A quick guide to the ten U.S. grocery chains where plant-based shoppers will find the broadest in-store selection of vegan meats, dairy-free staples, and ready-to-eat meals.
Shopping for plant-based foods can feel like a treasure hunt, especially when you’re juggling a busy life and a desire to eat compassionately. As a former financial analyst turned writer in my forties, I can’t help but approach grocery trips with a mix of psychological insight and practical strategy.
Ever find yourself pacing an aisle, torn between oat milk and almond milk, wondering which store might have more options? I’ve been there.
Over the years, I’ve crunched the numbers (and tasted the samples) to figure out which grocery chains truly deliver the widest variety of vegan products – from meatless burgers and dairy-free cheeses to egg substitutes and ready-to-eat vegan meals.
Below, I’ve ranked the top U.S. grocery chains by their vegan product variety.
Why variety?
Because having more options means less stress and more fun for plant-based eaters – whether you’re a health-conscious vegan veteran or a plant-curious newbie.
Spoiler: Your favorite might be on top, but a few entries could surprise you!
1. Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods is like the Disneyland of vegan grocery shopping – if you can afford the ticket.
Walk into the aisles and you’ll find an extensive collection of vegan goodies, from decadent dairy-free cheeses (Miyoko’s Creamery, Parmela Creamery, you name it) to an impressive bakery selection of vegan cupcakes, breads, and even croissants.
I still remember my eyes widening at their plant-based hot bar, ladling up a creamy spinach dal and realizing I didn’t have to cook that night.
Whole Foods sets the bar high with specialty items and clearly labeled “vegan” tags on products, making the experience both luxurious and user-friendly.
The only catch?
Those price tags. It’s no secret that Whole Foods is also one of the most expensive grocers, so while you’ll find virtually every vegan product imaginable here, your wallet might feel lighter on the way out.
Short on time but craving variety? Whole Foods ensures you won’t leave empty-handed – just plan your budget accordingly.
2. Kroger (and Kroger-Owned Stores)
As a data-driven person, I appreciate Kroger for its sheer scale. This chain (under banners like Ralphs, King Soopers, Harris Teeter, and more) caters to plant-based shoppers in a big way. In fact, Kroger’s inventory of vegan products – both their in-house items and popular name brands – is remarkably extensive compared to other grocers.
The star of the show is Kroger’s Simple Truth Plant-Based line, which has exploded in recent years. They launched with just 20 plant-based products in 2019, but quickly expanded by adding 50+ new items like oat milk ice creams, non-dairy cheeses, and even vegan “Emerge” chicken alternatives.
By 2020, they were on track to hit 75+ products in this line, covering everything from vegan deli slices and sausages to plant-based sour cream.
The result?
You can now stroll into Kroger and pick up dairy-free cream cheese, egg-free cookie dough, or even vegan honey without breaking a sweat.
Plus, many Kroger stores clearly mark a plant-based section for easy shopping (just watch out for premium pricing on some specialty items). For variety at a reasonable price, Kroger has become a one-stop shop that appeals to both the analytical planner in me and the foodie looking for the next cool vegan find.
3. Albertsons/Safeway
You might not immediately think of Albertsons (or its sister stores like Safeway, Vons, and Shaw’s) as vegan meccas, but here’s a plot twist – Albertsons boasts one of the best vegan inventories of all grocery stores.
During my first visit to a Safeway in California after going vegan, I was astonished to find an entire section of plant-based milks, and even a vegan pesto in their store-brand lineup.
Albertsons’ house brand, O Organics, packs a punch with organic staples and crossover vegan products, like a Parmesan-free plant-based pesto and vegan mac & cheese that often cost less than the big-name alternatives.
With over 2,000 stores nationwide, this chain has reach – which means whether you’re in Idaho or Maryland, you can likely track down your favorite meatless nuggets or dairy-free ice cream. The trade-off? Prices here can run high across the board.
Think of Albertsons as the premium supermarket where you’ll find that niche vegan ingredient no one else carries, but maybe save it for the specialty items rather than your entire weekly haul.
The variety is top-notch (often leaps and bounds ahead of competitors in terms of organic and vegan options), so it earns a high spot on this list for making vegan shopping surprisingly easy in mainstream America.
4. Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market feels like the cool younger cousin of Whole Foods – a bit more laid-back, but still packed with plant-based goodness.
Walking into Sprouts as a vegan is a bit like being a kid in a candy store (a healthy candy store, that is). They stock all the big vegan brands you’d hope to see (Beyond Meat burgers, Gardein tenders, Lightlife dogs – they’re all here) alongside their own line of plant-based products.
Need non-dairy milk or yogurt? Sprouts has a whole rainbow of choices in the cooler. Craving a nut-based cheese or a soy-free “chicken” nugget?
You’ll likely find multiple brands on their shelves.
One thing I love is that Sprouts often runs awesome sales on organic produce and plant-based staples – I’ve snagged my favorite almond milk yogurt at half price during one of their “Vegan Extravaganza” sales (periodic department-wide discounts that feel like a holiday for bargain hunters).
The vibe in Sprouts is earthy and welcomin — you might run into a bulk bins section where you can stock up on oats, nuts, and quinoa to reduce packaging waste (just maybe bring gloves for the scoops – a quirky downside noted by some germaphobes).
5. Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s has a cult following for a reason. This quirky grocer may not have the floor space of a giant supermarket, but it more than makes up for it with creativity and value.
In those tightly packed aisles (yes, you will play cart Tetris on a Sunday afternoon), you’ll find many, many plant-based options cleverly tucked among the Trader Joe’s branded goodies.
They’re especially famous for their frozen vegan meals and snacks – I’m talking cauliflower gnocchi, meatless mandarin orange chicken, vegan tikka masala, you name it.
Some of the best vegan foods at Trader Joe’s have attained legend status: their super affordable organic tofu, the spicy soy chorizo (a game-changer for taco nights), and dairy-free desserts like the Cold Brew Coffee and Boba coconut ice cream.
Every time I shop here, I discover a new vegan treat, be it an accidentally vegan cookie or a new plant-based dip.
However, the TJ’s experience can be a bit of a mixed bag – you might not be able to check off every item on your list in one go, because the selection, while diverse, is intentionally limited to their in-house offerings. Produce can be pricier and less abundant than bigger chains.
My strategy?
I hit Trader Joe’s for fun finds and weekly staples like nondairy milk (their oat milk is great) and vegan pesto, but I know I might need a second stop elsewhere for a few odds and ends. Still, for sheer innovative variety per square foot, Trader Joe’s is a vegan-friendly delight that earns its spot in the middle of this list.
6. Walmart
Walmart – the every-town, every-person store – has seriously upped its vegan game. I’ll admit, I used to assume Walmart wouldn’t have anything beyond canned beans for a vegan diet, but I was wrong.
With over 4,600 locations across the country, Walmart’s greatest strength is accessibility – and now they’re pairing that reach with a growing selection of plant-based products.
Walmart has even begun stocking some cutting-edge vegan brands; for instance, they introduced OmniFoods’ vegan seafood line (think plant-based fish fillets, potstickers, and spring rolls) to their freezers.
That’s the kind of variety that was unimaginable at a big-box store a decade ago. While Walmart’s produce section and organic selections aren’t exactly its strong suit, you can’t beat the convenience of grabbing oat milk and vegan cookie dough during the same run you pick up household items.
It’s also generally budget-friendly – a key factor if you’re feeding a family on a plant-based diet. In short, Walmart lands here for making vegan options mainstream: it may not have the artisanal cashew brie you’d find at Whole Foods, but it ensures that even in small towns, folks can find solid vegan staples on the shelves.
That’s a win in my book.
7. Target
If you’ve ever popped into Target for toothpaste and left with a cart full of goodies, brace yourself – their vegan offerings will tempt you just as much. Target has steadily transformed into a surprisingly vegan-friendly destination, anchored by their own Good & Gather brand of plant-based products and some unique partnerships.
They carry all the usual suspects (almond milks, tofu, veggie burgers), but what sets Target apart is its flair for collaboration.
Case in point: Target teamed up with influencer Tabitha Brown to launch a line of 40 vegan grocery items – from savory dips to spicy plant-based sausages – which created a buzz in the vegan community.
I remember hunting down her vegan popcorn and cream cheese spread at my local Target, feeling like I’d found a limited-edition treasure. Beyond that, Good & Gather has rolled out affordable oat milk ice creams and meatless chick’n tenders that hold their own against pricier brands.
Some folks joke that Target is just a “fancier Walmart,” and indeed, you’ll see overlap in products, but Target’s shopping experience is calmer and the curation a bit more refined. They’ve even got dedicated sections or endcaps for plant-based and gluten-free items, making it easy to navigate.
Whether you’re there to pick up a new throw pillow or just doing your grocery run, Target’s vegan variety is impressive and growing – enough to justify yet another Target run, as if we needed an excuse!
Final words
More than anything, let this ranking remind you that the US grocery landscape has finally caught up with our cravings. You no longer need to schedule a cross-town pilgrimage for vegan queso or pay artisan prices for a simple soy yogurt.
From Kroger’s Simple Truth meatballs to Costco’s bargain-size oat-milk packs, variety now meets convenience at almost any budget.
My challenge to you is simple: pick one new chain from the list, clear an hour this week, and treat the trip like a field study.
Scan the freezer doors, test the store brand, chat with a stock clerk about what’s coming next. Notice how choice—and the curiosity it sparks—makes eating plants feel playful rather than restrictive.
Then share the haul with a friend who still thinks vegan food means iceberg lettuce.
Small cart after small cart, we’re voting for better options—and they’re arriving faster than ever, pantry at a time.
