The 16 Best Vegetarian Trader Joe’s Snacks, According To Shoppers

Japchae Korean Glass Noodles & Vegetable Stir Fry

“I was excited to try the frozen japchae but it was disappointing," one Redditor wrote. "So bland and watery.”

TJ's still currently sells this item for $3.49. You'll find it in the freezer section. It's made with glass noodles and a medley of stir-fried veggies like onion, spinach, carrot, and bell peppers.

Roasted Seasoned Brussels Sprouts

“Worst is the frozen parm Brussels," another Redditor brought up. "Those were horrible.”

The Brussels sprouts in question even inspired an entirely separate Reddit thread about how bad they were.

"Inedible," one person said. "Worst thing I’ve bought there."

"Maybe you got a bad bag?" another user suggested. "I make these all the time in my air fryer and I love them."

No matter where you stand with frozen veggies, I always stand by the fact that fresh ones will be way better than frozen ones, especially with an option as divisive as Brussels sprouts.

Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce

“Calabrian chili sauce was like hot tomato soup,” someone noted.

The $5 sauce features a Calabrian chili hot sauce alongside a classic tomato base. TJ's also has it that this sauce includes a touch of honey to balance out the spice. TBH I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that...

Coconut Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

“The coconut cold brew concentrate tastes like battery acid ✨️," one person said. "Yes, even when prepared as directed!”

Luckily, TJ's doesn't sell the coconut version of their cold brew concentrate anymore. If you dare to try it, you can find a bottle of the plain flavor for $9, which, according to Trader Joe's, makes 12 whole servings.

Chunky Guacamole with Greek Yogurt

“Who approved that, JAIL!” someone said about this no-longer-sold guac made with Greek yogurt.

Some users in a separate thread actually called it an "abomination."

"Why tf did they add yogurt 😭," one person wrote.

"It’s not comparable to real guacamole, but I love it just as a dip," another noted.

Cacio E Pepe Pasta Sauce

“The jarred cacio [e] pepe sauce tasted like dirty feet," one Redditor called out.

I feel like cacio e pepe is definitely overused as a flavor at this point, so I kind of understand the hate towards this Trader Joe's product. This pick is crafted using Pecorino Romano cheese made from sheep’s milk and "bold" black pepper. TJ's recommends trying it over ravioli or gnocchi, in white lasagnas, or over some steamed broccoli.

Mandarin Orange Chicken

“Unpopular because everyone seems to love them but the orange chicken,🤮” someone responded to a thread asking about the grossest TJ's products. I honestly am sad to see that some shoppers really don't like this frozen meal – it's been one of my faves for years and I personally have no complaints!

“Agree, it’s very gristly," one Redditor said. "Also dark chicken meat (leg, thigh) makes me gag.”

Shrimp Seafood Burgers

According to a Redditor, the TJ's Shrimp Seafood Burgers (no longer in stores) are “super fishy" and it can be hard to get over their "fishy smell.”

They also did not go over well with TJ's fans on this thread:

"I found these to be awful," someone said. "No amount of Old Bay and good butter could mask the fishy taste and aroma. The only good thing I can say about them is that they were cheap."

"They're not that great on their own, but do well enough in a shrimp taco or sushi roll in a bowl," one person offered.

"You have to doctor them because they seemingly have no flavor of their own," another user said. "I like them in the air fryer. Some people might find the texture weird though."

Beef Pho Soup

“AVOID THE BEEF PHO,” one passionate user wrote. Based on my research, it's due to a major lack of flavor.

People were totally fired up about this item when it first dropped:

"This is a straight up scam," one person said. "How is it possible they made the broth FLAVORLESS??"

"It’s so bland, with no noodles," another wrote. "I was expecting a been sprout packets or something as well. Worse than any instant ramen 10/10 regret not making cup of noodles."

"Bought once, took one bite and trashed it," someone else commented. "Worst buy yet."

Spaghetti Carbonara

Trader Joe's calls this frozen pasta the queen of comfort foods, but some shoppers fully disagree.

“The only thing to stay away from is the new carbonara pasta," one Redditor wrote. "Literally tasteless!!!”

"Too soupy for carbonara," another said. "Way more like Olive Garden Alfredo than anything else."

"I just had this for the first time and it was sooooooo bland," someone else agreed. "I added so much pepper just to make it edible. Will not buy again."

Cajun Style Alfredo Sauce

One Redditor wrote that this sauce was "one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten.”

Per this discussion, shoppers were left yearning for more flavor.

"I bought two jars thinking I would LOVE it. I ended up disliking it," one person commented. "There’s a spice that I can’t quite put my finger on that I didn’t enjoy. In my opinion, it’s not very spicy. In the future, I’d just get regular Alfredo and add my own spices."

"Just okay, I'd say," someone else agreed. "Less flavorful than I had hoped - I would def take the lemon Alfredo over this, I love that one."

Frozen Chicken Taquitos

"Filled with chicken mush,” is how many people described these frozen Trader Joe's taquitos.

This thread talking about the product shed a lot of light on the intricacies of the texture:

"I bought some and they are nasty," one person said. "The filling is like eating a hot booger with fake lime juice. The chicken is not like any chicken but more like mystery meat. They need a dip for sure. You will taste more tortilla than the filling thankfully. Costco sells some that are tons better and you get more."

"They’re filled with bland chicken paste," another person chimed in. "They used to have good beef taquitos, don’t know happened to those. But these chicken ones were barely edible."

1. BOGO 50% off packaged soups (Tuesdays)

Tuesdays and Fridays are the main days of the week that Whole Foods offers savings on their groceries. The first amazing deal for Tuesdays is BOGO 50% off packaged soups – perfect for this time of year!

They’ve got every kind of flavor from minestrone and chicken noodle to Italian wedding and broccoli cheddar. Their packaged soups average out at about $9 per 24-ounce tub, so saving 50% on one when you buy one is pretty good, especially for meal prep purposes.

2. $2 off classic and organic rotisserie chickens (Tuesdays)

You can take $2 off two kinds of Whole Foods’ rotisserie chickens every Tuesday. Their classic rotisserie chicken goes for $9 while the organic version sells for $13. I love using rotisserie chicken for soups, sandwiches, wraps, and pastas, so getting a whole chicken to use for recipes all week long for just $7 is so nice!

3. $8 large cheese pizzas (Friday)

Sometimes you just do not feel like cooking on a Friday evening after work – that’s where this Whole Foods savings hack comes in! Every Friday, you can get a large cheese pizza for $8. While there’s nothing wrong with a plain cheese pizza (nostalgia galore!), I’d take advantage of this deal then bulk up my slices with various toppings like peppers, pepperoni, and olives.

4. 12 for $12 wild caught oysters (Friday)

Ooh, fancy! Every Friday, Whole Foods’ wild caught oysters go for $1 a pop. Buy a dozen for just $12, and you’re golden. This deal would be perfect for a bougie at-home date night.

5. BOGO 50% off packaged sushi rolls (Friday)

This is another great date night pick! Buy one packaged sushi roll, and get another 50% off on Fridays only. From rainbow rolls to California rolls, this Whole Foods savings hack has my cravings going crazy.

6. $10 family-sized tiramisu (Friday)

Got a hankering for a sweet treat? Don’t fret – you can shop a whole family-sized serving of tiramisu at Whole Foods for just $10 every Friday.

7. $12 bottles of prosecco (Friday)

The death of the work week and start of the weekend is obviously a cause for celebration, and Whole Foods has you covered with $12 bottles of Presto prosecco every Friday. Cheers!

Idea #1: Scalloped Backsplash

This half bath designed by Kirsten Blazek of a1000xbetter is an absolute stunner. The home hails from the roaring '20s and elements like unlacquered brass hardware, natural stone countertops, and a B&W silent film print make subtle calls to that era. The scalloped backsplash is a perfect detail for this character-filled powder room. Check out the full gorgeous cottage remodel by Blazek.

Idea #2: Marble Sink

Designers Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn of celebrity-loved design firm House of Rolison are never afraid to go bold with marble. The design duo were inspired by the home’s French-country architecture and this bath exudes the timeless luxury found throughout the home. Get the look with this Etsy Wall Mount Calacatta Viola Marble Sink Basin.

Idea #3: Statement Mirror

Choosing a decorative or oversized mirror can make the space feel larger and add visual interest. This Art Deco bath from Artistic Tile pairs beautiful pink tile with a dramatic gold mirror, both complementing the rainbow onyx sink.

Idea #4: Bold Wallpaper

There's nothing like a statement wallpaper and the half bath is an excellent opportunity to try something fresh and colorful. Austin architect Alice Arterberry of Arterberry Cooke designed this charming bathroom with Cole & Son Frutto Proibito Wallpaper in Hyacinth & Orange. Here are some wallpaper ideas to try!

Idea #5: Classic Beadboard

Karan and Sapna Aggarwal of L.A. design firm Bungalowe designed this European-inspired half bath by pairing a classic beadboard with House of Hackney London Rose wallpaper. So romantic!

Idea #6: Pattern Blending

James and Christine of Stewart-Schafer thoughtfully renovated their clients' 200-year-old home in Connecticut, merging Persian flair with timeless classic beauty. This stunning floral B&W wallpaper pairs perfectly with the dramatic B&W marble sink. Keep the elements in the same color territory to make the patterns work seamlessly.

Idea #7: Textured Walls

Experiment with natural stone or wood accents for warmth and create textured walls for contrast and a unique touch. Bungalowe's Karan and Sapna paired this travertine sink with plastered walls that organically feature the natural stone, creating an earthy, modern palette that compliments the home’s architectural roots.

Idea #8: Colorful Sink

Who says sinks have to be white? Design principals Hollis LaPlante and Jordyn Grohl of Hollis Jordyn Design featured a teal sink, retro brass light from Etsy, and Benjamin Moore Sandblast paint to elevate this 1960s bath. "We wanted to create a moody powder room and thought the mauve paint tone really accentuated the teal and brass in a romantic way," says Grohl.

Idea #9: Floating Sink

Because powder rooms are meant generally for guests, there's little need to store all your bathroom essentials. Floating sinks help maximize space. In the same home as above, Karan and Sapna of Bungalowe use a travertine sink and quiet luxury aesthetic to create a calm, soothing space for a bathroom break.

Idea #10: Dark and Moody

Don't be afraid to go dark in a small bathroom. Drama is good when it comes to half baths where you want to make an impact. Amanda and Taylor of House of Rolison created a tonal palette that combines luxury with functionality in this elevated design.

Idea #11: Homey Vibes

Add a small vase with fresh flowers, a scented candle, and/or an elegant soap dish to personalize the space. Here's another nature-inspired gem by House of Rolison.

Idea #12: Unique Lighting

Add a statement light, like a small chandelier or pendant, to elevate the space, and consider fixtures with dimmable options for versatility. Love this unique space by House of Rolison.

Idea #13: Maximized Wall Space

Because you don't get a lot of floor space in a half bath, use walls to your advantage. Even the toilet doesn't touch the floors in this bathroom inspired by Karan and Sapna's trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.

Idea #14: Tile Wall

Tile is a practical option for bathrooms and with a small space, you can go big here. Hollis and Jordyn infused this space with a pop of blue tile that travels from floor to ceiling, paired with contrasting B&W tile floors, creating an eclectic and colorful space. Pro tip: Pay attention to floors too! Heated floors can also be a luxurious touch.

Idea #15: Monochrome

This green on green bath by House of Rolison is a showstopper. Find a jewel-toned marble and color-match it to the wall paint for a luxurious vibe that will wow your guests.