I plan to create a curated list of up to 20 Trader Joe’s products shoppers may want to skip.
Each item will include the product name, price, and a short explanation of why it’s not worth buying—based on consistent negative feedback and repeated mentions across various online sources.
The focus is on accuracy, consensus, and value for everyday shoppers.
Beef Pho Soup,$4.99/ 16 Oz
- This frozen soup is frequently called out for lacking depth of flavor, being bland, and missing key elements like noodles, making it a poor imitation of authentic pho that’s not worth the convenience.
- Lacks flavor, and additional spices and broth did not improve it.
- Called a “straight up scam” due to flavorless broth and no noodles, worse than instant ramen.
- Regrets for not making cup noodles instead, with some trashing it after one bite as the “worst buy yet.”
Cauliflower Pizza Crust, $4.49/12 Oz
- Users report it crumbles easily under toppings, stays soft and soggy even when baked, and lacks the crispness of traditional crust, leading to a messy and unsatisfying pizza experience.
- Breaks and crumbles under the weight of toppings, leaving a difficult mess to clean up.
- Does not have the same crisp factor, even if baked on a baking sheet.
- Often compared unfavorably to other gluten-free options in Reddit discussions on worst products.
Fresh Produce (Prices vary, e.g., bananas at 69 cents/lb, blueberries at $4.49/pint)
- Often criticized for rotting quickly, being overpriced compared to other grocers, and poor quality like slimy greens or watery fruits, with no sales to offset the static pricing.
- Per-item pricing (e.g., bananas at 23 cents each, roughly 69 cents per pound) is higher than competitors like Lidl (57 cents per pound for bananas).
- Prepackaged in-season items (e.g., blueberries at $4.49 per pint) are over double the price of standard grocers during peak harvest.
- Varies by store, but generally not up to snuff, with fruits and vegetables rotting quickly as noted by shoppers.
- Reddit users emphasize it’s not the place for good produce due to quick spoilage.
Sliced Loaves of Bread, $3.49 for 6
- Without preservatives, these mold or dry out fast, especially pre-sliced options, and some varieties like brioche are overly sweet or buttery, making them less versatile than bakery alternatives.
- Don’t last more than a few days, tend to get moldy quickly compared to unsliced breads.
- No preservatives make baked goods more prone to spoilage, mold, drying out, and getting stale.
- Trader Joe’s does not have in-store bakeries, so breads are shipped in, reducing freshness.
- Reddit complaints include tougher and denser textures than other stores’ products.
Mandarin Orange Chicken, $5.49/22 Oz
- Described as gristly with dark meat that can cause texture issues, overly processed, and not living up to the hype despite its popularity, with better homemade or restaurant versions available.
- Very gristly and using dark chicken meat (leg, thigh), which made some gag.
- Overhyped but disappointing in quality, with Reddit users calling it out as a worst item.
Ranch Dressing, $2.99/16 Oz
- Many find it too sweet and lacking the classic creamy, herby profile, deviating from standard ranch expectations and not worth buying over well-known brands.
- Flavor is overly sweet and differs from the standard creamy, herby dip.
- Customers are particular about taste and consistency, and this does not meet expectations.
Milk, $2.69/Half gallon
- It has a reputation for souring faster than competitors’ milk, with no extended freshness guarantee, making it a risky purchase despite comparable or slightly lower pricing.
- A half-gallon of conventional milk at Trader Joe’s is typically less expensive than local supermarkets, but Lidl and Aldi offer it for a dollar less.
- Reddit threads report Trader Joe’s milk going sour more quickly than generic milk from other stores.
- Kroger’s milk, at a similar price, is guaranteed for 10 days beyond the best-by date, reducing risk.
Kale Gnocchi, $2.99/12 oz
The chewy texture and overpowering veggie flavor disappoint those expecting pillowy pasta, often described as off-putting and not satisfying as a quick meal.
- Chewy texture and strong veggie flavor may not meet taste expectations.
Cookie Butter, $3.99/14.1 Oz
Overly sweet and cloying for many, this spread is seen as overhyped and not versatile, with some calling it an unnecessary indulgence that overwhelms in recipes.
- Over-the-top sweetness can be overwhelming.
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Blend $1.99/2.3 Oz
- Frequently noted as too salty, dominating dishes with sodium (up to 21% daily value per serving), and less balanced than homemade blends or other seasonings.
- Can be too salty and not as versatile as some might expect.
Frozen Chicken Taquitos, $3.99/18 Oz
- Filled with mushy, bland “chicken paste” that lacks flavor and texture, these are often compared unfavorably to fast-food versions and deemed barely edible.
- Filled with chicken mush, like eating a “hot booger with fake lime juice.”
- No amount of seasoning masks the bland, undesirable texture.
Organic Baby Spinach & Spring Mix Blend, $2.29/6 Oz
- Prone to becoming floppy, slimy, and breaking down quickly, requiring constant sorting of bad leaves, which wastes time and money.
- Always floppy, slimy, and leaves start to break down.
- Requires constant picking out of bad leaves, making it less usable.
Cacio E Pepe Pasta Sauce, $3.79/ 14.05 Oz
- Tastes off, like “dirty feet” according to reviewers, with the trendy flavor feeling overused and not delivering the creamy, peppery punch expected.
- Tasting like “dirty feet.”
Chunky Guacamole with Greek Yogurt, $3.99 for tub
- The addition of yogurt is called an “abomination” by critics, ruining the traditional avocado taste and texture, though a few like it as a dip alternative.
- Called an “abomination” and questioned why yogurt was added.
- Not comparable to real guacamole, though some liked it as a dip.
Watermelon Jerky, $3.69/2 Oz
- The flavor and chewy texture divide opinions, with many finding it bizarre or unappealing, not worth the price for such a niche snack.
- Flavor and texture can be divisive, may not appeal to everyone.
- Described as horrendous and shocking how bad watermelon could taste.
Pre-Cooked Chicken Strips, $4.99/16 Oz
Dry, flavorless, and overpriced for the portion, these are convenient but underwhelming, with suggestions to opt for marinated fresh chicken instead.
- Admittedly dry and lacking in flavor.
- Not as good as other protein options like pre-marinated chicken from the meat section.
- Higher per-pound cost and lack of bulk-buy discounts compared to other retailers.
Orange Juice, $6.49/Half-gallon
Surprisingly expensive compared to brands like Tropicana, which offer similar not-from-concentrate quality at half the cost, without added value.
- Trader Joe’s orange juice is surprisingly pricey at $6.49 for a half-gallon of non-organic, twice the price of Tropicana.
- Does not offer a cost advantage despite being cheap for other beverages.
Soyaki Sauce, $3.99/21 Oz
- Dominated by excessive salt (490mg per serving), it overwhelms marinades and stir-fries, prompting advice to make your own teriyaki-style sauce.
- Big part of the flavor is just salt.
- Contains 490 milligrams of sodium per serving, 21 percent of the recommended daily value.
Pre-Made Sandwiches and Wraps, $4/6 each
- Often soggy, messy, and skimpy on flavorful fillings, these are seen as a last-resort option that’s no better than what you can assemble at home.
- Usually soggy and messy to eat.
- Not loaded with flavorful ingredients, not the best meal option.
- High cost for value, small portions, and comparable pricing to major supermarkets.
Joe’s O’s Cereal, $1.99/12 Oz
- Bland with no satisfying crunch, it’s viewed as a weak imitation of Cheerios, lacking the toasty flavor that makes breakfast cereals enjoyable.
- Flavor is bland.
- Don’t have the same crunch as other grain cereals.
