HomeGoods / TJ Maxx culinary finds

linguafood · December 20, 2025, 10:18pm

I didn’t find any thread(s) specifically relating to food finds at either of these stores, which surprised me — they often have great deals on very good quality imported pasta, olive oils, random snacks, etc.

I went there for the sole purpose of finding a bottle of the surprisingly elusive lemon(-flavored) olive oil that several stores in town used to carry, and now don’t. Found that and then some!

Maybe we can share our recent and future purchases here.

The lemon oil, right next to an orange oil I naturally had to get as well

Hope the orange flavoring isn’t too artificial tasting

Momofuku noodz just because. It’s extremely rare that we have use for instant noodz, but they make an easy carb addition for hot pot

A dill salmon spread to add to our snacky xmas eve dinner.

And lastly, chocolate pistachio truffles.

As you might imagine, the Dubai chocolate trend is still going strong, as evidenced by an entire end cap dedicated to it. But that’s for a different thread

Desert-Dan · December 20, 2025, 11:17pm

I’ve been researching a Lemon Pasta recipe. I haven’t made it yet, but I bet that Lemon Olive Oil would really make the dish.

Lemon Pasta – a small chicken breast on top, with a side salad.

Have you tasted the Lemon Olive Oil?? Is the lemon flavor prominent??

linguafood · December 20, 2025, 11:24pm

I have not yet. Most lemon oils I’ve tried are very aromatic and fragrant, and I’m not sure they lend themselves to high temp cooking. I use mine almost entirely for a lemon dressing I make for arugula salad with shaved parm.

Here’s a NYT creamy lemon pasta recipe we liked a LOT, and it’s truly dead simple:

It would work very well with chicken breast on top, and maybe some green asparagus for color and health

LindaWhit · December 21, 2025, 1:53am

Home Goods is my jam for food items you don’t normally see. That’s the first section I gravitate to when I walk into a HG or TJ Maxx.

I always buy European chocolates at HG right around Thanksgiving to fill small gift bags for coworkers just before Christmas. This year, there were chocolates from Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, and France, IIRC. (They also got holiday-themed Pez dispensers from World Market).

I’ve tried many herb and spice blends that HG has had. They often have Victoria Gourmet brand items (made by a woman-owned company in Woburn, MA, just 20 minutes down the highway from me in the town I used to live in). Right now, I have their Honey-Aleppo Pepper, and Tuscan Seasoning.

One item I ALWAYS look for is Aloha from Oregon Tangerine Marmalade, although I more often see their jalapeno pepper jelly. I like it better than orange marmalade.

Another item I’ve recently picked up is an Italian pistachio cream. Incredibly creamy and smooth, with a lovely pistachio flavor.

They often have an Italian garganelli pasta there that I’ll buy when I see it.

I often buy coffee beans from them…various kinds because (1) I know and like the brand and (2) they’re new-to-me and the flavor profile fits what I personally enjoy. A couple of recent ones currently in my downstairs freezer.

As I said…I inhabit their food and kitchen aisles more often than not. My pie safe pantry is testament to my love of Home Goods’ food aisles.