I Tried Grocery Shopping at TJ Maxx - The Total Surprised Me

Traditional grocery stores aren't the only places to shop for food. Even though TJ Maxx is known for low-priced designer fashions and bargain beauty buys, the retailer is also well-stocked with pantry products, kitchen staples, and gourmet goodies. And that's why I swapped my usual Aldi and Trader Joe's hauls for a trip to this discount store.

How did TJ Maxx help me to tackle high grocery costs? After tallying up my favorite finds, the total truly shocked me. While I couldn't get everything on my regular list (sorry, no eggs, milk, meat, bread, or cheese), here are 14 items that are surprisingly affordable.

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

Price: $11.99

What's better than a candy bar-coffee combo? I found this 24-pod pack of decadently delicious K-Cups for under $12. The same quantity sells for $20.99 (one-time purchase) on Keurig's website.

Price: $5.99

Bone broth is one food trend I've waited to try. But when I saw this four-stick pack at TJ Maxx, I figured I'd give it a go. Each zero-sugar serving has 10 grams of protein and 50 calories.

Even though $5.99 may seem pricey, I spotted the same size box (four sticks) from a different brand at Whole Foods Market for $2 more.

Price: $4.99

I relish the chance to score pickles at a bargain price. And this 32-ounce jar of Polish dills did not disappoint.

A half case (four 32-ounce jars) of the same product costs $38.99 on Old World Foods' website. At that price, I would have paid $9.75 per jar.

Price: $5.99

I wasn't expecting to find pantry products like pasta at TJ Maxx. But the retailer had this 17.7-ounce pack of gourmet durum wheat semolina Ricciarelle (long, ribbon-shaped noodles) for $5.99. An almost identical item costs over $10 from specialty stores online.

Bonus, I didn't have to worry about stopping at another store just to score sauce. TJ Maxx had a 24-ounce jar of Sacla Italia Arrabbiata imported whole cherry tomato sauce in stock for $6.99.

Price: $4.99

Now that I've scoured TJ Maxx's food aisles, I know that it's easy to pack my pantry with everyday essentials like salt. This 3.5-ounce jar of Greek flakes is a gourmet option at a bargain price. The well-priced pick is perfect for seasoning chicken, fish, meat, veggies, and more.

Price: $5.99

It's easier to snag this ready-to-go seasoning staple than mixing my own blend. Sea salt, herbs, lemon, spices, chili, and garlic give this popular name-brand buy a savory flavor. Even though it's made for veggies, you can also sprinkle the rub on burgers, steak, or grilled chicken.

Price: $5.99

Breakfast just got better. Instead of an overly sweet selection, I snagged this 12-ounce bottle of sugar-free blueberry syrup. Not only is it perfect with pancakes, but it also adds something special to ice cream sundaes, yogurt parfaits, and other desserts.

Compare $5.99 at TJ Maxx to $8.99 for the same item from the brand's website.

Price: $5.99

A salty snack shouldn't break the bank, and these dill-flavored nuts really "cash" in on the pickle trend. Eat these under-$6 cashews straight from the seven-ounce bag or blend them into a tasty travel-ready trail mix.

Price: $5.99

Chia is a healthy alternative to donuts and fatty breakfast foods. If you don't have time to start from scratch, these overnight oats are an easy option.

Just add milk (or a non-dairy beverage) to the oat, chia, goji berry, and pumpkin seed blend, and soak. Tip: I like to mix in fresh berries, sliced berries, and a drizzle of honey for added flavor.

Price: $3.99

Pass on plain tea and pick up this caffeine-free blend from TJ Maxx for under $4. The identical item costs $6.95 from the brand (online). This herbal supplement could reduce the symptoms of motion sickness and improve digestion.

Price: $12.99

Supermarkets aren't the only stores to score staples like this 33.8-ounce bottle of 100% pure, naturally refined avocado oil.

For $12.99, this deal is a steal. Target sells the same size bottle of Chosen Foods Avocado Oil for $22.99.

Price: $5.99

No dairy? No problem. This white cheddar-flavored find is milk-free. With 50% less fat than similar snacks and plenty of protein, the chickpea puffs are a plant-based pick that I absolutely adore.

Price: $7.99

Forget about wasting time in the kitchen peeling and canning garlic. This jar of cloves is seasoned and ready to go. Add the savory selection to sauce, salads, soup, or almost any other recipe.

Price: $4.99

The rich smoky flavor paired with tangy onions and a subtle zest makes this mustard more than just a regular condiment. Even though I initially had the plain yellow version on my list, this jazzed-up flavor was an unexpected and, at under $5, affordable addition to my grocery haul.

TJ Maxx is my go-to for high-end clothes on a tight budget. But as it turns out, the retailer's deals go well beyond designer dresses and trendy tops. I snagged these affordable items for under $100. So if you're looking for an easy way to keep more cash in your wallet, I recommend checking out the food aisle before you leave the store.

Of course, the savings don't stop there. Updating your kitchen or cookware stash? Hint: Instead of overspending at Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, or West Elm, I spotted discounts on top brands at TJ Maxx.