Trader Joe’s is a fantastic store, and you can find a great selection here. Some of the items are absolutely amazing and worth the price, while others you want to avoid at all costs because of the quality and pricing differences. With our list, you’ll see which items at Trader Joe’s shouldn’t be in your cart.
Packaged Sushi
Unlike other stores, Trader Joe’s doesn’t make their sushi in-house. About six years ago, they recalled items like sushi meals and poke bowls because of a listeria contamination. Those who are still willing to try it have said that other options are better and have more flavor, though most have stopped going for the sushi entirely.
Chunky Guacamole
Specifically, the guacamole with Greek yogurt. Fans of the store have gone as far as saying that this is an abomination and a disgrace to guacamole. Others ask why they would add yogurt to a recipe that was already great. It’s been said that it isn’t comparable to traditional guacamole, and they’d rather have the real thing or choose another dip.
Beef Pho Soup
When it first came out, it was one of the most hyped-up items. People were excited to try it; however, they were quickly disappointed and immediately took to the internet to complain. Some took a single bite and trashed it, while others stated they thought the item was false advertising because the broth had no flavor. That ended up being the main complaint, with people lamenting that the lack of flavor was horrible.
Chicken Taquitos
The frozen chicken taquitos have received a lot of hate. People have said that the chicken was mushy, the filling was of a terrible consistency, and the taquitos were barely edible. Some have even claimed that they tasted like mystery meat from a bad cafeteria and had a rubbery texture.
Burritos
For this one, the taste isn’t the problem. The issue is that one burrito is 600 calories and over 1,500 milligrams of sodium. People believe that’s an awful lot for one pollo asado wrap. While many say the taste is just fine, others have mentioned that it’s better for your health to use ingredients to make your own wraps so you can better control the nutritional stats.
Toilet Paper
When it comes to the toilet paper, customers complain that you’re paying more than at other stores, and the material isn’t as soft. If you want to avoid feeling like your bottom is being scraped with sandpaper, it’s suggested that you try another brand or store that might offer a better option. Some have even suggested a bidet, although not everyone can afford that option.
Zoodles
Eating healthy is excellent, but the problem with this option is that you can make them yourself for far less money. While buying them ready-made saves you time, it doesn’t save you money. In fact, if you do the math, zoodles cost twice as much per pound as buying an entire squash to make your own. Another factor is that stores sell a vegetable peeler for less than ten dollars, so it’s a worthy investment if you want zoodles often.
Kale Gnocchi
Gnocchi is amazing when done properly, but the kale gnocchi misses the mark. People who tried it said that they disliked every single bite, though the cauliflower option is a fan favorite. The main problem was that there wasn’t enough flavor, and you could taste the kale more than the sauce and other ingredients.
Almond Butter Puffs Cereal
Marketed as an alternative and healthy take on Kix, people were excited to try this cereal until they realized what it tasted like. Unlike Kix, customers complained that the cereal tasted like cardboard, was coated in sugar despite its health claims, and, with all that sugar, it still didn’t taste sweet. While the idea was great, customers felt it didn’t fulfill its promises.
Watermelon Jerky
This product has sparked hot debate, with some people loving it and others downright hating it. Some noted that the flavor is unique, while others said it’s reminiscent of leather. The strips had an odd texture in combination with the taste, and another issue was an unpleasant smell. Additionally, many found it was filled with seeds, which made the experience worse.
Ranch
If you’re a fan of ranch dressing, you know the difference between a good and a bad-tasting sauce. However, while many have praised Trader Joe’s for their dressings and sauces, their ranch missed the mark. The consistency is off, and many have said it’s far sweeter than expected and differs too much from what they’re used to.
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Some stores do cauliflower crust right, but unfortunately, Trader Joe’s is not that store. Many customers have complained that when following the directions on the package, the crust breaks, crumbles, and completely falls apart. The crust cannot support the weight of toppings, leading to a huge mess, and it doesn’t taste that great. This option is not worth the trouble.
Soyaki
Soyaki does have flavor, but it’s mostly salty. The sodium count in this sauce is almost a quarter of what you’re supposed to have in an entire day, and that’s in just one serving! If you need a sauce that tastes better and won’t send you into sodium overdrive, you might want to try making your own or finding a low-sodium option.
Peanuts In A Pickle
During the phase when everything was pickle-flavored, one of the products that emerged was Peanuts in a Pickle. This falls into the “why on earth would you do this?” category. Some people even complained that it tasted like bleach or other cleaning chemicals.
Bad Food Options
As you can see, most of the items on this list are food. When you visit Trader Joe’s in search of something you’ll enjoy, skip these rejects and opt for what you know is good. No one wants to taste flavorless, overpriced food when you could have something that truly delivers on its promise.
