I’m an American Living Abroad — These Are the 9 Grocery Items I Miss the Most

About four years ago, I picked up my life and moved 5,000 miles from sunny southern California to Lisbon, Portugal. Almost everything about the move has been perfect, except for one teeny, tiny detail — I can no longer easily access my favorite mac and cheese.

Moving abroad requires a lot of work, from obtaining the correct visa to learning a new language and adapting to new cultural standards. It also means letting go of some old ways of life, including your comfort food routine.

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You might have seen Americans traveling to South Korea for a “skincare haul” or to Paris for a “fashion haul.” Well, when I visit the States, the first thing I do is head right to my nearest grocery store for a little “American food haul.” Here are the nine things I pick up every time I’m in the U.S. to share with all my American friends living in Lisbon.

Ranch seasoning

Ranch dressing is so distinctly American that if you go abroad and order it with your salad, everyone will know exactly where you are from. While you can find it in some specialty shops in Portugal, it’s very pricey. That’s why when I’m home, I reach for either the large shaker or little packets of ranch seasoning. This way, I can easily make my own dressing (usually with Greek yogurt) or sprinkle the good stuff right on top of popcorn, veggies, or whatever else I have on hand for a little taste of home.

Pumpkin spice

When I’m in the spice aisle, I also pick up a little pumpkin spice — even if I’m home in the middle of summer. You simply cannot find this mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves anywhere in Portugal, making it a must-have in my pantry for lattes or sprinkling into pies, muffins, breads, or even cocktails. (And yes, I know I can make my own pumpkin spice, but come on — you can’t beat the convenience of American grocery products.)

Mac and cheese

As I said, this truly is the meal I miss the most. I never realized how much I depended on packaged mac and cheese when I was sick, too tired to cook, or just craving the rich, cheesy goodness of a boxed meal. Annie’s has always been a favorite of mine, but with so many new mac and cheese companies sprouting up since I moved, I also pick up whatever looks fun for a quick Sunday night meal. On my last trip home, I grabbed my favorite Annie's and a few boxes of Goodles. Honestly, the Goodles Cheddy Mac flavor may be a contender for a new favorite.

Specific Goldfish flavors…

Yes, you can find Goldfish in some American specialty stores and very select grocers in Portugal, but the range of flavors is extremely limited. If you have a favorite flavor, make sure to pack a few in your bag to bring home. For me, that’s a package of Flavor Blasted, which provides a big punch of cheddar whenever I need it.

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…and chips

Every time I’m home, you’ll find me staring down the chip aisle for what feels like an eternity. After being abroad for a good amount of time, the sheer volume of flavors — and things we make chips out of, like arrowroot and cauliflower — is mind-blowing. Usually, I end up with a bag or two of chips in a fun new flavor, but also American classics like Cape Cod or Sour Cream & Onion Lays, along with a bag of flavored popcorn for good measure. (If you’re an American traveling abroad, make sure to try the local chip flavors on your journey, too. You may find a new favorite along the way.)

Everything bagel seasoning

Americans living abroad will have a tough time finding a good everything bagel, let alone this seasoning mix, made with sesame and poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. Use it to make homemade bagels, or sprinkle it on savory dishes like eggs, chicken, avocado toast, or all that mac and cheese you’re hoarding. Just be careful about where you take this spice blend, as it is technically illegal in some countries. (Hot tip if you find yourself in Lisbon: Head to Rhodo Bagels, which won the International title at New York Bagel Fest and took fourth place overall.)

Olipop

The prebiotic soda craze has yet to hit Portugal, so Olipop and all its competitors are a rare sight. I don’t pack these to bring home with me (the logistics of flying with liquids is simply too frustrating), but I do make sure to have at least one Olipop every single day I am home to satisfy my cravings. My favorite is the root beer, an American icon in its own right.

Campell’s tomato soup

Portugal loves a canned or tinned product — we are the home of sardines, after all. But a comforting can of Campell’s tomato soup is another product that’s hard to come by (again, you can find it in the specialty American stores, but the price is truly outrageous). Usually, I’ll snag a can or two of tomato soup for those days I’m sick or want the perfect pairing with my grilled cheese.

Hot sauce

In Portugal, you can always get a bottle of piri piri, which will burn your tastebuds off if you use enough. But sometimes, I just want what’s familiar, and for me, that’s Frank’s RedHot. You can find it in teeny tiny bottles for approximately a bajillion dollars in Portugal, but it’s better to just pack one in your checked bag for your return. As with the chip aisle, make sure to check out the sauce aisle when you’re home to see what wild varieties American companies have come up with now.

All these little tastes of home sure are lovely, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I’ve replaced a few comfort foods with local favorites here, too, including these seven essential Portuguese dishes that brighten my day almost as much as mac and cheese…almost.

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