Best New Pantry Food

Freshé

Fancy a taste of France, Mexico, Sicily or Thailand? Freshé’s got you covered. Pop open a can of any of Freshé’s four varieties of globally inspired, chef-designed mini meals and you will find a different and equally delicious combination of seafood, veggies, olive oil and regional herbs and spices. With a base of wild-caught tuna from the coasts of Spain and Portugal, the seafood is 100% certified sustainable by the Friend of the Sea global standard, as well as non-GMO and gluten free. Whole, simple ingredients, sustainably sourced protein and a lot of flavor will undoubtedly help elevate these on-the-go, healthy meals-in-a-tin to the gourmet stature that these types of products already enjoy overseas.

Zego Foods Double Protein Oats

Peace of mind might well be the rallying cry of this certified B Corp, which puts transparency and quality at the fore in everything it does. In this instance, these USDA-certified Organic oats adhere to the highest standards of gluten-free production. Not only are the oats cultivated in such a way so as to avoid cross-contamination with barley or wheat, but they are also tested for allergen and gluten cross contact in addition to over 400 agricultural chemicals and glyphosate. Consumers need only to scan the QR code on the back of the package to gain the results from these purity tests, which can also be verified on the website. These double-protein oats are an exceptional, mission-focused iteration of a pantry staple.

Brass Roots Sacha Inchi Butter

No, it’s not a nut—it’s a seed, and it’s one of the reasons why this new spread makes such a great alternative to nut butter. It also happens to be rich in flavor, packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes brain health. This yummy seed butter is also keto friendly, appropriate for low FODMAP diets, and rich in prebiotic fibers and plant-based protein. All three flavors—Classic, Unsweetened­ and Chocolate –come with ultra-clean ingredient lists and the peace of mind that comes with serving an allergy-free option. The company uses organic roasted sacha inchi seeds grown by its partner in Thailand and Laos, with part of the proceeds from both here and abroad going to fund children’s education and youth organizations. 

Maya Kaimal Red Lentil, Butternut Squash and Coconut Everyday Dal

In a word, delicious. We immediately fell in love with this ready-to-eat dal thanks to a clean ingredient list that includes red lentils, butternut squash, coconut cream, turmeric and cayenne pepper—not to mention its unbeatably rich and tantalizing taste. Other bonuses are the fact that it is USDA-certified Organic, Non-GMO Project verified, vegan and kosher, and ready to eat after just 90 seconds in the microwave. To create this product, the company started with a traditional Indian dish (masoor dal) and added coconut and butternut squash to create a complete plant-based protein. This aligns with consumers’ growing desire to eat more plants and experience international flavors in a convenient, ready-to-eat format.