'The World's Worst' — This Kroger-Brand Meat Turns Off Customers In Droves

Rifling through Kroger's frozen aisle, you will either find some true hidden gems or just end up with a few packages of dinnertime disappointment. If you happen to come across the brand's mild Italian-style pork meatballs, it's likely the second category. Capturing the essence of this beloved dish is not always easy, especially when it's frozen food we're talking about. In the case of Kroger's Italian pork meatballs, it appears to be downright impossible.

From the description alone, Kroger's mild Italian-style pork meatballs sound enticing enough. The brand claims to use 100% premium pork (with no artificial flavors or MSG), along with water, corn syrup, and a small amount of salt, sodium lactate, spices, natural flavorings, corn oil, and anti-caking agents. Already, you're probably expecting that classic pork taste, with a savory richness and a sweet undertone. Alas, that's not what previous customers got.

With a rating of only three out of five stars on Kroger's official product page, the reviews for these frozen pork meatballs aren't exactly glowing. One comment deems it "hardly authentic," most noticeable with a lack of breadcrumbs, onions, and other traditional Italian meatball ingredients. This also means the texture is extremely underwhelming, not to mention "rubbery," "sticky," "mushy," and littered with gristle, according to many other customers. Flavor-wise, these meatballs don't fare much better. The primary criticism is that they are too greasy and fatty without any actual meaty flavors. "They didn't even taste like real meat", one comment exclaims. Spiciness is another issue, overpowering to the point of being inedible for many customers.

In between all the negative feedback, there are still a few occasional compliments for these Kroger pork meatballs, a majority of which talk about the well-balanced seasonings, which seem to make them a great choice for many home-cooked dishes. In fact, customers seem to enjoy them more when paired with the right ingredients, perhaps ones that might cancel out their shortcomings.

Considering how the dry texture and bland taste are chief complaints, try pairing these meatballs with a rich, hearty sauce to mask these flaws. This can be a slow and low simmer with marinara sauce to tenderize the rubbery texture. One customer even added a generous heap of melted cheese and used them for sliders. Mushroom sauce is another adequate pairing, possibly with some toasted bread or pasta.

Beyond these fundamental suggestions, there are quite a few unexpected ways to use frozen meatballs that you can still try. Use these Kroger pork meatballs to bulk up your soup, particularly ones where their spiciness won't clash with the taste profile, such as a lasagna soup or a curry stew. Alternatively, smother them in a glaze to serve over your favorite grain and roasted veggies for a quick, easy dinner. Don't forget to also take notes from Tasting Table's ranking of store-bought frozen meatballs and opt for other brands that might give you a better eating experience next time.