My Favorite Things from Trader Joe's
I lived in North Dallas/Plano, Texas from 1989-1995. Upon moving back in 2017, I was introduced to Trader Joe’s in McKinney, Texas. I couldn’t even fathom what made Trader Joe’s so unique until I walked through the doors myself. Wowee, I was hooked on the delicious, high-quality, creative, and custom foods they created and imported from all over the world. I try to put people on to new goodies they carry from time-to-time, but only after I’ve stocked up; haha. I don’t gatekeep.
I’ve listed my faves below that I buy regularly, as I enjoy watching people unpack their TJ’s hauls on socials. Tell me in the comments below: What are you Trader Joe’s faves?
TANGERINE CREAM BARS
While these are also available in mango—which I prefer in sorbet—tangerine is superior. The secret to enjoying these to the max is to let them sit in the wrapper, out of the freezer, for 5-7 minutes to allow them to be a bit juicier and less solid. Save me a box!
PORK GYOZA POTSTICKERS
An easy appetizer or main dish, these pot stickers trump the dumplings in my opinion. I use a double-boiler pot and steam them to perfection. Serve with a side of gyoza sauce and you just can’t beat it.
GYOZA DIPPING SAUCE
One of the best sauces I’ve ever tasted, I use it for dipping potstickers, dumplings, and drizzle it over steamed edamame with sea salt for a great substitution for popcorn on movie nights.
SWEET CHILI SAUCE
Perfect served aside egg rolls or spanakopita for dipping, this Sweet Chili Sauce is better than any other I’ve tried; a pantry must-have.
SPANAKOPITA
I love to make a platter of this flaky Spanakopita with a side of the aforementioned Sweet Chili Sauce, and a tray of Fig & Olive Crisps topped with Goat Cheese, Pumpkin Butter, and Microgreens. A warm app with a cold app, both scratching the sweet-and-savory itch and look as though you’ve put forth a lot of effort..
FIG & OLIVE CRISPS
The right amount of sweet, crunchy, savory, and texture, they’re good every.single.time. I like to eat these with herbed goat cheese and top with pumpkin butter or fig preserves and microgreens.
It’s legit the perfect hors d’eouvre.
MINI SHEET CAKES
Flavors such as pumpkin spice and strawberry are typically seasonal, but you can always find dark chocolate ganache and vanilla bean on the shelf. Small enough for a family dinner, a host/hostess gift, or a bathtub night, these hit time and again.
ROASTED TOMATO & PARMESAN FOCACCIA BREAD
I love to make my own focaccia, but Trader Joe’s focaccia is perfection. I warm it in the toaster oven, and fresh rosemary on top, and serve with a side of spicy marinara sauce for dipping.
PINK LADY APPLE CHIPS
You’ll need more than a few bags of these sensational chips. Dusted with cinnamon sugar, they’re great for road trips, picnics, airplane snacks, sitting in a kayak on the river, and mid-day hunger pains.
CRISPY CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Baby cookies. Baaaby. About the size of a quarter, crunchy, baby chocolate chips, and perfectly crunchy, don’t shame yourself if you empty half of the tub without blinking; it happens.
ORGANIC PITTED MEDJOOL DATES
These can be hard to find in the store. If you head to the lettuce and bagged salad section, you’ll find them nearby, refrigerated, stacked on the shelf. I like to butterfly them, fill with herbed goat cheese, and drizzle with hot honey for the perfect healthy snack.
CAESAR SALAD DIP
Hear me out: Spread this dip on a spinach wrap, add a layer of thinly-sliced parmesan cheese, a layer of butter lettuce, and ground-up roasted chicken (in the food processor). Roll it up and slice into 1” pieces and voila! You have a yummy Chicken Caesar Salad “Sushi” Roll. Or just grab some romaine lettuce spears and dip, dip, dip.
ARTICHOKE & JALAPENO DIP
I’ve tried to make this a few times to no avail. I get close, for sure, but it’s never quite as good as ole TJ’s. I enjoy this dip with the fig and olive crips or my favorite cracker; Ritz Sweet Habanero Toasted Chips. Trust, it’s a bomb combo of flavor.
HALF MOON COOKIES
These may look like cookies and be named cookies, but they taste like a moon cake. They’re soft, dense, and nicely topped with dark fudge and white icing; one-of-a-kind decadence.
PENNE ARRABBIATA
My son’s favorite with its ever-so-spicy marinara sauce, this penne is bursting with flavor and ready in the skillet with just a little water added. Warm some fresh garlic bread and make a quick salad, done.
SPICY MISO INSTANT RAMEN SOUP
All right, now. Don’t hate on ramen. Ramen is the OG “I don’t feel like cooking” meal. This one has just enough spice to be flavorful but not painful (I’m a sissy with spice), while excluding tons of chemicals. I do toss the peanut oil packet because yuck, but it’s in there for ya; no judgment.
SWEET & SPICY RICE CRACKER MIX
Now listen, LISTEN…this is my favorite snack. Of all time. Ever. The GOAT. I will drive to every Trader Joe’s in the D/FW metro to find it if I have to because they are freakin’ deeelish. Some of them are sugared, some are coated in a savory sauce, some are spicy, and some are nicely sweet but not sugared. The combo of all of them together = an empty sack and happy tummy.
PLEASE SAVE ME A SACK, maybe two, if you decide to try them.
VILLA ITALIA ITALIAN BLOOD ORANGE SODA
As someone that doesn’t drink, I’m always on the hunt for a yummy beverage. Blood orange soda is a top winner in my book, second only to sparkling cider. It’s especially good jazzed up with fresh fruit or added to a cocktail if you partake. It makes a great punch when you add pineapple sherbet and ginger ale.
THREE CHEESE POMODORO PASTA SAUCE
One of the best combos of cheeses: Romano, Parmesan, and Asiago. Serving this sauce over ravioli or in between the layers of lasagna, as well as a dip for focaccia and keto breadsticks.
COOKIE BUTTER
Served on a tortilla with banana, stuffed inside a pitted date, drizzled on pancakes or waffles, mixed into frosting, or just spread on a salty cracker, cookie butter is a specific craving that can’t be substituted or satiated with anything else.
LEMON CURD
My favorite way to enjoy lemon curd is on a bagel with mascarpone; toast if you aren’t a bagel person. It’s also delish on a lightly toasted English muffin with the butter freshly melted.
If you’re a cookie lover, add a dollop to shortbread cookies!
HIGH HEAT AVOCADO OIL
The highest smoke point available in healthy cooking oils, TJ’s avocado oil is my go-to for sautéing, frying, searing, and boiling with pasta. Make sure you don’t purchase the cold-pressed as it’s only for cold dressings and cold sauces; not used with heat.
See my post on COOKING OILS for more information.
COCONUT OIL SPRAY
When baking, coconut oil spray is your bestie. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray, but I appreciate the flavor I get (or don’t for that matter) when using a coconut oil spray.
SWEET & SPICY PECANS
Chop these lovelies up and add them to your chicken or turkey salad, add to a charcuterie board, or snack on them solo with your fav mocktail. I can’t enjoy pecans often, but on the rare occasion that I do, these slay.
ORGANIC MICROGREENS
Growing your own microgreens is nice, but Trader Joe’s always has your back as they’re not easy to find elsewhere. The perfect topper for deviled eggs, hors d’oeuvres, Thanksgiving dressing, salads, and more.
They can go bad quickly, so I recommend rinsing, fully drying, placing on a clean towel or paper towel, wrapping, and storing in a glass container so as to control moisture.
HERBED GOAT CHEESE
I’ve tried many herbed goat cheeses, but TJ’s isn’t too strong on the herb side and is creamy and spreadable.
CHEESE-FILLED FIOCCHETTI WITH PINK SAUCE
At my house, we’ve shortened this to be named “Pink Pasta” because the pink sauce is sooo creamy. You feel like you’re out to dinner at a fine Italian restaurant, especially when you top it with fresh parmigiano reggiano and basil to elevate it even more.
PASTRAMI STYLE SMOKED ATLANTIC SALMON
If you’re a salmon lover, you’ll swoon over this smoked salmon. I’m not even going to spoil those first bites for you with my interpretation. Trust.
DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS
I first had these at my boyfriend’s parent’s house after dinner by the pool one evening. I’d never had a dark chocolate peanut butter cup, but the peanut butter is SO CREAMY and perfectly sweet; not like the odd texture of the name brand we all know. And don’t ask me why, but the ones in these individual sacks wrapped in gold taste better and have better texture than the ones in the clear containers.
SPICED CIDER
My Halloween fave, I use this cider for my Hot Buttered Cider recipe and my Apple Cider Caramels; it’s that good. Regular apple cider is yummy, but the spiced version really does taste like Fall in a cup.