• PLANT-BASED SHOPPING •

Fridge Guide

OOMPH [noun; oomf]: What your fridge and freezer will have when you stock them with the most mind-blowingly delicious plant-based dairy (yogurts, milks, and cheeses), meat, and seafood that today’s brilliant plant-based brands have to offer.

• Milk & Creamers
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Butter, Mayo & Egg
• Meat & Seafood

Dairy-Free Milk & Creamers

Few items in your fridge will get more mileage than plant-based milk. Between coffee, cereal, smoothies, and recipes sweet and savory, having a creamy plant-based milk at the ready will make so many great meals possible. And there’s no shortage of varieties out there, so you can find a milk that’s perfect for your particular needs.

One of our favorites is oatmilk, which is unfathomably creamy and has a natural sweetness from the oats that’s just sublime. But, of course, different plant milks have different things to offer. Like flax milk, which is full of fiber, prebiotics, and those elusive Omega 3s. Coconut milk is thick, creamy, and perfect for recipes that call for a cream substitute. But no matter your plant milk of choice, you’ll be glad to have it in your fridge come morning, noon, or night.

Plant-Based Yogurt

Plant-based yogurt not only makes for a tasty, easy breakfast or snack, but it’ll also help keep your microbiome in happy balance. The key to success with single-serve plant yogurts, in our experience, is choosing ones that have the thickness and creaminess down pat, but manage to keep sugar to a minimum.

These handy yogurts are great for on-the-go, and are something to look forward to during a busy day! Especially given some of the unreal flavors out there now, like Vanilla Chamomile, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Key Lime, to name a few. (Oh yes, we’ve got those in stock.)

It’s also great to have a bigger tub of plain yogurt on hand. You can dress it up to your own taste with a nutritious smattering of nuts, nut butters, seeds, berries, and spices, or add a dollop of it to your smoothies for a probiotic boost.

And, on the savory side of things, plain yogurt is an incredible base for dressings (including creamy, tangy vegan tzatziki — throw that on your falafel wrap with lettuce, kalamata olives, and pickled red onions, and get ready to falafel your chair).

Cheesy Goodness

Plant-based cheese can be tricky. It’s hard to know which ones really taste and perform like you’re hoping they will, and some, unfortunately, just don’t. Turns out vegan cheese is a hard nut to crack! But stocking up on the vegan cheeses that do deliver will open the door to a ton of amazing plant-based recipes.

From the cheesy classics like pizza, grilled cheese, lasagna, and quesadillas, to the many dishes that come to life with a little cheesy addition, you’ll be making plant-based meals like never before. Our favorites to keep on hand are vegan mozzarella and cheddar, which tend to get a ton of use in many different dishes.

And beyond the everyday cheeses, it’s nice to have a fancy pants cheese on hand that’ll kick your vegan charcuterie board up several notches, and make even your most omnivorous guests appreciate the plantier side of life.

Butter, Mayo & Eggs

We’re all for the health and simplicity of olive oil, but for certain things you just can’t beat butter. For example: melted over warm waffles, slathered on summer corn, brushed on a fresh baguette. Mmm. (Not to mention the many baking recipes that call for butter.) We opt for plant butters that are full-flavored, deliciously decadent, and made mainly from simple things like oats, coconuts, and cashews. And best of all, they cook and taste just like buttah.

There are two types of plant-based eggs that you may want to keep in stock, depending on your cooking habits: the first is a so-called “flax egg” that’s perfectly gooey and works brilliantly in baking (see the Baking Essentials section for details!). The other is more akin to a scrambled egg and makes beautiful things, like a vegan bacon, egg, and cheese, possible. Both will serve your plant-based kitchen well.

Meat & Seafood Alternatives

Although we like to celebrate simple protein sources (like beans and lentils), sometimes ya just need something with a meaty bite to serve as the proud centerpiece in your meals. And odds are that others in your household are craving that super savory bite too, so having some top-notch vegan meat and seafood in stock is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

And as luck would have it, there’s never been a better time to enjoy plant-based meat – so many brilliant brands are now offering plant meats that will blow your mind with their spot-on taste, texture, and flavor.

So stock up on some vegan hot dogs and burgers and you’ll be ready for a quick, satisfying meal (or cookout) in no time. And don’t forget some deli slices so you can make your favorite sandwiches come lunchtime. (Or roll those slices up with vegan cheese and a dollop of mustard for a protein-packed power snack. Mm, mmm.)