The 25 Best Trader Joe’s Finds Under $5

Cauliflower Gnocchi is one of those Trader Joe’s products customers love the most.
Each 12-ounce bag retails for $2.69.

Trader Joe’s famous “Two-Buck Chuck” Charles Shaw wine is no longer under $2, but it’s still a great deal. Get chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio and white zinfandel at participating stores for $2.99 per bottle.

Gone Bananas are frozen dark chocolate-covered slices of banana. They’re one of the best Trader Joe’s desserts of all time, and they’re just $1.99 per box.

This cult-favorite frozen entree is competition for your local takeout joint. A bag of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken is $4.99.

This savory snack food is a salty and crunchy alternative to potato chips. Each 6-ounce bag costs $1.79.

Candles can make for a relaxing home environment, but they can also be super pricey — but not at Trader Joe’s. You can expect to find scents like lemon and peony blossom for $3.99 per tin.

If you’re looking for a healthier dip for your carrot sticks or potato chips, Trader Joe’s has tons of hummus in creative flavors. The tub of organic buffalo hummus, for example, is just $2.99.

Anyone who has ever bought a greeting card for any occasion knows that they can be a little pricey. At Trader Joe’s, you can find an array of cute designs for just 99 cents each.

Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat make next-level burgers, but the price tag that comes along with those brand names isn’t always so nice. Trader Joe’s plant-based burgers come in fake beef and turkey, and cost just $4.49 for two patties.

Boxed noodles are cool, but fresh pasta is usually better. At some grocery stores, the good stuff will run up quite the tab, but at Trader Joe’s, you can get an array on the cheap. Ravioli stuffed with sweet corn and basil or creamy chicken and poblano is $3.69.

Dairy alternatives aren’t normally priced the same as regular milk, but at Trader Joe’s, you can get oat milk for $2.29. Drink it plain, use it in cereal or add it in place of creamer for coffee.

Avocado is the key to some of the best brunch recipes of all time, and at TJ’s, you can get a bag of four for $3.99.

Attention wellness warriors, you can get two organic juice shots at Trader Joe’s for under $5 because they are $1.99 each. At Pressed Juicery or Juice Shop, for comparison, one will set you back $3.50.

Trendy acai bowls typically cost well over $10 at a cafe. Trader Joe’s has a version in the freezer aisle for just $3.99 per 10-ounce bowl, and it comes with strawberries, bananas and blueberries. Once thawed, top with the included packet of granola and coconut chips.

In addition to groceries, Trader Joe’s also sells beauty supplies. Take, for example, the dermatologist-formulated Nourish Microdermabrasion Scrub made with finely ground pumice, plant-based glycerin, seed oils and botanical extracts. It’s $4.99 for 2 ounces. At the drugstore, something similar might cost you double.

Like other skincare products, makeup remover can cost an arm and a leg. Surprise, surprise: TJ’s sells a 20-pack of Micellar Cleanser Towelettes for $3.99.

Chili Onion Crunch has an olive oil base with crispy dried garlic, onion, red bell pepper, chili flakes and olive oil. Put it on pizzas, burgers, burritos, hummus, hot dogs, pasta, omelets, chow mein — you name it. One jar is just $3.99.

Trader Joe’s sells a rice-like Organic Chickpea and Red Lentil Risoni as an alternative to grains. It costs $2.99 and works perfectly as a side for simple weeknight dinners.

Trader Joe’s sells 16-ounce packages of this popular Mexican food. The black bean and cheese variety is just $3.99.

Even if you can’t go to one of the best pubs in America, you can experience your own pub cheese at home from Trader Joe’s, with cheddar, cheddar with jalapeños and cheddar and horseradish varieties for $4.99 each.

Sometimes it is easy being cheesy. Trader Joe’s breaded Mac and Cheese Bites are a freezer-aisle favorite, and a 10-ounce box costs only $3.99.

Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Pizza Crust is a gluten-free, low-calorie alternative to regular pizza crust. Pick one up for just $3.99, and top with whatever your heart desires.

To make Trader Joe’s Shakshuka Starter, all you need to do is microwave the base — a stew of tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic and spices — and add two freshly cracked eggs. At a brunch restaurant, this would cost you around $10 at least. TJ’s kit is just $1.99.

Burrata is the richer, creamier and softer version of mozzarella, and at Trader Joe’s, you can nab a tub for just $4.99. Expect to spend much more for this Italian cheese at a restaurant.

While they may not be one of the most eco-friendly things you can buy at the grocery store, single-serve coffee cups sure are convenient. A pack of 12 that may run you $10 at a grocery store is $4.99 at Trader Joe’s. Just add milk and sugar, or take your joe to the next level with these coffee tips and recipes to make at home.

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