As with any year, we spent a lot of time thinking about groceries in 2025. Stocking our home kitchens is one of the food-focused activities a vast majority of us have in common, although our approach and concerns may vary widely, from considering what kids will want for snacks to planning protein-forward meal prep and, of course, working within a budget.
With grocery prices continuing to rise and the looming threat of tariffs, the importance of how we spend our money at the supermarket became even more apparent this year. To make sure we’re getting the most delicious options for every dollar we spend, we asked shoppers, sommeliers, recipe developers, and other experts what they’re loving at some of the biggest grocery chains in the country, and we shared their recommendations with our readers.
Our most-read grocery stories of 2025 are a testament to what our audience wants to eat at home and where we should be shopping for groceries in the future. From the best supermarket for buying bread to wines that won’t break the bank, these are the grocery-focused stories Food & Wine readers loved most this year.
The Italian Products You Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy at Costco, According to an Italian
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Content-creator duo Jessi and Alessio Pasini (@thepasinis) have amassed a major online following by sharing their life as a couple and Alessio’s experience as an Italian living in the United States.
Their antics often center on Italian cuisine, and Alessio frequently shares his top recommendations for Italian ingredients available in the U.S. We asked these two Costco shoppers which Italian items they love — or don’t — at the major retailer, and they shared a list to help guide your Costco hauls.
The 5 Best Bottles of Wine at Costco, According to a Sommelier
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Costco took the top two spots among our grocery stories this year, and considering its low prices and cult following, we aren’t surprised. The superstore is known for its excellent wine selection, so we turned to certified sommelier Warner Boin Dowlearn to find out which bottles we should be buying.
Thanks to her expertise, our wine fridges are now stocked with $8 Côtes de Provence rosé, an easy-drinking red from Gigondas, and three other affordable recommendations that deliver great glasses of vino.
The Store-Bought Potato Salad That Instantly Takes Me Back to Germany
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Whether you need a last-minute side dish to take to a potluck or have an affinity for creamy, tangy Northern German potato salad, you should head to Lidl for this ready-to-eat deli side. One writer who grew up visiting family in Germany confirms that this potato salad captures the flavors she’s nostalgic for, complete with pieces of crisp dill pickles, vinegar for extra acidity, and perfectly tender chunks of boiled potato.
The 5 Grocery Store Chains With the Best Bakery Departments
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From staples like sliced bread to breakfast treats and cakes for special occasions, your grocery store’s bakery department supplies much of the food that fuels your household. We reviewed customer reviews and spoke with store representatives to identify five major grocery stores with standout bakery departments. If you’re searching for fresh-baked items, seasonal desserts, or cakes that taste like you spent way more, head to one of these.
The 10 Best Trader Joe’s Hidden Gems to Try, According to a Crew Member
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Trader Joe’s is widely known for having fun snacks and ready-to-heat meals you can’t find anywhere else, with new offerings constantly rotating through stores so there’s always something exciting to try.
With so many products at this chain, it can be difficult to decide which new or unfamiliar bites to add to your cart, but Trader Joe’s employee and content creator Brooke (@1brookeannes) shared the hidden gems she says you need to seek out. Her recommendations range from crispy salad toppers to frozen pasta.
Fans Say These 5 Grocery Stores Have the Best Fried Chicken
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Grocery store fried chicken is the kind of unsuspecting item that can develop a serious cult following among customers, as long as it’s good enough. Just ask anyone who shops at Publix, the Florida-based supermarket chain famous for its crispy, double-breaded poultry.
Of course, Publix made it on our list of the five grocery stores with the best fried chicken, but our four other picks are also serving up ready-to-eat chicken that can even compete with KFC.
The Korean Products You Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy at Trader Joe’s, According to a Recipe Developer
Food & Wine / Trader Joe’s
Korean-American recipe developer and food blogger Alice Choi (@hipfoodiemom1) has built an audience of over 700,000 TikTok followers who tune in to watch her cook, try viral food trends, and review food, ranging from restaurant dishes to grocery items from major stores.
Choi has tested quite a few Korean products at Trader Joe’s and shared her honest review with us, including which items to try and which to skip. Several of her top picks make for easy dinners, so we’ll be stocking up on them next year.
The 5 Best Hidden Gems at Costco You’re Probably Walking Right Past
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Some Costco products are iconic — if you’ve been to one of these warehouse stores, you likely know about the $1.50 hot dog and rotisserie chicken — but the retailer’s endless aisles also hide incredible finds you may be overlooking. We sourced five lesser-known Costco items that other shoppers rave about, from affordable maple syrup to your new favorite cheddar cheese.
One Man Is Ranking Every Grocery Store Rotisserie Chicken, and These Are the 7 Best
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Pretty much every grocery chain has its own version of rotisserie chicken, and these succulent roast chickens can be good, great, or somewhat disappointing, depending on where you get one.
Luckily, TikTok creator Johnny Novo (@jnov__) has tried and ranked nearly every supermarket rotisserie chicken — over 100 at this point, to be exact — so you know where to buy the best.
The Korean Products You Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy at Costco
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The next time you’re shopping at Costco, consider this your sign to pick up frozen dumplings, kimchi, and Melona bars, plus several other Korean staples recommended by content creator Grace Lewis and her parents (@crazykoreancooking). Lewis often spotlights her parents’ favorite Korean products from Costco on social media and shares the ins and outs of what they love most at the beloved retailer.
