We Hired a Dessert Expert to Taste-Test Grocery Store Thanksgiving Pies: These Were Her Favorites

Alongside a turkey in the oven, football on the TV, and parade floats in the air, Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a sweet slice of pie to cap the holiday.

Just as those pies are part of the tradition, picking one up from the grocery store has become a seasonal norm for anyone asking, "What do I bring?" to a Thanksgiving get-together. But as any pie lover knows, grocery store pies aren't all the same. That's why we hired a pie expert to share our recommendations for the best grocery store pies in America.

Earlier this month, our team at FinanceBuzz went on a nationwide search for a new open role on our team: a Chief Pie Correspondent to taste as many store-bought pies as they could get their hands on. Because we love helping shoppers save money, we wanted an expert to dig into the bakery aisle and decide which pies truly deliver and which fall short.

After sifting through thousands of applicants, we selected our 2025 Pie Correspondent: JQ Louise, a food writer, photographer, and lifestyle expert from Boston, Massachusetts.

JQ has covered everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to nostalgic comfort food, and is even the author of Boston Food Crawls, a local guide to discovering comfort food favorites.

Beyond credentials, she truly loves Thanksgiving. Growing up in Massachusetts with a family cranberry bog gave her a deep appreciation for seasonal flavors and heritage recipes. To JQ, Thanksgiving pie is not just dessert. It is memory, nostalgia, and comfort. Oftentimes, a pie can be the most meaningful dish on the table.

We had JQ send over her official pie rankings, along with some advice for shoppers.

Faced with an overwhelming number of store-bought pies, JQ set out to discover the real standouts hiding in the bakery aisle. She tasted pies from four major retailers: Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Market Basket, and Target. Prices ranged from budget-friendly grocery staples to more premium, bakery-style pies, and as the tasting revealed, a higher price does not always mean better flavor.

Each pie was evaluated and scored based on the following categories:

• Crust
• Filling
• Sweetness and spice balance
• Texture
• Appearance
• Value

The results were surprising. Some brands widely considered "premium" did not win their categories. Some budget choices were shockingly good. And one major retailer dominated more than one category.

Let's get into it.

Apple pie is the classic American dessert. If a store cannot get apple pie right, it is hard to trust the rest of the lineup. I began the tasting with anticipation and high standards.

This pie immediately looked visually different. The crust was more refined, buttery, and pastry forward. It tasted premium and intentional. The filling tasted natural, almost like freshly cooked apples rather than pre-mixed filling. Although delicious, it did not have the cozy warmth that Market Basket delivered. Still, it was a strong second place.

Trader Joe's took a creative direction. Instead of a traditional slice, this felt like an apple tart. It was noticeably sweeter, thinner, and more concentrated. The flavor leaned heavily into sugar rather than spice or fruit. My reaction was: "Very sweet. Like dessert for someone who already loves dessert." Good for sweet tooths, but not a classic pie.

This pie tasted more like a portable snack than a Thanksgiving dessert. The cinnamon flavor was strong, but the overall experience felt processed rather than seasonal or cozy. It reminded me of road trip pies or nostalgic gas station pastries. Fun in the right moment, but not a holiday-worthy dessert.

From the first bite, this pie impressed me. The filling was warm, balanced, and comforting with just the right amount of cinnamon and nutmeg. Nothing felt artificial or overly sweet. It tasted like something made in a home kitchen. The crust was simple and familiar. Not overly flaky, but solid and satisfying. I actually said out loud: "This tastes pretty good. Like something someone's grandmother made." For under seven dollars, this pie delivered phenomenal value and nostalgic flavor.

Pumpkin pie makes me emotional. This is what I gravitate toward after turkey. For this one, texture, spice blend, and smoothness make or break it.

This pie was immediately delicious. The flavor was layered with clove, nutmeg, and warm spice complexity. The crust was sturdy and flavorful. The filling was silky and seasonal without being too sweet. It tasted familiar but elevated. Nearly perfect. This was the clear winner, and I will be picking up a few of these for my own Thanksgiving dinner this year!

This pie looked beautiful with decorative crust detail, but the flavor disappointed. The filling was dense and felt slightly frozen. It lacked the balance and smoothness I expected. Honestly, quite disappointing given how big of a TJs fan I typically am for their other products.

Again, very similar to their apple and cherry minis. Sweet, processed, and cute, but not special. However, for a budget and the need to eat this on the go, this is a fair option given the right circumstances.

This pie tasted exactly like a standard homemade pumpkin pie. No surprises. Just reliable, familiar flavor. It even tasted good cold, which earned extra points.

Pecan pie requires balance. The top should be crisp, the center gooey, and the sweetness just right, but not overbearing. Note: Target didn't sell a pecan pie, so I was unable to review one.

This pie was perfect. The caramelized top was stunning. The pecans were abundant. The filling was buttery and balanced. It was rich and refined without being cloyingly sweet. I said, "This is actually very good. Could stand up to any bougie bakery."

Very similar to Market Basket. Reliable, traditional, and satisfying. But pricier than Market Basket, which is worth noting when considering the entire budget of hosting Thanksgiving, every penny counts.

This pie looked impressive and appeared to contain a mix of nuts, possibly including walnuts. The flavor was classic and satisfying. For someone who doesn't typically go for pecan pie, this was a tasty option for sure. And given the price tag of under $10, this is a family-friendly budget option.

Cherry pie requires acidity and sweetness to work together. Too much sugar ruins it. Too much tartness overpowers. Note: Trader Joe's didn't sell a cherry pie, so I could not review one.

This was the shocking winner of the entire tasting. The balance was flawless. The crust was refined and flaky. The filling tasted bright, tart, and fresh. It felt premium and perfectly executed. This pie has personally made me a cherry pie fan!

Sweet, processed, portable, and fun. Not holiday worthy, but possible holiday road trip worthy in a pinch!

This pie was beautiful and felt homemade. The only drawback was that it leaned a little too sweet. A touch more tartness would have made it incredible.

Whole Foods delivered consistently impressive pies with high-quality crusts, balanced fillings, and thoughtful flavors. It was the clear winner. The biggest surprise was Market Basket, which offered incredible flavor and value at an unbeatable price. So, depending on your budget, Whole Foods or Market Basket seem to be safe bets across the board when it comes to all the classic pies this holiday season. Trader Joe's was disappointing, and if you are doing some holiday shopping at Target, I wouldn't bring one home for the family, but grabbing a snack pie for the ride home would be acceptable.

Whether you are hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner, picking something up on your way to friendsgiving, or just stocking your freezer for pie season, there is a pie here for every palate and every budget. Thanksgiving is about comfort, tradition, and togetherness. Pie should always reflect that. And now, if perfection is the goal, you officially know where to go, no matter which pie is your favorite!

Responses were lightly edited for length and clarity.

Grabbing store-bought pies is one of the easiest ways to round out a Thanksgiving table, but depending on where you shop, the price tag can sneak up on you. And since your guests won't all like the same things, it pays to shop wisely.

Using one of the best credit cards for buying groceries can give you a little something back, and a simple budgeting app can help make sure your pie selections fit your holiday spending plan.