Where Are Capers In Walmart? + Other Grocery Stores

Have you ever found yourself searching every aisle trying to track down those tasty little capers to complete your salad or pasta dish? You‘re not alone! Many home cooks find capers elusive in the average supermarket despite their popularity. This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to locate capers at major grocery chains.

Let‘s start with the basics – what are capers and why are they so good? Keep reading for tips on finding capers quickly, recommended brands, comparisons, nutrition facts, recipes, and more!

What Are Capers?

Capers are edible flower buds from the Capparis spinosa bush native to the Mediterranean region. They grow wild across southern Europe, northern Africa, and parts of Asia. Italy, Spain, and France lead global production of capers.

These petite green buds pack a strong, tangy punch of flavor thanks to being pickled in vinegar, brine, or salt. That vibrant taste makes capers a beloved ingredient in Mediterranean, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Capers are highly valued in cooking for adding a sharp, salty kick to everything from salad dressings, pasta sauces, and pizza to seafood, chicken, and antipasti platters. They also make a lovely garnish.

So why can capers be so hard to find when you need them for a recipe? While they are used in many dishes, especially in Europe, capers have yet to hit mainstream popularity in the U.S.

According to Statista, only around 18% of U.S. households purchased capers in 2020. But fans of Mediterranean flavors know that no Italian pasta or Greek salad is complete without these briny buds!

Now let‘s reveal exactly where to find capers when shopping at major supermarkets so you can grab them and get cooking!

Where to Find Capers at Popular Grocery Stores

After extensive investigation of giant chain grocers, I have mapped out the typical locations where they stock capers. No more endless searching – here is the inside scoop on spots to find capers at the most popular stores:

Walmart

As one of the largest grocers in the U.S. with over 4,700 locations, Walmart offers capers at affordable prices. Check the condiment aisle first, scanning shelves near pickles, olives, oils, and vinegars. Often Roland, Cento, and Walmart‘s Great Value capers are stocked here.

If you don‘t see capers with other condiments, head to the pasta and sauce section. I‘ve noticed some Walmarts place capers alongside tomato sauces and Italian ingredients.

The international aisle is another spot to check for brands like Goya. And if you‘re really stumped, just ask an employee for assistance.

Kroger

With over 2,700 stores across the U.S., Kroger is another go-to grocer that carries capers. Check the condiment aisle for brands like Roland and Cento mixed in with olives, pickles, oils, and vinegars.

For more options, browse the ethnic food sections like Italian, Greek, or Mediterranean. The pasta sauce aisle is another area where you may find capers at Kroger tucked next to the marinara sauce.

Albertsons

This major chain operates over 1,700 stores across dozens of banners like Safeway, Shaw‘s, and more. Check the condiment aisle near olives and pickles for brands like Roland.

Some Albertsons locations have an expanded gourmet food section with additional caper varieties sold in jars or in bulk. The deli section also sometimes carries packaged capers.

Publix

With over 1,200 stores, mostly in the Southeast, Publix is another favorite Southern grocery chain. Seek out capers in the condiment aisle alongside other brined items. Publix‘s Greenwise brand capers offer an organic option.

Publix may also place capers in the Italian food section or with pasta sauces and marinades. The specialty cheese section near antipasti is another area I‘ve discovered capers at my local store.

Trader Joe‘s

Known for its unique, affordable specialty items, Trader Joe‘s stocks its popular house brand capers along with other name brands usually in the condiment section. For more variety, check Trader Joe‘s Italian and Mediterranean packaged foods.

Costco

For bulk buying, Costco often carries large multi-packs of capers in the condiment aisle near olives and pickles. Higher-end options like fancy caperberries are sometimes displayed in the gourmet food section.

Whole Foods

This natural foods chain features an array of gourmet and imported capers scattered throughout various departments. Of course, check the main condiment aisle first.

But for more unique options, browse Whole Foods‘ olive bars, antipasti bars and Mediterranean prepared foods. The pasta sauce and cheeses selections also often have speciality capers.

More Regional Grocery Chains

In addition, chains like HEB, Wegmans, Stop & Shop, Food Lion, Giant, and Winn-Dixie stock capers in similar sections as the major stores above. Look for them alongside other brined goods in the condiment aisles.

Some tips:

Scan locally-curated gourmet, kosher, halal, or ethnic food sections for more variety.
Check any Mediterranean, Italian, or European foods sections.
Don‘t forget the aisles with pasta sauce, salsa, pizza toppings, marinades, and salad dressings.
Ask the customer service desk to point you toward capers.
Use the store‘s app or website to find exactly what aisle they stock capers in.

Store	Typical Caper Locations
Walmart	Condiment, Pasta, International aisles
Kroger	Condiment, Ethnic foods, Pasta sauce aisles
Albertsons/Safeway	Condiment, Deli, Gourmet sections
Publix	Condiment, Italian, Pasta sauce aisles
Trader Joe‘s	Condiment, Italian/Mediterranean foods
Costco	Condiment, Gourmet foods sections
Whole Foods	Condiment, Olive/Antipasti bars, Pasta sauce, Gourmet foods

Now that you know the inside scoop on where major grocers tend to stock capers, you can skip the endless searching and head right to the high probability areas to grab these briny buds and get cooking!

Tips for Locating Capers Quickly

When you need capers in a hurry, use these pro tips to locate them faster:

Head straight to the condiment aisle – This aisle stocks most caper brands, so begin here.
Scan shelves near vinegars, oils, olives, and pickles – Capers are usually shelved right alongside these ingredients.
Look high and low – Capers may be on upper or lower shelves depending on the store.
Check ethnic foods sections for more variety – Italian, Greek, Mediterranean foods sometimes have additional capers.
Don‘t just glance – investigate thoroughly – Closely inspect product labels, as capers are small and easy to overlook.
Ask for help – Employees can point you right to capers. Save time by asking at the customer service desk.
Utilize store apps – Many grocers list the exact aisle location for every product. Search the app for "capers" while in-store for quick results.
Use store pick-up – Order capers online for in-store pick up and skip searching the aisles.
Buy multiple jars – Stock up so you always have capers on hand for recipes.

With these insider tricks, you can dash directly to the caper spot at any grocery store and check this key ingredient off your list in no time!

Recommended Caper Brands and Products

Now that you know where to find them, which caper products are worth buying? Here are some top recommended brands and specialty capers available at most major supermarkets:

Best Jarred Caper Brands

Roland – My personal favorite brand! Roland offers non-pareil capers packed in brine along with delicious caperberries. Known for premium quality and consistency.
Cento – A leading Italian brand providing beautiful petite non-pareil capers packed in sea salt. They offer excellent flavor and crunch.
Reese – A Greek brand imported from Crete. Their salted and brined capers are authentically sourced from the Mediterranean.
Mezzetta – This family-owned American brand imports small, tangy capers from Italy and tunisia soaked in red wine vinegar.
Mt. Vikos – Named after a Greek mountain, this brand‘s capers from the Halkidiki region boast Protected Designation of Origin status.

Specialty Capers

Caperberries – The grape-sized flower buds of the caper bush. They offer milder flavor with a satisfying pop.
Caper leaves – The crisp, tangy pickled leaves of the caper bush. These add vibrant herbal notes to dishes.
Caper salt or caper seasoning – Salt blended with chopped capers, perfect for rimming glasses or seasoning food.
Caper-infused olive oil – Flavorful olive oils containing capers for dipping bread or dressing salads.

Budget-Friendly Options

To save money, I recommend trying store brand capers, often simply labeled "Capers." Major chains like Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and Publix all offer cheaper house-brand options that provide big savings over name brands.

In my experience, the quality is not compromised – I can barely tell the difference between premium brands and bargain options when cooking with them.

Comparing Caper Types

When selecting capers, you‘ll notice they are packed and preserved in a few different ways. Here is a breakdown of the most common caper varieties:

Brined capers – The most readily available kind, brined in a saltwater, vinegar, or wine solution. They offer bold, tangy flavor.

Salted capers – Cured in sea salt, creating concentrated umami flavor. Rinsing removes excess saltiness.

Caperberries – Larger, olive-sized buds that are more subtle in flavor with a juicy crunch when bitten.

Caper leaves – The flavorful leaves of the bush, sometimes pickled and eaten like capers.

While brined and salted capers can generally be used interchangeably, caperberries and leaves add unique flavors. Caperberries shine in salads or on skewers with cheese, while caper leaves lend herbaceous notes to dressings and sauces.

When it comes to size, non-pareil capers are preferred by gourmets for their petite size and explosively intense brininess. But larger capucines still pack huge flavor and offer better value.

For most applications, I recommend using brined non-pareil capers, which offer brightness and acidity perfect for pasta, pizza, dressings, and sauces. Caperberries and leaves make lovely additions tossed into green salads or on antipasto platters.

The Nutrition Benefits of Capers

Besides adding a delectable burst of flavor to foods, capers also deliver important nutrients and plant compounds that benefit health and wellness. Here are some of the top nutrition benefits you gain from eating capers:

Antioxidants – Capers contain polyphenols and flavonoids that combat disease-causing free radicals in the body.
Anti-inflammatory – Compounds in capers like quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol reduce painful inflammation throughout the body.
Digestion – Fermented capers contain probiotics and fiber that support digestive health.
Heart health – Capers improve circulation and blood pressure thanks to their vitamin K content.
Immunity – Vitamins A, C, and E in capers help strengthen the body‘s immune defenses.

While they are high in sodium from the brining process, capers provide many phytonutrients that serve the body. The small portion sizes used in recipes result in minimal sodium consumption.

So grab your capers guilt-free knowing they do double-duty, both making food taste amazing and providing wellness benefits!

Tasty Ways to Use Capers in Recipes

Looking for culinary inspiration for your newly-purchased capers? Here are some of my favorite ways to showcase their vibrant flavor in recipes:

Toss chopped capers into green salads or feta cheese salads for a briny kick.
Add capers to tuna or chicken salad for a Mediterranean twist.
Include capers in pasta sauces like puttanesca, amatriciana, or cacio e pepe. Their punch cuts through rich, creamy sauces.
Mix capers into tartar sauce served with fish for an upgraded condiment.
Add capers to homemade pizza just before baking – they‘ll bake into delicious bites.
Sprinkle capers over smoked salmon to lift the flavor.
Sauté capers in butter or olive oil to intensify their flavor, then top chicken, fish, or veggies.
Blend capers into marinades and dressings for an instant flavor boost.
Skewer caperberries with mozzarella and olives for easy appetizers.
Sprinkle fried capers over finished pastas for a tasty, crunchy garnish.

With so many possibilities, your recipe repertoire is about to expand deliciously!

Let‘s Find Those Capers, Friend!

Wow – now you have all the insider tips and tricks for tracking down capers at any grocery store. No more wandering the aisles aimlessly when a recipe calls for these tangy green buds. Just head right to the high probability spots, grab a jar of premium capers, and get cooking something marvelous!

It may seem like a daunting task to locate just one ingredient when you‘re in a hurry. But capers are truly hidden gems, adding a special flavor that takes recipes to the next level. Now you can find them effortlessly and enjoy their brilliance anytime.

So what are you waiting for? Let‘s go find those capers, friend! With this handy guide, you can shop smarter, cook better, and savor the flavor journey that capers provide. Get ready for your best pasta, salads, sauces, and more yet. The hunt for capers ends now!