White bread is a Southern staple for a reason. From tomato or tea sandwiches to pimiento cheese or just a good old PB&J, it’s a reliable pantry essential. You can turn stale or leftover slices into bread pudding, stuffing, rench toast, or even use them as a kitchen hack for cleaning–yes, cleaning!
With so many recipes and uses, it pays to pick the very best loaf–the one that’s sturdy enough for a hearty sandwich yet light and fluffy enough for delicate tea sandwiches. To help you decide which one to buy, we sampled 10 different white breads in a taste test. We know every brand is different, and you may want a certain type of bread for a specific use, so we tried to give you as much information as possible in this taste test.
Our favorite white bread may not be the biggest brand name, but it has no shortage of good flavor and texture. We think it’s the perfect all-around white bread, ideal for sandwiches, toast, recipes, and more.
Related: We Tried 12 Different Brands Of Peanut Butter—Here’s The Best One
How We Tested
For this taste test, we cut each of the breads into quarters and hid the packaging, so testers tasted without seeing the different brands. Editors sampled the bread quarters side by side, scoring them on taste, texture, and overall experience using a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. Once everyone ranked their picks, we tallied the results to find the winner.
The Contenders
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Sara Lee Classic White Bread
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Trader Joe’s White Bread
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Nature’s Own Whitewheat Bread
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L’oven Classic White Bread (ALDI)
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Wonder Bread Classic White Bread
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Pepperidge Farm White Sandwich Bread
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Market Pantry White Sandwich Bread (Target)
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Great Value White Sandwich Bread (Walmart)
How Each Brand Scored
Sara Lee Classic White Bread
Soft, airy, and slightly sweet. Editors called it “the perfect vehicle for a PB&J or turkey and cheese.” Sara Lee is substantial enough to hold up to a sandwich without feeling too dense, according to editors.
Publix Large White Bread
The bouncy and spongy texture of Publix’s white bread is “what you expect of white bread,” wrote one editor. The subtle flavor and great texture of this bread would make it a good option for a sandwich.
Trader Joe’s White Bread
“Very classically elementary school,” wrote one tester, noting its nostalgic appeal. Flavor was not a standout of this bread according to editors, but the moist texture earned praise.
Nature’s Own Whitewheat Bread
“A classic white bread–good for lunchboxes and tea sandwiches,” wrote one editor. Spongy, sticky, and noticeably sweet, Nature’s Own whitewheat bread has a good texture and balanced flavor without an overwhelming taste. One editor felt like because of the texture of this bread, it would be better as toast with jam rather than as the backbones of a sandwich.
L’oven Classic White Bread
Soft yet firm, L’oven would be a strong pick for a sandwich. “Good, balanced taste,” said one of our editors. “Texture is perfect. Light and fluffy, but not going to fall apart.” While the flavor of this bread did not overwhelm our editors, many commented on the pleasant texture, making this store brand from ALDI a great option as the base for a sandwich or recipe.
Sunbeam White Bread
“Nice squishiness–good for sandwiches. Kind of sticks to your mouth in a good way,” commented one editor. Our editors thought that because of the stronger, heartier texture to this bread, it would be great for a grilled cheese.
Wonder Bread Classic White Bread
“Hearty, good texture without being dry or hard,” one editor wrote. The flavor was not a standout comment of this brand, but many noted it would be sturdy enough for building a sandwich. A nice texture with a slightly nutty note, this one could balance out the sweetness of a PB&J or serve well alongside a saucy barbecue plate.
Pepperidge Farm White Sandwich Bread
“10/10 would eat on sandwiches!” praised one editor. Because of the thinness and sweet flavor of this one, many thought it would be ideal for tea sandwiches rather than a hearty meat sandwich, which could weigh it down. Another editor wrote it has “good texture with a classic white bread chew without being sticky.”
Market Pantry White Sandwich Bread
Slightly drier with an “old-timey” taste, Target’s Market Pantry bread is another solid option. With a neutral flavor and slightly chewy, spongy texture, this bread would hold up well for sandwiches of any size.
Great Value White Sandwich Bread
Classic flavor and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Editors loved the versatility of Great Value from Walmart–from PB&Js to toast to French toast. One called it “the most well-rounded with good texture and flavor.”
The Runner-Up
Sara Lee Classic White Bread
Robbie Caponetto; Stylist: Sidney Bragiel
Sara Lee Classic White came in second place thanks to its soft but substantial texture and neutral flavor. While many of the contenders had some sort of aftertaste, one editor wrote this one “didn’t have too much of an aftertaste.” A strong choice for everything from lunchboxes to party trays.
The Winner
Great Value White Sandwich Bread
Robbie Caponetto; Stylist: Sidney Bragiel
The winner of our white bread taste test is Great Value White Sandwich Bread. At just $1.42, it delivers on flavor, texture, and versatility. Whether you’re making pimiento cheese sandwiches for a summer snack, cucumber tea sandwiches for a shower, or Saturday morning French toast, this loaf won’t disappoint.
“It’s the expectation of a good white bread,” one editor summed up, and we couldn’t agree more.
Read the original article on Southern Living
