12 Items You Shouldn't Buy at Trader Joe's

No one is perfect. Not even TJ's.

Trader Joe’s is beloved for its reasonable prices, array of easy-to-make frozen dishes, and inventive grocery items, but even the popular grocery store chain has made a few missteps. While we’re big fans of the Mandarin Orange Chicken—a TJ’s Hall of Fame inductee—and the versatile Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, it’s no secret that not every TJ’s product is capable of achieving superstar status. In fact, we think that there are a handful of Trader Joe’s staples not worthy of your hard-earned money. Keep reading to find out which items you shouldn’t buy at Trader Joe’s. 

Related: 12 Cozy Favorites From Trader Joe's That’ll Help Beat the Winter Blues

Pre-Cooked Chicken Strips

If we’re being honest, is pre-cooked chicken ever that good? We understand that for convenience purposes, these chicken strips are easy to add to a salad or sandwich, but they are admittedly dry and lacking in flavor. If you’re looking for a quick way to add protein to your meal, consider getting some pre-marinated chicken from the meat section instead. You will have to cook it, but at least it’s already seasoned!

Beef Pho Soup

Many Reddit users urged fellow TJ's customers to not even try the Beef Pho. One user said they tried to enhance the flavor with some additional spices and broth, but nothing seemed to make it taste better. Yikes! Luckily, Trader Joe’s has plenty of pre-made soup varieties that are hearty and flavorful, so there are other options to enjoy.

Ranch Dressing

Since we’re being candid, condiments are definitely not TJ's strong suit. Maybe it’s because there are so many classic condiment brands that we’ve already grown to love. The bottom line is, ranch-loving people are very particular with not just the taste, but the consistency of their go-to dressing, and TJ's ranch isn’t highly praised. More specifically, many customers feel that the flavor is overly sweet and differs too much from the standard creamy, herby dip.

Related: 7 Ingredients You’ll Never Find in Trader Joe’s Products

Queso Cheese Dip

If you’re a queso lover, you may be shocked by what you read next. According to many Reddit users, the vegan queso from Trader Joe's is far superior to the one made with real cheese—plot twist! Apparently, one of the ingredients in the regular Queso Cheese Dip is apple cider vinegar, which adds an unwanted acidity and sourness to the condiment. You could always grab a container of the dairy-free version, or even make your own at home.

Mayonnaise

Yet another condiment that seems not to be worth the squeeze. The biggest complaint about TJ's mayonnaise is that it tastes vastly different than the typical white sandwich spread. While customers can’t quite put their finger on what makes this product unappetizing, it’s probably best to stick to well-known brands, like Hellmann’s or Sir Kensington.

Pre-Made Sandwiches and Wraps

If you’ve ever checked out the pre-made sandwich section at TJ's, you already know they’re just mediocre, quick-lunch options. The biggest problem with these convenient items is that they are usually soggy and messy to eat. They’re also not loaded with flavorful ingredients, so it certainly won’t be the best meal you’ve ever had. That being said, if you need something in a pinch—they aren’t the worst thing you can reach for.

Related: 20 Trader Joe's Shopping Mistakes You Should Avoid at All Costs

Joe’s O’s Cereal

Most of TJ's cereal selection is a 10 out of 10, but Joe’s O’s are just a sad Cheerio imposter. The flavor is bland, and they don’t have the same crunch as other grain cereals. Perhaps they would taste better in a bowl with milk and some fresh fruit, but you may as well just get the real deal.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

The cauliflower trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but this pizza crust has many flaws. The cooking instructions say to put it directly on an oven rack, but the crust breaks and crumbles under the weight of any toppings, leaving a difficult mess to clean up. Sure, you could bake it on a baking sheet instead, but it still won’t have that same crisp factor. If you still want a cauliflower pizza option, TJ's also has a pepperoni-topped version that’s delicious and easy to make!

Soyaki

I love Trader Joe’s, and I purchased this sauce in a pinch only to be disappointed. While the Soyaki has flavor, a big part of that flavor is just salt. The preservative-free condiment contains a whopping 490 milligrams of sodium per serving, which is 21 percent of the recommended daily value for sodium. Yikes. If you need a teriyaki sauce, make your own or stick to a brand you know, such as Kikkoman or Bachan's.

Related: 7 Trader Joe's Condiments That Should Be Grocery List Staples

Most Fresh Produce

As many Trader Joe’s shoppers know, the produce department leaves a bit to be desired. While the produce (and its quality) does vary from store-to-store, shoppers generally agree that TJ’s fresh fruits and vegetables aren’t quite up to snuff. As one Reddit user put it: “Their produce is poor quality and rots quickly.” Still, some of the produce is worth checking out. We’re fond of the seasonal Sumo citrus fruits and the Teeny Tiny Avocados.

Sliced Loaves of Bread

The Trader Joe’s bread department has many fans, but not all of the bread offerings are a hit with customers. Since the breads (and all other TJ’s-branded products) are made without preservatives, many shoppers complain that they don’t last more than a few days. This is particularly true of the pre-sliced loaves, which tend to get moldy more quickly than TJ’s breads that aren’t sliced. “Their bread gets moldy quickly, and while they have a good range of options, quality bakeries in my area are abundant so I buy my bread elsewhere,” declared a Reddit user.

Organic Baby Spinach & Spring Mix Blend

It can be tempting to buy a lettuce mix so you can throw together simple, tasty salads in a pinch, but Reddit users note that not all of these blends are the same quality. As one user pointed out, shoppers should steer clear of any bagged salad that’s made with the spring mix. “They are always floppy, slimy and the leaves start to break down,” the shopper explained. “I would love to eat them, but I find myself picking out bad leaves constantly.”

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