These Are The Foods You Should Be Buying At TJ Maxx
TJ Maxx probably isn't the first place you think of when it's time to restock your pantry. But if you've never bothered to peruse the shelves in the back of the store that are stocked with jams, oils, and snack products, it's time to try something new. Contrary to popular belief, TJ Maxx's food products generally aren't at or near their sell-by dates or purchased as overstock from other stores. In fact, according to a 2016 article published in Bon Appetit, specialty food manufacturers such as Braswells, a condiment company, make and package products specifically for TJ Maxx. That means the products you find at the discount store are as fresh as products you'd find elsewhere.
What's more is that you may not be able to find the same product twice. This is because TJ Maxx tends to buy a mish-mash of products once, and even if they sell well, they may not replace them. This creates a sense of scarcity, encouraging purchases based on FOMO. And usually, these products are "rare" — products that you legitimately may not find elsewhere, which encourages a quick sale.
But really, how much fun is it to score ginger-infused honey imported from France or turmeric-infused coffee? Even if all you walk away with is a couple of bags of gourmet chips, chances are they'll be cheaper than what you'd find at Whole Foods or World Market. So, next time you're at TJ Maxx, scan those back shelves for these products.
You can score coffee and K-cups from TJ Maxx
Buying a single bag of Starbucks coffee or another similar name brand from your local grocery store can set you back $7 to $10, with some fair trade specialty brands costing double that price. And those Keurig-style K-cups? According to a post on Smart Family Money, they typically cost between $.75 and $1.00 per K-cup.
For most people, that won't break the bank (and it's a whole lot cheaper than a daily stop at your local coffee shop). But if you're looking for a way to save some money on your caffeine fix, TJ Maxx is the place to go. According to The Kitchn, the discount store offers name-brand K-cups from companies like Starbucks and Dunkin', not to mention a slew of fancy ground and whole bean coffee varieties. It's especially fun to search for the seasonal flavors: pumpkin spice in the fall and chocolate mint or hazelnut during the winter months, just to name a few.
Try TJ Maxx's gourmet pasta products
If you've ever fancied yourself a whiz when it comes to cooking up Italian fare at home, you need to make TJ Maxx your next stop for stocking up on ingredients. According to Refinery 29, the discount store offers fancy options like spinach basil garlic-flavored pasta and pasta in fun shapes like bunnies. But the possibilities go beyond the so-called "normal" options. The store seems to understand that people with special diets are looking for new ways to enjoy their favorite meals, so those on a gluten-free or low-carb diet would do well to look for pasta varieties like chickpea pasta — it sounds questionable, but hey, don't knock it 'til you've tried it, right?
While you're at it, check out the pasta sauces, infused oils, and spices the store offers. The selection is always changing, but you might just find a bone broth pasta sauce like Facebook user Emily Scicchitano or a "very good" pomodoro basilico sauce like Mai Thao.
Check out the sweets at TJ Maxx
If you've checked the sweets prices (especially chocolate prices) at your local grocery store lately, you know that they've gotten pretty expensive. And if you're the type who has a penchant for gourmet or gluten-free items like cookies, biscotti, or cake mix, you know they can set you back a pretty penny.
The good news is, you don't have to head to World Market or Anthropologie to satisfy your craving for an off-beat sweet — TJ Maxx has you covered. According to The Kitchn, the store carries everything from unicorn bark to flavored marshmallows and baklava. And for all you chocolate lovers, if you're looking for a deal on an extra dark, fair trade, organic specialty chocolate bar, you know you'll find something at TJ Maxx. For instance, Facebook user Holly Geottes scored a box of milk chocolate pumpkin truffles, and a gluten intolerance group shared a picture of a dark chocolate bar they located without dairy or soy (or nuts, eggs, wheat, or gluten).
You can find amazing seasonings, spices, and salts at TJ Maxx
Whenever you're looking for an obscure seasoning, TJ Maxx might be the place where you'll find the missing gem. The store carries a little bit of everything from your basic herbs de Provence to Facebook user Tracey Hobson's more unusual smoky paprika chipotle find. And that's not the only slightly off-beat score you may be able to pick up. Reader's Digest points out that TJ Maxx has been known to carry bacon spice, while Refinery 29 snapped a pick of dried shallots and zesty lemon herb seasoning.
But it's not just interesting spices or seasonings that deserve applause. When you're in the market for gourmet salts, TJ Maxx is the place to go. From pink Himalayan salt to Mediterranean sea salt (with your choice of course or fine grind, obviously), TJ Maxx has you covered. You may even be able to score grey salt imported from France. According to an article on Patch, this grey salt gets its color from the clay it's mined from. The point is, even if you have a well-stocked grocery store, when it comes to spices, salts, and seasonings, you're likely to find something special at your local discount TJ Maxx.
Try the infused and specialty oils from TJ Maxx
The standard vegetable oil you can purchase from your local grocery store is usually pretty affordable, costing just a couple bucks. But as soon as you're in the market for something a little different like imported extra virgin olive oil or unrefined coconut oil, the per-bottle price can shoot up really quickly. That's exactly why you should swing by TJ Maxx the next time you're in the market for a fancy oil, whether it's a cooking oil or an infused dipping oil.
According to Reader's Digest, the company's infused olive oil selection is pretty extraordinary, and Refinery 29 points out that an award-winning imported Sicilian olive oil cost $5 less at TJ Maxx than at other stores, but the selection doesn't stop there. Facebook user Ophelia Conquet shared an image of her favorite organic non-GMO sunflower and coconut cooking oil blend that's sometimes available at TJ Maxx, pointing out that it's safer for high-heat cooking. Another Facebook user, Amber Starr, shared a picture of her favorite unrefined organic non-GMO coconut oil. The point is, if you're looking for a high-quality oil for a fraction of the price, head to TJ Maxx before you hit your local grocery store. You may just be surprised at what you find.
Gluten-free, vegan, and keto-friendly products are available at TJ Maxx
In TJ Maxx's efforts to capitalize on FOMO and offer the types of products that you can't find just anywhere, the world of specialty diets is practically a godsend to the discount store. Because when your local grocery store offers a sad (and expensive) selection of gluten-free or keto-friendly products, the instant you see some rad or off-beat new flavor of cereal, chips, or baked good that adheres to your dietary needs, you're going to snatch up at least a couple bags of them, right? TJ Maxx knows this is true.
An article published on Spoon University drives this fact home. The writer, Raiselle Swick, an admitted gluten- and dairy-free eater shared how hard it is to find protein bars that meet her needs, so when she found a 12-pack that usually sells for $27 for just $17, she was quick to add them to her cart.
The jams, jellies, and preserves at TJ Maxx are delicious
Smucker's basic grape and strawberry jellies can go ahead and take a back seat to the fruit spreads you'll find at TJ Maxx. At the discount store, you're likely to find unusual jams as well as imported options and maybe even organic preserves, all for less than you'd find elsewhere. For example, a writer for Refinery 29 located a bottle of Sarabeth's Strawberry Rhubarb Spreadable Fruit for just under $7, though it usually retails for $9. Facebook user The Shero Sphere raved about the Swedish lingonberry preserves she scored at her local TJ Maxx, along with plum and fig preserves too.
Remember if you're on the lookout for a specific item at TJ Maxx, you may be disappointed. Because the store's inventory is always changing, you may not be able to locate the exact same plum preserves at your local store. That said, if you're patient and take the time to do a little searching, you may end up unearthing some other diamond from the back of a shelf where it got shoved by mistake. And if you do find something special, don't forget to buy it while you can and stock up because it might not be there the next time. That's exactly what Facebook user Willow Chang did when she found three bottles of apricot jam at her local TJ Maxx — she just went ahead and bought all three bottles. Clearly, she's a smart shopper.
You can find organic and health food items at TJ Maxx
When you're ready to take clean eating to the next level and stock up on all the latest health food items, skip the Whole Foods or Vitamin World haul and head straight to TJ Maxx. Pretty much anything you'd find at well-known health stores, you'll be able to find (possibly for less) at the discount retailer. From quinoa to goji berries to hemp hearts and kale chips, stocking up on a rainbow of vitamin-packed foods has never been easier.
A writer for The Kitchn points out that TJ Maxx even carries vegan protein powders and other supplements, especially if they're compliant with a "diet du jour" like keto or Whole30, which of course gives the store more marketing power to move them off the shelves. And an article on Refinery 29 points out that you can usually score organic health products for several dollars less than at other popular retailers. For instance, the writer found a bag of organic turmeric powder at TJ Maxx for $6, which typically retails for two bucks more.
People love sharing their TJ Maxx health food hauls on social media. Take, for instance, Facebook user Beautifull Profit who shared her shopping basket filled with peanut butter protein powder, wheatgrass juice powder, chia seeds, and keto coffee creamer.
Don't forget the sodas, water, and specialty drinks at TJ Maxx
According to The Kitchn, TJ Maxx regularly sells standard Coke products and bottled water, generally in the fridges located near the cash registers. You can usually grab a bottle to go for about a dollar, which isn't that different than what you might find at other retailers. But if you're looking for a break from your standard soda, poke around the shelves in the food section to see what you might find. For instance, Facebook user Mikesha Irions raved about locating bottles of Efferve, a sparkling lemonade drink in pink and blood orange flavors, while Jennifer Brewer Robinson pointed out her daughter found Skinny Syrups that are perfect for adding to sparkling water for extra flavor.
The store also is known to sell "designer" bottled waters, like Norwegian Voss Water that comes in a glass bottle, and imported sparkling waters, depending on the store. And if you're in the market for tea, don't forget to scan the shelves for specialty loose-leaf or bagged teas. TJ Maxx really does have it all.
TJ Maxx is the place to go for packaged snacks
Of all the foods that TJ Maxx is known for, it's probably best known for selling off-beat but interesting packaged snacks. Some of the brands it carries, like Deep River Snacks, even feature TJ Maxx exclusives like the All Dressed Up kettle chips. But it's not just kettle chips that should make it into your shopping bag the next time you're doing a TJ Maxx haul. According to Reader's Digest, you should keep your eyes peeled for gourmet crackers, salsas, and popcorn.
And while you may have to do some searching (snack foods may be found with the other foods, but there are usually more stocked near the checkout line), you can probably find unusual chips, like beet chips, lentil chips, veggie straws, or even potato chips made with different oils. For instance, TJ Maxx shared a photo of a few of its gourmet organic snacks, including two separate types of potato chips, one made with olive oil and the other with avocado oil.
You should also keep your eyes peeled for nuts and trail mix. The options are typically more interesting than your standard container of salted peanuts. For instance, you might find glazed maple or vanilla almonds, which are great for stashing in your car for a quick snack.
Try TJ Maxx's caviar
Admittedly, TJ Maxx probably isn't the first place you think of shopping when you get a hankering for seafood. But the next time you're strolling through the aisles, looking to grab a couple of new throw pillows to add to your living room, go ahead and keep your eyes peeled for a box of fish eggs too. Because occasionally, TJ Maxx sells caviar. Yes, caviar.
Refinery 29 was quick to point out this eye-popping find in a round-up of tasty TJ Maxx foods under $10, but they aren't the only ones who found the caviar noteworthy. Facebook user Michael Smith snapped a shot of his $3.29 purchase with a box of Starbucks cold brew coffee with the simple caption, "Gotta love TJ Maxx," while Dimitra Stathopoulos staged hers (she scored a jar for $4.99) with other ingredients to make dill deviled eggs, with the plan to include the caviar in the recipe. Neither customer complained about the flavor, so presumably, it wasn't offensive. So, if you've been looking for a way to add caviar to your weekly menu, start searching the shelves at your local store — you may just score a jar or two for cheap.
TJ Maxx sells high-quality honey and syrup
Honey is expensive. Maybe not the possibly fake honey that you can grab for a buck or two from your local grocery store, but the real stuff is. You know, the kind of honey that hardens and crystallizes and possibly includes actually honeycombs in the bottle. That stuff (the real stuff) is expensive. Especially if it's from a local source or can be verified by an American beekeeper.
Word to the wise? TJ Maxx often carries real honey. And while it may not be cheap (as in, less than a couple bucks), it's certainly less expensive than the same honey you'd find at other stores. In fact, Refinery 29 pointed out that TJ Maxx often carries at least a couple different brands of wildflower honey, one of which comes in "collectible drinkware," while the other is "unprocessed." These signifiers help give you confidence that you're not dealing with highly processed syrups that could, in fact, not contain real honey at all.
And it's not just the legitimacy of real honey that TJ Maxx stands behind — it's syrups, too. If you're looking for syrups made from fresh sources, whether nuts, berries, or the sap of maple trees, try scouring the shelves of TJ Maxx's foods. You're likely to find options that beat those of other local grocery stores.