When you’re trying to feed a family or stretch your grocery budget past Tuesday, most people head to Costco or Aldi for the dollar-conscious haul. But Trader Joe’s — the cool tote-bag-carrying kid in the grocery world — has some solid picks too.
We dug through Reddit and reviews to find the best deals Joe’s has to offer. Surprisingly, a lot of them are under $5. So there’s that.
Dry Pasta
$0.99
It is basic yes, but is one of the best pantry deals at Trader Joe’s. Their one-pound dry pasta bags go for just 99 cents. Shapes like penne, spaghetti, elbows, and fusilli are all made with 100% durum wheat semolina.
Just for context, Barilla, which tends to float between $1.39 and $1.79 at big-box stores, even when it’s on sale. Trader Joe’s organic options (like whole wheat rotini or brown rice/quinoa penne) clock in at $1.29 — which is still a pretty good deal.
For some reason, though, the Italian Farfalle — same label, same shelf — runs higher, often closer to $1.79.
Frozen Gyoza
$3.49–$4.49
Trader Joe’s gyoza beat Ling Ling and most grocery store brands on both price and taste. These are consistently ranked among the best-value frozen dumplings at any grocery store, period.
The chicken, pork, and veggie versions all come in 16-ounce bags and usually cost under $4. They’re fully cooked — just pan-fry or steam — and you’ve got enough for two decent meals.
Tandoori Naan (Frozen)
$2.99 for 4 pieces
Trader Joe’s naan gets a lot of hype, and in this case, it deserves it. It comes in plain or garlic, and it crisps up with toasted edges and a chewy, blistered center. Chowhound called it the best Indian product at Trader Joe’s, giving it the only perfect score in a 23-item taste test.
It’s made in India using traditional clay ovens, and it shows. Serve it with curry, soup, eggs, pizza toppings — whatever leftovers are in your fridge.
Chicken Chile Verde Burritos (Frozen)
$3.99 for 14 oz (2-pack)
Each pack of these burritos comes with two chicken chile verde burritos — stuffed with pulled dark meat chicken, pinto beans, rice, and a tomatillo-based sauce that’s y tangy, not bland or too sweet.
You get 14 ounces total for $3.99, which breaks down to about $2 per burrito — cheaper than fast food and by far less greasy. While Sporked’s calls them “meh” compared to their former glory, for the price and convenience, they still earn a spot in the cart.
Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend
$1.99 for 2.3 oz
This is probably the most widely copied spice blend in America, but Trader Joe’s still does it best — and at the best price. The same mix you’d find on a legit NY bagel shop: sesame seeds, sea salt flakes, garlic, onion, and poppy seeds, Everything But the Bagel costs $1.99 and lasts forever, even if you start putting it on, well, everything.
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Organic Firm Tofu
$1.99 for 14.5 oz
For $1.99, this is one of the best high-protein buys in the store. It comes vacuum-packed, pre-pressed, and ready to hit the pan. It cooks fast and holds its shape, and it also crisps up like it’s supposed to.
In case you are one of those people who thinks tofu is only for people without a soul, like I did, hear me out. Toss it with a little sesame oil, soy sauce, and that Everything But the Bagel seasoning you probably already threw in your cart, and it tastes good.
Salsa Auténtica
$2.29 for 12 oz
This is one of the cheapest and most reliable sauces in the store. Trader Joe’s Salsa Auténtica is a smooth, smoky red salsa made with simple ingredients — chiles, tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, and salt.
It’s thinner than restaurant salsa, more like a pourable hot sauce, which makes it perfect for layering into rice bowls, tacos, burritos, or scrambled eggs. It also ranked pretty high in our taste test of store-bought salsas.
Organic Black Beans (Canned)
$1.19 for 15.5 oz
Hard to argue with a can of organic black beans for a buck and so. This pantry gold is cheap, versatile, and decent right out of the can. It doesn’t have that weird texture canned beans usual have and it requires no soaking, so it’s super convenient. You can toss them into tacos, stews, grain bowls, or just heat with olive oil and spices.
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Mandarin Orange Chicken (Frozen)
$5.49 for 22 oz
Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken has been their top-selling frozen item for years, and it still holds up. You get a full bag of battered dark meat chicken plus a packet of sticky orange sauce that hits somewhere between sweet and tangy. It cooks up crisp in the oven or air fryer without much effort and ends up tasting close enough to takeout to scratch the itch.
The bag says five servings, but realistically, it feeds two people with normal appetites.
Shredded Potato Hash Browns (Frozen)
$2.49 for 20 oz
Absolutely loved by Redditors, these frozen hash browns are just plain shredded potatoes, without any seasoning, oil, or additives. They crisp up reliably in a skillet and at $2.49 for a full 20-ounce bag, they’re one of the cheapest and most versatile frozen staples at Trader Joe’s.
Organic Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup
$3.49/ 32 oz
Joe’s Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup is one of the few boxed soups that gets consistent praise for actually tasting homemade and for being smooth, not gloopy, with a mellow roasted pepper flavor that cuts through the tomato without being too sharp or too sweet. It goes for $3.49 for a full quart and an excellent pick for a quick lunch or dinner base.
Spanish Style Rice
$3.99/ 20 oz
This frozen rice gets more love than you’d expect for a side dish. It’s one of the cheapest frozen meal starters in the store, and it comes fully cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and just enough seasoning to make it feel intentional.
It comes in two heat-and-eat pouches, and it’s a solid shortcut when dinner needs help. You’re getting 20 ounces for four bucks, which breaks down to about two generous servings.
Popcorn In a Pickle (Seasonal)
$2.29 / 5 oz
The internet loses its mind every time this cult-favorite comes back. Trader Joe’s Popcorn In a Pickle is air-popped, and blasted with a salty dill seasoning. It’s only around in the summer, and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Longtime fans hoard it, new fans panic-buy it, and everyone agrees it’s one of the weirdest, best-value snacks on the shelf. At $2.29 a bag, there’s no harm in grabbing two.
Organic Corn Chip Dippers
$2.79/ 9.75 oz
Trader Joe’s takes on Fritos scoops, but with better ingredients and a slightly less greasy feel. These are thick, crunchy, and built to hold up to actual dips — not the watery stuff, but real guac, queso, or whatever’s in the back of your fridge.
At $2.79, they’re not the cheapest chips in the store, but for organic and almost 10 ounces per bag, the value’s solid.
Unexpected Cheddar
$3.99 / 7 oz
Of course there’s a cheese on the list — it’s Trader Joe’s. Unexpected Cheddar is a Wisconsin-made, Italian-inspired block that wins “fan favorite” almost every year. It starts as a sharp, creamy bite of classic American cheddar. Then it turns into a nutty, crystalline texture of a good Parmesan, creating a semi-hard cheese that feels fancier than the price suggests.
It holds its own with a crusty baguette, a glass of Pinot Noir, or just eaten straight off the knife.
Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones (Frozen)
$3.99 / 8 mini cones
Sometimes you just want something sweet without committing to a whole dessert. These mini cones do the job. They’ve got real ice cream, a crisp little cone, and just enough chocolate to feel like a treat. At eight cones for four bucks, they’re cheaper than most frozen desserts and easy to keep on hand.
Joe’s Diner Mac ’n Cheese (Frozen)
$2.99 / 14 oz
Trader Joe’s didn’t reinvent the wheel here — but made a damn good mac for three bucks. Fans call it creamy, extra cheesy, and comes loaded with real cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, and Gouda. The texture hits that sweet spot between gooey and thick, and the flavor feels way more diner-style than freezer-aisle.
At 14 ounces for $2.99, this thing delivers on both price and comfort. A solid solo dinner or an easy side that doesn’t taste like it came out of a sad microwave tray.
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
$3.99 / 52 fl. oz
This is a real lemonade made from actual lemons, not concentrate or powder. The flavor is fresh, tart, and balanced without veering too sweet or too sour.
Given that it’s the real thing, $3.99 for a 52-ounce bottle is a pretty good deal. Easy to pour, easy to like, and one of the better drink options in the store that doesn’t taste plasticky.
Vegetable Biryani with Vegetable Dumplings (Frozen)
$2.99 / 10 oz
Vegetable biryani isn’t usually what you’d grab from the freezer without a little skepticism, but this one’s solid. The rice is spiced just right — fragrant without being overwhelming — and the dumplings are soft in the good way, not the soggy way. While it’s not huge, it’s one of the cheapest meals in the aisle.
Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
$2.99 / 9 oz
This is sort of a Trader Joe’s take on Takis, but cheaper and cleaner. Shaped like tiny taquitos and aggressively coated in chili-lime seasoning, the corn tortilla chips have a dedicated following.
The texture is crunchy without being rock-hard, and they hold up to dips better than most bagged chips. For the price, it’s a snack that feels way more indulgent than it is.
10-Minute Farro
$1.99 / 8.8 oz
Joe’s quick-cook farro is surprisingly solid value — reasonably priced and can go from bag to bowl in about ten minutes. It’s a deeply nutty, whole-grain wheat with a satisfying chew and noticeably more flavor than plain rice or quinoa.
Cauliflower Gnocchi
$3.29 / 12 Oz
This frozen gnocchi has a reputation, and most of it depends on how it’s cooked. It turns gummy in the microwave, but pan-fried, it crisps up nicely and makes a solid base for sauces or veggies.
Organic Free Range Chicken Drumsticks
$2.99 /1lb
Organic chicken doesn’t usually land in the budget-friendly aisle, but this price is hard to beat. At around $3 a pound, it undercuts most competitors without cutting corners.
The bone-in, skin-on drumsticks are a solid pick for anyone trying to avoid conventional meat without paying double for the label. They’re also USDA certified organic and free-range, which adds another layer of reassurance.
Raw Almonds
$4.99/1 lb
This is legit one of the better nut prices you’ll find at a store like Trader Joe’s. At just $5 a pound, raw almonds are pretty solid value — especially since most places charge way more for decent quality
Soy Chorizo
$2.99 / 12 oz
Not everyone’s idea of a good time involves soy pretending to be meat, but this one actually pulls it off. It tastes a lot more like chorizo than it has any right to and at just $2.99, it’s one of the better plant-based deals in the store.
Whole Wheat English Muffins
$1.99 / 12 oz
For the price, it’s hard to find a better basic. These have that slightly dense texture you want in an English muffin and toast up well without falling apart.
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