Trader Joe’s still has plenty of great deals, but not everything feels as cheap as it once did.
Between higher prices, smaller portions, quality complaints, and cheaper alternatives elsewhere, shoppers say these 15 longtime favorites have lost some of their value.
1. Organic Ground Beef 85/15 — $8.99/lb
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Fresh meat has become one of the most frequently mentioned categories where Trader Joe’s no longer feels especially cheap.
- The organic ground beef has climbed noticeably in price, while shoppers regularly point to Costco, Sam’s Club, and Aldi for lower per-pound prices.
- Worth It? Convenient for a quick grocery run, but probably not where you want to stock up on meat.
2. Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Around $8.49+
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Trader Joe’s olive oil used to have a reputation for delivering premium quality at a surprisingly low price.
- Longtime shoppers have pointed out that bottles once costing roughly $6 have moved considerably higher as olive oil prices surged.
- Worth It? Still a solid pantry staple, but comparing Costco and warehouse-club pricing makes more sense than it used to.
3. Overnight Oats — $1.99–$2.29
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: These grab-and-go cups are convenient, but longtime customers remember when they were closer to a dollar.
- At around $2 per serving, shoppers increasingly point out that oats, milk, chia seeds, and fruit can be prepared at home for far less.
- Worth It? Good for convenience, not necessarily good for your grocery budget.
4. Mandarin Orange Chicken — $5.49
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Mandarin Orange Chicken remains one of Trader Joe’s most famous frozen foods, but shoppers have noticed both price increases and changes in the chicken.
- Recent complaints mention smaller pieces, heavier breading, and occasional gristly bites compared with older bags.
- Worth It? Still one of TJ’s signature dinners, but it doesn’t feel like quite the steal it once was.
5. Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels — Price Varies by Size
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: This one is less about the sticker price and more about perceived shrinkflation.
- Some shoppers say the pretzels appear smaller and contain less peanut butter than older versions.
- Others have switched to larger warehouse-club bags for a better cost per ounce.
- Worth It? Still addictive, but frequent snackers may get more value buying in bulk elsewhere.
6. Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings — $3.49
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: The problem is the portion. Each package contains only six dumplings.
- As the price has crept upward, shoppers increasingly question paying more than 50 cents per dumpling for what is often a snack-sized serving.
- Worth It? Delicious and convenient, but you’ll probably need more than one box for a full meal.
7. Teeny Tiny Avocados — $3.99
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Trader Joe’s tiny avocados have a loyal following because they’re perfectly sized for single servings.
- However, shoppers frequently point out that Aldi and conventional grocery stores can offer larger avocados at a similar—or lower—total price.
- There are also recurring complaints about inconsistent ripeness.
- Worth It? Great portion control, but not always the cheapest avocado option.
8. Butter Chicken With Basmati Rice — $4.49
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: This frozen favorite has gradually become more expensive while keeping roughly the same single-serving size.
- Shoppers still rave about the flavor, but the price makes it harder to call Butter Chicken a bargain freezer meal.
- Worth It? Still worth trying, but buying several boxes for a family dinner adds up quickly.
9. Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate — Around $8.99–$9.99
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Trader Joe’s coffee concentrates were once an easy way to make inexpensive cold brew at home.
- Some longtime shoppers now complain about both higher prices and changes in flavor, including more bitterness or acidity.
- Worth It? Convenient for iced-coffee drinkers, but compare the cost per finished cup before assuming it’s cheaper.
10. Greek Nonfat Yogurt — $5.49 for 32 oz
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Plain Greek yogurt is another everyday staple where Trader Joe’s doesn’t always beat competitors anymore.
- Aldi and store-brand options can come in noticeably cheaper, while some TJ shoppers also prefer the thicker texture of brands such as Fage.
- Worth It? Fine if you’re already shopping at TJ’s, but probably not worth a special trip.
11. Eggwich Breadless Breakfast Sandwiches — $5.49
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Convenience comes at a premium here.
- The package contains a relatively small amount of egg, sausage, and cheese for a price approaching $6.
- Shoppers frequently point out that homemade versions cost a fraction of the price.
- Worth It? Useful for rushed mornings, but you’re paying heavily for convenience.
12. Sliced Muenster Cheese — $4.49
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Trader Joe’s can be excellent for specialty cheeses, but everyday sliced cheese isn’t always the same bargain.
- Shoppers have noted that comparable sliced varieties at Aldi and conventional supermarkets can cost considerably less per ounce.
- Worth It? Buy TJ’s unusual cheeses; compare prices before grabbing the basics.
13. Organic Strawberries — Around $4.99/lb
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Produce remains one of the most debated areas of Trader Joe’s.
- Shoppers regularly mention berries as products they can find cheaper at Aldi, Costco, or local supermarkets.
- Short shelf life and inconsistent quality also come up frequently in customer discussions.
- Worth It? Check the berries carefully—and check another store’s weekly ad.
14. Spatchcocked Lemon Rosemary Chicken — $5.99/lb
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: You’re paying for seasoning, prep work, and convenience rather than inexpensive chicken.
- At $5.99 per pound, the cost of a whole prepared bird can quickly exceed what shoppers pay for plain whole chickens elsewhere.
- Worth It? Great for an effortless dinner, but bargain hunters can season a chicken themselves for much less.
15. Daily Facial Sunscreen — Around $9–$10
- Why Shoppers Are Reconsidering It: Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen became famous as an inexpensive alternative to much pricier prestige sunscreens.
- It remains significantly cheaper than those products, but rising TJ prices mean the value gap isn’t quite as dramatic as when shoppers first discovered it.
- Worth It? Yes for many shoppers—but it belongs in the “good value” category rather than the unbelievable bargain category.
