Jen Russum

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Calling all Trader Joe’s shoppers!

I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for a while now. I need your help. What in the world should I buy at Trader Joe’s? I am not an avid TJ’s shopper, but I like to go there about once a month, just to add some variety to our usual groceries. 
Here’s what I like to get specifically from TJ’s:
But what else? I know there are gems from Joe’s that I don’t know about yet! Please share your best Trader Joe’s items below. If we all share our favorites, think about how much fun our next grocery shopping trip will be! I can’t wait to try your recommendations.

Comments

  1. We love …
    *Chicken Tikka Masala in the frozen section. It is better than the Indian Takeout we used to order and much cheaper!
    *Asiago Peppercorn bread for the best grilled cheese!
    *Trader Joe's Lite Kettle Corn – a delish snack for mama!
    I look forward to other responses! I could list off a gazillion things. 🙂 I especially love their toddler shopping carts. Sophie loves to help and it keeps her interested and out of trouble pushing the cart with my help!

  3. Frozen edamame – a great go-to snack when you're craving something salty.
    Honey roasted peanuts. Sounds generic, but theirs are the best.
    Honey wheat pretzel sticks. Dip them in peanut butter at snack time, oh my. Delightful.
    Pomegranate. They come already seeded in the fridge section. Great healthy snack on the go.
    Those are Carbonatto TJ staples!

  4. – brussel sprouts in the bag!
    – goat cheese!!!
    – their honey yogurt (nom)
    – their hummus
    – their pico de gallo
    – trader joes honey mustard pretzels
    – dried fruit

    – chocolate covered raisins and the cat cookies for people. yum.

  8. Oh my! I need a whole page, but here goes:
    -Organic yogurt (some of the best prices around)
    -Their ginormous cinnamon rolls in the fridge section (they come in a package of five and are so, so good)
    -Chicken Tikka Masala and Orange Chicken in the freezer section
    -Trader Joes Red Salsa…hands down our fav salsa
    -Spinach/Cranberry/Feta bagged salad: my fav salad
    -Honey pretzel sticks – my kids devour these
    -Cheddar popcorn ($1.99 for a HUGE bag…just like Pirate's booty)
    -Multi-grain French Toast (for the kiddies in the morn)
    -When I want a gluten treat, I love their pesto/mozz/tomato flatbread (in the freezer section)…I can eat the whole thing by myself
    – Pesto (in the fridge section)
    – Trader Joes Coffee (their "Cuppa Joe" one)
    – Any of their cheeses!!
    -They have great stuffed chicken, or stuffed flank steak; we do that when it's a busy week.
    – Their boxed soups are awesome: we love their roasted pepper and tomato soup

    I could go on, but that's my list for now! We do 90% of our shopping there since we live two blocks away!

  9. Where to start?!

    1. Love trying new things in the frozen section current favs are the mozzarella sticks, French onion soup, and coconut shrimp.
    2. Dipping sauces (gyoza and their spicy chili)
    3. Best taco seasoning without a whine bunch if crap in it!
    4. Cocobon and babble wine
    5. Greek olive medley in the refrigerated section
    6. Naan bread with their packaged or frozen Indian food
    7. For the kiddos: yogurt, freeze dried fruit, joes o's, fruit leather, white cheddar popcorn, apple straws
    8. Love their frozen pizzas!
    9. Prewash end broccoli, cauliflower, etc
    10. Hummus and their little rice crackers
    11. Brie!!
    12. Edamame
    13. Herb fresh salad greens w goat cheese, candied walnuts, pears and their poppyseed dressing.
    14. Espresso pillows for a little pick me up

    I could keep going 🙂

    {Kendra}

  10. Ezekiel tortillas! They are whole grain and make great wraps! ( they do spoil quick so I keep em in the freezer) I love the edemame too!

  12. So people here are all intelligent and telling you to get the frozen edamame. Check.

    Next to it there are normally the pork buns. They come in a pack of four, and are a fun addition to your Asian meal.

    The frozen Chicken Chow Mien is delicious!!! But buy at least two bags because you have a tall husband, and I can eat one of those all by my lonesome.

    They have a frozen bell pepper medley that is great to add to any dish. Cheaper and easier than buying the fresh kind.

    Their rice in the frozen section is good, and even better with their teriyaki chicken. (Side note: always try their samples. We've figured out a couple of really great things we like just from trying stuff there)

    There is a white wine called Blue Fin, and its the version that starts with a V (it's in the "other white wines" section). It's my favorite, and just a few bucks.

    I look forward to trying their Mexican beer 'Trader Jose's' because I think that's a hilarious name.

  13. I am the same way…always looking for new things there and what people love! I love these lists!

    -Crunchy/regular cookie butter
    -Salsa
    -Pizza dough (by the produce in a plastic bag)
    -Greek yogurt
    -Salted almonds
    -Pita chips

    SO much more! Can't wait to see what you get!

  14. I went to Trader Joe's for the FIRST time yesterday and was both surprised and disappointed. Disappointed only in the sense of size, as the "hype" around its opening last year was ridiculous in the Dallas and Fort Worth area. I was expecting a much larger space. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the prices. Here is what I picked up on my first adventure at TJ's:

    bottle of moscato and cabernett
    EVOO
    smoked paprika
    16oz cans of crab meat (what a deal)
    3-4oz wedges of Manchego cheese (sheep's milk)
    frozen hashbrowns

    I hear people talking about TJ's pizza dough but I didn't see any yesterday. Is it frozen? Freshly made? Packaged? If it's milk-free, I'd love to try it sometime.

    TJ's isn't a place I will frequently visit because it is not conveniently located to my house, but I will go there again for specialty items and get out of the country. =)

  15. We are obsessed with the cinnamon rolls in a can, refrigerated section – wayyy better than Pillsbury.

    Nick, last night, sung an ode to their hummus (the one with olive oil/pine nuts on top), and baby carrots.

    No.1 treat is the dark chocolate-covered, sea salt almonds.

    Penne Arrabiatta pasta was my go-to in law school (frozen, bagged) – get 2; Nick can do a whole one on his own and if I'm hungry, so can I.

    Wheat Pizza Dough – in a plastic bag, refrigerated section; ask if you don't see it.

    TJ brand sweet potato fries

    Sadly, I have never been overly thrilled with much of their produce, though maybe that is just in D.C. 🙁

  16. I could go on and on…

    +for a sweet treat: their cookie butter
    +any and all of their hummus. the chipotle is super tasty.
    +black forest ham and cheese croissants in the frozen section.
    +chicken taquitos in the frozen section
    +olive oil and spices popcorn.
    +chocolate chip cookie dunkers
    +salsa verde
    +any of their pasta sauces

    I love trader joe's because they have crazy good food for very reasonable prices…I don't have a TJ's that is close to me…so I usually buy two of everything to hold us over till the next visit! 🙂

  18. I love Trader Joe's (and I really love the prices….very reasonable)! I picked up the Creamy Cookie Butter last week and it is fabulous. Their cinnamon rolls are great and so are their juices (I always find good…healthy….options for my 1.5 year old). I also love the selection of natural shampoos and such and the cleaning products. Once we get more freezer space I'm hoping to try out some of the frozen options….they all look so good.