When a Trader Joe’s opened a few blocks from my old apartment in Manhattan, I was SHOOK TO THE CORE. Believe it or not, I had never even stepped foot into a TJ’s before—but I obviously knew that my world was about to be rocked. After I told the Instagram fam about my Trader Joe’s virginity, people were literally appalled. The comments began rolling in with “must-have” “life changing” Trader Joe’s items, because, well, Trader Joe’s is a cult. I was skeptical until I went to the store, and walked out with the entire freezer section, despite the fact that my freezer is the size of a dorm room fridge from Bed Bath & Beyond.
Here are the best Trader Joe’s products (in my opinion). Don’t forget to save this link somewhere in your phone (in your notes, for example) so you can reference it next time you pay a visit to the Mecca.
FROZEN:
- Cauliflower Gnocchi
- Thai Veggie Burgers
- Margherita Pizza
- Chili Lime Chicken Burgers
- Frozen Cauliflower Rice
- Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- Italian Style Meatballs
- Shredded Hash Browns
- Thai Fried Rice
- Cowboy Quinoa Burgers
- Chicken Gyoza Pot Stickers
- Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
- Mandarin Orange Chicken
- Spicy Thai Shrimp Gyoza
- Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings
- Organic Green Vegetable Foursome
SNACKS & SWEETS:
- Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Spud Crunchies
- Chicken Noodle Soup Cups & Miso Noodle Soup Cups
- Organic Popping Corn
- Milk Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels
- Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews
SAUCES, DIPS, & SEASONINGS:
- Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (also available on Amazon!)
- Jalapeño & Cilantro Hummus
- Cookie Butter
- Guiltless Guacamole
- Sriracha Ranch Dressing
- Gyoza Dipping Sauce
- Tomato Basil Marinara
- Organic Coconut Aminos
- Organic Olive Oil Spray
- Garlic Salt
MISC:
- Almond Sparkling Wine (the absolute best champagne to use for mimosas)
- Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread (Sesame)
- Organic Brown Rice Penne Pasta
- Rolled Oats
- Unexpected Cheddar
- Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onion
- Organic Moroccan Mint Tea
- Southwestern Chopped Salad
- Yellow Curry Chopped Salad
- BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
- Tikka Vegetables Pouch
- Spicy Chai Mix (I haven’t tried this but it’s on my list for next time)
- Mini Avocados
MEAL IDEAS:
DIY RAMEN = Noodle Soup Cup + Frozen Veggies + Dumplings
BALLER AVOCADO TOAST = Toasted slice of Ezekiel bread + guiltless guacamole + everything but the bagel seasoning + hot sauce
SOUTHWEST SALAD = Southwest Salad meal kit + baby avocado + chili lime chicken burger
CAULIFLOWER FRIED RICE = frozen cauliflower rice + frozen veggies + fried egg + sriracha + gyoza
VEGETARIAN INDIAN DINNER = frozen brown rice + tikka masala veggie pouch
Ok, now your turn: what are your must-have items from Trader Joe’s? And what easy meals do you love to make? SPILL THE DEETS IN THE COMMENTS!
Pin this for later:
26 Comments
Aubree
March 9, 2019 at 9:53 pmWasabi or roasted seaweed snack!!!
Kathryn
March 9, 2019 at 9:55 pmGet the melodious blend!! It’s a frozen mixture of lentils and garbanzo beans and is SO good. I always put everything but the bagel seasoning on it.
The chili lime seasoning is great.. also low key amazing on watermelon. Also a fan of the umami seasoning.
Also love their dried mango and their teas. The ginger and tumeric is my favorite.
Lindsay Silberman
March 9, 2019 at 9:57 pmOMG writing this down immediately.
Savannah
March 10, 2019 at 2:01 amYesss thank you!
I’m a huge fan of the Lemongrass Coconut (with Almond and Jojoba oils) body oil!
And there’s a food blogger I follow who does an awesome sheet pan recipe with the cauliflower gnocchi: https://domestikatedlife.com/2019/03/02/sheet-pan-cauliflower-gnocchi-and-tomatoes/
Lindsay Silberman
March 10, 2019 at 4:49 pmoh wow did you just blow my mind with this?! i think you did.
Marilyn
March 10, 2019 at 6:03 amUmami spice!!!!!!
Frozen artichokes
Almond butter granola
Wheat crackers in the orange box
Raw almonds that are individual packs (called just a handful of almonds)
Dried mango and dried persimmon
Lindsay Silberman
March 10, 2019 at 4:49 pmok these all sound amazing esp the dried mango, you’re like the 3rd person to recommend that!
Sher
March 11, 2019 at 8:46 pmThis post made me laugh because this is EXACTLY how I felt. I had never really shopped there, then one opened a block away from me in NYC and now I’m addicted! Amen on the dark choc peanut butter cups! Literally just finished a box this past weekend ugh.
Try the lavender detergent, the hazelnut coffee creamer, honey greek yogurt and corn + chile salsa dip.
Lindsay Silberman
March 12, 2019 at 4:06 amHahaha as I finished my last one yesterday I was like I CAN NEVER BUY THESE AGAIN. I can’t eat just one.
Tasha
March 11, 2019 at 11:27 pmThe TJ Yuzu hot sauce is amazing! A little citrusy and a little spicy. Its perfect!
Lindsay Silberman
March 12, 2019 at 4:05 amOmg that sounds SO up my alley.
Laura
April 15, 2019 at 3:47 pmFig and olive crackers. They are so good with runny cheese.
Anne
March 12, 2019 at 11:28 pmRaw creamy almond butter unsweetened. I travel to the states to get it cause we don’t have it in Canada. And yes it is that good!!!
Lindsay Silberman
March 13, 2019 at 4:58 amWowwww i need it!
Laura
March 13, 2019 at 1:40 amI adore the olive and fig crackers. Sounds weird but they are awesome with cheese!
The cards! I still send cards (Birthday, sympathy, get well, etc) so I always keep some on hand.
Lindsay Silberman
March 13, 2019 at 4:58 amWait the cards thing is such a good idea! Olive & fig also sounds good
Taylor Foxman
March 13, 2019 at 4:23 amLove this list!
You nailed some of my favorites as well, some others:
– Housemade espresso pods; super cheap and better than all store bought boring coffee I’ve spent forever purchasing
– Love their spin on Cinnamon Toast Crunch don’t know name off hand but Cinnamon Square Cereal lol
– So happy to have found a more reasonably priced and tastier version of Lactaid called Non Dairy Milk there
– Brown rice California rolls
– Kalmata Olive Hummus
– Vanilla bean soy ice cream
– Pancake bread, yes really
– Morning banana “energy” muffins have had them for years
Lindsay Silberman
March 13, 2019 at 4:59 amHoly shit I’m going with you next time hahah you’ve got all the secrets
JMC
April 11, 2019 at 2:10 pmTheir uncrystallized ginger is the best. It’s not coated in sugar and is a miracle worker when it comes to any kind of upset stomach. I bring it with me in all my travel bags. Especially helpful when traveling internationally.
Lindsay Silberman
April 11, 2019 at 2:46 pmOhhh that sounds incredible! What section do you usually find it in?!
Rachel
January 30, 2020 at 3:39 amBBQ cut salmon (it’s with the refrigerated meats) marinated in low sodium Soy Vey Teriyaki in oven at 450 for 12 minutes. Typically serve with rice and steamed vegetables.
Jess Bruckner
February 9, 2020 at 3:06 pmIn the frozen section – they have cilantro chicken wontons and they are absolutely amazing and surprisingly really low in calories!
mark lakin
February 9, 2020 at 9:04 pmburrata! I know it seems like it wouldn’t be good but its the best ive ever had. bathe in aged balsamic, salt and black pepper.
Danielle
August 18, 2020 at 3:59 amSuch good suggestions! Here are my TJ go tos: anything frozen cauliflower, salsa autentica, Jamaican jerk seasoned plantain chips, coconut cashews, and mini tacos! Oh and when in season cranberry goat cheese.
Lindsay Silberman
August 19, 2020 at 6:46 pmohhh need to try all of those!
Barbara Kiss
November 14, 2020 at 4:11 pmThe blueberry or cranberry covered goat cheese with the pumpkin crisps are actual heaven