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Best Microwave Pizza

Kroger 3 Minute Microwave Pizza Cheese ($1.59)

Ralphs

Most microwave pizza is bad. There’s a reason you cook it in the oven. If you cook it in the microwave it often turns into a molten soupy disc. Now, I’m not saying Kroger’s microwave pizza is gourmet. It still tastes like microwave pizza—but in a much, much better way than any of the others we tried. I can’t say it gets “crispy” but there are parts of it that crisp up. It tastes like cheap cafeteria pizza. And it’s pretty satisfying in that specific way. Major kudos to the sauce, which is tangy and savory and actually tastes like herbs. Cooking this microwave pizza does require an engineering degree (you have to fold the box in a very specific way), but if you’re only working with a microwave and you want pizza for one, this is the best cheap pizza to buy.

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Gluten Free

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Cheese Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust ($5.49)

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is a mecca for cheap pizza. Pretty much every single frozen pizza they offer is under $6. And most of them are pretty good. But this one is special because it’s a gluten free, cauliflower crust pizza that actually tastes good—and that’s hard to find. No, the crust doesn’t get crazy crisp, but it tastes like traditional pizza crust. The sauce is savory and heavy on the herbs. And the cheese is plentiful. It’s good for gluten-averse and people looking to sneak some extra veggies into their diet. And, of course, it’s cheap.

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Personal Pan Pizza

Red Baron Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza ($4.29)

Target

This buttery little buddy is not deep dish pizza. But it is a really good personal pan pizza. The crust is flaky and rich. The sauce is savory. The cheese is gooey. If you bake one of these up in the toaster oven and pair it with a bagged salad, you’ll be living the good life. 

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Supreme

Trader Joe’s Pizza Parlanno ($5.49)

Trader Joe’s

This isn’t your traditional supreme pizza, but it’s loaded with all sorts of toppings, so it qualifies. We’re talking bell peppers, onions (lots of onions, Italian sausage, pepperoni, and three different cheeses (mozzarella, parmesan, and romano). It’s much more complex than most of the other cheap frozen pizzas on this list. All the toppings stand out with their individual flavors, but also come together to create a super savory melange of yummy.

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Cheese Pizza

Costco Cheese ($12 for 4 pizzas)

Instacart

Costco frozen cheese pizza isn’t as good as the stuff you get from the food court—it’s not as puffy. But it is still good. The cheese is super thick. It creates a real blanket that you have to bite through. And the sauce is sweet and tangy. But most importantly, you can get four large pizzas for $12. That’s $3 for one full pizza that can easily feed two very hungry people or four peckish people. If you have room in your freezer, Costco makes the best cheap frozen pizza you can buy.

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Thin Crust

Jack’s Original Thin Pepperoni ($3.49)

Walmart

If you like a thin, crispy, crackery pizza (think Chicago tavern style), then you’re gonna love this cheap frozen pizza from Jack’s. The cheese and pepperoni go all the way to the edge of the crust, so you get more bang for your buck. The crust style really accentuates the savory, spicy flavor of the pepperoni, too. For less than four bucks, you can’t afford not to toss a few of these in the freezer.

Read the full ranking of the best thin crust frozen pizzas

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Cheap Veggie

Trader Joe’s Organic Roasted Vegetable Pizza ($4.99)

Trader Joe’s

Veggie pizza can be a real watery mess, but not this roasted veggie pizza from Trader Joe’s, which also happens to be a great cheap pizza at less than five bucks a pop. This thing is loaded with red onions, eggplant, zucchini, and red and yellow peppers, but the real draw is the creamy cheesy condiment that dots the pie. It contributes so much flavor and makes this cheap frozen pizza taste way more expensive than it actually is. Also, we now firmly believe that eggplant should always be on veggie pizzas!

Read the full ranking of the best veggie pizza

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Cheap French Bread

Red Baron French Bread Singles Supreme Pizzas ($4.29)

Target

If you always thought Stouffer’s made the best French bread pizza, you have always been wrong! That’s right: Red Baron makes the tastiest French bread pizzas. And you get two supremes in a pack for less than $5. Incredible. The bread is perfectly squishy on the inside and crunchy on the outside; plus, the combo of veggies, smoky pepperoni, and fennel-forward sausage bits makes this cheap frozen pizza taste especially deluxe. These are a supremely good deal, if we do say so ourselves.

Read the full ranking of the best French bread pizza

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

The post The Best Cheap Frozen Pizza from Our Taste Tests appeared first on Sporked.

Fill out the ballot now—the last day to vote is December 10—and then we’ll announce the winners of the readers’ ballot on December 23, the day our Sporked Awards winners start rolling out. Plus, by filling out the ballot, you’ll automatically be entered in a drawing to win a free piece of Sporked merch. May the best snacks win! 

By submitting your email address to participate in the Sporked Awards 2024 Readers Ballot, you are signing up to receive Sporked‘s bi-weekly email newsletter, as well as future emails regarding the Sporked Awards. Upon receiving your first email, you can unsubscribe by clicking “Unsubscribe” at the bottom.

The post Vote for the Best New Snacks, Sodas, and More in the Sporked Awards! appeared first on Sporked.

Our Dream Stocking Stuffer: Yellowbird Hot Sauce Set of 4 Minis

Hot sauce is a classic stocking stuffer, but this four-pack of minis is even more fun than that bottle of Grandpappy’s Colon Destroyer you found when you did your holiday shopping at the gas station near your parents’ house. In addition to coming in adorable little squeeze bottles that look like they would contain paints, Yellowbird hot sauces are delicious. They’re so delicious, in fact, that two of them made our ranking of the best hot sauces. You get one of those—habanero—along with three other flavors, serrano, sriracha, and ghost pepper. If you’re shopping for someone who thinks heat is the spice of life, this is a perfect stocking stuffer. —Gwynedd Stuart

Our Dream Subscription Box: Tinned Fish Club

You don’t just get tinned fish with this subscription box. Every shipment comes with three cans of seafood from around the world (including many Sporked-approved brands) as well as curated condiments or snacks meant to pair with said seafood. It’s a seacuterie board in a box! They’ll also send recipe ideas, information about each tin, and really adorable teeny-tiny wooden forks. I received a few months of this subscription box as a gift from my very smart and perfect husband, and I was very sad when it ended. Again, please! —Justine Sterling

Our Dream Bougie Food Gift: Rustichella d’Abruzzo Egg Pappardelle

A month ago, I had the pleasure of attending Rustichella d’Abruzzo’s 100-Year Celebration, where I listened to the family behind this artisanal Italian pasta company relay their history and ate some of the best dishes of my life. (I still dream about that baked cannelloni). I won’t be dramatic and say Rustichella d’Abruzzo has ruined regular store-bought pasta for me forever (I simply love pasta too much for that to be the case), but I do actively budget to stock up on their products when I can. Their egg pappardelle is rich and velvety, with a hint of savory flavor that pairs beautifully with heavier sauces—personally, I can eat this with just butter, salt, and a spritz of lemon, and it’s still one of the best meals in my kitchen. Egg Pappardelle is my pasta pick from their plethora of options; but if you’re gifting to a pasta lover this year, shop around, see what noodles make your heart canoodle. Squid ink spaghetti? Pumpkin Torchio? I swear, it’s all incredible. —Ariana Losch

Our Dream Kitchen Appliance: Rocco Super Smart Fridge

Listen. I know buying a $1,500 beverage fridge seems demented, but, A., This is a list of our dream gifts, so let us dream, dammit, and B., This is so much more than a mini fridge. It’s quiet. It’s sleek. It’s beautiful enough to double as a piece of furniture in your living room or bar. It has slide-out shelves that hold a variety of drinks so your friends don’t have to rifle through your dusty leftovers to find something to drink. You can even control the temp from your phone. If you take soda (or seltzer or wine or mocktails) seriously, this is such a cool thing to own. —Gwynedd Stuart

The post Here’s What the Sporked Editors Want for Christmas This Year appeared first on Sporked.

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. 

The post What to Eat Before a Turkey Trot, According to Runners appeared first on Sporked.

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

The post What to Buy for a Vegan Thanksgiving appeared first on Sporked.

Best New Halloween Candy: Kit Kat Ghost Toast

Best Sour Halloween Candy: Sour Patch Kids

Best Chewy Halloween Candy: Starburst

Best Fun Size Candy Bar: Twix

Best of the Rest Chocolate Candies: Peanut M&M’s

Best Halloween Reese’s: Reese’s Pumpkins

Best Classic Halloween Candy: Brach’s Candy Corn

We hope you got everything you wanted in your trick-or-treat bag this year!

After a good night of trick-or-treating—pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, begging for candy like a machine that runs on miniature candy bars—there are certain things you hope to find in your bag. At least one Reese’s item is essential. Then there are those classics that you really only consume during the Halloween season, like Tootsie Rolls and Rolos. And, of course, you need some chewy, fruity candy to break up the monotony of all the chocolate (first world problems, we know).

So, what does the ultimate Halloween candy haul look like when it’s all dumped out on the kitchen table?

In the spirit of democracy, we’re asking our readers to vote for the best candy in seven categories—best new Halloween candy, best sour Halloween candy, best fun-size candy bar, and more—to create the ultimate Halloween candy haul.

Fill out the form below and then we’ll reveal what you and fellow Sporked readers deem to be the ultimate Halloween candy haul. We’ll even sweeten the pot (or jack-o’-lantern-shaped bucket, as it were) with a chance to win a free piece of Sporked merch! Fill out the form below by midnight on Nov. 1 and we’ll announce the final list on Monday, Nov. 4.

By submitting your email address to participate, you are signing up to receive Sporked‘s bi-weekly email newsletter, as well as future emails regarding the Ultimate Halloween Candy Haul. Upon receiving your first email, you can unsubscribe by clicking “Unsubscribe” at the bottom.

The post What’s in the Ultimate Halloween Candy Haul, According to Our Readers appeared first on Sporked.

Trust me when I tell you, SO MUCH. A lot of the best football snacks are actually vegetarian, and to help you pick the best ones we have created this list of the best vegetarian game day snacks. So whether you are a tailgating type or a chillin’-on-the-couch-alone-with-a-bowl-of-chips type, this list has a snack you’ll love. So let’s get (first) down to business and talk vegetarian snacks for game day.

Good Foods Spicy Chunky Guacamole

Is it a punt (get it?) to include a snack that’s always vegetarian on our list of the best vegetarian game day snacks? Maybe. But hear us out: You gotta have good guac on the menu. Everyone likes it—omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. And the fact of the matter is that a lot of store bought guac tastes bad! But before you bust out the molcajete to make your own, give this spicy guac a shot. It’s slightly spicy, it tastes fresher than most premade guac—and it doesn’t have tomatoes (decide for yourself if that’s a W or an L). Plus, it’s naturally vegetarian so everyone will know it’s safe to dig in.

Read the full ranking of the best store bought guacamole

Daring Buffalo Plant Chicken Wings

“Game day” and “wings” are as synonymous as two words can be—and thanks to these plant-based buffalo chicken wings, vegetarians don’t have to miss out on that staple of sports culture. Daring’s wings are vegan and gluten free, and they took the top spot in our vegan buffalo wings taste test because they have a bold Buffalo flavor and a surprisingly meat-like texture. Plus, you won’t find chicken bones crumpled in a napkin on your end table two weeks after the big game.

Read the full ranking of the best vegan Buffalo wings

Trader Joe’s Mini Vegetable Samosas

When you think game day spreads, you think finger foods, right? You can’t exactly fork-and-knife it when you’re sitting on a sofa next to friends who keep spontaneously screaming and flying out of their seats. Trader Joe’s veggie samosas are a perfect vegetarian finger food, and so much more fun than yet another veggies-and-dip platter.

Read the full ranking of the best Trader Joe’s frozen appetizers

MorningStar Veggie Corn Dogs

Corn dogs are another classic American staple that are closely associated with sports. But much like most other game day foods, a tasty vegetarian corn dog is pretty hard to come by. MorningStar is your best bet when it comes to fun, easy, vegetarian foods on a stick. With the right condiment pairings, your meat-eaters won’t even be able to tell them from real corn dogs. 

Read the full ranking of the best corn dogs

Kite Hill Spinach Artichoke Dip

Okay, this is another dip that’s pretty much always vegetarian, but what we’re recommending here is even more inclusive for your vegetarian game day snacks spread: yup, vegan spinach artichoke dip. This almond milk-based dip is dairy free, soy free, gluten free, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, and it’s made from live cultures. This stuff is thick, so spring for some pita chips to go with.

Read the full ranking of the best spinach dip

The post The Best Vegetarian Game Day Snacks appeared first on Sporked.

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 Black Beans

A Dozen Cousins Cuban Black Beans

Amazon

Yes, we said this was a list of the best canned beans, but we made an exception for this tasty packet of beans. These Cuban-style black beans are the best black beans we’ve tasted (and we’ve tasted a lot of black beans). If you’re looking for beans that are meal-ready with literally no prep involved, these are the beans you should be buying. They’re seasoned without being too salty and you actually get the flavor of peppers, garlic, onion, and cumin. Each bean is creamy yet firm. Serve these over rice and you have an ideal weeknight dinner. 

Read the full ranking of the best black beans

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Cannellini Beans

O Organics Cannellini Beans

Instacart

O Organics, a brand sold at Albertsons-owned grocery stores, can be hit or miss for us, but these cannellini beans are a huge hit. They’re super creamy and tender; these are the best canned beans for a stew or white chili, but they’d also be great blended into a dip. Plus, they’re organic!

Read the full ranking of the best cannellini beans

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Navy Beans

S&W White Beans

Walmart

When we tasted and ranked the best canned white beans, we ran the gamut from butter beans to navy beans. If you’re in the market for very itty-bitty white beans, navy beans are what you’re looking for. These S&W navy beans are the best navy beans in a can because they’re small but they have a lot of flavor. Are they a little high in sodium? Sure. But that just means you can add less salt to your next pot of navy bean soup.

Read the full ranking of the best canned white beans

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Great Northern Beans

Sprouts Organic Great Northern Beans

Instacart

If you love cannellini beans but always kind of wished their skins were just a little more delicate, these are the best canned beans for you. Sprouts Organic great northern beans are creamy, tender, and have an excellent, mild flavor profile with just the right amount of salt. Try these if you like an ultra creamy white bean dip. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Butter Beans

Eden Organic Butter Beans

Instacart

Did you know butter beans and lima beans are the same thing? Even professional food taste testers learn something new every day! Eden Organic butter beans are the best canned beans if you like ‘em flat and creamy rather than fat and starchy. These really are downright buttery. Try these in your next bean salad instead of cannellinis. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Pinto Beans

Goya Pinto Beans

Target

If you’re a big bean queen, you’re gonna love these Goya pinto beans. They’re huge, and they also happen to pack lots of flavor. According to Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling, these beans taste like they were simmered in broth. That’s how flavorful they are. Whether you’re making your own refritos or just adding these to soup, these are going to make everything a little better.

Read the full ranking of the best pinto beans

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Chickpeas

Cento Ceci Beans

Amazon

We’re chickpea freaks around here. Give us some drained and rinsed garbanzo beans, and we’ll eat them by the handful. Trust us when we say that these are the best canned beans for chickpea freaks like us. They’re perfectly cooked and great whether you’re blending them into homemade hummus, scooping them onto a salad, or stirring them into a stew. Keep these stocked in your pantry and you will never be at a loss for protein.

Read the full ranking of the best chickpeas

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Refried Beans

Isadora Traditional Refried Beans

If you’re looking for the best canned refried beans, you’re doing it wrong. Yep, the best canned beans of the refried variety come in a convenient cut-and-dump packet. If you typically buy canned refried beans you’ve probably noticed they’re very dense and very unlike the refried beans you get at your local Mexican restaurant in both consistency and flavor. While we’re sure nothing can quite compete with the refried beans at your local Mexican spot, the Isadora refried beans sure come close. They’re loose and creamy like restaurant refritos, and the flavor is impeccable, no extra seasoning needed. Warning: One reason these taste so good is that they contain lard. We ranked plenty of veg-friendly refried beans, but if you eat meat, you have to try these. 

Read the full ranking of the best refried beans

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Kidney Beans

Goya Organic Dark Red Kidney Beans

Walmart

When we taste tested kidney beans, a lot of brands had good qualities—some were organic, others were low sodium, some were beautifully intact and ready to be dumped into a pot of chili for a long, slow simmer. Welp, these Goya kidney beans have all that, plus a nice, creamy center. If chili is on the menu, these are the best canned beans you can buy.

Read the full ranking of the best kidney beans 

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Baked Beans

Bush’s Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans

Walmart

If you are hosting a BBQ and you aren’t serving baked beans, you are doing it wrong. First of all, they’re so easy to make—dump, heat, and eat, baby, unlike other sides you have to actually prepare. But best of all? They taste so good! These Bush’s Brown Sugar Hickory beans, in particular. They’re sweet, they’re tangy, they’re a little tomatoey—these are tasty enough to make beans and franks feel fancy. They’re the best canned beans for an easy dinner side—and they’re vegetarian to boot.

Read the full ranking of the best baked beans

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

The post The 10 Best Canned Beans We’ve Found in Our Taste Tests appeared first on Sporked.

In addition to its eponymous store brand, there are two Kroger brands in particular to keep an eye out for: Private Selection and Simple Truth Organic. From andouille to canned yams, here’s what to buy at Kroger, according to our taste tests.

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 Kroger Soy Sauce

Private Selection Premium Soy Sauce

Instacart

Private Selection Premium Soy Sauce isn’t the best soy sauce we tried in our taste test, but it landed very high on our list. You’ll notice on the bottle that it says it was aged 180 days, and that’s part of what makes it great. Aging makes soy sauce taste interesting and complex, and that’s exactly what this super umami sauce has going on. You can definitely get away with using a cheaper sauce for cooking (in fact, Kroger’s less premium soy sauce was our favorite budget pick), but if you’re making sushi at home and want an exquisite dip to accompany it, spring for a bottle of this.

Read the full ranking of the best soy sauce

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Andouille

Private Selection Naturally Hardwood Smoked Andouille Sausage

Ralphs

When Mardi Gras rolls around and jambalaya is on the menu, Private Selection andouille should be on your shopping list—especially if you like some heat. This Kroger product is the best spicy andouille we tried in our taste test. It’s perfect for gumbo, but it would also be really good in scrambled eggs, too. But, we repeat: Must love heat!

Read the full ranking of the best andouille

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Mixed Nuts

Private Selection Select Blend Mixed Nuts with Sea Salt

Ralphs

Good mixed nuts are worth their weight in gold—and they’re pretty much just as expensive. This deluxe mix from Kroger includes cashews, pecans, and macadamia nuts—no peanuts!—and it’s a pretty good deal for around nine bucks. The best Kroger products are a good value and this one definitely is. 

Read the full ranking of the best mixed nuts

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Hot Fudge

Private Selection Dark Chocolate Fudge Dessert Topping

Ralphs

When’s the last time you treated yourself to a hot fudge sundae at home? We’re gonna guess it’s been too long. Buy a jar of this and a pint of vanilla ice cream and go to town. According to Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling, this tastes almost like hot cocoa mix before you add milk or water—deeply chocolatey. It needs to be heated before you use it and that’s the only thing that kept it from being number one on our list.

Read the full ranking of the best hot fudge

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Cookie Dough

Private Selection Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough

Ralphs

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are pretty much always delicious, but this ready-to-bake cookie dough is so, so special. Along with melty chocolate, this dough is laced with creamy, slightly salty caramel and lots of it. It pools on the parchment paper as the cookies bake. This is one of those Kroger products that’s worth going out of your way for.

Read the full ranking of the best chocolate chip cookie dough

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Pepperoni

Private Selection Old World Pepperoni

Ralphs

We’re not totally sure what pepperoni was like in the “old world,” but we do know this Private Selection pepperoni is one of the best Kroger products we’ve tried. What makes it great is how thinly it’s sliced. It’s wafer thin, so it crisps up beautifully when you put it on pizza, almost like thinly sliced bacon. 

Read the full ranking of the best pepperoni

Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Rice Cakes

Simple Truth Organic Himalayan Salted Caramel Mini Rice Cakes

Instacart

If sweet rice cakes sound like kind of a bummer dessert, you haven’t tried these Simple Truth Organic mini rice cakes. They’re coated with a caramel flavor dust that’s sweet, buttery, and a little bit salty. These would be really good crushed over a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or salted caramel ice cream if you’re crazy). 

Read the full ranking of the best rice cakes

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Pinto Beans

Simple Truth Organic Pinto Beans

Instacart

You probably assume all canned pinto beans are the same, right? Not true! Only three brands were good enough to make our ranking, and Kroger brand Simple Truth Organic was one of them. They’re super tender and have a flavor that’s clean and pure. Use these as the base in a Chipotle-style bowl and you’ll be stoked.

Read the full ranking of the best canned pinto beans

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Kroger Yams

Kroger Canned Cut Yams

Instacart

Canned yams get the most play during the holidays (Thanksgiving, in particular), but the Sporked crew decided they’re delicious enough to eat all year long. Kroger brand canned yams come in syrup, so they’re more like a dessert than a savory side, but you can definitely get away with mashing these with butter and salt and serving them with dinner. Keep a few of these in the pantry and you’ll definitely find uses for them that don’t involve mini marshmallows. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned yams

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Lemon Cookies

Simple Truth Thin & Crispy Lemon Cookies

Instacart

We love a good dupe, and these Simple Truth lemon cookies are a dead ringer for Tate’s. They’re buttery but still refreshing. If you find yourself in the cookie aisle at your local Ralphs or Baker’s, this is one of the best Kroger products to put in your cart.

Read the full ranking of the best lemon cookies

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

8/10

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Best Kroger Vegetable Juice

Kroger Low Sodium Vegetable Juice

Kroger

Put down that bottle of V-8. It turns out that Kroger’s low sodium vegetable juice is the best vegetable juice blend you can buy. Yep, better than V-8. We think this is one of the best Kroger products because it actually tastes like vegetables—it’s redolent of tomatoes and carrots, sure, but you can taste peppery, pleasant watercress, too. Even though it’s reduced sodium, this juice is still packed with flavor. Add this to your list of what to buy at Kroger if you need a little help getting your kids (or yourself) to consume veggies.

Read the full ranking of the best vegetable juice

Credit: Merc

Rating:

9/10

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Best Kroger Tomato Juice

Kroger 100% Tomato Juice

Instacart

This Kroger tomato juice—which comes in a bottle as well as a big ol’ can—is cheap, salty, and it tastes great. It’s thick and creamy, but it doesn’t cross the line into soup territory. It’s nicely seasoned, too. If you’re looking for a great tomato juice to pair with some vodka on a Sunday morning, this is the stuff. It’s nostalgic and flavorful, and it’s one of the best Kroger products we’ve tried.

Read the full ranking of the best tomato juice

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Kroger Hoagie Rolls

Kroger White Hoagie Rolls

Instacart

Unless your grocery store has a really good bakery, good hoagie rolls can be hard to come by. These Kroger Hoagie Rolls, which you’ll find in the bread aisle rather than in the bakery, aren’t perfect, but they have a lot of good qualities—and they won’t go stale in 48 hours like bakery hoagie rolls. (Ya gotta give it to preservatives sometimes, right?) They have a lightly sweet flavor that complements savory cold cuts. And if you happen to be making at-home Italian beef sandwiches, these are squishy enough to really soak up some au jus. 

Read the full ranking of the best hoagie rolls

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

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Best Kroger Pizza Crust

Kroger Ready to Bake Pizza Crust

Instacart

If you make pizza at home, we have important info: You don’t have to make your own crust or figure out who to bribe to get a big blob of it from your favorite pizza shop. This tube of pizza dough from Kroger makes the best pizza we tried in a taste test. The dough in this tube is easy to stretch and roughly the size of a pizza pan. It bakes up nice and crispy with a lovely browned bottom—no sog here. If you make pizza at home, this should be on your list of what to buy at Kroger.

Read the full ranking of the best store bought pizza dough

Credit: Merc / Ralphs

Rating:

9/10

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Best Kroger Frozen Lasagna

Kroger Meat Lasagna Party Size

Instacart

We’ve done a few frozen lasagna taste tests, and Kroger Meat Lasagna consistently performs well. As our taste tester put it, “The noodles are a bit too thick and there’s not a whole lot of meat to be seen, but the flavor made this some of the best frozen lasagna we tasted.” The tomato sauce is flavorful and tangy, and it’s well seasoned with herbs and spices. Oh, and did we mention how huge this is? It’s huge. This is a big, tasty meal for a crowd. 

Read the full ranking of the best frozen lasagna

Credit: Ryan Martin / Kroger

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Kroger Red Wine Vinegar

Kroger Red Wine Vinegar

Instacart

We tasted a lot of store-brand red wine vinegar in our red wine vinegar taste test, and this Kroger product was the only one worth ranking. It’s flavorful and actually tastes like fermented wine rather than glorified white vinegar. Need a cheap red wine vinegar to have on hand to splash on mixed green salads or sub sandwiches? You should have a bottle of this in the pantry.

Read the full ranking of the best red wine vinegar

Credit: Merc / Kroger

Rating:

8/10

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The post 16 Best Kroger Products from Our Taste Tests appeared first on Sporked.

Here’s how we made this list: Each one of these ice cream flavors took the top spot within a separate ranking. And each one of those rankings was decided through rigorous taste tests in which we pitted the best ice cream brands against one another. We prized pure flavors, creamy textures, and quality of mix-ins, when appropriate. You’re really getting the best of the best ice cream flavors with this list. Whether you’re looking for the best classic vanilla or the apex of Ben & Jerry’s achievements, you’ll find the best grocery store ice cream here. Get your spoons and your vocal cords ready for some serious screaming over the best ice cream. 

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 Vanilla

Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Walmart

In our vanilla ice cream ranking, Sporked’s Jordan Myrick wrote, “It’s incredible. Like, it’s the absolutely perfect and most delicious vanilla ice cream you can imagine.” The vanilla bean-speckled ice cream is sweet (but not too sweet), extremely silky and creamy, and shockingly complex, considering it’s a simple pint of vanilla ice cream. If you’re looking for the best ice cream to scoop onto a slice of apple pie or to use as a base in an ice cream sundae, or maybe you’re just a vanilla purist, then Haagen-Dazs is the best ice cream brand for you. 

Read the full ranking of the best vanilla ice cream

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Chocolate

Straus Family Creamery Organic Dutch Chocolate Ice Cream

Instacart

Sprouts

You really can’t do better than Straus when it comes to the best chocolate ice cream. It’s extremely smooth and light—but still deeply chocolatey. It tastes a bit like a more solid version of the best chocolate milkshake you’ve ever had. Straus is a bit of a premium brand, but it’s worth the extra cash to secure the best grocery store ice cream for chocolate lovers.

Read the full ranking of the best chocolate ice cream

Ryan Martin / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Cookies & Cream

Edy’s / Dreyer’s Cookies N’ Cream

Vons

Walmart

Jordan admitted to judging Dreyer’s by its packaging (“the carton looks so plain compared to some of the other, flashier brands on the market,” they wrote), but upon tasting they quickly learned that you can’t tell the best ice cream brands by their labels. Dreyer’s Cookies N’ Cream (aka Edy’s Cookies N’ Cream, depending on where you are in the U.S.) is creamy and packed with cookie chunks. Plus, it’s affordable.

Read the full ranking of the best cookies and cream ice cream

Credit: Paula Kunatee / Vons

Rating:

10/10

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Best Mint Chocolate Chip

Straus Organic Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Instacart

Sprouts

“If you’re looking for a high-quality, well-made, impressive mint chip ice cream, look no further than Straus Organic Mint Chocolate Chip,” Jordan wrote in their review. This is an admittedly fancy mint chip ice cream, but you deserve it. The chocolate chips are perfectly distributed and the mint flavor is pure and not toothpaste-y. If you’re looking for an upgrade on a childhood favorite, this is the best ice cream to buy.

Read the full ranking of the best mint chip ice cream

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Coffee

Tillamook Coffee Almond Fudge

Walmart

This is not the first time you’re going to see a pint of Tillamook make this list—it’s one of the best ice cream brands out there for good reason. Their ice creams consist of 13.5% butterfat, creating an extra creamy, indulgent scoop that dissolves in your mouth. Their coffee flavor is nice and roasty, and the almonds and fudge keep every bite interesting.

Read the full ranking of the best coffee ice cream

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Albertsons

Rating:

9/10

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Best Strawberry

Tillamook Oregon Strawberry Ice Cream

Walmart

Target

Tangy, tart, fresh strawberry flavor meets creamy, delicious dairy in this ice cream, which took the top spot in our best strawberry ice cream ranking. There are even big chunks of strawberry (actual strawberry!) in the mix. Take a bite, shut your eyes, and let the home-churned flavor of Tillamook’s strawberry ice cream wash over you. This was the best ice cream by far in our strawberry ice cream taste test. 

Read the full ranking of the best strawberry ice cream

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Target

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Ben & Jerry’s Flavor

Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Half Baked

Walmart

Target

As we’ve mentioned before, Ben & Jerry’s is the best ice cream brand if you’re really mostly interested in the mix-ins. And the best Ben & Jerry’s flavor that is simply packed with sweet treats is Peanut Butter Half Baked. The base is a blend of chocolate and peanut butter ice cream stirred together with chunks of peanut butter cookie dough and fudge brownie hunks. It’s salty. It’s sweet. It’s totally indulgent. It’s the best ice cream to eat by yourself while crying. 

Read the full ranking of the best Ben & Jerry’s flavors

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Best Dairy-Free

Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Walmart

Target

Even if you can handle dairy, you will love this non-dairy version of fan favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Phish Food. It tastes almost exactly the same. And it’s still packed with all those good, B&J signature mix-ins. Made with almond milk, it’s shockingly creamy (so many vegan ice creams are way too icy). It really needs to be tried to be believed. Vegans, this is the best grocery store ice cream for you. 

Read the full ranking of the best non-dairy ice cream

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Best Cookie Dough

Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Walmart

Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is simply packed with hunks of dough. “And the dough tastes great,” wrote Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling in her review. “It tastes real.” We’re talking crunchy chocolate shingles and just the right amount of salt. If cookies are simply too cooked for you, this is the best ice cream you can buy.

Read the full ranking of the best cookie dough ice cream

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Ice Cream Sandwich

Trader Joe’s Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

Trader Joe’s

According to Jordan, these are not only the best ice cream sandwiches you can buy, but also some of the best Trader Joe’s products to buy, period. “The cookie is soft without being mushy, the ice cream is creamy, and the chocolate chips along the sides provide the perfect texture,” they wrote in their review. We must insist these have a place in your freezer. 

Read the full ranking of the best ice cream sandwiches

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

10/10

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Best Keto

Halo Top Sea Salt Caramel Keto Pops

Instacart

The best keto ice cream is actually an ice cream pop. Sorry if you had your keto heart set on using a spoon. The pops are relatively creamy (most keto ice cream is not) and the flavor is on point. It is salty. It is caramelly. This is not the best ice cream to buy if you aren’t going keto, but if you are, these pops will get you your ice cream fix. 

Read the full ranking of the best keto ice cream

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Tillamook

Tillamook Peaches & Cream

Walmart

Instacart

You can probably tell just by how many Tillamook flavors made it on this list, but we’re not shy about calling Tillamook one of the best ice cream brands out there. (In fact, you may remember the fateful day when managing editor Gwynedd Stuart sat down to film herself trying all the Tillamook ice cream flavors in one go. We sure do have fun around here.) Though it’s hard to choose just one standout, Tillamook’s Peaches & Cream really blew us away. The flavor tastes like a perfectly sun-ripe peach, not some artificial peach flavoring. Every spoonful bursts with natural sweetness and slight tartness, enhanced by real peach pieces and a luscious peach swirl. If you love peaches, this just might be one of the best ice cream flavors you’ve ever tasted.

Read the full ranking of the best Tillamook ice cream

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Jeni’s

Jeni’s Lemon & Blueberries Parfait

Instacart

As you may have deduced, we’ve got a habit of buying every flavor from an ice cream brand—this time Jeni’s, another one of the best ice cream brands in stores—and tasting them on camera. Their Lemon & Blueberries Parfait was a revelation. The tart, zesty lemon ice cream is more like a creamy gelato. The slightly sour tang from the buttermilk gives it an artisan appeal. The swirl of fresh blueberry jam is the perfect touch. It’s the kind of flavor that feels both nostalgic and gourmet, making it impossible to resist another scoop.

Read our full ranking of the best Jeni’s ice cream

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Talenti

Talenti Raspberry Cheesecake

Target

Talenti

Imagine a creamy, tangy slice of cheesecake. Now imagine it frozen and stuffed into a tub, shocked through with fresh raspberry puree. That’s what this Talenti gelato tastes like. It’s so delightful and one of the best grocery store ice creams out there. It’s so good you can serve it for dessert at a dinner party and everyone will applaud. 

Read the full ranking of the best Talenti flavors

Credit: Merc / Talenti

Rating:

10/10

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Best Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Trader Joe’s

“I’m not a Trader Joe’s superfan. It’s not even in my top three grocery stores, to be totally transparent with you,” admits Sporked junior writer Ariana Losch. “But TJ’s has done something truly ingenious here, and I mean ingenious.” And she’s right—this Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream combines crisp, crumbly pieces of spiced Belgian gingerbread cookies with a lightly sweet cream. It’s like cookie butter, gingersnaps, and vanilla ice cream had a baby. The next time you visit TJ’s, you have to try it. 

Read our full review of the best Trader Joe’s ice cream

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

10/10

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Best Aldi Ice Cream

Specialty Selected Dulce de Leche

Out of 23 different pints and tubs of Aldi ice cream, this was the best ice cream we tasted. It’s caramel ice cream with a caramel swirl. It’s truly a caramel lover’s dream ice cream. Plus, since it’s Aldi, you can count on it being cheap. This ice cream punches way above its weight class and cements Aldi’s Specially Selected as one of the best ice cream brands out there. 

Read the full ranking of all the Aldi ice creams

Credit: Merc

Rating:

10/10

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Best Sundae Cone

FatBoy Sundae Best

Instacart

These sundae cones straight up taste like an ice cream sundae in a cone. There’s the gooey fudge and caramel sauces. There’s the crunchy nuts. There’s the creamy ice cream. It’s the best ice cream cone you can buy at the grocery store, no question. 

Read the full ranking of the best sundae cones

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Pumpkin Ice Cream

Trader Joe’s Mini Hold the Cone Pumpkin Ginger

Some people look forward to pumpkin pie when fall comes around, but we’re all about pumpkin ice cream. And of all the pumpkin ice creams we tasted, Trader Joe’s adorable mini cones were the best ice creams for seasonal, handheld enjoyment. The cone is gingery, the ice cream is spiced and pumpkiny, and the size is perfect.

Read the full ranking of the best pumpkin ice cream

Credit: Merc

Rating:

10/10

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Best Peppermint Ice Cream

Favorite Day Peppermint Bark Ice Cream

Instacart

In their review, Jordan said that this wasn’t just the best peppermint ice cream, it was the best seasonal ice cream they’ve tasted. “The base is so creamy, the pieces of bark are plentiful, and the mint flavor is just right.” Target doesn’t always hit with their Favorite Day brand, but in this case, they knocked it out of the park with one of the best ice creams for wintertime licking. 

Read the full ranking of the best peppermint ice cream

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Mochi Ice Cream

Mikawaya Vanilla Mochi Ice Cream

Instacart

Call us boring, but we stand behind our opinion that Mikawaya’s vanilla mochi ice cream is the best mochi ice cream you can buy. “The vanilla flavor in these is big and bold without being overpowering,” Gwynedd wrote in her review. And that flavor contrasts against the mild, marshmallow-y flavor of the mochi coating. These little cupcake-shaped mochi treats are well worth getting your fingers all powdery.

Read the full review of the best mochi ice cream

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Low Cal

Halo Top Strawberry

Walmart

Target

Halo Top’s Strawberry flavor takes the top spot for its incredibly low 90-calorie serving size. It’s impressively creamy, light, and fluffy, with a texture almost like soft serve. The subtle strawberry flavor feels nostalgic, while the use of sugar alcohol is noticeable but not overpowering. Even people who are sensitive to the flavor of fake sugar will likely enjoy this without issue. While it might not be the best ice cream you’ve ever tasted in your life, this is a super satisfying option if you’re counting cals. 

Read the full review of the best low calorie ice cream

Credit: Merc / Target

Rating:

8/10

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Best No Sugar Added

Signature Select Ice Cream Low Carb Butter Pecan

Albertsons

Safeway

Most no-sugar-added ice creams have a weird chemical taste going on, but not Signature Select’s Low Carb Butter Pecan. This is sweet, buttery, and packed with roasted pecans, giving it a rich flavor that sets it apart from other low-sugar options. While it’s not particularly low in calories or fat—180 calories and 14 grams of fat per serving—that’s likely why it tastes so satisfying, and it’s still only 14 grams of carbs and 4 grams of sugar. If your grocery store carries Signature Select (the house brand at Albertsons-owned supermarkets), definitely try this!

Read our full ranking of the best no sugar added ice creams

Rating:

10/10

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Best Ice Cream Bar

Magnum Double Raspberry Ice Cream Bar

Target

Instacart

We’ve argued in the past that the best ice cream bars are simple and straightforward. But this decadent double raspberry bar is the exception to the rule. Layered with frozen raspberry sauce and thick dark chocolate coating, this tart and sweet ice cream treat was clearly crafted with indulgence in mind. It tastes expensive. Like a true luxury. At the end of the day, you really can’t beat fresh, fruity raspberry and bold dark chocolate. That combo will always make for one of the best ice cream flavors out there. 

Read our full ranking of the best ice cream bars

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Best Klondike Bar

The Original Klondike Bar

Walmart

Albertsons

Sometimes originals just can’t be beat. Such is the case with the Klondike Bar. The classic combo of vanilla ice cream and the thin chocolate coating cannot be bested. Klondike Bars are one of the best ice cream treats you can hold, and the classic chocolate-vanilla flavor is the best of the best. 

Read the full ranking of the best Klondike Bar flavors 

Credit: Merc / Klondike

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

The post All the Best Ice Cream We’ve Tasted (23 Flavors and Brands!) appeared first on Sporked.

Bust out the 24-pack of light beer and that jersey you swore you’d burn when your team didn’t make it to the playoffs last year—football season is here! You know what that means, right? Yeah, a bunch of very large millionaires are going to manhandle each other for the next few months, but also you’re about to have a lot of opportunities to eat snacks, either in front of the TV or at a proper tailgate party. Fun, right? Well, it’s even more fun if you happen to live in a part of the country with a beloved regional snack so good that it automatically makes your team better than the other team, no matter who actually wins. Them’s the rules! We don’t make them, but we’re more than happy to play by them. 

We asked our Instagram followers: What regional packaged snack is at every tailgate or football watch party where you live? People from all over the country responded with chips and dips and hot dogs so good that even if your team loses, everyone wins. Which do you think is the best? Vote for your fave before September 20!

The post Which Regional Football Snack Is the Best Regional Football Snack? appeared first on Sporked.

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 White Bread

Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Thick Sliced White Bread

Instacart

Walmart

Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Thick Sliced White Bread tops our list of the best bread for sandwiches. It’s also the best white bread we tasted. It’s super soft and squishy, lightly sweet but a little savory, and has a mild flavor that won’t overpower your sandwich fixings. This bread goes well with peanut butter, banana, and honey. It suits a grilled cheese or a tuna salad sandwich. You can put pretty much anything between two slices of this bread and it’s going to taste good, but this stuff is good on its own, too. The Sporked crew swears by this bread and we think you’ll agree that it’s some of the best store bought bread, period.

Read the full ranking of the best white bread

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Wheat Bread

Nature’s Harvest Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Instacart

Walmart

White bread who? Nature’s Harvest will make you forget other types of bread exist, especially if you prefer wheat bread in the first place. Nature’s Harvest is pleasantly squishy but still has enough structural integrity to be stacked with all sorts of sandwich fixings, from meats to spreads to veggies. This bread’s best quality is a pleasant sweetness that adds depth and character that most other store bought bread lacks. This is the best bread for a big ol’ deli turkey sandwich with sprouts, but it’s equally suited to something rich like peanut butter and bacon or fatty corned beef and thousand island dressing. The best sliced bread at the grocery store is versatile and this one definitely is.

Read the full ranking of the best wheat bread

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Rye Bread

Sunflour Bakery Jewish Rye

Amazon

Unlike most of the rye we tried in our rye bread taste test, this bread comes frozen rather than fresh, but it seems to be a good strategy. We love that Sunflour Bakery’s Jewish Rye is “chewy, dense, aromatic, seeded, and just lovely overall.” This is the best bread for a fat stack of pastrami and pickles. Or just toast it and slather it with butter and grape jelly for a diner-style side.

Read the full ranking of the best rye bread

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

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Best Cinnamon Raisin

Sun-Maid Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread

Instacart

Walmart

Cinnamon raisin bread should have a lot of cinnamon and a lot of raisins, and that’s what made Sun-Maid Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread the best store bought bread in its class. The sweet, squishy and raisins are the perfect complement to fragrant and spicy cinnamon swirl. We also like that this bread is sturdy but still tender. This is the best bread for a zhuzhed-up French toast, but it’s equally good toasted and buttered for a quick morning meal. 

Read the full ranking of the best cinnamon raisin bread

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Dutch Crunch

Max’s Dutch Crunch Bread

Dutchcrunch.com

If you’re not familiar, Dutch crunch is a style of white bread roll that’s topped with a paste of rice flour, sugar, water, and yeast that gets all crackly when the bread is baked. It’s popular in sandwich shops in California’s Bay Area, but it’s also not a thing you typically keep around the house. That makes our research even more important! If you’re looking for the best bread that’s a little sweet and a little crunchy, try Max’s Dutch crunch. Yeah, you have to order it online, but the cost of shipping will be worth it when your lunch is gently scraping the roof of your mouth.

Read the full ranking of the best Dutch crunch bread

Credit: Liv Averett / Dutchcrunch.com

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Hoagie Rolls

Kroger White Hoagie Rolls

Instacart

Good hoagie rolls aren’t easy to find at the grocery store, but these Kroger rolls will get the job done the next time you’re making at-home cheesesteaks, spiedies, or Italian beefs (just don’t forget the good giardiniera). They’re super soft and squishy—perfect for absorbing meat juices—but they develop a nice crust if you toast them in the ol’ countertop oven. The best store bought bread might not exactly resemble what you’d find at a sandwich shop, but these rolls are tasty and sturdy enough to get the job done.

Read the full ranking of the best hoagie rolls

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Weck

DiCamillo Bakery Kummelweck Rolls

DiCamillo Bakery

We know—you’re like, “What the heck is weck?” Well, besides being a Buffalo, New York, institution, weck, aka kummelweck, is a kaiser-like roll that’s topped with coarse salt and caraway seeds. This is the best bread for a classic beef on weck, but we’d love these DiCamillo rolls loaded up with pretty much anything. They’re soft and squishy, but the topping gives them a little bit of crunch and a bold rye flavor. Two dozen of these will run you just 24 bucks online, so make some room in the freezer for extras. 

Read the full ranking of the best kummelweck

Credit: Liv Averett / DiCamillo Bakery

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Dinner Rolls

Rhodes Thaw, Rise & Bake Dinner Rolls

Instacart

Walmart

Sometimes the best bread takes a little bit of work. Take, for instance, these Rhodes dinner rolls. You have to let them rise for three to five hours before you cook them, but we swear it’s worth it, especially if you’re gearing up for a special holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Once the rolls have risen, they bake up quickly and perfectly—doughy on the inside with a nice, golden-brown crust on the outside. These are the best dinner rolls and some of the best store bought bread in general. 

Read the full ranking of the best dinner rolls

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Hamburger Buns

Francisco Deli Hamburger Buns

Instacart

A burger is only as good as its bun—and we’re pleased to report that we found some really, really good store bought hamburger buns. These Francisco Deli hamburger buns are sweet, squishy, dense, tangy, and buttery all at the same time. Any store bought bread that can do all that has to be among the best bread at the grocery store. These are sturdy enough for a lot of toppings and but tender enough to sop up all those yummy drippings from a freshly grilled burger patty. Bonus: They’re also pretty darn affordable. 

Read the full ranking of the best hamburger buns

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Hot Dog Buns

Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche Style Hot Dog Buns

Amazon

Instacart

You can plausibly enjoy a hamburger sans bun, but a hot dog just doesn’t really make a meal on its own (unless you’re a toddler). The next time you’re firing up the grill for hot dog night, be sure to buy the best bread for hot dogs, aka Nature’s Own brioche hot dog buns. Sporked’s  Jordan Myrick described the experience of eating one of these like “eating a hot dog stuffed between two clouds.” They’re soft but they don’t disintegrate in your mouth, unlike other brioche buns we tried. They’re eggy but also neutral so the flavor of your favorite weiner can really shine through. Don’t forget the relish.

Read the full ranking of the best hot dog buns

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Slider Buns

King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Sliders

King’s Hawaiian

Walmart

If you’re looking for the best bread for a very small sandwich or burger, look no further than our pick for the best slider buns at the grocery store. King’s Hawaiian pretzel rolls are soft, lightly sweet, and have the perfect amount of chew. They’re the perfect combo of salty, sturdy soft pretzel and light, squishy Hawaiian roll. The next time you have a party with a cold cut platter, put out a bag of these and see what sorts of fun mini sandwiches people come up with. 

Read the full ranking of the best slider buns

Credit: Merc / King’s Hawaiian

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Garlic Bread

Pepperidge Farm Garlic Bread

Walmart

In general, frozen garlic bread is some of the best bread at the grocery store. But the best garlic bread of them all? This loaf of Pepperidge Farm garlic bread. It’s crusty on the outside and pillowy and oily on the inside, just like the garlic bread you’ll find in a basket at a classic red sauce Italian restaurant. This loaf gives you options, too: Bake it whole if you like it extra squishy inside or split up the halves if you want the insides to crisp up a little. Buy a loaf of this the next time you’re making meatball subs drenched in marinara and loaded with melty mozzarella. Everyone will freak.

Read the full ranking of the best garlic bread

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Biscuits

Pillsbury Grands! Southern Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits

Target

Walmart

Making biscuits from scratch is good in theory, but unless you have a lot of counter space, it’s a pretty big pain. That’s where these Pillsbury Grands come in. Southern Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits, which come in a can in the refrigerated section. These are melt-in-your-mouth biscuits. They’re super soft and buttery inside and really puff up when you bake them. Serve these as an easy side with some grocery store fried chicken or use them to make biscuit sandwiches with egg, sausage patties, and American cheese. You can’t go wrong with the best biscuits, baby. 

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Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Best Cornbread

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

Target

Walmart

We were skeptical at first, but Jiffy does make the best cornbread. They might as well put a picture of this box in the dictionary under the word “cornbread” (even though they call it “corn muffin mix”). Jiffy is the gold standard for cornbread mix for a reason. It bakes up moist and tender. The flavor is sweet, but not too sweet. It’s very mild and subdued in the perfect way. And it’s easy to make. That’s what earns it a spot on our list of the best bread.

Read the full ranking of the best cornbread

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Best Bagels

Dave’s Killer Bread Everything Bagels

Target

Walmart

When it comes to bread with a hole in the middle, this is just about the best bread you can buy. Dave’s Killer everything bagels have that boiled squish you expect from good bagels, and the seasoning is especially good—it has sesame seeds, poppy seeds, flax seeds, garlic, onion, and, most importantly, plenty of salt to bring all the flavors to life. It may not live up to your local bagel shop (especially if you live in New York City), but you could certainly do worse when it comes to store bought bagels. 

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Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

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Best English Muffins

Thomas’ Sourdough English Muffins

Walmart

Looking for the best bread for a benedict or a faux McMuffin sandwich? Look no further than Thomas’ Sourdough English Muffins. They have just a touch of yeasty flavor and additional chew that makes them more flavorful than other English muffins. They won’t kick you in the teeth with yeast, but it definitely adds some depth of flavor to the affair. In our taste test, we also found these to be less dry than other English muffins. If you always grab Thomas’ anyway, trust us and grab these the next time you’re at the grocery store.

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Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Gluten Free Bread

Schar Gluten Free Artisan Baker White Bread

Amazon

The best gluten free bread wasn’t easy to find. We ate our way through a lot of dry, crumbly, downright disappointing gluten free bread to find the best gluten free bread at the grocery store. Thank god for Schar, a brand making gluten free bread that actually resembles bread. It has the most convincing flavor and texture, and it’s also a normal size (so much gluten free bread is itty-bitty for some weird reason). This is good on its own so it’s sure to make a really good sandwich. If you’re part of the celiac squad, this is the best bread you can buy. 

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Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

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Best Keto Bread

Sola Sweet Oat

Walmart

Keto bread was another less-than-fun taste test here at Sporked. Gwynedd Stuart, our managing editor, was a real champ and ate loads of “bread” (hard to call most of it bread) to help us find an acceptable keto bread. But she found at least one store bought bread loaf for keto followers: Sola Sweet Oat. She wrote that Sola Sweet Oat, “would make a really good French toast—soak it in some egg with a low-cal sweetener, toss it in a frying pan, and then top it with a sugar-free syrup (we recommend Cary’s).” Yum!

Read the full ranking of the best keto sandwich bread

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

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Best Keto Bagels

Better Bagel Everything

Instacart

If you’re on a keto diet, you probably thought bagels were a thing of the past—or good bagels, anyway. Well, we have news! We found good keto bagels. In fact, they’re so good we decided they deserve a spot on our list of the best bread. Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling even said she’d serve these to non-keto people, no prob. Load these big Better Bagels up with lots of cream cheese and some smoked salmon for an extra kick of protein. 

Read the full ranking of the best keto bagels

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Gluten Free Rolls

Against the Grain Gourmet Original Rolls Cheese Baked Recipe

Ralphs

As we’ve established, gluten free bread doesn’t always hit. But these cheesy dinner rolls are a pleasant surprise. They remind Justine of pão de queijo, the Brazilian cheese bread you get at churrascarias. They’re stretchy and chewy and have a subtle cheesy flavor. If you don’t eat gluten but need a roll to sop up your GF gravy, this is the way to go.

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Credit: Merc/ Ralphs

Rating:

9/10

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Best Bread at Aldi

L’oven Fresh Pains au Chocolat

Instacart

Aldi sells everything from sandwich bread to naan, but the best bread at Aldi? We’re big, big fans of these little pains au chocolat. They come individually wrapped so you don’t have to panic-eat eight of them in two days like you would with fresh-from-the-patisserie pains au chocolat, and they’re just so soft, sweet, and chocolatey. A couple of these make a really nice little breakfast.

Read the full ranking of the best Aldi Bread

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

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Best Bread at Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s Olive Fougasse

Trader Joe’s

“Fougasse” may sound like something Tony Soprano would call someone he thinks is an idiot, but it’s actually a really cool kind of bread that’s sort of like breadsticks that are all attached to one another—and it’s the best bread of all the bread we tried at Trader Joe’s. It’s chewy and doughy, and if you heat it a bit, it really tastes like it came from a fancy bakery. The pop of salt from the olives is a nice touch, too. 

Read the full ranking of the best Trader Joe’s bread

Credit: Merc

Rating:

10/10

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The post The Best Bread from Our Taste Tests (Now with Bagels, Buns, and Hoagie Rolls) appeared first on Sporked.