3 Dollar Tree Grocery Finds I’m Stocking in My Pantry This Spring (They’re All $1.25!)
I tend to think of Dollar Tree as a place to score party decorations that I’ll use once, maybe twice, and don’t want to blow a lot of cash on. Occasionally I’ll find an organizing gem or a few expert-approved cleaning supplies, but groceries have yet to make the list of items I need to pick up. That is, until now.
Recently I veered left instead of right upon entering my local Dollar Tree store (where, per all stores, nearly everything costs $1.25) and ventured into the grocery section. I was surprised to see that many items I’ve been paying big bucks for at other grocery retailers are at least 50% less here, including several pantry staples aptly timed for spring.
Of the many I spotted on shelves, these are three I highly recommend to keep you inspired from breakfast to dinner (and maybe even dessert).
1. Old World Quality Foods Strawberry Vanilla Jam, $1.25 for 1.6 ounces
Strawberries always make me think of late spring and early summer (this is when they are harvested in Wisconsin, at least). I spread this on multi-grain bread one morning and, wow, it hit the spot — not too sugary or sweet-tasting, as many jams and preserves tend to be. Maybe because the vanilla balances it out?
Based on the mini size, this would be good to take on a picnic or concert in the park, or if you’re checking into an Airbnb for a relaxing weekend. Interestingly, this jam is a “product of Poland,” per the packaging, and Old World Quality Foods was founded by a Polish immigrant, Andy Kozierski. Old World’s products are also sold at retailers like Costco, Food Lion (in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast), Giant Food (East Coast), and Mariano’s (Chicago area).
2. Colonna Citrus Garlic Seasoning, $1.25 for 2.25 ounces
You can never have too many seasonings in the pantry, and this one reminds me of spring with its citrus flavor notes (thanks to lemon oil and citric acid). I like to have all-purpose seasonings like this on hand as an alternative to big brands or even my new favorite I picked up on a recent New Orleans trip (Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning).
Sometimes you want a little more heat or a little more citrus — or maybe both. This one has that, folding in cayenne pepper, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and basil, resulting in a full-bodied, robust collection of flavors that work well with fish, poultry, and other meats. Some seasonings taste very salty, but this one does not (that’s a good thing). I’m definitely using this the next time I make taco meat out of ground beef.
3. Nature’s Goodness Organic Coconut Flour, $1.25 for 8 ounces
A few years back I started baking with alternative, gluten-free flours, but quickly learned this can be expensive. To score coconut flour for $1.25 that’s certified organic by the USDA doesn’t even seem possible — but it is at Dollar Tree. Other grocery retailers sell similar-sized sacks of coconut flour for $5+ a bag, including even the most competitively priced national discount retailers.
What I especially like is this product’s smaller-size bag, as it’s not a flour I’ll use often, but know I’ll go through by the August 2025 Best Before date. Turning to my favorite gluten-free blueberry muffin recipe with coconut flour, I was impressed by how moist these turned out. The product is from Sri Lanka and each purchase helps support rural women gain employment and children a good education through the Foundation of Goodness, based in that country.
Spot any exciting new groceries at Dollar Tree lately? Tell us about it in the comments below.
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: 3 Dollar Tree Grocery Finds I’m Stocking in My Pantry This Spring (They’re All $1.25!)
