8 things my family never buys at Trader Joe's — and where we go instead

Steven JohnFeb 9, 2024, 22:45 IST

I love shopping at Trader Joe's, but the store doesn't always have the best deals.The Image Party/Shutterstock

Trader Joe's offers excellent pricing and often has the best deals — but not always.
I never buy my salt, deli meat, or sliced bread at the grocer.

Let's be crystal clear right from the start: I love Trader Joe's.

My family gets about 60% of our weekly groceries there, and we love everything from the honey-flavored pretzel sticks and Dijon mustard to the iconic gummy candy.

We also get lots of staples there, like frozen corn, butter, and onions.

But there are a handful of items we never buy at Trader Joe's because we either found a better price or better quality somewhere else.

Whole Foods sells bigger containers of the salt we use.

I like being able to stock up on salt in bulk so we always have some on hand. Steven John

Whole Foods sells bigger containers of the salt we use.

I like being able to stock up on salt in bulk so we always have some on hand. Steven John

Target has the best price I've found for sparkling water.

We drink a lot of seltzer in our house, so we're always looking for the best price. Steven John

Target has the best price I've found for sparkling water.

We drink a lot of seltzer in our house, so we're always looking for the best price. Steven John

I prefer to buy fresh kale at the farmers market.

The farmers market usually has the freshest produce for us. Steven John

I prefer to buy fresh kale at the farmers market.

The farmers market usually has the freshest produce for us. Steven John

I like to get lunch meat from a deli, and TJ's doesn't have one.

Trader Joe's only has packaged deli meats, but Whole Foods has a deli counter. Steven John

I like to get lunch meat from a deli, and TJ's doesn't have one.

Trader Joe's only has packaged deli meats, but Whole Foods has a deli counter. Steven John

I never buy sliced bread at TJ's because my family is devoted to one brand.

We love Dave's Killer Bread. Steven John

I never buy sliced bread at TJ's because my family is devoted to one brand.

We love Dave's Killer Bread. Steven John

I haven't found a grated Parmesan I like at Trader Joe's.

I usually get grated Parmesan from Whole Foods. Steven John

I haven't found a grated Parmesan I like at Trader Joe's.

I usually get grated Parmesan from Whole Foods. Steven John

I like the fresher fish options at Whole Foods.

I like how fresh the fish is at the seafood counter in Whole Foods. Steven John

I like the fresher fish options at Whole Foods.

I like how fresh the fish is at the seafood counter in Whole Foods. Steven John

We don't use much milk, so I splurge on a higher-quality carton.

Trader Joe's organic whole milk doesn't last very long in our fridge for some reason. Steven John

We don't use much milk, so I splurge on a higher-quality carton.

Trader Joe's organic whole milk doesn't last very long in our fridge for some reason. Steven John

I made slider recipes from Eddie Jackson, Bobby Flay, and Ina Garten. The best had the simplest seasonings.

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8 things my family never buys at Trader Joe's &mdash; and where we go instead

Whole Foods sells bigger containers of the salt we use.

Whole Foods sells bigger containers of the salt we use.

Target has the best price I've found for sparkling water.

Target has the best price I've found for sparkling water.

I prefer to buy fresh kale at the farmers market.

I prefer to buy fresh kale at the farmers market.

I like to get lunch meat from a deli, and TJ's doesn't have one.

I like to get lunch meat from a deli, and TJ's doesn't have one.

I never buy sliced bread at TJ's because my family is devoted to one brand.

I never buy sliced bread at TJ's because my family is devoted to one brand.

I haven't found a grated Parmesan I like at Trader Joe's.

I haven't found a grated Parmesan I like at Trader Joe's.

I like the fresher fish options at Whole Foods.

I like the fresher fish options at Whole Foods.

We don't use much milk, so I splurge on a higher-quality carton.

We don't use much milk, so I splurge on a higher-quality carton.

8 things my family never buys at Trader Joe's — and where we go instead