- Surprise: cornmeal is a fancier and more nutritious version of flour. (*) But wait, there’s one more difference between the two. Cornmeal is also a lot more difficult to find in the grocery store than flour.
Well, it’s time that we settle this issue. Where is cornmeal in the grocery store?
Quick Answer:
Where To Find Cornmeal in Grocery Store?
When looking for cornmeal, the first section you should visit is no other than the Baking Aisle. In there, you may find it in the rack where the flour and gluten-free products are.
If ever the store you’re in has a dedicated Gluten-free Section, that’s one aisle that you may also want to check out.
Another area that you may also be interested in is the Cereals, Rice, and Grains Area, otherwise known as the Dry Goods Section.
The last two sections that you should visit are the International Food Section (especially on the Latin products display shelf) or the Bulk Area (if you need to stock up on lots of cornmeal).
Pro Tip:
Where to Buy Cornmeal Near Me?
Cornmeal is an easy product to track, and you can find it in just about all the stores that you’ll visit.
If you want to make sure that you can get one on your shopping day, here are the stores that you should visit:
Walmart
Most of the time, Walmart stocks its cornmeal in the Baking Aisle or the Grains Section. Keep in mind that the store layout may vary depending on the location. With that said, it’s best that you use the store locator on their official website to track down this item.
But wait, there’s more. You can also place an online order on their website and they can deliver it to you within 24 to 48 hours.
Whole Foods
This health food store offers 3 to 4 brands of cornmeal in its Baking and Grains Aisle. If you wish to buy the item in bulk, you can find a few options in their Bulk Section too.
Safeway
This store offers cornmeal products under its brand name. In addition to that, they also offer organic cornmeal products and other brands and you can find those at their Baking Aisle or International Food Section.
Target
You can find all their cornmeal brands at the Baking Aisle. The products are often displayed beside their flour options.
Kroger
At Kroger, cornmeal items are displayed at the store’s Baking Aisle or International Food Section.
Publix
Same to Safeway, Publix also offers cornmeal under its brand name.
Amazon
Last, but not least, you can order the item from Amazon. This is a great option if you want to enjoy the convenience of having the product delivered right straight to your doorstep on the same day!
The best part of this online marketplace is they offer the most extensive selection, especially regarding brand options and sizes.
Which Cornmeal Brands to Buy?
Once you head to any of the stores we’ve mentioned, you’ll surely come across lots of brands. To help simplify your decision process, we’ve enumerated some of the best brands below:
Bob’s Red Mill
The brand offers USDA Organic, non-GMO, and Kosher manufactured using old-world techniques.
P.A.N.
This is one of the cornmeal products that are gluten-free, Kosher, and Halal. The best part about their product is pre-cooked so you can prep your meals a whole lot faster.
Goya
The Goya cornmeal is an enriched grain, so it’s fortified with iron and Vitamin B. Aside from making the ingredient a lot more nutritious, the fortification process also gives it a longer shelf life.
Arrowhead
The product is made with trusted sustainability certifications. Not only that but it’s also made with USDA Organic ingredients.
Martha White
Not only is this product enriched, but it’s also a self-rising product so you don’t have to add any ingredient when you use it for baking.
How to Choose the Right Cornmeal Brand?
Which of these brands should you choose? Here are some factors to consider to make the right decision:
Type of Corn Used
There are two types of corn used to make cornmeal: yellow and white corn. The type used can significantly impact the dish’s texture and flavor, so you need to know the difference.
Yellow cornmeal has a richer and slightly sweeter taste while white cornmeal has a milder and more neutral flavor.
Texture
Aside from the type of corn, you also need to pay extra attention to the ingredient’s texture or how coarsely or finely it’s ground.
Fine and medium cornmeal are the regular cornmeal types that are often used for making baked goods like muffins, pound cakes, cornbread, and pancakes.
On the other hand, coarse cornmeal can produce a pebbly and gritty texture, so it’s the best option for breading dishes, making polenta, and as crisp toppings for cakes and desserts.
Pro Tip:
Quality of Ingredients
As much as possible, go for products with Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO ingredients.
Your Specific Needs
Make sure that you go for a product that satisfies your specific needs. For example:
- Gluten-free products if you have gluten intolerance,
- Kosher,
- Halal,
- Etc.
What to Use Instead of Cornmeal?
If you can’t find cornmeal near you, you can substitute it with any of these ingredients:
Corn Grits
Corn grits are made using the same process and ingredients as cornmeal, so it’s a great alternative. But since it isn’t refined, it’s recommended that you go for the most refined corn grit option in the market.
Polenta
If your recipe calls for coarser cornmeal, then polenta is your best option since it also has the same flavor. This is the best alternative for making cornbread, porridge, and biscuits.
Corn Flour
Corn flour (not cornstarch) is a refined version of cornmeal, so it will give you the same flavor with a different texture. With that said, it’s an excellent choice when making stews and sauces.
Learn more:
The Bottom Line
Where is cornmeal in the grocery store? Here are some of the aisles you need to check:
- Baking Aisle,
- Gluten-free Section,
- Cereal, Rice, and Grains Area or Dry Goods Section,
- International Food Section,
- and Bulk Aisle.
Cornmeal may seem like a simple ingredient, but there are a lot of things you need to consider when buying one. To find the right brand for your needs, make sure to keep our buying tips in mind.
Up Next:
- Where to find polenta in grocery store?
- Where do i find cornstarch in the grocery store?
- What aisle is cornbread mix?
