I tried 8 Trader Joe's seasoning blends and ranked them from worst to best

First Impression: All I could really think about was why anyone would ever choose to sprinkle this over using actual ketchup.

The seasoning didn't have the moisture and sauciness of actual ketchup, so it just seemed a little strange to me.

The flavor was sweet and tangy, but I'd have to use so much of it to get the same concentration as the condiment.

First Impression: I wondered if I'd prefer the sprinkles over the actual condiment.

The seasoning blend didn't taste very spicy — instead, it had a mellow, garlicky flavor. I could see why someone would use this for more control over the mild heat of sriracha.

But I still prefer the sauce over the powdered version.

First Impression: I love cheesy foods, so I hoped the Cheesy Seasoning Blend would deliver the classic taste I enjoy.

The seasoning tasted a lot like white-cheddar Cheez-Its, which I liked. Its garlicky-onion tang also paired great with the sour cream.

I had to add an extra sprinkle to really get the flavor, but it was delicious overall.

First Impression: I thought I might need to pair this seasoning with a more substantial dish to appreciate the Mexican-corn-inspired flavors.

Trader Joe's Everything but the Elote Seasoning Blend definitely needs more than just a carrot or a cracker to match its complex flavor.

The mix of chili pepper, cheese, chipotle, and cumin had a smokiness that paired OK with the cracker. But the freshness of the carrot overpowered the taste.

I can see myself sprinkling the blend on Latin American-inspired dishes instead of a snack.

First Impression: The chili and lime flavors seemed like they'd be a great coating for a tequila-forward cocktail.

I'd absolutely love the Chile Lime Seasoning Blend on a mango, Mexican turnip, pineapple, or sweet salsa.

It was very lime-forward and salty with a bold, spicy flavor.

First Impression: The citrusy aroma was strong and seemed overpowering.

Per the seasoning's label, it's supposed to be "an homage to the Mojo sauce," a Cuban marinade made with flavors like orange and garlic.

I thought the label was accurate, but a little bit of seasoning goes a long way because it's so tart and citrusy.

Although the flavors overpowered the cracker and carrot, I think it would be an amazing dry rub on meats.

First Impression: I love ranch in dressing form, so I was intrigued to see how it would translate into a seasoning.

The seasoning blend had a standard ranch flavor that tasted great with sour cream. I'd definitely dip my snacks in it again.

But for dishes like pizza and sandwiches, I'll stick to the actual dressing.

First Impression: The spices mixed with dill smelled just like a pickle — as a pickle lover, I don't know how I haven't tried this before.

The Seasoning in a Pickle Seasoning Blend lived up to its name — it's super dilly and has the tang of a real pickle.

I'm a huge fan of the flavor and plan on sprinkling the blend on everything from bagels and cream cheese to french fries.

It also tasted great with the sour cream, and I'll definitely be making that dip again for snacks.

The pickle-flavored seasoning blend tasted fresh. I'll use it with lots of dishes like salmon, deviled eggs, and kebabs.

I also enjoyed the ranch and cheddar seasoning blends, and I'd pair either of them with a snack again.

The citrusy garlic, elote, and chili-lime flavors were delicious, but I think they'd need the right dishes to really do them justice.

I'd pass on buying the ketchup and sriracha sprinkles again. But I can understand how they'd be used in a pinch instead of the real deal.