14 Trader Joe's Items That Will Leave You Disappointed

Whether you shop there for the savings, the unique assortment of items, or simply because it's what everyone else seems to do, Trader Joe's has grown into one of the most popular grocery chains in the nation (via YouGov). Devotees swear by many of the supermarket's unique products and store-brand food items. Everything from its seasonings to its frozen foods has led to a cult-like following, and its local marketplace vibes make for a grocery store that isn't just a retail experience but a way of life. While Trader Joe's has created many hits over the years, it has inevitably come out with a fair number of misses as well.

With such high standards from its fans, Trader Joe's is always showcasing its latest releases, introducing new flavors, or taking a fresh spin on an old classic. Given the number of products, over time there are bound to be some disappointments, ranking from overrated to downright awful. Before you go to TJ's for your next grocery run, be sure to avoid these items that missed the mark, either due to their taste, consistency, or pricing.

Everything But the Bagel is not the only seasoning Trader Joe's offers. In fact, the seasonings seem to be one of the hallmarks of the grocery chain. But while there are plenty of hits, there are also the occasional misses, which seems to be the case with the cheesy seasoning blend.

On paper, it sounds like a genius idea: You can add cheese to any dish you want. Sounds too good to be true, right? Unfortunately, the high hopes of cheese lovers were soon dashed. Many Redditors noted their initial excitement to try the seasoning, but quickly faced disappointment with the first taste. Some people pointed out that the blend didn't even taste like cheese. The Trader Joe's Reviews Instagram account tasted the product and remarked that the primary flavors were garlic, onion, and rosemary. Last time we checked, those three ingredients weren't cheese.

If you are curious and want to try the cheesy seasoning blend for yourself, keep in mind that the flavor you are anticipating may not be what you ultimately taste.

Overnight oats are a convenient breakfast to start your day. While many people choose to soak their own oats at home, you can also find a premade version ready to eat on your way out the door in the morning. Trader Joe's sells its own version of vanilla overnight oats, which you can usually find with other prepared foods like sandwiches, wraps, and salads in the refrigerated section.

One Reddit thread about Trader Joe's products to never purchase again kicks off with a user tearing down the overnight oats. Not only are customers less than fond of the taste, but the overnight oats are also disappointing from a price standpoint. The meal is a great budget breakfast because it's made with relatively low-price grocery items, but one small cup at Trader Joe's costs $1.99. That might not seem like much, but She Finds points out that you are only getting 5.5 ounces. Your money is better spent buying a bag of rolled oats and making the breakfast dish yourself.

Whether you follow a gluten-free diet or are looking for healthy substitutes for your favorite cheat meals, chances are you are familiar with cauliflower pizza crusts. They're offered at multiple grocery stores, including Costco, Aldi, and of course, Trader Joe's. While the latter's version is not necessarily a disappointment in terms of flavor, it's a bit of a letdown nutritionally.

People tend to turn to cauliflower substitutions when they are seeking healthy alternatives to gluten and wheat flour. But as one Reddit thread mentions, a glance at the nutritional facts tells a different story. According to the packaging, one-sixth of the crust (or roughly one slice) contains 17 grams of carbohydrates. With a list of ingredients that includes corn flour, cornstarch, and potato starch, some customers feel a bit slighted by what they thought would be a low-carb option. Although it maintains its promise of not containing gluten, if you're looking for a keto option, Redditors suggest trying the Fathead pizza dough recipe instead.

Every once in a while, you might come across a grocery item that sounds so unique, it must be an undiscovered gem. After all, why go through the trouble of making something so wild if it doesn't taste good? Whether it is part of your trail mix or you are eating it on its own, the dried fruit craze has reached nearly every fruit imaginable. But while some dried fruits are common, others require a little more heavy lifting to convince shoppers that they are worth a try, including watermelon jerky.

Although dried fruit can be a healthy snack option, one Redditor commented that Trader Joe's watermelon jerky was "an abomination to anything called jerky." Another consumer pointed out that it would not be so bad if the bag wasn't filled with crunchy black seeds. One Redditor even described the jerky as "solidified garbage juice," which led a reviewer to assemble a collection of their favorite descriptors of the product, including a standout comment about repurposing the watermelon jerky as dog treats.

The freezer section at Trader Joe's is often where you will find the most original and tasty items. At first glance, the honey walnut shrimp sounds like a unique meal idea, and you may quickly find yourself tossing a couple of bags into your shopping cart for an easy dinner. As it turns out, it happens to be among the items that customers strongly dislike.

It's worth consulting Reddit threads to see what other customers thought about the frozen bag of shrimp before taking them home. One comment cautions shoppers, describing the shrimp as "awful" and adding that it "smells like vomit and tastes only slightly less worse." Yikes. Another Redditor prefaces their thoughts by saying that they usually love walnut shrimp, but the item sold at Trader Joe's did not measure up to their expectations as it was "too sweet and goopy." However, it may not be a total lost cause. One comment recommended adding Sriracha chili garlic sauce to the shrimp to enhance the flavor.

If you hail from the northeast, then you probably have very strong opinions on what good apple cider should taste like. A fall staple in many households, apple cider should have a distinct fresh flavor that you won't find in any garden-variety bottle of processed apple juice. Depending on where you live, you may find that your local Trader Joe's sells fresh apple cider in its refrigerated section. However, nationwide, you are more likely to come across its shelf-stable spiced apple cider.

The beverage comes with a laundry list of ingredients, including spices like allspice, cinnamon, and cloves, which Become Betty deemed to be overkill. Many customers who tried the shelf-stable cider were quick to point out on Reddit that the addition of those flavors took away from the apple-forward aromas that cider fans expect to taste. 

While TJ's spiced apple cider may offer something different than regular apple juice, the unique flavor you find in fresh apple cider is missing from this shelf-stable version. The majority of Redditors preferred fresh cider to the spiced version, with one comment simply calling the spiced version "trash." Long story short: The spiced apple cider might be a step up from apple juice, but it simply pales in comparison to what you can find fresh.

Another category of Trader Joe's items that many customers find disappointing is not actually a type of food. Just like any other grocery store, the chain also sells cleaning products, flowers, and items like toilet paper and paper towels. While it may be tempting to make Trader Joe's a one-stop shop and pick up a few rolls of paper towels while you're there, Redditors caution against it.

When asked about the worst product at Trader Joe's, one comment on Reddit noted that the paper towels are worse than any food item you can buy in the store, claiming that they basically dissolve the moment they come into contact with water. Another Redditor warns users to avoid even touching the paper towels with wet fingers, or they will immediately disintegrate. Yet a different customer wrote that the toilet paper was just as bad. Some comments, however, remark that the paper towels are of decent quality for the price and that they are comparable to many other store brands. You'll have to decide whether it's worth the gamble.