Trader Joe’s has cultivated a devoted following thanks to its budget-friendly prices, unique food selections, and playful store vibe.
By primarily offering Trader Joe’s-branded items, the chain can move quickly with new products and keep marketing expenses low.
There are largergrocery chains, but Trader Joe’s inspires a near-cult devotion that many competitors lack. The more than 3 million@traderjoesfollowers on Instagram attest to that.
Is it the irresistible mandarin orange chicken? The caramelized onion dip, Everything But the Bagel seasoning, or dark chocolate peanut butter cups? Those are certainly high on our favorites list.
Most shoppers worry about grocery costs, and because Trader Joe’s prices run approximately33%below other supermarket chains, it’s appealing. One tactic Trader Joe’s uses to keep costs down is buying directly from producers and farmers. Removing middlemen cuts expenses, but it also means some items you love might not always be stocked.
While Trader Joe’s won’t always have every item on your list —there are broader choices for cleaning supplies and meat elsewhere—or the absolute cheapest price on everything, the mix of cost and quality makes TJ’s a solid choice. This is particularly true for produce and bakery items, since they often source those locally.
How We Determined the Best Bargains at Trader Joe’s
We compared prices of Trader Joe’s items with those at other national grocery chains by focusing on items both stores carry.Although much of Trader Joe’s appeal comes from low prices, the extensive selection—especially its tasty international and specialty offerings—resists direct comparison. It struck a chord with its viral Everything But the Bagel seasoning, which appears in cream cheese, chips and crackers.
We also evaluated how the stores perform for special diets, whether vegan, vegetarian or kosher. In recent years, Trader Joe’s has expanded itsgluten-free selection, and prices are competitive with other supermarkets.
Our 12 Top Trader Joe’s Picks
- For cheese aficionados: English cheddar with caramelized onions
- For celebratory drinks: Prosecco, Italy’s sparkling wine
- For munching all day: Cheese puffs
- For nutritious options: Frozen fruits and vegetables
- For the freezer: Vegan ravioli and pad Thai
- For breakfast bites: Organic rolled oats
- For wholesome snacking: Dried fruits and nuts
- For entertaining: Mini wontons and mac-and-cheese bites
- For dip lovers: Assorted hummus and spreads
- For Taco Tuesdays: All the fixings, including guacamole made with Greek yogurt
- For quick hostess gifts: Flowers and greeting cards
- For special diets: Gluten-free, vegan and kosher selections
For Cheese Aficionados
Trader Joe’s clearly understands a love of cheese. From mac & cheese bites to the ever-popular Unexpected Cheddar, the retailer offers a range of cheeses and cheesy prepared foods for roughly 75% of what other stores charge. A 5-ounce goat cheese log runs $2.99 at Trader Joe’s. By comparison, a 4-ounce goat cheese log costs $4.11 (Prime price) or $5.49 (non-Prime) at Whole Foods.
If you’re putting together a charcuterie board, start at Trader Joe’s to save both time and money.
For Celebratory Drinks
Beyond the well-known Two Buck Chuck, Trader Joe’s has a solid and affordable wine selection. Fans of prosecco can find decent bottles priced between $8 and $11. Similar bottles at Walmart typically range from $11 to $16. Its red and white wines are usually about $2 cheaper on average than other national stores.
When shopping for Prosecco, DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) denotes the highest quality classification. Trader Joe’s Villa Antica Asolo Prosecco DOCG Superiore sells for $8 a bottle. Winn Dixie carries a comparable Prosecco now on a buy one get one free deal, but the usual price is closer to $20.
For Munching All Day
Got a sweet tooth? Whether you’re concocting cookie butter recipes or daydreaming about dark chocolate-covered marshmallows, items like organic vanilla ice cream, pretzel nuggets, tortilla chips and potato chips are priced similarly or below national chains.
A 16-ounce bag of peanut butter-filled pretzels is $2.49 at Trader Joe’s. A slightly larger bag at Whole Foods goes for $5.79, and a 24-ounce container at Kroger is $6.79.
We should note ice cream pricing. Trader Joe’s isn’t always the cheapest for standard ice cream, but if you want vegan options or unique flavors, it’s often a good value. A quart of its Coffee Bean Blast Ice Cream is $4.49, more than double the store-brand price at Walmart but nearly half of what national name brands cost. Try blending a scoop into your cold brew for a quick, cheaper coffee smoothie.
For Nutritious Options
Trader Joe’s gives careful thought to produce purchasing. Per its podcast, the chain typically avoids chemically ripened produce. Fresh items arrive daily, and produce coolers are compact so products move through quickly. Direct purchasing from growers also contributes to lower prices.
This often means produce—especially organic fruits and vegetables—sells for less than at other supermarkets, closer to farmers’ market rates. With a broad produce selection, you can try new flavors without much cost risk. That said, consistency can vary; for example, organic portobello mushrooms may come pre-washed one visit and not the next.
Real savings are most evident with organic produce, typically significantly cheaper than competitors. Over a third of TJ’s produce is organic. A 6-ounce bag of organic greens is $2.49 at Trader Joe’s, while an 18-ounce bag of non-organic romaine is $5.24 at Walmart. Of course, major retailers occasionally offer bagged greens at lower sale prices.
Reviews of Trader Joe’s produce are mixed. Part of that may come from how produce is priced: many items are sold per piece rather than per pound. If the item is something you’ll eat quickly or freeze, it’s generally a good deal.
For the Freezer
Prices in Trader Joe’s freezer section can differ markedly from other stores. A 16-ounce package of four turkey burgers costs $3.79. The closest comparable item at Walmart is 32 ounces for $9.64.
Trader Joe’s offers a range of frozen fruits at competitive prices. Frozen pineapple, peaches, blueberries and mango cost less than at other stores. Frozen vegetables are similar in price to most retailers, though Trader Joe’s tends to be cheaper on organic frozen veggies.
Frozen entrees at Walmart, Kroger and Trader Joe’s are comparable in price, but selection varies. If you crave Chicken Tikka Masala, ginger soup dumplings, vegan Pad Thai, or vegan lasagna and ravioli, Trader Joe’s typically has more variety.
For Breakfast Bites
Like many Trader Joe’s items, they carry a few staple cereals (crispy rice, crunchy cinnamon squares) given the Trader Joe’s twist (strawberry yogurt, almond butter puffs). Trader Joe’s cereals cost about the same as store brands at Albertsons and Walmart, but considerably less than major national brands. Keep in mind some supermarkets run buy one/get one free cereal deals that TJ’s does not offer.
Organic rolled oats are $3.99 for 32 ounces at Trader Joe’s, compared with $2.99 at Kroger for 18 ounces.
For Wholesome Snacking
Trader Joe’s is a great source for bargains on dried fruit and nuts. A 10-ounce bag of organic dried figs is $2.99 there. Compare that to $3.79 for a smaller non-organic bag at Winn Dixie. Dried dates, apricots, apple slices and more are typically cheaper at Trader Joe’s.
Nuts vary more in price. Pricier nuts such as cashews, almonds and mixed nuts tend to cost somewhat less per ounce at Trader Joe’s. Peanuts are often cheaper elsewhere. For baking, Trader Joe’s offers the best prices on nuts—slivered almonds, for instance, are roughly 30% less than at other stores.
For Entertaining
Appetizers have been part of social eating forever. Whether you want something microwavable or an impressive spread, Trader Joe’s offers creative appetizers at good prices.
Mini wontons can be heated up for $3.49 at Trader Joe’s versus $4.45 at Albertsons. Taquitos and spring rolls may be slightly cheaper at other supermarkets, but quesadillas are notably less expensive at Trader Joe’s. Mac and cheese bites — a guilty pleasure for many — run about $2 less at Trader Joe’s than elsewhere.
For Dip Lovers
Trader Joe’s carries a strong assortment of hummus and dips. The caramelized onion dip doubles well as a sandwich spread. They’ve even managed to put the beloved bagel sesame seasoning into a dip.
An 8-ounce tub of organic hummus is $2.99 at Trader Joe’s. A 10-ounce container goes for $5.99 at Albertsons. Fans of easy avocado toast can get a 10-ounce container of organic chunky guacamole for $4.49 — the same price as a non-organic version at Kroger. If you like heat, try the cauliflower jalapeño variety. Does the cauliflower count as a vegetable serving?
For Taco Tuesdays
We priced a typical taco meal including tortillas, salsa, ground chicken, sweet corn, sour cream, black beans and sharp cheddar. Feeding four would cost $21.79 using Trader Joe’s products, versus $27.30 at Kroger. Want to splurge a bit? Pick up Trader Joe’s Chunky Guacamole made with Greek yogurt.
For Quick Hostess Gifts
Heading to a gathering and need a simple gift? Flowers from Trader Joe’s are a reliable choice. A dozen Trader Joe’s roses cost $10, whereas the same bouquet is $14 at Albertsons. Greeting cards run about a dollar, making it easy to stock up for various occasions.
For Special Diets
I won’t deny that I could probably finish a box of gluten-free chocolate almond cookies in one sitting. Over recent years, Trader Joe’s has expanded its gluten-free range considerably. The cauliflower gnocchi pairs well with Alfredo or tomato sauce. Some dishes like fried rice can hide wheat (soy sauce), so TJ’s cauliflower stir-fry is a solid alternative. Gluten-free bagels are $4.99 and tasty; comparable items cost $7.79 at Safeway.
Shoppers can request updated lists of gluten-free, vegan and kosher products from staff. Thekosher listspans eight digital pages.
The Drawbacks of Trader Joe’s
There aren’t many downsides to Trader Joe’s, but its website search is one. Finding specific products online can be frustrating. It also lacks delivery and pickup services. The biggest gripe for many is that popular items come and go. You might get hooked on cauliflower gnocchi only to find it suddenly gone. A beloved trail mix vanished after a month, never to return. Trader Joe’s, you tease.
Not every product is a bargain. Meat prices aren’t notably better than elsewhere. Its toilet paper isn’t especially soft. Some gluten-free pizza crusts fall apart. Selections tend to be narrower than larger retailers. Still, these drawbacks don’t outweigh the money you can save and the interesting flavors you’ll discover.
Is Trader Joe’s Worth Shopping?
Many kitchen essentials can be found at Trader Joe’s for the same or lower prices than big regional chains like Publix or Kroger. Trader Joe’s stocks healthier alternatives and a higher share of organic options at prices below Whole Foods. You’ll find international flavors alongside familiar staples, and the company makes efforts toward sustainable packaging and sourcing. Inflation has pushed prices up everywhere, but increases have been smaller at Trader Joe’s.
If your grocery list contains items mentioned above and you haven’t tried a Trader Joe’s yet, it’s worth a visit to see if you save money.
Savinly contributor JoAnne Mercer writes about lifestyle and culture topics. She previously owned a coffee shop in St. Petersburg, Florida, and has hosted an arts program on community radio for nearly 30 years.
