We think it’s best to shop at Whole Foods with a mission. The store is so full of tantalizing superfoods, quirky artisanal offerings and kitchen “must-haves” that, before you know it, you’re at home emptying your shopping bag wondering, Wait, why did I buy a mango peeler?
We don’t want that to happen to you. So we made a list of Jewish and Israeli products from Whole Foods that you will actually use. Stock up on some of these pantry staples and you’ll be set to tackle anything from dill pickle soup to that daunting ingredient list in your new favorite Israeli cookbook.
Ashkenazi Classics
Bagels
While we can’t officially endorse buying bagels from a grocery store, we also aren’t going to deny that they exist. Whole Foods carries a variety of fresh and frozen options. Standout flavors include Vanilla Spiced Cranberry Bagels from Whole Foods Market, Whole Wheat Bagelettes from Western Bagel and Better Pretzel Bagels from BetterBrand.
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Cream Cheese
In addition to traditional, whipped and vegan varieties, the store also carries unusual flavors, such as the particularly Jewish-sounding Honey, Fig & Pistachio Cream Cheese Spread from Melanie’s Medleys.
Cottage Cheese
There might be more curds of cottage cheese in a Whole Foods than there are grains of sand on the beach given how many brands the store carries.
Pastrami
Don’t expect New York deli quality, but if you’re in a pinch *cue shrug* it’ll do. Sold by the pound.
Rye Bread
Just “rye”t to pair with the store’s pastrami. Sold by a few separate brands. The brand Storye even has a version with carrots in it, but we don’t see why you’d want that.
Everything Bagel Seasoning
The store carries a brand name and generic version of this cult-classic blend.
Everything Bagel Egg White Wraps
If I asked you to buy me wraps at Whole Foods and this is what you ended up bringing home, we might have an issue. Still, this product might be useful for you if you already enjoy EBTB on eggs.
Manischewitz
In addition to matzah ball mix (see: Holiday section), Whole Foods carries a few additional products from this iconic Jewish brand, like egg noodles, chicken broth and even apple butter.
Cholent Mix
You can find the mix of dry beans needed to make this hearty Ashkenazi stew sold by Gefen.
Organic Pickling Spice
Is pickling the new challah braiding? Grab this spice from Frontier to find out and get your picklin’ on.
Dill Pickle Krinkle Cut Potato Chips
It seems like dill pickle chips are the new “It girl,” with Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Aldi carrying various versions. Hey, we’re not mad about it. Whole Foods carries versions from Kettle Brand and 365.
Dill Pickle Chopped Kit
If you ever think, “Hey, I want a salad but, wait, I want pickles, too” then this salad kit from Taylor Farms is for you.
Holiday
Challah & Grape Juice
For all your Shabbat needs. Whole Foods carries versions of each sold by multiple brands, including Kedem grape juice (score).
Matzah Ball Soup
While this article strives to bring you the best Jewish Foods at Whole Foods, we include this on the list as a warning — do not get this. Sold by the store’s own brand, Whole Foods Market, this soup contains some of the densest, flavorless matzah balls you’ll ever find. The broth is slightly less offensive, adorned with chicken, celery and carrots, but overall, we’d still recommend you skip this product.
Matzah (Meal, Mix and Snacks)
No need to go to a specialty store to get your Passover staples: you can find items like matzah, matzah meal and matzah ball mix. They even carry matzah chips from the brand Matzo Project — you might recognize the cartoon of the grandmother on the bag who looks like she’s about to start her rap career. Oddly, these chips are kosher but not kosher for Passover. Whole Foods carries a few of those flavors, including everything and salted.
Powdered Jelly Donut Ice Cream
This ice cream flavor from Jeni’s is such a good idea we can’t believe it actually exists. We’ll definitely be picking this up for Hanukkah (and year-round).
Hanukkah Meals
Surprisingly, Whole Foods offers catered Hanukkah meals: You can choose fish, brisket or chicken, each coming with latkes, homemade applesauce, matzah ball soup and additional sides.
Latkes
You can find Linda’s Gourmet Latkes in the frozen aisle of the store. As long as you don’t eat them with ketchup, we’re cool with this purchase.
Dessert
Cinnamon and Chocolate Babka
Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t like babka? The cinnamon version is just as delicious as the chocolate.
Israeli & Middle Eastern
Hummus
Long live hummus! You’ll fall over when you see how many varieties Whole Foods carries. In addition to expected varieties (plain, roasted garlic, red pepper) you can also try some oddball flavors, like Ithaca’s Everything Bagel Hummus, Baba Food’s Cilantro and Jalapeño Hummus or Delighted By’s Brownie Batter Dessert Hummus.
Baba Ganoush
You can find versions of this garlicky eggplant dip in the refrigerated section with the hummus. Thankfully, grocery stores haven’t had the idea to make different flavors of baba like they have with hummus. Can you imagine a brownie-flavored baba ganoush?! We’re gagging at the idea.
Tahini Dressings
Long live tahini! Whole Foods carries several tahini-forward salad dressings, including Mother Raw’s Organic Lemon Tahini Dressing and Cava’s Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing.
Harissa
This North African hot-red-pepper paste is also popular in Israel. From a jarred, mild Moroccan version from the brand Mina to a dried version from Rumi that packs a punch, there are several varieties to choose from based on your spice tolerance and desired usage.
Harissa Lemon Chickpeas
Can you imagine how good these would be in homemade hummus?! These garbanzo beans are made by Heyday Canning Co.
Harissa Crackers
To pair with your homemade harissa-lemon hummus! Made by Hayden Flour Mill.
Couscous
For a second we thought the Pearl Couscous with Turmeric from Rice Select was a container of soup nuts. They weren’t — sigh. But you can still find both traditional and Israeli couscous in-store.
Date Cardamom Latte (Seasonal)
We hope Whole Foods brings back this warm treat from 2022 to their café so we can enjoy it while browsing aisles.
challah
Pronounced: KHAH-luh, Origin: Hebrew, ceremonial bread eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
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pareve
Pronounced: PAHRV or pah-REV, Origin: Hebrew, an adjective to describe a food or dish that is neither meat nor dairy. (Kosher laws prohibit serving meat and dairy together.)
Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the world.
Your donation to My Jewish Learning fuels endless journeys of Jewish discovery. With your help, My Jewish Learning can continue to provide nonstop opportunities for learning, connection and growth.
