My 10 Favorite Things From Trader Joe’s (Right Now)
I recently rediscovered the particular fun of a good, long shop at Trader Joe’s. I used to go regularly in my twenties (mostly for wine), but then I got married to a TJ’s die-hard who “swings by” the store pretty much every single day — therefore eliminating any reason for me to do so. But Trader Joe’s is an ever-changing wonderland, and I was thrilled to find some old favorites (still good! still well priced!), along with some spectacular new ones. Here are my current top 10…
Garlic Spread Dip. The first time I bought this, I made the mistake of buying only one. I had plans to try it on various dinner items (smeared on chicken breasts! dolloped on baked potatoes!). But, before I even started cooking, it was gone. I’m sure it would be great on all sorts of things, but I can tell you it’s DIVINE on a seedy cracker.
Mushroom Risotto. I love risotto, and before my daughter Margot was born, I loved hovering over the stove while it simmered, carefully adding broth and wine. But Margot doesn’t have time for all that fuss. TJ’s risotto takes five minutes, and the first time I made it I was almost annoyed by how good it was.
Rainbow’s End Trail Mix. For me, this is the only trail mix. I’ve yet to find another that nails the balance of salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy and tart quite so well. If they ever stop making this, I will simply stop eating trail mix. (Please, please, don’t ever stop!)
Soft & Juicy Mango. Everyone in my family has a pack of these dried mango slices in their backpacks. They last forever, take up no space, and are incredibly satisfying. I won’t take a car trip without them.
Jojoba Oil. I’m a major hand-cream aficionada. I could write a whole list of mega-fancy hand creams that help my dry skin, but for my cuticles? Not one works as well as this stuff. WOW. Did everyone know about jojoba oil? It’s like a Magic Eraser for the scraggly bits around your fingernails. I put on a couple drops once a day and it’s as if I don’t even have cuticles anymore?!
Vegetable Bird’s Nests. But back to food. Can we talk about veggie nests? They are so good, and so unsung! Every time I go to the store, I worry I will find them discontinued because everyone blows past them on their way to the dumplings. And I’ll grant you: on the box, they look like tangled wads of rubber bands. But they are the most flavorful, crispy-outside-chewy-inside, utterly scrumptious things, and they make our kitchen smell incredible. Put them in the oven before friends come over, and everyone will walk in asking, “Ooh, what are you making?”
Lavash bread. Lavash is a lunchbox hero, for both grown-ups and preschoolers. It’s softer and more malleable than pita, but much sturdier than sandwich bread, and it won’t go soggy if you stuff it with grilled vegetables or drizzle it with vinaigrette. It’s also conveniently perforated down the middle like a roll of paper towels — a feature I weirdly appreciate, because it means one less step when I’m making the aforementioned preschooler’s lunch at 7:22 a.m.
Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce. We have these in the cabinet at all times. They’re always a crowd-pleaser — but they are also a ME pleaser. When eating alone, I don’t bother with plating or heating up; I just open the can and grab a fork. [Here’s a recipe with them, too.]
Sous Vide Chicken Thighs. We all know TJ’s shines in the freezer aisle, but these refrigerated chicken thighs are officially my favorite product in the store. They’re SUPER juicy, and easily jazzed up with any sauce, but I personally like them best with zero embellishments. Heat them skin-side down on the stove, serve on a heap of sautéed greens, and you’ve got yourself a dinner party.
A Dozen Sweet Bites. Here’s another easy win for a dinner party. But in addition to being cute and elegant, they’re also really yummy. I recommend grabbing one from the freezer in your pajamas, when you need a treat before bed.
Now, please, will you tell me your own current faves? What have I missed?
P.S. Three TJ’s meal hacks and the best party snack of all time.
(Photo by Maria Manco/Stocksy.)
Tags: trader joes
Comments
138 commentsI had to rush between volunteering and an appointment today, so I threw some veggie bird’s nests in the air fryer. They are so darn good. And, yes, my house still smells amazing.
Those lavash wraps are really something else. My absolute FAVORITE from TJ’S!
Hi Jo & team! I wanted to let you know that when I click on blog posts, a loud ad video plays that I can neither find nor exit out of. Then when I scrolled down, an ad completely blocked most of the section of text on my phone. The ads are not normally like this so I thought you might like to know??
Thanks for letting us know, that is very annoying and shouldn’t be happening! We will look into it.
“I’m a major hand-cream aficionada. I could write a whole list of mega-fancy hand creams that help my dry skin…” Would LOVE a round-up for favorite hand creams! I swear I have tried, um, all of them and would love to learn what works for others.
The brown sugar oat milk creamer is my fave thing right now! I buy 4 at a time!
Every time I read something like this, touting Trader Joe’s products, I add to my running list of items to look at during my next trip. I have read the few negative comments…and I sympathize with those who have those experiences, but anecdotal evidence doesn’t make me change my mind. I especially sympathize with employees or former employees who have been subject to various issues, but it is impossible to read about any type of institution without running across negative information. I would rather focus on the positive stories and reviews!
Trader joes chose to team up with Amazon, Walmart, and SpaceX to make unionization harder for every American worker: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2025-03-20/nlrb-national-labor-relations-act Respectfully, there is plenty of non anecdotal evidence that demonstrates the lengths this company will go to, to prevent worker mobilization. While it’s not a perfect solution by any means, I prefer to shop at grocery stores with a union.
Have you had their veggie masala burgers?? We love them with goat cheese and a runny egg on a soft bun. If TJs still sells that gingery chutney, that’s also amazing on them! I also always get pecans and dried cherries while I’m there. And peanut butter cups, obvs.
The mini strawberry sheet cake was absolutely amazing. And the banana pudding ice cream is delightful. So bummed they are a once a year treat.
I came here to say this, I cannot stop eating or recommending this!
A few reasons why I would make my bank account cry (Trader Joe’s edition) -Their flowers (because the price and it’s giving “handpicked straight from your grandma’s garden minus all the tears over an attempted green thumb”). -Ivy’s reserve somerset red cheese MY GAWD. Someone kick me back into reality. -I don’t live near the ocean, so knowing that they have smoked canned oysters that are delicious with chili and lime has decreased my urgent desire for lexapro. -Because I am growing into a boring adult who realizes that maybe consuming red 40 is becoming more criminal than pleasure (I mean the skin was not skinning), their chili lime tortilla chips have become my safe haven and my sensitive face can live. -Smoked salmon man I am drooling. The one that has tips and bits or whatever it’s called?? Okay part of my last meal before I leave Earth. -The barista in me is always pleasantly outraged when I consume their cold brew coffee, because it is smoother than any I’ve had in cafes. Sue me. -Do not talk to me or even make a deal with me, unless you have a bag of dark chocolate peanut butter cups in your hands, bag yet to be ripped open. -Too many other things to name off and make up absurd descriptions for. But, I think everyone gets the gist! –
Coming back to comment a bit more since we went to TJs today and I was reminded. The frozen, Greek spanakopita and cheese spiral – I keep these stocked as a quick-ish snack for whoever needs it. Smoked trout! Tinned octopus/sardines/tuna. I found everything I needed today for a salad I want to make: artichoke hearts, burrata, olives, tomatoes, and I have arugula in my garden.
Love all these recs! I’m obsessed with so many of their items, but the one my husband and I are blown away by every time is their Chicken Mole in the frozen aisle. It is ridiculously good, and whenever we eat it, we agree that we would spend $30+ for it at a restaurant. I usually wrap it in a little flour tortilla and add avocado, vegan sour cream (VioLife), and a squeeze of lime. We often have it with rice on the side, (plain white or TJs frozen Spanish rice). Obviously, we are taking our own fusion liberties with it – but you really can’t go wrong no matter how you serve it. Also, their Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers are one of the best candies I’ve ever had.
I just went there to get the beans and the garlic dip, thank you haha. Got home and dipped a trail mix cracker (wow) into the garlic dip. Will go back and read comments for garlic dip ideas! Yeah. TJ’s has become an almost weekly date for me and my teenage daughter. It’s a simple joy!
Haha we went today too!
tj palkak paneer. omg rocks. pls never stop making it
I love TJ. My favorites are hands down their Olive Fougasse which belongs in its own food group, the soup dumplings, steel cut oatmeal in the freezer section, croissant also freezer section and although I personally do not eat it, their dog treats. My little chihuahua man is a very fussy eater but he lives for their chicken chips which I have renamed chicken crack because he can’t seem to get enough of them and he also loves their Sunday brunch treats, chicken jerky and freeze dried chicken as well. We definitely are TJ fans.
Bought birds nests and the beans yesterday!
Pictures of the items you list would be helpful…
oh figure it out….
we linked to each one for this reason, hope that helps!
I have not read through all the comments but I just want to let you know that I volunteer at a citizen’s assistance program that gives out fresh produce and prepared food to the homeless and others in need every day. The main store that donates food is TJ’s. I see food coming in daily from TJ’s and I know that other grocery stores would rather throw good food into the dumpsters and lock them. Of course, they get a tax break for doing this but if you could see the many people coming through who really need help- well, all I can say is thank you TJ’s because you have made a positive difference!
That is so good to know about, thank you. Helps balance out some of the negatives.
It’s so fun to look through all of these! Favorites from TJs: their cheese selection; chocolate covered espresso beans; frozen sweet potato gnocchi; flowers; hand sanitizer spray; almond butter pretzels; and in my opinion, they have the best ingredients for a homemade pizza night!!!
The Brooklyn babka is so amazing. If I go there I end up buying 2 and put 1 in the freezer.
Love it all but bread and wine and cheese mostly.
girl, i see you with your beans.
hahahahahahah
I was just fired from TJs after a truly miserable year and let me tell you their work culture is… a problem. I will restrict my comments to: no one in the organisation knows or cares about food safety. There are literally NO food safety rules. I’m surprised they haven’t made someone seriously ill. And yes, everyone is sleeping together.
My husband and I both got food poisoning from Trader Joe’s — him from refrigorated ravioli, me from frozen burritos. I’m now very particular about what I will buy from there, and it tends to be shelf stable. So, yeah. I’m sorry you had such a crap experience. We need to do a MUCH BETTER job compensating and supporting all workers in this country.
Hi Kelsey; Who is in that adorable pic? Made my heart melt! Great ideas. Love your posts. Great job! Thank you, Stacie Gail
Burrata, penne for a buck, spices are cheap, fresh mozzarella, pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheap bananas, excellent flowers, pound plus chocolate bars, the tri-color assortment of carrots, jarred artichokes, plants, beauty products, small chocolate sheet cakes, etc
Wonderful! I’m saving this for next time I go! Thx! Stacie
Spices are iffy. Could contain heavy metals. Look it up! I only buy Frontier and Simply Organic right now.
Their goop-dupe sunscreen!
It’s truly a perfect product. The best clear sunscreen around!
Well, tj on Masonic in sf is currently sold out of the birds nests! The strawberry rhubarb mini pies are delightful!
I love TJs so much I’m not sure where to start, but the pre-seasoned shawarma chicken (fridge aisle) was our quick/easy dinner last night when I had to work late. Highly recommend! TJs workers have noticed when I get a haircut before my family. I know everything is wrapped in plastic, but I keep going for the customer service which is unbeatable. I love these posts! Would you ever consider a similar post about Costco finds? I always like to hear about people’s favorites :). (I realize that sounds like the MOST MIDDLE-AGE REQUEST EVER, lol)
I second the Costco finds request! I know we have a few
We had the shawarma chicken last night for dinner as well. One of our favorites when time is limited. My family loves it!
I would love this too but our Costco in Utah is WILDLY different from my parents’ in California in terms of what products are sold. It must vary based on demographics, etc.
Hot & spicy chicken wings /Mac & cheese/frozen broccoli. Just throw all in the oven at the same time for 30 minutes. Or spread garlic naan with pizza sauce.top with mozzarella cheese. Throw in oven for 10 minutes.
Pumpkin muffin mix, 10/10
We love their refrigerated edamame and the lentils – so easy to make salads with those. Their jar of little capers are my favorites and so are their jars of sliced sun dried tomatoes. I was having a particularly bad day this past year (my 18 year old recently diagnosed with a brain tumor, my 22 year old possibly failing out of college for mental health reasons, and my alcoholic sibling relapsing as they struggle with military service caused PTSD and almost certainly CTE, etc. etc.) and some of that fell out of my mouth when the Trader Joe’s cashier asked my how I was doing. He listened kindly, stepped away for a moment, came back with a bouquet of flowers for me to take home and wished me better days. I sobbed when I got home, because that little bit of kindness helped me so much.
oh, Cris, that is really beautiful. I’m so sorry for everything that’s happening right now; sending so much love and strength to you and your sweet kids and sibling. xoxo
Good Lord, Chris, sounds like you’re dealing with more than your fair share right now. Hoping your load lightens SOON and things move in a positive direction…….keeping a prayer in my heart for you.
Such a simple act of kindness can matter so much. Thank you so much for sharing this story, it brightened my day. I hope things are looking better for you and your family by now, that all sounds so hard.
I’m sending all the love and prayers, Cris. I wish there was a post box or something so I could send you some flowers and a care package. Xx.
This year has been heavy for me, too. My heart goes out to you. Sending you another bouquet — cultivate joy where you can.
TJs are great listeners. One time they noticed my smile and asked why? Oh, it’s my birthday and I love being in San Diego for the month. The fellow also disappeared and then brought me a small birthday bouquet for the occasion.
That sounds incredibly hard and I wish I could give you all the flowers. I’ve been the recipient of a TJs bouquet before, though for a very different reason. A girl who was about seven was with her grandparents in the store and was having a very loud, difficult time and did not want to go past just inside the entrance. If I had to guess, I would say she had autism. I went over to keep the girl safe, have the grandparents some words of encouragement, and told them that if they felt comfortable, I’d stay with her right there while they got what they needed. Turns out the grandma just needed a couple things, and she grabbed those while the grandpa grabbed the car, and I stayed with the girl. I wasn’t sure if I was overstepping, so to have the employee thank me with flowers was so affirming.
Hugs of compassion & support…
After 7 long years of living 2 hours from the nearest trader joes, we’re moving to a city with a TJ’s next month! I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make it on our pros/cons list!
Would Kelsey consider a post on preschool packed lunches? My kid is starting pre-K3 this fall and I would love some inspo. (Will add lavash to my TJ’s shopping list!)
I’ll ask her! xo
Seconding this!!
My preschool lunch tip is to buy plastic containers that have multiple compartments in them — this allows you to pack a mix of things for lunch without DIFFERENT THINGS TOUCHING, YUCK, but also without having to keep track of a lot of small containers with individual lids. And keep the lunch containers separate from the rest of your food storage stuff so that you don’t have to hunt for it during the morning scramble.
yes would be great!
The frozen waffles are so good . The orange chicken 🔥.
Every time I read a Trader Joe post I have food envy. We don’t have Tracer Joe in England and I always feel like I am missing out big time. Enjoy your treats. X
I’m an English ex Trader Joe’s employee and it’s not that great, ha ha, and NOTHING on M&S ;)
Meanwhile I’m in Canada wishing we still had M&S here! The grass is always greener : )
@Helena, the saddest part of Brexit for me was no more M&S outlets in the train stations in continental Europe! The BEST takeaway train snacks and little foodie gifts ever!
– Dark chocolate peanut butter cups – my fave and they helped me lose weight. LOL! I know that sounds misleading but hear me out! When I was working hard to get to my goal weight, I had two of those cups at the end of each day to look forward to – and it kept me from straying to other snacks & treats. – Their bagged salad mixes last longer than the regular grocery store and are less expensive. – I love the Unexpected Cheddar. – Cacio e Pepe puffs are sophisticated cheez doodles! – My 21 year old son is addicted to the chili lime taki roll ups. And the buffalo chicken poppers. And the mini ice cream cones. – Their truffle brownie mix and blondie mix always hits.
My summer discovery is the jalapeño artichoke dip with the strawberry jalapeño crisps. It is an amazing combo!
I always love a TJ’s post. This one is bittersweet to me – our Trader Joe’s here in Chapel Hill, NC was flooded on Sunday night due to flash flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal. TJ’s, plus more than a dozen additional {mostly small, local] businesses were ruined. Many stores/businesses lost everything. The worst is that one TJ’s employee lost their mother in the flooding :( I have lived here almost 20 years and that area has flooded before, but never to this extent.
Sending love to you and your community – I went to grad school in Chapel Hill and my family lives in Aberdeen, which was also hard hit <3
Yes, Trader Joe’s makes it so easy for us. Love the veggie meatballs,dips. Indian veg burgers, pork gyoza in soups great spice chilli crunch amazing on just any toppings,gelato style pistachio great in this hot weather 💓
The frozen naan bread is a staple in our household, both the plain and garlic. We toast it up a few times a week to go with curries, soups, etc, and our kids love it (it’s the only part of the meal they reliably eat). My (10/10 extrovert) husband does our shopping at TJ’s every Friday and has established relationships with all of the employees. I joined him with our newborn a week after she was born and felt like the mayor’s wife. One employee handed me a bouquet of flowers (which I had read about on COJ) and it was a real Kelly Clarkson A Moment Like This feeling. We love you, TJs.
oh my gosh, sob, Rachel!
Boo hoo, wish we had Trader Joes in Australia. Our supermarkets are all relatively expensive and extremely uninspiring:(
I second that! Unfortunately.
Yes to the veggie nests! Do not sleep on these! they are amazing and the sauce is so good recently cooked for a party and everyone was asking about it. And the Frozen Kimbap is a great easy lunch I like it with kimchi & ponzu sauce I also always grab a jar of their Salsa Verde not as a salsa for chips but for cooking – I use it for enchiladas verde and mix it in with guac or in a white chicken chili Also the lime tortilla chips are the best tortilla chips with their refridgerated salsas I’ll definitely do some reading but in my area the attitude pf all the employees at TJs is vastly different than any other grocery store they actually seem happy and employees stay for a long time. I live in NJ where employees do not fake happiness I have literally heard employees at other stores talk about how much they hate their jobs Obviously this is the only factor but it does make me wonder
My husband is an Asst manager at TJ’s (not in NJ) and does a lot of hiring. I would say they actively seek this out in candidates and really try to foster that atmosphere. All jobs have ups and downs but if a company starts with the culture of friendliness it really does make a difference in the service. I think one of the things that makes this work authentically is that it stems from the managers: Work hard, be yourself, treat people well.
Vicki, you’re not talking about the Westwood store, are you? That’s where I shop and everyone there is terrific.
I love TJ’s and it is the main place my family shops because of its affordability, but I have to push back a bit against employee happiness. My spouse worked there for 10+ years, went down to 3 days per week during the pandemic because he was doing school from home with our kids and TJs let him keep our health insurance with reduced hours. A couple months later, they dropped us from our insurance because his management failed to tell him that he needed to work 40 hours again. This is anecdotal, sure, but at least 5 other parents at his store lost their health insurance for the same reason. They are also major union busters. Their managers are required to work at least 50+ hours per week.
The trail mix crackers soooo good. Once I’ve devoured all the crackers—which go quite well with their manchego may I add—I sprinkle the remaining crumbs and seeds on my salads. I also like to spoon heaps of the garlic dip onto their frozen spinach as I heat it up in the pan. And for a low alcohol, slightly fizzy and very affordable summer wine, I recommend Espiral vinho verde. Cheers!
Second the vinho verde!
Ohhhh garlic dip + frozen spinach. I must add that dip to my list. I never look at them thinking they aren’t vegan and I don’t LOVE frozen spinach so this could be a win all around. Thanks for the idea.
My husband loves their frozen Palak Paneer. I am Indian and make it at home. But still this is a good option to have for lazy nights and tastes better and lot cheaper than restaraunt palak paneer.
You’re so right about the garlic spread! It’s good on everything. But you have to try the brownie ice cream sandwiches with mocha ice cream. YUM!!!
You don’t need to overthink shopping at Trader Joe’s! The moral and ethical stance is to never cross a picket line when workers are on strike and to follow any worker-led boycotts, but if those things aren’t going on, don’t worry about it! You can’t ethically shop your way to a better world, and that’s a very limiting form of political action. Support worker organizing, stong environmental regulations, and corporate taxes, but get involved in the public sphere. Corporations love the idea of ethical consumption because it keeps people from actually doing the work that would curtail their power.
Thank you for this perspective Kate. I really appreciate the insight.
good points!
Babes, the world has gone to shit, but I’ve found that a TJ’s Japanese cheesecake for breakfast every morning grants the strength to carry on.
*scribbles notes: Japanese cheesecake. breakfast. Trader Joe’s. Morale food.*
scribbles note… must try TJ Japanese Cheesecake :)
We were just talking about Trader Joe’s at dinner last night. Have I ever been? No. Do we have them where I live? No. But on CoJ it sounds so so good I’m desperate to go. I sometimes pretend I am there when in Aldi or buying Coles flowers. Our topic of conversation was which American chain would we love to go to. And I said TJ, one kid said Wing Stop (?) or was it Raise n Canes (??) and we wanted to know that place that has breakfast all day and pancakes. Plus chucky cheese if that is still a place, they go on Young Sheldon. Which lead to our next topic – which tv show meal/a would you recreate? Young Sheldon meatloaf, vegetables, man n cheese side and those scone (biscuits) or Meemaw’s brisket, ET pizza night and m&ms, pretty much any Christmas meal (honey ham from Christmas with the kranks) except that one on Christmas Vacation.
Wing Stop and Raising Canes has me laughing. Denny’s is a 24/7 breakfast chain with pancakes all day! Or join us in the south at a Waffle House for waffles all day :)
Re boycotts as a form of protest. I will never argue with anyone who chooses not to shop somewhere for ethical reasons. Never. I’m proud of you for living by your own ethical and moral standards. I also will never judge someone for having differnt ethical standards, or ways to live by them, than I do. For example, I stopped shopping at target. I won’t go back. I grew up in a family that boycotted Coors and a bunch of other companies for being non union. We stopped buying Hyundais for their practices. I don’t eat meat for ethical reasons, haven’t for more than 40 years. Won’t suppirt Hobby Lobby or Chick Filet. I don’t support patriarchal beauty standards by wearing fancy clothing or shoes or carrying expensive purses. Or wearing makeup. Or coloring my hair. I don’t do botox. I also don’t judge others for doing those things. I do still use Amazon. I can’t do a lot of shopping for health conditions reasons, and Amazon is actually a life saver for me. It also allows me some comfort on a preschool teachers salary. My carbon footprint, because of my small house and low income lifestyle is much smaller than many. And we visit out of state trader Joe’s once or twice a year and buy all the treats that make us happy. I’m not going to stop doing that. There is no perfect consumerism under capitalism. Judging each other doesn’t spread awareness, it invites criticism when probably we are all fighting the same fight, or at least trying to.
Heard and respected. Wishing you well in all ways..
I really appreciate your comment, Sasha in Montana. So well said.
Sadly, so very very sadly, we’ve no Trader Joe’s in Montana, the entire state. The closest are in Spokane (6 hrs) or SLC (6 hrs). Because we have family in Utah, we go a couple times a year, or they come here, and when we go we ALWAYS stop on our drive home. It’s a little embarrassing how much we buy. But we love getting ALL the treats we can’t just get normally. Tonight we broke out a couple freezer meals – tikka paneer for me, chicken tikka for husband. Dang, so good. We also love the sour scandi swimmers, cocoa truffles, milk chocolate pb cups, pb dippers (these chocolate cookie sticks you dip in pb), jingle jingle, the pink and white frosted shortbread cookies, balsamic reduction, matcha latte and chai latte mixes. I also am in love with the coconut body butter. And the giant chocolate bars. Ooh, and the noodles with sauce! And trail mix, it has the best m&ms.
With everything going on in the world somehow missed that TJs is also on the do not shop list, which is disappointing because it’s a bit more affordable than a lot of stores and has a few speciality items I like. But here to add the Cesar salad dip anyway, it is amazing on EVERYTHING lunchy– sandwiches, chopped veg, salmon and I don’t know how I didn’t discover it sooner. Guess I’m gonna have to learn how to make it!
The turkey patties and hashbrowns in the freezer section. Use the hashbrowns as the buns. Sprinkle some green goddess spice mix. And your veggies and spread. So goood!! Also, a bag of rosemary potatoes from the freezer section, sauté a full bag in a pan then add a whole tube of soyrizo. Add some greens if you’d like. It’s a yummy, quick hearty meal. But when I have zero time to cook, I love dumping a bag of lentils (from the fridge section) in a large bowl, dump a jar of the bruschetta and mix it all up. Sprinkle it with feta and scoop with chips of your choice. Yummy, filling, and quick.
BRILLIANT! Thanks for this protip!
Perhaps before exclaiming that TJs has awful working conditions and employment practices, maybe try asking the people that work there what they think. They generally have really positive things to share, IME. All these people fuming up about this or that problematic thing, based entirely off of hearsay and a couple of exposé style pieces online. Anywho, my faves are Scandinavian Swimmers, 10 min farro, carrot juice, frozen pain au chocolat, and the amazing affordable cheese selection.
I was just reading that tj’s is in the top 3 companies to work for in the country!
This is so funny to me. As someone whose husband and daughter work at Trader Joe’s, I can say that they are treated so much better thant I was at my corporate professional job (and making so much more money). That’s true that they don’t wan to unionize – and I am generally very pro-union – but they pay a really good starting wage and then to offset the union, added an extra $10 per hour on top of every employees hourly wage on Sundays and holidays. They also have far better benefits – I had zero at my corporate job. Every company has issues but my 18 year old is making $30 an hour on Sundays and holidays for her college job there -so it’s a little hard to see it as a negative.
not sure if these have been mentioned yet, but their tiny little ice cream cones are the best thing to pull out at the end of a dinner party. or in the middle of the day.
Those little Cones are so great. Perfect for kids who want dessert or for adults when they just need a little ice cream fix!
For those of us in Canada, without access to Trader Joe’s, here are some delicious finds I’ve had lately: the President’s Choice Basque Cheesecake, the Presidents Choice Dark Sweet Frozen Cherries (I have them with plain yogurt and a bit of dark chocolate), and also Ikea has amazing frozen shredded potato pancakes that are very quick to heat up!
I love their straciatella and butternut squash ravioli. That said, I’ve drastically reduced my shopping at TJs over the years. A lot of their food is ultra processed but packaged with better marketing. Their fruits and veggies have no taste and are excessively packaged in plastic. I now subscribe to my local farm share and it’s fresher, tastier, and about the same price.
The dill pickle chips are SO good. I don’t even like pickles, but I can eat a whole bag of these chips in one sitting. I think they are a summer only item!
I’m from Canada so don’t have access to a trader Joes but I did go to one this spring in Scottsdale when I visited. I loved the Chocolate covered almonds with coconut, their everything bagels with cream cheese, the piquant popcorn with nutritional yeast and their unexpected cheddar. All so delicious!!! If I was a local I’d definitely have purchased something from the flower department or a basil plant. And I’d also grab a reusable grocery bag or two:)
I haven’t seen anyone mention them so I just want to put a plug in for the *grilled* marinated artichoke hearts. They sell them for four times as much at Eataly and they’re such a delight. If, like me, you need a little incentive to look forward to eating a salad, these are the ticket.
I will look for these next time. thanks!
I ❤️ this post.
Canadian, so not crossing the border for the foreseeable future. But we used to duck across the line regularly to stock up on the dark chocolate PB cups, marcona almonds, pine nuts (soooo much cheaper than anything up here), unexpected cheddar, and the cheddar & gruyere melange cheese – *the best* for gougères. I didn’t know about their union-busting activities, so I’m not sure now if I will be going back even when crossing the border feels feasible again.
My city has a TJ’s, but it has never been a favorite grocery store–that would be HEB. My heart is with the flood victims and their families. Most people in central Texas (where I’ve lived my whole life) know women who grew up going to Camp Mystic. I’m so sad for all the trauma and loss.
I sent the New Yorker a Shouts & Murmurs piece I called “These Trader Joe’s Hacks Are Magic” that used actual TJ’s ingredients as historically-accurate step-by-step spell components to curse people, create golems, summon demons, and so on, and I remain SALTY and SHOCKED that they didn’t want it.
outrageous!!
I LOVE THIS!! Their loss!! Hope you can share somewhere else (send to Joanna????)
How dare they. I’m sure you thought of this but maybe McSweeneys? I would love to read this!!
Obviously trader joe’s is problematic (plastic, produce, etc). But EVERYTHING IS PROBLEMATIC and trader joe’s is one of the most consistent joys of my life in a terrible world. I do not care, I refuse to give it up. Mostly because the people who work there are HUMAN and NICE and have good health insurance, i’ve asked. Stuff: recycled toilet paper, peanut butter, three packs of 70% chocolate bars, frozen baigan bharta (sorry to butcher spelling) with precooked lentils added, smoked trout, unexpected cheddar sausages,lilies last forever, bag of green anjou pears, omgggg the chipwich ice cream sandwiches , teeny tiny avocado bags, brioche hot dog buns, the potato masala veggie burgers (with an egg on top for a slightly hungover morning), salted peanut chocolate kind bar knockoffs, ok i am now just writing my grocery list. the bargain tomato sauce is like 1.99 and delicious!!!
Thank you, thank you! YES, everything is problematic if you want to granular on companies! And in the great spectrum, TJs is pretty dang good! LOVE hearing of people’s FAVE items as this place is a gem and I’m grateful to be in CA and near 3 of them every single day!
I’m a Trader Joe’s employee and we have the BEST insurance. Most of my coworkers and I realize the problems with the company though but the pay and benefits are good. I have better insurance then I did when I was a teacher.
Agree about TJs being a consistent joy in our horrible world! Our local TJs even connects with local food kitchens and donates soon-to-expire foods so they don’t get thrown away needlessly.
Their greeting cards are the best (frame worthy!) and so inexpensive. I buy 10-12 at a time (I only go once every couple months). And their ultra soft toothbrushes.
Agreed.
I agree! The best cards for all occasions. The health/beauty section always gets a look too…sunscreen, body butter & seasonal candles.
A. Thank you CoJ team – for all of the time, hard work, and application of your gifts and creativity that you faithfully expend to write intelligent, fun, interesting, and helpful content that you then share here with all of us for absolutely free. I hope you will always write about what interests you and brings you joy, including your long-standing and well-documented affection for Trader Joe’s. B. Because I share that affection, I would like for no one to sleep on the vegan Caesar dressing in the refrigerated section. Are you not buying it because it says vegan and in your experience that means “not as good?” I hear you. And yet, in fact, it is. Serve over chopped romaine tossed with your own homemade croutons that you make by cutting a TJ’s ciabatta baguette into cubes, then toast over low heat in olive oil and salt on the stove, stirring every couple of minutes. It will be a challenge not to eat all of the croutons during the 15 minutes it will take them to reach desired crispness, and sometimes we fail. The romaine and vegan Caesar will hold up alone, and there will always be a next salad.
Mmmm I bet their rosemary croissant croutons would be good with this!!! Yes, I have eaten a whole bag of these by themselves like a bag of chips.
I HAVE been sleeping on this because I assumed it was meh because it’s vegan 😬 so thank you for this PSA!
Omg yes that dressing! With romaine and shredded parm and nuggets in a wrap! No other ceasar keeps it feeling so fresh.
As a non-vegan, I can confirm that the vegan Caesar dressing is better than regular. As is the vegan kale pesto! If you need cheese on it, put that on top but vegan stuff is delicious!
I do love some TJ’s products and I’m frustrated by many of their practices. I hate that they sell tomatoes imported from Mexico in August, when there are perfect tomatoes locally available in the northeast. So much of their produce is packaged with tons of unnecessary plastic. So I don’t buy it. But I DO buy their amazing chips (patio FTW), cheese (best burrata ever), gummy candies, and ice cream.
Frozen croissants always come out perfectly and taste so fresh (you can pretend you are in France). Their frozen naan is fantastic and so easy to heat up! Their produce is such better quality than Aldi’s and the prices are some of the best in my area (Southeastern PA)
The Daily Facial Sunscreen! Wirecutter had an article recently saying that TJs sunscreen was a like a dupe of Supergoop sunscreen. I’ve never tried Supergoop so I can’t speak to that, but the TJs sunscreen feels great on. I love going out so I have an excuse to put it on, haha. https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/daily-facial-sunscreen-spf-40-073568
is it like a good primer? its says it’s matte. so cheap.
I find it’s not great as a sunscreen – my daughter and have both gotten a bit more color when wearing it than should have happened. But it is *great* as a primer.
I use that one too – it DOES work like a primer for me!
I have loved this sunscreen, but researched the ingredients and it’s bad news. . . that high percent of Homosalate is troubling. Avobenzone, too, is an endocrine disruptor. So sticking to mineral sunscreens now.
OOoh I forgot about the sunscreen! Yes! It is a dupe for goop. LOVE IT
YES! And for parents this is the only sunscreen my kids don’t make a fuss about how it feels, its a face cream but at that price they use it everywhere
This post reminded me that I have my favorite snack, the jalapeno cream cheese wontons, in my freezer for an after work snack. Hooray! They are perfect in the air fryer with the sweet chili sauce.
Loved TJ’s until they accused my almost 76 year old mother of inappropriately touching someone. Did all of this in the middle of the frozen food aisle, on a busy Sunday. Then they wouldn’t expound upon the accusation. Come to find out that it was an employee that accused her, and it had happened 3 months prior. She has since been fired. My mother had touched her on the shoulder at the check out line. I’m sure while having a most innocent conversation, that my mother probably thought was funny. Took months and months to get anything out of TJ’s after the accusation. Not even after they received letters from a lawyer. My mom did not want to sue, she just wanted to know what she was being accused of by TJ’s. Never again will I step foot in one. It has now been 7 months.