There are hundreds if not thousands of great value grocery items at Walmart – and ones which are not only wallet-friendly, but ones which taste great too.
It goes without saying, there are also a handful of Walmart grocery items that don’t always hit the mark, which makes for some very disappointed and sometimes even angry customers when they get the products home. So, we want to help you avoid becoming that disgruntled shopper by sharing a few recommendations from our own team and through various online platforms such as Reddit, TikTok, and even Walmart’s own website.
We’ve narrowed down some of the grocery items that we think you should always buy when you visit Walmart, as well as the ones you should not. Some of the products on the list that we recommend include products that we think are good value for money, super-delicious, or simply because they’re a better alternative to takeout. (Yes, frozen pizza, we’re looking at you!) Similarly, the products that we recommend avoiding have either been deemed poor value for money, or are poor quality, among other things.
Keep reading to find out which grocery items we recommend always buying at Walmart, and the Walmart grocery items you should not add to your shopping cart…
Should: Great Value 100% Pasteurized Orange Juice With No Pulp
Who doesn't love starting their day with a glass of OJ? It's totally possible to get your vitamin C in without breaking the bank with the Great Value orange juice. Easily one of the healthiest Great Value beverage options out there as it isn't made from concentrate, has no added sugars, and is much more affordable than big names such as Tropicana.
"Always the best purchase! Not from concentrate and 100% orange juice," commented one happy customer, as a second said it "has become my favorite orange juice." They added: "I will say that Great Value does have some quality products that are reasonable and taste good. I would recommend." "Perfect addition to my breakfasts! I love OJ and this pulp free is so good!" exclaimed a third.
Should: Freshness Guaranteed Sesame Seed French Bread Loaf
This French bread loaf is baked fresh in store, and we are seldom able to walk past and not add it to our cart. In fact, we're almost always tearing a piece off and munching on it as we continue our shop; who's with us?
We know we aren't alone in our love for this bread. "We just love these loafs of French bread with or without sesame seeds. We buy one almost every week. They freeze well. Delicious to make sandwiches. Delicious with butter. Reasonably priced," raved one happy customer on the website. "This sesame loaf is one of my favorite breads. It has a tough crust but a tender crumb, perfect for sandwiches when sliced on the diagonal," added a second, as a third frugal shopper added: "Instead of going to one of those fast food places and paying $15 for one 1 foot sub, I can make it at home for less than three dollars. Great bread always fresh. Love it."
Should Not: Poultry
Chloe Elise, a certified financial coach and the CEO/founder of Deeper Than Money, has recommended shoppers should look elsewhere for fresh poultry. And you don't need to tell us twice!
"If you've seen the TikTok videos talking about Walmart's potential issues with poultry freshness, and you are looking for a place where the meat selection is fresh and delicious, I highly recommend ALDI," Elise notes. As she pointed out, several TikTok videos have seemingly shown bacteria on poultry products at Walmart locations, which is more than enough to put us off! "Though [ALDI's] selection is not as expansive as Walmart's, this ensures that all the meat there is properly refrigerated & the options they do have are of high quality," she said. Noted!
Should: Great Value Block Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Great Value Block Sharp Cheddar Cheese at Walmart is excellent value for money, and the fact that it comes in a block as opposed to slices means you can have as much or as little as you want without wasting it. But who are we kidding, who is going to choose *less* cheese?!
"Has a rich cheddar taste [and] melts great!" exclaimed one happy customer. "We get this all the time. The sharp cheddar taste is great! Very good cheese," confirmed a second, as a third commented: "It is affordable and really tasty in comparison with other brands. Thanks to Walmart for making products like this."
Should: Great Value Cage-Free White Jumbo Eggs
Anyone on a budget who doesn't want to shop like they're on a budget will love Great Value Cage-Free White Jumbo Eggs as they're excellent quality and can see you through meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, not to mention baking delicious sweet treats.
"Great price compared to other stores," complimented one happy customer. "These eggs are always very good," wrote another, as a third said: "Great size and good value."
Should: Great Value Original Macaroni & Cheese
Great Value macaroni and cheese has been a bestseller for a while now, and is even cheaper than the Kraft brand sold at Walmart, but by no means less tasty.
One happy customer wrote on the website: "This is truly a GREAT VALUE! Good flavor, doesn't have a salty taste. I know it's not a health food but it is a comfort food. I actually like this better than the name brand." Another added: "Great price. Good quality especially for the price."
Should Not: Maple Syrup
It's not so much the taste of the maple syrup people aren't happy with, it's more to do with the price.
Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews, revealed that the price per ounce for maple syrup at Walmart is "so much more than what you'll pay elsewhere." The best deal you can find on this item, she noted, is "undoubtedly at a warehouse club." She says that Costco has a "33.8 ounce bottle for $13.11, which works out to about 39 cents per ounce." At Walmart, even the generic brand (which is usually the cheapest) will "cost you nearly 64 cents per ounce, although a 32 ounce bottle (the closest to the Costco size) will cost about 50 cents per ounce." No thank you!
Should: Great Value Rising Crust Pepperoni Frozen Pizza
We always like to have a few frozen pizzas on standby for those lazy days when we can't be bothered to cook, or for those terrible days when only a plate full of carbs will fix everything. Although we would never say no to pizza arriving fresh to our door, the Great Value Rising Crust Pepperoni Frozen Pizza ,which is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, is the next best thing!
"These pizzas are so good and the grandkids love them too. To me, they are just as good and even better as ordering some of the pizza places," raved one customer, as a second added: "This is one of the best frozen pizzas I have ever had." They went on to say: "My husband asked me if it was from a pizza place. I told him it was frozen, and it is a Walmart brand. He really likes them. He said that is the type of frozen pizza he wants from now on."
Should: New Day Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie
We would buy this apple butter pumpkin pie for as long as we see it at Walmart, because we are obsessed! According to the website, this pie "has the classic pumpkin pie flavor mixed with a delightful scoop of apple butter topped with a crust that ties it all together."
"The pie was amazing and even better with whip cream on top!" exclaimed one excited fan in the reviews. Someone else raved: "I thought I would try this because I also love apple butter, but I was skeptical about how the two would go together. It is absolutely delicious!!! I was really pleasantly surprised. At first, you get that apple butter flavor, but then the pumpkin comes in and they blend together perfectly. And I love the oatmeal crunch on top, too. We will be getting this again!"
Should Not: Produce
Walmart's produce section isn't very promising, with many shoppers warning others against it for several different reasons. "I swear I will find the freshest looking strawberries they have and within 24 hours of bringing them home, they're covered in mold," one person wrote online, adding: "And I even buy organic!"
"I've given up buying produce at Walmart," said another shopper, adding: "The bananas and avocados are hard as a rock until they're brown, the strawberries get moldy within hours, and the lettuce is always limp, no matter how many crisp-up tricks I try. I shop elsewhere for my produce now." We recommend somewhere like a local farmers market for the freshest and longest-lasting produce!
Should: Great Value Tomato Basil Garlic Pasta Sauce
There are many pantry staples we always insist on stocking up on at Walmart, and the Great Value Tomato Basil Garlic Pasta Sauce is definitely among them. There are five generous servings per bottle, which makes it a cost-effective way to either feed the whole family or to portion out for lunches and leftovers. We love the delicious basil and garlic flavor, as well as the fact that it boasts a full serving of vegetables in every 1/2 cup serving.
"GV Sauce is a great pick for value! Tastes good and is not watery. It's my go-to when I stock my pantry," wrote one satisfied customer on the Walmart website. "I've tried many jar sauces out there this one is one of the best very nice flavor to it natural taste to it tastes like home cooking in a way," added a second. "This particular flavor is versatile. I've used it in place of pizza sauce and use it on spaghetti as well. It has a great taste and is so affordable," added a third.
Should: Chicken Dipping Sauce
Walmart's Chicken Dipping Sauce is a great dupe for Chick-fil-A's version, and is perfect for those who are trying to cut out fast food or eat at home more often. Walmart's Chicken Dipping Sauce combines the flavors of honey mustard with a subtle BBQ smoke undertone, and customers are obsessed!
"Seriously good stuff. Perfect balance of sweet and tangy," one customer said, adding: "I've been putting it on everything." A second happy customer exclaimed: "Honestly couldn't believe how close it is to the real deal!" another said.
Should Not: Deli Meat
Deli meat is a common ingredient in many people's fridges for obvious reasons. It can make for a fast, convenient snack or help you easily whip up a sandwich for lunch; what's not to love? Quite a few things, actually…
In addition to being one of the worst foods for your health, dietitian and Walmart shopper Trista Best told All Recipes that deli meat from Walmart will "lack freshness and flavor," which is why we are inclined to stay away from it.
Should: Sapporo Ichiban Tonkotsu Ramen Noodles
Even if Ramen noodles do come with a lot of potential downsides, we still enjoy indulging in them every now and again. We're only human, after all! And these Sapporo Ichiban Tonkotsu Ramen Noodles are more than worth it in our opinion, with many customers also seemingly feeling the same way. Many customers even suggested different ways to enjoy them on the official website, and we're definitely taking notes!
"Love this Ramen. I add shrimp, mini dumplings, spinach or baby bok choy and sometimes egg and bean sprouts," said one customer. "Great flavor, we made this with cabbage and sunny eggs on the side," wrote a second, adding: "It should also be very good with lightly fried spam meat. It's packed with Japanese flavor." "High quality, superior noodles and flavor packet," added a third, before noting: "I make according to instructions and add 2 eggs to poach. Delicious and a little more filling. Adding tofu cubes and thinly sliced scallions is also tasty. Cheaper ramen has upset my sensitive stomach but this one never has. Not even a little bit."
Should Not: Ground Beef
Ground beef is another staple in many households (even despite the health risks of red meat) but you may want to source yours somewhere that isn't Walmart due to the many bad reviews Walmart's ground beef has gotten over the years.
Many customers have complained about meat spoiling quickly or expiring the day of purchase, while others claimed their package was missing an expiration date altogether! Yikes! "I would have given it zero if I could," one customer wrote.
Should: Pilgrim's Chicken Breast Nuggets
Pilgrim's Chicken Breast Nuggets, available at both Walmart and Kroger, are an excellent dupe for McDonald's beloved McNuggets, and so many customers are obsessed with them for good reason! These nuggets feature tender, juicy chicken with a crispy, golden breading that closely resembles the texture and flavor of the fast-food classic.
"I ran across these by accident today and since my daughter just *loves* McDonald's chicken nuggets, I thought I'd try them. We deep fried them and they do taste like McDonald's nuggets and she loved them. Will definitely buy again," raved one happy customer. "These are by far the best nuggets ever. They taste just like McDonalds nuggets. I would definitely recommend these!" exclaimed a second.
