: As you can see in the clear little window in the bag, the oats are whole and firm and in good shape. And that quality means that your bowl of oatmeal, pan of muffins, or batch of homemade granola will be tastier, too.

Even big kids love cereal. Magic Spoon manages to mix nostalgic flavors with new, like in their Blueberry Muffin, Cinnamon Roll, and Cookies & Cream cereals. Protein-packed and free of artificial additives, this is a morning-must for cereal-lovers everywhere.

Thomas' is the original, quintessential brand. (They trademarked "Nooks & Crannies," for Pete's sake!) Just make sure to split them with a fork (never a knife!) to preserve the pockets. They toast up crisp with just a little chew, with plenty of divots ready to catch all the delicious things. Sometimes classics are classics for a reason.

"Soft, fruity, and chewy, Nature’s Bakery fruit bars are kind of like an old-school Nutrigrain or Fig Newton,” says Contributor Meghan Splawn. “My kids love them.” That sentiment was seconded by Senior Contributing Food Editor Kelli Foster, and thirded by Senior Recipe Editor, Amelia Rampe.

Mason Dixie started as a brick-and-mortar biscuit shop that got so popular that the owner had to go nationwide with their lineup of carby goodness. How lucky are we? These frozen breakfast sandwiches are off the charts, thanks to the simple ingredients that add up to so much more than the sum of their egg, sausage, and biscuit parts.

Blue Stripes uses whole cacao — shell, fruit, and beans — to maximize its superfood benefits in this sweet and crunchy granola, and we love that the fruit is Upcycled Certified. The slightly bitter, earthy flavor is balanced with just a little bit of sweet, thanks to dark maple syrup and crunchy nibbles of nuts and seeds. It’s oh-so-snackable straight out of the bag and a delight sprinkled over yogurt.

We love all the syrups from Runamok, but this stuff is extra special. It's literally the very best organic maple syrup of the season. Why? Because each run is sampled, and when the flavor is at its peak the sugarmakers set it aside for this bottle. "It might be spendy, but it’s way worth it,” says Contributor Meghan Splawn.

Our epic salad dressing taste test revealed what many have known for years: Hidden Valley Ranch is the clear standout. This wasn't a surprise to Contributor Meghan Splawn: “I love it, the kids love it, and the flavor holds up against all the other bottled ranch dressings on the market." If you think ranch is too sweet, give this a chance. “The flavor is buttermilk-forward with an even tang and plenty of herby flavor," she adds.

Everyone needs a go-to bottle of high-quality olive oil, and almost every single Kitchn editor uses California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil as their everyday choice. And we're not the only ones: Ina Garten keeps it in her pantry, too.

Colavita Balsamic Vinegar is made in accordance with the strict traditions in Modena, Italy — with the seal to prove it. Sweet, tangy, and fruity, it’s great for making dressings, incorporating into recipes, or drizzling over peak-season tomatoes. And at such an affordable price, you can drizzle all you want.

We know what it feels like to be lost in the canned tomato aisle, so we conducted a taste test to find out our favorite — once and for all. The Kitchn editors crowned these naturally sweet, rich, and earthy peeled tomatoes the most flavorful of all we tried. They're a must-have for soups, stews, and the easiest-ever pizza sauce.

Tomato paste is a pantry essential, but you often use just a little at a time. Enter: Cento's handy tomato paste tube (it lasts up to 45 days after opening!). But convenience isn't the only thing we love about it; Cento won in our tomato paste taste test, too, for its brightness and more “tomato-y" flavor.

If you're a fan of Thai-style red curry, you'll want to have one of these tins within arm's reach. Senior Food Editor, Megan O. Steintrager, says, “They have a depth of flavor that I haven't found in any other store-bought brands.” She combines a can of this red curry paste with some coconut milk, veggies, and tofu or chicken thighs for a delicious meal in minutes.

Once you try making tortillas with Masienda Heirloom White Corn Masa Harina, you'll never go back to store-bought. There's just no comparison when it comes to freshness and flavor. Just make sure you make enough — these things will fly off the table at your next dinner party.

Salad dressing, cocktail mixer, cleaning agent — there are so many ways to use apple cider vinegar at home. Bragg's flavorful vinegar is gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and organic, so whatever you use it for you know it's packed with nothing but organically grown apples.

If you're looking for a little more transparency in your canned tuna, spring for Wild Planet. Greenpeace consistently ranks Wild Planet the #1 canned tuna brand for sustainability, traceability, and ethical practice. Each can is just pure tuna and sea salt — nothing fishy there!

You never know when you may need to whip up a pot of chicken soup or a quick pan sauce, so it's always a good idea to have this staple nearby. This little jar of highly concentrated flavor can make the equivalent of 38 (8-ounce) cans of broth. Even better? It tastes like homemade, long-simmered stock. Keep it on hand at all times and you'll save money and time.

Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand, sang the praises of Campbell's Well Yes! Harvest Carrot & Ginger Sipping Soup after downing a cup while on-the-go. “I felt a sudden, unexpected sense of nourishment wash through me, even though the soup wasn't heated. It was pungent and just spicy enough — a drink that felt punchy and filling. If you've sworn off canned soup for any reason, may I recommend these sippable soups?"

The folks at employee-owned King Arthur Baking Company are in the flour business, but they're also bakers at heart, which shows in their products. They pay attention to the details, using responsibly sourced non-GMO wheat and calibrating the protein content of the flour so every time you bake with KA flour you get the same result.

We love Jacobsen's briny, bright salt that's harvested in the Pacific Northwest. The crunchy flakes are smaller than other brands, making it easier to distribute. Sprinkle it on a steak before serving, add to a salad at the very end, or crush some over brownie batter and cookie dough before they go into the oven.

When it comes to seasoning and brining, you need salt with the perfect consistency: Coarse enough that you can grab it with your fingers, but easily crushed for seasoning. Diamond Crystal is a staple in culinary schools and is the industry standard in restaurants. Go ahead and stock up on it — it’s worth its salt.

When it comes to baking, Morton's salt stands out for the way it dissolves quickly. We love how it brings out the sweet, fruity, and chocolatey flavors in baked goods. And beyond baking, we rely on this classic blue container to season with precision and in any recipe that calls for "salt."

Elevating baked goods is easy with Fleischmann's Yeast (pun intended). When it comes to yeasted dough recipes, Recipe Director, Lauren Miyashiro, always prefers working with this instant variety. “You don't need to dissolve it first!” And, she adds, “even though most recipes call for active dry yeast, you can easily swap it 1:1.” (The rise time may just be a bit quicker!)

Nielsen-Massey may be on the pricier side of vanilla extracts, but Jesse Szewczyk, contributor and expert baker, says it’s worth it for its “dark color and super-strong, high-quality vanilla flavor.” It's also readily available at grocery stores nationwide — no need to scour the internet or search out a specialty baking store.

Sure, you could easily make a good brownie from scratch. But for those times when you want to whip up a quick batch from a mix, we recommend Ghirardelli Double Chocolate. The brand does it right with this super-dark, double-chocolatey mix. It’s so good, it took the top spot in our taste test.

This timeless classic is affordable and easy, but don't let its simplicity fool you. Betty Crocker’s Super Moist Vanilla Cake Mix is exactly as promised — incredibly moist, and deliciously vanilla-y. Use this to make a classic cake or get creative with it as your foolproof base for a multitude of mix-ins.

These organic, fair-trade chocolate baking wafers from this San Francisco-based, family-owned company have a rich, deep flavor. Guittard, from our research, also has a good track record of combating the child and slave labor that still plagues the chocolate industry. Senior Recipe Editor, Amelia Rampe, loves baking with them especially because they create "perfect pools of chocolate."

Guittard is where it’s at for baking with chocolate. When it’s an intense, bittersweet chocolate flavor you're after, look for the red canister that's popular with pro pastry chefs. It’s intense, fudgy, and robust — in other words, perfection for your cakes, pastries, and brownies.

Intensely sweet and spicy, thanks to a harvesting technique that concentrates the tree’s essential oils, this heirloom cinnamon variety that Burlap & Barrel imports from Vietnam's Quang Nam Mountains will transform your cooking. Try it in coffee cake or granola — or use it to make next-level snickerdoodles.

Thanks to heat-treated flour and using flaxseed in place of eggs, this creative cookie dough isn't just bakeable — it's safe to eat raw, too. We also like that it's made with less sugar and no high fructose corn syrup, that it comes in fun flavors like Cold Brew Crew and Sin-a-Bun, and that a portion of every purchase is donated to support women in recovery.

“There's no other frozen all-butter puff pastry that puffs and browns as beautifully as Dufour,” says Food Editor-at-Large, Christine Gallary. It’s filled with buttery goodness (no shortening allowed!) and comes in one piece, which is especially convenient for when you want to bake something bigger, like a tart crust on a sheet pan.

When rice or vegetables need punching up, a sprinkle of sweet-salty bonito furikake does just the trick. In fact, that's exactly what furikake means — to sprinkle over. "I have tried many types of katsuo mirin furikake and this one is my go-to brand and type," Senior Recipe Editor, Amelia Rampe, says. "It has the best flavor profile and is super versatile."

The founders of Loisa recreated the Latin seasonings they love, but with a pared-down and organic ingredient list — one that doesn’t include dyes or preservatives. Whether they’re featured together or as a solo act, these vibrant seasonings are showstoppers as dry rubs and marinades, sprinkled on root vegetables and popcorn, stirred into stews, and more.

Who makes the best potato chip? It's a hotly debated topic, but we have no problem putting in the R&D. Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, expert snacker and contributor, loves Utz's simple kettle chips. They're extra thick and crunchy, which is everything you want a kettle chip to be.

We love a sturdy chip strong enough to drag through any dip, and these grain-free tortilla chips (made with cassava flour and avocado oil) are a Kitchn team favorite. The brand was founded by a Mexican-American family of seven from South Texas, hence the name.

Looking for a popcorn that tastes like it was freshly popped? Our pick is LesserEvil popcorn in any of their flavors. Light, airy, salty, and buttery, we love the fact that they use nothing but high-quality ingredients.

Most crackers are merely a vehicle for dips, spreads, or cheese, but Moonshot crackers are flavorful enough to stand as a snack all on their own. They're non-GMO and made with certified organic ingredients sourced from climate-friendly farmers. Try the Rosemary-Garlic or Sourdough Sea Salt.

Mary's is on a mission to provide organic, cruelty-free, non-GMO crackers in tasty flavors. These gluten-free crackers are baked with sustainably sourced ingredients. But the best part? They're perfectly crispy and crunchy.

Cookie-lovers, rejoice: Partake’s vegan chocolate chip cookies are so allergy-friendly that they're safe for those with nut, soy, or gluten intolerences. And they taste like delectable treats straight from a bakery! Whether you're team crunchy or soft-baked, there's a box for you.

Westbourne's Togarashi Crunch is like the grown-up version of your childhood favorite cereal snack mix. Crunchy, smoky, and sweet, this elevated snack features flavors like espelette pepper, dehydrated citrus peel, and ginger. It's also vegan and gluten-free.

Inspired by Northern Thai street food, these rice crisps are crunchy and light. Made with sticky rice that gets soaked in watermelon juice and coconut milk (to make them extra sticky) they then get crisped to highlight the deep flavors of toasted rice. They're the perfect gluten-free snack and come in fun flavors like Coconut Crunch, Toasted Sesame, and Sriracha Spice.

These classic potato sticks are flavored with the much-lauded butter of Hokkaido, Japan. The simple sticks are somehow creamy and crunchy at the same time — kind of like eating a buttery baked potato on the go. Lifestyle Editor, Michelle Lau, is a big fan. "Every bite is so light and flavorful," she says.

Poppy delivers hand-crafted popcorn in inventive flavors like Chai Masala and Dill Pickle, most of which are gluten-free (only Gingerbread, Dark Chocolate Pretzel, and Spring Confetti aren't). These surprising flavor combos will wake up your taste buds and make you wonder how you'll ever go back to plain ol' butter.

Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand, first spotted the tiny, delicate, and perfectly cupped lettuce leaves at restaurants in New York City and the San Francisco Bay area. Soon after, they showed up in grocery stores, so we can enjoy them at home. They're Faith's favorite lettuce — and we think they'll be yours, too.

In a world awash with salad kits, Aldi's Southwest Chopped Salad Kit stands out. It pairs loads of veggies with zesty chipotle dressing, tortilla crunchies, and cheese, which makes it absolutely delicious and also fun to eat.

Imagine taking a typical orange and giving it a major glow-up — we're talking twice the amount of juicy sweetness, an easier-to-remove peel, and no seeds. Turns out the orange of our dreams already exists, and it's all thanks to Sumo citrus. This variety of supersized mandarins hails from Japan, and now they're being harvested Stateside. Lucky us.

A brilliant cross of Braeburn and Royal Gala, each bite of an Envy apple guarantees that quintessential snap we crave. Each one is totally crisp and the right amount of sweet. Bonus: Their flesh doesn't oxidize as quickly as other apples, which means you can slice some apples in the morning and they won't be brown by lunchtime.

If you love to pop cherry and grape tomatoes by the handful, these Tomberrys will become your new favorite treat. They're the world’s smallest tomato (about the size of blueberries!). They're highly seasonal, though, which means there's a tiny window when they're available. Buy them whenever you see them!

When it comes to a truly great pickle, Kitchn editors agree this tub of Italian dill spears is the way to go (and not just for the cute pickle-in-a-lawn-chair on the label!). They're crunchy, garlicky, and perfectly briny. Fun fact: Our former Groceries Editor has been known to eat these — and only these — for dinner.

If you aren't keeping a giant bag of frozen wild blueberries in your freezer, what are you even using your freezer for? Nina Elder, executive food director, eats them daily and says the small, deeply flavored berries are superior to any other brand — worth the freezer space for a giant bag!

Full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and lots of fiber, Stokes Purple organic sweet potatoes balance sweetness, smooth texture, and rich flavor for a do-it-all veggie. Use them in creamy mashed potatoes or slice them up and pop them in the air fryer for easy, colorful home fries.

Like tiny oranges you can eat whole, kumquats are a super-tart citrus fruit that easily find their place in a wide range of recipes. Add them to quick breads, simmer them in simple syrup for an easy sauce for ice cream or yogurt, or slice them and add to green salads or fruit salads.

Spiky rambutans are lychee's spunky cousin. Don't be intimidated by the shell; just peel it back to reveal juicy, grape-like fruit. “If you can get your hands on a fresh rambutan, I’d highly recommend it,” says Contributor Amanda Marikar. “The perfumed sweetness of the truly ripe in-season tropical fruit bears no equal.” Eat it on its own, or add to salads, desserts, or roast chicken.

Land O'Lakes won our official taste test for several reasons. Not only do we love its fresh taste, but we also appreciate the level of quality for the price point. Even better, it’s also from a company that’s committed to reducing its carbon footprint and paying its farmers to adopt more earth-friendly farming practices.

Kerrygold's spreadable butter is creamy, lavish, and made from the milk of grass-fed cows. In fact, our editors called it "ultra-sumptuous" in an official taste test. We love slathering this pure Irish butter on everything, but it's especially clutch when you have a warm piece of toast but no room-temperature butter. It's the little things.

If you thought all sour cream was created equal, you haven't tried Daisy. This classic brand brings nothing but straight-up cultured cream to the table (no preservatives or additives need apply, thank you). The result: The best texture for the dreamiest of homemade dips, perfectly tangy cheesecake, and even the best banana bread.

The salty, creamy curds of Hood Cottage Cheese make a wonderful blank canvas for a protein-packed breakfast or filling afternoon snack. We also really like that skim milk, milk and cream, and whey protein are all you’ll find in one of these tubs.

Cheese is a kid-friendly snack, but who said grown-ups can't get in on the fun? Cabot is known especially for its cheddars, and this slow-aged, slightly crumbly, extra-sharp cheddar is perfect for parents — it's a dream with a cold beer or a crisp apple.

Cheese-lovers know that fancy fromage — like this wheel of spreadable, ultra-luscious double cream — is one of the great joys of life. And you don't have to live near a fancy cheese shop to enjoy it: We spot this one at most mainstream grocery stores. Pro tip: Let it sit out and soften for a bit before you eat it so that you get the maximum center ooze. And oui! You eat the rind.

If you buy just one cheese at Trader Joe’s, it should be this one. The grocer took their tangy, crumbly cheddar — reminiscent of a hard, aged Italian cheese — and shredded it for your convenience. Clutch for quesadillas, mac and cheese, and, well, all our cheese-sprinkling needs. Thanks for looking out for us, TJ’s!

How do you make ricotta more delicious? Three words: Double the cream! Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela Prakash goes out of her way to shop at stores where she can find Galbani Double Cream Ricotta. If you do too, your lasagna, manicotti, stuffed shells, and ravioli will thank you. Just don’t forget that ricotta plays well in desserts, too!

Tillamook’s cream cheese is ultra smooth and creamy. Made with only four ingredients, this cream cheese really lets the perfectly tangy flavors shine. (Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela Prakash has been known to just eat it with a spoon!)

Stonyfield’s Organic Plain Whole Milk Yogurt is the one you'll find in Executive Food Director, Nina Elder’s, fridge. Why? It has a smooth, creamy texture and a clean, rich flavor with just enough tang. She has it daily with Wyman’s frozen blueberries for breakfast, but also uses it as a soup topper, a dip base, and a go-to baking ingredient.

We love this Australian-style (but U.S.-made) brand for its extra-silky texture and the brightly flavored purée you can mix in to your own preference. The distinctive packaging makes this easy-to-devour treat stand out on crowded shelves. You can't go wrong with any of them, but the lemon flavor is an editor favorite.

Editor-in-Chief, Faith Durand, buys this rice by the 20-pound bag. (That's how much she loves it!) Massa Organics’ Medium-Grain Brown Rice is so soft, tender, and flavorful, it’s the only rice she'll use — morning, noon, or night.

We’re all about this base! It takes just 90 seconds to zap in the microwave and cooks up firm and sweet. Grown on small organic family farms in Kerala, South India, it comes plain (as in, ready for your own flair) or in Turmeric + Cumin. Add whatever veggies you have on hand to it and you've got an instant grain bowl.