Over the past couple of years, I’ve watched my grocery bills slowly tick up month after month. It seems like everything keeps getting more and more expensive, and just stocking my fridge for the week is starting to take a big chunk out of my budget. I’ve been looking for ways to cut back on my grocery spending without foregoing essential items (or little treats) altogether. And as it turns out, the secret to not spending an arm and a leg at the grocery store every week might come down to switching where you shop. As if we needed another excuse to hit up our favorite grocery store, Trader Joe’s often has much lower prices on the staple items you add to your cart each week.
From fancy cheeses and wine to pantry staples like flour and olive oil, there are tons of categories where Trader Joe’s beats out the competition every time. It’s time to break up with your typical grocery store: Here are 20 grocery items you can find for way cheaper at Trader Joe’s:
1. Frozen meals
Our love for Trader Joe’s frozen meals knows no bounds. It’s just so handy to grab something from the freezer, toss it into a pan, and have a delicious dinner ready in minutes. Truly a weeknight dinner hack we couldn’t live without. And thanks to TJ’s prices, opting for a lazy-girl dinner once or twice a week doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. Many items in the frozen section cost $5 or less and contain multiple servings, so your dollar stretches even further.
2. Coffee
As someone who drinks it religiously every morning, I know that buying good quality coffee can be ridiculously pricey. At most grocery stores, specialty coffee blends come with serious sticker shock, while opting for a cheaper bag of beans often means a huge downgrade in flavor. Luckily, that’s not the case at Trader Joe’s. Whether you prefer to buy your coffee in whole beans, grounds, or pre-made form, Trader Joe’s has tons of ways to get your daily caffeine fix that won’t blow your grocery budget.
3. Gluten-free and vegan alternatives
Trader Joe’s is a haven for anyone with dietary restrictions. Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan, they have a huge selection of snacks, baked goods, pre-made meals, pantry staples, and protein options to fit any diet. And unlike at most grocery store chains, you won’t pay a premium just because something is made without gluten or dairy. It’s a huge win for anyone who struggles to find stuff they can eat at typical grocery stores without racking up a huge bill.
4. Fancy cheeses
A fancy cheese board in this economy? Whether for hosting or your own snacking purposes, Trader Joe’s makes it possible to stock up on all your favorite cheeses—from brie to manchego—without spending a fortune. They have the selection you’d expect from a fancy cheese shop or the specialty counter of a bougie grocery store, but with the affordable prices that make grabbing the “good” cheese totally justifiable.
5. Olive oil
Olive oil is a kitchen staple that often comes with a high price tag, and it can be especially detrimental to your wallet if you have a tendency to go through it rapidly. Case in point? An average bottle costs around $12 at my local market, which is almost double the price of this $6.99 option from Trader Joe’s. So save your dollars and get your olive oil or other cooking oils and sprays from TJ’s.
6. Dips and sauces
Sure, you can make things like salsa, buffalo dip, or pesto sauce from scratch, but when you don’t have the time, pre-made options come in handy. Unfortunately, these items tend to be marked up at your average grocery store. At Trader Joe’s, however, you can find all sorts of delicious options (including allergy-friendly versions) for just a few dollars apiece.
7. Baked goods
Growing up, I always gravitated toward the bakery section at the market, but my mom had to steer me away because those items were out of budget while trying to feed a family of five. It took grocery shopping on my own to understand what she meant, which is why I was blown away when I first stepped into the bakery section at Trader Joe’s. Their assortment of freshly baked goods (think: bagels, muffins, English muffins, etc.) is truly unmatched in both price and quality.
READ: Trader Joe’s Sheet Cakes Are the Perfect Summer Dessert—But These Hacks Make Them Even Better
8. Nuts
Nuts make for a fantastic healthy snack, but their steep price points make reaching for cookies so much easier. However, none of us have that excuse anymore: Nuts are way cheaper at Trader Joe’s. Whether you’re looking for a good trail mix, almonds, cashews, or other varieties, TJ’s has you covered in the salty snack department.
9. Dried fruits
Similarly, Trader Joe’s dried fruit section boasts much cheaper prices than you’d typically find at other grocery stores. And I’m not just talking about basic options like dried cranberries. Even for “specialty” items like dried pineapple, blueberries, or tart cherries, you won’t pay much more than a few dollars a bag. If you love snacking on or baking with dried fruit, Trader Joe’s is the much more economical place to shop.
10. Cold-cut meats
Cold cuts are handy to have on deck for snacks, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards—but the high prices at typical grocery stores make it tempting to skip them entirely. Not only does Trader Joe’s have a wide variety of deli meats to choose from—everything from bologna to ham, soppressata, prosciutto, and more—they’re affordable AF, too. So you can keep your favorite cold cuts on hand and whip up a nice antipasto or sub sandwich whenever your heart desires.
11. Berries
Summer is berry season, but that doesn’t always translate to cheaper prices. I’m always shocked by the prices of fruits like raspberries and blueberries at the grocery store, especially because these delicate berries don’t last very long in the fridge. But at Trader Joe’s, it isn’t quite so painful to stock up on fruit for smoothies, summer desserts, and good old-fashioned fruit salads. TJ’s has all sorts of berries at surprisingly affordable prices, so you can go ahead and get your fruit fix.
12. Wine
The next time you’re grabbing a bottle of vino, head to Trader Joe’s instead of your favorite liquor store. Not only is it cheaper, but you also have a wide selection to choose from. Plus, you can grab some cheese to pair with your wine while you’re at it.
13. Chips and popcorn
Snack lovers, rejoice: TJ’s has the best deals in the snack department. Whether you’re looking for some chips to pair with a nice dip, seasoned popcorn, or plain ol’ potato chips, Trader Joe’s has prices that can’t be beat and a lot of options to choose from.
READ: The Best Trader Joe’s Snacks for Hosting, Based on the Type of Gathering
14. Condiments
From mayo and ketchup to hot sauce and more, keeping the right condiments on hand is an absolute must—you never know when you’ll need them. And thankfully, Trader Joe’s has made it easy to stock up on all your favorite flavors and ones you haven’t tried before but want to give a go. Most of your staple condiments cost less than $2 apiece.
15. Spices and seasoning blends
Consider Trader Joe’s your one-stop shop for all your seasoning and spice needs. While spices often cost a premium at other grocery stores, Trader Joe’s prices most spice-rack essentials at just $1.99. Plus, they carry all sorts of fun seasoning blends (like Green Goddess and Everything But the Bagel seasoning) that would otherwise cost you a pretty penny at a specialty spice shop.
16. Baking supplies
I strongly believe in keeping things like flour and sugar permanently stocked in the pantry because you never know when the baking urge will strike. Whether you’re looking to whip up a decadent dessert, bake bread from scratch, or make homemade chicken parmesan, Trader Joe’s offers all the classic baking supplies at reasonable prices. The price tags are particularly impressive if you’re looking for specialty ingredients like vanilla bean paste, gluten-free flour, or raw Turbinado sugar, which would otherwise be expensive and hard to find at traditional grocery stores.
17. Milk
Whether you drink it in your coffee or by the glass, be sure to pick up your dose of vitamin D at Trader Joe’s. Their milk prices often beat out other grocery stores, especially when it comes to non-dairy alternatives like oat, soy, or coconut milk. Another win for anyone with a dairy allergy or a preference for non-dairy options.
18. Balsamic vinegar
Similar to olive oil, balsamic vinegar is another pantry staple that comes at a steep price—but not at TJ’s. Thanks to the cheaper price tag, you can keep balsamic vinegar or any other vinegar on hand for whenever you might need or crave it.
19. Avocados
When it comes to the internet’s favorite fruit, it only makes sense that Trader Joe’s would have our backs. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a single serving or to stock up for a while, avocado prices at TJ’s are truly unmatched. Plus, they always have their best selection laid out, which is an added bonus.
20. Flowers
If you love treating yourself to a bouquet of flowers on your weekly grocery store run, doing so at Trader Joe’s will cost you much less than it would at your typical chain. TJ’s has a wide selection of pre-mixed bouquets at super-reasonable prices, plus bundles of individual flower varieties that often cost just a few dollars each. You can easily pick out the makings of a gorgeous flower arrangement for around $10 total. Whether you’re looking for a little pick-me-up to brighten your week, an easy way to up your hosting game, or a thoughtful gesture to bring to a gathering someone else is hosting, Trader Joe’s flower section has got you covered.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a freelance writer and journalist, and the self-proclaimed hot and dirty martini queen. At The Everygirl, Arianna uses her authenticity and relatability to empower, inspire, and motivate women everywhere. Whether she’s writing about sex and relationships, career and finance, beauty and fashion, wellness, or home and living, Arianna’s passion shines through in all her work.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
