Here’s What to Buy (and Not to Buy) at Trader Joe’s

Average Price: $7.67/pound*
Verdict: Skip It

$7.67 for two pork chops is expensive, and Trader Joe’s pork chops are another “Skip It” from the TJ’s meat section. CNBC pointed out that the “fresh meat” from the store can be “more expensive” than competitors’ meats. The pork chops are the same. The average price of pork chops in America is $4 (Statista) a pound.

Pork Chops @Rene' Pothetes / Facebook.com

LivingWellSpendingLess.com said that Trader Joe’s just isn’t able to “compete” when it comes to meat’s “price or quality.” Most grocery stores offer better deals on chicken, pork, and beef, even for organically-raised meat. As CNBC put it, “price check before you buy.”

Average Price: $2.50*
Verdict: Buy It

The avocado industry has been rapidly expanding in America for years. In 2019 alone, 5.1 billion pounds of avocados were consumed by Americans. An impressive amount. With that being said, they’re not cheap to buy. You can pick up a pack of four organic avocados in Target for $4.99. 

Organic Avocados @Jack_thedreamer / Twitter.com

Hass avocados have become somewhat of a luxury food, with millennials even paying upwards of $15 to eat a meal of avocado spread on a piece of toast. You can pick up a pack of four organic avocados in Target for $4.99, making them one of the priciest produce items around. 

That’s why Trader Joe’s offering at $2.50 seems much more appealing. However, while the quality is good and the cost is affordable, consumers have noticed that Trader Joe’s avocados are slightly smaller than ones you might buy elsewhere.

Average Price: $3.99*
Verdict: Buy It

Anyone who has been to Trader Joe’s immediately notices the beautiful flower arrangements in the produce section. Not only are these flowers beautiful and often seasonally-decorated, but they are also very affordable. Most bouquets start at just $3.99. When The Kitchn compared the prices of Trader Joe’s flowers to those of Kroger, Whole Foods, Aldi, and Costco, it found that Trader Joe’s was the cheapest.

Flowers ©Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock.com

Trader Joe’s also gets new flowers every single morning. So, it’s a fun surprise each time you go in there, as you never know what you’ll get. You are able to reserve/order specific flowers, but you’ll need to call the store directly to see if they are available.  

Average Price: $2.99*
Verdict: Skip It

Mashed said you should “never” buy this particular item from Trader Joe’s. The reason doesn’t have anything to do with quality, just expense. Milk costs more at Trader Joe’s than other local places. Whole Foods milk is $2 cheaper than Trader Joe’s, and Walmart has lactose-free milk for 83 cents cheaper.

Milk @TheKrazyCouponLady / Pinterest.com

Why exactly the milk is so expensive is unclear. The price of milk went up sixty cents by the gallon recently, and RFDTV said that that had something to do with the price of feed increasing. Farmers had to cut back on cow herds, and that led to a loss of production.

Average Price: $2.29*
Verdict: Buy It 

Hummus is the perfect accompaniment to any event, from corporate meetings to intimate dinner parties. That being said, everyone has a different idea of what works in the dip and what doesn’t. For garlic aficionados, there’s nothing quite like Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Hummus. 

Trader Joe's Roasted Garlic Hummus @traderjoes / Instagram.com

The ancient Middle Eastern staple is making a major comeback, and we are absolutely here for it. The creamy, savory dip makes a great appetizer whether with chips or crudite, and can be spread on nearly any sandwich for an extra hit of flavor. 

At just $2.29, it won’t break the bank but it will keep everyone in the house happy. It’s worth every dime – just make sure to brush your teeth afterward unless you’re trying to keep the vampires away. Unless you want to sleep on the couch, that is. 

Average Price: $4.99*
Verdict: Skip It 

When it comes to coconut oil, there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation about what to look for, and what is worth shelling out the big bucks for. It might be healthier in some respects than olive or canola oil due to a higher smoke point, but that doesn’t mean it should require such a hefty price tag. 

Trader Joe's Coconut Oil @Katie's Bliss / Pinterest.com

Coconut oil has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years as consumers continue to ride the health food wave. You can find solid coconut oil almost everywhere, including in Amazon’s Whole Foods. However, it can vary wildly in price from $4 to over $11 depending on where you shop. 

Trader Joe’s own version costs $4.99 for a 16-oz jar. While the price is competitive at first glance, most analysts day there are better deals to be had. According to Reader’s Digest, coconut oil lovers are better off buying in bulk for the cheapest price per ounce.  

Average Price: $2.50*
Verdict: Buy It

Chocolate lovers looking for a pure hit need look no further than Trader Joe’s Cacao Powder. Not only is it organic, but it’s fair trade as well (and who doesn’t like guilt-free indulgence?). At just $2.50 per pack, the price won’t break the bank either.

Trader Joe's Cacao Powder @spring201888 / Facebook.com

Cacao powder has tons of health benefits that food scientists are only beginning to understand. While chocolate candy is mostly sugar which outweighs the health benefits, cacao powder is an extremely nutrient-dense food, full of antioxidants and fiber. 

The same size pack of Navitas Naturals Organic Cacao Powder sells at Walmart for $6.44, so it’s obvious that this is a deal that isn’t to be missed. The reviews are also strong, with websites like Fooducate.com giving it five stars across the board.  

Average Price: $4.99*
Verdict: Debatable

Cheese is one of the more polemic foods out there. What one person prefers in their cheese might make another turn up their nose. And with so many options out there, from a creamy brie to a rock hard parmesan, there’s something for everyone, though TJ’s cheddar cheese might not be it.

Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese @Casey Finn, The DIY Playbook … / Pinterest.com

When it comes to cheese there’s plenty of competition out there. You could be a fan of Kraft or a fan of Walmart’s own brand – so what about Trader Joe’s? Is their Unexpected Cheddar really as good as everyone says it is? The answer isn’t quite black and white. 

Although the product is supposed to contain parmesan which gives it its unique taste, some say that while it tastes good, the parmesan flavor isn’t very detectable. So if you’re looking for a good value block of cheddar (roughly $4.99) then go ahead – but if you like your cheese really full of flavor, then you might want to skip this one. 

Average Price: $12.15*
Verdict: Buy It

Granola bars are perfect for when you’re in a rush and headed out the door. As a tasty snack they’re popular among consumers, which is why so many brands have rushed to create their own product. Trader Joe’s Fiberful Granola Bars cost just $12.15 for a pack of 10. 

Trader Joe's Fiberful Granola Bars @TJandMOMO / Twitter.com

While Trader Joe’s granola bars pass an eerily similar resemblance to the popular grocery store brand Fiber One’s granola bars, TJ’s might just have the competition beat when it comes to price. Either way, it’s never been so fun and tasty to eat your fiber. 

While you can get a pack of 24 granola bars from Walmart’s Great Value line for just $2.84, the taste is questionable. If you’re hoping to stumble across a high-quality snack at a decent price, then Trader Joe’s delivers the goods. Sunbelt does a similar product at the higher cost of $14.99. 

Average Price: $3.69*
Verdict: Buy It

At just $3.69 per jar, Trader Joe’s landed on its feet when someone in the lab came up with the winning Speculoos Cookie Butter recipe. Similar to Biscoff spreads that hail from Europe, this tasty jar of heaven packs a punch that those with a sweet tooth can fully enjoy. 

Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter @MEDIABOXSTORE / Twitter.com

A relatively new treat that is taking the US by storm, cookie butter is a sweet confection made by blending the crumbs of Biscoff biscuits with vegetable oil and sugar until it reaches a thick, spreadable consistency. Similar to the appeal of cookie dough, this ooey gooey treat almost feels wrong it’s so good.

Is it healthy? Absolutely not, but if you’re in the market for something like this then it doesn’t really matter. Fans of the product say it goes well with pretzels, toast, apples, vanilla wafers, and even waffles, making it a solid, affordable all-rounder.

Average Price: $1.49*
Verdict: Buy It

Business Insider said that consumers’ “best bet” is to head to Trader Joe’s to buy eggs, as the price there is “reliable.” The price of eggs at Trader Joe’s is $1.49 for a dozen (which is around twelve cents an egg). The eggs are cheaper than you’d find at places like Whole Foods and its 365 store brand.

Eggs ©David Tran Photo / Shutterstock.com

The eggs from Trader Joe’s are another example of how a store can be more affordable if it makes its goods itself, as opposed to buying them from a third-party supplier. Costco, Walmart, Target, and pretty much every big-name store has its own brand.

Average Price: $4.49*
Verdict: Debatable

Made with pea protein, Trader Joe’s Protein Patties are another attempt at luring in the growing vegan market. It may be an honorable attempt, but at $4.49 is it worth it? The price itself may not be the actual issue (Beyond sells its own patties for around $5.60), as the taste isn’t everyone’s cup of soy. 

Trader Joe's Protein Patties @Hip2Save / Twitter.com

According to Insider, the patties sizzle in the pan and are juicy enough, but taste-wise they still don’t quite measure up to faux-beef brands as companies like Beyond or Impossible. Depending on what you expect from your plant-based burger, this could be a big hit or an inexcusable miss. 

With a name like protein patties, it also doesn’t quite wet the taste buds in the same way as a nice juicy hamburger would. Looks like TJ’s could use some rebranding help on this one, though the market is already pretty saturated with vegetarian meat replacements. 

Average Price: $4*
Verdict: Skip It

Both former employees of Trader Joe’s and customers have said the same thing: don’t buy the sushi at Trader Joe’s. Spoon University’s Emily Baxter is a former Trader Joe’s employee, and she spilled the beans on the store in an article, stating that the sushi “sits in a box” from production all the way until it is bought.

Trader Joe's Sushi @kelvz8 / Twitter.com

Customers have also complained about the sushi, with reviewers stating that it is “gummy” and tastes weirdly “sweet.” MSN.com, Real Simple, Business Insider, Mashed, and Money.com all warned against buying sushi at Trader Joe’s, the taste and freshness concerns being the top reasons. 

Average Price: $2.49*
Verdict: Buy It

Cooking Light called this one of the top ten “best cheeses” to purchase at Trader Joe’s. The cheese isn’t expensive, costing $2.49 for a 4.4-ounce wedge. Trader Joe’s Goat Milk Brie was described by Kitchn taste-testers as “tangy, slightly sweet, and intensely milk[y].” Another food blogger cautioned that you should eat it right away—don’t leave it in your fridge for a month.

Trader Joe's Goat Milk Brie @Bon Appetit Magazine / Pinterest.com

Goat cheese (and brie) is an acquired taste, but for the price, brie fans will be happy with the selection at Trader Joe’s. In addition to having goat milk cheese, Trader Joe’s also sells goat milk.