I shop at HomeGoods for cheap, keto-friendly pantry staples. Here are 15 of my favorite things to buy.
Elizabeth Blasi
- I like to shop at HomeGoods for affordable, high-quality keto pantry staples.
- I usually stock up on cooking oils, sugar alternatives, and flour substitutes at cheaper prices.
HomeGoods is a great place to find quality cooking oils.
Everyday staples, like cooking oils, can eat up your weekly or monthly food budget when they need to be replaced. But HomeGoods sells quality oils — including avocado, coconut, and olive — for a fraction of the grocery-store cost.
If you have the patience, try rummaging the shelves for infused oils (like lemon or truffle) to elevate your dishes.
Tip: Keep an eye out for extra-virgin and cold-pressed oils as they're usually of a higher quality.
The store stocks a variety of seasonings and dried herbs.
Himalayan pink salt can cost a pretty penny at health-food stores, so I buy it in bulk at HomeGoods.
The store also does a beautiful job stocking curated seasonings, whether it's an Argentinian asado rub or an Indian tikka-masala blend.
Tip: Keep an eye on expiration dates when purchasing seasonings and herbs. Ideally, you want them to be six months to a year away.
I've been able to try some unique condiments thanks to HomeGoods.
I've come across some uniquely flavored condiments at HomeGoods, including kimchi ketchup and truffle mayo.
For those on Whole30, keto, or paleo diets, if you look thoroughly, you'll likely find some sugar-free condiments.
Tip: One of the best-kept secrets is the store's collection of honey. Manuka honey, which can cost anywhere from $35 to $65 at health stores, can go for $12 to $35 at HomeGoods.
I've been able to find some really tasty sauces.
Need a traditional marinara sauce for your weekly meal prep? How about an infused Alfredo?
HomeGoods generally stocks high-quality jarred sauces, including more internationally inspired ones, like butter chicken or beef enchilada.
Tip: HomeGoods also sometimes sells complete meal kits that include sauces, a carb (such as pasta or rice), and seasonings to help tie the dish together.
Nuts and seeds are much more affordable at HomeGoods.
Whether you're a fan of cashews, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, or Brazil nuts, there's a wide variety to choose from.
Nuts and seeds can be expensive at traditional grocery and health-food stores, so I'm usually pleasantly surprised by the prices at HomeGoods.
Tip: If you're a fan of nut-and-seed clusters with dried fruit and honey, HomeGoods has a great selection.
I've gotten great deals on sugar alternatives that fit my diet.
After following the keto diet for a year, I've found that sugar alternatives, like erythritol and monk fruit, can cost five times more than cane sugar at the store.
Thankfully, HomeGoods offers the same sugar alternatives at a fraction of the price.
Tip: Make sure to read the back of each product because some are a combination of sugar and other options. Look out for ingredients like sugar cane, high-fructose corn syrup, and maltodextrin.
I'm also a fan of HomeGoods' prices on flour substitutes.
Just like sugar alternatives, HomeGoods has an impressive selection of flour substitutes, including almond, coconut, and even banana flour.
It's an excellent resource for gluten-free, keto, and paleo dieters.
Tip: If you dig long enough, you may be able to find cooking or baking kits with flour substitutes.
You can't beat the variety of salty snacks available at HomeGoods.
Be prepared to get lost in the shuffle of HomeGoods' chips section — it's chaotically full of every snack you can imagine.
You're sure to find a favorite (or new favorite) if you search diligently enough. My personal picks are plantain chips and guacamole tortilla chips.
Tip: Some stores have popcorn gift tins that are great for special occasions.
Baking mixes are great to keep on hand.
As someone who traditionally sticks to making simple baked goods, like cookies, brownies, and yellow cake, HomeGoods has pushed me to try more adventurous creations with its baking mixes.
I spotted a lemon-poppy scone mix once, and there are often dry mixes for pound cakes, streusels, and muffins.
Tip: For those watching their sugar intake, HomeGoods often sells popular macro-friendly brands, including HighKey and Lakanto.
I pick up shaped pasta for festive dinners.
HomeGoods usually stocks holiday-themed pastas for different seasons, like heart-shaped noodles for Valentine's Day.
Tip: When preparing shaped pasta, always go for al dente. The shapes tend to break the more they're cooked.
I keep my pantry stocked with olives and fermented veggies for charcuterie boards.
Olives and fermented vegetables take charcuterie boards to the next level, and HomeGoods usually has an impressive stock.
It carries traditional varieties and some unique products, like pickled asparagus and garlic-filled olives.
Tip: If you score some blue-cheese-stuffed olives, try them with a dirty martini.
The cookies at HomeGoods make great desserts or gifts.
HomeGoods has a wide selection of high-quality cookie brands at pretty reasonable prices.
I often come across biscottis and macarons, in addition to more standard cookies.
Tip: The macarons at HomeGoods make lovely gifts.
I stock up on coffee and fun syrups.
Beans, ground coffee, pods — you name it, HomeGoods has it.
Whether you're looking to try a new seasonal flavor or a major brand, it's probably available in the coffee aisle.
Tip: Along with coffee, HomeGoods offers a variety of sweeteners and simple syrups to upgrade your morning cup.
I've come across some great internationally inspired staples.
After traveling the world for two years, I felt like the closest I could get to authentic international cuisine was takeout or specialty markets.
But HomeGoods actually carries a variety of sauces, seasonings, and grain packets inspired by cuisines around the world.
Tip: I highly suggest boiling the rice and grain offerings in broth (instead of water) to give the meal more flavor.
I like to keep dip mixes on hand.
If you're like me, dips are one of your major food groups.
Luckily, HomeGoods has preprepared dips and dip mixes that are great to keep around the house for snacking or gatherings.
Tip: Some of the dip mixes come in nice packaging with cute whisks, and they make great house-warming or host gifts.
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