When cool-weather dinners start feeling repetitive, I turn to Kroger for produce that brings variety to hearty soups and sides. These seven fall staples help make comforting meals feel thoughtfully put together.
Prices were checked at a Kroger in Granbury, Texas on October 31; they vary by store and change with each week’s ad.
1. Butternut Squash – $1.49/lb
Butternut squash is my dependable starting point for a creamy soup or a substantial roasted side, especially when dinner needs to feel warmer and heartier. At $1.49 a pound, it is an inexpensive way to add bulk to several fall meals.
Taste: The flesh has a sweet, nutty flavor that becomes especially rich when roasted. It turns creamy when pureed while keeping a tender, substantial texture in roasted pieces.
Make It Better: Look for a squash with darker coloring, then roast it with sage before pureeing it into soup.
Parting Thoughts: For cooks who want one versatile fall vegetable, this earns its place in the cart.
2. Kroger Brussels Sprouts BIG DEAL! – $6.00
Weeknight roasting is easier with this 24-ounce bag of pre-trimmed Brussels sprouts waiting in the refrigerator. They work as a hearty side or an extra vegetable in soups and stews, although careful cooking matters if you dislike bitterness.
Taste: Proper roasting brings out their mild sweetness and gives the outer leaves a crisp finish. The centers stay tender, while overcooking can push the flavor in a more bitter direction.
Make It Better: Halve them, toss them with oil, and roast until the outer leaves crisp rather than letting them cook too long.
Parting Thoughts: That generous bag makes the most sense for family dinners or anyone planning leftovers.
3. Green Acorn Squash – $1.49/lb
Cool Sunday evenings call for acorn squash halves roasted as a substantial side, with any extra flesh scooped into soup. Sold for $1.49 a pound, each squash is about 1.5–2 pounds and offers a budget-friendly seasonal centerpiece.
Taste: Its flavor is mildly sweet and nutty rather than sugary. The flesh becomes tender but remains somewhat fibrous, and the skin is edible once roasted.
Make It Better: Halve and seed the squash, then roast it cut-side down for evenly tender flesh.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone who prefers a less-sweet winter squash should appreciate this one.
4. Kroger Baker Sweet Potatoes – $3.99
I reach for this 28-ounce pack when I want evenly sized sweet potatoes for baking, roasting, or turning into a smooth fall soup. They are particularly useful for simple weeknight sides because the potatoes can go straight into an oven-centered dinner plan.
Taste: These bring natural sweetness without needing much embellishment. Baking makes the centers fluffy, while cubed and roasted pieces develop a more substantial exterior.
Make It Better: Bake them whole for a soft, fluffy side, or cube them and roast with oil when you want more browned edges.
Parting Thoughts: Few fall staples work this hard for $3.99.
5. Private Selection SugarBee Apples – 2 Pound Bag – $4.99
A crisp apple beside a savory plate keeps a rich fall dinner from feeling too heavy. This refrigerated 2-pound bag also gives squash dishes and salads a fresh, sweet counterpoint, though I would skip it if the goal is strictly soup ingredients.
Taste: SugarBee apples are honey-sweet with subtle berry notes. Their flesh is notably crisp and juicy, bringing welcome contrast to softer cooked vegetables.
Make It Better: Serve sliced apples alongside cheese or add them to a fall salad next to roasted squash.
Parting Thoughts: The premium $4.99 bag is worth considering when freshness and crunch matter as much as comfort.
6. Kale Bag – $3.49
For big pots of soup, this 16-ounce bag of curly kale is the sturdy green I would choose over more delicate leaves. It holds up in robust stews and also works sautéed as an earthy side.
Taste: Curly kale has a robust, earthy flavor that stands up to other hearty ingredients. Its sturdy texture softens during stovetop cooking without immediately disappearing into the dish.
Make It Better: Remove the tough stems before chopping, and freeze any extra kale you cannot use right away.
Parting Thoughts: Soup makers who want plenty of greens for $3.49 will get the most from this bag.
7. Parsnips Bulk – $2.49/lb
Earthy parsnips deserve more attention once fall roasting season begins. At $2.49 a pound, they can anchor a roasted vegetable side, mash into a comforting accompaniment, or add sweet complexity to hearty soups and stews.
Taste: Their sweetness becomes more pronounced after frost, balanced by a distinctly earthy flavor. Roasting transforms the firm roots into tender pieces with plenty of character.
Make It Better: Roast them with carrots and honey, or puree them into soup for a naturally sweet, earthy base.
Parting Thoughts: Give parsnips a chance when carrots feel too predictable.
