The 17 Best Trader Joe's Condiments Ranked

Trader Joe's best condiments

Everything is better with condiments, which is why condiment bars, drawers and full-on aisles exist. Sure, scrambled eggs are good, but they're better with hot sauce (or ketchup), and plain rice is fine and dandy, but a spoonful of chili crisp adds a much-needed kick. See where we're going with this? It's the condiment that makes the meal!

With more than 20 always-changing sauces and spreads on its shelves, Trader Joe's condiments are one of the reasons shoppers flock to the fan-favorite grocery store. And while we all have our personal favorites, these are 17 of the best Trader Joe's condiments ranked worst to best.

Related: The 15 Best Trader Joe's Dips, Ranked by a Former Employee

17 Popular Trader Joe's Condiments Ranked

17. Trader Joe's Bruschetta Sauce

You don't have to be Italian to love bruschetta, but while Trader Joe's take on the classic antipasto topping is packed with garlic, olive oil and spices, it's still not enough to take on the authentic stuff you'll find at a local Italian deli. If you don't have one of those spots nearby, then we'll allow the TJ's stand-in.

16. Trader Joe’s Korean Gochujang Sauce

This sauce, which is made in South Korea, starts with gochujang, the savory-sweet-spicy fermented Korean chili paste, then mixes in some canola oil, soy sauce, brown rice vinegar and toasted sesame oil. The drizzle-able condiment is great on any number of things: fried eggs, rice dishes, chicken wings, Korean rice cakes and bulgogi (TJ's sells beef and meatless versions).

15. Trader Joe's Peri-Peri Sauce with Fermented Dried Chilies

The Mozambique Portuguese introduced spicy peri-peri sauce to South Africa, and the spicy sauce is very popular in both countries—and now around the world as well. Meat-eaters love using it as a marinade for chicken, meat and fish, while vegetarians swear by cooking rice and vegetables in Peri-Peri for a hint of spice and a dash of sour.

14. Trader Joe's Spicy Honey Sauce

If you like sweet with some heat, this is the sauce for you. Fans say the honey has just enough heat, which makes it great on a wide range of things. Try it with cornbread, drizzle it over cheese or pepperoni pizza, use it to add a little zip to cocktails (bourbon + honey is a delicious pairing) or put some in a pretty little bowl and add it to your next cheese board. This bottle's got range!

Related: 23 Things You Should Always Buy at Trader Joe’s (If You Can Find Them)

13. Trader Joe's Carolina Gold Barbeque Sauce

Thanks to the not-so-subtle infusion of yellow mustard, Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is infinitely tangier than your standard bbq sauce. It also contains hints of molasses, vinegar, tomato puree, Worcestershire and spices like cayenne pepper that give it a bit more heat. It's great on bbq of all kings, but we especially like it on wings and it's tasty on sandwiches, too.

12. Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce

Speaking from experience, you should put Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce on everything (given you like hot pepper, of course). Because it's derived from red peppers, you'll find it a smidge smokier than a more sugary hot sauce, but it lends a healthy helping of fire to each spoonful. Feeling adventurous? Add a teaspoon to your favorite soup!

11. Trader Joe's Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce

Compared to the aforementioned Carolina Gold, Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce brings even more tang to your favorite barbecue dishes. It's full of onion powder, garlic powder and hickory smoke flavor that makes it a must-use on ribs, chicken, burgers and more.

10. Trader Joe's Zhoug Sauce

This spicy herb-based sauce originated in Yemen and is popular throughout the Middle East. Trader Joe's take on zhoug is cilantro-based and gets its fire from jalapeños and chile flakes. The flavor is rounded out with garlic, cardamom and cumin. Spoon this sauce on eggs, swirl it into yogurt for an almost-instant dip, stir some with mayo and slather all over chicken before roasting or toss a few spoonfuls with roasted potatoes hot out of the oven.

9. Trader Joe’s Traditional Tunisian Harissa

Harissa sauce has that hot chili pepper taste that's a signature of Tunisian cuisine. It's made by blending dried hot chilies, caraway seeds, smoked paprika, salt, garlic, lemon juice and vinegar, giving it a sweet-smoky-tangy flavor. It really is the hidden gem of Trader Joe's condiments and is divine on grilled chicken or drizzled into hummus.

8. Trader Joe's Thai Red Curry Sauce

Red curry sauce is simple enough to make, but keeping Trader Joe's Thai Red Curry Sauce in the fridge really comes in handy in a pinch. It's zesty and punchy, which makes it ideal for adding to chili, curry, tofu, meat, rice, poultry and stir-fried veggies.

7. Trader Joe's Thai Yellow Curry Sauce

If you prefer a zestier curry sauce (and we do!), Thai Style Yellow Curry Sauce has a more ginger-forward flavor that's sure to get your attention. It's thick and creamy, but still hot enough to contend with Red Curry Sauce, ranked at #12. Our favorite way to eat it is with plain rice.

6. Trader Joe's Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce

The Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce will fare well with most mustard lovers, though purists might find it to be too similar to a salad dressing. Either way, the blend of garlic, oil and egg makes this mustard versatile enough to eat with everything from fries to grilled vegetables, or try it as a burger spread.

5. Trader Joe’s Eggplant Garlic Spread with Sweet Red Peppers

Second fiddle to Trader Joe's Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic (below, at #2), this TJ's condiment is delicious, but it probably won't resonate with anyone who despises eggplant. While eggplant itself isn't all that flavorful, this spread relies on the garlic elements to do most of the work. What you get is garlicky, savory red pepper that's mild, but still a standout.

Related: The 6 Top Trader Joe's Pasta Sauces, According to Fans

4. Trader Joe's Chimichurri Sauce

A South American condiment that sounds spicier than it really is, Trader Joe's Chimichurri Sauce is the bee's knees. The sweetness of the herbs—parsley and cilantro—really comes through and the ratio of the garlic adds just enough sharpness. It's fragrant, too, and it goes well with everything from chips to sandwiches.

3. Trader Joe's Dill Pickle Mustard

Let's just put it this way: You're going to wish that you knew about this condiment sooner and if you can't find it in an actual TJ's, scoop up a bottle (or three) on Amazon. Simply put, mustard isn't for everyone, and while dill pickle isn't without its controversies either, the blend of acidic dill and tangy mustard seed seems like a winner on every burger and sandwich you put it on.

2. Trader Joe's Enchilada Sauce

While we're certain there are higher-quality enchilada sauces out there, Trader Joe's Enchilada Sauce is an easy, cheap go-to that should be in the fridge at all times. If you're used to the authentic stuff, then we totally get why you'd be skeptical of this, but this tangy sauce with medium spice might just surprise you.

1. Trader Joe's Jalapeño Sauce

Everyone recognizes the little green bottle from Trader Joe's! TJ's Jalapeño Sauce is a must-have on everything from quesadillas and tacos to chicken and rice. What TJ's shoppers love most about it is the subtle heat that builds. The jalapeño flavor is less spicy than other hot sauces that jump right to "burn."

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