Your grocery store is packed with flavor-boosting ingredients that rarely make it onto the average shopping list—but can completely transform everyday meals. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just looking to mix things up in the kitchen, these underrated staples offer major culinary impact at a relatively low cost.

Here are 10 grocery items worth discovering—and how to use them to level up your cooking.

1. Gochujang (Korean Fermented Chili Paste)
   This sweet, spicy, and umami-rich paste adds depth to everything from stir-fries to marinades and even pasta sauces. Find it in the international aisle or at stores like H Mart or Whole Foods. Use it in place of sriracha or hot sauce for a more complex kick.
2. Canned Smoked Oysters
   Packed with protein, iron, and briny flavor, smoked oysters are shelf-stable and surprisingly versatile. Add them to toast, pasta, or rice bowls for a gourmet twist. Look for sustainable brands like Crown Prince.
3. Anchovy Paste
   Just a small squeeze can turn your sauces, soups, or salad dressings into rich, umami-packed dishes. It’s excellent in Caesar dressing, tomato sauce, or buttered pasta. A little goes a long way, making it a value buy.
4. Preserved Lemons
   These salt-cured lemons are a staple in Moroccan cooking and add an intense citrus flavor to roasted vegetables, couscous, or chicken dishes. Look for them in the Mediterranean section or specialty food stores like Zingerman’s.
5. Frozen Chopped Spinach
   A budget-friendly nutrition booster, frozen chopped spinach works in smoothies, omelets, pasta, and soups. It’s cheaper and lasts longer than fresh greens—and there’s no washing or chopping required.
6. Toasted Sesame Oil
   Add a splash to noodles, rice, or steamed vegetables for instant depth and nuttiness. Unlike neutral oils, toasted sesame oil is used for finishing, not cooking, so it lasts longer and delivers concentrated flavor.
7. White Miso Paste
   This fermented soybean paste adds savory depth to soups, sauces, dressings, and even glazes for vegetables. Use it to create quick ramen broth or miso butter. Find it refrigerated near tofu or in the international section.
8. Jarred Sun-Dried Tomatoes
   Packed in oil, these add a punch of tangy-sweet umami to salads, pasta, sandwiches, and dips. Use the leftover oil as a cooking fat or salad dressing base.
9. Nutritional Yeast
   Popular in vegan cooking, this cheesy, nutty powder is high in B vitamins and adds savory flavor to popcorn, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Look for it in natural food stores like Sprouts Farmers Market.
10. Pickled Red Onions
    Bright, tangy, and ready to eat, pickled onions elevate tacos, grain bowls, burgers, and salads. Some brands sell them pre-made in the deli or condiment section—or you can make a batch at home with vinegar, sugar, and salt in 15 minutes.

Bonus Tip: Use Rewards to Try New Items

Trying new ingredients doesn’t have to come with risk. When you shop at major grocery retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, or BJ’s, you can earn cashback with a gift card from Fluz, reducing the cost of experimentation. For example, get cashback at Whole Foods or earn cashback with a Walmart gift card while picking up specialty items you’ve never tried before.

Final Thoughts

These underrated grocery finds can elevate your meals from basic to bold with minimal effort. Keep a few on hand, and you’ll always be prepared to turn everyday dishes into something extraordinary.