So This Is Your First Time at HEB... Here's What You Should Buy
Updated: Sep 26, 2022
Our friends in DFW are finally getting HEBs. One just opened in Frisco with a line wrapped around the store early in the morning, and Plano's first store should open next.
Since HEB is relatively new to the DFW area (yes I know there were a few around such as Burleson and Hudson Oaks), I've been getting a lot of questions from newbies about what they should try. So, friends, I'm making you a list. Share it with your favorite North Texan.
Fresh Flour Tortillas
Pretty much every die-hard HEB fan will mention the fresh tortillas first, so make a beeline for the tortilla counter in the bakery.
They come in a 10 or 20-count bag and have a variety of options—flour, butter, corn/flour, wheat, and yes, even keto. You'd be surprised how good the keto ones are, but you must eat them fast or they get a little gummy. Always check the date items were made.
Meal Simple Brisket Queso
Meal Simple is HEB's grab-and-go meal option. They've slowly been testing queso and dip varieties in the last two years, and there are now eight choices you can find from time to time, but the brisket queso reigns supreme. Stick it in the oven and give it a good mix. Perfect for game day.
Other options include:
Chorizo Queso
Jalapeño, Corn, and Shrimp Queso
Spicy Cajun Seafood Dip - One of the harder ones to find.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip
Spicy Mexican Street Corn Dip
Buffalo Dip - Not our favorite, just make it yourself.
Texas Pecan Coffee
HEB has A LOT of cafe ole flavors, but ask around and Texas Pecan is the main one people obsess over, rightfully so. Its nutty and smooth texture makes it one of the most perfect flavored blends ever.
I have a whole article about Cafe Ole flavors here, if you're interested in seeing what else HEB has available.
HEB Fresh Ranch Dressing
HEB fresh ranch dressing is pretty darn amazing. You find it in the produce section, sometimes on the end of a section of produce, sometimes in the fridge along the wall.
Since this is fresh, it does not have the long expiration date of a bottle of Hidden Valley, you must eat it quickly. I tend to reserve purchasing it for when we have a party or a group of friends coming over.
It's usually under $5 for a smaller bottle.
Queso Blanco
If you're a queso-loving Texan, you also need to check out HEB's sealed quesos. I usually find these near the meat section in my store, but you might also find them near the cheese. They're all good but queso blanco is the clear winner here.
HEB Brand Ice Creams
HEB has four in-house ice cream brands. Creamy Creations, Swoon, Sorbetto and Italian Gelato.
Creamy Creations is the fan favorite. It's more of a Blue Bell competitor. Plain 'ol 1905 vanilla is the one most of my followers talk about. The Limited Edition flavors are always very exciting and worth trying as well.
Swoon is my personal favorite, it's richer and has some unique flavors. I'd compare this one to Ben & Jerry's. We love Banana S'Mores, Key Lime Pie and Salted Caramel Truffle.
Italian Gelato is just that. Like a Talenti or Teo.
Sorbetto is fancy sorbet. The raspberry is absolutely amazing.
Limited Edition Bacon and Sausage
HEB has a variety of products that get limited edition flavors throughout the year. I made a list of these for you, which you can check out here.
Hayride is a recurring flavor that comes out every Fall and is currently in stores. You can find this flavor on bacon, turkey bacon, and breakfast sausage. It's seasoned with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and pumpkin and has a sweetness to it. We absolutely love it.
Bourbon Barrel smoked sausage is the one I would not shut up about this year. It was my all-time favorite, but it was recently replaced by Jalapeño Popper sausage and now Smoked Mustard is on the shelves. As with all limited items, grab them while you can find them.
HEB Oatmeal
Some of the HEB oatmeal flavors are honestly pretty awesome. My favorites are Dulce de Leche, Mango and Cocoa & Cream. They also have a Mexican Hot Chocolate flavor and currently a Limited Edition Lemonade one.
Read my full review on these here.
Caramel Turtle Cheesecake
This is one a lot of people don't know about that I always recommend. HEB's Caramel Turtle Cheesecake is phenomenal. It's like your classic caramel turtle cheesecake, but the cheesecake itself is also caramel. Find it in the cake freezers near the bakery.
Fresh Squeezed Juice
HEB has fresh squeezed juice year-round in the produce section. Usually, this is in a fridge along the wall. Orange juice is the main one you can find, but at other times of the year, there's tangerine juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice and raspberry lemonade. Tangerine is my favorite. It's usually around in Fall/Winter months so hopefully, we see it soon.
For an in-store fresh pressed/fresh squeezed option, I've found this to be reasonably priced in the past, but all grocery prices are going up so depending on your budget, it can be more of a splurge item. The one I'm holding in the photo is a large, 3 lb jug. You can get a smaller one for around $5-6.
Beef Skirt Steak Fajitas
HEB pretty much rocks at meat options. There are so many pre-marinated meats to choose from, such as buttermilk ranch chicken, carne asada, pulled pork, pot roast kits, pre-made cowboy bacon burgers... the list goes on and on.
But among all the options, the beef skirt steak is the one we recommend most. Perfectly marinated and absolutely delicious. It can be a little pricey, but it makes a lot of food. Definitely give this a try.
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