Food Awards 2023: The Best Supermarket Foods of the Year

Our voracious but discerning team of taste testers spent months eating, drinking, cooking and rating hundreds of items to find the most delicious new foods at the supermarket. In the end we crowned 66 winners that are all worthy of a spot on your next grocery list. (And while you're here, check out our full list of Food Award winners from 2022.)

01 of 66

WINNER: BEST CEREAL

Special K Oat Crunch Honey Cereal — courtesy

Kellogg's Special K Oat Crunch Honey

Testers praised the "sweet but not sugary" combo of crisp flakes and vanilla oat clusters. "It's even better over yogurt—or ice cream!"

Buy it! $5, walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST GRANOLA

Sweet Dreams Honey Moonglow Night Time Cereal — courtesy

Sweet Dreams Honey Moonglow Cereal

Made with lavender, chamomile and other nutrients said to promote natural melatonin production, its "granola-like blend" had one staffer raving that she "slept like a baby" after a nighttime bowl.

Buy it! $4.50, walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST CHOCOLATE CEREAL

Lucky Charms S'mores

"It tastes like childhood but with a twist," a tester said of this classic and white marshmallow mash-up with chocolate cereal chunks and graham-cracker pieces.

Buy it! $5, amazon.com

04 of 66

WINNER: BEST BREAKFAST BOWL

Eggland's Best Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Bowl

The hearty combo of scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheddar and pork sausage is ready in less than five minutes.

Buy it! $6, shoprite.com

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WINNER: BEST INSTANT OATMEAL

Yishi Taro Bubble Tea Oatmeal

Although there's no actual boba inside, the blend of ground gluten-free oats, flax seeds, blueberries, coconut and black tea has a flavor reminiscent of Taiwanese bubble tea. Add hot water for a quick breakfast or chill overnight for overnight oats.

Buy it! $7, yishifoods.com

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WINNER: BEST TOASTER PASTRY

Frosted Banana Bread Pop-Tarts

With a sweet spiced-banana filling, cinnamon pastry and banana-flavored icing, the "cozy" hand pie "smells just like the real thing when you heat it up," said one tester.

Buy it! $10, amazon.com

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WINNER: BEST PANCAKE MIX

Mrs. Butterworth's Epic Cinnabon Pancake Kit

Created to taste like a cinnamon roll, the kit — which includes a pourable cream cheese frosting and cinnamon-and-brown-sugar swirl sauce — turns out fluffy, tender flapjacks.

Buy it! $6, walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST BREAD

Sara Lee Artesano Brioche Buns

Described as a "buttery cloud" by one staffer, the rolls have a pillowy texture but don't fall apart when holding a bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich or a juicy burger.

Buy it! $4.50 for 8, shoprite.com

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WINNER: BEST CHICKEN

Do Good Chicken Bone-In Thighs

Staffers were pleasantly surprised by the "deeper, meatier, and more chicken-y flavor" of these bone-in cuts.

Buy it! $2 per lb., dogoodchicken.com

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WINNER: BEST PORK

Hormel Sliced Chorizo

Take pepperoni up a notch! The thin rounds of cured Spanish sausage are seasoned with garlic, pimento and a hit of spicy peppers.

Buy it! $4, hormel.com

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WINNER: BEST SEAFOOD

Trader Joe's Shrimp Boom Bah

Whether baked, fried or air-fried, these crispy-battered shrimp tossed in a sweet-and-spicy glaze are a "weeknight dinner winner." Roll them into a lettuce wrap or add them to a rice bowl for a quick but satisfying meal.

Buy it! $9, traderjoes.com

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WINNER: BEST TURKEY

Butterball Old World Smoked Hearty Turkey Sausage

Lean turkey is notorious for drying out, but the smoked bratwurst-style links stay moist and plump when cooked.

Buy it! $5.50 for 4, butterball.com

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WINNER: BEST HOT DOG

Food Awards 23 - oscar meyers — Courtesy

Oscar Mayer 100% Beef Franks

The frank's 100% beef recipe impressed testers with their "classic hot dog flavor" and casings that "didn't burst open on the grill."

Buy it! $4 for 10, walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST TOMATO SAUCE

Carmine's Classic Italian Tomato Basil

The "well-balanced" sauce gets its subtle sweetness from fresh plum tomatoes and onions. It's a great base for pasta or lasagna or a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks.

Buy it! $8 for 24 oz., carminesnyc.com

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WINNER: BEST MAYONNAISE

Hellmann's Garlic Aioli

This egg-free recipe "adds a nice kick of garlic" flavor to sandwiches and is a "delish dunker for French fries," says a tester.

Buy it! $4 for 11.5 oz., target.com

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WINNER: BEST RANCH

Hidden Valley Pickle-Flavored Ranch

"Dill-lightful!" raved a staffer about the creamy buttermilk dressing with a briny burst of dill pickle.

Buy it! $5 for 20 oz., walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST KETCHUP

Heinz Chipotle Spicy Ketchup

Even condiment purists enjoyed this smoky, spicy twist on ketchup: "It has the right amount of heat without overpowering."

Buy it! $4 for 14 oz., heinz.com

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WINNER: BEST ALTERNATIVE MILK

So Delicious Extra Creamy Organic Oat Milk

The compliments rolled in from testers: "Super thick and creamy," "tastes luxurious," and "it's a cereal game changer!"

Buy it! $6 for 59 oz., sodeliciousdairyfree.com

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WINNER: BEST PLANT-BASED CHICKEN

Impossible Spicy Chicken Nuggets

"My nugget-obsessed kids had no clue it wasn't real chicken," said a tester, who noted the "juicy 'meat'" and crunchy bread-crumb coating "was a hit."

Buy it! $8, target.com

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WINNER: BEST PLANT-BASED BEEF

Beyond Meat Steak

"I expected to hate this, but wow—it had the texture, chew and flavor of real steak," a once-skeptical tester admitted about the seared faux-beef tips.

Buy it! $7, walmart.com

21 of 66

WINNER: BEST DAIRY-FREE CREAMER

Silk Mocha Almond Creamer

"Finally, a chocolate creamer that tastes chocolatey!" a tester raved about the sweet almond-milk blend.

Buy it! $5, target.com

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WINNER: BEST DAIRY-FREE CREAM CHEESE

Philadelphia Plain Plant-Based Cream Cheese — courtesy

Philadelphia Plant-Based Cream Cheese

It has all the tang and spreadable softness of the classic but without a drop of milk or cream.

Buy it! $6, target.com

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WINNER: BEST DAIRY-FREE ICE CREAM

GoodPop Mint N' Fudge Chip Bars

"Velvety" peppermint oat-milk ice cream is studded with chocolate shavings—and is only 80 calories a pop.

Buy it! $6 for 4, goodpop.com

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WINNER: BEST REFRIGERATED ENTREE

Herdez Carnitas Slow-Cooked Pork

Marinated in citrus and seasoned with garlic and paprika, "it elevated our weekly taco night and was less work to pull together," said a staffer.

Buy it! $10, instacart.com

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WINNER: BEST FROZEN PIZZA

California Pizza Kitchen Bacon & Caramelized Onion Frozen Pizza with Croissant-Inspired Crust

A flaky, layered base is smothered in a mild Brie-cheese sauce and topped with roasted garlic, mozzarella, bacon and sweet, browned onions.

Buy it! $9.50, target.com

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WINNER: BEST FROZEN SANDWICH

Tyson Original Chicken Sandwiches

Testers were impressed with the "crispy coating and moist meat" and a bun that "didn't become soggy" — even in the microwave.

Buy it! $8.99 for 4, instacart.com

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WINNER: BEST FROZEN MEAL

Bibigo Korean-Style Crunchy Chicken with Orange Sauce

Preparing the breaded chunks of white and dark chicken tossed in a tangy citrus sauce is "faster than takeout."

Buy it! $7.50, target.com

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WINNER: BEST FROZEN PRETZEL

SuperPretzel French Onion-Filled Soft Pretzel Knots

The fully baked, glossy brown twists are stuffed with onion cream cheese and sprinkled with mozzarella.

Buy it! $6, target.com

29 of 66

WINNER: BEST FROZEN VEGETABLES

Green Giant Restaurant-Style Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

Heat the beans and sauce in a skillet for a few minutes for "quick veggies that even my kids ate," said a staffer.

Buy it! $4, walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST FROZEN SIDE DISH

Stouffer's Sides Cheddar Bacon Potatoes

"All the cheesy goodness I hoped for," a tester said about the chopped spuds tossed with cheese and bacon and topped with crunchy bread crumbs.

Buy it! $7, target.com

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WINNER: BEST FROZEN SMOOTHIE

Outshine Go-Getter Smoothie Cubes

No blender needed! Combine the frozen fruit purée cubes with liquid, let sit for 15 minutes, and then shake for a healthy, mess-free smoothie.

Buy it! $7 for 8 oz., icecream.com

32 of 66

WINNER: BEST DOUGH

Pillsbury Corndog Wraps

Wrap the precut dough pieces around hot dogs, and bake until golden and fluffy. "We may never go back to the bun," said a staffer.

Buy it! $4, pilsbury.com

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WINNER: BEST ICED TEA

Just Ice Tea Half Tea & Half Lemonade

"It's like summer in a bottle," raved one tester, who gave high marks for the "exact right balance" of tea to lemonade in this Arnold Palmer.

Buy it! $3 for 16 oz., wholefoodsmarket.com

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WINNER: BEST COCONUT BLEND

Starbucks Pink Drink

There's a reason this once-secret menu item went viral. The blend of strawberry, acai and coconut milk "tastes almost like a barista made it," said a staffer.

Buy it! $3 for 14 oz., walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST COFFEE

Stok Cold Brew Unsweet Espresso Blend Cold Brew — courtesy

Stōk Unsweet Espresso Blend Cold Brew

Deeply flavored, the dark, ready-to-drink brew is "strong and smooth" but "without any bitterness or unpleasant aftertaste," said a staffer.

Buy it! $6 for 48 oz., target.com

36 of 66

WINNER: BEST LEMONADE

Fever-Tree Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade

Made from juice and oils extracted from fresh Sicilian lemons, it's "the lemonade of my dreams," a tester declared. Try it as a mixer for cocktails and mocktails or drink it on its own.

Buy it! $5 for 4, fever-tree.com

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WINNER: BEST JUICE

Ocean Spray Immunity Cranberry Blueberry Acai

The bright fruit flavors were a hit with testers, who said the refreshing combination hit the sweet spot.

Buy it! $4 for 60 oz., target.com

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WINNER: BEST SPARKLING WATER

Topo Chico Sabores Lime with Mint Extract

With a bubbly burst of lime and mint, the drink is "like sipping on a sophisticated mojito" — minus the rum, of course.

Buy it! $4.50 for 4, topochico.com

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WINNER: BEST TACO KIT

Old El Paso Tortilla Pockets Kit

"Fun to fill and even more fun to eat," a tester said about the soft, sealed tortilla "cones," which come in a dinner set with taco sauce and seasoning.

Buy it! $3.25, amazon.com

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WINNER: BEST MACARONI AND CHEESE

Cabot Guinness Macaroni & Cheese

Testers gushed over the rich, "gourmet beer cheese" and "accordion like" pasta that "trapped" the sauce inside — making each bite supremely cheesey.

Buy it! $28 for a 4-pack, cabotcreamery.com

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WINNER: BEST LONG PASTA

Barilla al Bronzo Bucatini

A thick spaghetti with a hollow center, it has a slightly rough, bumpy texture that allows more sauce to cling to the noodles. "It cooked up firm, chewy and al dente every time," said a staffer.

Buy it! $2 for 12 oz., shoprite.com

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WINNER: BEST PASTA SHAPE

Food Awards 23 - Sfoglini — Jennifer Causey, Courtesy

Sfoglini Cascatelli by Sporkful

Designed by "The Sporkful" podcast host Dan Pashman for maximum "eatability," the half-tube, waterfall shape cradles the sauce while the ruffles add a textured bite.

Buy it! $9, amazon.com

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WINNER: BEST SOUP

Zoup! Good, Really Good Spicy Chicken 'Chilada Soup

Hearty chicken stewed with tomatoes, roasted corn, black beans, onions, peppers and a touch of cream scored big points with testers.

Buy it! $6, zoupbroth.com

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WINNER: BEST BEANS

Food Awards 23 - the good bean — Courtesy

The Good Bean Indian Coconut Curry

Slow-simmered with coconut milk, ginger and garam masala, the chickpeas were "a busy weeknight savior," said a staffer.

Buy it! $8 for a 4-pack, amazon.com

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WINNER: BEST BROWNIE MIX

Food Awards 23 - Betty Crocker — Courtesy

Betty Crocker Reese's Peanut Butter Premium Brownie Mix

"The bake sale went nuts," said a staffer, who complimented the "supremely fudgy" squares speckled with peanut butter chips.

Buy it! $4, walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST TINNED SEAFOOD

Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Calabrian Chili-Infused Olive Oil

The delicate fish packed in spicy infused olive oil elevates sandwiches and salads. "I ate the whole can with a fork—it's that good!"

Buy it! $2.50, shoprite.com

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WINNER: BEST CHILI

Wendy's Chili

Cooked with ground beef, pinto beans and tomatoes, it has all the nostalgic flavor of a fast-food order — but without the drive-through.

Buy it! $4.50, walmart.com

48 of 66

WINNER: BEST POTATO CHIPS

Kettle Brand

Kettle Brand Air-Fried Sea Salt & Vinegar

With a puckering punch of vinegar, they have all the crunchy, salty satisfaction of regular kettle-fried chips but with less fat.

Buy it! $4, target.com

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WINNER: BEST CRACKERS

Cheez-It Extra Toasty Cheddar Jack

Fans raved about the "extra crunchy" and "lightly charred" squares made with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.

Buy it! $4, target.com

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WINNER: BEST PRETZELS

Zapp's Sinfully Seasoned Voodoo Pretzel Stix

The "snappy" rods tossed in smoky Cajun seasoning earned a rare perfect rating from testers. "There's magic in that bag!"

Buy it! $9, walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST NUTS

Food Awards 23 - blue diamond — Courtesy

Blue Diamond Chilé 'n Lime Almonds

A blend of tart lime and a "light trace of heat" from arbol and pequin peppers made these roasted nuts a crowd favorite.

Buy it! $28 for 45 oz., walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST COOKIES

Nonni's Limoncello Biscottini Bites

"Consider me a biscotti convert," one staffer said after eating the tart, twice-baked cookies drizzled with icing,

Buy it! $4 for 4.8 oz, walmart.com

53 of 66

WINNER: BEST SWEET SNACK

Muddy Bites Chocolate Cone with White Chocolate — courtesy

Muddy Bites Chocolate Cone White Chocolate

They may be small, but the mini waffle cones filled with white chocolate scored big on flavor — and nostalgia!

Buy it! $4 for 2.33 oz., walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST SPICY SNACK

Food Awards 23 - Cheetos — Jennifer Causey, Courtesy

Cheetos Flamin' Hot Tangy Chili Fusion

"I almost ate the whole bag in one night," a staffer said of the cheesy puffs amped up with garlic, ginger and citrus.

Buy it! $4.50 for 8.5 oz., walmart.com

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WINNER: BEST CANDY

M&M's Caramel Cold Brew

Soft caramel is infused with a jolt of java, covered in a layer of chocolate and then coated in that familiar candy shell.

Buy it! $5 for 9 oz., target.com

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WINNER: BEST BARK

Tate's Bake Shop Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt Cookie Bark

"I hid the bag so my kids wouldn't eat them all — and I'd do it again," confessed a tester, who loved the shards of crispy chocolate-chip cookies cloaked in dark chocolate and sprinkled with flaky salt.

Buy it! $6 for 5 oz., amazon.com

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WINNER: BEST CHOCOLATE BAR

Food Awards 23 - Ferrero Rocher — Jennifer Causey, Courtesy

Ferrero Rocher Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Bar

Like the company's classic gold-foil-wrapped-truffles, the bar is studded with chopped nuts and filled with layer of creamy chocolate.

Buy it! $3 for 3.1 oz., target.com

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WINNER: BEST CREAM CHEESE

Tillamook Jalapeno Honey Cream Cheese — courtesy

Tillamook Jalapeño Honey Cream Cheese

"It's just calling to be slathered all over a bagel," a tester said about the "sumptuous," spicy-sweet spread.

Buy it! $4 for 7 oz., tillamook.com

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WINNER: BEST YOGURT

Food Awards 23 - siggis — Jennifer Causey

Siggi's Ripe Cherry Rich and Creamy Skyr

The plump cherries in this thick and creamy Icelandic-style yogurt had one tester declare, "It's a must-have for every fridge."

Buy it! $2, shoprite.com

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WINNER: BEST CHEESE

Food Awards 23 - organic valley — Courtesy

Organic Valley Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slices

Whether layered in a sandwich or melted on a burger, the aged slices got top scores for their buttery taste and texture.

Buy it! $7 for 6 oz., organicvalley.coop

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WINNER: BEST BUTTER

Kerrygold Chive & Onion Butter

Studded with garlic, onions, chives and parsley, this blend has one staffer asking, "How can I ever go back to normal butter now?"

Buy it! $5.50 for 5.3 oz., kerrygoldusa.com

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WINNER: BEST ICE CREAM

Blue Bunny Cookies & Cream Soft Scoopables

It got high marks for its "soft-serve-like texture" that made scooping easy — even right out of the freezer.

Buy it! $5 for 46 oz., bluebunny.com

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WINNER: BEST NOVELTY ICE CREAM

Reese's Peanut Butter Sandwich

A thick puck of peanut butter-flavored ice cream is mixed with more peanut butter and smashed between two chocolate cookies.

Buy it! $4.50 for 4, hersheyland.com

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WINNER: BEST FROZEN YOGURT

Food Awards 23 - noose — Jennifer Causey

Noosa Out of This Swirl Lemon Bar Frozen Yoghurt Gelato

Lusciously tart and packed with chunks of baked lemon bars and ribbons of icing, the combo led one tester to dub it "the official pint of summer."

Buy it! $7, instacart.com

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WINNER: BEST SORBET

Talenti Mini Alphonso Mango Sorbetto Bars

Made with ripe mangoes sourced from India, it "has so much juicy, tropical deliciousness," said a tester.

Buy it! $5.50 for 6, talentigelato.com

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WINNER: BEST CHEESECAKE

Junior's Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

The famous N.Y.C. restaurant's thaw-and-slice dessert "lives up to the hype," said a staffer who praised the "smooth and tangy" filling sitting on a thin layer of sponge cake.

Buy it! $13 for 6-inches, shoprite.com