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What are the Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
What are the Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s, we asked the same question years ago and have created the ultimate list with all of our favorites including pictures!
Don’t be shy, we all know the feeling. Trader Joe’s seems to be a secret society of the best people ever, but if you just walk into one you might feel a little lost, what to buy and what not to buy?!
And in case you had more questions, scroll down to our FAQ section!
Just Wander
My best advice, just start walking.
Truly.
Trader Joe’s is often changing things out and so even with a perfect list you might not find everything you wrote down. But if you take your time to wander and look at products you’ll realize it’s all completely regular meal stuff but better.
I mean, how often do you find frozen croissants that taste like a bakery once baked?
Or trying to eat better? No worries, they’ve got every spiralized, funny shaped veggie you could name to help you and your kids get in their vegetables.
Snacks and candy, salad dressings and perfectly marinated meats, they’ve got it all and these are our favorites!
What are the Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Mexican Style Frozen Corn-{Freezer Section}
Cinnamon Apple Snack Sticks- Snack Aisle
Savory Corn Pie- {Freezer Section}
Gone Bananas-{Freezer Section}
Riced Medley- {Produce Section}
Bamba Peanut Snacks {Snack Section by Chips}
Marinated Carne Asada {Meat Department}
Mac and Cheese Bites
Multigrain Blend with Vegetables
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Green Vegetable Medley
Roasted Corn
Vegetable Fried Rice
Corn and Chile Salsa
Bananas
Bamba Peanut Butter Flavored Snacks
Churro Bites
Jalapeno Sauce
Mediterranean Salad Kit
Avocados
Butternut Squash Zig Zags
Riced Cauliflower
Sweet Potatoes
Trader Joe’s is well-known for low prices on special food items everyone obsesses over like:
The chain is also known for its culture. Employees often sport their Hawaiian shirts with huge smiles, go out of their way to be helpful, and plastic lobsters are used to decorate stores.
Do I need to bring my own bags to Trader Joe’s?
It’s a great idea to bring your own bags to Trader Joe’s but it’s not necessary, they have paper bags that they will pack with expert precision. No really, it’s amazing how well they can pack those bags!
If you do want to use reusable grocery bags like we do, I LOVE Baggu, but these are a cheaper option.
What’s the deal with the flowers? Plants and flowers at TJ’s are no joke. They have beautiful, well cared for plants and florals so ditch the other stores and buy your pretty things here.
Why Do They Ring the Bell at Trader Joe’s
If you’re ever in line and hear the bell ring, don’t panic! Here’s what they say on their site,
“One bell lets our Crew know when to open another register.
Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout.
Three bells call over a manager-type person.
And Three short bells–two long bells–three short bells… now we’re just playing.”
READ: What are the Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Continue reading...
What are the Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s, we asked the same question years ago and have created the ultimate list with all of our favorites including pictures!
Don’t be shy, we all know the feeling. Trader Joe’s seems to be a secret society of the best people ever, but if you just walk into one you might feel a little lost, what to buy and what not to buy?!
And in case you had more questions, scroll down to our FAQ section!
Just Wander
My best advice, just start walking.
Truly.
Trader Joe’s is often changing things out and so even with a perfect list you might not find everything you wrote down. But if you take your time to wander and look at products you’ll realize it’s all completely regular meal stuff but better.
I mean, how often do you find frozen croissants that taste like a bakery once baked?
Or trying to eat better? No worries, they’ve got every spiralized, funny shaped veggie you could name to help you and your kids get in their vegetables.
Snacks and candy, salad dressings and perfectly marinated meats, they’ve got it all and these are our favorites!
What are the Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Mexican Style Frozen Corn-{Freezer Section}
- This Mexican style corn is one of my all-time favorites to keep in the freezer. I use it all the time as a side dish, for burrito bowls or even in soups!
Cinnamon Apple Snack Sticks- Snack Aisle
- These little crunchies are a perfect replacement for chips in a lunch or after school snacking!
Savory Corn Pie- {Freezer Section}
- A frozen savory corn pie from trader joe’s is the perfect side dish to chili or delicious eaten on its own!
Gone Bananas-{Freezer Section}
- These chocolate covered frozen bananas are a healthier guilty pleasure that even our kids can’t turn down.
Riced Medley- {Produce Section}
- Riced vegetable medley includes carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green onion, yellow onion and is great for soups, casseroles, sides, rice bowls, Asian dishes etc!
Bamba Peanut Snacks {Snack Section by Chips}
- Bamba peanut butter puffs are like the peanut butter version of Pirate’s Booty. Need I say more on this addicting little snack?
Marinated Carne Asada {Meat Department}
- Marinated steak for carne asada from trader joe’s is totally worth the buy!
Mac and Cheese Bites
- Find these little mac and cheese bites in the freezer section and have a fun little restaurant at home night! Serve these as an appetizer!
Multigrain Blend with Vegetables
- Multigrain blend instead of white rice and bonus, it comes full of veggies! We grill up a marinated chicken breast to eat over the top with some freshly sliced grape tomatoes.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- This gnocchi has wonderful flavor and it takes only a few minutes to throw together. It’s probably only enough for 2-3 people. You might want to buy more.
Cauliflower Gnocchi
- Frozen Cauliflower gnocchi is one of my favorite healthier substitutes to allow me to still eat favorites without the major calories.
Green Vegetable Medley
- Frozen green veggies that are totally worth the buy! Throw them into literally anything or just serve on the side.
Roasted Corn
- This is soooooo worth it!! Not only is frozen corn the best for recipes vs canned corn, but this one is roasted! All the flavor and you didn’t do any work!
Vegetable Fried Rice
- I love me some fried rice, but because we don’t eat a ton of rice, and the BEST fried rice involves day old rice I love to buy frozen fried rice!
Corn and Chile Salsa
- You guys, buy this salsa. We use it in everything- Tacos, soup, chicken in a slow cooker, burritos and just with chips!
Bananas
- Um yes. Bananas are almost always a better price and quality than bananas at other stores.
Bamba Peanut Butter Flavored Snacks
- These are a great little peanut butter flavored school or after school snacks for the kids, aka shovel them into your mouth when no one is looking.
Churro Bites
- Even BETTER than Bambas Peanut Butter Snacks!
Jalapeno Sauce
- Jalapeno sauce from Trader Joe’s is one of the best pantry staples! It’s got a creamy texture and a bit of a kick!
- I’ve eaten Babka in New York City and let me tell you, it’s delicious! I’ve never had any chocolate Babka quite as good until trying Trader Joe’s Chocolate Babka. Totally worth it!
Mediterranean Salad Kit
- I’m a big fan of salad kits for when I’m in a hurry but not all salad kits are worth it. I really love this Mediterranean salad kit, but I tend to add some fresh greens like spinach or kale and some chopped, grilled chicken.
Avocados
- I love that avocados are smaller at TJ’s which is perfect for when I’m eating just a little with my lunch or dinner.
Butternut Squash Zig Zags
- These zig zag shaped butternut squash totally make them more friendly for small kids to try and I love that their shape creates more texture and caramelization with all of those edges.
Riced Cauliflower
- This is the absolute FIRST THING that I buy at Trader Joe’s every time I go. I love that it’s all the work done for me and that it freezes quite well. In fact, I cook it straight from the freezer!!
Sweet Potatoes
- It’s a little hard to tell but these sweet potatoes are mini! They are a little smaller than those huge sweet potatoes that you see in a regular store. It’s the perfect size for a normal dinner side!
Trader Joe’s is well-known for low prices on special food items everyone obsesses over like:
- Cookie butter
- Turkey corn dogs
- Fall Leaf Shaped Chips
- Marinated Carne Asada
The chain is also known for its culture. Employees often sport their Hawaiian shirts with huge smiles, go out of their way to be helpful, and plastic lobsters are used to decorate stores.
Do I need to bring my own bags to Trader Joe’s?
It’s a great idea to bring your own bags to Trader Joe’s but it’s not necessary, they have paper bags that they will pack with expert precision. No really, it’s amazing how well they can pack those bags!
If you do want to use reusable grocery bags like we do, I LOVE Baggu, but these are a cheaper option.
Trader Joe’s Flowers
What’s the deal with the flowers? Plants and flowers at TJ’s are no joke. They have beautiful, well cared for plants and florals so ditch the other stores and buy your pretty things here.
Why Do They Ring the Bell at Trader Joe’s
If you’re ever in line and hear the bell ring, don’t panic! Here’s what they say on their site,
“One bell lets our Crew know when to open another register.
Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout.
Three bells call over a manager-type person.
And Three short bells–two long bells–three short bells… now we’re just playing.”
READ: What are the Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Continue reading...