Our Favorite Store-Brand Products

March 01, 2012
Credit: 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.
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The Best Store-Brand Products

Credit: 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

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Albacore Tuna

Credit: 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

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Target Market Pantry Unsalted Butter

Credit: 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

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Walmart Great Value Pie Crust

Credit: 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

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Target Archer Farms Steamable Frozen Green Beans

Credit: 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

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Toasted Sesame Oil

Credit: 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

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Walmart Great Value Unsalted Butter

Credit: Photo: Manfred Koh
Clean, clear butter flavor.

Shop: Great Value Unsalted Butter

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Canola Mayonnaise

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

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Canola Mayonnaise

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Target Market Pantry Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

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

Shop: Market Pantry Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Ketchup

Credit: 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

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Target Archer Farms Vindaloo Indian Simmering Sauce

Credit: 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

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Light Coconut Milk

Credit: 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

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Walmart World Table Salsa Verde

Credit: 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

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Target Archer Farms Tortilla Chips

Credit: 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

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Organic Crunchy Mini Twists

Credit: 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

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Target Market Pantry Light Sour Cream

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

Shop: Market Pantry Light Sour Cream

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value No Salt Added Black Beans

Credit: 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

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Target Market Pantry Applesauce Natural

Credit: 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

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Organic Homestyle Waffles

Credit: 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

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Walmart Great Value Pure Olive Oil

Credit: 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

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Target Archer Farms Plain Soy Milk

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

Shop: Archer Farms Plain Soy Milk

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Balsamic Vinegar

Credit: 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

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Oat & Honey Granola

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

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Oat & Honey Granola

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Target Market Pantry Frosted Bite-Sized Shredded Wheat

Credit: 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

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

Credit: 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

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Target Archer Farms Whole-Wheat Spaghetti

Credit: 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

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Walmart Great Value Tomato Ketchup

Credit: 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

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Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Unsalted Butter

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

Shop: 365 Everyday Value Unsalted Butter

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