Corn syrup is a popular sweetener used in many processed foods and drinks. But where exactly can you find it in the grocery store? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the likely locations to find corn syrup on your next shopping trip.
The Baking Aisle
One of the most obvious places to find corn syrup is in the baking aisle. Since corn syrup is commonly used in baking recipes, especially for making desserts, it will often be stocked alongside other baking ingredients. Check the area with baking extracts, flour, sugars, and oils. Corn syrup is usually sold in plastic jugs or glass bottles. Popular brands like Karo are readily available.
You may find light or dark corn syrup in the baking aisle. Light corn syrup has a clear color and mild flavor. It is the most commonly used type. Dark corn syrup has a deeper color and more pronounced flavor due to added caramel color and molasses. When a recipe calls for corn syrup without specifying the type, it typically means light corn syrup.
In addition to plain corn syrup, you may also find vanilla, butter, and brown sugar flavored varieties in the baking aisle. These can add extra flavor to cookies, cakes, frostings, candies, and more. So if you want to jazz up your baked goods, look for these options.
The Pancake Topping Section
If your grocery store has a specific section for pancake toppings, check there for corn syrup. Since many people enjoy drizzling corn syrup on top of pancakes, waffles, French toast, and breakfast casseroles, it is often stocked alongside other breakfast condiments.
You will probably find large jugs of regular corn syrup in the pancake topping aisle. But you may also encounter squeeze bottles for easier pouring directly onto your breakfast foods. This section likely won’t have the flavored varieties like vanilla or caramel. Still, plain corn syrup in an easy-to-use container can be very convenient if you regularly use it for breakfast foods.
The Canning Aisle
The canning or preserving aisle is another place to find corn syrup. When making jams, jellies, fruit spreads, pickled foods, and certain canned items, corn syrup is sometimes used. It helps maintain moisture, extend shelf life, and act as a sweetener.
In the canning aisle, look for large plastic jugs or glass jars of plain light or dark corn syrup. Fruit flavored varieties are unlikely. And because very large batches are often made when canning or preserving, the containers in this aisle will typically be larger.
The Coffee and Tea Aisle
Would you expect to find corn syrup alongside coffee, tea, and hot chocolate? Believe it or not, the coffee/tea aisle is a good place to look due to one popular product – flavored syrups for coffee drinks.
Pumpkin spice, caramel, vanilla, hazelnut and many other flavored coffee syrups contain corn syrup as their base. So check this aisle if you want to add flavored syrup to your coffee but don’t want to make your own simple syrup.
You’ll find smaller plastic squeeze bottles or glass bottles of syrup in a variety of delicious flavors. But likely no plain corn syrup in the coffee aisle.
The Soft Drink Aisle
Making your own sodas or soft drinks at home has become a popular hobby. And corn syrup is often a key ingredient in these homemade creations. That’s why the soft drink aisle may have plain corn syrup on hand.
Look for plastic jugs or glass bottles of light or dark corn syrup near other soda-making products like soda stream machines, soda flavors and extracts, carbonation drops, root beer or cola extract, and ginger ale or ginger beer mix. Plain corn syrup provides sweetness and texture in homemade sodas.
The Ice Cream Topping Aisle
Does your grocery store have an ice cream topping section? If so, corn syrup may be found there along with other sundae paraphernalia like chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, rainbow sprinkles, maraschino cherries, and so on.
Corn syrup is the perfect topping for vanilla ice cream, giving it a sweet taste and luscious texture. Look for plastic squeeze bottles for drizzling ease. An ice cream topping-focused corn syrup will be pre-mixed with extra sugar and flavors for the ideal sundae drizzle.
The Jams and Jellies Section
Sometimes corn syrup can be used when making jams, jellies, and fruit spreads at home. So you may find it sitting alongside these items on grocery store shelves. Check near the strawberry, grape, and orange marmalades for plastic jugs or glass jars of corn syrup.
This section likely won’t have flavored corn syrups. Just plain light or dark varieties intended for use in home food preservation. Again, larger containers are common here since big batches are often made.
The Bulk Foods Area
Does your grocery store have large bulk food bins where you can scoop your own flour, grains, spices, and so on? If so, check that area for corn syrup options. Some stores sell plain corn syrup in bulk packaging.
You’ll usually find it in plastic tubs, allowing you to portion out however much you need. This is convenient if you make a lot of homemade baked goods, candies, jams, or sodas and go through corn syrup quickly. Buy just what you need each trip.
The Baby Food Aisle
Surprisingly, the baby food aisle may also contain corn syrup – but certainly not the kind intended for adult use! This aisle sometimes has glucose syrup supplements designed to boost calories for infants and toddlers with increased energy needs.
These are clearly labeled as dietary supplements for pediatric use only. So don’t accidentally grab the wrong corn syrup here. But know that you may spot it alongside nutritional baby cereals, formula, and pureed foods.
Near the Maple Syrup
Maple syrup makes a good natural pancake topping, often sitting alongside corn syrup on grocery store shelves. So you may find corn syrup in the same area as maple syrup, agave nectar, honey, and other liquid sweeteners.
This section will have large jugs of plain corn syrup without extra flavors added. Light or dark varieties may be available from brands like Karo, Aunt Jemima, and others. So if you don’t see it in the baking aisle, look by the maple syrup.
The Sugar and Sweeteners Area
Some grocery stores have a dedicated section just for sugars, sweeteners, and sugar substitutes. This is a great place to browse for corn syrup if you’re having trouble locating it elsewhere.
Plain corn syrup, both light and dark, can often be found near the white and brown sugars, powdered sugar, molasses, honey, agave nectar, stevia, Splenda, Equal, Sweet’N Low, and other sweetening products. Be sure to look up high and down low for all available options.
Near the Marshmallows
Since corn syrup is an ingredient in homemade marshmallows, you may find it stocked in the area with marshmallows, marshmallow crème, marshmallow fluff, and related products. Gelatin and food coloring may also be shelved in this spot.
Look for squeezable plastic bottles or glass jars of plain light corn syrup to use in marshmallow projects. Specialty flavors like caramel probably won’t be in the marshmallow section.
On the Condiment Shelves
Some grocery stores group corn syrup with other condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressings, and sauces. This makes sense since corn syrup can be drizzled and poured like a condiment onto foods.
In the condiment area, plain corn syrup in plastic squeeze bottles is most common for easy drizzling onto pancakes and ice cream. But you may also find large containers for baking and preserving needs.
The Kosher Foods Section
Stores with a kosher foods section should stock corn syrup there since it meets kosher dietary requirements. Jewish customers looking for kosher-certified ingredients will know to check this section.
Kosher corn syrup will have markings on the label indicating it has been certified kosher. You may find plain or flavored varieties from brands like Manischewitz. For Passover, look for kosher-for-Passover corn syrup.
Natural and Specialty Foods Area
Larger grocery stores may have a separate section for natural and specialty foods. This is where you can find organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, fair trade, and vegan products. Check here for corn syrup options that fit your dietary needs.
You may find organic corn syrup sweetened only with glucose instead of artificial fructose. Or corn syrups clearly labeled as non-GMO or gluten-free. Read labels carefully if you require certain attributes.
Near the Brownie and Cake Mixes
Since corn syrup is commonly added to homemade brownies and cakes, you may find it on the shelves near pre-packaged brownie, cake, muffin, and cupcake mixes. This makes it convenient to pick up everything you need for baking in one spot.
Look for jugs or bottles of light and dark corn syrup to use when making your mixes. Flavored corn syrups probably won’t be found in this utilitarian area of the store though.
On the Lowest Shelves
Don’t forget to scan the very lowest shelves in any aisle when searching for corn syrup. Since it is heavy in weight, it often gets stocked down near the floor to make it easier to lift and prevent falling hazards.
You might have to crouch down low to spot those plastic jugs and glass jars hiding near the bottom. Corn syrup mixed with other products like flavored coffee syrup may be found up higher though.
Near the Honey and Molasses
Honey and molasses have similar thick, syrupy textures like corn syrup. That’s why some stores group them together in one spot. Take a peek at the honey and molasses area for plain light or dark corn syrup.
You may also find substitutions like honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup stocked alongside corn syrup for swapping into recipes. So this section provides options based on your sweetening needs.
On Promotional Displays
Watch for temporary promotional displays throughout the grocery store featuring corn syrup. Manufacturers will sometimes set up special in-aisle displays to highlight deals, new products, seasonal offerings, or products used in weekly ad recipes.
Displays may showcase corn syrup on endcaps, in the middle of aisles, or near complementary items. Pay attention to callouts for corn syrup as you shop each aisle from start to finish.
The Mexican Foods Section
Grocery stores with a Mexican foods section should stock corn syrup there since it is used in authentic Mexican cooking. Look for brands like Ibarra and Karo Light corn syrup to make desserts like flan, sopapillas, and churros.
You may also find Mexican cajeta dulce de leche, which contains caramelized milk and corn syrup or sweetened condensed milk. Use it for drizzling over churros and flan or eating with fruit.
Near the Pie Fillings and Pie Crusts
Since corn syrup helps maintain moisture and texture in pie fillings, you may find it near the canned pie fillings and refrigerated pie crusts. This makes it easy to pick up everything needed for homemade pies in one location.
Look for regular light or dark corn syrup as well as flavored varieties like Karo pecan, caramel and maple flavors to enhance your pie filling. The cans and jars will likely be on lower shelves near the pie crusts.
Conclusion
As you can see, corn syrup may be located in several different sections depending on how you plan to use it and the way your local grocery store is organized. Take the time to browse all the likely aisles mentioned here, scan shelf tags for key words, and keep your eyes open for relevant displays. With smart searching skills, you should have no trouble tracking down corn syrup for all your cooking and baking projects.
