8 Groceries to Add to Your Cart for a Delicious Fall

September is here, and our regular grocery trips are about to get a little more exciting. Apples and pears are coming into season, pumpkins are making their annual return, and we're ready to start trading some of our summer meals for something a little bit cozier.

Luckily, fall cooking doesn't have to mean spending Sunday afternoon simmering something for six hours. A few well-chosen fall groceries can bring those autumn flavors into everything from breakfast to dinner. 

Here are eight worth adding to your September grocery list.

1. Apples

Let's begin with the undisputed star of the September produce section. Of course, we can turn them into pies, crisps, and cobblers. 

But, apples are just as handy when they’re sliced into oatmeal, paired with peanut butter, tossed into salads, or roasted with pork or chicken. And, if a warm apple crisp happens somewhere along the way, we certainly wouldn’t object.

2. Pears

Pears deserve a little more attention once fall rolls around. These sweet little fruits can go in far more than the lunchbox.

You can slice them over oatmeal, add them to salads with walnuts and cheese, bake them with cinnamon, or serve them with a simple cheese board. When you're making your fall grocery list, don't let apples have all the fun.

3. Butternut Squash

Few vegetables make the transition into cooler weather quite like butternut squash. Winter squash is right at home in fall cooking, and its naturally sweet flavor works well in soups, pastas, risottos, and sheet-pan dinners.

You don't need an elaborate recipe, either. Simply cube it, toss it with olive oil and some seasoning, and roast it until the edges begin to caramelize. When you do, Tuesday night dinner will know it's fall.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of those ingredients we can buy with absolutely no plan and still find a use for them by Friday.

As for fall foods, they work well from breakfast straight through dinner. You can turn them into breakfast hash, cut them into wedges, add them to soup or chili, or bake one and pile dinner right on top.

They're also great when they’re roasted with a little maple syrup, which conveniently brings us closer to another item on our list.

5. Mushrooms

When the weather cools, mushrooms start looking a lot more exciting. They’re great picks for the season, and their rich, savory flavor is right at home in the meals we start to crave.

You can sauté them for omelets or toast, stir them into pasta, pile them into risotto, or add them to soups and gravies. A carton of mushrooms may not scream autumn from the grocery cart, but all you have to do is give it some butter and a hot skillet.

6. Fresh Sage

If fall had an herb, sage would make a very convincing case for the job. Its earthy flavor pairs well with many of the other ingredients already in our cart, especially squash and sweet potatoes. 

You can try it on roasted chicken, chop a little bit into your stuffing, or fry the leaves in butter until they're crisp. For an easy fall dinner, simply brown some butter with sage and spoon it over ravioli. That'll be the kind of meal to make you wonder why you don't buy fresh sage more often.

7. Pure Maple Syrup

Pancakes are only the beginning. Maple syrup can bring a little sweetness to roasted vegetables, oatmeal, marinades, salad dressings, and even your morning coffee.

You can also season roasted vegetables with it, pairing it with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. When you’re putting together your fall grocery list, add a bottle of the real stuff.

8. Canned Pumpkin

Now that it's September, we have permission to crack open the pumpkin.

Canned pumpkin is one of the easiest ways to add fall flavor without hauling home an actual pumpkin and introducing a carving knife to the equation. You can use it in pancakes, pasta sauce, and smoothies. Pumpkin also works well in oatmeal, muffins, soups, quick breads, and, of course, pie.

Just make sure you're grabbing pure pumpkin if that's what your recipe calls for, rather than pumpkin pie filling. Then, with your pumpkin spice latte in hand, you can let pumpkin season commence.

A Delicious Start to Fall

Our favorite fall foods don't have to wait until Thanksgiving.

Apples and pears can brighten up breakfast, squash and sweet potatoes can handle dinner, and maple syrup and pumpkin can be on standby whenever you’re ready for something a little sweet.

The calendar may only say September, so our kitchens are officially allowed to taste like fall.

Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.