Best Items to Try at Trader Joe’s Now
I think by now we should all understand the hype around Trader Joe’s. They are clean, friendly, have strong company culture(important), and to top it all off, their snacks are the bomb! We love Trader Joe’s for a lot of reasons, but you can’t beat all their great food at good prices. We’ve compiled some of our go-to items that seem to make it onto our grocery list every week. Stick with us, you won’t regret it.
1. Produce
Everyone grocery shops differently, but produce is a definite must from Trader Joe’s. You may think that specialty stores like Trader Joe’s are overpriced and not worth the hype, but we’ll be the first to tell you, it’s not like that at all. Buying your produce from Trader Joe’s is great if you’re on a budget because they ensure their prices are affordable. I don’t think it gets better than 16 cent bananas honestly. They offer a variety of organic produce and seasonal fruits and vegetables as well.
2. Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzel Thins.
Listen, these are a personal fan favorite that could not go unnoticed. You can usually find these bad boys with the snacks above the freezer section. I mean all we need to say is DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL THINS. Everything about these is perfect. Even your dark chocolate hater friends might be converted. Keep the bag in your freezer and grab one or two for your dessert or if you need a quick sweet treat. They’re life-changing.
3. Honey Allepo Sauce
This is a new fan favorite, and we cannot get enough. It’s already in our weekly dinner rotation. This is a great sauce for ANYTHING. Add it to a salad dressing or marinate some chicken or pork in it. Our favorite way is to marinate chicken thighs overnight. We throw it into the oven with a little more sauce halfway through. Throw it into some pita with a quick slaw and you’re good to go! It’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
4. Everything Croissant Rolls
We think that it’s always sandwich time. If you’re hosting a little get together or packing your lunch for work, these little croissant rolls with everything but the bagel are to die for. They are a great grab and go snack for mornings when you’re running late or perfect as a small sammy in-between work and class. We do find that Trader Joe’s bread gets moldy a bit quick. We recommend keeping your bread, tortillas, and wraps in the fridge or freezer. This way you won’t need to throw out half of your loaf in the middle of the week!
5. Jicama Wraps
These are a major life saver if you’re trying to cut carbs. We know how hard it can be when it comes to finding good food substitutes. These Jicama wraps has really hit the nail on the head with this one. These little wraps of goodness can be found in the refrigerated produce section next to the dips or fruits. They are a tad bigger than your traditional street taco and have a similar texture to a corn tortilla after being heated up in a pan. You won’t miss the carbs at all on taco Tuesday if these so show up.
6. Vegan Banana Bread
Big Fan! Within the last couple of years Trader Joe’s has introduced their premade bread loafs. And let me tell you we wouldn’t be a bigger fan of them. Our personal favorite is the Vegan Banana Bread. It’s not overly sweet and is perfect to heat up in the toaster oven before you leave for work or school. They even put large pieces of walnuts at the top to add a yummy crunch and texture. They also sell gluten free pumpkin bread and a gingerbread swirl. We love them all honestly.
7. Cauliflower Gnocchi
Another healthy favorite that everyone can’t get enough of. This product was so popular at one point that Trader Joe’s couldn’t keep in on the shelves. We love pasta, but sometimes we don’t want to be slowed down by the carbs. This is a great low carb and keto friendly product because it’s made from cauliflower! There has been a lot of buzz on how to make this because the package instructions don’t give the gnocchi their time to shine. Their a bit shy and need more time to open up and find themselves. We love them in the air fryer, so they get a nice crisp exterior with a fluffy interior (sometimes the pan makes them too soggy)! Top with your favorite sauce and you’ve got yourself the easiest weekday dinner ever.
8. Movie Theatre Popcorn
This is a great snack for those of you who are trying to be a bit healthier. Popcorn is a healthier alternative to chips while still getting that satisfying crunch. Trader Joe’s offers a good variety of popcorn flavors, but the classic movie theatre popcorn is our favorite because you have the opportunity to alter it each time you eat it. Spice it up with some chile and lime or throw your favorite seasoning salt on it. It’s also a decent low carb snack when you find yourself wanting something a bit more indulgent that your veggie tray.
9. Cornbread Crisps
Ugh we can’t say enough good things about these. These cornbread crisps are exactly what we want on a cold night eating a bowl of chili. These little bits of heaven are exactly what they sound like. Think of a pita chip but it tastes like cornbread. Tell me something better… I’ll wait.
10. 5 Seed Almond Bars
These little guys are delicious, festive, and packed with omega 3s! The 5 Seed Almond Bars are packed with flax, poppy, sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin seeds to give you 53mg EPA &DHA omega 3 fatty acids. These are also great for a quick grab and go snack in the mornings or as a pre-workout snack before you hit the weights.
We know we’re just hitting the tip of the iceberg with all of what Trader Joe’s has to offer, but these are our favorites. What are some of your must haves?
