The Best Trader Joe's Condiments, Sauces, And Dips, Ranked From "Skip It" To "Yes, I Eat This By The Spoonful"

You're going to want to stock up on a lot of these.

Confession: I'm sort of obsessed with condiments. Just a little drizzle or schmear can instantly upgrade whatever you're cooking. And that's is part of the reason I absolutely adore Trader Joe's. This heavenly market boasts so many amazing and creative condiments and sauces at affordable prices —but they're not all created equally.

Hannah Loewentheil

So I went ahead and ranked a ton of popular Trader Joe's condiments, dips, spreads, and dressings from worst to best that I've tried over the years. This way, you know exactly what to stock up on and what to leave on the shelves. (If I missed your favorite, leave it in the comments!)

99. Organic Buffalo Style Hummus

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If you're looking for that delicious buffalo flavor, stick with #57. 

98. Organic Balsamic & Fig Dressing

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Sounds appealing but tastes pretty darn bad.

97. Bruschetta

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There's a much better bruschetta to be found at Trader Joe's, and it's located in the refrigerated aisle (keep reading!). 

96. Organic Cashew Cream Fiesta

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It's like a dairy-free queso dip, and sadly it's not very good.

95. Cilantro Dressing

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Tastes a bit like soap.

94. Romesco Dip

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My favorite thing about romesco is that really nutty, sun-dried tomato flavor. Sadly, TJ's version is more peppery and less creamy than what I hoped for.

93. Vegan Bolognese Style Pasta Sauce

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This just freaks me out and I can't explain any further. 

92. Pimento Cheese Dip

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Better than Velveeta, but not by a whole lot.

91. Red Pepper Spread With Eggplant & Garlic

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This stuff is pretty meh.

90. Rustico Pomodoro Pasta Sauce

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This pasta sauce is perfectly average, but there are way more exciting options in the same aisle.

89. Chili Pepper Sauce

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As far as hot sauce goes, this one is not a must-try.

88. Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce

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If you're looking for a creamy, pumpkin-based pasta sauce, you're better off with #49.

87. Spicy Hummus Dip

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It has a mild kick, but it feels pretty processed and less fresh than the other hummus options.

86. Romano Caesar Dressing

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As someone who prefers creamy Caesar dressing, this version always falls a bit flat for me.

85. Enchilada Sauce

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Better than other store-bought enchilada sauces, but ultimately it's a one trick pony.

84. Everything But The Bagel Greek Style Yogurt Dip

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This Greek yogurt based spread is fine, but it could use more flavor. I always find myself loading it up with even more EBTB seasoning.

83. Chipotle Black Bean Dip

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Dip at your own risk...the smoky flavor is quite overpowering here.

82. Fall Harvest Salsa

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Is it a pasta sauce? A salsa? Something in between? This dip is a bit confused.

81. Asian Style Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette

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There are better salad dressings to be found at TJ's.

80. Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

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This stuff is totally fine if you're looking for a better-for-you take on spinach artichoke dip, but it doesn't hold a candle to the sour cream based version below. 

79. Carolina Gold Barbecue Sauce

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Because it's a non-vinegar based BBQ sauce it tastes pretty sweet, which may be off-putting. Just know what you're getting into here.

78. Organic Vodka Sauce

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It has a cheesy kick, which is nice, but it's not as rich and decadent as I was hoping for.

77. Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip

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There's only one way to eat this, and it's paired with elote corn dippers.

76. Pesto Alla Genovese Basil Pesto

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Jarred pesto can really only be so impressive.

75. Sriracha Sauce

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Sadly, I'm going to give the upper hand to the name brand version.

74. Whole Grain Dijon Mustard

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You know exactly what you're getting with this whole grain mustard.

73. Cold Brew Coffee BBQ Sauce

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Overall, the flavors here are pretty mild and the cold brew taste disappears as soon as it's cooked.

72. Avocado Tzatziki

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This is basically a lightened-up guacamole, but I much prefer the chunky, spicy version — later in this list.

71. Creamy Cauliflower Jalapeño Dip

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This dip has potential, but it's a bit too watery.

70. Queso Cheese Dip

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It's hard to go wrong with queso, but TJ's version doesn't stand out against the name brands like Tostito's. 

69. Pineapple Salsa

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IMO, there's always something startling about overly fruity salsas.

68. General Tsao Stir Fry Sauce

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This sauce is definitely tasty, but the texture could use some work. It's a bit too goopy and cloying. My advice: stick with #10 for your stir fries.

67. Smoked Salmon Dip

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The flavor is good, but I always wish this smoked salmon dip were a bit more whipped and airy instead of its rather dense texture.

66. Vegan Caramelized Onion Dip

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This dip is too thick. Any fragile chips or crackers won't make it out in one piece. 

65. Thai Style Green Chili Sauce

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This Thai-inspired chili sauce is flavorful, but I never really know how to use it. It's similar to a relish, but it feels wrong mixed into rice or noodles.

64. Thai Style Red Curry Sauce

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Good enough to keep on hand for a quick and easy dinner, but it won't hold a candle to your favorite Thai take-out. 

63. Gyoza Dipping Sauce

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It tastes great on potstickers but can also be used for stir-fries, marinades, and more.

62. Genova Pesto

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Better than the jarred version, this pesto is good enough to whip up an easy pasta dish, but it's not going to blow you away.

61. Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce

Hannah Loewentheil / Via instagram.com

Proceed with caution: This pepper spread packs a serious kick. A little shmear on your sandwich bread takes it to the next level.

60. Vegan Caesar Dressing

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I actually prefer this vegan Caesar dressing to the non-vegan version because it's much creamier, thanks to the silken tofu and miso.

59. Pepita Salsa

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It's called salsa, but it's really more like a creamy, pumpkin spread. I love using a dollop of it on my grain bowls, in tacos, and more.

58. Chili Lime Mayonnaise

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Three words: Mexican street corn.

57. Buffalo Style Chicken Dip

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Overall, this dip is super flavorful. It's always a bit sparse on the chicken though.

56. Eggplant Garlic Spread

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Grab a bag of pita chips and dip away. Or spread it on falafel, fully cooked gyro, or a wrap stuffed with avocado and veggies. 

55. Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

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Keep a jar of this creamy sauce on hand for a one-ingredient upgrade to any pasta night.

54. Green Goddess Dip

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It's hard to go wrong with anything green goddess flavored, and this dip is no exception. Elevate your next crudité platter with it.

53. Organic Tahini

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Use it to make hummus or drizzle it on your salads, sandwiches, and more. This creamy tahini is tasty and a great bargain.

52. Thai-Style Yellow Curry Sauce

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Versatile and loaded with coconut and ginger, this yellow curry sauce goes perfectly with just about whatever protein or veggies you have on hand.

51. Hot & Sweet Pepper Jelly

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Serve it with cheese and crackers, on a sandwich, or even with gyoza for a little sweet and spicy kick.

50. Mango Ginger Chutney

Trader Joe's

I prefer the flavor and texture of this mango chutney to any of Trader Joe's fruit-based salsas because it also has a nice spicy kick from the ginger.

49. Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

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Creamy alfredo sauce gets an autumnal kick. If you're a pumpkin fan, you'll have a good time with this.

48. Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto

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It doesn't contain any cheese, but it's still pretty decadent and gets an A+ as far as vegan pesto goes.

47. Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde

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Not overly spicy but incredibly flavorful, this green salsa tastes great on any of your favorite Mexican dishes (cue the frozen mini chicken tacos).

46. Alfredo Pasta Sauce

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This is definitely one of the better store-bought alfredo sauces you can find.

45. Masala Simmer Sauce

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This Indian-inspired sauce doesn't contain any cream or dairy (in fact, it happens to be vegan), but it's still bursting with spices and flavor and upgrades whatever protein you cook in it.

44. Organic Cucumber Kefir Dressing

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Imagine a cross between tzatziki, Caesar, and green goddess dressing. Not too shabby.

43. Cowboy Caviar

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It's a fan favorite for a reason, and the combination of black beans and corn make it a nice change from your average tomato-based salsa. 

42. Traditional Tunisian Harissa

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This North African chili pepper sauce instantly upgrades anything from chicken to scrambled eggs. 

41. Sriracha and Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce

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Spicy, garlicky, smoky, and sweet, this barbecue sauce checks off all the flavor boxes.

40. Mediterranean Style Hummus

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I'd pick this super creamy and smooth hummus over Sabra any time.

39. Chunky Spicy Guacamole Autentico

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Nothing beats homemade guacamole from scratch, but if you're going to go for a store bought version, this one's a winner. It has a good amount of spice and it's loaded with thick, creamy chunks of avocado.

38. Indian-Style Garlic Achaar Sauce

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Grab a box of samosas or a bag of frozen naan and go to town.

37. Arrabiata Sauce

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Try pairing this delicious canned pasta sauce with your favorite seafood pasta to give it a little kick.

36. Greek Style Feta Dressing

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This stuff is really, really good, and for $2 it's the best bargain around as far as salad dressing is concerned.

35. Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce

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This pumpkin-infused curry simmer sauce makes for an easy, hearty, and comforting weeknight meal. Toss it into a pot with rice and veggies and call it dinner.

34. Toasted Sesame Dressing

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This Asian-inspired dressing can be used for so much more than salad: use it as a marinade for chicken, shrimp, tofu, or salmon or add it to rice noodle bowls.

33. Bolognese Style Tomato and Beef Pasta Sauce

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As far as jarred Bolognese sauce goes, this one tastes surprisingly fresh, bright, and zesty. 

32. Caramelized Onion Dip

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If you grew up eating dips made with Lipton onion soup mix like I did, you'll surely appreciate this equally as indulgent Trader Joe's version.

31. Three Cheese Pomodoro Pasta Sauce

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Every store bought pasta sauce should be this cheesy.

30. Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing and Dip

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I mean really, what could be bad about blue cheese dip? 

29. Blue Cheese Roasted Pecan Dip

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Blue cheese lovers, rejoice. This rich and indulgent dip was discontinued for a bit, but finally it's back and as good as ever. 

28. Jalapeño Sauce

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Creamy and mild, it's the perfect accompaniment to anything from tacos to grilled chicken.

27. Spicy Honey Sauce

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Watch out, Mike's Hot Honey, Trader Joe's is serious competition. Oh, did I mention it's only $3 per bottle?

26. Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing

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I could eat this with a spoonful, no shame.

25. Honey Aleppo Sauce

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A fan favorite, this sauce packs a very subtle heat and it's incredible versatile. Try it as a marinade (hello, world's best chicken wings), a glaze, or even a dipping sauce. 

24. Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing

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This vegan dressing is so creamy, you'd never know it doesn't contain dairy. Don't stop at salad: this stuff makes an amazing marinade for anything from chicken to fish.

23. Chili Sesame Oil

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There is simply no dish that doesn't taste better with a little chili sesame oil drizzle.

22. Hot Pico De Gallo Salsa

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As far as store bought salsa goes, TJ's hot and spicy pico de gallo tastes shockingly homemade.

21. Garlic Spread Dip

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While it tastes great by the spoonful, I urge you to think of this product as a garlic-packed condiment that can upgrade anything from pizza and pasta to baked potatoes. 

20. Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce

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The best TJ's barbecue sauce hands down, no question.

19. Green Dragon Hot Sauce

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If I could live the rest of the my life just buying one Trader Joe's hot sauce, this would be it. 

18. Tzatziki Creamy Garlic Cucumber Dip

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Unlike your average Greek yogurt spread, there's tons of thinly sliced cucumber in here that take it to the next level.

17. Green Goddess Salad Dressing

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Light, bright, and herbaceous, this cold pressed dressing takes even the most boring salad to the next level.

16. Magnifisauce

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Animal style fries, comin' right up.

15. 5-Layer Dip

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Turn any gathering into an instant fiesta with this dip, which contains layers of hummus, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and cheese.

14. Yuzu Hot Sauce

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This Japanese-inspired citrus hot sauce is mild and tangy and the perfect compliment to anything from dumplings to fried chicken.

13. Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce

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The best of all Trader Joe's simmer sauces, this green curry version is the closest thing to restaurant-quality Thai food at home.

12. Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa

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Add a spoonful of this corn and chile salsa to fish tacos and thank me later.

11. Chunky Artichoke & Jalapeño Dip

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Cheesy, thick, creamy, perfectly spicy, and totally decadent, this artichoke and jalapeño medley is everything you could want in a party dip.

10. Soyaki

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A soy sauce-teriyaki hybrid, Trader Joe's soyaki gives the popular brand name Soy Vay sauce a serious run for its money. 

9. Peri-Peri Sauce

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A little bit of this Peruvian-inspired sauce takes any basic entree and completely elevates it. Try it with simple roast chicken to see what I mean.

8. Sweet Chili Sauce

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You'll never find my fridge without a bottle of this sweet chili sauce inside. 

7. Sour Cream Spinach Dip

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Ditto for this super decadent spinach dip. 

6. Zhoug Sauce

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Trader Joe's nailed it with their take on zhoug, a Middle Eastern condiment made of cilantro, garlic, chili peppers, spices and olive oil. Put it on anything from meat or rice to eggs and roasted veggies.

5. Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce

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An OG for a reason, this aioli garlic mustard is perfection. 

4. Bruschetta Sauce

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There is something so good about this bruschetta sauce. I could (and do) eat it straight by the spoonful. 

3. Cacio e Pepe Pasta Sauce

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Rich, creamy, thick, cheesy, peppery, and everything you could want for your homemade cacio e pepe.

2. Balsamic Glaze

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Sometimes simple is best, like in the case of this thick, sweet, and tangy balsamic glaze.

1. Chili Onion Crunch

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Are there better chili oils out there? Sure. But not for $4. I stock up on a new jar every time I go to Trader Joe's, then I put it on anything and everything. 

Do you have a favorite Trader Joe's condiment, sauce, spread, dressing, dip, etc... that I didn't mention? Drop it into the comments!