It's been a while since Trader Joe's has introduced a new condiment. The last creations Trader Joe's introduced were the Umami Mushroom Seasoning and the Everything but the Bagel seasoning. One knocked it out of the park. The other is still sitting in my pantry cabinet. Now, we have a new seasoning that is oil-based but seems like the partial contents of a spice cabinet have been emptied into it: Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch.
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Review
If you are an EBTB seasoning fan, you'll probably swoon over this. Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch has some of the same flavors: onion, garlic, and salt.
This product is like "say hello to your new secret weapon." Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch brings all the bold flavors of a spicy chili oil-but with turbocharged texture thanks to crunchy dried onions and garlic. It's the condiment that doesn't just whisper flavor it shouts it from the rooftops and then drags you along for the ride. Just check your expectations on the spice level.
That first spoonful is pure magic. You get a sizzling burst of garlic and onion that crackles on your tongue followed by a warm chili punch that is anything but hot.
The texture is the real MVP here. Those little onion bits stay crunchy, even after sitting in oil. Sprinkle it on noodles or tacos and you get heat and crunch in a single bite. It transforms slumbering dishes into flavor fireworks.
This stuff isn't shy about heat or salt so a little goes a long way. Start small, then go bigger. Drizzle over fried eggs, avocado toast, pizza, burrito bowls, scrambled tofu or basically, everything.
Jar size? Maybe still full after dinner No chance. It disappears fast once this becomes a staple in the kitchen. But if you find that you are downing this nearly $5 condiment a little too often, feel free to check out my Copycat Chili Onion Crunch Recipe.
Frequently asked questions
The following are commonly asked questions about Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch.
No, this is shelf-stable as it contains no water.
Trader Joe's product is far less spicy. So if you are looking for a kick then reach for Lao Gan Ma instead. If you want more onion and garlic flavor then reach for the Trader Joe's product.
You can use this with chicken, pork, beef, tofu, seafood, pasta, vegetables, pasta, and bread. Each of those has potential for solid flavor pairings.
Yes, this is sold year-round. You can also get this through third-party sellers on Amazon. You can also make this at home.
So what can I put this on?
This is a pretty flexible spice mix. Chicken, pork, beef, tofu, pasta, vegetables, pasta, bread all come to mind. This could be used as part of a marinade, mixed in with a more bland sauce, mixed with butter to make rich and tasty compound butter, which are just the start of ideas.
But overall, this is a pretty flexible seasoning blend.
For $4.49 this is loaded with seasonings and really can amp up the flavor of a dish.
What if I want to make this at home?
I've got you covered. I've been working on a copycat as soon as I got this. Plus, I hated reading on social media about how far people were searching for these little jars. You can see my recipe here. It's a total Chili Onion Crunch dupe and you can see it in the reviews of how good it is.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch brings all the zing in a jar. With crackling garlic and onion in chili oil you get instant flavor upgrade on eggs pasta tacos and more. Just a little goes a long way so start slow and watch this jar disappear fast. It's bold, it's fun, and it belongs in your kitchen arsenal.
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Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch
Product Name: Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch
Product Description: Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch is loaded with onions, garlic, and peppers in olive oil.
Price: $4.49
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Chili Onion Crunch is a seasoning oil that is loaded with spices
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Crunchy garlic onion chili combo wakes up any dish
- Versatile Condiment works with everything from eggs to ice cream (okay maybe not ice cream but close)
- Jar Disappears Fast once you start you’re hooked
Cons
- Salty Punch use sparingly or it could overpower
- Oil-Heavy you might end up with a slick layer in the ja
MJ says
Hi, I’m a wimp spice-wise and this is a bit too much for me. I’m so preoccupied with the spice level I don’t get to enjoy the crunch.
Do you have a recommendation on how to mild it a bit?
Thanks!