The Conversation
The 9 Best Marinades and Sauces at Trader Joe’s
Jun 10, 2021
We're fanatic about Trader Joe's snacks, salad kits, and cheeses. Yet we have often found ourselves throwing a bottle or two of a Trader Joe's marinades in our cart too. They make for ideal marinades for meat, tofu, and vegetables. Or as a dunking sauce for chicken fingers, egg rolls, and other fried goods. No matter how bland the ingredients at hand, a few glugs of one of these marinades and sauces will transform your boring dinner into anything but.
Trader Joe's Soyaki ($3): This sweet and salty sesame sauce can be used in a number of ways, including as a marinade for your fave proteins, a topping for noodle stir-fries, or, if you mix it with a little oil, as a delicious salad dressing.
Trader Joe's Zhoug Sauce ($3): When we first tried this Yemeni hot sauce, we were a bit blown away at just how spicy it really is. Then we discovered that, mixed with Greek yogurt, it makes an excellent dip for chips and veggies, and an even better marinade for chicken, pork, and beef.
Trader Joe's Yuzu Kosho Hot Sauce ($6): Yuzu, a type of sour citrus with a taste that's sort of like a cross between a grapefruit and a lime, makes this one of the more unique hot sauces out there. The aroma hits your nose right before the spice kicks in, giving you a full dose of flavor. This thin sauce can be mixed with oil to make a marinade, or simply splashed over your fave meals if they need to be livened up.
Trader Joe's Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce ($2): This creamy, spicy Thai sauce coats every bite of your protein with flavor. Top it over microwaved frozen rice and some steamed veggies, and you have yourself a complete meal.
Trader Joe's Pepita Salsa ($3): Pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) are added to this salsa. They give it an almost creamy texture, which, along with sweet bell peppers and smoky chipotle powder, makes this sauce one of our go-to condiments.
Trader Joe's Green Dragon Sauce ($3): If you're bored with sriracha, reach for this green sauce when garnishing anything from fried eggs to stir-fry. It's made with green jalapeños and tomatillos, so you still get the spice, but it's also tangier, less sweet, and has a grassier flavor than the red stuff.
Trader Joe's Organic Rosé Vinaigrette ($3): TJ's has totally embraced the rosé trend, and we're not mad about it. Their latest triumph is a rosé vinaigrette that's scrumptious tossed with mixed greens, but it's also a delish marinade for chicken, seafood, and grilled vegetables, too.
Trader Joe's Blue Cheese Mustard ($3): It may only be seasonally available (in the winter), but nevertheless, Trader Joe's Blue Cheese Mustard was a runner up in the company's 10th annual customer choice awards. Mustard chicken and mustard roasted potatoes are even more craveable when a little blue cheese is added to the mix. It punches up homemade salad dressings, too.
Trader Joe's Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce ($3): Some Kansas City style barbecue sauce borders on cloyingly sweet, but not so with Trader Joe's version. It's got the right balance of sugar, molasses, and tangy vinegar to enhance, not overpower, your meats.
For more great grocery finds like these Trader Joe's marinades and sauces follow us on Pinterest.
For more great grocery finds, follow us on Pinterest.
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by other, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.