12 Trader Joe's Items That Are Far Superior to Their Name Brand Counterparts

Less impressive name brand alternative: Morningstar Farms Veggie Original Sausage Patties

Price: $3.29

I’ve been mostly vegetarian for over ten years, but I still enjoy plant-based meat alternatives, especially for breakfast. While there isn’t a Trader Joe’s version of Kellogg’s/Morningstar Farms veggie bacon ('facon'), I much prefer Joe’s take on meatless sausage patties. They offer better flavor and a more authentic texture, but the real kicker is the price—they’re typically a few dollars cheaper. In most NYC stores, Morningstar products cost about $2 more for the same quantity of patties.

Less impressive name brand alternative: Goldfish

Price: $2.49, 7 oz

Goldfish may be the snack cracker that always has a smile, but when it comes to school lunches, I swear by Trader Joe’s Cheddar Rockets for one simple reason: they actually taste like they contain real cheese. Each Rocket is bigger and puffier than your standard fish, with a much bolder cheddar kick. This blog notes they also have 'a hint of cayenne,' but I’ll take their word for it.

Less impressive name brand alternative: Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws

Price: $2 Look, whether you call them 'sticks' or 'straws,' veggie chips aren’t necessarily any better for you than regular chips. That’s probably because they’re mostly made of potatoes, with a little veggie flavoring and coloring thrown in. Trader Joe’s Veggie Sticks beat the competition because they deliver pretty much the same thing—maybe a tad greasier, and thus more delicious—at a dollar less than what I usually pay for Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws. Plus, they don’t insult my intelligence with a name like 'sensible portion'—who’s ever eaten just one serving of veggie chips?

Less impressive name brand alternative: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Price: $.99 for a small bag, $4.99 for the tub shown above This comparison feels a bit unfair. Sure, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are decent, but only when compared to other checkout aisle options. They feature the same overly sweet, cloying chocolate, though the peanut butter provides a satisfying texture (that is, if you’re lucky enough to get a fresh one; stale Reese’s cups are awful). But Trader Joe’s cups (available in both milk and dark chocolate, with the milk variety coming highly recommended) are the ideal version of this candy. The chocolate is denser and richer, not too sweet, while the peanut butter is smoother, creamier, and packs a bigger peanut punch. Plus, the size is just right, providing a perfect balance of chocolate to filling.

Less impressive name brand alternative: Takis

Price: $2.49 Takis are a spicy, chili-infused corn snack created by the Mexican snack company Grupo Bimbo back in 1999. Though they apparently made their way to the U.S. market in the mid-2000s, I only discovered them last year when my kids begged for a bag after trying them at school. Enter the Takis obsession—they’ve become a go-to snack in bodegas (especially in the Northeast), with some people even going out of their way to find the “blue” flavor, which is basically the same, but hotter. I was excited when Trader Joe’s released their own version earlier this year, and even more thrilled after trying them and realizing they have a much more refined and balanced flavor than the original. Takis hit you with heat but lack complexity, whereas TJ’s version lets you savor the chili and lime, all while still packing a spicy punch.

But what I love most is that they’re not as drenched in flavoring salt—you can eat TJ’s chips without turning your fingers bright orange and staining everything you touch (especially helpful if you have kids like mine). We usually grab six bags every time we visit Trader Joe’s, and sometimes they last us the full two weeks between trips.

Less impressive name brand alternative: Mike’s Hot Honey, Bees Knees Spicy Honey

Price: $3

I’m not usually a honey person, but I can’t get enough of hot honey, particularly on pizza. Sure, you could make it yourself, but I’m just not that dedicated. Still, I never want to splurge on the pricey trendy brands like Mike’s or Bees Knees, which often cost $12 or more, way beyond my condiment budget. Trader Joe’s Organic Spicy Honey Sauce, introduced in 2021, offers a comparable experience for just $3. Grab a bottle along with a few frozen pizzas and enjoy.

Inferior name brand alternative: Häagen-Daz Coffee Ice Cream

Price: $3.99 If you've ever read my bylines on Mytour, you probably know about my obsession with coffee. I have a very specific need for my coffee ice cream to actually taste like coffee, and I've even been known to conduct strange experiments in search of the perfect flavor. Honestly, most coffee ice creams are as disappointing as a cup of watered-down, waiting-room Folger’s. To get something that really tastes like the bean, you have to go for the premium options in the freezer aisle.

Sure, Häagen-Daz and Ben & Jerry’s offer a decent coffee-flavored ice cream, but with their price tag, they’d better. On the other hand, Trader Joe’s offers a pint of Coffee Bean Blast for just $4, and it lives up to its name. Every creamy, rich, perfectly textured spoonful will please even the pickiest coffee enthusiast. And don't just take my word for it—this ranking placed it second out of all the brands tested, losing only to a gourmet version that costs $12 per pint.

Inferior name brand alternative: Morningstar Farms Veggie Chorizo Crumbles

Price: $2.29 My kids and I don't agree on many food choices (though I should note that they are the ones doing the disagreeing), but thankfully we all love tacos, and this is our go-to filling. It’s plant-based, flavorful, not too spicy, and affordable. Morningstar’s version is pricier, drier, crumblier, and less kid-friendly. No thanks!

Inferior name brand alternative: Tofurky Plant-Based Italian Sausage

Price: $3.49 If you've read my earlier comments on things like Meatless Sausage Patties and Soy Chorizo, you know what I’m going to say here. Sure, you can opt for Tofurky's version of these meat-free Italian 'sausages,' but they tend to cost more and, to be honest, don’t taste much better, if at all. One thing I really appreciate about Trader Joe’s is their price consistency—no matter where you shop, the price is the same. And when you’re in an expensive food market like NYC, it often means that Trader Joe’s store brands are the most budget-friendly option available.

Inferior name brand alternative: Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars

Price: $1.99 I used to think fruit-filled cereal bars were revolting, but it turns out it was just the ones made by Kellogg’s that I couldn’t stand. Trader Joe’s varieties (all cleverly named, of course) have become my go-to for those hectic mornings when I need something quick. These bars are less sugary, packed with more filling, have a softer, more flavorful crust, and are made with more natural ingredients and fewer unpronounceable chemicals (though, full disclosure, I’m not a food expert). Watch for the limited-time seasonal flavors like pumpkin and cranberry, which are a real treat.

Inferior name brand alternative: Oreos

Price: $3 This gets a little asterisk because Mytour’s Senior Food Editor, Claire Lower, insists that Oreos are still the best, and who am I to argue with Claire’s snack expertise? But in my household, Joe-Joe’s are the sandwich cookie of choice. Much like the breakfast bars above, they boast more natural ingredients than their Nabisco counterpart, with a bit more filling and cookies that are slightly denser and not as crisp. While Oreos may have a wider array of funky flavors, Joe-Joe’s seasonal holiday versions (like the one with real chunks of candy cane) are a far better treat than the typical “peppermint flavor” Oreos.

Inferior name brand alternative: Tofurky Vegetarian Feast

Price: $12.99 Tofurky may have become synonymous with vegetarian Thanksgiving alternatives, but honestly, it's never been the best. While fake meat has come a long way since Tofurky’s debut in 1995, their “Vegetarian Feast” stuffed roast is still not my top choice, though it’s a decent option. Field Roast’s version tops my list, though it’s pricier and not always easy to find. Trader Joe’s recent take, however, is nearly as good, more accessible, and only available seasonally. It won’t trick anyone into thinking it’s turkey, but it’s a flavorful (faux) meat substitute with a satisfying texture that doesn’t have the rubbery quality of older Tofurky products. I’ve served this to my kids at family gatherings with meat-eaters, and it’s often just as popular—if not more so—than the actual turkey.