What to Buy at Trader Joe’s
We’re big-time TJ’s fans. Like, big time. And, with our Trader Joe’s superfan status, we like to consider ourselves a bit of an expert on what to buy there. But, if there’s anything we’ve learned since the site started, sharing is caring. And the best thing to share, when it comes to food, is what’s good! So, in order to compile the ultimate list of what to buy at Trader Joe’s, we put our fit foodie heads together and then reached out to you on social media for your favorite things to buy there. The result is pretty epic …
What to Buy at Trader Joe’s: 39 Items
- Organic arugula
- Organic chopped kale
- Beets
- Smoked salmon
- Nuts of any and all kinds, but especially the single-serving packages of almonds
- Nut butters, also of all kinds!
- Creamy Polenta With Spinach and Carrots
- Popcorn (really, any kind of it)
- Trader Joe’s Cilantro & Chive Yogurt Dip
- Veggie & Flaxseed Chips
- Sweet Basil Pesto Sausage
- Young, fresh turkey at Thanksgiving
- Coconut oil
- Coconut oil spray
- Almond Meal
- Balsamic vinegar
- Dark chocolate — all of them
- 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
- Canned beans (no additives or other ingredients!)
- Brussels sprouts
- Balsamic glaze
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Goat cheese
- Spelt Risotto
- Frozen Brown Rice
- Light coconut milk
- Wine (all of the wine, but especially this wine)
- Arrabbiata sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Pomegranate White Tea
- Seafood Medley
- Steamed Lentils
- Mahi Mahi
- Greek yogurt
- Almond milk
- Hearts of palm (in the jar)
- Organic Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup
- Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds
- Frozen naan
In a nutshell, you can’t go wrong with really anything from TJ’s in these areas: oil, vinegars, cheese, nuts/seeds and liquor. Seriously.
What would you add to our What to Buy at Trader Joe’s list? Oh, and I’ve heard the one thing NOT to buy is the Cookie Butter. But not because it’s not amazing — because it’s super addictive and hard to not eat the whole jar in one sitting! —Jenn
Comments
You listed smoked salmon twice (#4 and #22) – on purpose? Or Freudian? Never tried theirs before but will definitely try it now. I’m addicted to their dark choco peanut butter cups – luckily, they sell them in individual packs now (instead of just a big tub). It’s still quite an exercise in self-control! On the healthier side: I really like their frozen berry options – Very Cherry especially.
Smoked salmon on the list twice
Oh my gosh, how embarrassing! I do REALLY like their smoked salmon! Updated … hard-boiled eggs now make the list! 🙂
—Jenn
Cilantro-Jalapeño Hummus, Chicken in Coconuut-Red Curry Sauce.
Besides their dark chocolate, I love their TJ brand of cocoa too. Not too expensive for a large tin and tastes great.
Yes! That’s a good one, Deb!
—Jenn
We don’t have a Trader Joe’s where we live 🙁 I wish we did….
COOKIE BUTTER!!!! My weakness! I love it on celery the most and its so good melted with pretzel sticks to dip… yummy!
sun-dried tomatoes
Another fantastic item is the egg white salad. Barely any carbs, low fat, high protein.
Great for a quick lunch or snack!
TJs dark chocolate honey mints, only 3 ingredients!!! Tamales when they’re in season, TJs peanut butter, coconut body butter, uncured bacon, coffee of any kind.
Must haves are pre-cooked brown rice, quinoa pesto, any of the quick cook grains: farro, barley, and so many more! I love TJs !!!
Trader Joe’s is one of only a few places to get Jamaican Ginger Beer..
Dried mangos- one type of their tried mangos has no added sugar, just mangos
Ghee (clarified butter)- great if your on a paleo-type diet
Spices- they have high-quality spices for much cheaper than other stores
Unsweetened apple sauce- low price and only contains apples, no extra sugar or preservatives
Organic frozen veggies- much cheaper than Whole Foods and other stores
Almost all of these are in my cart on a monthly (if not weekly) basis!
I don’t buy much canned tuna…but when I do I get it from Trader Joe’s as it does not have soy added to it. Most can’s of tuna if you look has added soy.
Any of their fish. Trader Joe’s came in third for sustainable fishing practices. So you can feel good about buying their fish.
You missed so many good things!
Cilantro & Jalapeno Hummus
Scallion Pancakes
Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons
spinach & artichoke dip
flatbread pizza with ham, caramelized onions & gruyere
frozen haricot verts
evoo — cheap & great!!
Jarred beets in vinegrette delicious.
Maitre Pierre Tarte D’Alsace, basically a flatbread with ham, onion and Gruyere cheese. High in calories, but man is it delicious!
Interesting: a grocery store where no fresh produce is mentioned as typically attractive, except, maybe, beets.
Any of their chicken salads
Peppermint JoJos! Have a box stashed in the freezer. Chocolate covered candied ginger, Graham crackers.
Unexpected Cheddar. (Unexpectedly amazing).
The light guacamole is so yummy!
Canned turkey chilli is great. Ahi tuna when available
Grapes, raspberries, strawberries…any fresh produce really.
We love their frozen Orange Chicken, Pasta Arabiata, Broccoli Beef (for easy meals on busy nights)
Also less healthy but equally delicious (and more healthy than most other brands) pepperoni and pizza sauce. Yum.
I really love the Trader Joe’s Indian Fare – specifically the Madras Lentil. Goes great with the frozen naan bread!
Thank you for these suggestions. We don’t have this store where I live, and when my sister took me there in Indianapolis, I was too overwhelmed to know what to buy.
P.S. I received several packets of smoked salmon for Christmas. What do you do with it?
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