Patty is a recipe developer and food writer. She worked Alton Brown’s Research Coordinator and podcast producer and in the Oxmoor House test kitchen. She loves maple syrup, coffee and board games. Patty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.
updated Sep 1, 2021
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Homemade pies are a treat to be savored, but we’re also of the belief that certain store-bought pies rival even the most treasured of family recipes — especially as the holidays roll around.
We taste tested dozens of grocery store pies (all readily available nation-wide) in order to find the best of the best. These are the ones that belong in our Grocery Store Pie Hall of Fame.
1. Marie Callender’s Lattice Apple Pie
Although it definitely peaks during certain times of the year, apple pie is pretty much a year-round classic. For those hoping to avoid peeling and slicing a peck of apples, look no further than your grocer’s freezer aisle. The crust on Marie Callender’s Lattice Apple Pie is crumbly, flaky, and browns beautifully (which is no small feat for a frozen pie).
Buy: Marie Callender’s Lattice Apple Pie, $8.49 for 38 ounces at Target
2. Trader Joe’s Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is a beloved summertime treat that’s made with a sweet-tart custard inside a graham cracker crust. Homemade key lime pies have a creamy yellow hue —as opposed to green, like some store-bought varieties. That’s why the key lime pie from Trader Joe’s is so sought-after during the summer when this seasonal pie returns. It’s yellow, it’s made with sweetened condensed milk and real key lime juice (as it should be!), it’s $5.49 — and it’s perfection in a pie.
3. Costco’s Pumpkin Pie
Costco’s top-secret pumpkin pie recipe has remained unchanged for decades. The powers that be at Costco are tight-lipped about the secret spice blend that makes this pie so special. Its massive size is also a major selling point —it’s almost 4 pounds! (And just $5.99.) The only trouble is that this pie is not available year-round. It graces shelves with its presence starting in September (hey, that’s now!), so grab an extra pie or two to store in the freezer for those months when you can’t find it in stores.
What is your favorite store-bought pie? Share your picks in the comments below.
