The 5 Grocery Items I Always Buy at TJ Maxx and Homegoods

TJ Maxx and Homegoods are like Target; you go in for one thing (or sometimes with no particular items in mind at all) and walk out with 10 different products that you’ve convinced yourself you need. While most people leave those stores with a new, impulsively bought pair of shoes or piece of wall decor, I always walk out with a new food item to try.

Yeah, imagine that, a food writer finding new food to buy.

But, after years of shopping at TJ Maxx and its sister brands, there are grocery items that I buy religiously at those stores—either because they’re cheaper or just downright delicious.

However, it’s important to remember that food shopping at TJ Maxx can be tricky because the stock is usually low (once it’s gone, it’s gone), and the food section is never organized—in fact, most TJ Maxx and Homegoods locations have food scattered throughout the store, so you never actually know where anything could be. But once you get the hang of it at your local stores, you’ll know exactly where the coffee grounds and kettle chips are hiding every time.

These are the food products that I buy at TJ Maxx and Homegoods any time I’m there.

Snacks

From candy to potato chips and everything in between, TJ Maxx has it all for us snackers. And it’s not just random, off-brand things that you’ve never heard of. Sure, there’s some of that, but you can almost always find Popcorners, Lesser Evil snacks, and my personal favorite kettle chip brand, Deep River Snacks.

And, most of the time, the snacks will be priced lower than they are at traditional grocery stores—so you can stock up on more bags for less!

Coffee

Let’s face it, no matter if you buy coffee grounds in the store or order coffee at your local coffee shop, it’s expensive. So, if I can save a few bucks by buying my grounds or whole beans at TJ Maxx, I will—even if it is a flavor that’s a tad out of season. Just always check the expiration date to make sure you’re getting fresh grounds!

You can almost always find name-brand coffee, too—from Starbucks and Dunkin’, there’s something for every coffee drinker.

Coffee Syrups

Speaking of coffee, you can also buy dozens of flavors of coffee syrups to make your favorite lattes and coffee drinks at home. The two most common brands you’ll find are Torani and Skinny Syrups, which are both delicious—and they sell a huge quantity that’ll last a while.

Spices

Sure, I get my pepper and garlic powder at the traditional grocery store—though you could grab those at TJ Maxx, too—but TJ Maxx has tons of specialty spices that are so unique and fun to try. From truffle salt to spices that taste like garlic bread, there’s really no telling what spices will grace TJ Maxx’s shelves. So, if you have some extra room in your pantry, it’s worth trying a few new seasonings and spices.

Gourmet Food

As if fancy spices weren’t enough, TJ Maxx is also a great place to pick up gourmet foods at relatively low prices. Keep your eye out for things like gourmet pasta, infused olive oils, jams, and sometimes even caviar. You never know what you might stumble upon, so it’s always worth it to browse the miscellaneous foods section.