Futurama is returning—for a second time—on July 24, when ten new episodes hit Hulu. No complaints here. Matt Groening’s cult-favorite animated series about a pizza delivery guy turned accidental time traveler originally ran from 1999 until 2003, and came back to TV from 2008 until 2013. If the previous revival is any indication, there’s plenty of gas in the Planet Express tank. Futurama fans, get stoked.
To celebrate the show’s return, we rounded up some groceries we love and that happen to be perfect accompaniments for a Futurama binge sesh before the new season starts or to watch when the new season drops. From Popplers to Glagnar’s Human Rinds to Manwich, Sporked knows what you need to fill your belly as you watch a robot drink beer and say curse words with his dumb-but-lovable best friend and roommate.
- Simpler Times Lager
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With as much beer as Fry and Bender drink on Futurama, you should have a beer to drink alongside them. When looking to the future, we tend to get nostalgic for simpler times. So, I recommend Simpler Times Lager. Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling says it’s “fresh and malty—not like a standard party beer at all. It’s a perfect day-drinking beer and it tastes way better than PBR or Bud Light.” If the new season of Futurama is as fresh and malty as we predict it will be, this beer will pair quite nicely.
Read the full ranking of the best Trader Joe’s beers
- Kroger Popcorn Chicken
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Perhaps the most famous food from Futurama, Popplers appeared in the season two episode “The Problem With Popplers,” where the Planet Express crew learns that the origin of a beloved snack food they’ve begun to sell is less than humane. The episode is quite funny and remains timeless as ever. I wholeheartedly recommend eating Kroger Popcorn Chicken to replicate the Poppler experience. Writer Naajia Shukri describes them as “bumpy, golden brown, and crunchier than a chicken nugget.” Set yourself out a nice, fresh plate of popcorn chicken and tune in to Futurama.
Read the full list of TV & Movie Foods
- Mtn Dew
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Slurm is iconic. It first appeared in the season one Futurama episode “Fry and the Slurm Factory.” Sure, you could drink the novelty re-creation of Slurm sold in stores like Spencer’s for an underwhelming version of a drink whose slogan is “It’s Highly Addictive!” But no, you gotta go straight for the source, straight for the blood of gamers worldwide. Buckeroo, you gotta do the Dew when you view this show on Hulu.
Read the full ranking of every Mtn Dew flavor
- Baken-Ets Traditional Fried Pork Skins
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Flesh? Tasty? Oh boy, it can be! And if it’s pork flesh, you can munch on that all day. In the future, specifically in Futurama season two episode “I Second That Emotion,” they have the popular snack called Glagnar’s Human Rinds. Their slogan? “It’s a bunch’a munch’a crunch’a human!” If you wish to be like Glagnar, and why wouldn’t you, I recommend Baken-Ets Traditional Fried Pork Skins. Sporked managing editor Gwynedd Stuart describes them as “light and airy, without being styrofoamy or turning into that soft, gelatinous mush in your mouth.” If there is anything you should know about me, it’s that the last thing I want is to chew on fried flesh that turns into a soft, gelatinous mush in my mouth, especially while I’m watching Futurama.
Read the full ranking of the best pork rinds
- Manukora Raw Manuka Honey 50+ MGO
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In one of the best episodes of Futurama, the season four episode “The Sting,” the Planet Express crew must go on a dangerous mission to steal space honey from space bees. I highly recommend it. On Earth we have Earth honey made from Earth bees, and if you want honey while you watch Futurama, you gotta go with Manukora Raw Manuka Honey 50+ MGO. If you’re not familiar, manuka honey is a monofloral honey produced by bees that pollinate the manuka bush, a plant that’s native to New Zealand. And honestly, traveling to New Zealand from the U.S. basically takes as long as going to space. The best part? Unlike Futurama’s Planet Express crew, your life probably won’t be in danger when you go to the grocery store to pick up a bottle!
Read the full ranking of the best manuka honey
- Old Bay Seasoning
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The Spice Weasel first appeared in the season one episode “My Three Suns,” and went on to recur in a handful of other episodes, in addition to the 2007 movie Bender’s Big Score. This species of little critter sneezes out the spices utilized by Chef Elzar. But, and I must stress this, do not let a real-life weasel sneeze on your food. You will get sick. Also weasels are illegal to have as pets in a lot of states. You’re a criminal. Know what else is criminal? Not having Old Bay in your spice rack. Stop being an absolute coward and get this Mid-Atlantic favorite in your kitchen as soon as possible.
- Manwich
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Last, but certainly not least, Manwich. Manwich is one of Planet Express accountant Hermes Conrad’s favorite foods; it appears in multiple episodes (“The Deep South” and “Benderama,” come to mind specifically). Get some ground meat, brown it, put Manwich sauce on it. It’s good, dude. What else do you want from me?
It’s a great sandwich.Read the full ranking of the best hamburger buns
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!