Make Steak 10x More Flavorful With 11 Trader Joe's Finds

The sound of a steak sizzling in a pan or on a grill is music to many a foodie's ears, whether you're a fan of cheaper cuts that taste expensive or make a beeline for the underrated bavette steak. While eating steak on its own is delicious, we love to play around with the different ways to make them taste 10 times more flavorful, and for that we regularly turn to Trader Joe's. Our pantries are full of all kinds of TJ's goodies, some of which go on top of a steak, while others improve the meat via marinades.

We're sharing our pick of products across the store that we think will elevate a merely good steak to great. They include a delicious compound butter, a fruity pico de gallo, salt from across the Atlantic, and a breakfast staple marinade that might surprise some home cooks. All prices and availability details were correct at the time of writing, but some limited-time products may get discontinued (though TJ's is not above bringing them back, either). Get in touch with your local Trader Joe's to make sure something's in stock if it particularly catches your eye.

Marinating steak in canned coconut milk can make it incredibly tender, and TJ's has an impressive line-up to choose from. However, the one seemingly all shoppers rave about is Trader Joe's organic canned coconut milk from Sri Lanka. It contains no artificial thickeners or gums, and while there's plenty of coconut flavor, it's not overwhelming when used as a marinade for steak.

Buy Trader Joe's Organic Coconut Milk for $1.89.

Most people who cook add salt to elevate their food, and steak is no exception. This hand-collected salt from Portugal is one of the tastiest out there and comes in an eminently giftable ceramic pot with a cork lid. Similar to France's sel de Guerande, flor de sal (which translates to "salt flower") is wetter than traditional table salt, while the small flaky crystals are clean-tasting and bring instant flavor wherever they're sprinkled.

Buy Trader Joe's Portuguese Flor de Sal for $4.99.

Bobby Flay's a big fan of a low-cost skirt steak, but if your cheaper cut of beef isn't living up to flavor expectations, crack open some Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion Sprinkle. A quick shake of this zingy blend of dried Szechuan, bell, and chili peppers, mixed with onion, garlic, and brown sugar, will make every meaty mouthful sing. Don't keep it just for steak though, as it'll bring vibrancy and a little heat to eggs, fish, and veggies, too.

Buy Trader Joe's Chili Onion Sprinkle Seasoning for $2.49.

It might seem odd to pair sweet flavors with steak (honey works wonders when used in a marinade), but it really can be a marriage made in heaven. If you've never tried serving a juicy steak with a generous dollop of fruity salsa, now's your chance. A spoonful of TJ's mango pineapple pico de gallo salsa provides a tangy, sharp counterpoint to the creaminess of the beef — and you're getting a helping of fruit. That's a win-win.

Buy Trader Joe's Mango Pineapple Pico de Gallo Salsa for $3.99.

We love what gochujang sauce does for baked beans, but it's also a key ingredient in Trader Joe's Korean-style Yangnyeom sauce. It combines gochujang with an array of spices and sugar to create a warm (but not too hot) and sweet accompaniment. It's often used on fried chicken, but we think it would be amazing splashed over a perfectly cooked New York strip steak. Don't sleep on TJ's gochujang paste, either!

Buy Trader Joe's Yangnyeom Sauce for $3.99.

Using a homemade rub to add flavor to steak can feel a bit like a science experiment, as you mix a little of this with a lot of that (and vice versa) for results that can sometimes be, well, underwhelming. Luckily, Trader Joe's Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend eliminates all that hard work and gives our steaks a reliably savory, slightly herby punch with every sprinkle. What a mouthful!

Buy TJ's Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend for $2.99.

You must add butter to a steak at the right moment for peak flavor, but the kind of butter matters too. Compound types, filled with herbs, spices, and all that, can be easy to make but when Trader Joe's flavored butters exist, why bother? There are two to pick from: the limited Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup and our fave, the classic Parmesan, Garlic & Herb. Yes, using them may feel a bit like cheating, but one bite and you won't care.

Buy Trader Joe's Butter with Parmesan, Garlic & Herb for $2.99.

Lemon is another delightful fruit to serve with steak, as its acidity cuts through the richness of the meat. Trader Joe's flavorful accompaniment was inspired by a classic Italian sauce with lemons at its heart, blending the fruit with Grana Padano cheese, almonds, and seasoning for a citrus-forward treat. Add a generous smear to a fresh-off-the-grill steak and enjoy as the zingy lemon gives way to a hint of salty cheese and sweet almonds. Delicious!

Buy Trader Joe's Lemon Pesto Sauce for $3.49.

We have plucked so many bits of cremated garlic from steaks that we'd almost given up on pairing this allium with our beef. But then we found Trader Joe's Ground Fermented Black Garlic, and our foodie faith was restored. It's been fermented to soften and blacken the cloves, giving them an intense, sweet, yet undoubtedly garlicky taste. These delicious granules can be added to all sorts of dishes, but sprinkled on a still-sizzling steak? Heaven.

Buy Trader Joe's Ground Fermented Black Garlic for $3.49.

As foodies, Thanksgiving is always on our minds as the seasons turn, and while some home cooks keep their cranberries for turkey, they are welcome on our table all year round. We're big fans of this relish that blends tart cranberries with Valencia oranges from California, especially when paired with thick slices of steak, from sirloin to flank. The sweet and sour fruit always brings out the best of the beef — and it's good with that big ol' bird too.

Buy Trader Joe's Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish for $3.99.

Coffee kickstarts our days, but it is also part of a magnificent marinade for steak. Immersing it in cold coffee for a few hours will tenderize the meat and give it just a hint of roasted bean goodness. The dark roasted kind works best, and Joe's 100% arabica ground coffee is just the job. Made from South American beans, it's a complex, flavorful way to tenderize and flavor your steak to perfection and makes a darn good cup of coffee, too.

Buy Trader Joe's Joe's Dark Ground Coffee for $6.99.