Pantry & Bread – Sporked https://sporked.com Where tastes are tested Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:02:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://sporked.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Pantry & Bread – Sporked https://sporked.com 32 32 200707005 What Is Cake Flour? https://sporked.com/article/what-is-cake-flour/ https://sporked.com/article/what-is-cake-flour/#respond Mon, 02 Dec 2024 21:02:12 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=45175 Learning about cake flour is a piece of cake.

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Cake flour is a baker’s best friend. Why? Join us as we explore the wide world of cake flour, and find out what sets it apart from any ol’ other flour in the baking aisle. We have our objectives, let’s talk cake flour, people! 

What is cake flour made of?

Cake flour is usually made from super soft wheat that’s been ground extra-fine. It has a very low amount of protein and high starch, which helps to create light and airy cakes. 

Is cake flour the same as all purpose flour?

Though they do look similar, cake flour is not the same as all-purpose flour. So, what’s the difference between cake flour and regular flour? Cake flour takes a dip in the protein content department. According to flour maker Bob’s Red Mill, cake flour contains around 5 to 8% protein, while all-purpose flour is 10 to 13% protein. This is why cake flour is the go-to when you need to give your baked goods a softer texture, while all-purpose’s denser protein-point allows whatever it is you’re baking to be more solid. 

Is pastry flour the same as cake flour?

Nope, cake flour and pastry flour are not the same. Again, it all comes down to protein content. Pastry flour has a slightly higher percentage of protein than cake flour, but it’s still not as high as all-purpose flour. As you can see, protein really counts when it comes to the type of flour you choose! Don’t overlook it, or else your angel food cake could end up coming out of the oven like a concrete block! 

While you still unfortunately need a few other ingredients to make an actual cake, cake flour is a good start. It’s also good for stage productions when you need to portray a ghostly apparition. Just powder up the ol’ kisser with a spot of cake flour, and you’re ready to play Jacob Marley! Lights, camera, cake flour!

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What to Eat Before a Turkey Trot, According to Runners https://sporked.com/article/what-to-eat-before-a-turkey-trot-according-to-runners/ https://sporked.com/article/what-to-eat-before-a-turkey-trot-according-to-runners/#respond Tue, 26 Nov 2024 17:38:57 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=45060 For many people, Thanksgiving is a day that’s meant to be spent sitting down. First you sit in bed to watch the parade, then you move to the couch to sit and watch football, and then, eventually, you drag your ass into the dining room where you sit and gorge yourself on turkey and casseroles....

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For many people, Thanksgiving is a day that’s meant to be spent sitting down. First you sit in bed to watch the parade, then you move to the couch to sit and watch football, and then, eventually, you drag your ass into the dining room where you sit and gorge yourself on turkey and casseroles. But there are people out there who have a whole different type of Thanksgiving. Those freaky people who specifically seek out physical activity on Thanksgiving. They organize touch football games and go on hikes and, first thing in the morning, they participate in their local Turkey Trot.

If you’re a reluctant member of one of those families and you don’t typically do road races, you might be wondering how to prepare. Well, we can’t advise you on stretches (although you should certainly stretch), but we did ask some runners here at Mythical what they eat before a big run. If a compulsory Turkey Trot is on your Thanksgiving agenda this year, here’s what to buy in advance. Sorry, and we hope you get to watch some football, too!

Pasta

Yes, duh. You gotta get those carbs in, baby. According to Runner’s World, “carbohydrates are our bodies’ preferred source of fuel for exercise, since they’re quicker and easier to break down than fat.” And that’s a good excuse to eat pasta before you hit the road in your Hokas for a 5K or 10K race. We’ve taste tested and ranked everything from the best penne to the best beef ravioli so you can actually enjoy your fuel. Our team is partial to a big bowl of La Molisana Bronze Die Spaghetti—the best spaghetti from our taste test—loaded with butter and parmesan cheese.

Peanut Butter

Several runners here at Mythical recommended eating peanut butter to fuel up before a race. We once again turned to Runner’s World to confirm that peanut butter is “a great runner’s food.” What it does is help you feel full so you don’t wind up with hunger pangs mid-race. If you like big peanut flavor, we’re partial to Jif Creamy peanut butter, but our ranking of the best peanut butter can also direct you toward the best chunky peanut butter, the best budget peanut butter, and the best natural peanut butter.

Toast

Sure, you could simply eat peanut butter off of a spoon, but carbs are your friend now that you’re a Turkey Trotter, so go ahead and slather it on some toast. If soft, squishy white bread is your jam, try Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Thick Sliced White. Or if you’re more of a wheat bread guy, try Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Bread.

Waffles

Another runner here at Mythical said they prefer frozen waffles as the vehicle for their peanut butter. All those toasty little cups on the waffle’s surface are perfect for filling up with peanut butter. Our favorite frozen waffles are Krusteaz Belgian waffles, but we also found the best tasting protein waffles if you want a little extra oomph for the Trot. 

Bottled Water

You have to hydrate before a race. It’s rule number one. You can drink beer and eggnog later! First, lots and lots of water—pick your poison from this list

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What Is Bisque and Is It Different Than Soup? https://sporked.com/article/what-is-bisque/ https://sporked.com/article/what-is-bisque/#respond Tue, 26 Nov 2024 13:31:00 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=44956 We’re bisque-curious!

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We are officially in Soup Season. I love it because soups are so easy to make. Get a bunch of great ingredients, toss them in a pot with water or broth, and let it all simmer until it’s delicious. The variety of options will keep you warm and satisfied as the coming winter darkness consumes us all. This year, I really want to spread my soup wings (or soup legs, which sounds better?) and attempt a bisque. So let’s cuddle up together under a shared blanket and learn all about this unique dish.

What is bisque?

Bisque is traditionally a seafood-based soup, specifically shellfish. Typically, the kind of shellfish used varies between lobster, prawn, crab, shrimp, and crayfish. Though, you will occasionally see modern bisques made with terrestrial ingredients like tomato or butternut squash. 

If you can’t tell by the name already, this concoction comes from France. So it makes sense then that bisques contain quite a large amount of cream; in fact, there is often more cream in a bisque than there is in any “cream of” soups, like celery, mushroom, or broccoli.

What is in a bisque?

The purest form of traditional bisque starts with your shellfish of choice. They are cooked with the shells on. Then, the meat is removed from the shells and set to the side. The shells are then cooked further in a 

mirepoix (diced onions, carrots, and celery), butter, wine (sometimes brandy, as well), and a variety of spices.

At this time, the cream is added and the whole mixture is left to simmer for a while. Then, the shells and (most of) the solid ingredients are strained out and the remaining soup is pureed, then restrained to become the thick, creamy bisque we know and love. If you haven’t already eaten the cooked meat from earlier, you can sprinkle it on top as a garnish.

This is a pretty intricate process and can get expensive depending on your access to fresh shellfish. You could certainly do a quick and dirty version of a bisque at home with some frozen lobster meat and store bought seafood stock. Or, just buy a can of it; there are several options you can find in most grocery stores.

What does bisque mean?

In France, there is the Bay of Biscay—a huge gulf in the Atlantic ocean along France’s western coast that curves all the way down to northern Spain. It’s highly likely that the word bisque is derivative of Biscay.

Oh, and the pronunciation is “bisk.” Like whisk with a “B.”

What is the difference between soup and bisque?

I’ve already delved deeply into the differences between stew and soup, so where does bisque fit into this spectrum?

In the soup/stew dichotomy, bisque is solidly in the soup realm; it eschews the big hunks of meat and vegetables for a much smoother experience. However, bisque does stand out from other soups thanks to its extra thickness from the cream. 

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What to Buy for a Vegan Thanksgiving https://sporked.com/article/vegan-thanksgiving/ https://sporked.com/article/vegan-thanksgiving/#comments Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:35:34 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=27148 All dietary restrictions are welcome!

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Vegans: You do not have to miss out on the gluttonous fun that is Thanksgiving. You can have a totally vegan Thanksgiving feast that would satisfy even the hungriest carnivore.

We’re serious! These totally plant based Thanksgiving foods are so good that your rude, steak-loving uncle Randy will keep his trap shut about you “not getting enough protein.” Whether you’re hosting your own vegan or vegetarian Thanksgiving or you’re looking for things to bring to an omnivorous family meal, here are some taste test-approved vegan eats for your holiday table—right from the grocery store.

Gardein Plant-Based Turk’y Roast

Being a vegan or vegetarian usually means that your Thanksgiving meal consists of whichever meat-, butter-, and broth-free sides you can scrounge together—hope you like cranberry sauce! You deserve a main dish, and that’s where the best vegan turkey roast comes in. Is this Gardein Turk’y Roast anything like turkey? Nope! It’s a loaf of Gardein’s flavorful plant based turkey stuffed with veggie stuffing, then breaded and baked. It’s tasty, hearty, and feels special. And the packet of gravy it comes with is pretty good, too.

Read the full ranking of the best vegan Thanksgiving roasts

Sprouts Plant Based Cornbread Stuffing

If you like stuffing seasoning—sage, rosemary, and thyme—you’ll like this vegan stuffing from Sprouts. It doesn’t really have the crumbly consistency cornbread stuffing usually has, but it’s soft, salty, and filling—and all you have to do is nuke it in the microwave. This didn’t make our ranking of the best store bought stuffing, but only because we didn’t try it in time. 

Primal Kitchen Mushroom Gravy

Primal Kitchen’s keto-friendly products don’t always hit, but their vegan mushroom gravy rules. It’s one of the best meatless gravies we’ve tasted. It’s creamy and rich and you do not miss the meat fat at all. If you’re going the classic route and making a Tofurky roast, you’re going to be grateful you have some hot, flavorful gravy to moisten it. 

Read our ranking of the best vegetarian gravy

Idahoan Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes 

We love Idahoan instant mashed potatoes (our ranking of the best instant mashed potatoes makes that abundantly clear), but most of their flavors contain dairy and/or poultry broth. Sure, you could simply buy plain potato flakes and doctor them up yourself with oat milk, vegan butter, and vegan sour cream for your vegan Thanksgiving—or you could buy these Idahoan mashed potatoes that are super buttery and only require two cups of boiled water to be totally delicious. 

Chao Mac and Cheese

We love Chao’s vegan cheese for sandwiches, and their frozen mac and cheese does not disappoint. It’s rich and creamy and the pasta cooks beautifully. Our one warning: A package only has enough mac and cheese for one or two servings, so buy a few if you’re feeding a whole vegan Thanksgiving crew. 

Daiya Pumpkin Spice Cheezcake

Vegan cheesecake sounds risky, right? The vegan cream cheese it’s made with better be good as hell, because that’s 90% of what you’re eating. Daiya really nailed it with this Pumpkin Spice Cheezcake, which is creamy, mildly spiced, and doesn’t have an unpleasant aftertaste. It’s a perfect way to wrap up vegan Thanksgiving dinner.

Read our ranking of the best pumpkin cheesecake

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We Tried Walmart’s Pepperoni Pizza Soup and Cheeseburger Soup https://sporked.com/article/proper-good-pepeproni-pizza-cheeseburger-soup-review/ https://sporked.com/article/proper-good-pepeproni-pizza-cheeseburger-soup-review/#comments Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:04:00 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=44933 Soup like you’ve never had it before!

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Soup season is well underway, and while everyone has their favorite soups, sometimes you gotta switch it up and go for a new one. That’s where Proper Good and their brand new Cheeseburger Soup and Pepperoni Pizza Soup come in. Both tout that they are high in protein (10g for the Cheeseburger and 11g for the Pizza) and gluten free and come in neat microwaveable pouches—something I can’t say I’ve seen before in the microwaveable soup game. Proper Good also donates one meal for every social media post in which they’re tagged (their handle is @EatProperGood). So, that’s nice! And you can find them nationwide in Walmart. 

But how do these new soups taste? Does pizza or cheeseburger work as a liquid? Let’s find out.

Proper Good Pepperoni Pizza Soup

Pepperoni Pizza Soup

Proper Good Pepperoni Pizza Soup

Pros: Right away I’m hit with Italian seasoning and spices that take me to pizza. The flavors of oregano, paprika, and pepper are really strong—unexpectedly strong for a grocery store soup. It’s also got chunks of pepperoni in it and they taste really, really great. My fear was that this would just taste like your average tomato soup but it most certainly does not. You definitely get the pepperoni pizza experience from this soup.

Cons: There’s added sugar in this soup, and it was noticeable for the first few bites. And I do think that the spices are a little bit overblown. While I found myself really enjoying them initially, the spices lingered a bit too long on the aftertaste. I found myself wishing that the soup was a bit thicker, too—maybe it just needs more pepperoni chunks.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Proper Good Cheeseburger Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

Proper Good Cheeseburger Soup

Pros: This soup takes virtually all of my “cons” from the pizza soup and does away with them. It is nice and thick, featuring big chunks of potato and beef, and while I still get hints of oregano and other spices, the seasoning level is much more muted with this soup. It’s hearty and pleasant. 

Cons: While this a very good tasting soup that I’d definitely consider picking up again, I don’t necessarily get cheeseburger vibes from it. Since it’s labeled as cheeseburger soup, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit disappointed. I don’t really get any cheese and the meat is not seasoned or prepared in a way that would remind you of eating a burger. Although it’s good and I would still recommend it, it is not cheeseburger soup.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

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The Best Chicken Stock to Stock Up On https://sporked.com/article/best-chicken-stock/ https://sporked.com/article/best-chicken-stock/#respond Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:10:18 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=44510 The best chicken stock isn’t just the best chicken broth with a different name. Y’all, I learned a lot here today. If you had asked 11-year-old me if she would one day be sitting on a couch sipping a cadre of undoctored chicken stocks out of tiny bowls and taking notes on their “chicken-forwardness,” “herbiness,”...

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The best chicken stock isn’t just the best chicken broth with a different name. Y’all, I learned a lot here today. If you had asked 11-year-old me if she would one day be sitting on a couch sipping a cadre of undoctored chicken stocks out of tiny bowls and taking notes on their “chicken-forwardness,” “herbiness,” and “notes of dog foodiness,” she would have told you that you were cuckoo bananas. But you are not cuckoo bananas, and neither am I, but I am, in fact, at least some percentage chicken stock as of right now, so I better tell you all about it so this newfound knowledge does not go to waste.

First things first: What is chicken stock? Until literally this week I had no idea chicken stock and chicken broth were two different things. Oh how wrong I was. You see, chicken broth is what you get when you boil meat, but chicken stock is what you get when you boil bones. Chicken stock usually takes longer to make and is a bit more concentrated in flavor than chicken broth. That said, if you are wondering when to use one versus the other, the consensus across the internet seems to be broth for when you want other flavors to come through and shine, and stock when you either want more chicken flavor, or a richer, deeper, more umami broth.

Now, what separates good chicken stock from the best store bought chicken stock? There are many factors, and it can depend on what you are looking for, but generally speaking, we were looking for rich chicken flavor, deep umami and meatiness, and no strange or off flavors (like the aforementioned dog food). Many of the best chicken stocks we tried contained not only chicken, but a classic mirepoix (aka a mix of onion, carrot, and celery, pronounced meer-pwah) in the ingredients list, as well as herbs, spices, chicken flavoring, and, in one case, honey (more on that later).

I’m tellin’ ya, we truly did learn a lot here today, so whip out your soup-sippin’ spoons, and let’s talk about the best tasting chicken stock, including the best organic chicken stock and the best low sodium chicken stock.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

best chicken stock

Best Herb-Forward Chicken Stock

Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Stock

Pacific Foods chicken stock has a hint of herbaceous flavor to it, like rosemary or thyme or tarragon (or perhaps a combo of the three). As organic chicken stock goes, is not as umami or chicken-y as Swanson Organic (which you’ll find at #4 of this list) but it is still solid. If you prefer the flavor of herbs to the flavor of a mirepoix then go with this, I am not one such person, but I am nothing if not objective and can recognize that there are people who would definitely think this is the best chicken stock.

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

best swanson chicken stock

Best Blank Slate

Swanson Chicken Stock

Okay, let me start by saying that Swanson Chicken Stock is not bad, but it also isn’t exceedingly tasty on its own. It tastes like salt, chicken, and not much else—but hey, that’s what some people are looking for in the best tasting chicken stock. If you are making a stock-based soup with flavors that will clash with things like celery, onion, thyme, and sage, this is the best store bought chicken stock for you. It is pure salt and umami and nothing else, and that makes it a great blank slate for whatever magic you want to cook up.

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

best organic chicken stock

Best Organic Chicken Stock

Swanson Organic Chicken stock

I know you may be skeptical, but Swanson organic chicken stock and regular Swanson chicken stock do not taste the same. Why? Because their ingredient lists are actually quite different! The result is that while this stock is still salty and umami, it also has a bit more depth of flavor than its non-organic counterpart. It even has a hint of black pepperiness, celery, and onion flavor to it (there’s that mirepoix again). All told, this is the best chicken stock if you want something with that Cup Noodles, bouillon-esque chicken ramen flavor.

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

best unsalted chicken stock

Best Low Sodium Chicken Stock

Swanson Unsalted Chicken Stock

This unsalted chicken stock smells distinctly like a Costco rotisserie chicken and tastes nice, too. What do I mean by nice? Well, it tastes like rotisserie chicken water, which, as unsalted chicken stock, is sort of what we are looking for here. This is hands down the best unsalted chicken stock we tried, and it tastes exactly like chicken stocks I have made in the past at home from leftover rotisserie chicken bones. It has a solid umami flavor and tastes very clean like pure unadulterated, roasted unsalted chicken and water. If you watch your salt intake, this is the best low sodium chicken stock to stock up on.

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

best tasting chicken stock

Most Unique Chicken Stock

Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Stock For Cooking

This one threw me at first. It has a sweeter, fruitier aroma than the other stocks, and it’s also the most sweet and sour tasting of them all. And while it is very acidic and very flavorful, it doesn’t taste super strongly of chicken, unlike some of the others on this list. I checked the label and it actually contains honey and bay leaves, which makes a whole lot of sense given the fresher, fruitier, sweeter taste. It has plenty of umami flavor as well, with an aftertaste I would describe as grilled onion-y. At first I couldn’t decide if I liked it, and then after a whole Kombucha Girl-style deliberation, I decided it is, in fact, among the best store bought chicken stock.

Rating:

8.5/10

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best of the best chicken stock

Best of the Best

Signature Select Chicken Stock

Signature Select’s chicken stock actually made me say “wow!” out loud. Was I prepared to say “wow!” out loud while sipping cold, plain chicken stock? Not in the slightest. It tastes like it is already most of the way to chicken noodle soup. It has a huge kick of of onion flavor and a punch of roasty toasty chicken flavor. Trust us when we say it is an umami bomb. Use this if you want strong chicken and onion flavors in your soup or sauce or what have you. This tastes like a Safeway rotisserie chicken in the best possible way. This tastes like a Thanksgiving gravy. I could (and have, literally for this article) drink this straight. It’s the best chicken stock we taste tested—and it’s certainly the best store bought chicken stock if you shop at an Albertsons-owned grocery store.

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: Kitchen Basics Unsalted Chicken Stock, Signature Select Unsalted Chicken Stock

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The 11 Best Dinner Rolls We’ve Ever Tasted https://sporked.com/article/best-dinner-rolls/ https://sporked.com/article/best-dinner-rolls/#comments Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:12:24 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=12836 Let’s rock and…you get it.

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The best dinner rolls are soft, squishy, substantial, warm, and hearty. Whether they’re savory or sweet, the best bread rolls make the perfect accompaniment to your dinner. Store bought dinner rolls are an essential part of any big evening meal, and we at Sporked think these are worth picking up from the grocery store.

Across several taste tests,  we encountered two different types of dinner rolls: those that require baking and those that do not. Ready-to-bake dinner rolls are warm and comforting yet crusty, yeasty, and dense. Meanwhile, no-bake rolls are usually soft, squishy, sugary, and buttery. Both have their virtues. But, what broke through and rose above the rest of the best store bought dinner rolls to be named the best dinner rolls of them all? Read this list to find out the best dinner rolls for Thanksgiving (or any ol’ night).

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.


Best for Dinner Party

Best for Dinner Party

Kirkland Artisan Rolls

If you have guests to impress, these massive, striking, ciabatta-esque dinner rolls from Costco look and taste like something on display at a fancy bakery. They have a thick, sturdy crust that’s cut neatly down the middle (perfect for sticking a slab of garlic herb butter) and robust, tangy, sourdough bread quality that elevates them above your standard pack of store bought dinner rolls. Now, that said, Kirkland bakery products typically rank higher for us, but I found these to be pretty tough at room temperature, so make sure to warm them up. And be warned they don’t stand the test of time. Ours went bad in under four days. My family has bought these in the past for holiday hosting, so I know they make some of the best dinner rolls for Thanksgiving and other big gatherings all the same. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

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best store bought dinner rolls

Best Sweet

Sam’s Choice Sweet Hawaiian Rolls

Yes, there are other sweet rolls on this list. These are really sweet, though. One bite and you know you’re eating a sweet roll. But don’t worry—they’re not saccharine or dessert-y; they’re well balanced. Sam’s Choice Sweet Hawaiian Rolls are still a solid dinner choice. These would be so good with honey-baked ham. But once again, what wouldn’t these be good with? If you like the idea of some sweetness to counteract all the salty foods on your dinner plate, these are some of the best bread rolls to buy. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Gluten Free

Against the Grain Gourmet Original Rolls Cheese Baked Recipe

Yes, for a gluten-free option, Against the Grain’s cheese-baked dinner rolls taste pretty good. But that’s not really the point. These stand out for being unique. Our editor-in-chief Justine Sterling likened them to the Brazilian cheese bread pão de queijo. The dough is stretchy, chewy, and a little bit cheesy. They aren’t the best dinner rolls to buy if you’re looking for something classic—but if you want a first course that’s interesting, a real conversation starter, we highly recommend them. (Also, make sure to eat them while they’re still warm! Otherwise, it becomes a little too obvious that you’re eating gluten-free bread.) —Ariana Losch

Read our full ranking of the best gluten free dinner rolls

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

best dinner rolls

Best Already Buttered

King’s Hawaiian Savory Butter Rolls

These King’s Hawaiian savory butter rolls are high in saturated fat (8% per tiny roll!), and have less sugar than your average King’s Hawaiin sweet roll. For those reasons, they’re the best dinner rolls to eat totally plain. The smooth, fluffy, squishy texture is only further enhanced by the fatty, buttery quality of these no-bake rolls. You can eat these at room temperature or heat them briefly in the oven or microwave. No matter how you eat or heat them, they are undeniably delicious, no condiments, meats, sides, or butter needed. If you like your rolls to be infused with butter when you buy them, these are the best dinner rolls for you. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche Butter Rolls

Best Brioche Rolls

Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche Butter Rolls

As soon as I opened this bag of brioche butter rolls from Nature’s Own, I didn’t even bother with the toaster oven. I just tore right in. Without being warmed, these are still incredibly tender and soft—not a cloudlike softness, since the dough is dense and substantial, but a squishy, buttery softness that’s quite filling and flavorful. Each roll carries a subtle brioche sweetness to balance the tangy wheat, calling for a spread of honey butter like a siren song. I know we’re ranking the best store bought dinner rolls here, but these would make the perfect buns for fried chicken sliders, too. Just sayin’. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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best dinner rolls to buy

Best with Butter

Trader Joe’s Organic French Dinner Rolls

These organic French rolls from Trader Joe’s are soft, crusty, and savory. There’s a ciabatta vibe happening here that I really adore. These buns beg for some creamy, high-butterfat organic butter. The smooth, creamy decadence of the butter complements the fluffy-yet-crispy dinner roll. They’re some of the best store bought dinner rolls to load up with butter, especially if you’re a regular Trader Joe’s shopper. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

9.5/10

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Bridgford Parkerhouse Style Rolls Dough

Best Classic Dinner Rolls

Bridgford Parkerhouse Style Rolls

Like our #1 best dinner rolls, you do have to prep these dinner rolls by letting them rise at room temp for a few hours. But good things come to those who wait, because these are pretty heavenly. They strike a great balance between buttery, mildly sweet, decadent yeast rolls and the more classic fluffy dinner rolls, giving the best of both worlds. They’re incredibly soft on the inside, with a thin, delicate crust on the outside that’s oddly satisfying to bite into. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

store bought dinner rolls

Best Soft Roll

King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls

King’s Hawaiian original sweet rolls are iconic. They’re just so damn sweet and soft but also wonderfully dense. The flavor is exceptional. A sweet roll is the perfect complement to all of the savory dishes we eat on Thanksgiving. What better way to balance out dark meat turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing? I personally don’t think that a Thanksgiving meal is complete without these store bought dinner rolls. That being said, these are the best soft dinner rolls to buy for literally any meal, any time of the year. —Danny Palumbo 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Frozen Yeast Rolls

Sister Schubert Yeast Rolls

Like our #1 best dinner rolls, you do have to prep these dinner rolls by letting them rise at room temp for a few hours. But good things come to those who wait, because these are pretty heavenly. They strike a great balance between buttery, mildly sweet, decadent yeast rolls and the more classic fluffy dinner rolls, giving the best of both worlds. They’re incredibly soft on the inside, with a thin, delicate crust on the outside that’s oddly satisfying to bite into. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

best store bought dinner rolls

Best for Italian Food

La Brea Take & Bake French Dinner Rolls

These are  restaurant-quality, chewy, savory, yeasty French rolls. I love their outer crust; the difference in textures is flat out wonderful. A crusty exterior encases a delightfully fluffy and warm center. You could melt a full tablespoon of butter on one of these and indulge in the decadent simplicity. La Brea Bakery’s Take & Bake French Dinner rolls are soft and squishy with a great crust—something that’s hard to come by at the grocery store. They’re savory, salty, and, most of all, comforting. These are, without a doubt, among the best store bought dinner rolls. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

best dinner rolls

Best of the Best

Rhodes Thaw, Rise & Bake Dinner Rolls

Do you have to let these dinner rolls rise for three to five hours before you cook them? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes! They are not the simplest or easiest dinner rolls to snack on in a pinch, but they are absolutely wonderful for a big dinner or holiday where you’ll be cooking with a few hours notice. Once they rise, they cook up quickly. They are so doughy on the inside and have an incredible crust on the outside. Buy these as soon as possible, because these are the best dinner rolls ever. —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: Starter Bros. Garlic Rolls, Alfaro’s, Rhodes, Walmart Potato, Member’s Mark Yeast Rolls, Nature’s Own Butter Brioche, Signature Select Artisan Style, Dots Assorted Dinner Rolls, Whole Foods Market Brioche Dinner Rolls, Artesano Bakery Rolls

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Best Pie Crust to Buy for Super Easy Baking https://sporked.com/article/best-pie-crust/ https://sporked.com/article/best-pie-crust/#comments Wed, 20 Nov 2024 20:07:24 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=13856 Actually easy as pie.

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We don’t know where the time has gone, but we do know that you need a pecan pie, pronto. Or perhaps you’re reading this in the spring, and those strawberries are just begging to be reunited with their rhubarb friends. Or, it could just be one of those days when you need to sit in your sweats with a chicken pot pie in front of trashy TV. But a good pie can be ruined by a bad crust, so we’re on a mission to find the best store bought pie crust.

We here at Sporked have conducted not one, not two, but three separate taste tests to conclusively determine the best pie crust for any occasion—including gluten free pie crust, frozen pie crust, shortbread pie crust, and even mini pie crust. We prepared these crusts according to package instructions, but tried them all without any fillings so that we could get the best idea of how the crust stands on its own. 

The best pie crust should be flaky, buttery, and tender, but not so brittle that it can’t maintain its shape when it’s baked. Flavors and styles may vary, but in general we’re looking for pie crust that’s slightly sweet and not too overpowering. The best store bought pie crust lets the filling be the star.

So, go forth and put your time and energy into simmering filling, figuring out the lattice top, or ripping your kitchen to shreds trying to find the pie server. Here’s the best pie crust to buy at the grocery store for literally any occasion.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.


365 Pre-Rolled Pie Crusts

Best for Meat Pies

365 Pre-Rolled Pie Crusts

This pre-rolled crust (which you simply unroll and place into a pie tin) is delightfully crunchy, and it tastes like, well, nothing. Depending on what you want, this could be the perfect crust for you, but it would probably be best suited for one of those hefty, meaty pies that they make on Bake Off instead of a light and flaky dessert. Let’s just say this: Ron Swanson would like this crust. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Crust

Best Gluten Free Crust

Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Pie Crust

I’m a huge gluten free product endorser now. Everything that’s gluten free tends to have such a lovely, crispy, crunchy, satisfying texture. Wholly Wholesome’s gluten free pie crust is no different, and it is delightfully sugary. You get that crunchy, crystalized cane sugar effect, and the texture is crumbly, almost like a graham cracker crust. I eat a crap ton of gluten and I’m in love with this gluten free pie crust. The crust might be a bit too crumbly for some, but it’s the best pie crust for gluten free folks by a mile. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Diamond Pecan Pie Crust

Best Nut Crust

Diamond Pecan Pie Crust

All of Diamond’s premade pie crusts impressed the hell out of me with their variety of flavors, but the pecan pie crust hit hardest of them all. This store bought pie crust has phenomenal flavor—it’s nutty, buttery, salty, and deliciously sweet. When you cook it in the oven, the pecans unleash an extra layer of roasted flavor that’s simply delightful. Everybody who happened to walk by while this was in the oven mentioned how pleasant the smell was. I think this is the best pie crust for experimentation. Start with the pecan crust base, then work backwards from there. May I suggest pumpkin chiffon? — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Oreo Pie Crust

Best Chocolate Crust

Oreo Pie Crust

You can’t have an Oreo cream pie without an Oreo pie crust, and although this crust, in theory, limits you to making a very specific type of pie, I think that it’s so delicious that you could do other things with it, too. The chocolatey crust would be a great contrast for a banana cream pie or even a coconut cream pie. The pie shell is basic, but tastes just like the chocolate cookies in an Oreo. The Oreo pie is also a classic no-bake dessert and a symbol of convenience. And at Sporked, we love convenience. That’s why it’s the best pie crust for desserts that don’t require an oven—and the best chocolate pie crust we tried. — Danny Palumbo

Related: Every Oreo Flavor, Ranked

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Keebler Shortbread Crust

Best Shortbread Crust

Keebler Shortbread Crust

This buttery, delicious shortbread crust is a touch sweeter than the classic Lorna Doone cookie. It’s crunchy and left no aftertaste (unlike a lot of the others we tried). It’s certainly too sweet for a savory pie filling, but not nearly so sugary that it will bulldoze a dessert interior. That being said, it’s so tasty on its own that we just kept eating the crust, sans filling. If you’re making a pie with this, get two crusts—one for the pie and one to snack on. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Keebler

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Keebler Graham Pie Crust

Best Graham Crust

Keebler Graham Pie Crust

This store bought pie crust ranks for its flavor, as well as its aesthetic. When it comes to a graham cracker pie crust, Keebler is a classic. Sure, you could pick the Kroger brand or the Great Value brand, and they do taste strikingly similar, but there’s just more joy in seeing those crafty little elves on the front of this package. I also think the flavor here is slightly better—it’s buttery and sweet, and the texture of the crust isn’t so crumbly that it falls apart. Trust the elves to make some of the best store bought pie crust, dammit! — Danny Palumbo

Related: The Best Graham Crackers We Found in a Taste Test

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Marie Callender’s Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells

Best for Savory Pies

Marie Callender’s Deep Dish Pastry Pie Shells

This frozen pie crust has excellent structure and, as advertised, this thing is deep. You can make a huge pie with this. I love that the edges of the pie are perfectly crimped, giving it a homestyle aesthetic. The texture is good, too. This store bought pie crust is tender and flaky and good for pretty much any pie, but its size makes it the best pie crust for chicken pot pies. Fill it to the top. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Pillsbury Refrigerated Rolled Pie Crusts

Best Pre-Rolled

Pillsbury Refrigerated Rolled Pie Crusts

This store bought pre-rolled pie crust bakes up golden and buttery and flaky. It’s like a croissant in that it’s rich and buttery without being greasy or heavy, and the salt level is perfect. This crust would live as happily with pumpkin custard as it would with spinach and goat cheese. If you’re imagining grandma’s pie cooling on the windowsill, this is the crust you’re imagining. Has your grandma been lying to you and just using Pillsbury? Maybe. But are you going to be mad about it? Nah, you’re too busy chowing down on some of the best pie crust. — Hebba Gouda

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

best pie crust

Best of the Best

Pillsbury Deep Dish Pie Crusts

Pillsbury Deep Dish Pie Crust is the best pie crust out there. This frozen pie crust comes ready to fill and bake. After cooking, it’s flaky, buttery, and crunchy. You could put any filling in it and be perfectly happy. Not only is this store bought pie crust delicious (and easy to use), but it also lives in the freezer, which makes it the best holiday hack to have on hand throughout the fall and winter. If you need a last minute dish for a potluck or you just want to make something nice for your family on an average weeknight, this is the best store bought pie crust for you.  — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other store bought pie crusts: Great Value Graham, Kroger Graham Cracker, Betty Crocker Graham Cracker, Honey Maid Graham Cracker, Diamond Pumpkin Pie Spice, Keebler Chocolate, Keebler Graham Minis, Wholly Wholesome Traditional, Favorite Day Graham, Signature Select Graham, MI-del Gluten Free Chocolate Snap Crust, Happy Belly Unroll and Bake Crusts, Great Value Ready to Bake

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Best Hot Chocolate Mix [Updated!] https://sporked.com/article/best-hot-cocoa-mix/ https://sporked.com/article/best-hot-cocoa-mix/#comments Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:25:27 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=2661 Find out which chocolate is the hottest!

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The best hot chocolate mix is creamy, chocolatey, and ready in an instant. I mean, who has the time to warm milk in a pot and break out the whisk to make hot chocolate with actual cocoa powder, sugar, salt, vanilla, etc.? Some of us have children and cats and partners and needy potted plants. But even if you go with instant, who has the time to sort through all the different brands and flavors to find the perfect mix to warm your mug and your tum? 

To keep your cocoa list current, the Sporked team ran a new, third taste test (oh, the horror!) to check out the latest hot cocoa mixes and find the best mix for hot chocolate out there. We used both hot water and milk to taste both versions of these hot chocolate mix brands. Here are our picks for the best hot chocolate mix on the market.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.


hot cocoa mix

Fan Favorite

Land O Lakes Chocolate Supreme

We were absolutely reamed by Sporked readers for not trying Land O Lakes hot chocolate mix in the first round of our hot cocoa mix taste test. So we made sure to try it in a follow-up taste test. And not just one Land O Lakes hot chocolate mix, all of them. Every single flavor. We thought they were good! It’s not the best hot chocolate mix (sorry!), but we like it. This Chocolate Supreme version is our favorite of the bunch. When made with milk, it’s rich and decently chocolatey. Land O Lakes isn’t just a butter company, people! —Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

best hot chocolate mix

Best Value

Great Value Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

If hot cocoa isn’t a once-in-a-while treat for you but a regular, everyday beverage, then you should stock up on a few tubs of Walmart’s signature hot cocoa mix. It’s a solid, football game-style hot chocolate. (Those from the Northeast can sub “hockey game” in for “football game,” if that makes more sense.) It’s terrifically creamy, even without any milk or actual cream, and it is definitely sweet. You don’t get a ton of authentic chocolate flavor, but it’s cheap, there’s a lot of it, and it will scratch a hot cocoa itch, making it the best hot chocolate mix for daily consumption. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Great Value Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

Best Minty

Great Value Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

If you’re looking for a little extra holiday cheer in your mug, this Walmart hot chocolate mix gives you a tasty mint flavor that doesn’t overpower the chocolate, while also giving you nice, creamy consistency. And as it’s presented in a can instead of packets, you can decide just how much (or little) your portion is. Spoiler: We went with “a ton.” This is the best hot chocolate mix for the holiday season if plain chocolate just isn’t festive enough. — Jon Gutierrez

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

hot chocolate mix

Best Dark Chocolate

Swiss Miss Indulgent Collection Dark Chocolate 

This is the best hot chocolate mix to pick up if you want a more grown-up version of a childhood favorite, for sure. It’s dark and indulgent. It’s a little fancier—a little more upscale. It’s richer and feels like it’s really warming you up from the inside. It’s the type of hot chocolate you hold with both hands, just under your nose, breathing in the warm, sweet vapors before taking a sip. A cinematic hot chocolate. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Shop Cocoa

Best Peanut Butter

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Shop Cocoa

If you’ve ever tried a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and wished it was hot and liquidy, then this is the best mix for hot chocolate to make your dreams come true. It’s got a great, authentic-tasting peanut butter flavor, and the Hershey’s cocoa is strong enough to balance it out. The only downside is that the servings are kinda small, as they only make six ounces of drink per packet. Luckily, they give you eight packets per box. I went through the whole thing pretty quickly, almost as quickly as I can devour a pack of peanut butter cups. So, it’s definitely authentic! — Jon Gutierrez

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

best hot chocolate mix

Best Flavored

Good & Gather Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix

Good & Gather, aka Target, Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix is the best hot cocoa mix when it comes to unique flavors. Their salted caramel is so rich, salty, and decadent. It tastes like something you’d get at a local coffee shop. Good & Gather also sells hot chocolate mix flavors like double chocolate and peppermint, which are very good too. But for our money, this salted caramel hot chocolate is the way to go. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

hot cocoa mix

Best Budget

Trader Joe’s Organic Hot Cocoa Mix

Not only does Trader Joe’s cocoa have the best packaging but the beloved/cultish store also makes some of the best mix for hot chocolate. “It has a nice cocoa flavor,” said Sporked managing editor Gwynedd Stuart. “It’s sweet but not obnoxiously so.” It has a cocoa flavor that stays with you with a pleasantly bittersweet finish. It tastes like real chocolate and that makes it real good and nearly the best hot cocoa mix you can buy. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

best hot cocoa mix

Best of the Best

Nestle Classic Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

There is no better hot cocoa mix out there than Nestle Classic Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. It is truly the best hot chocolate mix you can buy nationwide at the grocery store. It is so rich and creamy and chocolatey. Even when made with water, it tastes like it was made with whole milk. That makes it a great accessible and money-saving option. But it wouldn’t matter if you were the richest person in the world! This is still the best hot cocoa mix that we would recommend to you because it really is that good. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other hot chocolate mixes we tried: Treat Life, Starbucks Classic, Swiss Miss Lucky Charms, Nestle, Select, Beaumont, Swiss Miss, 365 Organic Hot Cocoa, Beaumont, Good & Gather (all flavors), Land O Lakes (all flavors), Nestle, Numi Drinking Chocolate, Signature Select, Sprouts, Starbucks Classic, Swiss Miss (Lucky Charms, no sugar added, non-dairy, reduced calorie, regular and white chocolate), Treat Life, Kroger Dutch Hot Cocoa Mix Milk Chocolate

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Everything Bagel Kraft Mac & Cheese Is REAL https://sporked.com/article/kraft-everything-bagel-mac-and-cheese-news/ https://sporked.com/article/kraft-everything-bagel-mac-and-cheese-news/#respond Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:15:54 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=44683 This is….everything.

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Kraft Mac & Cheese is one of those classic pantry staples we know and love (it’s some of the best boxed mac & cheese we’ve ever tasted). There’s nothing quite like the taste of artificial cheesy goodness to bring back the flavors of childhood. And the best part? It’s customizable. Just look at this Reddit thread of a college student asking for cheap ways to elevate the boxed mac n’ cheese—it has over 100 comments. Turns out Kraft has its own ideas for taking their classic product to the next level: Behold, the all-new, limited-edition Everything Bagel Kraft Mac & Cheese launching exclusively on Walmart.com on November 29.

What is Everything Bagel Kraft Mac & Cheese?

If you’ve had an everything bagel, you’re probably familiar with the onion-y, garlick-y, sesame-y, and whatever-else-is-in-everything-bagel-seasoning-y flavor that truly makes life worth living. Now imagine that seasoning mix—but mostly the onion and garlic—in your Kraft Mac & Cheese. If you’re thinking, wow, how innovative, then get excited. If you’re thinking wow, I already put that in my Kraft Mac & Cheese, well, good for you. Maybe you’re still interested because it means you can save your Everything But the Bagel seasoning for something else. 

How can you get Everything Bagel Kraft Mac & Cheese?

You’ll have to act fast with this new release. With only 14,000 boxes up for grabs, Walmart.com’s presale will begin November 25th for die-hard Krafties. The new limited edition flavor will officially drop on November 29th and it’ll be available while supplies last. 

Will Everything Bagel Kraft Mac & Cheese be good?

Look, it’s no secret that the everything bagel trend has taken everything by storm. Potato chips, dips, smoked salmon—Trader Joe’s alone has developed quite an empire with their Everything But the Bagel-flavored items. But has it gone too far? I mean, Cup Noodles even released Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese instant noodles. But hey, that actually turned out to be pretty darn good. So, we have high hopes for Everything Bagel Kraft Mac & Cheese. And we’ll be jockeying online to snag a box on Black Friday, because we all know this is the real score.

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We Tried the Quaker Maple Bacon Oatmeal So You Don’t Have To https://sporked.com/article/quaker-maple-bacon-oatmeal-review/ https://sporked.com/article/quaker-maple-bacon-oatmeal-review/#respond Wed, 20 Nov 2024 13:15:00 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=44601 Breakfast food meets breakfast food!

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When my good friend and fellow content creator in the food space SnachWithZach broke the news that Quaker would be releasing Maple Bacon Oatmeal, I knew it was something I needed to track down! It seems to be exclusive to Walmart—though it’s worth mentioning that not every Walmart carries it. I checked several and hunted for a few weeks, but I finally found a box and am ready to give it a try to see if it lives up to my high expectations of all things bacon. 

Quaker Maple Bacon Instant Oatmeal

New Instant Oatmeal!

Quaker Maple Bacon Instant Oatmeal

Pros: It’s edible. It’s funny to put that in the “pro” section, but when I opened the packaging up, I was immediately hit with a wave of artificial bacon that had me questioning my purchase. Luckily, it didn’t taste the way it smelled. I did finish the bowl. And the maple flavor is very pleasant and not too sweet.

Cons: I’ve never been one to take the pictures on food packaging too literally, but this box shows pictures of bacon on the oatmeal. So, I was hoping there would at least be bacon bits mixed into the oatmeal or something. Alas, the only bacon is the artificial flavoring and I’ve got to be completely honest with you; you can barely taste it. This is Maple Bacon Oatmeal. I can’t help but feel disappointed that they skimped on the bacon. 

All and all, it’s an interesting concept, but Quaker unfortunately just doesn’t really deliver on the bacon. It’s similar enough to Quaker Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal that I can’t see myself seeking out Maple Bacon again.

Rating:

3.5/10

Sporks

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The Best Easy Thanksgiving Sides, According to Grocery Experts https://sporked.com/article/best-thanksgiving-sides/ https://sporked.com/article/best-thanksgiving-sides/#comments Mon, 18 Nov 2024 08:02:00 +0000 https://sporked.com/?p=27444 Easy Thanksgiving sides are the best Thanksgiving sides. We’ve said it before, but it’s really worth repeating because it’s one thing we truly believe in. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year or bringing a side dish to someone else’s place, the best Thanksgiving sides are ones that are easy to prepare buy don’t sacrifice flavor....

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Easy Thanksgiving sides are the best Thanksgiving sides. We’ve said it before, but it’s really worth repeating because it’s one thing we truly believe in. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year or bringing a side dish to someone else’s place, the best Thanksgiving sides are ones that are easy to prepare buy don’t sacrifice flavor. Seriously, no one is going to mind that you didn’t toil over the stuffing when it tastes as good as the best boxed stuffing. Same goes for the best microwave mashed potatoes. Seriously, put down the masher and go watch the parade with your dang family!

These are seven of the best Thanksgiving side dishes that are stupidly simple to prepare so you can worry about the dozen other fires (some literal) you need to put out on the big day.

Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes will always make the list of the best Thanksgiving sides, but that doesn’t mean you have to make them from scratch to really do it right. And boy do you have options: We’ve got premade, instant, or frozen mashed potatoes to choose from for the best Thanksgiving sides to fit your needs. If you’re looking for something as close to the real thing without all the trouble, Sporked managing editor Gwynedd Stuart would argue that Bob Evans premade potatoes are the way to go. They’re rich, creamy, potatoey, and all you have to do is heat them up in the microwave. When it comes to easy Thanksgiving sides, it doesn’t get easier than that. —Vinz Karl

Read the full ranking of the best premade mashed potatoes

Stove Top Traditional Sage Stuffing Mix

Stuffing is a mainstay on many Thanksgiving tables, but it’s surprisingly easy to mess up if you make it yourself. Sorry, grandma, but your recipe surely can’t compare to Stove Top’s Traditional Sage Stuffing Mix. This is one of the best Thanksgiving sides and it can be thrown together in about five minutes as long as you have an empty burner on the stove. Gwynedd found this mix to be fluffy, savory, and packed with herby flavor. A Thanksgiving side dish that’s delicious and easy as hell (just boil some water, mix, and fluff)? Move over, grandma. That’s an easy sell for the best Thanksgiving side dishes. —Vinz Karl

Read the full ranking of the best boxed stuffing or watch Gwynedd & Justine taste test stuffing on YouTube

Patti’s Good Life Mac & Cheese

There are a few things you can rely on at Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll certainly stuff yourself more than the turkey and you’ll definitely endure political discussions that will make you consider becoming estranged from your family, but being served mac and cheese isn’t necessarily a guarantee. That’s why this tray of frozen mac and cheese is of the best best Thanksgiving side dishes to bring to a potluck. Forget Stouffer’s—Patti LaBelle’s mac and cheese is insane. It’s creamy, cheesy, buttery, and so decadent. This stuff will make the politics talk go down a lot easier. —Alex Yakimova 

Read the full ranking of the best frozen mac and cheese

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Turkey Gravy

Thanksgiving isn’t exactly known for being the most gluten-free-friendly holiday—but Trader Joe’s did the celiac-afflicted a solid with this gluten-free turkey gravy. We love powdered gravy mix, but this premade gravy, which is sold near the soups in TJ’s refrigerated section, is fatty and flavorful without being nearly as salty as a mix. This is new to Trader Joe’s for Thanksgiving, but we hope they’ll keep it on shelves all year long. It’ll do a lot for a rotisserie chicken on a weeknight.—Alex Yakimova

Read our ranking of the best store bought gravy

Harry & David Country Cranberry Relish

If you’re looking for something a little different to slather on your plate this Thanksgiving, this cranberry relish is the way to go. It’s more sweet than tart, but the walnuts and spices make this a good alternative to the homogenous canned stuff. It’s Harry & David, so it’s on the pricey side ($8.99 a jar), but when it’s time to make leftovers sandwiches, you’ll be happy you splurged. —Alex Yakimova

Read the full ranking of the best cranberry sauce

Season’s Choice Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

Before you start peeling, roasting, and mashing sweet potatoes, we deeply need to tell you about this Aldi sweet potato casserole. It’s kind of unreal. According to Sporked editor in chief Justine Sterling, it’s sweet and buttery without crossing into the dessert realm—but you could totally pair it with some vanilla ice cream and serve it after dinner. Hey. They best easy Thanksgiving sides are versatile, and this one definitely is. —Alex Yakimova

Trader Joe’s Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit

When it comes to easy Thanksgiving sides, salad kits are the ultimate cheat code. No chopping vegetables. No rinsing and spinning your lettuce. Just cut open the bag, pour on the dressing, give it a good shake, and then dump it into a bowl and lie to everyone about having prepared it yourself from scratch. TJ’s Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish—it’s a crowd pleaser and it’s fancy enough for a special occasion. It comes with a bright, zingy dressing that will break up the monotony of the richer foods on the menu. It also comes with carrots and almonds for crunch, and parm for a nutty, salty punch. —Vinz Karl

Read the full ranking of the best Trader Joe’s salad kits

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