Groceries

Little kids are notoriously picky eaters. Whether it’s because they have delicate taste buds undulled by time, or are just refusing your food out of protest, sometimes it takes a few tricks to get them to eat healthfully. So I’ve done my fair share of cutting things into interesting shapes and separating ingredients to my kids’ specifications. Generally, as long as they eat what’s on their plate, I don’t mind if we take a sort of meandering path to get there.

If you like wine and/or Aldi, you may remember last year when we reported on Aldi’s wine-filled advent calendar for the holiday season. It was announced last September and our readers were so excited! There was just one problem: It was only available in the U.K. — and most (but not all!) of our readers are in the United States. This year (this year!), things will be different.

Like most retailers, Aldi is already finished with its holiday planning (they’re well into thinking about 2019 already!). While we’ll be releasing plenty of gift guides right around Thanksgiving, we couldn’t wait to tell you about these holiday gifts we spotted last week during a visit to the U.S. corporate headquarters.

Hey, remember when Yelp was a thing? The website and app that your roommate still uses to tell people about the good 7-11 still exists, and it’s still collecting reviews on everything from restaurants and convenience stores to florists and … oceans. (“Love it,” one seemingly sincere appraisal of the Pacific Ocean reads. “It’s full of cute dolphins, otters, etc. The water smells nice and is very relaxing.

In the cult sci-fi comedy Repo Man, young punk Otto Mattox (Emilio Estevez) gets fired from his job stocking shelves at a grocery store after he shouts at his boss and shoves one of his coworkers. Before that, he’d been stacking shelves with brand-free products, all with identical plain white labels and matter-of-fact product names like “Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches” and “Corn Flakes.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Trader Joe’s is a snack mecca. Within the aisles, you will find all sorts of private-label snacks that are exclusive to the grocery chain. The best part about TJ’s snacks, other than the unbeatable price, is the unique selection. And so many of these snacks were practically designed to go in a lunch box. Check out these pack-able steals, but be warned: You’re going to want to stock up. 3 Seed Beet Crackers, $2 for 6.

A couple of months ago, I reviewed nine of the best cheeses at Trader Joe’s, because I have the best job in the history of jobs. Because pretty much everything in the cheese case is delicious — and because I am the kind of person who would spend all of her money on cheese — I asked my Facebook friends to help me narrow it down by recommending their favorites.

In addition to its quirky snacks and cult-favorite foods (looking at you, cauliflower gnocchi!), Trader Joe’s is known for its unbeatable super-low, budget-friendly pricing. It’s part of the reason we all love it. So, it’s no surprise that you’ll find a shocking number of items that ring up under five dollars. Of all those inexpensive finds, these are my seven favorites. 1.

You probably know Jet Tila as a judge on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games, or from his latest gig as the floor reporter on Iron Chef America, but did you know that his family opened the very first Thai market in the U.S in the early ’70s? Jet grew up honing his culinary chops by helping out his parents in their Los Angeles-based Bangkok Market and the Royal Thai restaurant.

These are our five favorites — and how to enjoy them.

Look, we love Trader Joe’s, you love Trader Joe’s, everyone loves Trader Joe’s. In the past few months, we’ve written about everything from the store’s best frozen foods, top snacks, and the must-have dips for those bags of plantain chips we can’t live without. We’ve covered their wines and cheeses. We’ve done our favorite breakfasts, a customer-favorite dessert, and even the stuff you can’t eat.

Not surprisingly, Aldi (with its coin-deposit shopping carts, bring-your-own bag policy, and the unspoken understanding that the cashier isn’t going to load your cart for you) is a magical place to buy a decidedly un-magical type of food: canned goods. The discount chain is my go-to for canned goods and pantry staples. Here are some of the best values in a store that’s flat-out filled with values. Aldi’s Fit & Active chunky chicken noodle soup is $1.

Canned soups seem like the perfect backup plan — especially when you need lunch or dinner in a pinch — except for the fact that they’re not always the healthiest option. Often packed with sodium and other unmentionables, canned soups aren’t typically a choice that nutritionists or registered dietitians would recommend. The good news is, you don’t have to write off canned soups completely.

If we didn’t know any better, we’d guess that Trader Joe’s just hired a Vice President of Sheet-Themed Products. What the heck are we talking about? Well, last month the grocery chain came out with adorable mini sheet cakes. And now, the brand is launching sheet masks. (If they come out with actual sheet sets soon, we’ll know our theory was right!) Anyway, back to these sheet masks. You may have noticed that sheet masks are huge right now.

After moving apartments (yet again) earlier this year, I went to a big-box bargain store for some general supplies. And as an avid lover of grocery shopping, I couldn’t not check out its aisles of food. What I found really surprised me. Classy crackers that would automatically raise my social status! Craft sodas with trendy lettering! Sacks of milled flaxseed the size of an ostrich egg! Organic dried figs not in Fig Newton form!

If there’s anyone who knows her way around a Latin American grocery store in the U.S., it’s Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack. She a proud Tejana, born and raised in El Paso but strongly in touch with her Mexican roots. She’s also a food blogger and the author behind Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor, a cookbook co-written with her sister and mother, inspired by family recipes taught by her grandmother, Jesusita.

Rachel and Andy Berliner, the married co-founders of organic vegetarian food empire Amy’s Kitchen, are both in their late 60s, are longtime advocates of plant-based diets, and are worth millions and millions of dollars. Meanwhile, I’m a 30-something whose blood type is mostly bacon grease, and my own net worth depends on how many cans of La Croix are stacked in the fridge at any given time. (Right now, my personal fortune adds up to about $8).

We often tout the benefits and virtues of frozen vegetables, but totally side-eye the other wondrous prepared vegetables sitting, ready to go, in the canned goods aisle. Even worse, canned vegetables are usually looked down on for the very trait that makes them inherently good: They are often cooked in the can in a sodium-rich broth, which makes them incredibly tender but also satisfyingly briny. There’s actually a lot to love about canned vegetables.

The reason we’re not sure how to feel is two-fold. For starters: It’s August — and we’re talking about Halloween candy already. But plenty of retailers and companies are already starting with the Halloween stuff, so we’ll put that aside. What we’re really unsure about here is the fact that Sour Patch Kids are now available in candy corn flavor. “What’s better than candy corn on Halloween?” the website asks. Um, literally everything.

I was never consciously on the hunt for the best tortilla chips, but after years of tasting, this is the only brand I buy.

Whole Foods has long had a bad rap for its high prices (hence its nickname “Whole Paycheck”). But between the expansion of its house brand, 365 Everyday Value, and the sheer buying power of its new owner, Amazon, prices on many items across the store have come down, out of the stratosphere, a bit.

For most of my life, I thought ravioli at home was just something that was supposed to be mediocre. My mom would buy this no-name frozen stuff that almost always broke in the water, leaving the noodles to cook in ricotta water until they were far too mushy. When I started to cook for myself, I tried other brands and remained unimpressed.

Costco is the store for bulk buys, Trader Joe’s is the first stop for quirky snacks and time-saving freezer meals, and Aldi is the low-cost sleeper hit of the grocery race. Despite their differences, Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Aldi carry a lot of similar products. So how do you know which products to buy where, when cost isn’t your only deciding factor?

ICYMI: Urban Outfitters has a lot more to offer than graphic tees and cute jewelry. In addition to great clothes and accessories, the store sells trendy skincare products, gorgeous furniture, and fun office supplies. And if you look closely at Urban Outfitter’s “Wellness” section, you’ll find plenty of vitamins, healing crystals, and food. Yes, you read that correctly. Of course, we’re not talking bananas and gallons of milk.

I love a plump, juicy, summer heirloom tomato as much as the rest of the internet, but the second they’re out of season I dramatically pivot to the canned goods aisle. With the exception of a pint of cherry tomatoes, which I find to be consistently good year-round, I truly can’t remember the last time I bought a tomato from the produce aisle outside of the summer months.

Nothing else compares.

When we rounded up a list of our 100 most essential grocery items for Kitchn 100, I knew that Justin’s Maple Almond Butter just had to make the cut. (After all, it’s always on my personal grocery shopping list.) Any kind of nut butter earns a gold star in our book, but this nut butter is different. Justin’s Maple Almond Butter is so good, you’re going to end up eating most of it just straight out of the container.

We’re guessing, since you clicked on this article, that you love (or at least like!) the egg bites at Starbucks. And why shouldn’t you? They’re a protein-packed, on-the-go breakfast option. More specifically, they’re eggy bites that are cooked sous vide (in a low-temperature water bath) until they’re velvety smooth and then studded with bacon and cheese or vegetables. They’re delicious! They’re convenient! They’re a whopping $4.45 for two!

The keto diet can be tough to follow, especially for someone with a Starbucks Frappuccino habit. But now there’s a new “secret menu” Starbucks drink that’s keto-friendly and tastes like peach cobbler, and people are going absolutely nuts for it.

Costco’s free sample situation is legendary (read: The Top 4 Grocery Stores for Free Samples). People joke on social media about how they go to the warehouse store just for free lunch. Although, they’re not really joking, are they? You can fill up on bites of glazed salmon, spoonfuls of yogurt, squares of frozen pizza, and so much more. You knew that though (again, legendary free samples).

Amazon has seriously upped its grocery game over the past few years. In addition to acquiring Whole Foods last year, the e-commerce giant has launched programs like Prime Pantry and Amazon Fresh, which deliver fresh fruits, vegetables, and toiletries straight to your doorstep. But why stop there? Amazon even cut out the middleman by launching their own private-label companies. We’ve already talked about how much we love Presto and Wickedly Prime.

Trader Joe’s is known for stocking its shelves with trendy, sometimes quirky, and often utterly crave-worthy snacks made just for the store — things like pickle-flavored popcorn, fried mochi squares, and apple pie cheddar cheese. There’s also the baking mixes, which are worth calling out. Although they’re not ready to eat right out of the box, almost all are ready to bake in less than five minutes.

Fall is officially here, and that means that, along with the limitless loaves of apple bread, pumpkin spice everything, and giant mugs of coffee and tea, it’s also time to stock the pantry with some must-have baking staples. That’s right — baking season has begun! For me, this means taking a trip to Costco and filling the buggy with my favorite options. Costco always has many healthy baking staples (they do exist!), and that helps me save money while stocking up.

I’m from North Carolina, where BBQ is serious business. The state is damn near split in half by an imaginary line of demarcation: one that determines whether you eat your pulled pork or chopped plates Lexington-style, or you eat them the wrong way. (FIGHT ME!

Attention, all slow cooker fans! Costco has a great selection of slow cooker staples that you might otherwise pay more for at other stores. Come this time of year, I love to take a stroll through the aisles of my local warehouse store to see what’s in stock — and am always floored by how many options there are! Healthy ones, at that! Here are some of my favorite healthy slow cooker staples that can be used in limitless ways.

Whether you're going for your first time or your 50th, here's what you should always pick up.

If you’re a parent, I don’t have to tell you that mealtime is a struggle. There’s a reason why kids’ menus usually feature grilled cheese and hot dogs. So, when faced with transitioning my child to solid foods, I swore up and down that I wouldn’t raise a picky eater. Like many a modern mom, I embraced the idea of Baby Led Weaning. Coined by British PhD and former midwife Gill Rapley, the practice refers to the notion of mush-free mealtime.

In 1964, Nico Jacobellis, the manager of a movie theater in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, was fined $2,500 and accused of violating Ohio’s obscenity statutes, all because he screened a then-controversial French film about adultery.

Once upon a time, if you went to the grocery store for gluten-free flour, you didn’t find much. Then things changed. Now, flour choices for gluten-free bakers can feel overwhelming. One key thing to know: Because no single gluten-free flour or starch behaves just like wheat flour, using a blend gives you the best results when ditching the wheat. But which blend is best? It depends on what you want to bake. And I should know; I’m the blogger behind Gluten-Free Baking.

I have a love/hate relationship with my Trader Joe’s. I love pretty much everything in the store, but hate that it’s an absolute circus in my neck of the woods. (Read more about my highly scientific method to determine the ideal weeknight for a TJ’s haul here.) Nevertheless, I continue to brave the crowds and stock up on budget-friendly salad kits, inventive snacks, and glorious freezer aisle staples because TJ’s has my heart.

There are those inexplicable individuals who abhor mayonnaise, and then there are the rest of us who say mayonnaise deserves a lot more credit. It’s a classic French “mother” sauce, after all. It’s almost pure fat, and any chef will tell you that fat is the best vehicle for flavor, and it’s super-versatile, able to mix into dressings, lubricate sandwiches, and help create crispy breaded crusts.

We don’t always have time to whip up a luxe Italian buttercream. Heck, sometimes even the quick frosting recipe on the back of the powdered sugar box is too tall an order. For those weeknights when you need to get some frosting on your cake (or cupcakes or cinnamon rolls) fast, a tub of ready-made frosting is your best friend. But choosing one is a big decision, because if you pick a bad one, you might as well toss the whole cake.

Between the vegan bakers, Paleo eaters, and lovers of all things coconut, there’s a big market for coconut oil out there — and manufacturers have certainly taken note. These days there’s coconut oil at every supermarket, not just the health food stores. Heck, even HomeGoods is flooded with the stuff. There are dozens of brands to choose from, but there’s only one brand we reach for: Artisana Organics.

Whether you're making a simple cake or you want it to look like a unicorn exploded, we've got what you need.

You might think it would be embarrassing to whip out your own personal stash of soy sauce when you go to a sushi joint. But you’d only think that if you haven’t had Bourbon Barrel Foods’ small-batch soy sauce aged in bourbon barrels. Once you’ve had this sultry, complex soy sauce, you’ll never go back. Really? You might think. It’s just soy sauce. Oh, but that’s like saying white truffles of Alba, Italy, are just mushrooms.

How many of these have you tried?

Tucked somewhere near the cans of condensed milk and Jell-O pudding at the supermarket (or maybe by the hot chocolate) is a canister that will change your life. What’s in this oft-overlooked and unassuming little package? It’s malted milk powder. Okay, so malted milk powder might not change your entire life, but it very well may change the way you bake.

Happy (chocolatey) baking!

There might have been some debate about what exactly constitutes a condiment, but one thing is absolutely certain: Kitchn editors love condiments. They occupy a whole lot of real estate in our fridges and are that little something extra that we use to take meals from good to great. Here are our favorites. I don’t have a huge tolerance for spiciness, but Cholula is an exception. I use it on my breakfast every single morning since it pairs really well with eggs or avocado toast.

I used to make secret Costco trips. “Where are you right now?” a friend would ask over the phone. “Shh, don’t tell anyone, but I’m at Costco shopping for the party.” Giant shrimp platters and vats of cocktail sauce aside, Costco has become a part of my weekly life in shopping for my restaurant in California.

How do you usually shop for meat when you’re in Costco? You go to the meat section, pick out a package, and put it in your cart, right? Wrong! Well, that’s probably how you do it. But there’s a better way — when it comes to ground beef, at least. See, we ran this story earlier this year and one of the items really stuck with us. Costco employees dished on Reddit about their favorite budget grocery finds and one thing kept coming up again and again: chubs!

Step away from the cider. Don’t even think about making a batch of hot cocoa. Summer isn’t over yet, and Trader Joe’s has a blood orange rosé wine to prove it. In fact, this unusual wine is perfect for dealing with that awkward phase in between seasons. You know what I’m talking about: It’s not rosé-all-day season anymore, but you’re not yet at the ‘let me pile on the sweaters, and sit by a fire with a hot toddy,’ stage.

When I was a child I thought Disney was the happiest place on earth, but now that I’m an adult I’m pretty sure it’s Costco. Disney has Space Mountain, but Costco has avocados that stay ripe twice as long, and really good Prosecco for just $6.99 a bottle. There’s no contest.

Apple cider doughnuts, hard cider, pumpkin spice everything — the arrival of these beloved things at shops, cafes, and farmers market stands sweetly whisper fall is coming. Candy corn popcorn? Ahh … we’re not sure we’re ready to add that one to the list. The fall-themed snack was recently spotted at a Trader Joe’s store in Elk Grove, California, by Instagram user @vegan_tinymomgram.

If you love Aldi products but hate putting on pants, do we have news for you: Aldi is about to start offering online delivery through Instacart across 35 states. Before, Aldi was only running a pilot program with Instacart — in just four cities (Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago). This new roll-out adds 5,000 new zip codes, including ones in New York City, San Diego, Miami, Raleigh, and Minneapolis.

The hardest thing about being a Trader Joe’s shopper has nothing to do with budgeting for groceries or dealing with the crowds (that’s just the most annoying thing about being a Trader Joe’s shopper). The hardest thing is keeping up with all the new product introductions. (And, I guess, saying bye to the things you love when they have to go away to make room for new items.) We’re only halfway into September and, already, there have been at least a half-dozen new products.

When do you usually go to Costco? Right after work? Every other Sunday? Whenever you actually have a free 15 minutes and happen to be on the right side of the highway? Obviously, there are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to figuring out the best time for you to hit the warehouse store. If you’re trying to avoid the crowds, stock up on free samples, or get the best deal possible, though, we’ve got some suggestions for you.

Meal kits were once the realm of the online shopping market. Don’t have time to grab ingredients for a complete meal from the grocery store? Teaching yourself how to cook for the first time? Order from a company liked Plated or Blue Apron, and you’d get everything you need for dinner dropped on your doorstep. Over the summer though, many meal kit services shifted that business model and began appearing in grocery stores.

If there’s one Costco fact we’ve been trying to prove to you lately, it’s that the warehouse store carries plenty of healthy foods. For starters, there’s the top-quality produce. There’s also all sorts of healthy snacks for a lunch box, good-for-you frozen items, and even a pretty healthy food court option. We actually have a favorite among the many healthy options — and it happens to currently be on sale.

In this day and age, companies who seem like they really care about their customers are few and far between. Costco — with its fair pay and benefits, low prices, and giant plush teddy bears — really seems to be one of the good ones, and a new, very expensive move to keep down the price of one of their food staples just adds to the list of why we love the wholesale chain.

Fall, more than any other season, seems to have the most iconic foods. The pumpkins! The apples! The caramel! You get the point. And if any grocer leans into this the most, it’s Trader Joe’s. Year after year, the chain brings back and adds new festive foods to get us all in the mood for sweaters and hay rides. Honestly, it’s kind of working!

It's only going to be around for a limited time.

The most wonderful time of the year continues: fall grocery season! Aldi has been rolling out all sorts of pumpkin-, maple-, and cinnamon-centric treats all month long (with even more coming out in October). Each seasonal item will only be available for a limited time, so I wasted no time taste testing some of the most fall-y items. Here’s what I thought.

Among the short list of ingredients I always have stocked in my freezer, puff pastry ranks high at the top. It’s a good thing to have on hand to turn out fast and fancy appetizers like baked brie and cheesy pinwheels — and it makes for quick savory dinner tarts and bakery-worthy breakfast treats. So it’s totally worth having a couple of boxes on hand at all times.

In its most recent "Fearless Flyer," Trader Joe's announced the arrival of a new condiment: Carrot Cake Spread. I'm sorry to say it was disappointing.

Do you know what today is? It’s the day that new Costco sales start! We flipped through the circular to pick out the 10 very best deals to hit stores this month. Some fine print: They’re good for members only, valid between October 3 and October 28, and prices (and availability) will vary by location, so we only included the sale information. Related: Should You Get a Costco Membership? Take a look. There’s stuff in here to help you win Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

So novel, so smart.

One of my favorite aisles to browse at Costco is in, you guessed it, the wine section. I’m a value-oriented wine shopper (please don’t call me cheap), so I tend to skip right past the fancy-looking wooden crates of wine priced at more than $20 and head to the shelves, which are typically loaded with more affordable wines.

No two Thanksgivings are the same. We may all celebrate with nearly identical menus, but family dynamics are different for everyone. And they’re, um, pretty interesting. So, I’ve decided to offer wine pairings based on some of the most awkward situations possible. If you’re wondering why I’m not addressing the more traditional food-and-wine pairing aspect of Thanksgiving, there are two reasons.

While it would be great if we could all exclusively buy wine from cute independent wine shops, it’s not always possible. Not everyone lives near a great independent wine shop. Not everyone feels comfortable in one. And sometimes you have to buy toilet bowl cleaner, socks, and a gift for a housewarming party — all in one shopping trip because you’re busy and that’s just how life works sometimes. I get it.

Tasting wine isn’t just for sommeliers who can call what vineyard a wine came from in a single sniff. Blind tasting helps you hone in on what you actually like without being influenced by labels, prices, or marketing, so it’s something that anyone who likes wine should try a few times. Plus, it’s fun! In order to find out what people really think of wines from Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Costco, I strong-armed a few folks into blind tasting them. My tasters?

You’re not going to find a wild grape variety no one’s ever heard of at Costco, and you’re definitely not going to find someone to make suggestions perfectly tailored to your taste. What you will find, though, are great deals on famous brands and some shockingly good Kirkland private-label wines. That’s why Costco is a great place to go for all your wine needs, if you’re looking to bring someone a bottle this holiday season.