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.
1 of 28
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.
1 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
2 of 28
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.
2 of 28
3 of 28
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.
3 of 28
Advertisement
4 of 28
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:Â Great Value Pie Crust
4 of 28
5 of 28
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.
5 of 28
6 of 28
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.
6 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
7 of 28
Walmart Great Value Unsalted Butter
Credit: Photo: Manfred Koh
Clean, clear butter flavor.
Shop:Â Great Value Unsalted Butter
7 of 28
8 of 28
Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Canola Mayonnaise
Credit: Photo: Manfred Koh
Light, silky texture, balanced vinegar-lemon tang, and a nice salty kick.
8 of 28
9 of 28
Target Market Pantry Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce
Credit: Photo: Manfred Koh
Dark, strong, with an intense smoky character.
9 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
10 of 28
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:Â 365 Everyday Value Ketchup
10 of 28
11 of 28
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:Â Archer Farms Vindaloo
11 of 28
12 of 28
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.
12 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
13 of 28
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:Â World Table Salsa Verde
13 of 28
14 of 28
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:Â Archer Farms Tortilla Chips
14 of 28
15 of 28
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).
15 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
16 of 28
Target Market Pantry Light Sour Cream
Credit: Photo: Manfred Koh
So thick and luscious that one tester thought it might be mascarpone cheese.
16 of 28
17 of 28
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.
17 of 28
18 of 28
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.
18 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
19 of 28
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.
19 of 28
20 of 28
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:Â Great Value Pure Olive Oil
20 of 28
21 of 28
Target Archer Farms Plain Soy Milk
Credit: Photo: Manfred Koh
Stands out for its nice, thick, creamy texture and light sweetness.
Shop:Â Archer Farms Plain Soy Milk
21 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
22 of 28
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.
22 of 28
23 of 28
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.
23 of 28
24 of 28
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.
24 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
25 of 28
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.
25 of 28
26 of 28
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.
26 of 28
27 of 28
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:Â Great Value Tomato Ketchup
27 of 28
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
28 of 28
Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Unsalted Butter
Credit: Photo: Manfred Koh
A good basic-butter choice if you’re looking for organic.