From frozen meals to snacks, these discontinued Trader Joe's vegan products were pulled from the shelves. Take a walk down memory lane and remember the items people still talk about. Plus, find some good alternatives.

The lesson in being a Trader Joe’s fan is not to get too attached to any one product.
Just as soon as you fall in love with a crispy appetizer that’s great for the air fryer or a convenient frozen dinner that you want to eat all week long, it will be snatched away from you never to return again.
Many vegans especially feel the sting of Trader Joe’s dropping plant-based products.
However, I’ve been shopping there since the late 90’s (about a decade before I went vegan). The here today/gone tomorrow aspect of TJ’s has always been part of its business.
Today I’m sharing some memorable discontinued vegan Trader Joe’s products. Some are more recent, and others are distant memories.
Let me know in the comments which ones you miss most!
To see my current faves, read my full list of favorite Trader Joe’s vegan products.
In this post:
Jump to:
- Why Trader Joe's discontinues so many products
- Meatless stuffed turkey roast
- Vegan meatless meat eaterโs pizza
- Chickenless crispy tenders
- Meatless meatballs
- Vegan stuffed roast
- Chickenless riced cauliflower stir fry
- Buffalo style chickenless wings
- Monteli organic pizza crusts
- Yellow jackfruit curry with jasmine rice
- Plant-based fish fillets
- Jackfruit crabless cakes
- Tofu sheets
- Shakshuka starter
- Pao dโagua
- Vegan heavy whipping cream alternative
- Vegan buttery spread
- Spicy Mexican style blend cheese alternative
- Dairy free American style slices
- Vegan feta cheese alternative
- Plant-based Babybel
- Vegan sour cream alternative
- Creamy almond yogurt
- Miyokoโs lox flavored vegan cream cheese
- Vegan salmonesque spread
- Vegan poke
- Vegan nacho dip
- Vegan caramelized onion dip
- Vegan buffalo dip
- Vegan mac
- Vegan Italian Bolognese ravioli
- Vegan taco salad kit
- Protein patties
- Turkeyless ground and protein patties
- Vegan pepperoni
- Beefless ground
- Dukkah
- Spicy pumpkin curry simmer sauce
- Green jackfruit
- Pulled jackfruit in smoky BBQ sauce
- Jackfruit and cashew tikka masala
- Meatless ground crumbles
- Chipotle black bean dip
- Garlic chipotle salsa
- Jalapeno pepper hot sauce
- Vegan Bolognese style pasta sauce
- Albero Tempranillo
- Piquant popcorn
- Savory squares
- Sandwich cookies
- Dark chocolate truffle
- Almond beverage chocolate bar
- Cheese-less cheesecakes
- Oat frozen dessert vanilla bean
- Strawberry oat frozen dessert
- Salted caramel flavored hold the dairy
- Vegan cookies & creme vanilla bean bon bons
Why Trader Joe's discontinues so many products
There are lots of reasons why a product can lose its coveted spot in those jam-packed aisles.
Trader Joe’s has a relatively small store and footprint – especially in comparison to huge chains and big box stores. They have to make sure every product there is earning its keep. If it’s not selling well, it’s gotta go.
They also have to leave space for seasonal items (like my beloved horseradish potato chips every fall), which keeps people coming back for the novelty of finding old and new favorites.
Trader Joe’s repackages a lot of products from other companies, and sometimes those companies go out of business, their quality suffers, or the costs rise too much.
So if there’s a product that you adore, buy it and love it while it’s here, because you just never know when it’s going to be “lei’d to rest” and heading off to that “luau in the sky.”
If one of your favorites goes away, and you’re eager for it to come back, let Trader Joe’s know. They have been known to bring products back if there’s a huge demand.
Meatless stuffed turkey roast

The meatless stuffed turkey roast was a Thanksgiving mainstay for many of us year after year. So easy to bring to holiday gatherings, and enjoyed by all – vegan or not.
It fit in beautifully with all the Thanksgiving favorites – Brussels sprouts with apples, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
So there was a big outcry when the roast was removed from the frozen food cases in 2023, only to return in 2024, and then to go away again in 2025.
Will they be back for Thanksgiving 2026? Who can say? I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed.

Turkey-less roast alternatives: For your holiday needs, try Field Roast hazelnut cranberry en croute or Gardein turk’y roast. It’s sold at other grocery stores around the fall and winter holidays.
If you prefer to make your own, my vegan turkey roast is a delicious option for holiday gatherings or cut into slices for sandwiches.
Vegan meatless meat eater’s pizza

The vegan meatless meat eater’s pizza was a freezer staple! It gave old school pizza vibes with vegan pepperoni, meatless Italian sausage crumbles, and non-dairy mozzarella.
It was a little slight on veggies, so I liked to bump it up with onions, bell pepper, and mushrooms from my produce drawer before popping it in the oven. After baking, I added a few shakes of vegan parmesan.
It was so convenient for busy weeknights. It is missed for sure!

Meatless meat eater’s pizza alternatives: Grab shelf-stable flatbread, marinara, and vegan mozzarella cheese shreds from Trader Joe’s to mock up your own supreme flatbread pizza or use their shelf-stable pizza crust, which comes two to a pack. I recommend adding homemade vegan pepperoni.
Chickenless crispy tenders

Before Trader Joe’s chickenless crispy tenders were discontinued, I always had a bag on hand for an easy and tasty protein-packed addition to meals.
At one point this comforting staple was just repackaged Gardein chick’n strips, but then later, they reformulated with a slightly different flavor, but still equally delicious.
Made with soy and whole grains, these breaded bites were perfect alongside a big salad or added to a veggie wrap for staying power.
I loved them with my go-to onion and garlic dipping sauce (using Trader Joe’s onion salt seasoning).

Chickenless tenders alternative: Trader Joe’s still sells Impossible nuggets, which scratch the same itch. Plus, there are lots of other vegan chicken strips on the market at other grocery stores – including Beyond and Gardein.
Meatless meatballs

Trader Joe’s meatless meatballs were an easy option for adding a protein-dense element to pasta with marinara, or as the main component of a vegan meatball sandwich.
At one point the recipe was reformulated and not everyone was happy with the change, but I enjoyed the “new” version even more than the original. It seemed a little meatier to me.
Meatless meatballs alternative: While TJ’s no longer sells frozen meatless meatballs, they do have Impossible burger meat in the refrigerated section.
For quickie vegan meatballs, season the Impossible ground with Trader Joe’s onion salt, form it into small balls, and brown in a skillet with oil.
You can also find a variety of vegan meatball options in other grocery stores – including Impossible, Beyond, Jack & Annie, and Gardein.
Vegan stuffed roast

Vegan stuffed roast was a short-lived holiday main course option.
It served about 5 people, which made this seitan roast ideal for smaller events and holiday gatherings. (As opposed to the turkeyless roast, which was better for big groups.)
I loved it in a vegan banh mi. It also worked well with any vegetable side dishes for a classic meat-and-two-veg kind of dinner.
Vegan stuffed roast alternative: I’m pretty sure this was just repackaged Field Roast sage and garlic celebration roast. You can find it in other natural grocery stores in the frozen or refrigerated section (varies by store).
Chickenless riced cauliflower stir fry

I’m a fan of Trader Joe’s cauliflower rice stir-fry, and this frozen meal was a twist on that. It bumped up the plant protein with vegan chicken, and added sweetness with pineapple.
The execution didn’t work particularly well, however, because the vegan chicken was breaded. To keep its coating crispy (especially when mingling with frozen cauliflower, which gets watery), it would have been better packaged separately within the package and prepared on its own.
When I made it, I manually pulled out the vegan chicken to air fry it, and then made the stir-fry in a skillet. It was decent, but I didn’t buy it a second time.
Chickenless riced cauliflower stir-fry alternative: While this frozen meal is gone, Trader Joe’s still sells a popular frozen riced cauliflower stir-fry. Make it on its own, and then reheat their frozen chicken-less mandarin orange morsels for a similar sweet and savory meal.
Buffalo style chickenless wings

For a couple years, buffalo style chickenless wings made an appearance in the frozen section around the time when people were prepping for the big game.
It had its share of fans, but I was not one of them. I’d say it was one of my top 2 least favorite Trader Joe’s products ever. (My other least favorite being watermelon jerky.)
I love buffalo sauce and all things spicy, but this sauce didn’t taste like what I expect when I think buffalo. (For me, if Frank’s RedHot sauce isn’t involved, it’s not buffalo.)
Also the “meat” portion of this frozen entree was really off putting to me. This was one of those rare things I absolutely couldn’t finish. (Luckily, my husband didn’t dislike it as much as I did.)
Buffalo style chickenless wings alternatives: Whenever I’m in the mood for something with buffalo sauce, I simply whip up Frank’s RedHot sauce and non-dairy butter. (Three parts hot sauce to one part melted vegan butter.)
It’s great tossed on fried tofu, seitan, breaded cauliflower, etc. I also use it for buffalo Soy Curl sandwiches, buffalo chickpea sandwiches, and even buffalo corn-on-the-cob.
Monteli organic pizza crusts

Monteli pizza crusts were one of my biggest Trader Joe’s heartbreaks. These organic frozen pizza crusts were made in Italy and came two to a package.
They acted as blank canvases. So convenient for a quick, weeknight pizza with whatever toppings were in the fridge. (One summer, I spent weeks obsessing over vegan cheeseburger pizza.)

Frozen pizza crust alternatives: For a quick weeknight dinner, you can find these crust options at Trader Joe’s: shelf stable rectangular pizza crusts (like I use as a dipper with pizza hummus), shelf stable flatbread, or baguette.
Yellow jackfruit curry with jasmine rice

For a minute there, jackfruit was really having a moment at Trader Joe’s. One example of this was their yellow jackfruit curry, which was sold in the frozen section.
Jackfruit, eggplant, and bell pepper were enveloped in a yellow curry sauce made with coconut milk. It was packaged with white jasmine rice for an easy heat and eat entrรฉe.
Yellow jackfruit curry alternatives: If you’re craving curry, try the frozen vegan tikka masala, roti with Thai red curry, or vegan Thai green curry – all in the frozen section at Trader Joe’s.
Or make a semi-homemade dinner with the tikka masala curry sauce sold in shelf stable packaging in the center aisles of Trader Joe’s. Saute veggies, add browned tofu or chickpeas, add the curry sauce, and simmer to warm.
Plant-based fish fillets

Trader Joe's made a foray into vegan fish with these breaded jackfruit-based fillets. Cooked in the air fryer or oven, they fit well with a splash of malt vinegar and salty fries.
While these fishless filets were okay, I prefer Gardein fishless filets, sold elsewhere.
Plant-based fish fillets alternatives: Gardein makes two different kinds of fishless filets that are terrific in vegan fish tacos (but not sold at Trader Joe’s).
Jack and Annie’s also makes a jackfruit fish filet, but they’re not gluten-free like Trader Joe’s was.
For a do-it-yourself option, try this fried vegan shrimp recipe using hearts of palm.
Jackfruit crabless cakes

When Trader Joe’s was in its jackfruit era, they introduced jackfruit crabless cakes to the scene. Each fried-then-frozen cake was made with shredded jackfruit, tapioca starch, potato, green onions, and celery salt.
I tried them once and found them to be bland. Many people recommended adding a dash of Old Bay seasoning to help them out.
Crabless cakes alternative: In place of jackfruit, you can make vegan crab cakes with artichokes and chickpeas. Most of the ingredients for this recipe are sold at Trader Joe’s.
Gardein also makes vegan crab cakes, which are excellent, but can be tricky to find in stores.
Tofu sheets

Tofu sheets, also known as yuba or tofu skin, were briefly available in the frozen aisles at Trader Joe’s before getting discontinued.
They could be added stir-fries, soups, wraps, and noodle dishes. Some folks used them to make vegan chicken, or as wrappers for veggie rolls.
I think the problem for some shoppers was that there was a learning curve on how to use them, so they weren’t sure what to do with the tofu sheets if they purchased them.
Tofu sheets alternatives: If you’d like to try yuba, visit your local Asian market. They usually have fresh, frozen, and/or dried varieties.
Shakshuka starter

As a savory breakfast lover, I miss this shakshuka starter so much!
While this starter kit may not look immediately vegan-friendly by the picture on the box, everything sold inside was plant-based.
The directions invited buyers to add their own eggs. But instead, I topped this tomato and pepper sauce with eggy tofu seasoned with kala namak, nutritional yeast, and pepper.
This was such a delicious, hearty warm breakfast. Terrific with avocado or Trader Joe’s vegan feta (also discontinued), and scooped up with toast or warm flatbread.

Shakshuka starter alternatives: While this kit was really convenient, you can make your own vegan shakshuka from scratch. Ideal for meal planning, make a big batch for quick breakfasts during the week.
Pao d’agua

Seasonal Portuguese bread rolls, pao d’agua, used to show up in the frozen section of Trader Joe’s around Thanksgiving.
I enjoyed cooking them in the air fryer straight from frozen. The outside got wonderfully crisp, while the inside was puffy and tender.
I’d poke a hole on the side with my butter knife, and slather in vegan butter. It got wonderfully melty inside.
Pao d’agua were also a good size for vegan sliders along with veggie burgers or the, now discontinued, vegan chick’n strips.
Pao d’agua alternatives: While the texture isn’t the same, in 2025 Trader Joe’s offered soft pull apart herbed dinner rolls, which could serve the same purpose on the holiday table.
Vegan heavy whipping cream alternative

Many folks were disappointed by the sudden disappearance of Trader Joe’s vegan heavy whipping cream.
It was good for making whipped cream with sugar and vanilla, or used anywhere that heavy cream would fit – from soups and sauces to desserts.
Vegan heavy whipping cream alternatives: Trader Joe’s heavy whipping cream was likely repackaged Country Crock, which is still sold in stores outside of TJ’s. Other options include Silk and Califia.
Depending on your needs, you can also go old school and make vegan whipped cream using full fat coconut milk or coconut cream.
Vegan buttery spread

Trader Joe's vegan buttery spread was sold in a solid block to fulfill vegan butter needs in spreading, sautรฉing, and baking.
When my CSA was in high gear, I used it as the base of vegan compound butter, so that none of my fresh herbs would go to waste.

Vegan buttery spread alternatives: Trader Joe’s has both a store brand of vegan butter in tubs, as well as Earth Balance for your non-dairy butter needs.
For vegan butter sticks, there are lots of other brands available in natural grocery stores and big box stores.
Spicy Mexican style blend cheese alternative

This one hit me hard. I was so disappointed when Trader Joe’s discontinued their spicy Mexican style blend cheese alternative.
Amongst Trader Joe’s vegan cheeses, this one was my favorite. I used it weekly for soyrizo and black bean tacos or vegan quesadillas.
When it was announced in 2025 that it was being discontinued, I stocked up with enough shredded vegan cheese to last for three months. Unfortunately, many tacos later, and my supply is now gone…

Mexican-style vegan cheese alternatives: Currently, Trader Joe’s doesn’t have any cheddar-style vegan shreds. The closest option is vegan cheddar slices, which can work in a pinch for a Jack in the Box-style taco experience.
For shredded options, check your natural grocery store for Violife’s Mexican style shreds, which are my preferred alternative. They are made with thicker shreds, and have more of a sharp cheddar edge.
Dairy free American style slices

While the cheddar style slices remain, the dairy free American style slices are no more.
These mild, dairy-free slices were good for grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, and breakfast sandwiches.
American style slices alternatives: At Trader Joe’s, you can still grab the cheddar style slices for a bolder flavor. Or you can visit a natural grocery store and get vegan American style cheese from Follow Your Heart, Daiya, Violife, and more.
Vegan feta cheese alternative

Trader Joe’s vegan feta cheese had a big hold on me for a while! This tangy, funky vegan cheese was packaged in brine for a flavor that more closely resembled goat cheese than feta.
It was terrific in Mediterranean pasta with tomatoes, crumbled onto a fall salad with apples & candied pecans, or stuffed into fried olives.
Vegan feta cheese alternatives: I'm pretty sure Trader Joe’s vegan feta was just repackaged packaged Violife in sturdier packaging. That is still available in competitor grocery stores. Or if you’d like to make vegan feta at home, try my baked almond feta recipe.
Plant-based Babybel

When Babybel plant-based cheeses were new on the market, Trader Joe’s was one of the first places I saw them out in the world.
The individual-sized rounds have the same familiar format with wax coating. Unwrapping them felt delightfully nostalgic, but I found the flavor to be pretty bland.
Plant-based Babybel alternatives: While Trader Joe’s is no longer selling this bite-sized vegan cheese, it can be found in other grocery stores and big box stores.
Vegan sour cream alternative

At first I wasn’t blown away by Trader Joe’s vegan sour cream, but when added to other dishes, its mild taste grew on me.
It added cool and tangy flavor to tacos, lentil chili, vegan 7 layer dip, or air fryer baked potatoes.
Vegan sour cream alternatives: I like to whip Trader Joe’s vegan cream cheese with water to use as vegan sour cream.
Or you can find vegan sour cream in other grocery stores from Violife, Tofutti, Follow Your Heart, and more.
Creamy almond yogurt

Trader Joe's creamy almond yogurt in single-serve cups was sold in a variety of flavors.
A tasty option for breakfast or a snack, this smooth and mildly sweet yogurt had a thick texture that really satisfied. Great on its own, topped with fruit or granola.
Almond milk yogurt alternatives: Trader Joe’s still carries cashew yogurt in vanilla, strawberry, and plain flavors.
Miyoko’s lox flavored vegan cream cheese

Miyoko’s vegan cream cheese (in plain or scallion flavors) is the best option on the market. However, in an unconventional move, the flavor that Trader Joe’s brought into stores was vegan lox.
That made it less multipurpose and a much more specific fishy flavor that didn’t appeal to me at all, but it did have its fans.
Miyoko’s un-lox cream cheese alternatives: Trader Joe’s has their own brand of plain vegan cream cheese still available.
Miyoko’s doesn’t make the lox flavor anymore, but you may be able to find their other flavors in natural grocery stores.
Vegan salmonesque spread

A second take on the flavors of lox in vegan cream cheese, Trader Joe’s vegan salmonesque spread was dotted with vegan smoked salmon, capers, dill, and lemon.
This smoky, briny spread was made for spreading on bagels or crackers.
Vegan salmonesque spread alternatives: Although it’s not quite the same, you can slather a bagel with Trader Joe’s vegan cream cheese, salt roasted carrot lox, fresh dill, and capers for a similar flavor profile.
Vegan poke

Trader Joe’s vegan poke was made with marinated beets in a sesame and soy sauce with green onions, cucumbers, and sesame seeds.
This ready-to-eat dish was a plant-based version of the traditional Hawaiian poke with ahi tuna. Great for adding to rice or in bowls.
Vegan poke alternatives: Although I don’t know of any store-bought versions, with a simple google search, you can find lots of vegan poke recipes using tofu, watermelon, beets, and mushrooms.
Vegan nacho dip

Homemade vegan nacho dip isn’t difficult to make. But sometimes it’s fun to have a grab-and-go option like Trader Joe’s vegan nacho dip.
Before it was discontinued, I enjoyed dunking tortilla chips in this warmed dip, or making a full meal of nachos with soy chorizo, shredded cabbage mix, and pickled jalapenos.

Vegan nacho dip alternatives: You can pick up most of the ingredients for homemade cashew queso at Trader Joe’s, which is terrific on nachos and similar in vibe. Or for something a little chunkier, make vegan chili cheese dip.
Vegan caramelized onion dip

Why, Trader Joe’s??? This vegan caramelized onion dip was one of my favorite indulgent pleasures alongside their salt and pepper potato chips, a constant on my list of favorite vegan Trader Joe’s products.
An incredibly thick dip, it required the thickest possible chips for scooping it up, or sliding across the top like it was a junk food-style zen garden.
With sweet and savory caramelized onions in every bite, it was truly a step above.
Vegan caramelized onion dip alternatives: In other stores, you can find vegan onion dip from Violife, Tofutti, Treeline, Kite Hill, and more. Although, none of them have the actual chunks of caramelized onions that made Trader Joe’s so craveable.
Vegan buffalo dip

I’ve got to admit, I was underwhelmed by vegan buffalo dip at Trader Joe’s, which was made with a base of cauliflower. As with their vegan buffalo chicken wings, this dip didn’t have the buffalo flavor I was craving.
(Although, I was bummed when Trader Joe’s stopped selling Tofurky slices, as pictured above underneath the dip containers. It was very convenient for sandwich making to grab them with my regular shopping.)
Vegan buffalo dip alternatives: After trying this dip, I made my own version of what I’d hoped it would be. My buffalo hummus is topped with an optional layer of vegan blue cheese for a mix of spicy and cool.
Vegan mac

There are a lot of boxed vegan mac and cheeses on the market, but Trader Joe’s vegan mac was unusual in that it was a fully prepared item in the refrigerated section. Just heat and eat.
I tried it once at a store sampling. Crew members added crunchy fried onions on top (like you’d see on a green bean casserole).
It was long past Thanksgiving, and I think they were just trying to free up some shelf space. However, since the noodles were past al dente after soaking in sauce, the crispy onions added welcome texture.
It wasn’t a product I personally bought, but I can see why some folks loved it.
Vegan mac and cheese alternatives: You can find loads of boxed vegan mac and cheese options in big box stores and grocery stores.
Goodles’ Vegan is Believin is my go-to. I always add a few shakes of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and black pepper for bolder flavor.
Vegan Italian Bolognese ravioli

A product of Italy, Trader Joe’s vegan Italian Bolognese ravioli was unique in that it was filled with a meatless Bolognese-style sauce. I’ll admit that to me it tasted more like Chef Boyardee inside, which wasn’t a selling point.
Once the ravioli was encased in a sauce it was okay, but I only purchased it once.
Vegan Italian Bolognese ravioli alternatives: Trader Joe’s still has spinach and cashew ravioli in their refrigerated section, which I think is a better product anyway. It’s terrific with pistachio pesto or coated in panko for air fried vegan ravioli.
Vegan taco salad kit

When you don’t want to buy all of the components for a salad, grabbing a salad kit can be very convenient. Trader Joe’s used to have a couple of vegan salad kits – including the discontinued vegan ranch crunch and this vegan taco salad kit.
This preโpackaged salad included romaine, purple cabbage, shredded carrots, pico de gallo, purple tortilla chips, and chipotleโseasoned seitan, which turned a side into a satiating meal.
Of course it wouldn’t be a salad kit without a dressing to finish it all. This one came with a spicy jalapeรฑo ranchโstyle dressing.
While they have other vegan meats at Trader Joe’s, their seitan options are pretty slight. So it was nice to see seitan making an appearance here. (Would love more of that on its own!)
Vegan taco salad kit alternatives: Pick up romaine, shredded cabbage mix, pico de gallo, and tortilla chips separately. Warm some of their soyrizo for a flavorful and hearty filling. Finish with bottled Trader Joe’s vegan Caesar dressing, or homemade vegan ranch dressing.
For a similar vibe, make an 80’s-style vegan taco salad in a crispy tortilla bowl.
Protein patties

When Beyond Meat was new on the scene, Trader Joe’s introduced a competitor – plant-based protein patties. Although, they look similar, the flavor was different from Beyond Meat.
Made with a base of pea protein, they got their vibrant red color from beets and came two to a package.
Protein patties alternatives: You can find Impossible burger meat in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe’s. Depending on how large you like your burgers, you can form them into 3 or 4 patties.
Turkeyless ground and protein patties

Outside of holiday centerpieces and deli slices, turkeyless options are a lot less common.
For a brief period at Trader Joe’s they had turkeyless ground and patties options made with pea and wheat protein.

With a milder flavor than beef-style burgers, they offered a unique option for folks who desired that.
Turkeyless ground alternatives: Apparently, ground turkeyless options were niche for a reason. I haven’t seen any other retailers with a similar product. (Vegan turkey tends to be sold in roasts and slices, not ground.)
However, you can still find burger options at Trader Joe’s with Impossible in the refrigerated section. Or for something that isn’t beefy, try their frozen vegetable masala burgers or falafel. Great in pita pockets!
Vegan pepperoni

When you’re having a pizza night, it’s very handy to be able to pick up a package of vegan pepperoni at Trader Joe’s on the way home.
However, I wasn’t a big fan of the taste or texture of these slices, and they didn’t brown particularly well.
Vegan pepperoni alternative: I’m pretty sure this vegan pepperoni was just repackaged Field Roast pepperoni, which is still available in natural grocery stores.
Even better, make your own vegan pepperoni at home for infinitely better texture and flavor.
Beefless ground

I was really taken by surprise when Trader Joe’s beef-less ground beef was discontinued. Since I first went vegan about 20 years ago, I’d seen it on Trader Joe’s shelves. In my early plant-based days, I made tacos with it on repeat.
In this case, some have wagered that beef-less ground beef was made by Yves, which went out of business in 2025. So that was the end of the beef-less ground beef as well.
Beef-less ground beef alternatives: You can still find Impossible ground meat in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe’s. Simply brown it in a pan, and then use it anywhere you might have used the beef-less crumbles.
For a more whole foods option, Trader Joe’s steamed lentils make a terrific vegan taco filling when seasoned right. I also enjoy adding the steamed lentils to marinara sauce for a ground beef texture over pasta.
Dukkah

Before it was discontinued, I’d keep a container of Trader Joe’s dukkah on hand to serve alongside a big salad for dinner with warmed bread.
Dukkah is an Egyptian condiment that’s used like a dip. You take warm bread, dip it in oil, and then dunk it into a shallow bowl of dukkah. The oil on the bread helps the dukkah adhere, which adds savory crunch in every bite.
Trader Joe's dukkah was made with almonds, sesame seeds, anise seeds, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and salt. Along with the flavors of salt and nuts, the fennel added a taste of sausage, a faintly citrus note from coriander, and licorice from the anise.
Dukkah alternatives: Even when dukkah popped up on Trader Joe’s shelves, it was a seasonal item, and you never knew when it was going to go away. So I started making my own almond dukkah at home, based on their nut and spice blend.
Spicy pumpkin curry simmer sauce

Since Trader Joe's spicy pumpkin curry simmer sauce was a seasonal item, I was always delighted when it showed up again in the fall, along with all of their other pumpkin products.
Since it was available for a short time only, every year I stocked up on enough to last me until it came around again. This jarred simmer sauce was made with pumpkin purรฉe, curry spices, and other seasonings.
So full flavored and delicious, it was great for quick weeknight meals, especially in cooler weather. I’d just brown tofu or drain a can of chickpeas, add whatever veggies were in the produce drawer, and let it simmer in the sauce.
Finally, I’d warm some of Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice, air fry vegetable samosas, and I had a pretty exciting dinner ready to go.
Pumpkin simmer sauce alternatives: Trader Joe’s has a shelf stable vegan tikka masala curry sauce, which can serve a similar function, but I don’t like it nearly as well.
If you prefer homemade, you can make your own curry with curry powder. (Penzey’s curry powder in sweet or hot are my favorites). Or use curry paste. (I like Thai red, yellow, and green curry pastes from Blue Elephant, which are available at World Market).
Green jackfruit

It was so convenient when Trader Joe’s had canned green jackfruit on their store shelves.
It was easy to grab with my other groceries or suggest to folks here on the blog who were confused about which jackfruit to buy for savory jackfruit recipes.
Beloved for its stringy, pulled pork-like texture, their canned jackfruit was terrific in jackfruit nachos, vegan carnitas tacos, and jackfruit French dip sandwiches.
Canned green jackfruit alternatives: Look for canned green jackfruit at Asian grocery stores, natural food stores, and online. Remember you want jackfruit packed in brine or water, not syrup, for savory applications.
Pulled jackfruit in smoky BBQ sauce

For a quick, shelf stable option, Trader Joe’s pulled jackfruit in smoky barbecue sauce was ready to heat and eat.
An alternative to pulled pork, it was convenient for sandwiches with vegan coleslaw, or barbecue bowls for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner.
Barbecue jackfruit alternatives: You can easily make your own BBQ jackfruit. For a store-bought option, try Upton’s barbecue jackfruit, sold in natural grocery stores.
Jackfruit and cashew tikka masala

Another shelf stable packet, jackfruit and cashew tikka masala was made with tender jackfruit and cashew pieces cooked in a spicy tomato-based curry sauce.
Serve with rice or flatbread, and you had a complete meal.
Jackfruit and cashew tikka masala alternatives: To make something similar, grab Trader Joe’s vegan tikka masala sauce, and add jackfruit or whatever produce you like.
Meatless ground crumbles

Shelf stable meatless ground crumbles were a spin on TVP, textured vegetable protein.
Made with pea protein, this multi-purpose, protein-packed ingredient could be used wherever ground meat would fit in a recipe – like chili or tacos.
Meatless ground alternatives: You can find similar products to TVP with pea protein online, and TVP with soy online, in health markets, and big box stores like Walmart.
Chipotle black bean dip

Add chipotle black bean dip to the list of discontinued products that made me the saddest. (Months after they were removed from store shelves, I found a lone jar in the back of my cupboard and savored every last bite.)
Chipotle black bean dip was a spicy, protein-rich snack that paired beautifully with crunchy tortilla chips and kept me full until dinnertime. It was also terrific dolloped onto nachos.
Chipotle black bean dip alternative: After this product was removed from Trader Joe’s shelves, I started making my own chipotle black bean dip Trader Joe’s copycat.
This homemade dip freezes well. So you can make a big batch and have it on hand for quick snacks later.
Garlic chipotle salsa

Another chipotle product that I adored, garlic chipotle salsa was rich with the flavors of roasted tomatoes and roasted garlic. This pantry staple was my go-to salsa for dipping.
It was the closest thing I’d ever found to the salsa doled out at Chevy’s Mexican Restaurants, which I used to love. (I don’t live near any of their locations anymore.)
Garlic chipotle salsa alternatives: These days I usually buy Trader Joe’s organic thick and chunky salsa. It’s a good “general purpose” jarred salsa.
If you feel like making your own, roasted tomato salsa gives you some similar roasty-toasty flavors.
Jalapeno pepper hot sauce

I was so sad when Trader Joe’s dropped their jalapeno pepper hot sauce. As a hot sauce connoisseur, this was one I returned to again and again.
It had just the right balance of heat, where you can both appreciate the flavor and get a zing of spice too. Great on tacos, nachos, or added to chili, it was a kitchen staple.
Jalapeno pepper hot sauce alternatives: This was repackaged hot sauce out of Arizona. So you can easily buy it online, which is what I do. Although, it’s more expensive than at Trader Joe’s, unsurprisingly.
For a Trader Joe’s option, I’ve been enjoying their new bird’s eye chile hot sauce.
Vegan Bolognese style pasta sauce

When you’re craving an easy dinner, it doesn’t get much simpler than boiling dried pasta and pouring on warmed pasta sauce. So when vegan Bolognese style pasta sauce entered the scene, I gave it a shot.
This tomato-based sauce included plant-based crumbles made of pea protein. Unfortunately it had a similar aftertaste to Beyond Beef, which I don’t enjoy.
Vegan Bolognese style pasta sauce alternatives: Organic tomato basil marinara is my preferred sauce at Trader Joe’s. If you’d like to add plant-based meat to it, pick up a package of Impossible ground in the refrigerated section, and brown it before adding to the sauce.
Albero Tempranillo

I so miss Albero Tempranillo!
Trader Joe’s always has a terrific array of wines for affordable prices. But there was something really special about Albero that kept my husband and I coming back. It was our preferred wine for years.
Albero was a bold Spanish red, smooth and fruity. Plus, it said “vegan” right on the bottle, which made it so user-friendly.
Albero Tempranillo alternatives: These days we choose La Sonriente Garnacha from Trader Joe’s for our no frills, non-special occasion wine.
La Sonriente is full-bodied and tastes of cherry. It gets better after breathing. Plus, this vegan-friendly wine is around $7, which is a terrific value.
Piquant popcorn

Piquant Popcorn is a new addition on this list of discontinued Trader Joe’s products. While they may still be on your store’s shelves, whatever is there now is the last that will be available. So if you are a fan, stock up before it's gone for good.
This was my favorite bagged popcorn and a terrific afternoon snack. Seasoned with the cheesy flavor of nutritional yeast, onion, garlic, and salt, the flavors didn't overwhelm.
Plus, the serving size of 2 ยฝ cups for 140 calories was super generous, so you really felt like you were getting a satiating snack out of it.
Piquant popcorn alternatives: The dominant flavors of this popcorn were nutritional yeast flakes, onion, salt, and garlic. All of those seasonings are available at Trader Joe’s.
So add melted vegan butter or oil to your popcorn to make it stick. Then sprinkle on nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.
Or for fewer steps, use nutritional yeast + Trader Joe’s onion salt seasoning blend. (It’s on my Trader Joe’s vegan favorites list.)
Savory squares

One of the newer discontinued items on this list, savory squares were cheddar-style, gluten-free crackers made with nut and seed flour.
Reminiscent of Cheez-its, they were good on their own for snacking, with a creamy dip, or slathered with peanut butter. They felt very nostalgic.
Savory squares alternatives: While not cheese flavored, Trader Joe’s has lots of vegan crackers in their line-up.
Water crackers, golden round crackers, pita bite crackers, green olive flats, and garlic naan crackers are all popular options. (Be aware that the plain naan crackers aren’t vegan, as they include ghee and buttermilk.)
Sandwich cookies

Is there anything more fun than a whoopie pie-style dessert? It was such a coup when these soft vegan sandwich cookies showed up on Trader Joe’s shelves with the other bakery items.
In flavors of lemon creme or chocolate brownie with vanilla creme, they were a wonderful indulgence.
Soft sandwich cookies alternatives: While Trader Joe’s doesn’t offer anything quite like these sandwich cookies anymore, you can still get their vegan banana bread with walnuts in the bakery area for a soft baked good. Or grab chocolate vanilla creme Joe-Joe’s for a chocolate and vanilla combo.
Dark chocolate truffle

For many years these organic dark chocolate truffle bars were my favorite candy bar. Each bar could be broken into squares with a rich, creamy, chocolate filling. So craveable!
The dark chocolate wasn’t overly bitter, but still bold enough that you could be satisfied with just a few squares.
Dark chocolate truffle alternatives: Trader Joe’s still has loads of good dark chocolate options. Dark chocolate bars with almonds come in a three pack, and those are my standard nowadays.
There’s also brand new dark chocolate sticks with crispy rice that are like a very rich Crunch bar in stick form. You can see both of these chocolates in my Trader Joe’s Valentine’s Day guide.
Almond beverage chocolate bar

For folks who prefer a milder, milk chocolate-style bar, organic almond beverage chocolate bar was light and sweet. Delightful on its own or for making s’mores with vegan marshmallows.
Almond beverage chocolate bar alternatives: You can find lots of other vegan milk chocolate bars in natural grocery stores, as well as big box stores.
Cheese-less cheesecakes

When you wanted a sweet treat for a birthday, special occasion, or random Wednesday night, these cute little cheese-less cakes were perfect. They came two to a pack in the frozen section at Trader Joe’s.
They were especially nice with homemade cherry compote on top to complete the cheesecake memories of yore.
Vegan cheese-less cakes alternatives: Daiya makes a terrific New York cheesecake, as well as some flavored options.
I’m also a fan of the vegan cheesecakes from Darรซ. (You can get 10% off your order with the promo code CADRYSKITCHEN.)
Oat frozen dessert vanilla bean

Vanilla is a classic for a reason. Sometimes you need a light and sweet blank canvas to go next to warm pear crisp or rhubarb pudding cake.
Vanilla bean oat frozen dessert worked beautifully for that. Oat milk has a nice neutral flavor and creamy base, so it was such a pity when it was discontinued.
Vegan vanilla ice cream alternatives: Trader Joe’s now has a coconut milk-based vanilla ice cream instead. It is okay, but the coconut flavor stands out a lot more than oat milk.
For oat milk options, So Delicious, Bettergoods (at Walmart), Oat-ly, and Breyer’s all have vanilla frozen desserts.
Strawberry oat frozen dessert

Trader Joe’s strawberry oat frozen dessert was one of my favorite vegan ice creams. Finished with almond brittle and candied strawberries, it had bites of nutty crunch and maximum strawberry flavor.
So perfect for warm weather months!
This beautifully creamy dessert was sweetened with agave syrup, and worked perfectly inside a sugar cone.
Strawberry oat ice cream alternatives: There are several vegan strawberry ice creams elsewhere on the market, including varieties from So Delicious, Bettergoods (at Walmart), and Oat-ly.
Ben and Jerry’s also makes a vegan strawberry cheesecake ice cream with a graham cracker swirl that is fun.
Salted caramel flavored hold the dairy

Cute little hold the dairy mini non-dairy frozen cones always make me think of my high school cafeteria, where you could get a frozen cone for dessert.
While the classic variety usually comes with vanilla, this discontinued option came was salted caramel flavored.
Hold the dairy cones alternatives: Trader Joe’s still offers these mini cones in chocolate. So Delicious has salted caramel sundae and vanilla peanut vegan dessert cones, and Jolly Llama has vanilla and chocolate varieties sold elsewhere.
Vegan cookies & creme vanilla bean bon bons

Maybe that 1980’s marketing just really worked, but I felt immediately fancy when I’d buy a box of bon bons.
For Trader Joe’s vegan cookies and creme vanilla bean bon bons, coconut non-dairy frozen dessert was coated in a crisp chocolate layer for a tempting sweet snack.
They also offered vegan mint and chip bon bons for a time.
Vegan bon bon alternatives: While there are loads of vegan ice creams, I don’t know of any companies currently offering vegan bon bons.
For other frozen treats, try Trader Joe’s non-dairy dessert with coconut milk, vanilla non-dairy affogatos, oat milk ice cream sandwiches, or hold the dairy vegan chocolate cones.







Dana
What about the cauliflower and broccoli and kale pizza crusts. Those were discontinued as well.
Cadry Nelson
Yes, those were discontinued as well. Trader Joeโs discontinues hundreds of products a year, so this list isnโt comprehensive, but thanks for mentioning them.
La
Yes, I was making cheesecakes with their heavy cream. When trying to find an alternative I was checking different brandโs ingredients. I did find the Country Crock has the same exact ingredients!
Also, one of my way back in the day vegan products were the banana wafflesโฆ cooked up perfectly crispy and dreamily sweet! ๐ข
Cadry Nelson
That’s so interesting about using their heavy cream to make cheesecakes. Sounds amazing! I’m glad you were able to switch to Country Crock instead. I’m sorry I never had a chance to try their banana waffles!
David
So many favorites now long gone! RIP, Albero wine and Monteli frozen pizza crusts. ๐
Cadry Nelson
Nothing has quite replaced those frozen pizza crusts. They were so handy for quick pizza nights!
Gina
I donโt get it. Everyone can eat vegan but limiting what vegans/vegetarians can eat is ridiculous! The US is overweight and out of shape and everyone can benefit from eating less meat.
in2insight
What an awesome trip down memory lane!
Thank you for the labor of love that went into putting this together.
Cadry Nelson
That is so sweet of you to say. Thank you, I really appreciate it, and I’m glad you enjoyed revisiting their former products.