The 7 Best Sauces from Trader Joe’s

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor
Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.
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updated Jun 3, 2019
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Trader Joe’s won my heart with its quirky, one-of-a kind products and assortment of items that make getting dinner on the table more convenient and more delicious. Topping that list is sauce. The selection is downright impressive, with a lineup of savory and sweet sauces that are ready to smother anything you’re cooking.

Here are seven of my favorites.

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  1. Mango Chipotle BBQ Sauce, $3 for 18 ounces: Come summer and you can count on all things mango at Trader Joe’s. One of the most notable finds is this smoky, sweet BBQ sauce with a tangy, tropical twist. Slather it on everything from grilled chicken to ribs for a grilling season like no other.
  2. Sriracha and Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce, $3 for 19.5 ounces: Attention, Sriracha-lovers! You need this BBQ sauce in your life. It’s a Memphis-style sauce at heart with a rich and spicy twist that’s sure to heat things up.
  3. Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce, $3 for 18 ounces: If Kansas City-style BBQ is your preference, you’ll want to pick up a few bottles of this stuff. After sampling a lengthy list of options, this one is my tried-and-true favorite for its smoky, bold flavor and can’t-beat value. It also proved to be a favorite among our BBQ-loving coworkers.
  4. Green Dragon Hot Sauce, $3 for 18 ounces: This is so much more than a plain ol’ bottle of hot sauce, and don’t confuse it for salsa verde either. Jalapeños and habaneros bring the heat, and it has just the right amount of smoke and vinegary tang.
  5. Uncured Bacon Jam, $4.50 for 8.5 ounces: Okay, so this one is a little more jammy than saucy, but it’s way too good to leave it off the list. It’s a bacon-lover’s dream come true, and whether you smear it over pancakes, spoon it on burgers, or toss it with a pasta salad, there’s no wrong way to use this sauce.
  6. Masala Simmer Sauce, $2.50 for 15 ounces: Keep a jar of this ultra-fragrant, lightly spiced sauce in the pantry and you’ll be able to whip up an Indian-inspired dinner any night of the week.
  7. Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce, $3.50 for 10 ounces: I recommend keeping this salty-sweet sauce nearby from breakfast through dessert. It has a thick richness and just the right amount of salty undertones that make it feel fancy, but it’s from TJ’s so you know it’s a serious bargain.

Your turn: What are your favorite sauces to pick up at Trader Joe’s?

P.S.: This post (and indeed, all other Trader Joe’s posts) are not sponsored or affiliated with Trader Joe’s in any way. We just love the store, and our readers do too. If there are other grocery stores you’d like to see similar coverage of, please tell us! Grocery shopping is a huge part of the cooking experience and we focus a lot of our editorial attention upon it.

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