Trader Joe’s recently came to my town and its reputation definitely preceded it. I didn’t know quite what to expect when I first walked in…would it live up to all the hype? One hour and a bulging shopping cart later, I was a believer. Trader Joe’s is foodie peep show. It’s the type of store you want to walk up and down each aisle just ogling at all of the yummy foods. But where to start? Here are the top 20 Trader Joe’s items you simply must try. Have some we left out? Feel free to add them to the comments below!
Top 20 Favorite Trader Joe’s Items
1. Speculoos Cookie Butter (all varieties)
2. Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip
3. Speculooos cookies (and pretty much every cookie variety!)
5. All cheeses
They have an amazing selection of gourmet cheeses. Look for the blueberry & vanilla goat cheese!
This stuff never lasts more than a day in our freezer.
Trader Joe’s has the best deal around on organic bagged spinach, kale, arugula, and other bagged greens.
12. Trader Joe’s nuts and dried fruits
13. ABC cookies
My kids inhale these. These cookies are awesome! Mild flavor, great snack, and educational too!
14. Shelf Stable Whipping Cream
This stuff is genius. It comes in the perfect sized container and you can keep it in your pantry (doesn’t need refrigerated!) until you’re ready to use. Just pop it in the fridge the night before, then whip up some delicious cream for your pancakes in the morning!
15. Cheap spices
Trader Joe’s has a fantastic selection of spices…most only $1.99.
16. Almond Butter
17. Toasted Coconut pancake mix
Want to create a little piece of heaven in your very own kitchen? This is it.
18. All kids of crazy-delish hummus
I just tried the beet hummus for the first time. Oh my goodness…so good! If you are a hummus fan, check out their crazy selection of delicious versions.
19. Lemon Pepper Pappardelle pasta
Get a yummy recipe to use it here.
So good and cheap–I usually grab five extra to throw in my freezer.
Do you have any favorites that I missed? Feel free to add yours to the comments below.
L roberts says
No way I can limit a list to top 20- Maybe top 40 items? Their frozen pie crust is amazingly delicious! They have excellent wines at way cheaper prices (my favorite is “tribunal” -$10 a bottle has never tasted so good). Their pita bread is delicious and very inexpensive to go with all of that hummus. They also have “Indian fare” which is across the aisle from the nuts on the very bottom shelf. Great vegetarian meals with simple ingredients that are delicious and inexpensive! Their full fat Greek style yogurt is made from non rBST treated cows milk and super yummy. And absolutely all of the crackers I’ve tried are excellent! Everything is made without preservatives – love TJs!
Laura says
all of their soaps. They have lavender hand soap and lotion. They have an excellent body wash and face wash. And my favorite if you can find it is the Lavender body scrub. Your body feels amazing after use. Better than anything I have ever found and dirt cheap!!
Jen says
Joe-joes! Marinara sauce (sugar free), speculoose cheese cake bites, nitrate free lunch meats, beef hot dogs, coconut creme, ranch dressing, cilantro dressing, frozen orange chicken! Baconesque popcorn! The French Brie tartlet-so yummy! There are so many!
Claire says
You did hit the items I like too. Bags of frozen fruit are also a good deal, and they also carry Ezekiel bread.
Brit says
TJ’s Orangic Raw Honey
Breeze says
Marinated artichoke hearts!! It’s the only brand that I can actually eat the whole thing without cutting the tough tops off! No more wasting 1/2 of it!! Plus they’re cheaper. And “cat cookies” – for people. And the mandarin chicken.
Robin says
Their chicken salad is the BEST! Paired with the reduced guilt pita chips (sea salt)… Heaven!!
Emily Murray says
Great list! My very favorite thing is their frozen Cheese Blintzes. I warm them on the stove and drizzle some lightly sweetened mashed up strawberries on top with whip cream. Mmmm!
Gina says
Unfortunately I have to travel 45 minutes to Traders Joes. Wish they’d come to Greensboro NC so I could shop there on a more regular basis. Thanks for this list…I’ll try them next time i make the trek.
Rosie burke says
Moshi ive cream strawberry love them
Debbie says
I can’t keep away from their premade salads, especially the Five Spice Chicken & Asian Noodle Salad!!! Yummy! I also buy their brand of Kettle Kirn popcorn (I’m bad), eggs $1.99/dozen, salt & pepper grinders and believe it or not my cats love their kitty tuna!!!!!
cheryl says
Just wait until Christmas! TJ’s has awesome Christmas goodies! My favs are the chocolate covered peppermint jo=jo’s and the iced gingerbread cookies. Warning: The Christmas stuff sells out in hours! The $3 wines are very good, Great assortment of frozen entrees to help on busy nights – our fav is the Orange Chicken and spinach-potato mini meatloaves. Pumpkin pancake mix and soy protein powder are our fav staples. Love love love TJ’s!
J Hoyland says
love their jalapeño pub cheese with the pumpernickel pretzel sticks
Polly davie says
You missed the frozen artichoke hearts. Before TJ moved to NH, I would drive an hour and buy ten bags of these.
Janette says
Sea salt & turbinado sugar DARK CHOCOLATE ALMONDS. To die for!!!!!
Pam shultz says
Their pizza dough is amazing, especially the garlic and herb one. Thanks for the freezer idea on the dough!
Doris says
Agree on the Beet Hummus! The pizza dough comes in whole wheat. Try the Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips. Thanks for the suggestions on other stuff to try!
Crystal C says
Choco cherry chunk soy ice cream!
Jessica says
Frozen foods .. especially the Mandarin Orange chicken an DC frozen pizzas are awesome.
Bag of popcorn kernels … pop on stove… the best popcorn ever.
Their wine and beer selection is awesome too…
Devon says
This post is already a little speculoos heavy, but my fave thing at TJs is the speculoos-dark chocolate bar. I also head to TJs for chocolate covered just about anything and–of course–their “three buck Chuck” wine. Note: I have not had great success with their pizza dough. Not our fave.
Avra says
I buy their chocolate chips for $1.99. They are dairy free AND nut free. My son is allergic to both, and they are very difficult to find. If I do find the specialty brands they cost $6 a bag
Karen says
LOVE the chocolate and almond frozen croissants ……..bake them in the morning ….fabulous!
Esther St.Germain says
Love Trader Joes
Carol says
Try to support locally grown flowers when you need that item. Buying locally means the flowers are fresher,, haven’t traveled as far, needed little or no pesticides and provide jobs for your neighbors and tax revenue for the schools your children attend. Cheap isn’t always the best way to go
Kate says
Mandarin orange chicken. My sons inhale it with a side of jasmine rice and roasted broccoli .
Beth says
that is our exact menu when we do the mandarin orange chicken. !! Love it!
Louise says
Pumpkin Butter is seasonal but it is the best I have ever tasted! Mostly fruit in their butters with GREAT flavor!!! I also love the Triple Ginger Snaps. They are small so you can eat more than one!!
Amy says
Potted fresh basil, tricolor bell peppers in a pack, cheese twist crackers, wine, tangerine juice, almond milk, artisanal bread, corn chile
danielle says
Frozen orange chicken, best of the frozen variety that I’ve ever had. Love the dark chocolate peanut butter caramel truffles and the dark chocolate salted caramel chocolate bars too!
Vanessa says
Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers!!! ?
Jennifer says
Peppermint Jojo’s at the holidays!!!
Kristy C says
I can’t believe some of the best that have been left out. Cheese – yes, but the unexpected Cheddar is AMAZING. Was recommended from a few people as well as an employee and didn’t disappoint.
orange muscat champagne vinegar – so good, it doesn’t even need olive oil for a salad dressing.
white balsamic vinegar – just very good and inexpensive
on a sad note – i live in PA and cant get chuck or any of the other adult beverages offered 🙁
Jill Tracy says
The Lobster Ravioli is reasonable and excellent choice for a quick meal. The Dark Chocolate Almonds with sea salt have the perfect amount of chocolate and salt!
Christine says
Frozen orange chicken and peach salsa!!!
Catherine Naru says
I ADORE the frozen Orange Chicken and the frozen rice mixture…the one in a box of 3 packets of several different varieties of rices and grains mixed together. Cannot always find it. I like the pineapple salsa too. I used to live around the corner from T. J’s. on Campbell Ave. In Tucson, AZ. I moved to a small town in mid-Michigan and would travel 3 hours to Ann Arbor to shop T. J’s. Now, thank goodness, I only have to drive 1 hour to the new store in Grand Rapids!
lisa says
Love the Trader Joe’s Lemon Curd, it is delicious!
lisa says
Trader Joe’s Lemon Curd is the best. So delicious. I bake professionally, and I use it as a filling in coconut cakes. A must have staple.
Almira says
Everyone in my family loves the frozen orange chicken. Other favorites are the frozen chocolate croissants, mac & cheese balls, and just the frozen appetizers in general. Trader Joe’s has a great selection.
Tammy says
Greeting cards $0.99 each! And chocolate 🙂
Linda C. says
Trader Joe’s frozen corn is amazing!!! Always grab 10 bags @ a time!
Stephanie says
Yes to the other commenters saying the orange chicken! Definitely a family favorite. A Must try for sure.
H carson says
Garlic olive oil! Wonderful. Also their moisturizing lotion. Unscented and inexpensive.
M. Franz says
Organic Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup. Best I have eaten.
Cindy H says
I love TJ’s organic bread and butter pickles! So crisp and such a great flavor!
cindy says
Their chicken patties are great. They come in a two pack for around $2.39. Don’t be fooled by their size. They expand when they are heated in the microwave and fit a bun perfectly. A quick, easy, tasty meal.
Sara Schmiel says
We love TJ organic ketchup, it beats Heinz and Hunts hands down. If you havent tried their box soups you should. The tomato red pepper is great.
L.Minor says
TJ`s granola cereal is so good – our fave is the Just the Clusters maple with pecan. A tablespoon or two goes a long way sprinkled onto Greek yogurt. I also stock up on their jars of clarified butter. It is shelf stable and does not need refrigeration once opened. Their dark chocolate covered peanut butter cups are sinfully delicious as well as their mini almond biscotti.
Kym says
Bacon Jam
It’s so good….
Carol mcqueen says
The whipped coconut body butter and the head to toe moisturizing balm!! This stuff is so great!!
Beth says
mandarin orange chicken is a must at our house!! we buy 3 bags a visit. They risotto with asparagus is another fav. The bacon cheddar ranch dip is a must along with the pita chips or crackers. too many yummy things to mention. But top it all off with the maple leaf cookies and you have had a good day. 🙂
Pam says
Dried orange slices! Delicious
Joan Smith says
Israeli sheep’s milk feta, unlike any other, especially at that price, and it lasts a long time in the refrigerator. White bean hummus. Frozen gnocchi in cheese sauce – it’s been a while since I bought it and I forgot what kind of cheese, but it heats quickly in a skillet, perfect with sliced zucchini sauteed in the same pan first. Thanks for this article!
Jill says
My dogs and cat will tell you never to pass up TJ Salmon Jerky for dogs…..they love it so much……….and I love the ingredients, price and great texture for a jerky….not that dried stuff that they could choke on.
Jennifer Lovett says
I love almost everything at TJ’s! Unfortunately for me it’s a 2 hour drive but I take my cooler and stock up. I love their fresh produce and fruit. And my other favs are the Instant Coffee Packets. Already has cream and sugar in so great for travel. Love the coffee dark chocolates and the individual coconut oil packets. Also great for traveling. The seasonal gluten free pumpkin pancake mix is awesome! I wish I would have bought a dozen boxes to stock up. Love the tea tree shampoo and their little bottles of hand sanitizer. There’s so much there that I love but a lot on this list that I haven’t tried so I look forward to my next trip. Thanks for sharing!