Our Favorite Store-Brand Products

March 01, 2012
Photo: Manfred Koh
Don't know which store-brands will give you flavor you are looking for? We're giving you the scoop on the best budget-friendly buys.
Start Slideshow

1 of 28

The Best Store-Brand Products

Photo: Manfred Koh
Deciding when to buy budget-friendly store-brand products and when to pass and go for the gusto can be a tricky task. Luckily, we've done the dirty work so you don't have to. Cooking Light staffers weeded through countless products to bring you the best that the store-brands have to offer.

We'll start with Whole Foods Organic 100% Whole-Wheat Bread. A hearty, dense texture makes this ideal for toast, slathered with a tart fruit preserves.

Shop: Organic 100% Whole-Wheat Bread

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Albacore Tuna

Photo: Manfred Koh
What you want from canned tuna are distinct, meaty flakes, and that’s exactly what you get here—plus clean, pure tuna taste.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Albacore Tuna

3 of 28

Target Market Pantry Unsalted Butter

Photo: Manfred Koh
Superior creamy texture at a great price—about $2 a pound. This is the butter to stock up on.

Shop: Market Pantry Unsalted Butter

Advertisement

4 of 28

Walmart Great Value Pie Crust

Photo: Randy Mayor
Its neutral flavor puts focus on the filling. Straight out of the box, its thickness is ideal for heavy custards or quiches.

Shop: Great Value Pie Crust

5 of 28

Target Archer Farms Steamable Frozen Green Beans

Photo: Randy Mayor
Your standard steam-in-the-bag bean goes upscale with these haricots verts--like beauties. They maintained their flavor and texture, despite being frozen. Grassy, crunchy, and crisp, they're the perfect go-to for the time-strapped cook.

Shop: Archer Farms Extra-Fine Green Beans

6 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Toasted Sesame Oil

Photo: Randy Mayor
A nutty, nuanced oil that's bold but not bitter. Intensely roasty, toasty flavor with a clean finish.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Toasted Sesame Oil

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 28

Walmart Great Value Unsalted Butter

Photo: Manfred Koh
Clean, clear butter flavor.

Shop: Great Value Unsalted Butter

8 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Canola Mayonnaise

Photo: Manfred Koh
Light, silky texture, balanced vinegar-lemon tang, and a nice salty kick.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Canola Mayonnaise

9 of 28

Target Market Pantry Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

Photo: Manfred Koh
Dark, strong, with an intense smoky character.

Shop: Market Pantry Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Ketchup

Photo: Randy Mayor
Flecks of spices set this ketchup apart from other brands. We loved the sweet and naturally clean flavor and applaud Whole Foods for making a great product with only 160 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon. Less salt but lots of flavor.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Ketchup

11 of 28

Target Archer Farms Vindaloo Indian Simmering Sauce

Photo: Randy Mayor
Lemony and full of heat, with a backbone of cumin, coriander, and cardamom. Coconut milk and butter provide creaminess (and 4g sat fat). Traditional with pork, but try with potatoes.

Shop: Archer Farms Vindaloo

12 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Light Coconut Milk

Photo: Randy Mayor
Thinner (without being watery) with a milder hit of coconut flavor. Not overly sweet. Does not have the oaky taste found in some light coconut milks—best in a dessert recipe.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Light Coconut Milk

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 28

Walmart World Table Salsa Verde

Photo: Randy Mayor
This is a chip clinger with cumin, salt, and heat all getting their turn on the palate. Tangy with a smoky endnote—you can tell the jalapeños were roasted properly.

Shop: World Table Salsa Verde

14 of 28

Target Archer Farms Tortilla Chips

Photo: Manfred Koh
They’re corn-yellow-pretty, delectably crunchy, nicely salted, and loaded with hearty flavor. Plus, a zip-top bag closure staves off staleness (if they last long enough for a third or fourth session).

Shop: Archer Farms Tortilla Chips

15 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Organic Crunchy Mini Twists

Photo: Randy Mayor
Whole Foods’ house brand offered a buttery flavor balanced with just the right amount of salt and crunch (again, not tooth-breakingly hard, but not airy or floury, as several samples were).

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Organic Crunchy Mini Twists

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 28

Target Market Pantry Light Sour Cream

Photo: Manfred Koh
So thick and luscious that one tester thought it might be mascarpone cheese.

Shop: Market Pantry Light Sour Cream

17 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value No Salt Added Black Beans

Photo: Randy Mayor
These hearty beans hold up well during the canning process—firm, yet still tender.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value No Salt Added Black Beans

18 of 28

Target Market Pantry Applesauce Natural

Photo: Randy Mayor
The intensity of the apple flavor really hits in every bite—with just the right sweetness to balance the tart notes.

Shop: Market Pantry Applesauce Natural

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Organic Homestyle Waffles

Photo: Randy Mayor
Crisp on the outside with a tenderly chewy middle. Not overly sweet, so they're the perfect accompaniment for maple syrup.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Organic Homestyle Waffles

20 of 28

Walmart Great Value Pure Olive Oil

Photo: Randy Mayor
This oil's clean, fresh taste is the perfect backdrop for sautéing veggies like mushrooms and onions, but its grassy finish was something we savored with a simple slice of crusty bread.

Shop: Great Value Pure Olive Oil

21 of 28

Target Archer Farms Plain Soy Milk

Photo: Manfred Koh
Stands out for its nice, thick, creamy texture and light sweetness.

Shop: Archer Farms Plain Soy Milk

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Balsamic Vinegar

Photo: Randy Mayor
For a budget balsamic, this one packs a thick, rich punch. Ready to drizzle or glaze grilled chicken or salmon.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Balsamic Vinegar

23 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Oat & Honey Granola

Photo: Manfred Koh
Slightly puffed brown rice gives this not-too-sweet granola a nice, light crunch.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Oat & Honey Granola

24 of 28

Target Market Pantry Frosted Bite-Sized Shredded Wheat

Photo: Randy Mayor
Its toasted whole-wheat notes are complemented—rather than obscured—by the sweet frosting. Tall, fluffy biscuits don't lose their crunchy mojo in milk.

Shop: Market Pantry Frosted Bite-Sized Shredded Wheat

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Diced, No-Salt-Added Tomatoes

Photo: Manfred Koh
A midsummer-fresh tomato taste and a nice, thick texture make this a great option for any soup, stew, or sauce that needs body.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Diced, No-Salt-Added Tomatoes

26 of 28

Target Archer Farms Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

Photo: Manfred Koh
Great for those just starting down the whole-wheat pasta path. A subtler flavor for subtler sauces—basic marinara would be perfect.

Shop: Archer Farms Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

27 of 28

Walmart Great Value Tomato Ketchup

Photo: Randy Mayor
Walmart's house brand is thick and clingy, has a robust vinegar flavor, and the standard 190 milligrams sodium. Its brightness is balanced by a smooth, sweet finish.

Shop: Great Value Tomato Ketchup

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 28

Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Unsalted Butter

Photo: Manfred Koh
A good basic-butter choice if you’re looking for organic.

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Unsalted Butter

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next