10 Best Trader Joe’s Items To Buy for Less Than $10

Are you on a budget and seeking out highly recommended Trader Joe’s essentials for under $10 each? The hit grocery chain carries tons of unique products at low prices across departments like fresh produce, frozen food and household items that you’re sure to frequently add to future grocery lists from here on out.

From breakfast to floral arrangements, keep reading for our roundup of the 10 best Trader Joe’s items to shop for under $10 throughout the year.

• Price: 23 cents per banana

In January 2024, Trader Joe’s announced the winners of their 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards and bananas took the No. 1 spot for produce. 

Their affordable price tag is a key factor in winning over customers, especially when you consider Trader Joe’s organic bananas (at 29 cents each) are just as cheap as their regular counterparts.

• Price: $2.79

The customers have spoken and Trader Joe’s hash browns are the winning buy in the breakfast and brunch category. 

Each package contains 10 fully cooked hash brown potatoes that can be easily heated up in a skillet or cooked inside the oven. You’ll love the taste as a side dish for your main breakfast course and how much money you save. When we crunch the numbers, each hash brown comes out to about 28 cents.

• Price: $5.49

Behind the top-ranking hash browns in the breakfast and brunch 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards category were at least three types of croissants. 

We’re adding the four-pack of Trader Joe’s chocolate croissants to this roundup since they took second place. (Although technically, shoppers can’t go wrong with the almond croissants or limited-edition double chocolate croissants.) Pre-made with butter and semisweet Belgian chocolate, customers simply need to let these croissants proof overnight and bake in the morning until golden brown and oozing with gooey chocolate. Enjoy with breakfast, your afternoon coffee or tea or as a special weekend snack.

• Price: $7.49 per pound

Since this roundup first published in November 2023, the price of Trader Joe’s sun-dried tomato and basil chicken tenders has dropped $2. Previously, these tenders were $9.49 per pound.

Good deal aside, these boneless and skinless chicken tenders are a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes, made with simple ingredients bursting with flavor in a rich, creamy marinade. These tenders work well with pasta dishes, as a standalone with roasted vegetables or even in a sandwich with a good slice of cheese or herb-based spread.

• Price: $2.69

Regular GOBankingRates readers know that Trader Joe’s organic elote corn chip dippers are among one of the best cheap foods to buy at the grocery chain. 

The second place runner-up in the 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards are superfan-approved thanks to their delicious taste, affordable price and versatility. Pair with your favorite dip or spread, add to chili for extra crunch or melt your favorite Trader Joe’s cheese on top for instant game day nachos.

• Price: $4.49

De-stress from a long week, or day, using Trader Joe’s reusable lavender dryer bags in your laundry load. Each box contains four bags full of dried lavender. 

The dryer bags last five to 10 cycles, depending on the items you’re drying, with the ability to freshen up to 40 dryer loads. After using them, Trader Joe’s recommends sprinkling the lavender florets onto your carpet and vacuuming it afterward to instantly freshen up your space.

• Price: $3.99

Many name-brand multi-purpose cleaners can cost shoppers $4 or more when purchased at big-box retailers. By comparison, Trader Joe’s multi-purpose cedarwood and sage cleaner is available for less than $4 in a generously sized 34-fluid ounce spray bottle. 

Trader Joe’s has reinforced the safety and effectiveness of the original formula, replacing synthetic dyes with cleaner, biodegradable materials. Since it is a multi-purpose product, you can use it on most water-safe surfaces in your home.

• Price: $5.99

If you shopped for a name-brand liquid laundry detergent at a big-box retailer, chances are you would end up paying a lot more money and possibly receive fewer fluid ounces to properly do enough loads. 

Trader Joe’s liquid laundry detergent is not only a great value, but it’s safer to use environmentally speaking. The grocery chain replaced some of the detergent’s original ingredients, like optical brighteners, with stain-fighting enzymes to improve efficiency and eco-friendliness. It’s also scent-free and hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin and noses.

• Price: $8.99

At $9 per bottle, Trader Joe’s daily facial sunscreen sneaks in the cutoff for best buys under $10. 

This sunscreen took home second place honors in the 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards. This is thanks to the product being ideal for daily use, leaving behind no greasy residue and costing a lot less than name-brand sunscreens in similar 1.7-ounce sizes sold elsewhere.

Price: $9.99

The next time you see one dozen red roses for sale at Trader Joe’s, make sure to buy them. 

Compared to other stores and retailers where a dozen roses can cost upwards of $25 or more, Trader Joe’s prices one dozen roses for just under $10.

Disclaimer: Prices are accurate as of Oct. 15, 2024, and are subject to change. Photos are for representational purposes only.

Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting for this piece.