Trader Joe’s is a fan favorite for a reason: the store is packed with unique, high-quality items at affordable prices. However, like any grocery store, not every product can be a winner for every shopper. While these 16 items are beloved by some, others have found them to be a bit underwhelming based on personal preferences and expectations.
Keep in mind, taste is subjective! These products may not work for everyone, but Trader Joe’s still offers plenty of exciting options to explore. Let’s take a look at some customer feedback on these items to help guide your shopping choices. Read on!
1. Vegan Jackfruit Cakes $3.99/7.4 oz
These plant-based cakes aim to mimic the flavor and texture of crab cakes using jackfruit as the main ingredient. However, customers report that the flavor falls flat and the texture is too soft.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 90 per cake
Total Fat: 4g
Protein: 1g
Ingredients:
Jackfruit
Potato Starch
Wheat Flour
Various Spices
Prep Instructions:
Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or pan-fry until golden brown.
2. World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs $2.49/7 Oz
Marketed as ultra-light and crunchy, these white cheddar corn puffs leave some customers underwhelmed by their lack of bold cheddar flavor.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 140 per serving
Total Fat: 7g
Sodium: 290mg
Ingredients:
Cornmeal
White Cheddar Cheese
Sunflower Oil
Salt
Prep Instructions:
Ready to eat straight from the bag.
3. Organic White Truffle Potato Chips $3.99/6 oz
Despite their fancy flavoring, customers have said these chips can be overpowering with a synthetic truffle taste.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 150 per serving
Total Fat: 10g
Sodium: 200mg
Ingredients:
Potatoes
Organic Sunflower Oil
Organic White Truffle Flavored Oil
Salt
Prep Instructions:
Enjoy directly as a snack.
4. Cinnamon Bun Spread $3.49/10 oz
This decadent spread promises the flavor of cinnamon buns in a jar but has been criticized for being overly sweet and lacking balance.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 80 per tablespoon
Total Fat: 4g
Sugars: 11g
Ingredients:
Cane Sugar
Butter
Cinnamon
Brown Sugar
Prep Instructions:
Spread on toast, pancakes, or warm pastries.
5. Danish Kringle $7.99/22 oz
While popular around the holidays, some shoppers feel the Danish Kringle is overly sweet and not as flaky as they expected.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 260 per slice
Total Fat: 13g
Sugars: 16g
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Butter
Sugar
Eggs
Prep Instructions:
Serve at room temperature or warm in the oven for 5-10 minutes.
6. Everything But The Bagel Seasoning Blend $1.99/2.3 oz
This seasoning blend has a cult following, but many customers find it overrated, saying it doesn’t add much flavor beyond salt and sesame.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 5 per serving
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 80mg
Ingredients:
Sesame Seeds
Sea Salt
Poppy Seeds
Garlic and Onion
Prep Instructions:
Sprinkle on bagels, avocado toast, or eggs.
7. Sriracha Sauce $3.99/18.25 Oz
Trader Joe’s version of Sriracha is often compared to the original, but some shoppers say it’s less flavorful and spicier than they’d prefer.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 5 per teaspoon
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 85mg
Potassium: 10 mg
Ingredients:
Red Chili Peppers
Vinegar
Sugar
Garlic
Prep Instructions:
Use as a condiment for rice, noodles, or eggs.
8. Cauliflower Gnocchi $2.99/12 Oz
Despite its healthy appeal, the cauliflower gnocchi has been criticized for its gummy texture when cooked according to package directions.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 140 per serving
Total Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Potassium: 210 mg
Ingredients:
Cauliflower
Cassava Flour
Potato Starch
Sea Salt
Prep Instructions:
Pan-fry with oil for a crispier texture.
9. Mandarin Orange Chicken $4.99/22 Oz
Although one of Trader Joe’s best-sellers, some customers find this dish too sweet and not as authentic as expected.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 320 per cup
Total Fat: 13g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 95mg
Sodium: 330mg
Ingredients:
Chicken
Orange Sauce
Soy Sauce
Garlic
Prep Instructions:
Oven-bake or pan-fry the chicken and toss with heated sauce.
10. Crunchy Chili Onion $4.49/6 Oz
While loved by many, some shoppers feel the product is more oil than crunch and doesn’t live up to its bold flavor promises.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 110 per serving
Total Fat: 4g
Sugars: 0g
Sodium: 150 mg
Dietary Fiber: Less than 1g
Ingredients:
Onion
Chili Peppers
Garlic
Olive Oil
Prep Instructions:
Use as a topping for pizza, pasta, or eggs.
11. Brioche Buns $3.99/9.45 Oz
While the buns are soft, some customers have noted they are too sweet and not as versatile as they hoped.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 180 per serving
Total Fat: 6g
Sugars: 5g
Potassium: 50 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 31 g
Calcium: 10 mg
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Butter
Sugar
Eggs
Prep Instructions:
Best toasted and used for burgers or sandwiches.
12. Joe-Joe’s Cookies $2.99/10.5 oz
Trader Joe’s answer to Oreos, these cookies have been labeled as dry and less flavorful than the original.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 140 per 2 cookies
Total Fat: 5g
Sugars: 9g
Ingredients:
Wheat Flour
Sugar
Cocoa
Palm Oil
Prep Instructions:
Enjoy with milk or as a snack.
13. Jingle Jangle $9.99/22 oz
This holiday favorite may be fun, but some shoppers find it overly sugary and not worth the high price tag.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 170 per serving
Total Fat: 9g
Sugars: 16g
Sodium: 75 mg
Total Sugars: 17 g
Potassium: 140 mg
Ingredients:
Chocolate
Pretzels
Candy Coated Chocolate
Peanut Butter Cups
Prep Instructions:
Enjoy straight from the tin or serve as a party snack.
14. Speculoos Cookie Butter $3.99/14.1 Oz
While it had its moment, cookie butter is now seen by some as overly rich and not as versatile as other spreads.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 170 per serving
Total Fat: 6g
Sugars: 5g
Sodium: 55 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 16 g
Potassium: 20 mg
Ingredients:
Speculoos Cookies
Sugar
Vegetable Oils
Cinnamon
Prep Instructions:
Spread on toast, pancakes, or enjoy straight from the jar.
15. Chicken Tikka Masala $4.49/9 oz
This frozen meal aims to deliver Indian flavors but has been called out for being bland and not as authentic as expected.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 360 per serving
Total Fat: 21g
Protein: 21g
Sodium: 580 mg
Ingredients:
Chicken
Tomato Sauce
Cream
Spices
Prep Instructions:
Microwave or oven-heat according to package directions.
16. Cauliflower Pizza Crust $3.99/10.6 Oz
The cauliflower pizza crust is praised for being gluten-free, but shoppers have noted its soggy texture and lack of flavor.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 80 per serving
Total Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Ingredients:
Cauliflower
Cornstarch
Potato Starch
Olive Oil
Prep Instructions:
Bake at 450°F for 10-12 minutes, add toppings, and return to oven until crispy.
Final Say
While these 16 items may not have hit the mark for some customers, that doesn’t mean they won’t be a great fit for others.
Trader Joe’s excels in offering a variety of products to suit all tastes, and this list reflects individual shopper feedback. If any of these items are on your favorites list, keep enjoying them! But if you’re looking to try something new, consider exploring other options next time you’re in the store. There’s always something exciting and delicious waiting on the Trader Joe’s shelves.
