Meijer Store Brand Showdown: Hits, Misses & Must-Buys

March 19, 2026

I’ve been hitting the Meijer aisles to see if Purple Cow, Frederik’s, and their classic labels actually hold up. From “salt bomb” meatloaf to “dangerous” kettle chips, I’ve tasted it all so you don’t have to! Here’s the ultimate community-backed breakdown.

1. Purple Cow: The Frozen Yogurt & Bananas Foster Face-Off

Introduction: I’m diving into the freezer case to see if Meijer’s “Purple Cow” line can compete with premium pints. With calories as low as 120 per serving, I was hoping for a guilt-free treat that actually tastes like a cheat day.

Price: $3.29 per 1.5qt container.
Taste Test: The Peach Frozen Yogurt is the clear winner here—it tastes like fresh, sun-ripened peaches without the heavy syrup. The Strawberry, however, was a bit of a “one-flavor pony”—very light and almost watered down. The Bananas Foster is a dead ringer for the real dessert with a cooked, caramelized banana profile, though some might find the banana a bit “overripe” for their liking.
Texture Summary: The frozen yogurt is surprisingly thick and creamy for being low-fat, with the peach variety featuring real fruit chunks. The Bananas Foster has nice caramel swirls, though they could be thicker.
Make It Better: For the Strawberry yogurt, toss it in a blender with a handful of fresh berries to give it that “personality” it’s missing.
Perfect Pairings: Pair the Bananas Foster with a drizzle of warm toffee sauce or crushed walnuts for a “Banoffee” vibe.
Final Verdict: Buy the Peach and Bananas Foster; Skip the Strawberry. The peach is refreshing, but the strawberry is just too basic.

2. Meijer Crafted Market: The “No-Cook” Dinner Duel

Introduction: When you’re too tired to cook but don’t want to spend $60 on takeout, these “Crafted Market” meals look like a lifesaver. I’m testing the Homestyle Meatloaf and the Sweet & Smoky Salmon to see if they’re restaurant-quality.

Price: $6.49 (Meatloaf) to $10.99 (Salmon).
Taste Test: The Sweet & Smoky Salmon blew me out of the water! It’s fresh, not “fishy,” and comes with a garlic parmesan butter that hits all the right notes. The Meatloaf is pure comfort food with a tangy tomato glaze, but be warned: it’s a total salt bomb (clocking in at 74% of your daily sodium!).
Texture Summary: The salmon stays flaky in the oven, and the broccoli actually keeps a decent “snap.” The meatloaf is dense, and the mashed potatoes—while real—can sometimes feel a bit like the “instant” variety depending on the batch.
Make It Better: Microwave the meatloaf on a separate plate to avoid burning your fingers on the plastic film, and add a squeeze of fresh lemon to the salmon to cut through the butter.
Perfect Pairings: The Sunflower Crunch Salad Kit ($4.99) is the perfect side—just add some extra romaine to stretch the kit for the whole family!
Final Verdict: Buy the Salmon (10/10); Buy the Meatloaf ONLY if you love salt. It’s a great value for a single person.

3. Meijer vs. Name Brand: The Great Saltine Shakedown

Introduction: Can a $1.69 box of crackers really beat the icons like Zesta and Premium? I went in blind to see if the budget option could actually deliver the salty, buttery crunch I crave for my soup.

Price: $1.69 (compared to $2.39 for Zesta).
Taste Test: Surprisingly, the Meijer Brand was the favorite! It has more salt than Zesta and a better overall flavor profile. The name-brand Premium crackers actually tasted a bit like “bread crusts” in comparison.
Texture Summary: Crisp, dry, and structurally sound. They aren’t as crumbly as the Zesta ones, making them better for dipping.
Make It Better: Spread a little bit of herb butter on top and pop them in the toaster oven for 2 minutes for a DIY “fancy” cracker.
Perfect Pairings: Reddit users swear by pairing these specifically with Havarti cheese—it’s a buttery match made in heaven.
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Final Verdict: Buy! Why pay more for a “pretty box” when the Meijer version tastes better?

4. The Ultimate Meijer Snack Haul: From Ranch to Steak

Introduction: I’m clearing out the chip aisle! I tested everything from “Cool Ranch” dupes to “Grilled Steak” ripples to see which bags are worth your Mperks points.

Price: Usually under $2.00 (frequently on sale for $1.50).
Taste Test: The Zesty Ranch Tortilla Chips are a total “Cool Ranch” clone—spot on! The Chili Cheese Corn Chips are actually more flavorful than Fritos. The big loser? Grilled Steak & Onion, which tasted like “burnt chemicals” and charred ribeye.
Texture Summary: The tortilla chips are a bit thinner and less “hardy” than Doritos, but the corn chips have a great, aggressive crunch. The cheese puffs felt a little “stale” compared to Cheetos.
Make It Better: Use the Chili Cheese chips as a base for “Walking Tacos”—the bold flavor holds up perfectly against heavy toppings.
Perfect Pairings: The Zesty Ranch chips are amazing with a mild salsa or a cold beer.
Final Verdict: Buy the Ranch and Chili Cheese; Skip the Steak and Onion. ***

5. Frederik’s by Meijer: Maple Bacon Bliss

Introduction: “Frederik’s” is Meijer’s “gourmet” brand, and these Maple Bacon Kettle Chips are the stuff of legend. I’m checking if they’re worth the slightly higher price tag for a “small batch” feel.

Price: ~$3.49-$3.99.
Taste Test: The maple is very prominent and sweet, while the bacon is subtle—mostly a “roasted” aftertaste. It’s a very bold, sweet-and-salty combo that’s dangerously addictive.
Texture Summary: These are crinkle-cut kettle chips, so expect a heavy crunch. They are thick, skin-on chips that don’t skimp on the seasoning.
Make It Better: Crumble these over a bowl of vanilla ice cream or a salad with goat cheese for an insane flavor upgrade.
Perfect Pairings: These are the ultimate side for a backyard BBQ or a spicy pulled pork sandwich.
Final Verdict: Buy! They are the best kettle chips in the store, hands down.

6. Meijer Sushi: The $5 Grocery Store Gamble

Introduction: Most people walk right past grocery store sushi, but for $5.00, I had to see if Meijer’s rolls were a hidden gem or a total miss.

Price: $5.00 (Spicy Cali) to $5.99 (Crunchy Shrimp).
Taste Test: The Crunchy Shrimp Roll is the winner here. The tempura flakes add a much-needed texture, and the eel sauce provides a perfect sweetness. The Spicy California Roll is decent, though the spicy mayo can be a bit overpowering.
Texture Summary: The rice isn’t too mushy (a common grocery store sin), and the “crunch” in the shrimp roll actually stays crunchy.
Make It Better: Ask the deli if they have fresh ginger or extra wasabi—the packets inside can be a bit hit-or-miss.
Perfect Pairings: Grab a bottle of Frederik’s Cold Brew or a light green tea from the beverage aisle.
Final Verdict: Buy! For a $5 lunch, it’s a total steal and way better than a fast-food burger