Trader Joe's Sriracha Flavored Seasoning Has Customers Divided
Trader Joe's stores are known for their unique, store-branded products, ranging from Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, to sweet Crunchy Cookie Butter, and even a variety of frozen meals. Part of the store's appeal is thanks to these unique products that can't be found elsewhere. Some people love the grocery store chain and its proprietary items so much, in fact, that it even has devoted fan-run accounts on social media.
The Instagram account @traderjoeslist is run by Natasha Fischer. Fischer often shares new and exciting foods found at the grocery store, along with her own reviews of many of them. In a post from February 15, @traderjoeslist announced the discovery of a new seasoning blend: Sriracha Sprinkle. The ingredients include garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, and red bell pepper. Fischer wrote, "I am a huge fan of sriracha and am so excited to try this new seasoning."
The sign in the photo indicates that the 2 ½-ounce bottle retails for $2.99 in Trader Joe's stores. While some commenters were excited about the new product, others have been less than impressed.
Some fans were excited for the seasoning, others not so much
Many users on Instagram who were excited about the new seasoning took to the comments section of the post to share their enthusiasm. "Trader Joe's is killing the seasoning game," wrote @phillyphoodscene. "I need this," commented @sarahruthmayoh. "Level up deviled eggs." Another user, @sarahjeannezapata, shared that they had tested and enjoyed the seasoning: "I just used it on the cauliflower fried rice and it was SO good!!"
However, one commenter wasn't sure the spicy blend was one of the grocery's store's strong suits. User @ron_photos818 wrote, "If it tastes anything like Trader Joe's brand siracha sauce that's a big pass. Just taste nasty." Others were skeptical about the quality, having been burned before by other seasonings from the brand. Instagram user @tulipiscute commented, "I had to trash the ranch seasoning [because] it was so bad so I don't trust their seasoning now."
Though this may be a new product at Trader Joe's, the store isn't the first to sell the blend.
How Trader Joe's sriracha seasoning stacks up against the competition
Sriracha seasoning has previously been found at other stores. Instagram user @honeypie_1989 commented on @traderjoeslist's post, "Dang I just bought such sriracha powder from costco! I should have tried this one since it's mini, but I literally bought a huge costco one for same price, wonder if they taste the same?" McCormick also sells a sriracha seasoning, which can be found in supermarkets.
However, the Trader Joe's version of the spice mix leaves some fans wanting a flavor closer to the popular sauce. "I love trader joes but their sriracha isn't nearly as good as the green and red brand/the real thing," wrote user @crystal_linette. That sentiment was echoed on Reddit, where one spice-loving Redditor voiced their disapproval by commenting, "anybody else think trader joes sriracha tastes a little off? like kind of ketchup-y? hard pass on this one for me."
Unfortunately, it seems it may be harder to find the classic sauce for some time, leaving fans scrambling. A shortage of the chili peppers used to make Huy Fong Foods' sriracha sauce has led to fewer bottles being produced, reports USA Today. Until the company can return to its normal production numbers, sriracha devotees will need to find a suitable substitute hot sauce or settle for the seasoning blend instead.