Grilling or Roadtripping This 4th of July Weekend? Find These 10 Trader Joe’s Dupes in Hawaiʻi
You might not need to wait for the next relative who comes home with a suitcase full of Trader Joe’s.
When it comes to living in Hawaiʻi, the appeal of being so far away from the mainland can be exactly that—it’s far away. But there are some things the Islands just don’t have. Trivial as they may be, sometimes we want timely shipping, Chipotle and of course, Trader Joe’s.
The affordable grocery store chain with its robust and remixed spices, sauces, snacks and everything in between can easily level up your recipes with all the flavors at a killer value. But the reality is, Trader Joe’s may never pop up in Hawai‘i—the extra shipping would mean they can’t guarantee their outstanding prices. Because of this we are forever sad.
Luckily, some grocery stores in Hawaiʻi stock their shelves with some very similar Trader Joe’s replicas. In fact, Foodland’s Maikaʻi brand and Target’s Good & Gather brand include innovative and delicious products that taste like Trader Joe’s. Here are 10 TJ items and dupes that can satisfy your cravings without the cost of a plane ticket.
1. Trader Joe’s Chile Lime Seasoning Blend
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Good & Gather Chile Lime Seasoning Blend
Where to find it: Target
How much: $1.99
If you’re a fan of this Trader Joe’s staple, Target’s Chile Lime Seasoning is the blend you didn’t know you needed. Try it on fresh pineapple or mango slices and prepare for the perfect burst of sweet, spicy and tangy. Throw this into your taco Tuesday dishes or mix it with salt on the rim of your margarita glass.
2. Trader Joe’s Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Good & Gather Umami Mushroom Seasoning Blend
Where to find it: Target
How much: $2.39
Target’s Umami Mushroom Seasoning Blend brings out the best of flavors and can be used to season burgers, and better yet, make an ʻono gravy for your loco moco. Add the mushroom seasoning into a pot with water, butter and flour for one of the easiest, most delicious gravies.
3. Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Good & Gather Everything Seasoning Blend
Where to find it: Target
How much: $1.99
Good & Gather by Target not only mimics the Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Blend, they even make the Everything Seasoned Ranch Dressing and an Everything Seasoned Yogurt Dip. This seasoning will easily level up your avocado toast, salads, vegetables and so much more.
4. Trader Joe’s Magnifisauce
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Sir Kensington’s Special Sauce
Where to find it: Target
How much: $4.99
Trader Joe’s Magnifisauce has been compared to In-N-Out’s special sauce—also not found here in Hawaiʻi and equally missed. Sir Kensington’s Special Sauce ingredients have a striking resemblance to the Magnifisauce and even makes a chipotle mayonnaise flavor. Use it on your burgers or to dip your fries and fried chicken (and alternative meats!).
5. Trader Joe’s Organic Sriracha & Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce
The dupe: Maikaʻi Sriracha Garlic BBQ Sauce
Where to find it: Foodland
How much: $5.99
Foodland’s Maikaʻi brand not only makes an equivalent to TJ’s Organic Sriracha and Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce, there are Kansas City BBQ and Everyday BBQ sauces from Maikaʻi as well, both also much like Trader Joe’s. Smear them on your meats, veggies and more at your next barbecue, top them on your burgers, or use as dipping sauces.
6. Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Biscoff Cookie Butter
Where to find it: Foodland
How much: $6.99
The Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter we know and love to scoop out by the heaping spoonful has an arguably better cousin that we don’t have to wait for friends to bring back from the mainland. Found at Foodland, Biscoff cookie butter is also made with spice cookie crumbs, and they even make a crunchy cookie butter.
7. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Maikaʻi Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans
Where to find it: Foodland
How much: $7.99
For coffee and chocolate lovers, Foodland’s Maikaʻi brand Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up snack or to mix into your favorite trail mixes.
8. Trader Joe’s Organic Unsweetened Coconut Chips
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Maikaʻi Coconut Chips
Where to find it: Foodland
How much: $2.79
Trader Joe’s Coconut Chips are fried to absolute perfection and take coconut flakes to another level. Maikaʻi’ version is great for topping off your yogurts, oats, smoothie bowls, or just enjoying on its own. Plus, Maikaʻi also makes chocolate and wasabi flavored coconut chips to fulfill your sweet and spicy cravings.
9. Trader Joe’s Cocoa Truffles
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Maikaʻi Cocoa Truffles
Where to find it: Foodland
How much: $4.79
Down to the packaging, Foodland’s Maikaʻi brand is the melt-in-your-mouth-equivalent of Trader Joe’s rich Cocoa Truffles. Instead of taking a trip to the mainland, head to Foodland and pick up a box—or a box of salted caramel or cappuccino flavored cocoa truffles.
10. Trader Joe’s Crispy Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Photo: Annabelle Le Jeune
The dupe: Tate’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Where to find it: Foodland
How much: $7.99
As it turns out, Tate’s crispy cookies are made by the same company that makes Trader Joe’s crispy chocolate chip cookies. You can cookie monster out on Tate’s crunchy chocolate chip cookies from Foodland or other major grocery stores in Hawaiʻi like you would the Trader Joe’s brand. They make many different flavors too, like white chocolate macadamia nut and coconut crisps.
