The second the $2.49 bottle hit the spice section at TJ’s, the masses went wild. To capture the flavor of the delicacy—which is typically coated in crema, cheese, chili powder, and lime juice—the company used a blend that lights off those same dopamine receptors. Essentially, like the name suggests, it has you covered on everything but the corn.
“It contains spices like chile pepper, chipotle, cilantro, and cumin that add a nice kick for relatively few calories when combined with the sea salt, corn flour, Parmesan, and other ingredients,” says Amy Gorin, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist in the New York City area. “I don’t love that the first ingredient is sugar. But ideally, you’re only using a little bit of this—a serving is ¼ teaspoon—so using the seasoning wouldn’t add too much added sugar to your day.”
While this stuff is great on corn (duh!), there are also so many other ways you can use it to create healthy meals at home, too.
How to use Trader Joe’s Everything But The Elote seasoning, according to an registered dietitian nutritionist
1. Use it on roasted veggies
Everything But The Elote is basically meant for making your roasted veggies taste incredible. “I could see roasting a combo of eggplant, zucchini, onions, and halved cherry tomatoes, then topping those with this seasoning,” says Gorin.
2. Shake it onto your popcorn
Talk about a delicious after-dinner snack. It’s like the cheesy popcorn you know and love, but healthier. “I love the idea of using the seasoning as a topping for popcorn,” Gorin says. “To get the seasoning to stick, I would suggest spraying the popped kernels with a spray oil, then tossing with a few dashes of the seasoning.”
3. Sprinkle it on your hardboiled eggs
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your hardboiled eggs, this is it. “I use Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Seasoning on halved hardboiled eggs, and I imagine a sprinkling of this seasoning would be just as delicious,” says Gorin.
4. Use it on your salads
Even your salads can get an upgrade with a simple shake or two of Everything But The Elote. “I enjoy adding unique flavors to salads, and this could add some pizzazz to traditional greens,” Gorin says. “I can see it pairing well with an avocado dressing.”
5. Pair it with other corn-based dishes
Since this seasoning traditionally pairs well with corn on the cob, Gorin says she thinks it would taste delicious mixed into polenta. Instagrammers have also been using it in cornbread, cornbread pancakes, and even plain ol’ canned or frozen kernels.
Try this seasoning on some cauliflower fried rice:
There are so many other Trader Joe’s seasonings to try, too. Go for the vegan chicken-less seasoning that goes with everything, then try the umami mushroom seasoning that’s a healthier alternative to MSG.