Popular Items That Completely Vanished From Trader Joe's

We're always looking for the best items from Trader Joe's, but sadly, some of the grocery chain's most coveted items have left store shelves forever. These were things that we were so good, we were willing to make a special trip to get them. But for reasons unknown (and there are a lot of things you probably don't know about Trader Joe's), they were pulled from shelves. 

Trader Joe's supply chain is something of a mystery, but one of the reasons why products appear and disappear so frequently is that they're rumored to be sourced from other big brands, and they may only receive limited quantities of products packaged under the Trader Joe's label. 

That's why if you love something, you should get your hands on it as soon as possible. The next time you get to the store, it could already be gone — just like these much-loved TJ's items that have been discontinued.

Trader Joe's has a pretty great selection of vegan and vegetarian items, from frozen Thai Iced Tea-Flavored mini mochi to Chicken-less Mandarin Orange Morsels. But once you get hooked on one of their cruelty-free foods, you should stock up, because chances are they'll eventually disappear from store shelves. 

That's what happened with Trader Joe's Tofu Edamame Nuggets. This unique snack featured a pocket of firm tofu that was stuffed with shelled edamame, shredded carrots, and bits of squishy tofu. When baked, the outside would get nice and crispy, while inside the soft bits of tofu and tender veggies created a textural contrast that left us wanting more. 

The only downside was that they didn't come with a sauce, but luckily a splash of TJ's own Soyaki would usually do the trick. 

Unfortunately, Trader Joe's Tofu Edamame Nuggets were discontinued, and despite a petition that called for their return, they haven't been seen in the freezer aisle for a few years now.

Now and then you can find a good deal on something really luxurious at Trader Joe's, and frozen Cioppino Seafood Stew, loaded with fish and shellfish, was definitely among those hallowed products.

Cioppino is a soup that was created by Italian-American fisherman in San Francisco at the tail end of the 19th century. Using whatever seafood scraps were left over from the day's catch, they would made a stew containing tomatoes, garlic, onion, olive oil, wine, and herbs. It was pretty delicious served with some of the city's famous sourdough bread, too.

Trader Joe's version was pretty faithful to the original. As far as seafood is concerned, they were very generous — each frozen bag of cioppino included shrimp, scallops, cod, clams, and mussels. At $5.99 for a 1-pound bag, it was a value entree that tasted like a real treat, but now that it's discontinued, you might have to travel to San Francisco to get a taste.

One of Trader Joe's signature moves is taking basic convenience foods and serving up the best possible version. Such was the case with their instant miso soup. 

These packets of powdered miso and dried tofu were as simple to make as adding to a bowl with some boiled water and stirring, but the big flavor produced made it taste like something from a restaurant. The key to the robust taste was that the soup was made with a lot of ingredients high in glutamic acid, which is what make up the "umami" taste.

Dried red and white miso (a fermented soy product), clam extract power, bonito powder, kombu powder, yeast extract, and shiitake mushrooms are all powerful sources of umami, and they made up the bulk of this seemingly humble soup. 

The only complaint some people had was that the soup lacked big pieces of seaweed (the seaweed in the soup, kombu, was powdered), and some didn't like that the shiitake mushrooms were in bigger pieces.

Sadly, the soup was discontinued (you can join the Facebook group calling for its return if you're as heartbroken as some others). These days if you want to get your miso soup fix at Trader Joe's, you'll have to settle for their ramen.

On busy days when making a nice dinner seems totally out of the question, Trader Joe's usually comes through in a pinch, but one of their best items for this very purpose has been discontinued. 

We're talking Trader Joe's Salmon & Vegetable Croquettes. These frozen patties were made of salmon, edamame, kale, broccoli, and chia seeds. When pan-fried, they got golden brown and crisp on the outside, while remaining tender on the inside. The seasoning was a mixture of soy sauce, cilantro, garlic, chili sauce, and ginger, with a touch of fish sauce and sesame oil to round things out.

Served with a lightly dressed salad of peppery arugula and a lemon wedge, it tasted like something one could get for lunch at a fancy seaside restaurant. 

Unfortunately, either not enough people were enamored of the patties, or they ran into an issue with their supplier, because the Salmon & Vegetable Croquettes are no longer available. 

Burritos have been a popular convenience food in the US since at least the 1950s, and you don't have to make them at home to get something good. Premade burritos hold a lot of appeal, especially when done well. They're a portable feast that can be heated up in minutes, and it's hard to dispute the tastiness of a meaty filling surrounded by carbs. 

Trader Joe's really got in on the game with their Chicken Chile Verde Burritos. Located in the freezer aisle, these tasty morsels consisted of big chunks of dark and white meat chicken in a thick tomatillo and green chile-based verde sauce, wrapped in a flour tortilla. They had a bit of a kick, and were a far cry from the pasty burritos full of mystery meat you sometimes get in the frozen section. 

There was a downside. Each serving contained 2,140 mg of sodium, meaning one burrito used up nearly an entire day's salt allowance (2,300 mg maximum, according to the American Heart Association). 

These days, you can get other frozen burritos at Trader Joe's, but the Chicken Chile Verde Burritos exist only in our memories.

Raisins are the type of food it seems hard to get excited about. Even bonafide foodie types who like raisins rarely seem to love raisins. But Trader Joe's sought to change our opinions of the oft-grainy, occasionally-leathery dried grapes with their Jumbo Seedless Black Raisins. 

Somewhere between a normal raisin and a prune, these raisins were big enough that just a few would satisfy. They were moist, sticky, and sweet, and just $3.49 for a 1-pound bag. 

These days, those with a craving for Jumbo Black Raisins at Trader Joe's have to settle for the Jumbo Raisin Medley, as the former variety has been discontinued. 

The medley includes black raisins, but it also has golden raisins (made from the same grape as black raisins, but oven-dried and treated with sulphur to maintain a lighter color) and red flame seedless raisins. But those who had a penchant for the Jumbo Black raisins might be disappointed — golden and red raisins don't have as complex, winy, and caramelized a flavor as sun-dried black raisins. 

Aside from their famous frozen mandarin chicken, almost no single food item at Trader Joe's is as iconic as their cookie butter, made from Belgian-style spiced speculoos cookies that's blended with oil to create a smooth spread. It was even a runner up for the favorite overall product at Trader Joe's in their 9th annual customer choice awards.

So, when they came out with speculoos cheesecake, the internet nearly lost its mind. 

Located in the freezer aisle, this dessert featured a speculoos cookie crust, a silky vanilla cheesecake, and a thick swirl of speculoos cookie butter on top. At $6.99 for a 22.5 oz cake, it was a bargain for even a plain cheesecake, let alone one covered in spiced cookie spread. All one had to do was let it thaw for 4-6 hours or overnight, then dig in.

Now that it's discontinued, you need not despair. The next time you buy a plain vanilla cheesecake, pick up a jar of cookie butter and slather it on top for an approximation of the original treat. 

Everything's better with bacon, and our collective obsession is even backed up by science. Trader Joe's seemed to be aware of this fact when they made a once-beloved, now-discontinued item: Uncured Bacon Jam.

A lightly sweetened, sticky spread, the jam was made from uncured applewood smoked bacon, which was then slow cooked with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and onions. Its sweet, salty, and savory flavor meant that you could enjoy it in a variety of ways, including on toast in the morning, used instead of ketchup on top of a cheeseburger, or added in dollops to a cheese plate. This bacon jam livened up pretty much any meal, and at $4.49 for an 8.5 oz jar was a bargain compared to similar gourmet spreads.

It was released during a bit of a bacon jam frenzy that was spreading across the globe, popular as far away as New Zealand. But that popularity wasn't enough to keep it on the shelves — Trader Joe's sadly no longer sells its Uncured Bacon Jam. 

Another Trader Joe's favorite that's now lost to us is their Handmade Chocolate Ganache Torte. 

This rich dessert featured a dense, moist chocolate cake filled with silky chocolate mousse, then coated in a shiny semi-sweet chocolate ganache. It was the type of dessert where just one bite would satisfy, which made it's 1.5-pound weight and $7.99 price tag a huge value. Tiny slices of this cake served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to help cut through the richness could serve as dessert for up to 16 people. Sure, the nutrition facts said that the cake should be cut into eighths, but this is one instance where the serving size listed was almost too generous.

If that sounds as delicious to you as it does to us, maybe it's worth signing the petition to bring it back, something created by fans who miss this decadent dessert so much they're willing to fight for it's return. 

Trader Joe's chili lime seasoning is a popular topping for corn, fresh cut fruit, and anything else that could use a bit of tangy spice. The brand tried to incorporate the well-known seasoning into its mayonnaise, making elote prep even easier. Despite the popularity of the product, Instagram account @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed that the company began phasing out the product at the end of 2021. 

While the product was short-lived, it did garner plenty of die-hard fans along the way. Reddit user u/BrdwyBabe13 was confused as to why the product didn't receive more buzz. Others were quick to sing its praises. "I already went through two jars of this! I want to get a third but didn't see any in store," U/Mosslessrollingstone wrote. Fans suggested using this stuff on everything from basic sandwiches to fish tacos. However, if you're looking to see what the hype is about, you'll have to mix your own seasoning into regular mayonnaise. 

Rice pudding may not be as popular of a dessert as ice cream or chocolate chip cookies, but it has its place. The dish is simple — rice, milk, and seasonings are mixed together for a sweet treat. Trader Joe's did all the work for its customers by making a refrigerated version of rice pudding that they could eat right out of the container. According to @traderjoestobediscontinued on Instagram, the product was phased out at the beginning of 2021. 

A few loyal fans on the Trader Joe's subreddit were sad to hear the news. "I'm going to cry that's the only thing motivating me to do groceries," u/2000ablenderoddyssey wrote. While some appreciated the brand's original recipe, others found creative ways to spruce it up. One user said they mixed frozen mango chunks, rice pudding, coconut cream, and heavy cream to make mango sticky rice-style milkshakes. Sadly, they will need to find a replacement ingredient for this sweet treat. 

Trader Joe's has a seemingly endless variety of cookies, candies, and other sweet treats scattered throughout its aisles, just temping you to throw them in your cart. One popular item that has recently been discontinued is the chocolate chip sandwich cookies (via @traderjoestobediscontinued/Instagram). These little sandwiches featured two thin and crispy chocolate chip cookies sandwiched together with fudge filling. There was nothing not to like about them. The cookies were buttery while having a nice crunch, and it was pretty impossible to eat just one. Apparently, they just weren't popular enough to keep on the shelves. 

The chocolate chip cookies only have 10 customer reviews on Trader Joe's Reviews website, but they are all positive. One user begged the brand to bring them back after they were discontinued. "Why, oh why, would you discontinue such a bodashes, decadent, delicious little chocolate chip morsel," they wrote. "Please re-think this unthinkable decision and bring these wonderful cookies back." 

Trader Joe's also has no shortage of chips for its customers to sample along with their equally-impressive lineup of dips and sauces. However, the shelves have started to miss the inclusion of the brand's sweet potato tortilla chips, as Trader Joe's began discontinuing them in 2022 (via @traderjoestobediscontinued). These chips were crunchy and salty, with light notes of sweet potato. According to Shopping with Dave, the chips actually only contained about 18% sweet potato, so the taste wasn't that different from your average tortilla chip. 

The lack of a strong sweet potato flavor may be why the grocery chain decided to lose the item. However, some people weren't happy. If you look up the product on Twitter, there are dozens of tweets from before the chips were discontinued of satisfied customers singing praises of the snack. Unfortunately, they will have to find another alternative for their salsa-dipping needs. 

Another item Trader Joe's fans lost in 2022 was the brand's fudge sauce and fondue. Fans of the product on Influenster gave it five-star reviews, particularly noting that it's even more delicious if you heat it up and pour it over ice cream. Others also suggested warming up the whole jar to dip fruit, crackers, or whatever else you have on hand for some simple DIY fondue. When @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed the news on Instagram earlier this year, the page's comments were flooded with customers sad to see this pantry staple leaving the shelves. 

Users on the Trader Joe's subreddit were quick to express their disappointment in the brand getting rid of the luxurious chocolate sauce. "Oh man I'm so bummed I didn't buy any the last time I saw it there. I really loved it," u/ATLHenchmanMike wrote in regret. Others flooded the comments with suggestions of similar products, but likely nothing will be exactly the same as Trader Joe's signature recipe. 

Sometimes when Trader Joe's discontinues items, there's immediate, massive outrage from its loyal followers. Then, there are the moments that the chain quietly takes items off the shelves, only for customers to slowly realize the loss over time. In the summer of 2021, Trader Joe's seemingly did the latter when they removed a carnival classic from its snack selection, and fans weren't happy once they took notice. 

Instagram user @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed that the brand's caramel popcorn would be saying goodbye. The page's comments were filled with upset fans trying to figure out a replacement for their favorite snack. Luckily, caramel popcorn is a pretty popular item and you can probably find a variation at most grocery stores. However, the brand's version was a unique, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan variety, which isn't typical for buttery popcorn products (via Go Dairy Free). For whatever reason, if this caramel popcorn was one of your ultimate favorite snacks, it's too bad that you had to say goodbye. 

Speaking of discontinued products that incite outrage, Trader Joe's customers were up in arms when they discovered the brand got rid of their jalapeño pepper hot sauce. One reddit user u/IAmNotAPancake begged fellow hot sauce lovers to point them in a direction of a dupe after learning the product was discontinued."I got this sad news yesterday when I finally asked about it after not seeing [it] on the shelves for weeks, so so sad this hot sauce is no longer available," U/kikikink wrote about the product. 

According to reviews on Influenster, this sauce was not kidding with its spice level. It wasn't overly spicy, but it packed the heat and paired perfectly with tacos, eggs, and even popcorn. One user Anie J. specifically pointed out that the sauce was tasty on its own, but didn't overpower the existing taste of whatever dish you were pouring it on.

As pointed out by u/Exciting_Problem_593, some Trader Joe's fans will be "arrabiata" (meaning "angry" in Italian) to discover that the brand discontinued its jarred Arrabiata sauce. This tomato sauce had a lot of spice and was full of flavor, so fans in the Trader Joe's subreddit were devastated to hear the news. U/poisonedyouth96 declared that Arrabiata was "easily the best pasta sauce they've ever made," adding that "this really sucks." 

Another fan u/Fantasybackwash hypothesized that supply chain issues with the vendor could likely be the cause of Trader Joe's taking this item off the shelves. The essential ingredients of traditional arrabiata sauce are San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, and a lot of red pepper flakes (via Ciao Florentina). So if you're really missing this staple sauce, it's a simple recipe to try to make yourself. However, it won't be as simple as opening a jar and heating up its contents for a fast dinner. 

Trader Joe's frozen section is home to some of its most beloved items. So once the chain starts removing staples from its freezer, fans get pretty upset. That's exactly what happened when @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed that the brand's chicken & mushroom pelmeni would be leaving the shelves in October 2021. The Russian-inspired dumplings were filled with chicken, mushrooms, onion, and dill, meaning they were bursting with flavor. Fans in the Instagram comments, even some from Russia, were outraged that Trader Joe's got rid of the classic. 

Fans on Trader Joe's Reviews website also gave the item 4+ star reviews. "Trader Joes stopped carrying them but they were my favorite! I love the dill," one user wrote alongside a 5-star review. A few reviewers suggested adding extra seasonings, like salt or chicken boullion, to amp up the flavors of the pockets. For now, fans will have to be on the lookout for any markets that happen to sell this Russian delicacy, as it's not as common as some of TJ's other frozen items. 

If you frequented Trader Joe's refrigerated dip section, you may have been tempted to try this black bean dip. It included three kinds of peppers — jalapeños, serranos, and habaneros. It had a nice spice that wasn't overwhelming, and was complimented well with hints of onion, tomatillos, and garlic. Unfortunately, @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed in April 2021 that the product would be slowly leaving the store. 

Even though the post is old, fans still return to the comments to express how much they miss the dip. "We seriously eat one of these a week. so disappointing," one disgruntled comment read. There are even a few Trader Joe's shoppers who expressed their disappointment that they never got a chance to try the product before it was taken off the shelves. It's a pretty simple recipe to try to recreate at home, but the convenient version is no longer available for TJ's shoppers looking for a quick snack. 

Trader Joe's dried fruit and nut section is a good place to get lost. You'll find yourself discovering products that you didn't even know existed, and you'll immediately start dreaming up new ways to use them. Unfortunately, if the coconut chips were a staple topping on your smoothie bowls or oatmeal, you might have to find a new option. 

Instagram account @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed the news at the beginning of 2021 that the item would be leaving the shelves. "I used to buy so many bags! Best coconut chips out there," one loyal fan commented in sadness. The Kitchn even published an article in 2019 singing the praises of this product, warning potential buyers that it was way too easy to devour the entire bag in one sitting. The chips were deliciously sweet, satisfyingly crunchy, and had just the right amount of salt that made you salivate for more. For now, they will remain a thing of legend unless Trader Joe's ever decides to bring them back. 

Most chips and crackers tend to be plain to serve as a vehicle for cheeses, dips, meats, or whatever else you want to top them with. Trader Joe's has some crackers, though, that are full of flavor all on their own. And blue cheese-lovers couldn't resist the company's gorgonzola crackers, which tasted exactly like the tangy, yet mild cheese. But if you've been struggling to find these at your local Trader Joe's, it's because the brand discontinued the item at the end of 2020 (via @traderjoestobediscontinued).  

Fans of the cracker were not happy about its sneaky removal. U/lb_1417 on Reddit wrote, "This is sad day for all snack kind," once they discovered the news. If you're looking for a replacement cracker that's anything but bland, Trader Joe's does have a few options. They have Everything but the Bagel-seasoned crackers, Fig & Olive Crisps, and trail mix crackers that are worth trying out, but none of them are bursting with cheesy flavor quite like this forgotten gem (via Trader Joe's). 

As previously mentioned, Trader Joe's has an impressive aisle of nuts, dried fruits, and more. If you're looking for the least boring on-the-go snacks available, it's a must-stop spot. However, one staple trail mix has been missing from the aisles since summer 2021, and fans are upset. Instagram account @traderjoestobediscontinued announced that the brand was getting rid of its legendary nut & berry mix. The blend had almonds, cranberries, raisins, cashews, dried blueberries, walnuts, and dried raspberries, so it was bursting with different flavors and textures.

One upset fan in the comment section on Instagram said that the brand has gotten rid of what they consider to be all of the best trail mixes from their shelves. However, others commented that they wouldn't miss the item, as the idea of dried raspberries in a trail mix was off-putting to them. To each their own, but die-hard buyers of this mix will have to spend some extra time finding a new favorite from TJ's. 

Frozen burritos have been a mainstay in grocery store and gas station freezers since seemingly forever. In recent years, Trader Joe's got inventive with the concept with their Hatch Chile Chicken Wraps. The dish was similar to Taco Bell's Crunchwrap Supreme, but with chicken and black beans inside. Although the product was relatively new on the shelves, @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed in September 2021 that they would be saying goodbye for now. One commenter tagged the grocery chain's Instagram account to ask directly why they were discontinuing a solid product that just came out earlier in the year. 

Trader Joe's Obsessed on Facebook posted a review of the new product in January 2021, so it really had a short run at the store. Other Instagram commenters were also shocked as they didn't even see the product available in their local TJ's locations prior to it being discontinued. "Nooo! I've never even seen these and I want," one upset customer wrote. 

Trader Joe's has nearly any variety of salsa you could ask for. They have shelf-stable and refrigerated, salsas with fruits and with beans, and basically any other standard recipe you can think of. One fan favorite was the brand's zesty double roasted salsa. However, Reddit users discovered that the item totally disappeared from shelves. Reddit user u/Bannanahannaha claimed they purchased a jar of the salsa every time they frequented Trader Joe's for 10 years, so hearing of the discontinuation was a major blow to their shopping routine. 

"Nooooo! I loved this salsa. The only thing close I had was from a farmers market," U/prplemoos wrote. Although many brands have their own take on salsa heavy with roasted flavors, it seems like fans haven't found a dupe quite like Trader Joe's recipe. Food.com did post their take on recreating Trader Joe's version, but it doesn't have any reviews to confirm whether or not it's a suitable match. 

Trader Joe's is responsible for creating a few products that can elevate your typical desk salad into a delicious meal. One major element that takes your salad to the next level is something crunchy, like croutons. Unfortunately, for fans of Trader Joe's cheese and garlic croutons, they'll have to find a new favorite. Instagram account @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed the news in September 2021 that customers would have to say goodbye to these croutons. Fans in the comments were outraged that this topping for salads and soups would be leaving, as they were like the ultimate breadcrumbs full of flavor. One user tagged the grocery chain to express their disapproval. "Sure give us a ton of gross pumpkin products but take away croutons," they wrote. 

If you're looking for an alternative, Trader Joe's sells plantain croutons with garlic and sea salt that might be a satisfying dupe. They aren't as big or cheesy like the originals, but fans on the Trader Joe's subreddit have praised the product, so it has its own loyal followers. 

There are some items you always expect to be available at your typical grocery store. In America, basic condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise are three staples you expect to find everywhere. However, @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed in February 2022 that the brand would be getting rid of its real mayonnaise. Shoppers in the comments were pretty astounded that such a staple ingredient was even on the chopping block in the first place. "Literally why would they discontinue mayo?? Like it's a normal ingredient... That's so silly," one person wrote. 

Trader Joe's currently has no mayonnaise products listed on its website, so it seems like the item has been totally phased out. It's a bummer for shoppers who rely on stocking up on Trader Joe's ingredients who will now have to frequent a different store if they need to buy more mayonnaise. 

Considering the popularity of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, it made sense for Trader Joe's to try their hand at making their own version of the snack. Cue the Trader Joe's spicy cheese crunchies. They were crunchy, cheesy, and had just the right amount of spice. If this was your holy grail chip, we have bad news for you. Instagram account @traderjoestobediscontinued revealed in early 2022 that the product would be leaving its snack aisle. "Nooooooo these are my all time favorite chips ever," one fan wrote. "I am SOOOOOO SAD." 

Users on the Trader Joe's subreddit were quick to recommend alternatives to people who were lost upon hearing the news. Some recommended similar products at Whole Foods and Costco. However, as pointed out by u/pinkdiamond668, the Trader Joe's recipe was better for those with certain food allergies. "I'm intolerant to red food dye but I love hot Cheetos flavor so this was a lifesaver for me," they wrote.