I Have to Go to Both Aldi and Trader Joe’s for My Fave 2-Ingredient Snack, but It’s Worth It

I love chips and salsa. I usually prefer making my own salsa with tomatoes from my garden, but they didn’t ripen quickly this summer due to wet conditions, so I’ve been enjoying jarred salsa most of the summer. A few weeks ago, my friend brought some curious-looking jarred salsa to a get-together. She also brought chips that were not regular tortilla chips. One scoop and I was hooked.

To re-create this snack, I had to make trips to both Aldi and Trader Joe’s, but it was worth it. I don’t shop at either of these stores every single week; I usually only make occasional runs when necessary. This snack combo might change that.

Salsa Without Tomatoes?

“Not all salsas are made with tomatoes,” reads the back of Trader Joe’s Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa. In theory, we all know this, right? Some salsas have no or very little tomato, such as fruit salsas, salsa verdes, bean salsas, and corn salsas. Still, when someone says they’re bringing chips and salsa, you probably picture tomato salsa and tortilla chips. 

So when my friend pulled out a jar of Trader Joe’s Corn and Chile Salsa and a bag of Live G Free Sea Salt Brown Rice Crisps from Aldi, it wasn’t what I was expecting—but soon, it was what I was devouring. 

The sea salt crisps contain brown rice flour, corn flour, flax seeds, chia seeds, and quinoa. They’re gluten free, but so are many 100-percent corn tortilla chips brands. They’re crunchy and flavorful, and the sea salt stands out without the chips tasting too salty.

The corn salsa has corn, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, onions, and sugar, and is well seasoned, including some crushed red pepper that brings a little (but not too much) heat to the mix. It’s sweet and spicy at the same time and works well with the sea salt crisps.

The day after I had the combo, I was craving it again, so I went to both Trader Joe’s and Aldi to stock up on the salsa and the crisps. Thankfully, they’re both shelf-stable so I could get a few packages of each. I’ve also used the salsa for nachos and spooned it on tacos. I have a feeling I won’t tire of the salsa or the chips anytime soon.