Before we get into the ranking, let me just address the pedants in the room. From one wine snob to another, let’s just acknowledge that most of the bottles on this list aren’t technically Champagne—they’re not from the Champagne region in France. Most are American sparkling wine. There’s also some Spanish Cava and Italian Prosecco. But most non-snobs just call all sparkling wine Champagne. So let’s just be chill, okay?

With that out of the way, let’s get to the ranking. Whether you’re looking for the best cheap Champagne for Mimosas, the best tasting cheap Champagne for a toast, or the best cheap sparkling rosé, here’s all the best cheap sparkling wine under $25. 

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 Mimosas

Andre Brut

Total Wine

If you’re like me, you remember Andre as the super cheap sparkling wine that you bought by the caseload in college for “fancy” parties. It was usually chugged, not sipped, directly from the bottle. So I was a bit skeptical of our friend Andre. But, honestly, it’s pretty decent—especially when it comes to mixing it with juice. It’s fizzy, fruity (lemony and apple-y), and just a touch sweet. And it’s less than $6 a bottle. And that all makes it the best grocery store Champagne for Mimosas.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

Best Prosecco

Kirkland Signature Asolo Prosecco

Instacart

Costco is one of the best places to go for the best cheap sparkling wine. We’ll get to the real winner in a few entries, but Costco’s Kirkland Prosecco is a worthwhile buy, as well. It smells like nectarines and apricots. And those flavors follow through on the palate, too. It’s super bright and fruity and very, very gulpable. I wish there was a little more fizz, but if you don’t love the toastiness of a traditional Champagne, then Kirkland Prosecco is some of the best grocery store sparkling wine around.

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

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Best Host Gift

Chandon Brut Rose

Total Wine

If you love dry rosé, then give Chandon a go. It’s toasty and extremely dry (we’re talking not sweet at all). And the teeny, tiny bubbles really tickle your nose. It’s one of the best cheap Champagnes to pair with food (yes, I know, it’s from Napa, it’s not Champagne, I told you to chill out). Break it out with a lemony salad or a cheeseboard. Or give it as a gift. It looks expensive even though it costs less than $20.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Cava

Freixenet Cava

Instacart

Freixenet is a supermarket staple for a reason. It’s tart. It’s lemony. Every glass effervesces with lots of little pin prick bubbles. It doesn’t have the toastiness of Champagne because it’s not Champagne. It’s Cava. And it’s some of the best cheap sparkling wine you can find pretty darn much anywhere. If you want something a little bit shmancier than Andre, this crisp bottle is the other best cheap sparkling wine for Mimosas or Bellinis.

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

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Best Sparkling Rosé

Josh Prosecco Rose

Total Wine

This sparkling rosé from winery-turned-meme-turned-celebrated-grocery-store-wine Josh is packed with lots of red fruit flavors. It tastes like a classic sparkling rosé—great for sipping on its own or pairing with food. I am picturing a bottle with sushi or a picnic or a sushi picnic.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best French Champagne

Kirkland Champagne Brut

Instacart

Yep, the second best cheap Champagne is actually from France—and it’s available at Costco. It’s just over $25 (I know, cheating) but it’s worth the splurge. It tastes like a classic, real Champagne. It has that toasty, lemony quality. It’s creamy. It’s effervescent. Serve this with some cheap caviar on New Year’s Eve (or a Wednesday). But don’t try to use it in a cocktail like a French 75—it’s too delicate to handle such bold flavors. Appreciate it on its own as some of the best supermarket Champagne.

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best of the Best

Gruet Brut

Total Wine

Who would have thought that the best cheap Champagne actually comes from New Mexico. Made in the style of Champagne (aka methode Champagnoise), it has a complex aroma of sage and grape must. It tastes super fruity—lots of nectarines and apples—and then finishes crisp and rich. It tastes aged. And it’s just over $15 a bottle. That’s wild. This isn’t just good grocery store champagne, it’s some of the best tasting cheap Champagne around, so stock up.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other cheap Champagne we tried: Mumm Sparkling, Trader Joe’s Brut North Coast Sparkling Wine, Trader Joe’s Brut Rose North Coast Sparkling Wine, Ruffino Lumina Prosecco, Lamarca Prosecco, Chandon Brut, Winemakers Selection, Martini & Rossi, Kirkland Prosecco Rose, Korbel Brut, Cupcake Sparkling Rose, Cook’s Brut

The post Best Cheap Champagne from the Grocery Store appeared first on Sporked.

But what about the best frozen pizza to buy in preparation for those moments. Over the course of many, many taste tests we’ve found the best frozen pizza brands making the best frozen pizzas, from the best veggie frozen pizza to the best frozen pepperoni pizza. 

Frozen pizza is good now. Maybe it used to be cardboard covered in sweet marinara and a stretchy blanket of cheese (and, yes, you can still buy it like that), but the best frozen pizzas are topped with real mozzarella that gets gooey, savory marinara sauce, and actual, yeasty pizza dough that rises in the oven. The toppings aren’t simply limited to sad sausage crumbles. You can get real, thinly sliced pepperoni, or vegetables that actually taste like vegetables, or even pineapple that doesn’t immediately dissolve into a puddle. And you have choices when it comes to crust. You can get Detroit style frozen pizza! Thin crust frozen pizza! Cauliflower crust frozen pizza! The choices are really overwhelming. 

Lucky for you, we’ve done a lot of tasting. We looked for gooey cheese, fresh toppings, and crispy-chewy crust you actually enjoy eating. At this point in the frozen pizza timeline, the best frozen pizza should be nearly as good as delivery or something you can make from scratch—but much cheaper and easier. Here’s the best rated frozen pizza you can buy at the grocery store.    

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 Personal Pan Pizza

Red Baron Deep Dish Supreme

Target

This is not the best frozen deep dish pizza—that honor belongs to Uno Pizzeria’s pepperoni pizza, and we’ll discuss it later. In fact, I don’t think this really qualifies as deep dish pizza at all. But it’s still one of the best individually sized frozen pizzas that we tried. The crust is buttery and chewy. The sauce is flavorful and zesty. The toppings are plentiful and perfectly seasoned. Buy a box of these cheap Red Baron frozen pizzas, they deserve a spot in your freezer.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

5.5/10

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Best Mini Pizza Bagels (Runner-Up)

Bagel Bites

Walmart

It’s hard to have an objective opinion about Bagel Bites. I grew up eating trayfuls of microwaved Bagel Bites as afternoon snacks. So, to me, these taste like carefree adolescence. The sauce is sweet (and a touch slimy), the cheese is mild at best (flavorless at worst), and the bagel itself is chewy. But it all comes together to taste like the essence of pizza thanks to a hefty hit of oregano. It’s super satisfying in the same way that the best pizza rolls are satisfying. Nuke up a box the next time you’re feeling snacky at 1 a.m.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

5.5/10

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Best Mini Pizza Bagels:

Annie’s Mini Pizza Bagels

Amazon

Bagel Bites super fans, please cover your ears: Annie’s makes better mini pizza bagels than Bagel Bites. Yes, Bagel Bites taste great—they taste like childhood in the ‘90s. But Annie’s Mini Pizza Bagels are better. They are extremely cheesy and you can actually taste the flavor of the cheese. The sauce is zingy and tomatoey and very savory. My only quibble is the lack of oregano, so you don’t get quite the same pizza-ness that you do from Bagel Bites. Even if you’re a Bagel Bites loyalist, I still think you should try these mini pizza bagels.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

Best French Bread

Red Baron French Bread Singles Supreme Pizzas

Target

If you think the best frozen pizza comes on a loaf of bread, then Red Baron is the best frozen pizza brand for you. It tastes like real French bread—crusty and chewy and a little tangy. It’s topped with fennel-tinged sausage crumbles, crazy good pepperoni, and red and green peppers for good measure. This frozen French bread pizza is so good, it made a convert out of die-hard Stouffer’s fan, managing editor Gwynedd Stuart.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen French bread pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

6.5/10

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Best Veggie

Trader Joe’s Organic Roasted Vegetable Pizza

Trader Joe’s might not be the best frozen pizza brand if you’re looking for a classic cheese or pepperoni, but the store’s frozen veggie or vegan pizzas are incredible. This is the best frozen veggie pizza, hands-down. It comes topped with red onions, eggplant spears, zucchini, and bell peppers—along with little dabs of cheese sauce. Yum. The veggies stay fresh and aren’t watery at all. It’s quite a feat of frozen pizza science.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen veggie pizza

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

6.5/10

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Best Frozen Deep Dish

Uno Pizzeria Primo Pepperoni

Walmart

Please take note: We are talking about frozen Uno Pizzeria Primo Pepperoni, not sausage. The sausage flavor can go kick rocks. But the pepperoni? It’s perfection. It’s hard to find frozen deep dish pizza if you’re not in the Chicagoland area. But I’ve been assured by former Chicagoan, Gwynedd, that this is a very good representation. The cheese is stretchy and sloppy. The sauce is straight up umami. And the pepperoni is tangy and just a little bit spicy. One piece of this frozen deep dish pizza will send you straight to bed in the best way possible.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Pepperoni

Screamin’ Sicilian Original Holy Pepperoni Frozen Pizza

Walmart

Target

Safeway

Take a peek into the window of this frozen pepperoni pizza’s packaging and you will see what you are in for: lots and lots and lots of savory, spicy pepperoni. That’s why it took the top spot in our best frozen pepperoni pizza taste test. It is all about those peps. It’s a pep squad. The sauce, crust, and cheese harken back to the pizzas from the arcade birthday parties of your past—but that’s not a bad thing. It all comes together to create one extremely satisfying bite and one of the best frozen pizzas out there.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen pepperoni pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Gluten Free Crust

Mama Cozzi’s Cauliflower Pizza Pepperoni

Instacart

We previously ranked Banza as our number one best frozen gluten free pizza, but during our most recent taste test, this Aldi pizza ran away with that title. (It’s also the best frozen cauliflower crust pizza on this list.) The crispy, chewy crust is really satisfying—whether you’re gluten-free or not—and the cheese is so thick and gooey and there’s just so much of it. The pepperoni is thin and adds a touch of meaty spice. You really won’t miss the gluten with this frozen gluten free pizza.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

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Best Thin Crust

DiGiorno Veggie Loaded Ultra Thin

Target

DiGiorno Ultra Thin pizzas are the best thin crust frozen pizzas—but their veggie offering is particularly delicious. The diced veggies, cheese, and sauce go all the way to the edge of the crust, which is crispy and crunchy. If you like Domino’s thin crust pizza, this is definitely the best frozen pizza for you.

Read the full ranking of the best thin crust frozen pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Pan Pizza

DiGiorno Crispy Pan Pepperoni Pizza

Target

This is not Detroit style pizza—nor does it claim to be. So don’t expect to find cheesy, buttery crust. This frozen pizza is all about a focaccia-style crust. It’s puffy, bready, chewy, and totally perfect for dipping into a side of ranch or marinara. The sauce is rich with tomato flavor and the cheese has a photo-worthy cheese pull. Gwynedd compared it to Pizza Hut pan pizza, which is pretty high praise. If that’s your platonic ideal of pizza, this is the best frozen pizza for you.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Hawaiian

Freschetta Canadian Style Bacon & Pineapple

Walmart

Freschetta frozen pizza is known for its crust—it puffs up in the oven and tastes fresh baked. But Freschetta should also get some credit for making the best frozen Hawaiian pizza on the market. The ham slices are thick with a tasty rind—like some of the best Canadian bacon we’ve tasted. And the pineapple is just bright and fruity enough. It stays in its lane. It adds a tangy pop without bleeding into every bite. This will not make a convert out of you if you don’t like Hawaiian pizza to begin with, but if you’re a fan of the sweet and the savory, this is the best frozen pizza for your balanced tastes.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Cheesy Crust

Freschetta Five Cheese

Target

So many frozen pizzas have a sweet sauce. But not Freschetta. Freschetta’s tomato sauce is ultra savory and there is a lot of it. The crust bakes up fluffy and crusty. The cheese melts into a real topping—not just slightly melted shreds. And let’s talk more about that cheese. There are five different cheeses on this frozen pizza (mozzarella, asiago, parmesan, fontina, and provolone) and you can tell. You can taste the complexity. Even the crust is sprinkled with a couple of different cheeses (asiago and parmesan). It’s definitely the best frozen pizza for crust-hounds like myself who can’t wait to scoop up any crusts left behind and eat them like breadsticks.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Cheese

DiGiorno Stuffed Crust Five Cheese

Walmart

Craving stuffed crust pizza? Buy this instead of ordering. The crust is stuffed with mozzarella that really tastes like good, creamy, gooey mozzarella—not just slightly sweaty string cheese. And cheese on the pizza is super savory and satisfying thanks to the cheddar. This is the best frozen pizza for not just cheese lovers but cheese obsessives.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen cheese pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Chicago’s Home Run Inn Cheese Classic Pizza

Best Indulgent

Target

After initially publishing this article, there was an outcry from you, dear readers. Apparently, we screwed up. We didn’t include Home Run Inn pizza. How dare we. Well, we are always open to recommendations from passionate eaters, so we cooked up a cheese pie. And? I am pleased to say that we were, indeed, wrong to miss this pie. It is almost like a savory tart. The tomato-rich sauce and crispy-gooey cheese blanket a flaky pastry-esque crust. You were all correct and I thank you for bringing this pizza into my life. If you’ve never had this before, do yourself a favor and try it. It’s the best frozen pizza to have if you’re looking for true decadence. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Motor City Detroit Style Supreme Deep Dish Pizza

Walmart

Instacart

In my humble opinion, Detroit-style pizza is the best thing to happen to pizza since ranch dressing. With its high, doughy crust and cheesy, crispy edges, it provides a perfect base for a mound of toppings and is just plain satisfying in a way thin crust pizza never is. I was extremely dubious that a frozen pizza would come close to the real thing. But Motor City has cracked it. It was the top rated frozen pizza in our frozen Detroit style pizza taste test and it’s the best tasting frozen pizza overall after three separate tastings. Pillowy and doughy? Check. Cheesy, crispy edges? Check. Generous topping distribution? Check. I’ve thought about this pizza multiple times since we tasted it. I will buy it with my own cash, which I earned by tasting this, the best frozen pizza.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen Detroit style pizza

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Other frozen pizzas we tried: Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy Pepperoni, California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken, Mama Cozzi Thin Crust, Jack’s Original Thin Crust Pepperoni Frozen Pizza, Red Baron, Marketside, One Bite 5 Cheese Stone Baked Pizza, Celeste Pepperoni, Microwave Pizza For One, Palermo’s Rising Crust Supreme Pizza, Quest Thin Crust Pizza Uncured Pepperoni, Tony’s Pizzeria Style Pizza, Mama Cozzi’s Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza, Great Value Rising Crust Pepperoni Pizza, Tombstone Frozen Pepperoni Pizza, Sam’s Choice Rising Crust 7 Cheese Pizza Stuffed Crust, DiGiorno Original Rising Crust Four Cheese, Talia Di Napoli Gluten-Free Margherita, Surfer Boy, Palermo’s Rising Crust Hawaiian, Digiorno Hawaiian Style, Member’s Mark Mini Pizza Bagels, Rao’s Supreme, Red Barron BBQ Chicken, Surfer Boy, Uno Sausage, Red Barron Deep Dish Cheese, Pizza Cupcake, Trader Joe’s Pizza Bites, Tillamook BBQ Chicken 

Best Ranch Dressings to Buy

March 25, 2022

A good ranch should strike the perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and saltiness. What we found, however, is that there are many different interpretations of ranch dressing that range from incredibly delicious to truly heinous.

The post Best Frozen Pizza: Cheese, Pepperoni, Veggie, Thin Crust, and More appeared first on Sporked.

And while the best brie cheese brand is probably some fancy French stuff known only to the most elite cheesemongers, your local Kroger or Target carries some pretty good stuff, too. Over the course of three taste tests, we tried the most accessible brie cheeses on the market to find the best brie brands you can buy pretty much anywhere—including wedges, brie bites, mini wheels, and even goat brie and ready-to-bake brie en croute. We looked for bloomy, mild rinds (yes, you can and should eat the rind on brie), creamy, gooey insides (this stuff should practically melt at room temperature—although we do include one exception on this list), and a mostly mild flavor with just a touch of funk at the finish. The best brie shouldn’t be bland, but it shouldn’t be camembert, either.

We recently updated this list with a couple new brie cheeses, so read on to check out our new and improved list of the best brie cheese to buy at the grocery store.

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 if You Hate Rinds

Marin French Cheese Co Petite Breakfast Brie

Instacart

If you want not only the best brie cheese but the most unique brie for your cheeseboard, grab a teeny, tiny wheel of Petite Breakfast Brie from the Marin French Cheese Co. This brie has no rind. I didn’t even know that was possible! It is firm (this is the exception to our rule of goo we were talking about earlier) and mild. It’s almost closer to provolone than a brie. I didn’t know I was missing this in my life, but now that I do I will be buying it regularly. Plus, it’s so cute! And don’t worry, it’s not just for breakfast.  — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Brie en Croute

Marin French Brie En Croute

Instacart

There aren’t many refrigerated or frozen brie en croutes on the market, but even if there were a ton I’d be singing the praises of this oven-ready baked brie. The pastry crust is buttery and flaky. The cheese inside is melty and tangy—if a little funkier than some other brie cheeses. My only critique is that it’s small. If you’re entertaining you need more than one of these, for sure. Grab a jar of Sporked-approved fruit preserves and go to town. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Basic Brie

Emporium Selection Soft Ripened Double Creme Brie

Instacart

Emporium Selection Soft Ripened Double Cream Brie (aka Aldi brie cheese) is the best brie for brie haters. It’s so creamy and so mild. There’s no funk whatsoever. Sometimes you want something that isn’t going to blow out your palate and that is definitely this brie. It would complement so many other flavors without overpowering anything. Spread it on a sandwich or toss it on a cheeseboard and tell me I’m not right. Spoiler alert: You won’t.  — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best for Salad

Saint André Triple Crème Brie

Trader Joe’s

Saint André Triple Crème Brie is made from cow’s milk, but, in my opinion, you would never know. Blindfolded, I would’ve sworn it was goat cheese! That’s what is so interesting about this brie. It’s mild and salty. The texture is a little crumbly, which is strange for a triple creme but it works. This would be awesome sprinkled over a salad or some roasted veggies. I wasn’t expecting this cheese and it still managed to surpass my expectations. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Second Best Brie Bites

Ile de France Le Brie Mini

Instacart

While these brie bites weren’t quite as good as our top best brie bites pick, they deserve a spot on this list. Because they are gooey, extremely creamy, and delightfully funky/cheesy. And people who appreciate those qualities in a cheese don’t often get a snacking cheese. Most snacking cheeses tend to be mild. So, this one’s for you, funk lovers. Each brie bite comes in packaging that resembles an oversized creamer cup, which is pleasing but it does make it somewhat hard to extract the cheese. You have to bang them out of the cups. But it’s worth the effort. —Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Spicy

Marin French Cheese Co. Petite Jalapeno

Marin Cheese

Jalapeno flavored brie? French cheese traditionalists are throwing their berets on the ground in anger. But you gotta try this stuff. There are lots of little bits of pepper in extra creamy cheese. It’s kind of like if pepper Jack and brie had a baby. And it packs some palpable heat, which is contrasted against that creamy brie-ness. It’s not going to replace a classic wheel of brie on a cheese board, but it’s a great addition. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Marin Cheese

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for Baked Brie

Président Soft-Ripened Brie Wheel

Target

President Soft-Ripened Brie Cheese Wheel is the best brie cheese for baked brie. Is it good to eat by itself? Of course. Would it be even better stuffed into some phyllo dough, topped with walnuts and cranberry marmalade, and baked until oozing? Absolutely! This is definitely the best brie for cooking and I will be stocking up on it for the holiday season because nothing says Christmas like baked brie.  — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Goat Brie

Laura Chenel Creamy Brie

Instacart

Brie is traditionally made with cow’s milk. But this goat brie makes a good argument for switching that up. It’s extremely creamy, like the best brie cheese should be, but then you get this grassy, goat cheese flavor that makes you second guess what you thought you were eating. If you like the flavor of fresh chevre and the texture of brie, then you have to try this goat brie. Try it on its own, then spread it on a sandwich with some turkey and sprouts. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Brie Bites

Supreme Brie Bites

Instacart

Each bag of Supreme Brie Bites is filled with individually packaged little brie bites, so you can throw one in a lunchbox or straight up in your purse or pocket for on-the-go snacking without fear of creating a melty mess. Each brie bite is about the circumference of a ping-pong ball, which is a good size for snacking cheese. The rind is thin and mild. The inner cheese is the perfect amount of creamy (you can safely eat one without a nearby napkin, unlike the Ile de France brie bites) and the flavor is mild with just a touch of funk on the finish. You feel like a real fancy pants snacking on one of these brie bites. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Wedge

Trader Joe’s Triple Creme Brie

If you’re looking for a flavorful brie that will please both cheese novices and cheese aficionados alike, grab a wedge of Trader Joe’s Triple Cream Brie. It’s so creamy. And it’s a bit funkier than you might expect from a brie. This completely fulfills my desire to eat chunks of butter (anyone else have this?). When I think of brie, this is what comes to mind. Originally, we deemed this Trader Joe’s brie to be the best brie cheese—but another Trader Joe’s brie swooped in after our most recent taste test to claim the title.  — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Trader Joe’s Brie Log

Trader Joe’s brie log has the perfect cracker circumference. Each slice lays just right on a Ritz or water biscuit. And the cheese itself is creamy, mild, and delightful—a real classic brie. This is definitely not the best brie cheese if you don’t eat the rind, though. You gotta eat these slices whole. Rind eaters, rise up! This is the best brie for you. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other brie cheese brands we tried: Alouette Creme de Brie Original Brie Spread, Trader Joe’s Truffle Brie, Trader Joe’s Wild Mushroom Brie, President, Laura Chenel Goat Brie, Isigny Ste Mere, Supreme Brie, Private Selection, Boar’s Head, Trader Joe’s Light Brie, Good & Gather Double Creme Brie Wedge, President Wee Brie, Emporium Selection Double Creme Brie (imported from Canada), Marin French Petit Truffle Triple Creme Brie, Montchevre Triple Creme Goat Brie

The post Best Brie Cheese You Can Buy at the Grocery Store (Updated with a New #1!) appeared first on Sporked.

After three taste tests, this ranking of Mountain Dew flavors continues to be a work in progress. See, Mountain Dew flavors are being released and discontinued all the time. We’re still on the hunt for full sugar Spark, as well as the new and returning Game Fuel flavors. So, bear with us. This is not a complete list of every Mountain Dew flavor—but it is a lot of them. 

If you’re new to the wide world of Mountain Dew flavors and looking for the best Mountain Dew flavor to try first, this list is a good place to start. And if you’re just looking to get into a fight because we ranked what you believe to be the best Mountain Dew flavor far too low on this list, then we’ll see you in the comments. 

Here are 17 Mountain Dew flavors, ranked from worst to best.

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.

Voltage

Mountain Dew Voltage

Walmart

Put this Mountain Dew flavor in a hummingbird feeder. This is so sweet it should not be consumed by humans! (Don’t actually feed it to hummingbirds; I’m not sure what they’re allowed to eat.) It’s supposed to be blue raspberry and citrus flavor, apparently, but there’s no tang whatsoever. Something had to be the worst flavor of Mountain Dew, and Mountain Dew Voltage is it. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

4/10

Sporks

Diet Mtn Dew

Diet Mountain Dew

Target

Diet Mountain Dew is so inferior to Mountain Dew Zero. I’m not even sure why Diet Mountain Dew exists. If you’re into this, I’m sure you have your reasons and you should keep drinking it. If you’re looking for a low-calorie Mountain Dew option that doesn’t taste strongly of artificial sweeteners, this is not the best Mountain Dew flavor for you. There’s a better one out there. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

5/10

Sporks

Major Melon Zero

Mountain Dew Major Melon Zero

Walmart

This extremely pink Mountain Dew flavor purports to be “charged with watermelon,” which is pure gibberish. And while I appreciate that, it’s simply far too sweet to have more than one sip. It smells and tastes like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, but it has that telltale fake sugar flavor at the finish. If you insist on drinking this watermelon Mountain Dew flavor, stick to the full sugar version. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

5/10

Sporks

Major Melon

Mountain Dew Major Melon

Instacart

Major Melon (though better than Mountain Dew Major Melon Zero) is way too sweet. The watermelon flavor is super artificial. There’s really no reason to buy this Mountain Dew flavor. There are way better versions of melon soft drinks out there. (We’re big fans of the Watermelon Lime Olipop.) — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

5.5/10

Sporks

Baja Blast Zero

Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero

Target

The original Mountain Dew Baja Blast is shockingly subtle in flavor (not a sentence I ever thought I’d write). It’s very sweet, yes, but it’s too nuanced to be turned into a diet soda. All Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero tastes like is generic diet soda. It’s sweet and bland. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

5.5/10

Sporks

Frost Bite

Mountain Dew Frost Bite

Instacart

Mountain Dew Frost Bite is a forgettable Mountain Dew flavor. I had to go back to my notes multiple times just to remember what it tastes like. I have a good memory, especially when it comes to soda, so that’s saying something. It’s mostly just sweet (it’s supposed to taste like “cool melon”). It’s certainly not one of the best Mountain Dew flavors, but I do like the shark on the label! — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

5.5/10

Sporks

Thrashed Apple

Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple

Instacart

We’ve finally reached the start of the best Mountain Dew flavors—the ones we’ll willingly drink again. Mountain Dew Thrashed Apple actually tastes like a green apple! It’s super sweet, but it has a nice tartness that balances it out. I wouldn’t make this my everyday Mountain Dew flavor, but it is nice and definitely something you should reach for if you love green apples. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

6.5/10

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Mtn Dew Zero

Mountain Dew Zero

Target

Mountain Dew Zero is actually pretty good. Typically, I don’t like diet soda but I didn’t mind this. Make sure you buy Mountain Dew Zero (a lower calorie Mountain Dew that tastes similar to the real deal) and not Diet Mountain Dew (a gross drink that tastes like fake sweetener). — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

7/10

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Code Red

Mountain Dew Code Red

Instacart

Mountain Dew Code Red is not for me, but I cannot deny that it’s good. I don’t typically like cherry, but this soda does cherry right. If a cherry hater can enjoy this, it has to be good! The cherry flavor is sweet, fruity, and refreshing. I get why so many people go hard for Mountain Dew Code Red! It’s up there with the best Mountain Dew flavors. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

7/10

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Point Break Punch

Baja Point Break Punch

Walmart

Dropped in March of 2024 as part of the 20th Bajaversary (a time we all remember fondly), this limited edition Baja Blast variant tastes extremely fruit punchy. Like, it essentially tastes like Red 40. You have to like that extra-sweet, faux fruit flavor. It was a fun temporary addition to the Baja line-up, but I wasn’t too sad to see it go and I won’t be hunting it down on the Mountain Dew Discords. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

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VooDEW

Mountain Dew VooDEW (2024)

Walmart

Sporked Mountain Dew correspondent Tyler Bowers thinks this could be one of the best VooDEW flavors to date. It has a strong strawberry flavor, which Tyler likened to Strawberry Laffy Taffy or Strawberry Starbursts (the brand confirmed the mystery flavor was pink fruit candy). It’s sweet—very sweet—but it’s not saccharine. — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Baja Blast

Mountain Dew Baja Blast

Target

I expected Mountain Dew Baja Blast to be a punch of flavor in my face. But it’s actually quite gentle, much like its beautiful, pale teal hue. It’s a hard flavor to pin down. It doesn’t taste like anything from nature. If pressed, I’d say it tastes like fruit punch, if said fruit punch were created by an alien who had never actually tasted fruit punch, but had someone describe it to him. One thing’s for sure: It’s very, very sweet. But it’s not as one note as Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zero. There’s some acidity. Even though it’s not the best Mountain Dew flavor, it’s a welcome addition to the permanent in-store line-up.  — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

8/10

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Laguna Lemonade

Mountain Dew Baja Laguna Lemonade

Walmart

This limited time Baja Blast flavor was released alongside Baja Point Break Punch in March of 2024 in celebration of the 20th Bajaversary. And I really think they should bring it back as a permanent Mountain Dew flavor. It’s advertised as a mango lemonade flavor and it really tastes like mango. It’s tropical and, though it doesn’t taste like lemon, it does have some bright, zippy, orange soda-esque acidity. Bring it back! — Justine Sterling

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Spark Zero

Mountain Dew Spark Zero

Instacart

This Mountain Dew flavor is one of the best diet sodas I’ve ever had. It’s sweet and tart and a little sour. It is supposed to taste like raspberry lemonade and it actually does. So many of the new Mountain Dew flavors are way too sweet, but this one is just right. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Pitch Black

Mountain Dew Pitch Black

Instacart

This is one of the most beloved of all Mountain Dew flavors and I get it. Pitch Black is good! It was discontinued and then brought back because fans love it so much. It was formerly described as “Black Grape” but is now “Dark Citrus.” I don’t really know what either of these names mean, but I taste both grape and citrus in Pitch Black. I would happily drink a glass of this again. — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Original

Mountain Dew Original

Target

Until our most recent Mountain Dew flavor taste test, we had the original Mountain Dew as the best Mountain Dew flavor. It’s so sweet and citrusy and refreshing. If you don’t like the original Mountain Dew, why are you even reading this list?! But there is a better Mountain Dew flavor out there… — Jordan Myrick

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Purple Thunder

Mountain Dew Purple Thunder

Walmart

Originally launched as a Circle K exclusive, you can now get this purple Mountain Dew flavor at Kroger-owned stores. It’s purported to be a berry-plum flavor, though it tastes pretty grape-y to me. Whatever the actual flavor, it’s so good. It’s sweet, for sure, but it has enough acidity to balance out the sugar, which is often lacking in Mountain Dew flavors. And the color? It’s gorgeous. It’s a beautiful violet—not the color of anything you should put in your body but beautiful all the same. I know people are going to come after me, but this really is the best Mountain Dew flavor out there (until our next taste test of every Mountain Dew flavor, of course). — Justine Sterling 

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

The post 17 Mountain Dew Flavors, Ranked appeared first on Sporked.

Eggnog is great because it’s so damn rich and luxurious. Eggnog has buttery, thick, fatty richness going for it, and that’s reflected in the nutritional facts (don’t read those on a carton of eggnog, btw). But, hey, all the best foods certainly shorten our lifespans. And in addition to being dangerously decadent, the best eggnog is also warmly spiced and comforting. Eggnog, like all of us, contains multitudes. 

Every holiday season, we scour the dairy aisle to find new eggnog brands, limited edition eggnog flavors, and more options for the best store bought eggnog that we may have overlooked. And just to be clear—these are all non-alcoholic options. If you want to spike your nog, you’ll have to BYOB (bring your own bourbon, brandy, or, uh… b-rum).  We’ve got oatmilk eggnog, lactose free eggnog, low fat eggnog, almond milk eggnog, or classic, full-fat, full-dairy eggnog. We looked for eggnog with a deliciously rich flavor, bold spice, and appropriate thickness. Good eggnog should feel like a special treat. So what’s the best store bought eggnog for the holidays this year? Let’s get into it.

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 Lactose Free

Lactaid Lactose Free Eggnog

Walmart

Instacart

As we found in our best lactose free milk taste test, lactose free milk is often quite sweet on its own—so it’s a good base for eggnog. And this lactose free eggnog is still creamy, too. My only issue with it is that it’s not spiced enough for my liking. It tastes like liquid vanilla pudding or melted vanilla ice cream, which is not a bad thing. I just wish there were more spices in the mix to make it taste more like the holidays. — Justine Sterling  

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

6.5/10

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Best Vanilla

Shamrock Farms Vanilla Spice Eggnog

Instacart

Shamrock Farms Vanilla Spice Eggnog is basically a vanilla milkshake disguised as eggnog. That might not appeal to everyone, but it’s undeniably delicious. It’s extra thick, rich, and creamy, with a sweet vanilla flavor that’s gently warmed by a mild blend of cozy spices. It’s more of a dessert than a classic, old-timey holiday drink; I could see kids (and vanilla latte devotees) really enjoying this egg nog flavor. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7/10

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Best Almond Milk Eggnog

Almond Breeze Almond Nog

Instacart

Almond Breeze almond milk eggnog actually edged out a lot of the full-fat eggnogs I tried. The almond flavor provides some really excellent flavor. It’s made with cane sugar, rice starch, and almond milk, and it maintains that fatty, spiced nog flavor that we were looking for in the best dairy free eggnog. Managing editor Gwynedd Stuart was a big fan of it, citing it as “refreshing.” I concur. This is the best vegan eggnog if almond milk is your alternative milk of choice. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Flavored

Kroger Rich & Creamy Cinnamon Eggnog

Ralphs

Kroger came out with a full line of eggnogs this year, including pumpkin flavored eggnog, vanilla eggnog, and low fat eggnog. But the cinnamon flavored eggnog was the only one that really stood out. If you’re interested in eggnog but don’t like nutmeg, then allow me to introduce you to this cinnamon-only eggnog, it may be the best tasting eggnog for your palate. Think of creamy, thick chocolate milk—now imagine the chocolate is gone and instead it’s cinnamon. That’s what this eggnog tastes like. It also reminds me of Häagen-Dazs cinnamon ice cream, which is probably my favorite Häagen-Dazs ice cream. If you feel similarly, head to your local Kroger or Kroger affiliate, ASAP. —Justine Sterling 

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

7.5/10

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Best Eggnog with Booze

Sprouts Organic Eggnog

Instacart

Now this is eggy eggnog. (How eggy is it?) It’s so eggy, that it droops and gloops out of the damn container like fancy Christmas sludge. Because of the thickness, I think this is the one of the best eggnog brands to mix with alcohol. The problem with mixing things like bourbon and rum with store bought eggnog is that the nog becomes too thin and thus loses its iconically thick texture. That won’t be a problem with Sprouts eggnog, which is almost made for booze. And the flavor of Sprouts’ eggnog is on point too. The nutmeg provides some warm, nutty notes. And it’s rich, buttery, and delicious. Buy it, then stir in some alcohol with confidence. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett/Instacart

Rating:

8/10

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Best Extra Creamy

Broguiere’s Eggnog

Amazon

Instacart

This eggnog made me say “good lord” out loud (to absolutely no one but myself). Broguiere’s eggnog is curiously rich, but I think the secret ingredient is egg yolk powder. That powder offers a lot of rich, fatty, condensed flavor, so the egg flavor in this nog is really off the charts. Broguiere’s puts their eggnog in a faux milk bottle complete with a smiling cow on the label, so it comes off as eggnog straight from the farm—but that’s misleading. Broguiere’s uses corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup in their ingredients. Combine that with egg yolk powder, and it doesn’t exactly scream homemade. It could also benefit from some aromatics. Still, the flavor is very, very good. Sweet, creamy, and lavish, Broguiere’s is the best eggnog for those who like a full egg yolk flavor. — Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Vegan Eggnog

Chobani Oatmilk Oat Nog

Walmart

Chobani makes the best non dairy eggnog we tried. You get the thickness of a classic eggnog—we’re talking super-duper creamy—and the flavor is spot on. It’s sweet and nutmeg-y. And you don’t really even taste the oatiness of the oatmilk. You could definitely pass this off as standard oatmilk, which makes it the best vegan eggnog to buy. —Justine Sterling

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Classic

Trader Joe’s Egg Nog

Trader Joe’s

If you’re a devoted Trader Joe’s shopper during the holiday season (which, I totally get it—the winter vibes are immaculate), don’t even look anywhere else for the best eggnog. This stuff is everything you want. It’s creamy without being too heavy. It’s frothy, but still smooth and rich. It brings the whole gamut of spices with every sip—and you can really taste the cinnamon here, too. I’ve noticed that even some of the best eggnogs could use a cinnamon stick or two. —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

9/10

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Best Classy

Promised Land Old Fashioned Eggnog

Instacart

Ralphs

To me, the best eggnog almost tastes a little boozy, even when it’se alcohol-free. Promised Land’s Old Fashioned Eggnog finishes on a neat, sophisticated note that actually reminds of bourbon in an Old Fashioned. (Maybe that’s just the power of suggestion in the name, but I swear I can taste it!) The kick of nutmeg adds a clean, punchy spice that balances the rich creaminess and elevates the overall taste. I’m addicted to this stuff, plain and simple. It’s limited edition, too, so buy it while you can! —Ariana Losch

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

9/10

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Best Low Fat Eggnog

Organic Valley Reduced Fat Eggnog

Instacart

Ralphs

I can’t believe this is low fat eggnog. Okay, maybe it’s not, like, fat-free, but it is 33% less fat than Organic Valley’s regular eggnog. And you’d never know it. It’s so, so thick and decadent. But even beyond that, it’s a very unique eggnog. It tastes like it was spiced with freshly grated nutmeg. You get this drying effect on the end of every sip, which keeps you coming back for more. And while it’s certainly sweetened, it’s not super sweet. You won’t mistake this for melted ice cream. If you want an eggnog that’s scaled back on fat but still a treat, this is the best eggnog brand for you. —Justine Sterling 

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Spiced

Alexandre Organic A2/A2 Homegrown Eggnog

Instacart

Ralphs

Alexandre Homegrown Eggnog is the best tasting eggnog in my opinion. While a lot of products just sort of mysteriously list “spices” in the ingredients, Alexandre lists cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, and turmeric. That’s a lot of warm, spiced flavor, and no other eggnog comes close to matching Alexandre’s wonderful blend of aromatics. Alexandre eggnog is also made with cane sugar, egg yolks, organic milk, and organic cream. Alexandre is one of the best eggnog brands for those who like to feel a little fancy and decadent. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Southern Comfort Traditional Egg Nog

Walmart

Instacart

Amazon

Southern Comfort eggnog is rich, creamy, and has just the right amount of sweetness. A lot of eggnog can be far too sugary, but Southern Comfort gets everything just right. It’s made with milk, cream, egg yolks, and also high fructose corn syrup. I don’t love that there’s high fructose corn syrup in it (like, why?), but the taste is absolutely undeniable. For me, the best part about it is you really taste the egg yolks. It’s deliciously rich because of that bold, eggy flavor. Sweet, subtle, and luxurious, Southern Comfort is the best eggnog we tried. —Danny Palumbo

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Other products we tried: Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice Eggnog, Alta Dena Eggnog, Simple Truth Eggnog, Califia Farms Eggnog, R.W. Knudsen Eggnog, Lucerne Eggnog, Hood Eggnog, Silk Eggnog, Kroger Rich & Creamy Pumpkin Egg Nog, Kroger Rich & Creamy Low Fat Egg Nog, Kroger Rich & Creamy Original Egg Nog, Good & Gather Oatmilk Holiday Nog, Bolthouse Farms Holiday Nog, So Delicious Coconutmilk Holiday Nog, Favorite Day Egg Nog, Favorite Day Light Egg Nog, Good Karma Dairy Free Pumpkin Spice Nog, Trader Joe’s Oat Non Dairy Egg Nog, Trader Joe’s Almond Nog

The post We Found the Best Eggnog at the Grocery Store appeared first on Sporked.

I went on a bit of a shopping spree at Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace. Owned by the same folks who run a restaurant of the same name (Tocabe), which is located in Denver, Tocabe Marketplace offers a slew of Indigenous and Native American foods, from hot sauce to honey to tea to baking mixes. They even sell microwave meals based on Indigenous recipes. There’s a ton to explore and buy, but if you’re looking for a few brands to kick off your own, personal shopping spree, here are six Indigenous American food brands we at Sporked are really digging. 

Red Lake Nation Foods

Based out of Minnesota, Red Lake Nation makes a wide range of products including wild rice, tea, fish fry batter, and a ton of jams, jellies, and syrups. We tried the brand’s wild chokecherry syrup (chokecherries are a very bitter, tannic type of cherry native to the northern U.S. and Canada) and wild plum syrup, and both were great. They’re much more subtly flavored than the fruit syrups you often get, with nice spikes of acidity. I’m particularly excited to make some chokecherry cocktails with the chokecherry syrup.

RedCorn Native Foods

RedCorn Native Foods is all about fry bread. Fry bread, if you’re not familiar, is a traditional Native American flat bread that is typically fried in lard. And RedCorn (an Osage Country brand) produces fry bread mix. It’s super easy to make. You just add warm water, stir, let sit, roll out, cut, stretch, and fry. Now, easy as that is, I still managed to screw it up (I didn’t stretch it thin enough)—but the fry bread I made still tasted really good. It gets crispy on the outside and the inside is tender and soft like a biscuit. If you’ve never tried fry bread before, this is a great introduction and a really tasty alternative to other bready sides.  

Séka Hills

Owned by members of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Séka Hills focuses on olive oil, wine, honey, vinegar, pickles, jerky, and nuts. Essentially, everything you need to make a lovely appertivo hour (except, maybe, some cheese and bread). We tried their garlic herb almonds and were really impressed. They’re super crunchy and the garlic is savory and mild—it doesn’t taste like powdered or fake garlic. But I’m dying to try their line-up of pickled asparagus (available in traditional, garlic, and spicy), and I’ll definitely be including some of the olive oil in our next olive oil taste test.

Sakari Farms

Operated by the Inupiaq tribe in Oregon, Sakari Farms produces hot sauces, jams, seasonings, salts, and herbs, as well as lotions, salves, and scrubs. And the farm also hosts cooking classes, food events, seed saving classes, and more. We tried the Fire Roasted hot sauce, which is seriously hot and seriously delicious, with lots of roasty, toasty flavor. It’s made with smoked jalapenos and roasted onion (fun!), and it doesn’t taste like any hot sauce we’ve had before. Next on my list: the brands Corn Prickle hot sauce and Curry Squash hot sauce.

Pemmican Patty

Pemmican Patty was founded by Patricia Mabin, a member of the Chippewa tribe. She’s been through it (read her story here) and has found new life celebrating the Native American food tradition of pemmican, a mix of dried meat (usually beef and bison), tallow, and berries. We tried two of her Bisonberry Blends: Blueberries & Sage and Cherries & Chipotle. Both bars are wonderfully chewy and savory. I particularly like the Cherries & Chipotle—that hint of smokiness from the chipotle really elevates the meat.

Navajo Mike’s

Navajo Mike’s makes fry bread mix, hot sauce, and barbecue sauce. Founded by a former chef of Navajo/Diné heritage, the company is based out of Tempe, Arizona, and focuses on Southwest flavors. We tried the Southwest Style Barbecue Sauce and were really into it. It’s sweet and black-peppery and just thick enough. It would totally rock on a bison burger. I’m currently eying the Sonoran Desert Drip (a hatch green chili hot sauce) and the Skoden Style Golden Barbecue Sauce.

The post 6 Native American Food Brands You Should Be Buying appeared first on Sporked.

Before we get into what these little recyclable boxes of booze taste like, let’s talk about what exactly goes into them. BeatBox beverages are made with wine-based alcohol or malt-based alcohol. All of the flavors we tried are 11.1% ABV (that’s twice as boozy as a standard beer). They’re all vegan. And they’re sweetened with a mix of cane sugar, sucralose, and stevia. 

But are they all good? I sat down with my colleague Emily Fleming to try nine different BeatBox flavors and determine the very best BeatBox flavor of them all. Here they are, nine BeatBox drinks ranked from nope to yes, please! 

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.

Juicy Mango

Juicy Mango BeatBox

Total Wine

Let me start by saying there are some really good BeatBox drink flavors. We’ll get to them in a bit. But this is not one of them. It’s just a mess. I don’t know what it tastes like—certainly not mango. It tastes like fake fruit flavor and grain alcohol. It’s tart. It’s confusing. I’m not a fan. There are way better BeatBox drinks out there.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

2/10

Sporks

Pink Lemonade

Pink Lemonade BeatBox

Total Wine

Do you want good hard lemonade? We tasted a bunch of them and ranked them. You find them in that link. And you won’t see this one in the mix. It tastes like grain alcohol mixed with Crystal Light. And while I’ve certainly “enjoyed” that cocktail in my time, it’s not something I’m interested in “enjoying” again.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

3.5/10

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Peach Punch

Peach Punch BeatBox

Total Wine

I like the idea of this flavor. You don’t see a lot of boozy peachy drinks on the market. Unfortunately, it doesn’t follow through in execution. It tastes like liquid sour peach candy at best. But really, the more I sipped, the more it tasted like tangerine rather than any sort of stone fruit. This definitely isn’t one of the worst BeatBox flavors but it’s far too acidic and doesn’t taste enough like peach to be one of the best BeatBox flavors.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

5/10

Sporks

Green Apple

Green Apple BeatBox

Total Wine

While the Peach Punch BeatBox was way too tart, this one is way too sweet. It tastes like super sweet apple juice. Actually, it’s sweeter than that. This tastes like one of those caramel apple lollipops—but without any of the tartness. Like the Peach Punch, it’s not terrible, but it’s certainly not the best BeatBox flavor.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

6.5/10

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Fresh Watermelon

Fresh Watermelon BeatBox

Total Wine

I was skeptical of this BeatBox. Calling itself Fresh Watermelon? Bold move. But while it smells like artificial watermelon, it actually does taste like real watermelon. Specifically, it tastes like real watermelon mixed with real cucumber. It’s sweet and a little vegetal. I know BeatBox beverages are already boozy, but I think this is the best BeatBox flavor to mix with even more alcohol. Shake this up with some Hendricks Gin (which is flavored with cucumber and rose) and fresh lime juice and you’ll have yourself a good time. I also think this would be the best BeatBox flavor to freeze.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

7.5/10

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Fruit Punch

Fruit Punch BeatBox

Total Wine

This tastes like Hawaiian Punch (the neon red stuff advertised by the kid who’s constantly threatening violence) in the best way possible. It isn’t nearly as syrupy sweet as you might imagine. No, it doesn’t taste like something a grown-up should drink, but it does taste like something your inner kid would like…but with booze. 

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Hard Tea

Hard Tea BeatBox

Total Wine

Beatbox Hard Tea really tastes like sweet black tea! It’s truly impressive. Yes, you can definitely taste the alcohol, but that tea flavor is so good you can easily ignore it. There’s a touch of artificial lemon flavor—but not too much. Honestly, this tastes better to me than many canned non-alcoholic teas. It’s definitely the best BeatBox flavor if you’re looking for an alternative to fruity booze. 

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Cranberry Dreams

Cranberry Dreams BeatBox

Instacart

I’m a sucker for cranberry drinks. When I first started ordering drinks at bars, my go-to was a gin and soda, splash of cran. That tart, tannic flavor works so well with even the cheapest of booze. And this BeatBox flavor tastes like real cranberry cocktail. It’s deep and tangy and rich. And it’s not too sweet at all. Essentially, this is a juice box for grown-ups. And isn’t that the point of BeatBox beverages?

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

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Tropical Punch

Tropical Punch BeatBox

Total Wine

This is the best BeatBox flavor out of all the BeatBox drinks we tried. It tastes like pineapple juice with a tropical undertone I can’t quite put my finger on—like coconut or guava. It’s really crisp and fairly understated for being a cocktail in a loudly colorful juice box. It’s like a less coconutty, more pineapple-y Pina Colada. It’s extremely drinkable and super refreshing. Enjoy it as is or freeze the heck out of it. Both Emily and I were really blown away by it. If you’re considering trying any of the BeatBox drinks out there, make it this one.

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

The post 9 BeatBox Flavors, Ranked from Worst to Best appeared first on Sporked.

Yep, one of the new products at Trader Joe’s is a bottled Espresso Martini, made with real vodka, real espresso, and, per the brand, a “touch of vanilla.” It’s 20% ABV (40 proof), and each bottle contains about four servings. And, at just $10, it’s cheaper than almost any Espresso Martini you’d order off a cocktail menu. 

But is it any good? I’ve tasted a lot of Espresso Martinis (homemade, bartender-made, and canned), so I put it to the test. Read on to find out if you should snag a bottle before it disappears. 

New Trader Joe’s Cocktail!

Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini

Trader Joe’s

Pros: It smells like a Caramel Macchiato—super sweet with a tinge of coffee. But the flavor veers away from a classic coffee drink into something totally different. It’s sweet and desserty and it has a bit of a fruity, dark chocolate flavor. While Espresso Martini purists probably won’t be satisfied by this incarnation, I think folks looking for a boozy sweet treat will enjoy it. Serve it chilled, shake it with ice, or follow this person’s recommendation and pour it over vanilla ice cream. 

Cons: It doesn’t really taste like an Espresso Martini. I’m not sure how that’s possible if it’s really only made with espresso, vodka, and vanilla. But it’s fruity in that chocolaty way I mentioned above, with a twang that steers it away from a traditional Espresso Martini flavor profile. It’s also very, very sweet. I think Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini has a place as an after dinner digestif. But it’s really very much its own thing. If you really want the best Espresso Martini in a can or bottle, we’ve got better recommendations.

Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

The post We Tried the New Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini appeared first on Sporked.

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.

Fan Favorite

Land O Lakes Chocolate Supreme

Instacart

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 Value

Great Value Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

Walmart

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

Best Minty

Great Value Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

Walmart

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

Best Dark Chocolate

Swiss Miss Indulgent Collection Dark Chocolate 

Amazon

Kroger

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

Best Peanut Butter

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Shop Cocoa

Amazon

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 Flavored

Good & Gather Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix

Target

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

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 of the Best

Nestle Classic Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

Instacart

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

The post Best Hot Chocolate Mix [Updated!] appeared first on Sporked.

Here’s what we were looking for in the best bottled water brands: 

1. It should be refreshing. That might seem like a no-brainer, but when it comes to a bottle of water we can earnestly recommend, we wanted something that really made us feel instantly refreshed and replenished.

 2. It shouldn’t taste bad. We didn’t want any bitter or off aftertaste. It could taste like minerals. It could taste like nothing. But it couldn’t taste bad. 

3. It should be easy to drink. Packaging is a big player in the bottled water world. If a bottle was unpleasant to hold or downright impossible to drink out of, it did not make this list. (I’m looking at you, Penta, with your dribble top.)

Our initial taste test in 2023 yielded a list of six bottles. But in 2024 we retasted all of those winners and compared them to some newcomers—as well as a slew of glass bottled water brands. There were some shake ups! Some bottles lost their place in the ranking altogether (sorry to see you go, Acqua Panna and Smartwater). Others jostled around. And we added a bunch of new brands to the list. Here is our newly updated ranking of the best bottled water brands.

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 to Buy in Bulk

Arrowhead

Amazon

Sourced from the Rockies, Arrowhead water is clean, crisp, and a touch savory on the finish. It has that extremely mild minerality that harkens back to its mountainous roots. And it’s pretty darn cheap, too. You can get 24 bottles for about seven bucks. It’s definitely the best bottled water brand to buy by the case.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

6/10

Sporks

Best for Food

Saratoga Still Natural Spring Water

Amazon

If you’re like me, you know Saratoga as the water brand that replaced S. Pellegrino as the main Top Chef sponsor. And, I’m happy to report, it’s actually good and worthy of being loudly praised in every episode. It’s clean, but it has more minerality than the others on this list. It’s a more complex glass bottled water, which makes it the best bottled water to drink with food. And it could also handle a squeeze of lime. Want to pretend you live in a restaurant? This is the best glass bottled water to buy. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Extremely Neutral

Aqua Carpatica

Amazon

We didn’t include Aqua Carpatica in our original ranking but upon retrying it we realized we were wrong to omit it. Perhaps they changed the formula. But it really tastes like nothing in the best way possible with a slightly sweet finish. Plus, it’s from the Carpathian Mountains, just like the villain from Ghostbusters II. So, it’s certainly some of the best bottled water for cinefiles. I do have one quibble: The opening is too big and the bottle is very angular, which makes it a real spill risk for clumsy folks like myself.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Splurge

Voss

Amazon

This “artesian water from Norway” is practically a meme at this point. But I’m sorry to say it’s actually quite good to drink. Yes, you will definitely find this at a crazy expensive Miami Beach hotel and yes, the packaging is a little obnoxious. But the bottled water itself is so good. It’s extremely easy to drink with no harsh flavors. It will actually help you beat the Miami heat (the weather, not the basketball team). And there’s no denying this looks “rich.” Keep your eye out for sales and snag a bunch of bottles when you see them.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Sports Water

Core Hydration

Amazon

I do not like this bottle. I do like how it looks—it looks like hospital water. It’s clunky—the cap is huge and looks like it could potentially double as a cup, but not a very good one. It’s not elegant. But the fact that it’s still included on this list of the best bottled water should tell you how good the water inside the bad bottle is. It’s very neutral, coming in at 7.4pH. It’s very cooling (even at room temperature). I took a sip and could feel the water travel through my chest. It’s crisp. And there’s just a hint of minerality. This is some of the best bottled water to drink—it’s just not some of the best looking bottled water. Bring it to the gym. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Water for Whiskey

Purely Sedona

Amazon

This glass bottled water is more than good packaging that appeals to my millennial sensibilities. It looks like a bottle you’d find on a bar cart at the Ace Hotel—and it’s the best bottled water brand for that exact purpose. It’s soft and sweet—perfect for splashing into some nice scotch to help open it up. I described it in my notes as “gentle cloud water.” And I stand by those tasting notes. Go ahead and treat yourself to some cloud water. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Eco Friendly Bottle

 Zen Wtr

Amazon

Per the packaging, this bottled water is made with 100% recycled ocean bound plastic, which is plastic that is “at risk of ending up in the ocean.” It’s primarily non-commercially recyclable plastic waste. So that feels good. The 1L bottle is big but manageable (it’ll fit in a cup holder). And it’s a nice shade of blue. It makes me feel like I’m drinking the deep end of a pool. The water itself is  alkaline (9.5pH) so it’s very soft, and it gives you that instantly refreshed feeling. It is made for electrolytes (for flavor), so you are left with just a hint of an aftertaste. But overall, it’s gentle, crisp, and clean.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Minerally

Hawai’i Volcanic Water

Instacart

This glass bottled water is lava filtered. How cool is that? And it might be the power of suggestion, but I really do get a hint of slatey minerality on the finish—like the volcanic rock has infused some flavor into the water. This bottled water is exceptionally cooling and very, very soft and clean. It’s so gentle that this is my pick for the best bottled water to drink in the morning. It really makes you say, “Ahhhh.”

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Sweet

Essentia

Amazon

Essentia is so light and crisp—and it finishes with just a touch of minerality before dissolving into a lingering sweetness. The logo looks like something a snow-based Bond villain would co-opt. And I think that’s cool. In our initial best bottled water taste test this was our number one pick. And it’s still very good. But a few others just really wowed us during our most recent taste test.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Glass Bottled Water

The Mountain Valley Spring Water

Amazon

My colleague Gwynedd Stuart was particularly enamored with this glass bottled water. Not only does it look great—it’s green and it really looks like a bottled water you chug on the banks of a Vermont stream after a long bike ride. It’s extremely easy to drink quickly. It has zero aftertaste and leaves your mouth feeling clean and refreshed.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Bottle

Eternal

Walmart

There is a lot going on with this bottle. It’s dramatically curved—almost like it was wearing a corset. Like it’s some sort of high fashion water bottle. It’s also textured with swirling designs. (Am I attracted to this bottle?) And it is a pleasure to hold. (I am.) The naturally alkaline spring water inside the sexy bottle is soft and light with a very, very, very faint touch of minerality. It’s some of the best bottled water to drink—but it’s the best bottled water to hold.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Icelandic Glacial

Amazon

Let’s start with the packaging: It’s fun. The neck of the bottle is faceted to make it look like the top of an iceberg. So fun. And there’s an icy image that shines through when you look into the bottle. Very fun. It’s not just water, it would pass as entertainment a hundred years ago. Today, though, it’s mostly about the water—which is the best tasting bottled water, especially if you like alkaline water (it has a pH of 8.4). It’s crisp and just a little bit slatey. It leaves your mouth clean and your thirst quenched. Icelandic made it onto our initial list of the best bottled water, but after our most recent taste test, it moved to the number one position. Seriously, you gotta try this bottled water. 

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other bottled water brands we tried: Acqua Panna, Smart Water, Penta, Crystal Geyser, Dasani, Fiji, Evian, Waiakea, Aquafina, Simple Truth Vapor Distilled Water, Gatorade, Socosani, Body Armor Sport Water, Good & Gather Alkaline Water

The post Best Bottled Water to Drink (with a New #1!) appeared first on Sporked.

They’re out just in time for Thanksgiving and all the Trader Joe’s appreciation accounts (and even Simply Recipes) have totally fallen for these frozen biscuits. They’re flavored with rosemary and thyme, and include both parmesan and cheddar shreds. And you don’t even have to preheat your oven to make them. They go in cold, then cook as the oven warms up. 

But do they pass the Sporked test? We baked up a whole box-full (they come six to a package and cost $4.99) to find out. 

New Trader Joe’s Product!

Trader Joe’s Cheesy Herby Biscuits

Trader Joe’s

Pros: I really hate preheating the oven. It always takes ages longer than I feel like it should. So, I really dig that you can put these right from the freezer into the oven and then just turn it on and walk away for 30 minutes. Great. But beyond how easy these are to make, they also taste good. They’re tender and flaky and the dough has a bit of the twangy buttermilk finish. I really enjoy the pockets of cheese you hit every so often. And they manage to be herby without being overwhelmingly herby. They’re not so flavor-packed that they’re going to clash with anything on a Thanksgiving table. If you’re looking for a fun bready side for a fall feast, these Trader Joe’s biscuits are a must-buy. 

Cons: They don’t look great. While they rise and they do get some good, crispy crunchy bits around the outside, they have an overall gray hue. (I think it’s the herbs?) And I think some folks would appreciate a little bit more cheese. A sprinkling on top could really push them over the edge. But for just $5 and 30 minutes in an oven, I really think these are a steal. Even if they are greige. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

The post These $4.99 Trader Joe’s Biscuits Are What Your Thanksgiving’s Missing appeared first on Sporked.

Some folks have the time to not only meal prep for the week but also for the distant future and prepare homemade casseroles and freeze them—but that ain’t us. And it probably isn’t you either. And that’s why we’re all here, to discuss the best frozen broccoli casserole, the best frozen sweet potato casserole, the best hashbrown casserole, that you can buy at the grocery store. 

I’m sad to report that many of the frozen casseroles you’ll find in the freezer section of your grocery store are very bad. They’re watery. They’re flavorless. They genuinely taste terrible. But we found four that are actually extremely good. Like, they’re not just “acceptable,” they’re practically as good as something homemade—and some of them are made with more cheese than you’d let yourself use so, maybe, they’re actually even better. 

We tasted 13 frozen casseroles, ranging from frozen potato casserole to frozen broccoli casserole to frozen corn casserole to frozen green bean casserole. We heated them all up in the microwave, because they all had microwave instructions. And if something is good microwaved, then it’s definitely good in the oven. And I’m not about to recommend a frozen casserole to you that should only be cooked in the oven. I know you don’t have 50 minutes to spare. You have 13 minutes, maybe. And that’s the longest any of these frozen casseroles take to cook in the microwave. 

We judged these frozen casseroles on flavor and texture. We wanted satisfying, cheesy, indulgent, comforting casseroles that you could plonk down onto a dining table with no additional work. We didn’t find a good frozen corn casserole or frozen green bean casserole, but we’ll keep searching. In the meantime, cozy up to these Sporked-approved frozen casseroles. 

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 Ultra Cheesy

Reeser’s Main St Bistro Baked Three Cheese Potato Casserole

Instacart

Do you like casseroles because they’re usually just a good excuse to serve melted cheese as a side dish? Then this frozen potato casserole is the best one for you. It comes out of the microwave blanketed by a reservoir of melted cheese. Yum. The potatoes turn into mashed potatoes, but that’s fine. This is a decadent, indulgent, crazily cheesy frozen casserole that is unabashed comfort food. One quick note, though. The packaging says you should microwave it for 4 minutes, but that’s nowhere near long enough. I zapped this frozen potato casserole for 10 full minutes before it looked done enough.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Broccoli Cheese

Birds Eye Broccoli & Cauliflower Au Gratin Bake

Walmart

Take note, we’re talking about the Birds Eye Broccoli & Cauliflower casserole here—not the broccoli only one. For whatever reason, that one was watery and bland. But this frozen broccoli and cheese casserole really satisfied us. It comes with lots and lots of cheese, and a nice balance of broccoli and cauliflower. It even gets a little crispy around the edges in the microwave. It’s gooey, it’s savory, it’s indulgent. Yes, the veg gets mushy, but this is a casserole, which is often mostly mush. And this cheesy vegetable mush tastes great.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Sweet Potato

Season’s Choice Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

Instacart

If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving shortcut, then you’ve found it. This frozen sweet potato casserole from Aldi has a bit of a cult following for good reason. The sweet potatoes are creamy and extremely buttery and certainly sweet—but not saccharine. And the praline topping is delightful. It was even crunchy out of the microwave, thanks to the nuts. I bet it’d get real crispy in the oven. Serve this with turkey, stuffing, and all the other fixings—or hold it back for dessert. You could top a scoop of this frozen sweet potato casserole with vanilla ice cream and be in autumnal heaven.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Stouffer’s Cheddar Bacon Potatoes

Walmart

This new frozen potato casserole from Stouffer’s is truly incredible. The family-sized version actually crisped up in the microwave. Amazing! The melted cheddar cheese tastes sharp and tangy. The bacon bits imbue the whole dish with a smoky, meaty flavor. And the potatoes are soft but maintain their shape. And it even looks good! You could put this right on the dinner table and everyone would be psyched to dig in. Or, heck, even though it’s not technically a frozen hashbrown casserole, you can definitely serve it at the breakfast table! This is a versatile side. And we were all blown away by it.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other frozen casseroles we tried: Birds Eye Loaded Potato Bake, Birds Eye Cheesy Potato Casserole, Marie Callender’s Sides Cheddar Broccoli Casserole, Birds Eye Cheddar Broccoli Bake, Alexia Cauliflower & BRoccoli au Gratin, Marie Callender’s Sides Green Bean Casserole, Marie Callender’s Sides Sweet Corn Casserole, Marie Callender’s Sides Cheesy Potato Casserole, Home Bake Cheesy Broccoli 

The post Best Frozen Casseroles for Instant, Microwaveable Comfort appeared first on Sporked.