Most of us have stood in the grocery aisle wondering whether the store brand is really as good as the name on the box. The good news is that Consumer Reports put that question to the test. Its expert panel tasted store brands side by side with familiar name brands, without knowing which was which, and compared the average price paid per serving. We picked six standouts from Aldi, Costco and Kroger, plus two that the panel told shoppers to skip. Every taste verdict below comes from Consumer Reports, and every price is the per serving figure it reported. A little savings at the register adds up, so let us dig in.
1. Kroger Creamy Ranch Dressing
This one earned a Top Pick from Consumer Reports. In a blind taste test against Hidden Valley, the panel found Kroger’s Creamy Ranch Dressing tasted better than the name brand. The price difference is large as well. Kroger’s ranch cost about 25 cents per serving, while Hidden Valley came in at 53 cents per serving. That is less than half the price for a bottle that the experts preferred, which is an easy win for anyone who pours ranch on salads, vegetables or a Friday night chicken dinner. It is worth noting that the same test found other store brands, including Aldi’s Tuscan Garden ranch, similar to the name brand. But Kroger’s version stood out as the pick, and it makes a simple swap for your next trip down the dressing aisle.
2. Aldi Chef’s Cupboard Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup
On a chilly day, a bowl of chicken noodle soup is hard to beat, and Consumer Reports found a bargain at Aldi. In a blind taste test against Campbell’s, the panel named Aldi’s Chef’s Cupboard Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup a Top Pick, noting that the noodles were firmer than in the name brand. The price gap is the real story. Aldi’s soup cost about 29 cents per serving, compared with 55 cents for Campbell’s, which Consumer Reports described as 47 percent cheaper. If you keep a few cans in the pantry for sick days or quick lunches, that adds up over a winter. As you will see later in this list, not every store brand soup fared as well, so the Aldi label is the one to look for.
3. Kroger Simple Truth Organic Mixed Vegetables
Frozen vegetables are a handy way to get a side dish on the table in minutes, and Consumer Reports gave Kroger’s Simple Truth Organic Mixed Vegetables a Top Pick label. In a blind taste test against Cascadian Farm, the panel found the Kroger bag tasted fresher. Price is where it gets interesting. Kroger’s bag cost about 86 cents per serving, compared with 1 dollar and 9 cents for the name brand, which makes it cheaper and tastier according to the panel. Several other store brands were liked as well, including Aldi’s Simply Nature and Costco’s Kirkland Signature, both at least as good as the name brand. If you shop at Kroger, this is an easy swap that can make your weeknight dinners a little brighter.
4. Costco Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts
For snacking or holiday gatherings, Consumer Reports gave Costco’s Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts its Best Price label. In a blind taste test against Planters Deluxe, the panel found the Costco nuts tasty, with fewer broken pieces. They cost about 80 cents per serving, compared with 1 dollar and 27 cents for Planters. That is a meaningful savings if you set out a bowl whenever company stops by. Keep in mind that Costco sells in bulk, so the upfront cost of the container is bigger than a small can, and you will need to store the nuts well. Consumer Reports looked at cost per serving, which is the fairest way to compare. For a big family and plenty of visitors, these nuts are a smart buy.
5. Aldi Peanut Delight Creamy Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a pantry staple, and Consumer Reports found a winner at Aldi. In a blind taste test against Skippy, Aldi’s Peanut Delight Creamy Peanut Butter earned a Best Price label, with the panel noting that it was a bit thicker than the name brand. It cost about 21 cents per serving, while Skippy cost 41 cents. That is about half the price for a jar the panel liked. Kroger’s creamy peanut butter was also liked, slightly less sweet, at 23 cents per serving. If you spread peanut butter on morning toast or pack sandwiches for the grandkids, the Aldi jar is an easy way to cut the grocery bill without giving up the flavor you know. A thicker texture may take a moment to get used to.
6. Aldi Burman’s Tomato Ketchup
Ketchup may be the humblest item on this list, but Consumer Reports found it a surprising place to save. In a blind taste test against Heinz, Aldi’s Burman’s Tomato Ketchup was liked by the panel and rated very good. That is not a claim that it beat Heinz, only that it held its own. The price gap is big. Burman’s cost about 9 cents per serving, compared with 33 cents for Heinz. Kroger’s own ketchup was rated very good too, at 13 cents per serving, so you have choices. Whether you top burgers, meatloaf or French fries, the savings from switching can add up over a year.
7. Two Store Brands That Did Not Make the Cut
To be fair, Consumer Reports did not love everything. In its blind taste test of mixed nuts, the panel labeled Aldi’s Southern Grove Deluxe Mixed Nuts with Sea Salt a Skip This, saying some of the nuts tasted bitter. It cost about 85 cents per serving. That is a good reminder that the Costco nuts above were the better buy. In the condensed chicken noodle soup test, Kroger’s own version also got a Skip This, with the panel citing a bland broth and spongy chicken at about 36 cents per serving. Compare that with the Aldi soup that earned a Top Pick. The lesson is that store brands vary from one product to the next, even within one store, so it pays to check the verdicts item by item.
