13 Target Good & Gather Items I Wish I'd Started Buying Years Sooner

Store brand generics can save you money on groceries, everyday essentials, and more. That's why I scoured the aisles for the top Target deals on the retailer's Good and Gather line.

Not only do these products help me cut costs, but they're also high-quality alternatives to pricey brand-name buys. So, go ahead and skip the overly expensive items on your shopping list. 

Good and Gather launched in 2019 and has since become Target's top-selling food brand.

Check out my favorite Good and Gather picks that are affordable and always keep my shopping budget in check.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $5.99

Pass on pricey takeout and make an Asian-inspired dinner at home instead. These light, fluffy pork buns are a quick, easy meal for your family. Just heat the sweet barbecue sauce seasoned bao for one minute and serve.

Target lists them as Frozen BBQ Pork Bao Buns in an 8-ounce package. The filling features roast pork prepared with soy sauce and sugar, along with garlic powder, onion and sesame oil. 

For extra flavor, top each bun with a spoonful of chili crisp. Round out the meal with Good and Gather's Frozen Pork Soup Dumplings or Spicy Korean Pork Potstickers for a takeout-style spread.

Price: $1.69

Everyone is talking about the cost of eggs these days. And if your local grocer's price is more than your budget can handle, try a dozen of these generics. 

Target sells them as Grade A Large Eggs in a 12-count carton, and they come from a certified United Egg Producer facility. They're a versatile source of protein for scrambles, frittatas, baking and breakfast sandwiches. 

Need more? An 18-count carton is also available, along with cage-free brown and organic options. Short on time? Good and Gather also sells cage-free hard-cooked eggs in a six-count pack and cage-free liquid egg whites in a 32-ounce size.

Price: $3.69

Do you love La Croix but hate the high price? If you enjoy slightly sweet sparkling water with a fruity flavor, this generic eight-pack of 12-ounce cans is a steal for $3.69. The exact size case from the name brand sells for $4.39.

The ingredient list is short: carbonated water and natural flavor. It's unsweetened and has zero calories, despite the slightly sweet taste. 

Target suggests mixing it with fresh mint and a splash of lime for a family-friendly mocktail or punch. If you like variety, Good and Gather sells many other sparkling water flavors in the same eight-pack format.

Price: $3.29

Nutella fans can save money on this Good and Gather dupe. And bonus, this chocolatey copycat has 30 percent less sugar than the regular version. That makes it perfect for smearing over whole wheat pancakes, toast, or just about anything else.

Snag a 13-ounce jar for $3.29 right now. At $5.29, the 13-ounce size of the brand-name buy isn't a bargain.

If you prefer the classic version, Good and Gather also sells a regular Chocolate Hazelnut Spread in the same 13-ounce size. Shoppers who've tried it say it tastes close to the name brand at a better price. 

Beyond toast, try it as a dip for strawberries or banana slices, swirled into oatmeal, or as a filling for crepes.

Price: $6.49

We love a hot cup of sweet cocoa just as much as you do. And a touch of sea salt caramel makes this generic goody even better.

The price of this generic eight-count box of mix is a more affordable option than brand names like Starbucks. During the holidays, Walmart sells Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa for $8.97 (online).

Target lists the mix in an 8-ounce box, the same net weight as Starbucks' eight-count version. According to nutrition-tracking sites, each packet has about 100 calories. Stir it into hot milk for a creamier cup, or add a packet to your morning coffee for a quick homemade mocha.

Price: 99 cents

Whip up a tangy tuna salad without breaking the bank on extra ingredients. This flavor-packed pouch of lemon pepper tuna is an affordable sandwich starter or meal mix-in for under $1. Starkist's version costs $1.29.

A Target shopper praised this pick on the retailer's website, "I really enjoyed the flavor profile when adding it to my usual tuna salad. For the price, it's quite good, I'd buy again. Fifteen grams of protein in each pack is great, too."

Because it comes in a single-serve pouch, it's easy to toss in a lunch bag or desk drawer for a quick protein boost. Try it over greens, stuffed into an avocado or mixed into pasta salad.

Price: $2.79

With 45 grams of whole grains and six grams of protein, this organic side is a healthy alternative to greasy French fries and fast food. The sugar, fat, and cholesterol-free food is an easy-to-make addition to grilled chicken, braised tofu, broiled fish, and green salads.

The 12-ounce package blends organic white, red and black quinoa, and it's USDA Organic, non-GMO and Star-K kosher. It doesn't contain any of the nine major allergens. Rinse the grains well before cooking. 

One cup of dry quinoa makes about three cups cooked, so a single package goes a long way. Target suggests using it in casseroles, stuffed bell peppers or even porridge.

Price: $3.39

The artificial flavor and preservative-free salsa is a can't-miss deal. You'll get 16 ounces of this green tomatillo goodness for under $3.50. 

Tomatillos are the first ingredient, and the jar also includes roasted jalapeno peppers, green chiles, onion, garlic and cilantro. Expect a tangy, gently smoky flavor with mild heat. 

If you want more kick, Good and Gather's Medium Salsa Verde, made with serrano peppers, earns rave reviews on Target's site. Either jar works as a chip dip, taco topping or simmer sauce for chicken enchiladas, pork chili verde or breakfast chilaquiles.

Price: $2.99

A 10-ounce tub of this generic hummus is only $2.99. But you'll pay $4.29 for the same size container from Sabra.

Good and Gather's low price means you can stock your fridge with this bargain buy and save money. Spoon the creamy classic chickpea spread over warm pita bread, add fresh veggies, and roll up a restaurant menu-worthy wrap.

It's made with lemon juice and garlic for a classic flavor, with no artificial flavors or colors. Shoppers rate the Good and Gather hummus line 4.5 out of 5 stars across thousands of reviews. 

For bigger households, it also comes in an 18-ounce tub, and there's a six-pack of single-serve cups for lunch boxes.

Price: $3.99

Eliminate lengthy prep steps and make this tasty traditional side in minutes with no peeler required. The microwavable 24-ounce container of mashed potatoes is a fan favorite. A Target shopper raved, "These are the best! Close to homemade."

The main ingredients are Yukon Gold potatoes, whole milk and butter. It holds a 4.3-star rating from more than 1,300 shoppers on Target's site, and Eat This, Not That! recently named it one of the best refrigerated mashed potatoes in the supermarket. 

Prefer more flavor? Good and Gather also makes a Yukon Gold Garlic Mashed Potatoes version in the same size, made with dried and roasted garlic.

Price: 99 cents

Pack your pantry with this inexpensive staple. You never know when your family will want a quick pasta dinner or a homemade pizza. At 99 cents per 15-ounce can, you can afford to stock up on this generic.

It's made with no synthetic colors and works across cuisines, from chili and soups to rice dishes and casseroles. Target shoppers say it tastes good in recipes and costs less than name brands. 

Round out your pantry with Good and Gather's 14.5-ounce diced tomatoes, also listed at 99 cents, or a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes for bigger batches.

Price: $3.59

Save the salt for popcorn. This deli-sliced lunch meat is more than just low-sodium turkey. It's also 97% fat-free. Add it to a healthy whole-grain bread and veggie sandwich, or use it to make cheddar roll-ups.

Ultra-thin slices fold and layer easily, so a few go a long way on a sandwich. It's also handy for wraps and salads. 

For comparison, Good and Gather's regular 16-ounce oven-roasted turkey breast has 530 milligrams of sodium per serving, so check the label to see how much you're saving.

Price: $2.99

Go gluten-free without overspending on pricey products. A 4-ounce size of Crunchmaster Multigrain Crackers costs $3.79, which means you're saving money on groceries by opting for Good and Gather. 

The 4-ounce package matches Crunchmaster's size, and flaxseed is part of the multigrain blend. Crunchmaster's version, for reference, is made with brown rice, corn, oat fiber and a four-seed blend, and each bag holds about four servings of 15 crackers. 

Pair with hummus, cheese or tuna salad for an easy snack. If you're open to another flavor, Good and Gather's Gluten Free Rice and Almond Flour Crackers cost under $3 for a 3.5-ounce box, and Tasting Table calls them some of the best gluten-free crackers around. 

You don't have to waste money on brand-name groceries. Good and Gather generics aren't just cheap copycats. This inexpensive Target line is filled with delicious dupes that we (like the rest of the store's loyal shoppers) obsess over.

Every Good and Gather item is also backed by a money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied.

The savings don't stop at the cash register. Along with special deals in the Circle app, you can cut costs by using your top cash back credit cards. These offer cash back and other perks on eligible purchases.

Keep an eye out for Target Circle promotions tied to Good and Gather, such as past offers that awarded $25 in rewards for spending $75 on the brand.