Discover Trader Joe’s $2.49 Must-Have: Perfect for Any Dish!

As winter takes hold, my husband and I find ourselves embracing the warmth of our kitchen. Our days are filled with cooking meals and testing recipes for my job. I love the domestic bliss of it all, yet there are moments when I just can’t face chopping one more piece of garlic.

This could explain why I was drawn to a new spice mix at Trader Joe’s during a recent shopping trip. It caught my eye on the display for new products, and for only $2.49, I couldn’t resist buying it. Now, I’m using their Aglio e Olio Seasoning on just about everything.

Well, not literally everything—I’m not sprinkling it on my breakfast cereal! But it has become a staple for all my savory dishes. The combination of garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and flaky salt brings a deliciously garlicky and mildly spicy kick to any dish. It’s inspired by the traditional pasta dish but is surprisingly adaptable.

What Makes Trader Joe’s Aglio e Olio Seasoning So Great

For me, the seasoning’s blend really hits the mark—it’s rich in garlic, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of freshness from the parsley. The pinch of flaky salt is a nice addition, yet it’s balanced enough not to overpower your dishes. Unlike powdered garlic, this seasoning contains small, toasted chunks of garlic, similar to their Everything Bagel Seasoning, which prevents clumping and enhances the garlic taste.

The real beauty of this seasoning lies in its versatility and the endless possibilities for using it in various dishes.

My Favorite Ways to Use TJ’s Aglio e Olio Seasoning

Let’s explore the possibilities. It all started with a flatbread using TJ’s long, rectangular pizza crust—a product I highly recommend. I layered the crust with seasoned ricotta and roasted veggies, then gave it a generous sprinkle of the seasoning before baking. It perfectly enhanced the flavors. It’s a must-try on pizzas and similar dishes.

Next, I mixed the seasoning into a simple pasta sauce made with olive oil and lemon as a base for chicken. It was another hit, leading me to further experiment with it in scrambled eggs, roasted veggies, salads, sandwich spreads, and more. Trader Joe’s suggests blending it with olive oil for a delicious bread dip, which is definitely a winner. It also works great in other dips, like white bean dip or over hummus.

My Top Tip for Using This Seasoning

The best advice I can give for using TJ’s Aglio e Olio Seasoning is to remove the plastic sprinkle top. You’ll find this cap has small holes meant for a controlled pour, which is typical for many spice mixes. However, due to varying sizes and weights of the ingredients, they don’t all come out evenly.

Instead, take off the sprinkle cap and use a measuring spoon to scoop out the seasoning. This way, you can better control how much you add to your dishes, and trust me, you’ll want to use it generously!

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}