14 Best Sauces From Trader Joe’s, Ranked

Whether you’re looking for something spicy, creamy, sweet, or crunchy, Trader Joe’s has a sauce for that. They offer classics like ketchup, mustard, mayo, plus condiments with unique flavors and specialty hot sauces.

A meal is only as good as the sauces it’s paired with, right? If you want to top your burger with something or create a flavorful homemade salad dressing, here are the 14 sauces you should definitely check out in Trader Joe’s condiment aisle.

14. Sriracha Sauce

I’m not a sriracha lover, which is why this sauce isn’t any higher on my list, but I have to admit it’s one of the better sriracha sauces I’ve had in my day.

Trader Joe’s makes their sriracha sauce with chiles, fresh garlic, salt, vinegar, and sugar. The main flavor here is the chiles, by far. In other words, this sauce is not for the spice-averse but is unique in that it has other flavors besides pure spice. The sugar and vinegar bring some tart and sweet flavor.

I think sriracha is a staple for any fridge, even for those who rarely use it. You just never know when you might need a little extra spice in your recipe.

13. Habanero Hot Sauce

I can handle a fair amount of spice, but I must say Trader Joe’s Habanero Hot Sauce is just a smidge too spicy for me to use as an everyday hot sauce. That being said, it’s perfect for mixing into recipes with a spicy kick, and it would be the perfect condiment for someone who really loves spice.

This sauce contains garlic, vinegar, cane sugar, and all the usual hot sauce ingredients, but for me, I just taste the habanero. But when I mix this into pulled chicken when making tacos or use a squirt in a homemade salad dressing, those other ingredients come out, and I can taste the full flavor profile.

This super spicy hot sauce is great for those who think Texas Pete’s just doesn’t cut it.

12. Crunchy Chili Cranberry Orange & Onion

If you’re a frequent Trader Joe’s shopper, you’ve probably tried or at least heard of their Crunchy Chili Onion Sauce. This condiment is like a holiday-fied version of that cult classic.

The Crunchy Chili Cranberry, Orange, & Onion has the same flavors as the original version, but without the garlic and with the addition of dried cranberries, orange oil, and brown sugar.

It goes well with pretty much anything you’d serve during the holiday season – think turkey, steak, and sweet potatoes. It brings a sweet, citrusy note to any dish, as well as a little crunch.

Be warned, though, there’s a kick to this sauce from the ancho chili pepper flakes, but it’s not so spicy that you’ll start sweating.  It’s only available during the holiday season, so stock up while you can.

11. Thai Sweet Ginger Sauce

As far as Trader Joe’s sauces go, this is definitely the most unique. The Thai Sweet Ginger Sauce is made with coconut sugar, pickled garlic, soy sauce, fermented soybean paste, and chiles, among other ingredients. Thanks to all these bold flavors, it’s sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy all at once.

The main flavor in this sauce is ginger, and it has that warm, spicy feel that fresh ginger is known for. The spicy ginger and pepper flavors contrast nicely with the sweetness, and the soybean paste brings in some major umami flavor. I love mixing this into my fried rice or using it as a dip for chicken nuggets.

If you like Chick-fil-A’s Polynesian sauce, give Thai Sweet Ginger Sauce a try. It’s a spicy, more mature iteration.

10. Dijon Mustard

Mustard must meet strict regulations in order to be considered Dijon mustard, and Trader Joe’s version meets all those standards. It has a simple ingredient list of water, mustard seeds, vinegar, white wine, salt, and citric acid. That means there are no unnecessary ingredients here to muddy the flavor of the mustard seeds.

This is a mustard for all mustard lovers, as it has a pungent, sharp flavor. I always have it in my fridge, but since it has a super strong flavor, I prefer using it in homemade salad dressings to lessen the sharpness a bit.

9. Magnifisauce

The Magnifisauce is essentially a mix of a few classic condiments – mayo, ketchup, mustard, and relish. It’s similar to Big Mac sauce or Chick-fil-A sauce in that there are multiple flavors going on, and none is more prevalent than the other. This has the same vibe as all those “secret sauces” served at your favorite burger chains.

This sauce has a refreshing tanginess to it that will brighten up whatever you put it on. I find it especially great for cutting through the heavy richness of a cheeseburger. It’s well-seasoned with salt, onion, and garlic, and there’s just a smidge of clove to bring in some sweetness.

8. Organic Spicy Taco Sauce

Next on my list of the best Trader Joe’s condiments is yet another organic sauce – the Organic Spicy Taco Sauce.

This concoction lives up to its name in that it’s spicy. Made with chili pepper powder, cayenne pepper, and red jalapeño pepper purée, there’s a substantial amount of heat here, but not so spicy that it’s hard to eat.

There are some other flavors going on here besides the spice, which gives this sauce some real depth. There’s the tang from vinegar, some sweetness from tomato paste, and a few other spices like oregano and pepper.

7. Peri Peri Sauce

Peri-peri is a spicy pepper often used in the aptly named peri-peri sauce. Besides the obvious use of pepper in this sauce (in fermented and dried flake form), Trader Joe’s version also contains lemon juice, garlic, and salt.

This sauce is set apart from your typical hot sauce thanks to the addition of lemon juice, which is prevalent here and brings a bright, citrus-heavy flavor. The tartness pairs well with chicken, fish, and pretty much any protein you can think of.

6. Whole Grain Dijon Mustard

If you’ve never had the Whole Grain Dijon Mustard before, it’s an interesting texture to get used to. It’s my personal favorite of all mustards offered by Trader Joe’s.

Since whole mustard seeds are used here, the texture is similar to caviar or tiny boba balls, which make a little pop as you chew them. Like their other mustards, this one has a bright tang to it. Unlike the other mustards, though, this one has less of that pungent flavor and instead has a more gentle, subdued mustard flavor.

The best part of this condiment is the texture. It works super well in homemade salad dressings or as a companion to your cheeseburger.

5. Jalapeño Sauce

This is one of the most unique hot sauces on Trader Joe’s shelves. Instead of your typical cayenne or habanero peppers, over 50% of the Jalapeño Sauce is made of, you guessed it, jalapenos.

Since jalapenos aren’t nearly as spicy as your habanero or cayenne pepper, this sauce isn’t too hot. And despite there’s zero dairy in the sauce, it’s somehow quite creamy.

The onion and garlic powder bring in some savory flavor to go along with the spice, and the cane sugar brings just a dash of sweetness.

4. Chunky Garlic & Jalapeño Hot Sauce

It was a close one, but I think the Chunky Garlic & Jalapeno trumps the original Jalapeño Sauce. Thanks to its uniquely thick, chunky consistency, it’s reminiscent of a spicy salsa.

The main ingredients here are pureed jalapenos, garlic, and olive oil. Besides the chunks throughout, the actual base of the sauce is incredibly smooth and velvety. The garlic flavor is almost as prominent as the jalapeno flavor, giving the sauce just the right amount of spiciness.

3. Tomato Ketchup With Black Summer Truffle

Trader Joe’s Tomato Ketchup with Black Summer Truffle is your classic ketchup with a fancy umami twist. That twist is, of course, black summer truffles. Summer truffles have a savory, complex flavor that adds depth to whatever food they’re paired with.

This ketchup has that classic tangy tomato flavor you’d expect, in addition to some uniquely earthy notes. Tomatoes are bright and acidic, and the truffle has a deeper, more sophisticated flavor. When added together, they’re an unlikely but delicious combination.

Replace regular ketchup with this truffle iteration whenever you want a little extra oomph of fanciness in your meal.

2. Truffle Hot Sauce

Okay, folks, I had to give the best Trader Joe’s hot sauce title to their Truffle variation. In this sauce, black truffle is mixed with chili peppers for a spicy, umami-packed bite. There’s also honey, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil.

This condiment from Trader Joe’s hits all the typical flavors you’d expect in a hot sauce – it’s vinegary, a little bit sweet, and, of course, quite spicy. It’s the perfect hot sauce to use when you want to add a little fanciness to whatever you’re eating.

1. Crunchy Chili Onion

We’ve reached the top pick on my list of Trader Joe’s condiments. Without a doubt, it’s their Crunchy Chili Onion. This concoction is everything you could hope to have in a sauce. It’s smokey, rich, spicy, savory, and crunchy.

It has an olive oil base and is filled with crunchy dried onion and garlic. These toasty bits keep their crisp despite being submerged in oil. The chili pepper brings a substantial kick to the sauce, but it’s not nearly as spicy as some other options on this list.

I love dipping my dumplings or sliced bread in this sauce. It’s also great on top of a burger or in a burrito. Whenever you want a little extra savory flavor and crunch, reach for Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion.