Buy or Skip?
Looking to stock up on your next grocery run at Trader Joe's (TJ's)? Let's admit it: even when we have a list ready, sometimes we get to the checkout with far more things than we intended to purchase—or maybe that's just the regular grocery store experience for everyone, everywhere. But don't worry: to make your shopping trip easier, we've compiled a list of 10 must-buys at TJ's and 10 hard passes.
1. Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
These thumb-sized pretzels are a great snack to bring to parties or to indulge on your own. They're perfectly seasoned with salt and filled with real peanut butter for a savory, nutty bite. We won't blame you if you end up buying a couple of bags (or three) on your next run at TJ's.
2. Unexpected Cheddar
If you've never bought this at TJ's, you're probably wondering what Unexpected Cheddar even is. Though it might look rather similar to the regular kind, Unexpected Cheddar is a bit more crumbly and tastes like a mix of parmesan and white cheddar. There's a reason why it's one of TJ's most popular items: it's unexpectedly good.
3. Soup Dumplings
Craving Chinese soup dumplings? Grab a box of TJ's Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings. If you're vegan, there are now Steamed Vegetable Soup Dumplings as well, which are filled with jackfruit, cabbage, carrot, spinach, and ginger, paired with a gelatin-free broth. These easy-to-make xiao long baos are great for lunch or a quick pick-me-up.
4. Green Goddess Dip
It's hard to miss this neon tub. If you're looking for a healthy breakfast spread, look no further than TJ's Green Goddess Dip. Made with avocados, scallions, and garlic, this delicious purée can be used for chips, crackers, or as a pita base.
5. Soft & Juicy Mango
Even though these are dried mango pieces, they're soft, sweet, and addictive. The fruit (called a Chokanan mango) is a Thai specialty, grown and harvested before being placed through the drying process. For a kick of spice, try the version dusted with Chile powder.
6. Speculoos Cookie Butter
A word of caution before you buy this: it's highly addicting. Honestly, you might not be able to stop until you've spooned the jar empty. You might be tempted to buy this along with the cookies, but then you'll probably finish the whole sleeve in one sitting (in which case, we completely understand).
7. Hold the Cone Ice Cream Cones
These mini ice cream cones come in several flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee bean, chocolate chip, and peppermint. Lined with rich, milky cocoa, you'll likely finish the entire box before these even have the chance to melt.
8. Pumpkin Butter
Since this is usually a fall exclusive, make sure to snatch a jar when you see it. This creamy pumpkin spread is surprisingly fat-free and made with no butter at all, contrary to its name. The moment it hits your tongue, you know autumn has arrived.
9. Cauliflower Gnocchi
Looking for a healthier version of gnocchi? These cauliflower ones from TJ's are Italian-made and contain nearly 75% of the floral vegetable. Crisp and soft when heated up, you'll be pleased to know that these gnocchis don't include wheat, sugar, dairy, or eggs, so you can eat them guilt-free.
10. Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend
This seasoning blend can be sprinkled on just about anything. Rice, steak, cheese, avocado toast... the list goes on. A mix of black and white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, along with flakes of garlic, onion, and sea salt, this is the condiment you'll realize you can't live without.
Now that we've covered all the must-buys, let's jump into the 10 items at TJ's that you should skip.
1. TJ Sriracha
For the love of all things good, put the regular sriracha—yes, the one by Huy Fong—in your cart and not TJ's version. It's not that it's extremely awful, but it's bland, one-note tasting, and the bottle will likely just end up collecting dust in your fridge.
2. Reduced Guilt Mac & Cheese
Mac and cheese is supposed to be a warm, gooey comfort dish, but TJ's Reduced Guilt one comes out looking sad and spongy. If you want a lower-calorie version of this cheesy classic, you're better off finding more options elsewhere or recipes online on how to make your own.
3. Non-Dairy Chocolate Oat Beverage
Vegans, this is a hard pass. Bland and unexpectedly thick, this is probably not the kind of flavor or texture you're hoping for in an oat drink. If you already made the mistake of buying it, though, throw it in a blender with some fruits and non-dairy ice cream to make a tastier shake.
4. Meatless Meatballs
Again: vegans, skip this one. These meatballs come out either a mushy mess or dry as a rock when cooked, and there is no in-between. To avoid ruining your plate of pasta (and your appetite), reach for an alternative box of plant-based meatballs or make your own.
5. Chocolate Hummus
This might sound yummy, but sadly, it's not worth trying. Not only is it lacking in creaminess, it also falls short of what an indulgent chocolate spread should be. It's also nowhere near as delicious as Nutella, which makes this an automatic skip.
6. Baked Goods
Anything from the bakery section at TJ's, from bagels and bread to muffins and tortillas, should be avoided. Even if they taste okay initially, they often go stale quickly, which means you just end up having to toss them out. For freshly baked goods, go to a grocer that has an on-site bakery.
7. Cauliflower Pizza Crusts
Unlike TJ's Cauliflower Gnocchi that's considered a must-buy, these cauliflower crusts are a must-pass. Though they serve as a healthier alternative to the regular pie dough, putting toppings on these fragile, flat discs is probably not worth the hassle. And if you're not in love with cauliflower, this is even more of a skip.
8. Breaded Fried Ravioli
The concept of this, like the chocolate hummus one, sounds yummy. But the execution? The short answer: not good. The long answer: it's chewy, tasteless, and the coating leans more gritty than having that perfect crispy bite to it. Instant ravioli is great, but unfortunately not these.
9. Cinnamon Bun-Inspired Truffles
Cinnamon bun truffles... what could go wrong? These ones at TJ's. You might think the caramel filling saves it, but it's overpowered by the cinnamon and powdered sugar coating that can leave an odd aftertaste. The taste can also lean more salty than sweet, which just makes it an overall not-so-good experience.
10. Beef Pho Soup
Some of the Asian-inspired foods at TJ's, like the Chinese soup dumplings, are wonderful. But some of them leave much to be desired. In particular, the beef pho soup lacks the pop the usual broth has and doesn't have all the delicious toppings. Do yourself a favor and get a steaming bowl of authentic pho at a Vietnamese restaurant instead.
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