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16 Cult-Favorite Trader Joe’s Products That are Totally Worth It

Trader Joe’s is a great store to find unique and special items you can’t get anywhere else.

Trader Joe's Grocery Store on Vine Street Hollywood
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
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Trader Joe’s isn’t your average grocery store, which is why it's built up a loyal following with shoppers.

The store is unique because it offers different types of food that you might not be able to find at a typical grocery store. And sometimes, you also get to save more money shopping there, which can be one of the best ways to boost your bank account.

Here are some of the more unusual Trader Joe’s products that you might not see in most stores.

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Crunchy Chili Onion

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion

Need to give your food a little kick with a condiment? This sauce includes dried onions and garlic to add a good punch to any food you need to brighten up with a decent side.

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Rosemary Croissant Croutons

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Rosemary Croissant Croutons

Trader Joe’s decided to give classic croutons a twist, making them out of flaky croissants instead of the typical bread most crouton makers use.

They then added a bit of a rosemary kick to them for an extra burst of flavor that can be used in salads and soups.

Breaded Fried Ravioli

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Breaded Fried Ravioli

Nobody knows for sure where toasted ravioli started, but Trader Joe’s is spreading the tradition of tasty squares of pasta all over.

The ravioli is fried and frozen before being shipped out to customers. It may be a good addition to your meals, particularly if you want to give your air fryer a workout.

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Cocoa & Sea Salt Instant Oatmeal

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Cocoa & Sea Salt Instant Oatmeal

Don’t settle for boring brown sugar oatmeal when you can get this sweet-and-salty special breakfast. Trader Joe’s instant oatmeal includes cocoa powder and sea salt, giving it an exciting taste that is sure to wake you up in the morning.

Everything But The Bagel Seasoned Potato Chips

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Seasoned Potato Chips

A Trader Joe’s favorite is the grocer’s Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend. However, Trader Joe’s takes it up a notch with these chips.

Imagine a typical potato chip but with added seasoning like sesame seeds, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and more.

Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups

Want that taste of peanut butter cups, but you can’t eat peanuts?

Try this Trader Joe’s alternative with a dark chocolate outer layer encasing a sunflower seed butter inside. It’s still salty and sweet, just with a different twist on the traditional filling inside a peanut butter cup.

Trail Mix Crackers

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trail Mix Crackers

Save on groceries by buying crackers and trail mix in the same bag with these crackers that have all the trail-mix treats you like.

Instead of simply sticking your hand in a bag of trail mix, pull out these crackers coated with raisins, nuts, and seeds.

Peanut Butter Caramel Coated Popcorn

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Caramel Coated Popcorn

Trader Joe’s gives the traditional caramel coated popcorn a new look with an added ingredient. By adding peanut butter to their popcorn, it gives the traditional caramel flavor and an added salty kick that makes it extra yummy.

Gone Bananas!

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Gone Bananas! Dessert

Skip your typical frozen fruit bars for this cool Trader Joe’s alternative. The company takes bananas, slices them up, and then dips the slices in dark chocolate. It’s a flavorful fruit that will taste great from your freezer on hot days.

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Key Lime Kettle Popcorn

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Key Lime Kettle Popcorn

Kettle corn is a great treat, as it traditionally is coated in a sugar-and-salt mixture. Trader Joe’s adds a bit of lime and Key Lime taste to it to give it a tarty flavor and make anyone want to take it on a summer beach trip.

Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese

Trader Joe’s likes to mix surprising flavors with its ingredients, including this baked lemon ricotta cheese.

The wedge of cheese is blended with a lemon paste made of lemon peel, lemon extract and sugar. It can be served on a cheese platter before and after dinner or mixed in with some pasta for a lemony sauce.

Kalua Pork Spring Rolls

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Kalua Pork Spring Rolls

Traditional spring rolls get a Hawaiian spin. These spring roll wrappers are stuffed with shredded pork that tastes as if it came directly from a Hawaiian luau. Mixed in are carrots, scallions, onions, and cabbage.

Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Pretzel Nuggets

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Pretzel Nuggets

The name is a mouthful, but it’s a delicious mouthful. Try these pretzel nuggets with almond butter on the inside and dark chocolate coating on the outside the next time you need a sweet-and-salty snack.

Cheeseburger Burrito

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Cheeseburger Burrito

Can’t decide between a cheeseburger or a burrito for lunch? Have both.

Trader Joe’s takes a traditional flour tortilla and then stuffs it with ground beef, cheese, onions, tomatoes, and even some pickle relish to make an out-of-the-ordinary meal.

Magnifisauce

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Magnifisauce Trader Joe's

Want to impress your guests at your summer barbecue?

Pick up some Magnifisauce as an alternative to the typical condiments on your table. Trader Joe’s calls it a “mustard-mayo-ketchup-relish kind of blend” that is sure to please your friends and family.

Watermelon Fruit Spread

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Watermelon Fruit Spread

Forget your boring grape jelly and exchange it for some summer fun. This watermelon fruit spread is perfect for breads, sandwiches, crackers, or any other food that may need a refreshing change during the summer.

Bottom line

Kristina Blokhin/Adobe buckets of flowers with Trader Joe's signs

There are always plenty of new things to try at Trader Joe’s. If you're willing to try different flavors and new foods, the store offers an endless variety of novel experiences.

So, don’t be afraid to try some unique products the next time you load up at Trader Joe’s.

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Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.