16 Low-Priced Trader Joe's Pantry Items You Should Never Skip

Trader Joe’s isn’t your basic bargain-buy retailer. While you can find some of the season’s best deals, you can also score the hottest gourmet goodies and foodie finds to fill your pantry.

Skip the pricey specialty stores and save money at TJ’s when you buy these pantry items. We’ve got you covered with the most popular pantry picks at budget-friendly prices.

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

Price: $9.99

Start your day off the right way with this limited-time brew. The AA-rated beans are large-sized and have a decadently deep aroma.

A similar 12-ounce bag of Kenya AA Karatu sells for $22 on specialty coffee sites. That’s more than twice Trader Joe’s price, making this TJ’s new item top-quality for a bargain price.

Price: $2.99

Peanuts, rolled oats, rice crisps, and smooth nutty butter make these bars a tasty treat.

You can stash a pack in your purse, keep a box in your pool tote, or bring the protein-filled granola goodies on your family’s next road trip.

This $2.99 box from TJ’s has 6 bars, making it an easy choice when you compare it to the pricier $3.59 Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Nut six-count.

Price: $3.49

Nothing more fun than making campfire s’mores with family and friends. And you’ll need a box of high-quality grahams to make the sweetest treats.

Whether you're on a mountain cabin getaway or a summer camping trip (or even in your own backyard), this is a fun and delicious activity.

Pro tip: instead of splurging on Nabisco’s Honey Maid crackers for $3.99, save yourself $0.50 and try Trader Joe’s version that might surprise you by being even more delicious. 

Price: $2.99

Skip the pricey barista-blended iced tea and try these citrusy, summery bags. For less than $3, you’ll get 18 of the black tea and lemon sachets.

With this bargain buy, you can brew more than two weeks' worth of refreshingly crisp tea for one low price.

Price: $2.99

Turn almost anything into a ranch-flavored recipe with this under-$3 seasoning.

Buttermilk-flavored powder, granulated garlic and onion, sugar, sea salt, dried dill, dried green onion, dried chives, and black pepper combine to create a surprisingly savory zero-calorie spice selection.

Price: $3.99

Don’t wait too long to pick up this Japanese citrus chili pepper paste.

This limited-time buy is an instant fan-favorite that is flying off Trader Joe’s shelves during summer. Use the zesty blend as a marinade, dip, or barbecue base.

Price: $3.99

This popular pantry pick is the perfect snack. The tangy taste adds a kick to your own DIY trail mix, stir-fry, and more.

At under $4 for an eight-ounce bag, these seasoned nuts are a budget-friendly value.

Price: $1.99

Everything dill pickle is on and off of Trader Joe’s shelves (usually seen in the summer), although from popcorn to reusable tote bags, you’ll find pickle products in almost every TJ's aisle.

Swap the same boring brown mustard for this dill deal. You could pay almost $8 for a specialty gourmet brand — or you could save nearly $6 by shopping at Trader Joe’s.

Price: $4.79

Top your favorite flavor of ice cream, make a crave-worthy cobbler, or eat these peaches straight from the jar.

The yellow cling halves are a must-have healthy pantry staple. You’ll get plenty of peaches in this oversized 25-ounce jar.

Price: $4.99

The richer, thicker cousin of vanilla extract is one of the hottest pantry products during any season.

Use the bourbon-flavored paste instead of plain extract to make boozy-flavored cupcakes, cocktail-ish cookies, or flavorful pies.

You can also mix the vanilla bourbon blend into coffee to create your own gourmet beverage at home.

Price: $3.29

If you’re a baker, you need this affordable organic buy. For $3.29, you can get one full pound of powdered sugar, which is still $0.20 less than Target’s Good and Gather store brand.

Price: $3.29

Bake a batch of cookies, sprinkle these dark chocolate drops into brownies, or mix them into the batter and make the best party cake of the season.

The 10-ounce bag is a bargain for $3.29. At Target, you’ll pay over $3 more for Giraradelli’s 72 percent dark chocolate chips.

Price: $3.29

This 100 percent Sicilian organic lemon juice isn’t made from concentrate.

Its fresh-squeezed citrus taste makes it the perfect pick for blending cocktails, mocktails, or a refreshingly tangy marinade.

Price: $9.99

Trader Joe’s shoppers rave about the retailer’s high-quality, low-priced olive oil options. This 16.9-ounce bottle of Sicilian EVOO has a peppery, almost buttery taste that you’ll adore.

Pour a pool onto a plate as a dipping oil, use it to make a summertime salad dressing, or drizzle the liquid gold over pasta.

Price: $2.99

If you’re looking for something different, this seasoning is it. The rich taste of garlic adds a subtle sweetness to almost any recipe.

Add it to homemade barbecue sauce or use it to top gourmet grilled burgers.

Price: $0.99

Stock your pantry with this classic mac and cheese. The childhood favorite is filled with plenty of sharp cheddar flavor. Compare Trader Joe’s $0.99 box of pasta and sauce mix to Kraft’s $1.29 pack.

You can save money on groceries and more at Trader Joe’s. From mac and cheese to mustard, TJ’s has it all.

Along with pantry products and seasonal staples, the budget-friendly store also has some of the best deals on beauty, cleaning, and pet care buys.