The Only Salsa You Should Ever Buy at Trader Joe's
Take a Dip
It's taco night! Or, you’re late for a party and forgot snacks. Maybe you just got laid off and you need a little you-time. Whatever the occasion, tortilla chips and store-bought salsa are an elite grocery store pickup — especially at Trader Joe’s.
Whether you're picking up a thick and chunky salsa or a pineapple variety, the salsa game is strong at the beloved grocery chain, but there are a paralyzing number of options. Not sure which one to grab? Here are the best Trader Joe’s salsas, along with one you might just want to leave right there on the shelf.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated in May 2024. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Best: Mild Pico de Gallo
Price: $2.99 / 12oz
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 10
Hey TJ Pico! Long-time fan, first-time writer. I love Trader Joe's mild pico de gallo. It’s everything pico de gallo should be: bright, tangy, and bursting with life. There’s a hotter version, and while I enjoy spicy salsa, I don’t think I want it in my pico de gallo. It's all about big, fresh flavors for me on this one.
Joe, who thankfully has dropped all traces of his former alter-ego Trader José from the packaging, has the perfect balance of tomato, onion, and jalapeño going on here. I’ll never stop buying this.
2. Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Price: $2.99
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 25
Tomatillos and jalapeños are a beautiful partnership, and the Trader Joe's salsa verde is a shining example. I’ve always wished it was spicier, but that’s OK. The acid of the tomatillo combined with the earthiness of the jalapeño are a match for the ages in this salsa verde. Trader Joe's chips are the only thing needed.
Editors note: At the time of update (5/7), this salsa is sadly no longer on Trader Joe's website. We're not sure if this has been discontinued, or if/when it will be back.
3. Guajillo Salsa
Price $2.99 / 12oz
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 15
Guajillo chiles make for a great salsa. This one is exactly what you want out of a guajillo salsa: thick and pureé-like, with roasty, smoky flavors. I love it.
4. Hatch Valley Salsa
Price: $2.99 / 12oz
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 10
Hatch chiles, I must admit, are a top chile for me. I’m a huge fan of Southwestern flavors in general, so give me some hatch chile salsa and I’m a happy kid. TJ’s version is tasty — I recommend throwing a few jars into a slow cooker with some pork shoulder.
Editors note: At the time of update (5/7), this salsa is no longer on Trader Joe's website, but it is available on Amazon in a 2-pack for $18. We're not sure if this has been discontinued.
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5. Homestyle Salsa Especial Mild
Price: $2.99 / 12oz
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 5
There’s nothing wrong with this salsa at all. It’s a good version of a classic tomato salsa. Really, it's pretty similar to the Trader Joe's marinara sauce — maybe this is that very sauce, made with cilantro instead of basil.
But look, I’m not here to speculate on Joe's recipes. I’m just here to say that this is a perfectly fine salsa with a very good consistency for dipping.
6. Extra Hot Habanero Ghost Pepper Salsa
Price: $3.49 / 12oz
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 10
This is a classic first-bite-not-too-bad, second-bite-very-hot situation. I do think the ghost pepper banner gets waved around a bit too much these days, because actual ghost peppers are incredibly hot, and this is just “very spicy.” I don't taste the citrusy burst that usually accompanies habanero much, either.
All that said — what are we here for? Are we here to put this on a taco or to be a dip for tortilla chips? Based on the wide-mouthed tub, it seems like the latter, and it’s simply too spicy in that case. Inside a taco or burrito, it’ll fade away and bring flavor to everything else. If you’re just cranking chip after chip of habanero-ghost pepper salsa, you’re gonna find yourself in a tough spot.
7. Pineapple Salsa
Price: $1.99
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 15
I enjoy this pineapple salsa, I do. I just don’t see a lot of utility in it beyond fish tacos, and maybe an attempt at al pastor. I’m not particularly trying to dip chips into salsa this sweet.
Editors note: At the time of update (5/7), this salsa is no longer on Trader Joe's website, but it is available on Amazon for $9. We're not sure if this has been discontinued.
8. Organic Thick and Chunky Salsa
Price: $2.99 / 16oz
Serving size: 2 tbsp
Calories per serving: 10
There is something … off about this Trader Joe's organic salsa. I spent at least 90 full seconds looking for the expiration date, and when I found it, it turned out to not be for another year and a half. So, I don’t know. Something’s just wrong. The aftertaste is not one I’m familiar with in salsa, or frankly, any other food. Skip this Trader Joe's thick and chunky salsa and buy any of the other salsas.
This article was originally published on Cheapism