The Jarred Peanut Butter Brand You Should Never Leave At The Store

While peanut butter is a definitive pantry staple, its appeal extends beyond quick and easy lunches. This is especially true of brands that exemplify the sweet-salty goodness that makes the spread such a treat, whether you enjoy it in a sandwich or incorporate it into a 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe. Brand selection is serious business, which is why Mashed conducted a ranking of peanut butter brands from worst to best to determine which one deserves a permanent place in your kitchen. According to our reviewer, the choice is clear: Reese's Creamy Peanut Butter is leagues above the other selections and designated as "one of the top jarred peanut butter pics of the pack" as a result. 

Our ranking was based on three important factors. In addition to flavor and consistency, our reviewer also evaluated the ingredient list of each brand. Along with peanuts and sugar, additional ingredients in Reese's peanut butter (albeit in amounts less than 2%) include hydrogenated vegetable oil, salt, peanut oil, molasses, and monoglycerides, which are emulsifying agents that boost spreadability. While other brands on our list (such as Crazy Richard's, which only contains peanuts) feature far fewer ingredients, the quality of Reese's can't be denied. 

Reese's hits all the right notes where quality is concerned. Our reviewer highlights the "intoxicating" scent of the peanut butter upon opening the jar as well as the "even balance of sweet and savory," which they attribute to "the inclusion of molasses in the recipe." Ultimately, the top marks brand received by Reese's during our taste test are indicative of "how dominant Reese's is in the peanut butter game."

Now famous for its signature candy, the Reese's brand didn't make an impact until 1933, when Harry Burnett Reese began selling his legendary peanut butter cups individually. Previously, Reese had included his cups in larger candy assortments. Since then, the candy has only increased in popularity, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were even named as the top selection among our readers in our 2023 Mashed Halloween candy poll. Reese's Creamy Peanut Butter hit store shelves in 1992. And for that, we're thankful, as Reese's brand peanut butter is a genuine delight.