You can't make a list of America's most delicious foods without trying all the foods. So we did—331, to be exact—and we landed on this: an official guide to the best, well, everything in grocery stores. We've got you covered with 100 favorites—from breakfast foods to dinner must-haves to the snacks you sneak at midnight.
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Breakfast Favorites | Condiments | Dairy | Dinner Favorites | Drinks | Snacks | Sweets & Baking
Bacon: Boar's Head Extra Thick Cut
Our kitchen experts determined that Boar's Head comes out on top in the ultimate bacon battle. That's because it's crispy but slightly chewy—and perfectly smoky, but not brittle. There was no requisite salt overload, and its uniform size made it a consistently satisfying experience, bite after bite.
Bagels: Dave's Killer Bread Plain Awesome
Some bagged bagels taste like the plastic they were wrapped in. Not Dave's Killer Bread. Even Delish's picky, New York-based editors think the brand struck gold with the chewy texture.
$6, amazon.com
Healthy Cereal: Barbara's Peanut Butter Puffins
Puffins hold their crunch, even when drowned in milk. And unlike many flavored cereals, the peanut butter variety only packs six grams of sugar per serving.
$4, amazon.com
Kid's Cereal: Kashi by Kids Berry Crumble
Shh, don't tell your kids: There are chickpeas hiding in this cereal. But it's so fun to eat, they won't even notice. The pillowy corn puffs are filled with jammy apple and strawberry centers.
$5, amazon.com
Maple Syrup: Coombs Family Farms
You'll find Coombs in major grocery stores, but you're actually supporting small businesses. The company sources its maple from a collection of 3,000-plus family farms. The syrup itself is richer—in both color and taste—than most others on the shelf.
$25, amazon.com
Oatmeal: Bob's Red Mill Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
As opposed to some of its competitors, Bob's oats cook up to become hearty, creamy, and not gluey. Go ahead and eat it as you normally would for breakfast—but promise you'll try throwing it in your next smoothie for some extra oomph, too.
$6, amazon.com
Pancake Mix: Birch Benders Classic Recipe
We thought great-tasting "just add water" mixes were an oxymoron—until Birch Benders' package landed in our test kitchen. The pancakes turn out wildly fluffy, considering they're from a store-bought mix.
$8, amazon.com
Waffles: Vans Original
The whole grains (and other real ingredients) are probably what account for the conspicuous lack of gross freezer flavor here. And that gets our stamp of approval.
$4, amazon.com
White Bread: Arnold Country White
If your sandwich bread pick is fueled by nostalgia, reach for Arnold's Country White. It tastes like childhood, but is substantial enough to hold up to cold cuts and condiments (unlike another loaf that rhymes with Shmonder Shbread).
$4, amazon.com
Whole Grain Bread: Dave's Killer 21 Whole Grains And Seeds
There are two reasons to love Dave's Killer Bread. One: The company stands for change, employing people with criminal backgrounds as part of its Second Chance Employment program. Two: The bread tastes, well, killer. The slices strike the perfect balance between airy and dense.
$6, amazon.com
Alfredo Sauce: Bertolli Organic Creamy Alfredo
You don't need fancy when it comes to Alfredo. Classic will do, and Bertolli makes just that. It's made with real, whole dairy and two types of aged cheese: Parmesan and romano.
$2, target.com
Marinara Sauce: Rao's Homemade
Oh, this isn't homemade? Could have fooled us. You can taste the herbs—like basil and oregano—plus there's no added sugar.
$7, walmart.com
Almond Butter: Once Again Creamy Roasted
Some nut butters taste a little too healthy. This favorite—with one ingredient: almonds—has no added oils and a perfectly creamy, rich flavor. Put it on toast, eat it out of the jar...whatever.
$21, vitacost.com
Balsamic Vinegar: Pompeian Organic Balsamic Vinegar Of Modena
Another condiment that can be too sweet when done improperly. But this super smooth vinegar hits all the right notes.
$7, amazon.com
Barbecue Sauce: Sweet Baby Ray's Original
This sauce is more smoky than sweet, which Delish editors prefer. It has a nice texture, too—thick, not runny.
$4, target.com
Balsamic Dressing: Brianna's New American Creamy Balsamic Dressing
All your favorite flavors in one bottle. You have the tang from balsamic vinegar, spice from Dijon mustard, and slight sweetness from—oddly enough—grape juice. We’ll take it.
$7, amazon.com
Caesar Dressing: Cardini's Original
Cardini's ingredients list includes anchovies and real Parmesan. That's what makes this dressing taste like a chef prepared it right before making your salad.
$4, target.com
Ranch Dressing: Trader Joe's Organic
TJ's ranch has the lowest calorie count of any that we sampled. It also has the best taste: a balance of herbs, garlic, and tangy buttermilk flavor.
$11, amazon.com
Enchilada Sauce: Hatch Red Medium
The Hatch brand uses real deal New Mexico hatch chiles. The flavors are rounded, and you're not overwhelmed by a salty kick. The mild tastes great, but if you can handle heat, go for the medium.
$2.50, sandiaseed.com
French Onion Dip: Lay's
The key to good French onion dip is caramelized onions. It's a pain in the ass to make at home, but jarred varieties can taste fake. Not Lay's. Not. Lay's.
$3, walmart.com
Honey: Mike's Hot Honey
Go grab a bear off the shelf if you're looking for something traditional. This stuff is exciting. It's infused with chilies, so it's spicy, and it goes on literally anything: fried chicken, avocado toast, pizza (especially pizza).
$9, walmart.com
Hot Sauce: Tapatío
Listen, we're not going to try to convince you that this is the best hot sauce; you've probably had a favorite since your taste buds learned to handle heat. We just want you to know that it's really, really good. It's thick enough that it doesn't run off food, and it's not too vinegary.
$9, amazon.com
Hummus: Roots Original
You might not find Roots at all your local grocery stores, but when you do, stock up. The strong tahini flavor and all-natural ingredients won us over.
$4, freshdirect.com
Jam: Bonne Maman Raspberry Preserves
Go ahead and judge this book by its cover. The jar is cute enough to gift—or just make you feel fancy every time you open the fridge. But we judged the flavor and texture, too, and decided they're perfect. The preserves taste like real fruit and are spreadable, not that fake, gelatinous consistency.
$4, walmart.com
Ketchup: Hellmann's
Hellmann's is new to the ketchup game, but they're already winning it. The stuff's a good mix of tangy and sweet, but the ingredients clinched the win. There are only six, and corn syrup isn't one of them: just tomato puree, honey, white wine vinegar, spices, onion powder, and salt.
$6, jet.com
Relish: Woodstock Sweet Relish
Woodstock is not too cloyingly sweet, which is a rarity in relish world. The cucumbers aren't over-soaked, either. They still have a great crunch.
$5, walmart.com
Mayonnaise: Sir Kensington's Classic
Sir Kensington's cares about its ingredients. They're all non-GMO and the eggs are certified humane, free range, making the quality worth the price here. It's peppery (you can see the flecks!) and smooth.
$5, target.com
Mustard: Edmond Fallot Moutarde De Dijon
This dijon—which comes right from France—is sharp, making it the perfect addition to homemade vinaigrettes. It's incredibly smooth and creamy, too.
$8, amazon.com
Olive Oil: California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin
If you look for olive oil in the Delish test kitchens, this is the only bottle you'll ever find. You can trust where the olives come from (they're sourced in California), and they create a pure, bright oil. Given the taste, this stuff retails for an incredible price.
$13, californiaoliveranch.com
Peanut Butter: Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator
This might be the creamiest peanut butter we've ever tasted, hence the name "Smooth Operator." The taste is a little more refined than the jars you reached for in childhood, too.
$6, boxed.com
Pesto: Giovanni Rana Basil Pesto
Most pestos are made from pine nuts, but Rana doesn't make most pestos. This variety's got almonds blended into it, too, so it tastes even nuttier.
$3, walmart.com
Pickles: Grillo's Pickles Italian Dill Spears
Proof that keeping things all in the family is worth it: This pickle recipe has been passed down through the Grillo family for generations. The cucumbers are superbly crunchy, but you also get fun pickled stuff like jalapeños, garlic cloves, and habanero peppers in the mix.
$6, target.com
Salsa: Green Mountain Gringo Medium
This salsa is pretty chunky, but it seems more homemade that way, no? (The fresh ingredients help on that front, too.) We loved the heat and acidity.
$12, amazon.com
Butter: Kerrygold Salted
One of the U.S.'s best-selling butters (and our personal favorite) is, ironically, a byproduct of Irish grass-fed cows. If the gold wrapper wasn't enough of an indication, this stuff is high quality.
$17, amazon.com
Cheddar Cheese: Tillamook Sharp
Almost half of the Delish staff is made up of west coasters, and that Pacific pride runs deep when it comes to cheese. Tillamook is Oregon-based, and their sharp cheddar is second to none.
$6, amazon.com
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Mama Francesca Classic
This is the closest you'll get to fresh grated parm. The crumbles are all different sizes, making them seem more natural, and the cheese melts well.
$12, amazon.com
Mozzarella Cheese: BelGioioso Fresh Log
This stuff has won many awards—including ours for best mozzarella. It's not at all rubbery, and it's well salted.
$6, jet.com
Ricotta Cheese: Calabro Whole Milk
This is not the time to skimp on fat. The splurge will reward you with the fluffiest, richest ricotta. Wanna savor the flavor? Top toast with a layer of this cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and some salt and pepper.
$10, freshdirect.com
Greek Yogurt: Fage Total 2%
This is thicker and tastes more indulgent than most Greek yogurts on store shelves. It's not too sour either, and we like to play up the sweetness with berries, granola, and honey.
$1, walmart.com
Yogurt: Siggi's Vanilla and Cinnamon 2%
Technically, this yogurt is Icelandic skyr, which makes it extra thick and creamy. The vanilla tastes real, and the protein content (15 grams) keeps us fuller, longer.
$2, shoprite.com
Cauliflower Crust: Cali'Flour Foods The Original Italian
This is, hands down, the healthiest cauliflower crust you can buy in the supermarket. It's also the most delicious. It's crispy and thin, almost like flatbread, and is seasoned perfectly.
$40 for 6 crusts, califlourfoods.com
Chicken Broth: Pacific Foods Low Sodium
When talking about why we love this chicken broth, it's easier to describe what it's not—and that's watered down or too salty.
$3, amazon.com
Chicken Noodle Soup: Annie's
Annie's noodles are substantial—they're wide egg noodles, not stringy ones—and they don't get gummy. You can also taste the fresh herbs, not just a mouthful of salt.
$3.50, target.com
Chili: Amy's Medium
This is vegetarian, but you won't miss the ground meat—and you won't even realize that the protein substitute is tofu. It's Mexican style, and you can taste that jalapeño heat.
$3.50, amazon.com
Tomato Soup: Trader Joe's Organic Creamy
We've tasted one too many packaged tomato soups that taste like jars of marinara sauce. This one's different: a balance of tart and sweet, with a hint of Parmesan that you can actually taste.
Frozen Burgers: Pineland Farms Beef Patties
Each of these patties comes vacuum sealed, so they're some of the freshest in the freezer. The beef's all natural and the flavor is super pure.
Frozen Burrito: Amy's Cheddar Cheese, Bean, and Rice
Oh burrito beans: You can go so, so wrong. But the ones in here (pinto beans) are so, so right. When you take the time to cook this in the oven, it doesn't even taste frozen.
$3, amazon.com
Frozen Chicken Nuggets: Weaver Chicken Breast
There's just enough peppery spice, chew, and crunch in these nuggets. You might actually want to steal them from your toddler's plate.
$5, jet.com
Frozen Dinner Rolls: Sister Schubert's Dinner Yeast Rolls
These bake in no time flat and are ridiculously fluffy—not dense—considering they come frozen. Eat them all year, but buy extra for Thanksgiving. This is what you want to make your leftovers sandwich on.
$4.50, amazon.com
Frozen French Fries: Alexia Organic Oven Crinkles
These don't taste or look frozen, which was what we were most interested in during our tasting. The salt and pepper are a nice touch, and they crisp up well in the oven.
$4, amazon.com
Frozen Pizza: Amy's Margherita
With frozen pizzas, crust is key. Amy's almost tastes like focaccia, and it remains crispy during cooking.
$5.50, amazon.com
Frozen Taquitos: José Olé Chicken
Frozen food and soggy food are too often synonymous. But José Olé's taquitos stay so crunchy when cooked. The chicken itself is nicely spiced, not an afterthought.
Hot Dogs: Sabrett Natural Casing Beef Frankfurters
This is the dog they sell throughout the streets and parks of New York City, so you know it's legit. It's very shiny, and we're big fans of the snap you can hear every time you take a bite.
Sausage: Aidells Italian Style
Oh, hi there, sneaky little pockets of mozzarella cheese! The garlic and basil make these sausages seem fresher than most store bought ones. Our suggestion: Slice them, sauté them, then toss them with penne, olive oil, and Parmesan.
$5.50, amazon.com
Gluten-Free Pasta: Banza
Cook these al dente, exactly like Banza suggests, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the pasta's texture. We also love that the chickpeas offer a protein-heavy punch.
$22.50, amazon.com
Pasta: De Cecco
If there's a shape of pasta you want, De Cecco makes it—including adorable tennis racquet-shaped rachette and four sizes of penne. Another a major plus: The cook times listed on the box are always completely accurate.
$13 for 5, amazon.com
Macaroni and Cheese: Annie's Shells and White Cheddar
When you're ready to upgrade from neon packets of cheese, but not ready to make mac from scratch, enter: Annie's. The white cheddar feels elevated, and the shells—well, is there a better noodle shape?
$18 for 12, amazon.com
Ravioli: Celentano Cheese
There are few ravioli that can pull off what Celentano has been able to—these classic ones are soft but not mushy, cheesy but not overstuffed, and only in need of a little butter or sauce to go on top.
Tortellini: Rising Moon Four Cheese
There's a rule we like to follow: All tortellini should be made with four types of cheese, be sold in large quantities, and be incredibly tender. This package hits all three of those requirements.
$5.50, amazon.com
Taco Shells: Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn
They're. just. so. pretty. These hard shells are also sturdy and don't crack under the first spoonful of meat.
$3, amazon.com
Tortillas: La Tortilla Factory
Since these tortillas are a blend of flour and corn, they fold without breaking (like flour tortillas) but have a complex flavor (like corn tortillas). They're a little bigger than traditional taco-size tortillas, too, which means—say it with us—more fillings!
Veggie Burgers: Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie
These burgers aren't trying hard to resemble beef like many competitors we tried. They're a little sweet (from carrots and red bell peppers) and don't crumble.
$6, amazon.com
Almond Milk: Califia Farms Unsweetened
We're not sure when almond milk became just as popular as cow's milk, but the proliferation of cartons is daunting. Califia Farms' texture is closest to the real stuff—creamy and thick—and the flavor leans more nutty than sweet.
$4, amazon.com
Apple Juice: Martinelli's 100% Pure
Only one word comes to mind when sipping the tart, refreshing drink that is Martinelli's: classic.
$5, walmart.com
Bloody Mary Mix: McClure's
We're huge fans of McClure's pickles, so it makes sense that we love the brand's tangy Bloody Mary Mix, too. Their pickle brine is one of the main ingredients.
$19, amazon.com
Margarita Mix: Williams Sonoma
So many bottled margarita mixes taste nothing like the real thing, but this top-shelf mixer is the closest you’ll find to homemade. A mix of key lime and tangerine juice, plus agave for sweetness.
$17, williams-sonoma.com
Seltzer: Topo Chico
The Coca Cola-owned seltzer is a party in your mouth with every sip. Anyone in Austin, TX, knows you have to have one with every meal—now the rest of the country is catching on, too.
$17, amazon.com
Coconut Water: Harmless Harvest
The closest you’ll get to drinking it straight from a coconut is this. Harmless Harvest's organic coconuts are grown in Thailand, and the water turns a pearly pink in the bottle thanks to the antioxidants found naturally occurring in coconuts.
$9, amazon.com
Coffee: Stumptown Original Cold Brew
This cold brew is a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, making it an actually enjoyable black coffee experience. Because, c'mon—you know that's hard to find.
$19, target.com
Lemonade: Newman's Own
Bottled lemonades have a tendency to run sweet. This one's more tart, making it seem fresh-squeezed. Plus, the drink comes with a side of good feels: Newman's Own gives 100 percent of its profits to charity.
$4, mercato.com
Orange Juice: Natalie's
Fortune favors the pulp with this woman-owned and family-operated OJ operation. (It’s the only brand that doesn’t offer a pulp-free option.) However, even pulp haters seemed to appreciate the flavor itself. The juice actually tasted like a real freshly squeezed orange.
$12, jet.com
Barbecue Potato Chips: Deep River Mesquite BBQ
No artificial smoke flavor here. Brown sugar and paprika add depth to these kettle-cooked chips that just so happen to have the perfect crunch.
$19 for 24, amazon.com
Graham Crackers: Honey Maid
Honey Maid's crackers are a household staple for a reason: They're brimming with flavor—maybe because they're made with real honey, not fake flavoring—and don't have that dry, cardboard texture some grahams do.
$3, amazon.com
Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips: Dirty
Dirty's chips are thicker than normal, meaning they're extra crunchy. Dirty doesn't skimp on seasoning, either. The sour cream and onion will make your lips pucker...in a good way.
$30 for 25, amazon.com
Cheese Crackers: Cheez-It Original
The OG cheese cracker has the ideal amount of everything: crunch, salt, and cheese flavor.
$3, amazon.com
Potato Chips: Cape Cod Original
Somehow, you can power through a bag of these kettle-cooked chips without feeling drenched in grease. So, uh, you can sneak back into bed after your midnight snack without leaving fingerprints on the sheets.
$4, amazon.com
Protein Bar: Perfect Bar Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter
There's kale in this bar. Alfalfa, too. And a little bit of celery. Did we mention the whole 15 grams of protein and no refined sugar thing? And, somehow, this Perfect Bar still tastes like a sinful dessert. The consistency is fudgy, not stick-to-your-teeth chewy.
$24 for 8, amazon.com
Granola: Purely Elizabeth Pumpkin Cinnamon
Heads up for those who think pumpkin shouldn't be relegated to a single season. Purely Elizabeth carries the flavor year round. The vegan, coconut sugar-sweetened granola comes in big chunks, so you get maximum flavor in every bite.
$7, purelyelizabeth.com
Pita Chips: Stacy's Simply Naked
There's enough salt on these chips to eat them on their own, but not so much that it overpowers the flavor of a dip. And speaking of dip, Stacy's chips are big enough to actually scoop some up.
$3.50, amazon.com
Crackers: 34 Degrees Toasted Onion
These super-thin (like, super, super thin) crisps taste like caramelized onion, not fake onion powder. Pair 'em with a mild cheese and your guests will be chef's kissing their fingers all night.
$4.50, walmart.com
Popcorn: Pop Secret Butter
When you Netflix and chill, don't forget this: That "secret" Pop Secret's referring to could be the perfect mix of butter and salt they've landed on.
$4, amazon.com
Pretzels: Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps Original
These aren't traditional pretzels; they're better. The crisps are thin, so you don't run the risk of breaking a tooth when you bite into one. And the surface is flat, so you can pile toppings and dips onto each pretzel.
$4, amazon.com
Tortilla Chips: Xochitl Corn Chips
Xochitl's white corn chips are thinner than most, kind of like the ones that come in the bottomless bowls at Chili's. They're oily, too, which helps the chips taste fresh. Oh, and it's so-cheel—not whatever butchered pronunciation you might have been saying.
$4, amazon.com
Brownie Mix: Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge
When we doctor up brownies for Delish recipes, this is the box we use. It's freakishly fudgy and holds its shape when you take a bite. Don't mind that dark chocolate label; even non-chocoholic Delish editors were fans.
$2, walmart.com
Chocolate Chips: Guittard Semisweet
Guittard's steeper-than-usual price tag is worth it. Their baking chips aren't at all waxy, and they melt better than other packaged chocolate.
$3, target.com
Caramel Sauce: King's Cupboard Cream Caramel Sauce
When people talk about perfectly golden caramel, this is the stuff they're referring to. It's buttery and creamy—and you'll never go back to another sauce.
$23 for 2, jet.com
Chocolate Sauce: Coop's Hot Fudge
Above all, you walk away from a spoonful of Coop's hot fudge with only happy memories. The rich flavor and creamy texture is all any ice cream-based dessert needs to put it over the top.
BUY NOW $8, yummybazaar.com
Chocolate Ice Cream: Three Twins Bittersweet Chocolate
Three Twins' pint has the three qualities we look for in an ice cream. It's fluffy, airy, and ultra creamy. Read: It's easy to roll perfect scoops—or eat with a spoon, straight from the carton.
BUY NOW
$60 for 6 pints, shop.threetwinsicecream.com
Mint Ice Cream: Talenti Mediterranean Mint
You know what we appreciate about this? That the shade of green is actually kind of mint-like, not lime green, like other grocery store pints. It tastes just a real, too, without veering into toothpaste territory.
$3, jet.com
Vanilla Ice Cream: Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's can do no wrong. We could devour a pint of this classic flavor—that's not overpoweringly vanilla-y—and feel zero shame. Read: It's the perfect ice cream to eat during your late night binge.
Ice Cream Cones: Edward And Sons Let's Do Organic Cake Style
Just like what the ice cream truck handed out when you were a kid, only made with organic wheat flour.
Cinnamon Roll Dough: Immaculate
Many store bought cinnamon rolls taste consistently great, but this one looks consistently great, too. Immaculate's swirls are picture-perfect—every single time.
$5, amazon.com
Chocolate Cake Mix: Miss Jones Baking Co.
We thought the cake that came out of this box was homemade. Like Miss Jones vanilla cake mix, this one calls for butter and comes out fudgy.
$6, amazon.com
Vanilla Cake Mix: Miss Jones Baking Co.
Before we even got to baking, we noticed this box had two things going for it. The mix calls for butter (instead of vegetable oil) and milk (instead of water). The resulting cake tastes homemade, with a nearly-caramelized top crust.
$6, amazon.com
Birthday Cake Mix: Betty Crocker Super Moist Party Rainbow Chip
Is there a more disappointing baking fail than when rainbow sprinkles dye the vanilla batter? The ones in Betty Crocker's mix stay put, and the whole cake comes out fluffy and moist with a classic, nostalgic flavor.
$1.50, target.com
Chocolate Frosting: Duncan Hines Creamy Classic Chocolate
This stuff is good for ideal frosting swoopage—a made-up word that's used frequently in the Delish test kitchens. It's not too sweet, and the ingredients aren't too terrible (hint, hint: there's no high fructose corn syrup).
$1.50, target.com
Vanilla Frosting: Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy
This stuff tastes sweet, but not so much that it makes your teeth feel fuzzy from sugar. It's creamy, easy to spread, and has a good amount of shine.
$1.50, target.com
Cookie Dough: Joel's Outrageous Chocolate Chunk
They're crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and, somehow, the chocolate seems to stay melty for hours. East Coasters, look for them at Whole Foods. Everyone else will need to order the dough online for now.
$17, outrageouscookiedough.com
Chocolate Chip Cookies: Tate's Original
A chocolate chip cookie is nothing without good ingredients, and you can taste the real butter and quality flour. Now, we know we'll lose some of you when we say these are crunchy, not soft, but you'll power through because of the slightly caramelized flavor.
$6, amazon.com
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