6 food and kitchen items to buy at TJ Maxx, according to a private chef (2024)

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Keep an eye out for helpful kitchen tools like food processors and immersion blenders while in discount stores.

"I love using tools like food processors, and blenders to save time," Tiedemann told Business Insider.

She also recommended looking for stick or immersion blenders that can make crafting soups and sauces a breeze.

"Hand blenders or stick blenders are super useful tools that aren't necessarily expensive and can save you a lot of time," she added.

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Look for higher-end brands, but don't assume the most expensive products are the best ones.

"Find brands you like and look out for their products when you need something new," Tiedemann said, noting that she looks for cookware from Le Creuset, Demeyere, Made In, and Williams Sonoma.

However, she also said price and the name brand aren't everything.

"The price is not always the best way to tell. I always read reviews online before buying," she said. "The most expensive item isn't always the best one."

"Sometimes I prefer to have an item that's mid-range I can abuse a little bit," she continued.

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Ceramic, cast-iron, or stainless-steel cookware is usually a good bet, but you don't have to choose the most expensive item.

Tiedemann said she avoids plastic cookware and usually opts for stainless-steel products or other more durable materials, if they're available.

And rather than assuming price dictates quality, she checks items while in store to see how durable they might be.

"If you can't tell if a stainless-steel pan is good quality, pick it up and look for it to have decent weight and balance," she said. "You never really want a thin pan."

Simple ceramic plates can add an elevated feel to a dinner party but don't have to cost a lot.

"I'm not the frilliest person, but I love a nice tasteful plate," Tiedemann said. "I use a lot of flat shiny plates in white or black, and for the summer, adding more color is definitely fun."

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Serving tools like tongs, salad spoons, platters, and serving boards can also be picked up at discount stores.

When planning a dinner party or gathering, simple tools like wooden spoons and serving dishes can take a party to the next level.

However, these aren't items you necessarily need to splurge on.

"Don't forget to have serving spoons or tongs for all of your dishes," Tiedemann said. "Putting everything together on the table is always a satisfying moment, and having bowls, plates, and platters you love makes that end moment all the better."

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You can also find kitchen staples like salts, jams, and sauces for discounted prices, in addition to more niche products.

In addition to cookware, TJ Maxx carries a variety of shelf-stable kitchen products from brands like Stonewall Kitchen for discounted prices.

This food aisle at TJ Maxx is actually designed to make you spend more.

"The shopper compares the price to what they've just spent on clothing or household goods, rather than comparing them to another [similar] product," Fiona Fitzpatrick, a consumer packaged-goods consultant who hosts the podcast "Brand Growth Heroes," recently told Business Insider. "As a result, they seem like a little bit of luxury for a steal."

While the availability of gourmet food products varies all the time, Tiedemann recommended sticking to "staple items" like kosher salt and different kinds of vinegar for making sauces and vinaigrettes.