The 21 Must-Have Trader Joe’s Grocery Items That Longtime Shoppers Swear By
Trader Joe’s is a great one-stop shop for quick meals, like this 2-ingredient pasta, these 5-ingredient vegetarian dinners, and this 15-minute weeknight meal. But my love for Trader Joe’s goes back a long way.
When I was an elementary schooler in San Francisco, my great aunt would pick me up from school twice a week and take me downtown to my ballet classes. She’d bring me snacks from the original Trader Joe’s that she picked up on her trips to see friends in Los Angeles. I remember the snacks (and how loved they made me feel) well. My favorites were chocolate covered raspberry sticks and lemon cookies, both of which were discontinued long ago.
As soon as Trader Joe’s opened stores in San Francisco, my mom shopped there and I’ve been shopping there ever since. Even though I hate grocery shopping and get most of our groceries delivered, I still go to Trader Joe’s about every other week and I love the experience.
Here are my Trader Joe’s favorites, from items I always have on hand to splurge-worthy choices I get when I feel like a treat:
1. Ghost Pepper Potato Chips
Spicy, ultra crunchy lattice-cut potato chips. They have just the right amount of heat and are super addictive.
Check it out: Ghost Pepper Potato Chips, $3.49
2. Organic Blue Corn Potato Chips
The perfect thickness and crunch, these are our favorite for nachos.
Check it out: Organic Blue Corn Potato Chips, $3.99
3. Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
My kids like these better than Takis. I have to hide them so they don’t blow through them too fast and I always buy at least three bags.
Check it out: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, $2.99
4. Crispy Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are a family snack time favorite and are just the right size for adding to lunch boxes.
Check it out: Crispy Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies, $5.99
5. Danish Kringle
The flavors of these Danish Kringles change seasonally. I like the cheese, raspberry, and almond best. Such a treat with coffee!
6. All Natural Shaved Beef Steak
A versatile cut that cooks up fast, we like to eat this inside rolled green onion pancakes or with broccoli and rice.
Check it out: All Natural Shaved Beef Steak,10.99/lb
7. Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce
This sauce made from Calabrian chilis is as good as the stuff imported from Italy. We love it on pasta and in soup.
Check it out: Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce, $3.49
8. Nori Komi Furikake Japanese Multi-Purpose Seasoning
We like to use this multipurpose and unique seasoning on fried rice.
Check it out: Nori Komi Furikake Japanese Multi-Purpose Seasoning, $2.99
9. Organic Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup
The perfect pantry staple, creamy and tangy, pairs well with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Check it out: Organic Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup, $3.49
10. Maple Leaf Cookies
Sandwich cookies that are so pretty and so tasty. These never last long at our house.
Check it out: Maple Leaf Cookies, $3.99
11. Japanese Style Fried Rice
Excellent freezer staple for those nights you don’t feel like cooking.
Check it out: Japanese Style Fried Rice, $3.79
12. Chicken Gyoza Potstickers
Another freezer staple, you can fry or boil these for a meal in minutes.
Check it out: Chicken Gyoza Potstickers, $3.99
13. Mandarin Orange Chicken
The best frozen orange chicken ever, no notes.
Check it out: Mandarin Orange Chicken, $4.99
14. Dark Chocolate Covered Powerberries
Powerberries covered in dark chocolate are a delicious tangy, chocolatey treat, perfect for road trips.
Check it out: Dark Chocolate Covered Powerberries, $4.79
15. Grilled Pitted Green Olives
These large, grilled green olives are decadent. Rich, creamy, briney, and smoky, you’ve never had olives like these.
Check it out: Grilled Pitted Green Olives, $3.99
16. Yogurt Cups
These yogurt cups have a custard-like texture and are the ideal size for a morning side dish or a little snack.
Check it out: Yogurt Cups, $3.99
17. Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
A unique cheddar that’s creamy and crumbly with some salt crystals in the mix. Don’t leave TJ’s without it!
Check it out: Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, $3.99
18. Pita Bite Crackers
The airy cragginess of these crackers is unmatched. Delicious alone and a wonderful addition to any charcuterie board.
Check it out: Pita Bite Crackers, $2.99
19. Cinnamon Graham Crackers
These aren’t ordinary graham crackers. They’re dusted with cinnamon sugar and equally good slathered in peanut butter, cracked into a bowl for an improvised cereal, or eaten plain.
Check it out: Cinnamon Graham Crackers, $4.79
20. Snacky Clusters
These are my kryptonite. I have been known to eat a whole bag in one sitting! They’re so good with their sweet and salty, many-textured goodness that I can’t help myself!
Check it out: Snacky Clusters, $3.99
21. Flowers
I never leave Trader Joe’s without fresh flowers, usually alstroemerias, which last for over two weeks!