Trader Joe’s is known for its unique and diverse product offerings. We love practically everything we’ve tried from this cult-favorite store, but of course, not every item is a hit with customers—or employees, for that matter.
One TikTok user and Trader Joe’s crew member named Liz (a.k.a. @onemorehour617), recently took to the platform shared her personal opinions on some of the store’s least impressive items. From ranch dressing to frozen meals, here are six products she recommends avoiding:
1. Ranch Dressing
Sorry, ranch lovers! According to Liz (and plenty of other shoppers online), the organic ranch dressing is a major disappointment. "9/10 people agree in the comments, the organic ranch dressing is terrible, and I agree. This doesn’t taste like any ranch I’ve ever tried. 0/10," she says. Customers looking for that classic ranch flavor might want to look elsewhere.
2. Portuguese Bacalhau Tartelettes
Trader Joe's has some seriously delicious pastries and international items, but they're not all slam dunks. Next on Liz’s list are the Portuguese Bacalhau Tartelettes from the frozen section. "I’m not sure how authentic these are but I really didn’t like these at all. The texture was super off-putting," she notes. If you're in the mood for a Portuguese delicacy, these tarts may not satisfy your cravings.
3. Trader Joe’s Soy Sauce
Liz is particularly adamant about avoiding Trader Joe's soy sauce. "I will die on this hill: Trader Joe’s soy sauce is terrible. It’s the saltiest reduced sodium soy sauce I’ve ever tried. Please just go get any other brand," she insists. For a better soy sauce experience, consider other brands that offer a more balanced flavor.
4. Raspberry Croissant Carré
The raspberry croissant carré also gets a thumbs down from Liz. "Some of you may hate me for saying this, but the raspberry croissant carré is just not it. If you don’t mind chewing on some tin foil, this might be for you, but it definitely gets stuck to the bottom of the pan," she remarks. Luckily, there are plenty of other delicious sweet treats to choose from.
5. Mandarin Orange Chicken Bowl
While the mandarin orange chicken is one of the most popular items at TJ's, its bowl version leaves much to be desired. "I do not like this. It’s kind of watery and weird. You’d be better off getting the mandarin orange chicken and some fried rice and meal prepping it," Liz suggests. That's not a bad idea!
6. Chinese Inspired Salad with Chicken
Lastly, Liz advises against the Chinese inspired salad with chicken. "This was gone for a while and now it’s back and has a whole bunch of bitter things in it. No thanks," she says. However, there are tons of amazing salads at Trader Joe's that taste much better. We love the Mediterranean Salad Kit, for example.
Ultimately, while Trader Joe's offers a plethora of beloved products, these six items might not be worth your time or money. If you’re on the hunt for tasty and satisfying Trader Joe’s products, it might be best to steer clear of these particular items and opt for some of the store's more popular and well-reviewed options.
