15 Must-Buy Items At H-E-B, According To Customers

It's rare that a grocery store is among the things that people love about their home state, but H-E-B holds that place for many Texans. While the thought of all things Texas may bring to mind things like barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine, H-E-B is another major Texan institution, and one that has a huge following. Being one of the oldest grocery stores in the United States, it's still going strong, and its customer base is as loud as they are loyal. 

This stems from the fact that H-E-B continues to offer quality and variety, as well as a huge range of proudly homegrown brands. The fact that H-E-B also has a reputation for supporting its community is the cherry on top. Between offering disaster relief following hurricanes and historic flooding, as well as extra pay and benefits to employees during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, H-E-B is one of America's superior grocery chains.

With such a large store and wide range of products, you may feel a sense of overwhelm when you go shopping there for the first time. Fear not, as there are plenty of reviews and advice online about what the best H-E-B products are. This list includes everything from salsas, hot meals, and ice cream, to snack foods that will add flavor and character to your pantry. Whether you're a Texas local, or someone just passing through and looking to try the best of what this beloved store has to offer, customers say that these are some must-buy items at H-E-B.

If there's one product that defines H-E-B, it's the chain's freshly baked, handmade butter tortillas. It's the answer many Texans give when asked about their favorite H-E-B product, and for good reason. H-E-B bakes it tortillas, including regular flour or corn ones, in-house, with one Facebook user saying you can smell them as soon as you walk in the store. Sometimes, if you've come in at the right time, they could even still be warm.

While all the types of tortillas are great, the butter tortillas of course have that extra bit of flavor and richness, earning them their icon status. These are perfect for taking home with you, reheating, and adding whatever go-to fillings you like to them. That's if you can resist eating them on the spot, straight out of the clear packaging. Fans across the globe love H-E-B's butter tortillas, and many shoppers say they're a great option for gifting to friends and family who live out of state.

For those with a sweet tooth, it doesn't get any better than H-E-B's own premium range of ice cream called Creamy Creations. While the chain also carries the beloved Texan ice cream brand Blue Bell, many customers tend to agree that Creamy Creations is even better. Arguing that the line is made with better, simpler ingredients — like cream, cane sugar, and natural flavorings — fans of this ice cream say it's the creamiest option at H-E-B.

The best part is that there's a flavor for pretty much everyone's taste, from the classics like chocolate, vanilla, mint chocolate chip, cookies and cream, and Neapolitan, to crowd-pleasers like rocky road, butter pecan, and Texas Starry Night. If you prefer your ice cream flavors to be a little more interesting, look out for the more unique or seasonal options, like mango chamoy sherbet, candy cane, and wedding cake. Or snuggle up with a tub of Texas Campfire, a decadent flavor inspired by s'mores, with marshmallows, peanut butter cups, and graham crackers swirled through chocolate ice cream.

If you're a cheese lover, there's nothing quite like dipping into some queso when you're craving a savory and satisfying snack. Naturally, H-E-B is stocked with the types of cheese you need to make queso dip at home, but what's even better is the chain's Tex-Mex brisket queso dip. Social media platforms are littered with positive comments about this dip, which comes already assembled and ready to cook. For one Facebook user, this H-E-B item's always on their shopping list, and even those who had their doubts admit that it's good stuff!  

Part of why people seem to love this product is because of how convenient and easy it is to make such a flavorful queso. This product contains pit-smoked brisket, pico de gallo, queso blanco, and Tex-Mex cheese, separated into each corner. You just remove the plastic film, fill with a half cup of liquid, and grill or bake in the oven. Once cooked, mix it up, and enjoy with some chips. This makes for an appetizer that your guests will certainly want to circle around. To impart more flavor into the dip, you can use milk or broth as your liquid — H-E-B even suggests beer.

There's the old adage that everything in Texas is bigger, but it's also possible to say, everything in Texas is spicier. So, of course, you can't visit an H-E-B and buy just boring, plain old saltines. Instead, you need to try H-E-B's jalapeño saltines. Often mentioned as must-buys in online forums and social media threads, "absolutely undefeated" is how one person describes them on Instagram. These spicy little crackers give you a tingle, without burning your mouth, and also have a pleasant garlic and onion flavor, which makes them incredibly moreish.

Fans over on Reddit also recommend these saltines if you're buying something for an out-of-state friend, especially as this product is fine to go on an airplane. These are so good just on their own, or you can include them on your usual charcuterie or cheese plate for an added spicy edge in the crackers section. One TikToker even recommends pairing them with other H-E-B products, like the Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño pieces, for the perfectly cheesy, spicy combo. This cheese is pre-cut in the exact size of the saltines, so what could be easier?

One of the reasons people love H-E-B products is there are so many items that make putting together a meal quicker, easier, and tastier. Take, for instance, the seasoned beef skirt steak and chicken breast for fajitas, which are among the foods that get brought up on Reddit and social media numerous times, largely because of taste and convenience. These are uncooked meats, but they're already marinated with fajita-style seasonings, which means all you have to do is take them out of the packet and cook them. This makes them perfect for a beginner cook, or someone who doesn't want to take out several different spices and ingredients to make a marinade.

Paired with your toppings of choice (which you can, of course, pick up during your H-E-B run), as well as those butter tortillas, and you've got one tasty meal on your hands. Some Redditors even suggest using either ready-to-cook meat as a fusion base of sorts for dishes from other cuisines, like using other condiments and spices with the fajita chicken to create an Asian stir fry or including the skirt steak in a batch of beef stroganoff.

If you love a cold Topo Chico to rehydrate or make a mixed drink with, then you're likely going to love H-E-B's own version, 1877 sparkling mineral water. It gets its name from the year a famous well in Mineral Wells, Texas, was first tapped, not to mention it's sourced from there, too. Found in both plain and flavored versions, like cranberry, mango, strawberry, lime, and grapefruit, this refreshing drink has a good level of carbonation and a slightly saltier taste than Topo Chico.

Customers love the thirst-quenching effect of this drink year-round, and the fact that it comes in glass bottles. There also seems to be quite a strong love for the mango flavor, in particular, according to folks on Facebook and Reddit. Hydration is obviously not only a requirement for the summer, but also as the weather gets coolers, meaning that a bottle of 1877 can come in handy for any season. You can even get creative with it. For example, why not try something new and use some 1877 mineral water to put a sparkling twist on your next old fashioned cocktail?

This is a condiment that needs no added effort at all. With H-E-B's Central Market Hatch green chile queso, you don't need to turn on your oven; you just need to simply open the jar, and then you can enjoy a spicy dip with your chips or crackers. This must-buy H-E-B item has not only got all the rich and creamy feel of what you'd want in a queso, plus that added spice element, but it also boasts the real flavor of Hatch green chiles — and this is just one reason why shoppers love this dip. 

Hatch chiles are special because they're native to Hatch, a village in New Mexico, and they have a uniquely fruity, smoky, and grassy flavor. These peppers are so celebrated that there's an annual Hatch Chile Festival held in the small town, which draws in tens of thousands of visitors. According to one Amazon reviewer, "This product is perfect with just the right amount of heat." 

Texas locals often use this queso for more than just dipping chips, too, as you can use it as a dressing for a salad or grain bowl, as a dip on a crudité platter, or even as a creamy, flavorful topping after whipping up a batch of homemade chili. You could also pour it over some chicken to make an easier version of our smothered queso chicken bake recipe.

You can imagine how large the salsa section is at any H-E-B store, so when there's one salsa that gets a particular reputation, you know it's going to be good. A classic H-E-B item that gets mentioned on fan-favorite lists time and again is That Green Sauce. It's so iconic that it doesn't need a more specific name. This green salsa is made with poblanos, jalapeños, green tomatoes, and sour cream, among other ingredients, which creates its punchy, yet creamy effect. You can get it in either mild or medium, so it caters to people who love spicy food and those who don't enjoy heat as much. It's so good that one YouTuber wishes it was sold by the gallon.

While this is the perfect dip for chips, you can use it as a sauce for basically anything, like grilled fish, steak, or even grilled cheese. In fact, it's such a versatile sauce that the question might be more about what you can't do with it. So, have it with your eggs, fajitas, tacos, or even in your salads and rice bowls.

It's rare to go on any thread about what the best products to buy at H-E-B are without a shoutout to this one. The Mootopia chocolate milk seems to be a really beloved drink. One Facebook commenter says that the Mootopia line in general is the best milk they've ever had, while another Reddit user calls out the chocolate milk, in particular, as being better than its competitors. It was even said to be the San Antonio Spurs' favorite post-workout drink in a 2013 commercial. Meanwhile, other online reviewers note how they like that the first thing you're hit with when you take a sip is a chocolatey flavor, followed by a slightly salty finish that'll keep you coming back for more. 

This chocolate milk seems to be a good choice for the nutrition conscious, too, as it's marketed to have 60% more protein than regular milk and 50% less sugar. It's also reduced in fat and contains nutrients like vitamins A and D, plus calcium. The best part? Even lactose-intolerant folks can enjoy it, as it's also lactose-free.

Move over, Heinz. Whataburger is yet another Texas food institution, and thankfully, H-E-B stocks a whole range of Whataburger sauces, which customers tend to rave about. You can get all of your classic condiment favorites in Whataburger's range of sauces. In fact, many Texans argue that Whataburger's fancy ketchup is the best. One Houston-based YouTuber even says they can't remember when the last time they bought a non-Whataburger branded ketchup. 

Whether it's the regular or spicy ketchup, or even the creamy pepper patty melt sauce, some claim it's rare to find a fridge in Texas that doesn't have at least a couple bottles of Whataburger sauce in it. If you don't know where to start, H-E-B has made a starter pack so you can sample six different bottles. This includes honey BBQ sauce, jalapeño ranch, fancy ketchup, spicy ketchup, original mustard, and classic honey mustard.

We don't always have time to make our own batch of salsa at home, so it's great when you find a store-bought jar that fills that need, without it being bland or tasting too much like, well, jarred salsa. This is where H-E-B's Specialty Series line of salsas comes in handy. You can probably expect a homegrown Texas grocery store to have some amazing salsas in general, but fans often claim these are even better than many restaurant salsas out there. 

You can get a range of spice levels here, from mild salsa ranchero to hot habanero salsa for that fiery yet tangy punch the strong enjoy. One online reviewer says they love the habanero salsa so much, they bought half a dozen of them in one shopping trip. There's also whole range of interesting flavors to choose from, including chipotle garlic, smoky citrus, and green chile tomatillo.

If you've never had a mix of honey and maple syrup, then this item will surprise you in the best way. H-E-B carries the Austin, Texas-based Tree Hive maple syrup & honey. It boasts the best of both worlds, so there's no need to choose which one goes on your pancakes. 

One Facebooker has added it to their list of 10 H-E-B items not to sleep on, and it's clear to see why. It's organic, made with pure maple syrup, unfiltered honey, and infused with Madagascar bourbon vanilla and a subtle hint of cinnamon for even more warm flavors. It may seem simple, but other reviewers describe the flavor as decadent, while praising the silky-smooth the texture and the fact that there's no separation or crystallization to worry about here. 

This Tree Hive product would go really well in all the usual places you might think, like on pancakes, waffles, and candied bacon. But you might consider adding it to even more than that, like on some vanilla ice cream, in your next latte, or even in a whiskey-based cocktail for a sweet twist. Over on Instagram, fans of this natural blend of maple syrup and honey suggest pairing it with another H-E-B favorite, Tree Hive's pancake and waffle mix, for a heavenly and delicious start to your day.

Now that you've gotten yourself all of the salsa and queso you're likely to pick up at H-E-B, you'll need some tortilla chips to go with them, and these have been called the perfect pairing. After learning that H-E-B makes its own daily, freshly baked tortillas in-house, it probably won't surprise anyone to learn that the chain's corn tortilla chips are also considered top notch among frequent shoppers. You can get them unsalted, with sea salt, or seasoned with a chile-limon flavor. Reviewers say that these taste better than other grocery store tortilla chips, as they lack any fake preservative taste. They've even been described as having the right amount of salt level, crunch, and thinness. 

One Facebook user says the unsalted tortilla chips go particularly well with the flavorful Tex-Mex brisket queso dip, while H-E-B's Specialty Series salsas also naturally make for a popular pairing. Meanwhile, if you don't devour the whole package first, they're also great for nachos, or even broken up on top of a fresh salad.

As H-E-B's take on Goldfish crackers, this store-brand item is a fan-favorite snack among kids and their parents alike. Lone Stars, which are salty, baked crackers led by a fun, cowboy hat-donning star mascot named Wink, come in flavors like cheddar, garlic Parmesan, and white cheddar. They're also made with real cheese. Lone Stars are crunchy and flavorful, while also boasting a puffy star shape, which seems to be what distinguishes them from Goldfish for H-E-B shoppers. 

Naturally, there's much debate about which version is superior on Reddit, with camps for either side. However, some say their kids prefer Lone Stars to the name-brand item. Perfect for an on-the-go treat for road trips, or as a lunchbox item for school or work, Lone Stars make for a great, convenient snack. Many fans also find them to be good value for your money. 

No H-E-B must-buy item list would be complete without the inclusion of a barbecue sauce. There's perhaps nothing more Texas than barbecue, and while everyone has their own favorite recipes, the addition of a good sauce can make all the difference. The H-E-B Texas-style barbeque sauce, in particular, is often raved about by customers in online reviews and recommendations. With some claiming they haven't come across a better version of this classic condiment, others say it's hands down one of the best H-E-B brand products.

With a strong black pepper element, this sauce has a subtle kick that makes it special, and it's the perfect combination between sweet and savory. It's great on brisket, burgers, ribs, or anything else you would add barbecue sauce to. This H-E-B BBQ sauce also makes the perfect gift for visitors coming to The Lone Star State, as they will get to take an iconic piece of Texan cuisine back home with them.