13 Underrated Trader Joe’s Brands Everyone Needs To Try

Some of the best Trader Joe’s hacks involve trying different foods, often from the storefront’s own brands that are inspired by other cultures. 

In fact, over the years, Trader Joe’s has adjusted its branding to be more culturally inspired. Some of those decisions faced criticism, so you may not see as much of that variety in branding these days.

However, the retail giant works with several manufacturers and brands to help bring incredible, unique products in-house. We’ve assembled a list of the most underrated TJ’s foods and brands everyone should at least try once.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $2.49

Items that often get overlooked at Trader Joe’s are those on the bottom rack or shelf. Canned goods don’t get rotated as often as other items, and this organic soup is so inexpensive and hearty, it deserves a spotlight.

With 210 calories and 12 grams of protein per can, this soup is packed with organic celery, onions, potatoes, spinach, seasonings, and more.

Price: $3.99

Looking for something sweet that won’t wreck your diet, your budget, or your stomach? Trader Joe’s sells these amazing mini non-dairy chocolate cones.

The ice cream is made of coconut milk and vegan chocolate, with chocolate shell stripes, inside a mini cone. A box comes with twelve cones, which are so good that even dairy lovers will want them.

Price: $3.99

If you want a fresh salad on the go, this salad kit can be enjoyed on its own or with salmon or chicken on top.

There’s a rumor that the popular Taylor Farms brand might be responsible for these kits, which contain fresh arugula, carrots, almonds, and parmesan cheese and come with a sachet of basil lemon vinaigrette.

Price: $2.49

Not sure how the Thin & Crunchy Pretzel Slims at Trader Joe’s will stack up against your favorite Pretzel Crisps from Snack Factory?

What if we said they were made in the same factory, and might not be any different? This snack is made with quality ingredients and is under 900 calories per bag.

Price: $6.99

Pistachios are a tasty snack with healthy fats and nutrients in them, but they aren’t as budget-friendly as we’d like them to be. Until now.

Trader Joe's sells a pound of roasted and salted pistachios for $6.99, and the Wonderful brand — which comes from the same factory as these — sells its bag for $4 more.

Price: $5.99

If you are looking for traditional French foods at Trader Joe’s, you just might find the “Trader Jacques” branding on them.

This alternative name covers French classics like the macaron, available in a twelve-pack featuring apricot, coconut, fig, salted caramel, lemon, and pistachio flavors. Grab them for the criminally low price of fifty cents each.

Price: $3.99

While nostalgic chocolate oranges aren’t in stock year-round, Trader Joe’s captures the decadent flavor of dark chocolate and orange in stick form, which is always available. 

This dessert uses real fruit concentrate, is made with no artificial flavors, and has only 24 calories per stick.

Price: $2.49

Big fan of the puffy, soft, yet somehow crunchy, cheesy goodness of Pirate’s Booty? They make the fan-favorite snack in the same factory the White Cheddar Corn Puffs comes from, and they are suspiciously similar.

Made with real white cheddar, you can score these tasty treats for just $2.49 for seven ounces, verses $4.49 for four ounces of Pirate’s Booty.

Price: $3.49

At just fifty-eight cents each, these 110-calorie ice cream bars are a punch of layered tropical deliciousness.

Much like the nostalgic creamsicle, this treat is made with a bar of vanilla ice cream on a stick, smothered in all-natural mango puree, for the ultimate tart-to-sweet dessert experience.

Price: $4.79

French cuisine doesn’t stop at textured, decadent desserts. Trader Joe’s Tarte aux Champignons is an affordable, French-style savory flatbread with hand-braided edges. 

Mushrooms and a blend of cheese adorn the top of this one, which can be dressed up with produce and seasoning.

Price: $5.49

Another great take-and-bake option is Trader Joe’s four-pack of almond croissants. These croissants, filled with a creamy marzipan filling and topped with crunchy almonds, are just $1.37 each.

They’re ready in just 20 to 25 minutes in a conventional oven, or you can cook them in the air fryer for an even faster breakfast.

Price: $3.49

Coffee Panna Cotta is a rich, Italian-inspired caramel-covered custard dessert. At Trader Joe’s you can score two cups of this refrigerated sweet for less than $2 per serving.

With a texture similar to flan, there is a toasty flavor to the cream. Enjoy with ice cream, berries, or whole milk.

Price: $3.99

Trader Joe’s sells some pretty convincing vegan “sausage” patties in a pack of six for a really great price.

Soy protein and wheat gluten are combined to create the patties, and a blend of herbs and spices is added to the formula to give it a balanced, savory flavor that is the perfect complement to a variety of breakfast items.

Shopping at Trader Joe’s is, hands down, a smart way to save money. Stocking up on organic, high-quality ingredients is paramount to sustainable and healthy living.

Whether the branding changes over the years or not, anything that has the Trader Joe’s stamp of approval is going to boast high-quality ingredients and local sourcing that you can’t necessarily get everywhere else.