The 33 Best Food Gifts of 2023
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Treats, snacks, and pantry staples for any occasion.
Real Simple / Brian Kopinski
Whether shopping for a dedicated home chef or someone who's more practical, food gifts are a fun way to stock their pantry or fridge with specialty items that show your affection. Plus, nothing goes to waste when you opt for an edible gift.
“The best gourmet gifts are those that show care regarding the recipient's tastes and preferences,” says Elisa Lyew, the chef and owner of Elisa's Love Bites, a gluten-free bakery in NYC. “Do they love cheese? Are they vegan? Do they love a particular merchant? Do they have any food allergies? This should be the starting point when giving a personalized, thoughtful edible gift.”
To find the best food gifts, we researched eclectic options to suit any craving. In addition to Lyew, we also spoke with Sarah Bridenstine, a professional baker and chef who runs the blog Baking Kneads, for her expert insight on finding the best food gifts. From dessert sauces that can satiate a bonafide sweet tooth to herb starter kits that can last for years, we collected a range of unique food gifts so you can skip the search and start shopping.
Jose Gourmet Tinned Fish Gift Set
Tinned fish is having a moment—it’s tasty, portable, and packed with nutrition—heavy on protein and omega-3 fatty acids. This gift set of four tins includes mackerel filets, smoked mackerel, spiced calamari, and sardines in display-worthy boxes. Tinned fish can be a standalone snack, served on toast, tossed in salads, baked on a pizza, or flaked into patties.
Price at time of publish: $39
Flamingo Estate California Native Mountain Wildflower Honey
Raw honey is both delicious and filled with health benefits—it has anti-inflammatory properties, is packed with antioxidants, and is antibacterial. This organic honey comes from the Instagram-famous Flamingo Estate in Los Angeles, and is harvested from bees who feed on wild sage, rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender. Honey is a fantastic gift for bakers, tea drinkers, or people who love a good breakfast spread. Plus, it never goes bad—even if honey crystallizes over time, it’s still safe to eat.
Price at time of publish: $46
Stonewall Kitchen Dessert Sauce Collection
Here’s a gift any ice cream sundae aficionado would appreciate—a deliciously sweet dessert sauce collection from Stonewall Kitchen. This set has four sauces in 12.5-ounce jars: bittersweet chocolate sauce, chocolate peanut butter sauce, dark chocolate sea salt caramel sauce, and sea salt caramel sauce.
Price at time of publish: $30
Levain Bakery Cookie Tin Bundle
For recipients with a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with delicious cookies. Levain cookies have a cult following for a reason—these jumbo-sized cookies are crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle, baked fresh daily in small batches. The flavors include the signature chocolate chip and walnut, dark chocolate peanut butter chip, oatmeal raisin, and two-chip chocolate chip.
This customizable selection of eight cookies comes in the brand’s signature tin, featuring an illustration of the original Levain bakery in New York City. Limited-edition flavors pop up from time to time—and there’s a vegan and gluten-free option available, too.
Price at time of publish: $64
Richart Excursion Chocolate Box
There’s a reason why a box of chocolates is the quintessential food gift—it’s pretty much always a huge hit. This selection of 36 chocolate squares from Richart, a gourmet French chocolatier, features delectable chocolates sourced from Ecuador, Sao Tomé, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.
Price at time of publish: $48
Milk Bar Sampler
This sample of baked goods from New York City's iconic Milk Bar includes cookies, truffles, and a slice of pie packaged in a windowed gift tin. You can schedule delivery up to 30 days in advance and include a gift note, making this an easy—and delicious—gift to send.
Price at time of publish: $60
Brightland The Artist Capsule Cold-Pressed Olive Oils
These cold-pressed olive oils can level up just about any recipe for the dedicated home chef or foodie friend. The oil is made with pesticide-free ingredients and packaged in recyclable 12.7 fluid-ounce bottles—with labels designed by independent artists. This set of four includes chili olive oil, garlic olive oil, lemon olive oil, and basil olive oil.
Price at time of publish: $150
Momofuku Pantry Starter Pack
The Momofuku culinary brand, launched by chef David Chang in 2004, is probably best known for its noodle dishes—but it sells a selection of quality pantry goods a foodie friend would love to have on hand. This starter pack set contains the brand’s soy sauce, tamari, chili crunch, and a trio of seasoned salts: savory, spicy, and tingly (featuring notes of peppercorns and citrus).
Price at time of publish: $60
Fuego Box Tame to Insane Hot Sauce Challenge Box
This is a gift and a challenge in one: A hot sauce selection of 10 full-size bottles and one miniature bottle, ranging in spice level from “mellow” to “bowels of hell.” Each sauce comes from a different company, so your giftee can discover their new favorite sauce.
Price at time of publish: $125
Mochidoki Signature Box Set
New York-based company Mochidoki, which launched online in 2019 and opened a brick-and-mortar store in 2020, offers a wide variety of mochi flavors (ice cream wrapped in a pillowy rice dough). This gift set contains four pieces of each of the brand’s eight best-selling flavors: vanilla chip, matcha, mango, passion fruit, strawberry, purple sweet potato, cake batter, and black sesame. Don’t worry about melting—the goods are insulated and packed with dry ice, so they make it to your recipient in one piece.
Price at time of publish: $100
Williams Sonoma Organic Oven-Baked Paella Starter
This paella starter is a nice gift for someone who loves trying new recipes. It’s a mix of arborio rice and seasonings (saffron, garlic, chilis, and herbs)—just add veggies, a protein source, and follow the instructions on the package for a restaurant-worthy final product.
Price at time of publish: $20
Immi Variety Vol. 1 Ramen Pack
Immi Eats makes “surprisingly healthy” instant ramen. Each package of ramen is 100 percent plant-based and contains 21 grams of protein and 6 grams of net carbs. Six-pack sets are available in single flavors, like black garlic chicken, spicy red miso, roasted pork tonkatsu, and spicy beef, or in a variety pack. This fun, unexpected food gift would be especially great for college students or friends who like meals with little prep time.
Price at time of publish: $39
Daphnis and Chloe Yellow Set
Gift this set to someone who’s interested in cooking Greek food—the contents are sourced directly from Greece and provide incredible flavor. The Yellow Set contains eight herbs and spices: Aegean Isle oregano from Samos, marjoram and sage from Crete, chili and sesame from Northern Greece, thyme and bay leaves from the Ionian Coast, and rosemary from Central Greece. If you shop at Food52, you can alternatively choose the exclusive Food52 gift set, which contains a bouquet of dried oregano, dried bay leaves, smoked chili flakes, and sesame seeds, all packaged in a gift box.
Price at time of publish: From $64
Righteous Felon Biltong Variety 3-Pack
Fans of jerky will love biltong, a type of beef jerky made with vinegar. This handmade, small-batch product has 16 grams of protein per serving, making it a satiating snack that is as filling as it is tasty. Gift it to a friend planning their next road trip or destination vacation.
Price at time of publish: $20
Meredith Dairy Marinated Feta
This cheese from Meredith Dairy, a family-owned farm near Melbourne, Australia, is made from sheep and goat milk stored in olive oil infused with garlic, peppercorns, and herbs. They can serve this soft, spreadable cheese over crackers at a cocktail party, spread on toast, or tossed into a pasta dish.
Price at time of publish: $15
Bokksu Market Discovery Pack
Bokksu Market curates Asian home goods, snacks, beverages, and condiments. This delivery of the brand’s best-selling snack foods and pantry items makes an excellent gift. Send one of their discovery packs to a friend who loves trying new things—new products are added regularly, so you never know what they’ll get.
Price at time of publish: $50
Luella’s Southern Popcorn Luella’s Mix
If your giftee loves creative popcorn recipes or movie nights, this kettle-cooked popcorn is a great gift option. The sweet and salty mix contains buttery popcorn, cheddar popcorn, caramel popcorn, and candied pecans—perfect for a Netflix marathon.
Price at time of publish: $9
Vargo Brother Ferments Hot Mustard
Condiment connoisseurs will rejoice at this unique fermented mustard, which they can add to dressings, salads, or sandwiches. This briny, bright-tasting mustard (made with turmeric and black pepper) can also double as a marinade.
Price at time of publish: $10
Zabar’s Don’t Be Homesick Gift Crate
Gift someone the New York experience with this gift crate from Zabar’s, an Upper West Side staple. It contains everything your recipient might need for a city-style brunch: Coffee, six bagels, cinnamon rugelach, and cookies—as well as beef salami, pastrami, nova, and cream cheese.
Price at time of publish: $289
Fly By Jing Shorty Spice Set
Jing Gao was inspired by the flavors of her hometown—Chengdu, China—to launch Fly By Jing. The brand sells sauces, oils, and spice mixes packed with Sichuan flavors, and this gift set is no exception. It contains three minis of the brand’s best-selling items: Sichuan chili crisp, a spicy, umami-rich Zhong sauce, and a mala spice mix (a combination of 11 herbs and spices).
Price at time of publish: $25
This Little Goat Everything Crunch Topping Collection
Salad toppers may seem like an unusual gift, but your recipient can use this crunchy blend on anything from noodles to an otherwise boring desk lunch. The Japanese-inspired blend features nori and smoked bonito, the Mexican-style blend contains chili and lime, the Thai-style crunch has coconut and star anise, and a New York-style blend features sesame and shallots that invoke memories of your favorite bagel.
Price at time of publish: $24
Smokehouse by Thoughtfully Ultimate Grilling Spice Set
Gift this to the barbecue aficionado or bring it as a hostess gift to an end-of-summer cookout. The set of 20 different spicy rubs has everything from cajun and southwestern flavors to a Jamaican jerk rub and Italian seasoning. The mini jars come styled in a cute gift box with no additional wrapping necessary.
Price at time of publish: $40
AYO Foods Shito Sauce
Shito sauce, a condiment commonly used across Ghana, is a savory flavor made from a seafood base, herbs, tomatoes, hot peppers, and caramelized onions. Perteet and Fred Spencer launched Ayo in 2020 to help celebrate West African flavors, and the brand also sells a pepper sauce and a variety of ready-to-eat meals if you want to add to your gift.
Price at time of publish: $9
Heray Spice Ultimate Spice Collection
This set of 15 spices from Heray Spice, a company that supports Fair Trade- and sustainably-sourced spice farming in Afghanistan, would make a great housewarming gift or graduation present. It contains saffron threads, wild cumin seeds, green coriander seeds, fennel seeds, turmeric, whole black pepper, cinnamon, chili powder, caraway seeds, cardamom, curry powder, pink sea salt, harissa, and za’atar.
Price at time of publish: From $135
Maldon Salt Company Sea Salt Flakes
This 20-ounce bucket of Maldon sea salt is a budget-friendly option that would make a great gift for any home cook. Your favorite home chef can use flaked sea salt on anything from fish dishes to warm chocolate cookies.
Price at time of publish: $15
Williams Sonoma Truffle Pantry Gift Crate
If you want to splurge on a luxurious edible gift, consider this truffle-themed gift crate from Williams Sonoma. It has black and white truffle olive oils, truffle butter, a black truffle summer sauce, and acacia honey infused with black truffle shavings. The items can be used as finishing oils, accompaniments to a cheese plate, or added to pasta or risotto.
Price at time of publish: $130
Crisp & Co Pickle Variety Pack
This variety pack includes pickled beets, savory mushrooms, dilly beans, grand dill pickles, sweet and spicy ginger pickles, and victory pint pickles (beer pickles made with a traditional pilsner lager). These vegan, gluten-free, and hand-packed pickles are a delicious standalone snack or addition to a charcuterie board.
Price at time of publish: $58
Banner Butter Mix + Match Bundle
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The butter board might seem super niche, but butter is still an excellent gift idea for the foodie, hostess, or home cook. Consider a custom selection from Banner Butter, where you can pick six 5-ounce rounds of butter handmade in Atlanta, Georgia. The available flavors include unsalted, sea salt, smoked sea salt, BBQ, honey habanero, and two herb and spice blends (cinnamon/cardamom/ginger and roasted garlic/basil/parsley). Each order ships in a reusable cooler filled with ice packs or dry ice to ensure the butter stays fresh during transit.
Price at time of publish: $42
BKLYN Larder Classic Blue Cheese Gift Basket
People either love or hate blue cheese, so delight the blue cheese lover with this gift basket. It contains three kinds of cheese (a stilton, Roquefort, and blue cheese) and various accouterments including honey, fig crisps, chocolate, and cookies.
Price at time of publish: $100
Sugarfina Sweet & Sparkling Candy Bento Box
This package of three cubes of candy contains Sugarfina’s champagne bear gummies (non-alcoholic, but made with a champagne taste), bubbly bear gummies dusted with tart sugar sprinkles, and sparkle pop chocolates filled with crunchy popping candy. This festive selection is a nice all-ages gift for a celebration.
Price at time of publish: $30
Williams Sonoma Ebelskiver Pancake Mix
Also available in a set of 2, this 1-pound mix is designed for ebelskivers—a sweet, spherical Danish pancake that you can fill with sweet or savory ingredients. Each tin makes about 75 pancakes—just add milk, butter, and eggs. Gift this to friends who love making brunch at home, paired with a special ebelskiver pan if you want extra credit.
Price at time of publish: $17
Truff Truffle-Infused Hot Sauce
This vegan, gluten-free hot sauce is infused with black truffle, savory spices, and organic agave nectar. The brand recommends using it on scrambled eggs, avocado toast, or a slice of pizza. Plus, it’s not too spicy—about 2,500 Scoville Hotness Units (SHUs), which translates to mild to medium heat—so it’s a great gift for a hot sauce aficionado who wants to try something new.
Price at time of publish: $14
Eataly Summer Antipasti Gift Basket
This gift basket contains everything your recipient needs for a traditional Italian antipasti course, from anchovies and whole-wheat breadsticks to sun-dried tomatoes and bruschetta sauce. It all comes packed in a stylish Eataly gift box.
Price at time of publish: $80
Questions You Might Ask
What foods are best to give as gifts?
The best food gifts are whatever your recipients might enjoy—consider their unique cravings, cooking tendencies, and favorite dishes. Some popular food gift categories include:
Baked goods and bread
Condiments, sauces, and oils
Spices and herbs
Chocolates and candy
Pretzels, chips, and snack foods
Baking mixes
Cured meats
Cheese
Which food items last the longest without refrigeration?
Some food items need to be refrigerated or frozen, but shelf-stable gifts can last for months or even years without going bad.
Pantry staples like pasta, oils, spices, herbs, and sauces can stay fresh for months or years—just follow any instructions on the packaging, as some items may need to be refrigerated or used within a time frame after opening.
Keep fresh foods like cheese or refrigerated pickles in the fridge and use them before their best-by date, which may be weeks or months after purchase.
If you want to gift something frozen, like specialty ice cream or mochi, make sure your recipient will be home to open the gift and put it in the freezer. Frozen items can also last for months when stored properly.
Baked goods “will have specific shelf-life guidelines, so follow the manufacturer's recommendations and choose your gifts accordingly,” says Elisa Lyew, the chef and owner of Elisa's Love Bites, a gluten-free bakery in NYC.
How much should you spend on food gifts?
“Food gifts can fit any budget,” says Sarah Bridenstine, a professional baker and chef who runs the blog Baking Kneads. “They don't necessarily have to break the bank to be significant—it's the intent and narrative behind the gift that counts the most."
The right amount to spend on a food gift depends entirely on your budget.
For under $10, you can find plenty of great gift options like gourmet popcorn or a spicy pepper sauce.
Food gift ideas under $25 include fancy sea salt, small-batch jerky, and candy selections.
Popular food gifts under $50 might include a box of chocolates, a trio of jams or sauces, special honey, or a truffle-infused oil.
If you’re open to spending over $50 you can gift luxurious options, including a complete NYC brunch spread, a box of specialty foods, or a collection of high-end olive oils.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Nina Bahadur, a writer and gift-giver who has over 10 years of experience covering home, health, beauty, and food topics. For this piece, she spent hours researching food gifts to suit every type of gift recipient—at price points ranging from affordable to a splurge. She also consulted Sarah Bridenstine, a professional baker and chef who runs the blog Baking Kneads, and Elisa Lyew, the chef and owner of NYC gluten-free bakery Elisa's Love Bites, to get expert input on selecting the best food gifts.
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