From fun snacks for all ages to frozen foods like the well-known Mandarin Orange Chicken, Trader Joe’s has established a reputation for producing distinctive, signature food items, many of which draw inspiration from different cultures. This brand focus—globalizing flavor in innovative, fresh, and high-quality products—continues into the spice section, where you can find a wide variety of blends and mixes to add some spiciness to your cooking. Cooks of all skill levels can easily use these seasonings, which come in pre-mixed blends and simplify cooking while adding bold, entertaining flavors to your kitchen. Some of Trader Joe’s basic products, such as its garlic salt, are also worth the purchase because of their outstanding flavor, freshness, and quality, in addition to their signature blends.
As a longtime Trader Joe’s customer, I narrowed down which of their spices are worthy of a place in your spice line-up by considering factors like taste, availability (many of their products change depending on the season), and how distinctive the seasoning was. At the end of the story, I go into further detail about my approach, but for now, let’s get cooking.
Everything but the Bagel Seasoning Mix
Everyone has a favorite, but because of its unique seasoning, the everything bagel is one of the most widely consumed varieties. Since its initial release in 2017, Trader Joe’s premixed everything bagel seasoning has been a staple on my spice rack and quickly became a favorite among many, including myself.
The Trader Joe’s version of the everything bagel seasoning contains large flakes of sea salt, black and white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced onion, and dried minced garlic. The texture is delightfully crunchy, the flavor is a big, salty hit to the taste buds, and the lid opens to reveal a delightfully nutty scent. Additionally, the flavor, texture, and aroma last well past “Best By” dates. It works for a variety of dishes, so I use it for more than just bread and other savory baked goods. I also use it as a topping for avocado toast, add it to chicken breading, sprinkle it on tomato soup, and much more.
Making your own “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning at home is possible, but it’s more effective to have a premade version on hand, especially if it only costs $1. Additionally, they are available all year round in TJ’s spice section (unless you live in South Korea, where they are prohibited due to the poppy seeds). I always choose the original because of its enduring flavor and texture, as well as its adorable packaging, even though other stores sell imitations.
Taco Seasoning Mix
Although most stores carry taco seasoning, I believe Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning is superior. The TJs version comes in small 1 ½-ounce packets and is made with a finely ground blend of sea salt, cumin, cayenne pepper, brown cane sugar, dried garlic, dried onion, black pepper, paprika, dried red bell pepper, red chili pepper flakes, dried oregano, and smoked paprika.
The flavors are well-balanced, with the earthiness of the garlic, cumin, oregano, and peppers contrasting with the paprika and peppers’ spiciness. Additionally, there is a hint of sweetness from the brown cane sugar. It works well for a variety of seasoning needs and has just the right amount of heat without being overbearing. I add it to chopped onions and bell peppers to sauté for at-home burrito bowls or use it to add flavor to large pots of meat or beans. At just $0.99, it’s also incredibly affordable.
Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning, offered in small, non-resealable packets, presents a solitary shortcoming. In instances where the entire contents are not consumed in one sitting — a circumstance I have not encountered, as a judicious sprinkle generally imparts flavor — the requirement for makeshift closure methods to maintain flavor and quality becomes evident. It is noteworthy that the seasoning remains fresh post-opening, provided it is stored in a cool, dry location and the top is secured with a clothespin or similar object. In conclusion, this minor inconvenience does not detract from the overall quality and vibrant flavor of the seasoning.
Salmon Rub Seasoning
Even though I love to cook, there are many nights when I am too tired to prepare anything fancy and just want a simple but delicious, healthy, and well-balanced meal. In these situations, I always favor a well-baked salmon dish with sides, enhanced by the appropriate seasoning. This Salmon Rub seasoning blend initially appealed to me because of its smoky zest, but I now use it for more than just salmon; I also use it for other fish and proteins like cod, shrimp, and steak because I particularly enjoy spicy food.
Brown sugar with smoked paprika, black pepper, kosher salt, rice concentrate, and dried thyme is the key to a well-balanced combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Although the sugar and paprika give it a sweet, smoky scent, the flavors are well-balanced. The seasoning doesn’t overpower the main ingredient, and the sugar caramelizes gently into a delicately crispy crust when baked. She’s one of the more expensive options on the Trader Joe’s spice aisle, costing $2.69, but it’s a nice blend to have on hand and lasts a long time (bottles come in 2-ounce sizes).
Nori Komi Furikake Mix
Our cabinets and refrigerator are stocked with a variety of Japanese seasonings and condiments because Japanese food is a mainstay in our home. These include soy sauce, mirin, the chef’s favorite mayo, Kewpie, and this Nori Komi Furikake Blend from Trader Joe’s. Usually sprinkled over rice to add taste and texture, furikake is a popular Japanese seasoning blend made with dried seaweed, sesame seeds, herbs, salt, and fish flakes.
The ingredients for this Trader Joe’s version include salt, black and white sesame seeds, kelp powder, and thin strips of dried nori seaweed. Seaweed and kelp contribute a briny, salty, and sweet sea flavor that is counterbalanced by the nutty sesame seeds and savory salt. Both the seeds and the nori add texture and crunch. Taking a cue from Japan, I often use it on rice dishes, but I also use it to enhance the flavor of fish, ramen, udon, and eggs that I marinate in soy sauce. Additionally, it’s a great way to add seasoning to a Chex Mix snack mix. The price of a jar is $2.999.
Everything but the Elote Seasoning Blend
Mexican food is one of my favorite foods, so I often have burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, posole, and mole in my house. Even though it’s a little more challenging to make elote (grilled corn coated in mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime) in an apartment, I can still use the “Everything but the Elote” seasoning blend to give corn, vegetables, roasted chickpeas, meats, rice, and other ingredients that unique flavor.
Flavored with salt, chile pepper, Parmesan cheese, cilantro, cumin, cane sugar, and other ingredients, this finely ground powder has a beautiful orange hue. The taste and aroma of the cheese and pepper zest are evident, and the chile powder has a hint of heat without being overbearing. There is a pleasant crunch to the powder as well. However, I love using it as a snack by sprinkling it on freshly popped, buttered popcorn. One of Trader Joe’s more unusual products, it costs $1.999. Although they are less popular and typically more costly (a bottle of Private Selection Elote Street Corn Blend costs about $4.999 at Fred Meyers), some other brands and stores do carry elote seasoning blends.
Cuban-Style Citrusy Garlic Seasoning Blend
This unique blend, which draws inspiration from Cuban cooking, is a fantastic option for anyone who enjoys grilling or eating a lot of meat. The combination of zingy lime, savory onion and garlic, and earthy, herbal spices like oregano and basil creates a complex flavor that goes well with a variety of proteins. It can enhance rice or beans, add more flavor to vegetables, and make a fantastic rub or marinade for poultry.
There are numerous distinct flavor components involved in all of this. The main ingredients are garlic, lime juice, and lemon and lime oil, as the name implies. Additions of salt, black pepper, onion powder, bay leaves, cilantro, basil, oregano, cumin, coriander, parsley, and marjoram complete this meal. It is convenient to have all of these spices pre-mixed in a $2 point 29 package, even though you probably have the majority of them separately in your spice cabinet.
Chile Lime Seasoning Blend
Spice lovers and lovers of Mexican food will love this blend. This popular Mexican street food snack, “fruta con chile y limon,” served with lime juice and chile peppers. Slices of mango and pineapple are cut up by street vendors, who then sprinkle them with a piquant mixture of red spices and squeeze some lime juice over them to add a little citric tartness.
The uses of this spice blend, however, are not limited to fruit. I’ve used it for seasoning chicken and steak rubs and ground beef for tacos. It’s excellent for adding a little kick to eggs and seasoning bell peppers and onions for fajitas. This blend has also been used for adding different flavors to my homemade beans, which I prefer to make from scratch rather than purchase canned. Additionally, the lime and chile mixture works well for rimming fruity drinks like margaritas.
It is worth adding to your spice cabinet because of the blended flavors, and it costs $2.29. You can easily find other spicy chile blends, but the addition of the lime and citrus (incorporated as a powder and citric acid) is what sets it apart.