The pros: Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip is a hidden treasure in the refrigerated aisle.
The cons: The calorie count is equivalent to eating mayo.
The verdict: If Trader Joe’s actually ran commercials for their products, then this one would go like this: I can’t believe it’s not Mayo. Perhaps Fabio can make an appearance as well.
I picked this up from a recommendation from a follower of this blog, Dag. She said it was amazing. She wasn’t wrong.
I had my concerns about this product. How much garlic can a person tolerate in order to make a dip out of it? Only vampires should be fearful of this.
This is a vegan product, but has a texture that can best be described as somewhere between mayo and whipped cream cheese.
Now, my biggest concern wasn’t the texture, it was the flavor. How good can something whose first ingredient is oil taste? Apparently, pretty good.
You see, if I’ve learned anything from being a recreational cook, it’s that most dishes don’t taste great because they aren’t seasoned properly. If seasoning does not fix things, then acidity will.
The acidity here is what makes this item work. Garlic has the potential to overpower many things, but it manages to play amazingly well with the lemon that is in this mayo-like vegan dip. It adds a brightness to the flavors that just plain old work here.
I enjoyed part of this with Trader Joe’s Everything Crackers, but this really has some potential in so many dishes.
For $2.99, I found something that is flavorful and delicious. Vampires can skip this one, but this is one of my new favorites.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The package of Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip:
The nutritional information and the ingredients:
Out of the package you get:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe’s Garlic Spread Dip again. Sorry, Hellman’s, this made me want to forget about regular mayo.
Want to see more items I’ve reviewed from Trader Joe’s? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
This garlic sauce is my freakin’ OBSESSION! I tend to buy 4 at a time! LOL! Great job on this review!
Thanks a lot! I love this product too! Soooo good. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts!
So many ways to use it. Vegan garlic bread anyone?
That sounds pretty amazing right there!
This is a delicious spread/dip; no doubt about it. I no longer purchase it though because of the canola oil, which is really best to avoid for health reasons. Show me a canola plant seed and I’ll reconsider. Anyway, in thinking through making a knock-off version myself I just don’t see how these 3 ingredients can create the same texture. They must have snuck in an egg…but then it would take a turn toward aioli. Become Better, are you willing to try making this with real a real oil (avocado, coconut, or palm)?
Hey Brin! I would totally try making it but I’d probably reach for olive oil. There are recipes for Toum out there which is basically what this is. Thanks so much for stopping by! And yes, I’m up for the challenge
I’m obsessed!!! Totally with ya girl.
Last night I mixed two tablespoons of it with two tablespoons of Trader Joe’s Zhoug sauce and cooked TJs kale gnocchi on the stovetop along with some frozen onions and broccoli. The easiest weeknight meal!
I also recently made a quick and easy artichoke dip with this stuff that is incredible (and vegan too)! Here is the recipe if you want to try it out sometime: https://www.eatlikeyoureonvacation.com/vegan-artichoke-dip-using-trader-joes-garlic-spread/