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Food

Trader Joe’s Shoppers Think This New Seasonal Item 'Sounds Awful'

November 15, 2023 by Faith Geiger
shefinds | Food
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Trader Joe’s is always adding inventive new items to shelves—but not all of them hit the mark with every shopper. That seems to be the case with the new Crunchy Chili Cranberry, Orange, & Onion. Although the original Crunchy Chili Onion is a fan-favorite, this unconventional combination has some people saying “it’s a no from me dawg.” Find all the details about this unexpectedly flavored product below.

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trader joe's crunchy chili cranberry orange and onion

What is Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Cranberry, Orange, & Onion?

Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili, Cranberry, Orange, & Onion crunch brings fall flavor to a classic Trader Joe's condiment. As the TJ's website notes, "Building off of the savory, lightly spicy profile of our original Crunchy Chili Onion, this version introduces the bold, bright, and delightfully tart elements of dried Cranberry and Orange oil, and swaps out the garlic for sweet and rich brown sugar." They recommend adding it to turkey, pork roast, prime rib, and other classic Thanksgiving foods.

The original Crunchy Chili (also known as Chili Onion Crunch) is a best-selling Trader Joe's product. It combines crispy garlic and onion in a sweet and spicy olive oil base. But this new, seasonal variety that incorporates fall flavors hasn't exactly been a hit with shoppers.

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Trader Joe's shoppers react to Crunchy Chili Cranberry, Orange, & Onion

If you think combining cranberry and orange with garlic and onion sounds strange, you're certainly not alone. When one Reddit user posted a photo of this brand-new item in the Trader Joe's subreddit, many expressed disgust.

"This looks horrible," one person wrote. Another echoed: "It kind of sounds awful."

Some people think it begs the question: "Have they run out of ideas and now truing different fruit flavors?"

A lot of comments expressed a similar sentiment: while the original Crunchy Chili Onion is great, this variety doesn't sound very appetizing. As one user put it, "I love chili onion crunch. This is a bridge too far!"

However, many people jumped into the comments to share that they've tried the product, and it tastes great. "Currently eating this on an air fried pork tenderloin and it's delicious! Sweet with some heat at the end," someone described it.

"Went looking for a thread on this product because I just tried it and oh my god it's incredible! This would be fabulous on a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich!" someone else confirmed.

We personally don't hate the idea of this condiment. We may even give it a try. But what do you think? Will you throw it into your cart on your next TJ's run, or will you stick with these other seasonal items? Let us know in the comments!

READ MORE: Trader Joe’s Fans Are ‘Devastated’ After This Fall Item Was Discontinued: ‘Look Forward To It Every Year’

Author:

Freelance Writer

Faith Geiger is a New York-based writer and editor. When she's not covering the latest in health and wellness for SheFinds, she spends her time watching reality TV with her roommates, browsing used bookstores, and enjoying live music. You can reach Faith at faithkgeiger@gmail.com.

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Woman enjoying a cup of spearmint tea
Variety of bread types displayed on a table
Freshly baked goods from Costco bakery
Woman holding her head, expressing concern or stress
Woman experiencing joint pain while holding her knee
Close-up of a vibrant food dish with colorful ingredients
Popular fast food brands: Dunkin', Chick-fil-A, Starbucks
Woman adding sugar to a steaming cup of coffee
Wooden board with bagels, blueberries, and butter
Comparing cooking spray and olive oil for cooking
Top view of Brazilian dish with rice, beans, and chicken
Checking watch while enjoying a healthy breakfast
Display of deli meats and sandwich products in grocery store
Delicious cooked salmon with rice, avocado, and greens.
Inside a bustling Costco store showcasing products.
Woman taking magnesium supplement for health benefits.
S'mores brownies and baked ricotta from Aldi's selection.
Grilled chicken breast served with crispy fries and salad.
Frozen pizza display in grocery store aisle
Plate of fried fish with crispy fries