12 Trader Joe's Finds That Make Ribeye Steak Taste 10x Better

Contrary to how it may sound, a ribeye steak doesn't include any eyes. Instead, it's a cut of beef from the rib section of the cow, between the shoulder and the loin. It includes a lot of fat interspersed within the muscle fibers that melts as it cooks, creating a rich, buttery, and juicy flavor profile that makes it a restaurant favorite. You don't really need anything to fully enjoy it besides a light sprinkling of salt. However, there are many things that you can add to a ribeye to greatly enhance its flavors, and Trader Joe's is actually a great source for many of these enhancements.

The California-based chain is known for its unique assortment of seasonings and sauces, and while they're not all specifically intended for ribeye steak, there are quite a few that will elevate this cut of beef, as well as give you an unexpected flavor experience that only TJ's can provide. The lineup includes everything from creative riffs on international condiments to gourmet finishing salts. Just keep in mind that prices and availability may vary by location.

Ribeye steaks are very rich and sometimes need something to offset that richness. That's where this sauce from Trader Joe's comes in. It's a riff on a classic aioli, a creamy condiment from Southern France made from garlic and oil. The sharpness of the garlic and its inherent savoriness are a great complement to your steak's buttery mouthfeel. The addition of mustard, however, offers a great contrast and perks up the flavor, while the tangy vinegar cuts through the fattiness of this cut of beef.

Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce is available at Trader Joe's for $2.79.

Chili crisp and chili crunch are types of Chinese condiments that give heat and texture to dishes with a combination of fried chili peppers and other ingredients suspended in oil. Lao Gan Ma is perhaps the most iconic brand, but many dupes have come onto the market, including Trader Joe's own version. This one is unique in that it combines garlic and onion along with red bell peppers for a slightly sweet, savory, and subtly spicy flavor that won't overpower your ribeye. Use it to drizzle over your steak or as a marinade.

Crunchy Chili Onion is available at Trader Joe's for $4.49.

If you love chili crisp but don't want to drizzle it or serve it on the side, then Trader Joe's came up with the perfect alternative. This dry seasoning features the same flavors as its signature Crunchy Chili Onion condiment, along with a touch of Sichuan peppercorn, which gives your palate a numbing tingle and may remind you of eating hot pot. This seasoning also includes some brown sugar to offset the savoriness and give your ribeye a nice crust.

Crunchy Chili Onion Sprinkle Seasoning Blend is available at Trader Joe's for $2.49.

Umami is the fifth taste and is responsible for giving food a pleasant savoriness. In its purest form, you can experience it as MSG, which is an excellent addition to steak. But it can also be found in tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms, like those in this seasoning blend from TJ's. It includes a blend of porcini and button mushroom powders, which pair excellently with beef, along with onions for even more umami. Sprinkle it onto your meat before cooking, or use it as a finish.

TJ's Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend is available at Trader Joe's for $2.99.

Black garlic undergoes a controlled aging process under high heat and humidity that gives each clove an ebony color, a soft texture, and a rich, sweet flavor. It's usually added to sauces, and while you can smear some over your steak, it can be a bit of a hassle. That's why this TJ's version, made with dried, ground black garlic, is so genius. You can sprinkle it directly onto your ribeye steak or use it at the table. Its subtle umami taste really highlights the flavor of beef.

Ground Fermented Black Garlic is available at Trader Joe's for $3.49.

Combining several alliums into one seasoning gives you an aromatically nuanced bouquet that really highlights the flavor of steak. This particular blend from Trader Joe's includes onion, garlic, chives, and scallions that give it a vibrant green hue, and the addition of salt removes the need for extra seasoning. You don't need to sprinkle this onto your steak, though, as it is also a great base for making a delicious sauce to accompany your ribeye.

Onion Salt is available at Trader Joe's for $1.99.

Versions of teriyaki sauce vary from cook to cook and bottle to bottle, but it's typically made with three main ingredients: soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. This is why Trader Joe's version isn't called teriyaki but rather Soyaki. It includes soy sauce and sugar but then veers from the more minimalist traditional condiment and adds garlic, onion, and ginger, along with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. It's a ridiculously versatile ingredient that can be used as a marinade or dipping sauce to give your ribeye a decidedly Asian flavor.

Soyaki is available at Trader Joe's for $3.99.

If you've ever been to an Argentine steakhouse, you may have encountered a bowl of herbaceous sauce called chimichurri. It's a combination of parsley, vinegar, and other herbs that cuts through the fattiness of steak while elevating its flavor. There are many variations of this sauce, and TJ's has one that's a creative riff on the original that contains cilantro in addition to parsley, along with garlic and red pepper flakes found in traditional recipes. It's a classically excellent accompaniment you'll want to have in your fridge at all times.

Chimichurri Sauce is available at Trader Joe's for $3.99.

Calabrian chiles are a staple of the southwestern region of Italy and are known for their bright, fruity flavor and subtle, smoldering heat. They also form the base of this bomba sauce, which features crushed, fermented peppers and very little else besides some seasoning, oil, and a touch of basil to give it a light floral quality. The fermentation also gives it a bit of tanginess that offsets the rich flavors of a ribeye steak beautifully. One bite and you'll know why this chile is one of Giada De Laurentiis' favorite ingredients.

Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce is available at Trader Joe's for $3.79.

Salsa macha could be seen as the Mexican equivalent of chili crisp, but with the addition of peanuts. There are tons of varieties available throughout Mexico and even in the U.S., and this version includes three times the crunch with sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds, which are known as pepitas south of the border. It's also made with pequín chiles, which are extra fiery. Some say "macha," related to the word macho, refers to how fearless you need to be in order to try this incendiary sauce, but you can judge that for yourself.

Crunchy Sesame Sunflower Seeds Pepitas Salsa Macha is available at Trader Joe's for $1.99.

Kansas City barbecue is one of the most famous styles in the United States. Trader Joe's version pays homage to that signature sweet and tangy sauce tradition while infusing it with a bit of the creativity that customers have come to associate with the retailer. Besides the typical ingredients, including a heady hickory smoke aroma, it also features a bit of chipotle powder that adds heat and extra smokiness to the sauce, both of which accent the flavor of a well-seared ribeye.

Organic Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce is available at Trader Joe's for $2.99.

Hoisin is a sweet and savory Chinese condiment and ingredient in that it can be used in recipes but is also a phenomenal dip and dressing for all types of foods, not just Asian ones. It's very complex and starts with sweet caramel notes that give way to salty and then deeply umami flavors. Trader Joe's version includes black sesame paste and a combination of aromatic seasonings reminiscent of Chinese five-spice powder. You can brush this onto a ribeye while grilling it or slice your beef and create Asian-inspired lettuce wraps.

Hoisin Sauce is available at Trader Joe's for $1.99.