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Winners announced: Better Homes and Gardens’ People’s Choice Pantry Awards

We tasted our way through the very best of Australia's pantry offerings.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS PANTRY AWARD WINNERS
Our editors handpick everything we recommend. We may receive revenue for sharing this content or when you shop through our links. Read more here

Choosing the best of the best of pantry goods isn’t easy. The BHG team, led by senior food editor Sarah Murphy, sifted through hundreds of contenders to narrow the field for some completely honest taste testing.

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Once we had our finalists, it was up to you to decide which products would win.

Now, we are very excited to announce the winners.

The winners

coles ultimate cookies 40% chocolate chips

Convenience

Coles Ultimate Cookies

These cookies are great value and not stingy on the chocolate, with 40 per cent choc chips. While they are great as they are, we think they are more delicious warmed up slightly. Yum!

marion's thai red curry paste

Good Value

Marion’s Kitchen Thai Red Curry Paste

This curry paste packs a punch of flavour, with a perfect balance of heat and spice and super-easy instructions to boot. Forget pricy takeaways, this makes it possible to get a delicious Thai curry at home.

squeaky gate australian olive oil

Healthier Choice

Squeaky Gate Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fresh and a little peppery, the team agreed The All Rounder name was perfect for this Aussie olive oil and we would use it on nearly everything.

vegemite jar

Flavour Fiends

Vegemite

Yes, you either love it or hate it. But as a pantry staple for generations, it’s no wonder Vegemite is such a favourite. We love its intense flavour and versatility.

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vege rice crackers sour cream and chives

Special Diets

Vege Rice Crackers in Sour Cream & Chives

Gluten-free and dairy free, the team demolished these at testing. They are delicious, light and crispy. The perfect savoury treat.

spice tailor classic butter chicken

Time Savers

The Spice Tailor Classic Butter Chicken Mix

This was the standout against multiple meal bases, for both cooking time and ease. This clever product only requires you to add your own protein to the mix; you don’t need to purchase additional ingredients to add in unlike many other meal bases. We love it’s classic curry flavour, just as good as a takeaway.

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Convenience

coles ultimate cookies 40% chocolate chips

These cookies are great value and not stingy on the chocolate, with 40 per cent choc chips. While they are great as they are, we think they are more delicious warmed up slightly. Yum!

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mayvers squeezy smooth peanut butter

The squeezable, clever packaging got top marks for convenience. Our judges loved the packaging solved the problem of easily stirring the natural oils back into the peanut butter, and the squeezy tube meant it was perfect to take on holidays or for the kids to use with no knives needed.

nibblish dried mango

Made from 100 per cent dried mangoes, we love the bite-size pieces, with multiple judges declaring them delicious. A lovely sweet treat snack.

red rock deli crostini garlic and herb

The ultimate multipurpose snack, we loved the versatility of the crostini. It’s a super tasty snack, but can also be loaded up for entertaining or added to a salad as croutons.

snack hq natural fruit slice

Small but mighty, these chewy snack bars were fruity and satisfying. Packed with dates and oats, they are a good healthier option for on-the-go snacking.

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Good Value

marion's thai red curry paste

This curry paste packs a punch of flavour, with a perfect balance of heat and spice and super-easy instructions to boot. Forget pricy takeaways, this makes it possible to get a delicious Thai curry at home.

aldi gluten free damora apricot and sunflower seeds crackers

Aldi Damora Gluten Free Apricot & Sunflower Seeds Crackers

With a great price point and a delicious crunch to match, the team declared these the ultimate cheese platter bickie. And they are much cheaper than similar products.

single 0 parachute compostable drip coffee bag

Even though the cost of a cafe coffee keeps rising, we can’t face switching to instant. This is a great value substitute. You pop a cute coffee bag over your cup and pour over boiling water a few times. It’s worth the wait: satisfying home coffee. And the bags are compostable.

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woolworths himalayan salt dark chocolate block

Chocolate is also facing price rises, and it’s worth finding a quality, affordable option. This is smooth chocolate with a delicious salty pop. The team loved the packaging too.

Healthier Choices

squeaky gate australian olive oil

Fresh and a little peppery, the team agreed The All Rounder name was perfect for this Aussie olive oil and we would use it on nearly everything.

cocobella chocolate coconut water

We didn’t expect coconut water to taste just like chocolate milk, but it does. Refreshing! The team liked the twist-top lid design for practicality.

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san remo active vegeroni

Only needing seven minutes’ cooking time and with three times the fibre of regular pasta. The surprise? It tastes just like normal pasta.

sun rice thick rice cakes

The versatility of these rice cakes for snacks and lunches made them a clear favourite. They are sturdy enough to hold lunch toppings with one judge noting that they don’t break apart easily, like other brands do.

hart & soul coconut and lentil soup

This creamy soup is absolutely packed with flavour. Its super satisfying texture was hearty and delicately spiced, and we’d happily go back for seconds. We love the quality ingredients, too.

Flavour Fiends

vegemite jar

Yes, you either love it or hate it. But as a pantry staple for generations, it’s no wonder Vegemite is such a favourite. We love its intense flavour and versatility.

berenberg balsamic beetroot relish

We love the strong beetroot flavour of this versatile condiment. It would be the perfect accompaniment to your grazing board or cheese sandwich. We also scored it highly for a short ingredients list with recognisable ingredients.

pep pepper

Think all pepper is the same? This newcomer blew the judges away. The impressive flavour profile was the talk of the tasting room, along with the fun packaging design, quality of grinder and thoughtful design (the refill boxes turn into a funnel to get your peppercorns back in the grinder with ease).

drunken sailor whisky piccalilli

The punchy flavour of this vibrant condiment had our judges excited to use it on sandwiches and to add it to cheese boards. We love the slight chilli kick.

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kikkoman soy sauce

A versatile pantry staple, the team agreed that this rich soy sauce was the go-to for stir-fries, marinades and dipping sauce bases.

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Special Diets

vege rice crackers sour cream and chives

Gluten-free and dairy free, the team demolished these at testing. They are delicious, light and crispy. The perfect savoury treat.

gluten free shapes chicken crimpies

While smaller than their traditional counterparts, the flavour of the gluten-free chicken Crimpies won over our judges. Next challenge: try not to eat the whole box in one sitting!

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pana organic golden crumb chocolate bar

Plant-based and gluten free, the impressive thick honeycomb slab was a favourite. We love its perfect texture and generous size.  

woolworths free from gluten bread crumbs

The versatility of these gluten-free breadcrumbs made them stand out. When used as a coating for chicken schnitzel, they gave a clean, even coating which cooked perfectly. We love the serious crunch.

farmer jo gluten free granola

A protein-rich mix of seeds and nuts are mixed with coconut flakes and honey for a no-nonsense, filling breakfast that tastes great.

Time Savers

spice tailor classic butter chicken

This was the standout against multiple meal bases, for both cooking time and ease. This clever product only requires you to add your own protein to the mix; you don’t need to purchase additional ingredients to add in unlike many other meal bases. We love it’s classic curry flavour, just as good as a takeaway.

uncle tobys hi fibre oats

Ready in just 90 seconds, and with 7g fibre per serve, these individual sachets were praised for making mornings easier, while being good for you, too.

matt moran my perfect chicken stock

We tested a range of chicken stocks and this was the runaway favourite by a mile. We love the depth of flavour, sure to elevate many meals.

greens jumbld cinnamon scroll cookies

These clever cookies require only a wooden spoon and a few ingredients to make. The cinnamon flavour shines and the instructions on the box are clear, with options to adjust timings if you prefer a softer or firmer biscuit.

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simply wholesome pantry instant nourish bowl

Packed with superfood quinoa and vegies and ready in only 45 seconds, we agreed that this handy pack would be a valuable addition for easy meals.

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How we chose the finalists

From chutneys and coconut water to chocolate and pepper, we sampled, debated and discussed everything. Flavour came first, of course, but we also considered if a product was value for money and easy to use. Where reheating or preparation was required, we followed the packet instructions exactly to check they made sense.

*T&Cs Apply.

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