Finding the best store-brand gems can make or break your grocery budget.
This guide breaks down which Hy-Vee labels offer premium quality for your kitchen and which budget-friendly items are better left on the shelf to save your dinner.
Hy-Vee French Onion Dip – $1.39
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Description: A legendary Midwest staple known for its thick, creamy consistency and perfectly balanced savory onion flavor.
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Rating: 10/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. Fans on Reddit claim this is the “only store brand” worth buying, consistently beating out national leaders like Kraft in blind taste tests.
Gustare Vita Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $9.99
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Description: An authentic Italian import from Hy-Vee’s premium line, offering a robust and peppery profile typically found in boutique oils.
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Rating: 9.5/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. It is a massive favorite in Facebook cooking groups for its high quality-to-price ratio compared to standard supermarket oils.
Hy-Vee Seasoned Croutons – 2 / $5.00
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Description: Large, crunchy bread cubes seasoned with a heavy-handed blend of garlic and herbs.
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Rating: 10/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. Multiple social media threads describe these as “addictive,” with many shoppers refusing to buy any other brand for their salads.
It’s Your Churn Ice Cream – $4.99
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Description: Hy-Vee’s premium “super-premium” ice cream line featuring high butterfat and creative, chunk-heavy flavors like Moose Tracks.
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Rating: 9/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. YouTube reviewers highlight that the texture is significantly denser and creamier than the standard “That’s Smart” or basic Hy-Vee tubs.
That’s Smart! Spices – $1.49
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Description: No-frills pantry basics like garlic powder, chili flakes, and cinnamon in larger-than-average containers.
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Rating: 9/10 (Value)
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. You often get 2 more ounces for a lower price than Walmart’s Great Value. It is the ultimate “smart” swap for budget-conscious cooks.
Hy-Chi Frozen Orange Chicken – $7.99
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Description: Frozen version of the famous Hy-Vee Chinese department’s signature dish, designed for an easy at-home dinner.
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Rating: 8.5/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. YouTube “Try It or Walk By It” reviews suggest this holds up surprisingly well against Panda Express for a fraction of the cost.
Crav’n Flavor Mozzarella Sticks – $4.99
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Description: A family-sized box of breaded cheese sticks that includes three separate stay-fresh bags inside.
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Rating: 8/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. They are a crowd favorite for air frying; just be careful not to overcook them, or the cheese will blow out!
Beaconsfield Round Artisan Bread – $3.99
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Description: Bakery-fresh loaves with a distinct chewy crust and airy interior, baked daily in-store.
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Rating: 9.5/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. Look for the “2-for-1” Tuesday deals mentioned frequently by local shoppers to maximize your savings.
Culinary Tours Bang Bang Sauce – $5.49
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Description: A sweet and spicy Szechuan-style chili sauce inspired by popular restaurant appetizers.
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Rating: 8.5/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: BUY. Allrecipes experts note this is a perfect copycat for Bonefish Grill’s sauce and works great on shrimp, chicken, or even tofu.
That’s Smart! Sliced Cheese – $2.48
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Description: The most affordable sliced cheese option in the dairy aisle, often containing more oil than milk.
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Rating: 4/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: SKIP. Reddit users warn that this “not-cheese” has a rubbery texture and refuses to melt properly on burgers.
Crav’n Flavor Frozen Pizza – $6.99
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Description: Budget-friendly frozen pizzas with various toppings, often found in the “Value” section of the freezer.
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Rating: 5/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: SKIP. Reviews are mixed, with many stating the crust tastes like “cardboard” compared to the slightly more expensive Hy-Vee brand or Lotzza Motzza.
That’s Smart! Frozen Chicken Strips – $5.00 – $7.00
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Description: Large bags of breaded, pre-cooked chicken nuggets and strips.
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Rating: 6/10
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Verdict – Buy or Skip: SKIP. YouTube taste-testers noted these are heavily “formed” patties rather than real breast meat and can be overly salty.
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