5 Grocery Staples I Always Pick Up at TJ Maxx and Homegoods

TJ Maxx and Homegoods are a lot like Target: You pop in for one thing (or sometimes with no specific plan at all) and somehow leave with an entire haul of items you never knew you needed. While most people walk out with a new pair of shoes or some trendy home decor, I always end up grabbing a new food product to try.

Surprising, right? A food writer actually discovering new food items.

After years of shopping at TJ Maxx and its sister stores, there are a few grocery items I always go back for—either because they’re a great deal or simply because they taste amazing.

Food shopping at TJ Maxx can be a bit of an adventure. Stock is often limited (once it’s gone, it’s gone), and the food section is typically a mess. Items are scattered across the store, so you never really know where anything is. But once you get familiar with your local store, you’ll easily find where the coffee grounds and kettle chips are hiding.

Here are the food products I always grab at TJ Maxx and Homegoods whenever I visit.

Snacks

From candy to chips and everything in between, TJ Maxx is a snack lover’s paradise. It’s not just random, off-brand products you’ve never heard of—while you might come across some of that, you can usually find familiar brands like Popcorners, Lesser Evil snacks, and my personal favorite kettle chips, Deep River Snacks.

Most of the time, the snacks at TJ Maxx are priced lower than at regular grocery stores, meaning you can stock up on more bags for less money!

Coffee

Let’s be honest, whether you buy coffee grounds in-store or grab a cup at your local café, it’s pricey. That’s why I love snagging my grounds or whole beans at TJ Maxx whenever I can—sometimes even if the flavor’s a bit out of season. Just be sure to check the expiration date to ensure you're getting fresh coffee!

You’ll often find well-known coffee brands too—Starbucks, Dunkin’, and more—so there’s something for every coffee lover.

Coffee Syrups

If you’re a coffee fan, you’ll be happy to know that TJ Maxx carries a wide range of coffee syrups in every flavor imaginable, perfect for making your favorite lattes and coffee drinks at home. The two main brands you’ll find are Torani and Skinny Syrups, both delicious and available in large quantities that’ll keep you stocked for a while.

Spices

While I typically grab my pepper and garlic powder from the regular grocery store (though you can find those at TJ Maxx too), the real gem at TJ Maxx is their selection of unique specialty spices. From truffle salt to garlic bread-flavored spices, you never know what intriguing seasonings will appear on the shelves. If you have extra space in your pantry, it’s definitely worth exploring these fun, new flavors.

Gourmet Food

TJ Maxx isn’t just great for spices—it’s also a treasure trove for gourmet food at unbeatable prices. Look for gourmet pastas, infused olive oils, jams, and even the occasional caviar. You never quite know what hidden gems you’ll find, making it always worth checking out the miscellaneous food section.