After many years of buying and testing various foods at Trader Joe’s, I’ve compiled a list of what I think are the BEST products at Trader Joe’s. From cheese to sauces to frozen foods, these are the items I buy over and over again, and they never disappoint. What would you add to the list?
Each time we’ve been faced with a pending move, one of the first questions I ask about the new location is: “Do they have Trader Joe’s there?” Thankfully, the answer has always been YES. I feel for those who don’t have access to the store and all of its awesomeness. But I do have faith that the chain will continue to expand, so if you’re currently lacking a Trader Joe’s in your area, don’t despair.
I go to Trader Joe’s once every few weeks. While I buy a lot of produce and other basics there, these are things that A) I can’t find anywhere else, or B) aren’t nearly as good anywhere else. I thought I would share my personal list of Trader Joe’s best products for any TJ’s lovers or newbies who’d like some recommendations. And I would really like to hear what others absolutely love at Trader Joe’s because I’m always looking to expand my list of favorites.
Best Products at Trader Joe’s:
Best Snacks at Trader Joe’s:
- Unexpected Cheddar Cheese: Guests always rave about this cheese and ask us where we got it.
- Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah: Ditto the above. Pairs SO well with red wine.
- Pita Bite Crackers: Super crunchy, and they stand up to any dip.
- Multigrain Pita Chips: Delicious flavor and crunch, and not too thick.
- Thai Lime & Chili Almonds: Unique flavor that’s really crave-worthy.
- Feta Cheese Spread: I love this on slices of toasted baguette, topped with sliced tomatoes.
- Soft and Juicy Mango: You wouldn’t normally think of dried mango as being juicy, but this totally is!
- Cowboy Bark: Totally addicting dark chocolate bark with pretzels, almonds and other goodies.
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: A container of these only lasts a few days at our house.
Best Frozen Foods at Trader Joe’s:
- Breaded Cod Fillets: Sort of like an adult version of a fish stick. Flaky cod and a deliciously crunchy crust.
- Mahi Mahi Burgers: Our family eats these once a week. Add some tarter sauce, lettuce, and tomato, and serve on toasted Trader Joe’s ciabatta rolls.
- Vegetable Masala Burgers: If you love Indian Samosas, you’ll love these patties, too. Serve with cilantro chutney.
- Lemon Bars: Just thaw, put on a platter and you’ve got an instant, elegant guest-worthy dessert.
- Frozen Roasted Corn: The charred, fire roasted flavor of this frozen corn is unbeatable.
- Frozen Roasted Pepper Medley: Toss in a slow cooker with some sausage, and dinner is ready!
- Mini Ice Cream Cones: The perfect bite sized treats.
- Mini Churros: When I serve these on Taco Tuesday, I’m the hero of the house.
Other Favorite Things at Trader Joe’s:
- Stuffed Peppers with Ground Turkey (refrigerated): If you can find these peppers stuffed with turkey & rice, buy them! An easy dinner that’s nutritious and delicious.
- Ciabatta Rolls: I know you can find ciabatta rolls anywhere, but the ones at Trader Joe’s are my hands-down favorite. They’ve got the perfect crunchy/chewy texture.
- Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette: I use this on salad, as a dipping sauce for chicken satay, and to make Thai chicken flatbread.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: If you want to eat chicken nuggets, yet feel like an adult, try this dipping sauce!
- Potted Plants & Flowers: Inexpensive and beautiful, it’s impossible to bypass the TJ’s floral section without grabbing at least one thing.
- Pop-up Sponges: These are the coolest! They come flat in a package of 12. Just add water and you’ve got yourself a sponge. Such a great space saver.
Are any of your favorites on this list? What do you think are the best products at Trader Joe’s? Leave a comment and let me know!
Rhonda says
I don’t have a Trader Joe’s in my city but I try to stock up on my favorites when I’m in a city nearby that does. Two of my favorites are the greeting cards and the Guiltless Guacamole. The greeting cards are beautiful and all are only 99 cents each! The Guiltless Guacamole is very low calorie and absolutely delicious! I put it on sandwiches, anything Mexican or even by itself!
Alyssa says
You know, I’ve never even looked at the greeting card section, but I will the next time I go in. The guacamole is on my “must try” list, too! Thanks for sharing.
Lisa says
Now that we finally have a Trader Joe’s I need to try more of these!
Christy says
No one mentioned the chicken cilantro mini wontons?! These little treasures are a sure buy! I like to keep 2 bags in my freezer at all times…..when we make homemade Asian dishes they are the perfect side dish. Every time we have guests who eat them they demand to know where to get them. The hubs sauté’s briefly in a little olive oil and soy sauce. Try these next time!
Debbie Leigh says
Love your blog Alyssa! Just found it through Pinterest.. Just wrote down your Trader Joe’s faves for my next trip there. The Pita Bite Crackers were my first favorite item and still are!
Alyssa says
Thanks, Debbie! Aren’t those crackers the best? I’m actually hoping to do a 2nd Trader Joe’s post soon because I’ve found quite a few more favorites since I did the original post. Stay tuned!!
Michelle Irvin-Giddens says
oh people….the frozen chocolate croissants that you bake up….to DIE for. So decadent it’s a christmas morning or birthday suprise 😉
Alyssa says
Monk, I like their chicken sausage & marinara too. Funny you don’t like the hummus…I think the “whipped-ness” is what I like most about it. To each his own! 🙂 I’m lucky that my TJs isn’t super crowded and I can take my time leisurely browsing and buying stuff I don’t need.
Monk says
But I am DEFINITELY trying some of your stuff next time! I feel like a failure if I don’t spend at least $225 there per time. I go to the one near GW university so everyone else is buying 12 beers and 2 burritos, and I can barely push my cart.
Monk says
I am such a TJs addict like you, though I am shocked we only have one food overlap — the Mahi burgers. Our top things are dried mango (I buy at least 10 packs every time I go, Julian eats for a snack at least every 2 or 3 days), fully cooked chicken sausage, fresh spinach tortellini and butternut squash triangoli, and their marinara. My vice is the gluten-free granola, and John’s vice is the ice cream mochi. The only thing I can’t get there is hummus — it’s too “whipped” and not dense and neither Julian or I like it.
Ali says
I have the mani burgers in my freezer but haven’t tried them yet. Now I am excited! Try the yogurt/spinach/ kale dip next time. Soooo good!
Alyssa says
I will for sure, that dip sounds like something I’d love!
Alice Wagner says
Love Trader Joe’s. Buy all of our wines there since they are so nicely priced.
It is a hot spot in Chapel Hill. I love to browse up and down the aisles. Always
come home with items I don’t even need. Glad you have TJ’s to enjoy.
Alyssa says
They do have awesome deals on wine!
Meg says
I would buy the entire store if I had room- TJ’s is the greatest! But I definitely skew towards the ready to go meals- like the ricotta stuffed chicken, the stuffed peppers you mentioned- so easy to pop in the oven and usually pretty healthy with not too much sodium. For working moms this store is a must! Also, my toddler loves the small sliced cheddar cheese container- ready to go and perfectly sized!
Alyssa says
Mmmm…I’l have to try the ricotta stuffed chicken. Look at you, all concerned about sodium. What happened to us – we’re so old and responsible now! 🙂 XOXO
Angela says
Maybe we can go on a field trip to Trader Joe’s during my visit in May……I’m a Trader Joe’s virgin!
Alyssa says
We can definitely go! You might want to bring an empty suitcase. 🙂
maria thompson says
Thanks so much for the great ideas!! I always wonder what other good finds people have at stores like Costco and Trader Joe’s!! We have are staples that we always get and it’s fun to see some other must tries!
Alyssa says
Agreed! I tend to always get the same things because I’ve gotten some duds when I’ve experimented (which is an especially big bummer at Costco since everything’s in such large amounts). But even the best foods get a little boring after a while, so I love hearing recommendations.
Linda Riley says
I want those shortbread cookies…….I forgot about getting them when we were visiting !!!
Alyssa says
Oh no! I’ll send a box home for you with my mom. 🙂
Robert Woolley says
I keep an ever-growing list of the best things I’ve found at Trader Joe’s here:
http://exploringtraderjoes.blogspot.com/search/label/top%20ten
Alyssa says
Thanks for sharing! I’m definitely going to look out for that vegan ice cream. My daughter’s allergic to dairy, and she LOVES chocolate.
Susan Deaven says
All of the above are my favs since we are Trader Joeless here in Central PA, but I look forward to munching on a lot of that stuff next week!