What to buy at Trader Joe’s
I’m no longer a hardcore coupon shopper, my brand of “frugal living” involves buying less, cooking more, growing food, ignoring trends. That kind of stuff. I also have four children under the age of five. When my husband and I collapse on the couch at the end of the day, it involves a pint of ice cream + 2 spoons. No scissors or coupons or talk of groceries.
So while I occasionally miss my coupon glory days, grocery shopping is more of a survival skill/sprint event for me now. 90% of my grocery time is spent between Costco and Trader Joe’s. I shamelessly adore both of these stores. Costco, with their carts the size of a small country and their samples the size of small mouths, will always have my heart. << I hope samples come back! As do my kids.
But Trader Joe’s is quickly moving to the top of my list. While their carts are ridiculously small (This isn’t Europe, people! I can’t shop everyday!), I can forgive them this oversight because they are friendly and hide an octopus and give my children suckers and stickers and stock products that I just really, really like to buy.
And Trader Joe’s didn’t give me a single dark chocolate peanut butter cup to say that.
The first time I walked into a Trader Joe’s, I wandered around, thought What do people buy here?! and walked out with two bags of raisins. So many choices! And this was at the height of my couponing days so the weight of Is it a good deal?! was always on my mind.
While many of these items are slightly cheaper at the big W’s (WinCo/Walmart), Trader Joe’s really is competitively priced. Actually many of the products they carry are a better price and quality! Plus, it’s just a pleasant, enjoyable shopping experience. By the time I hit the dairy section at WinCo, I start to feel panicky, like I might not make it out alive.
Pleasant + enjoyable is worth something to me.
Here are a few of my favorite Trader Joe’s products:
CHEESE
The cheese selection at Trader Joe’s is like a happy dream. Feta, Brie, Gouda, and goat cheese almost always make it into my cart. And the English cheddar with caramelized onions (learn how to make your own caramelized onions here). Oh man, so good.
My husband and I consider a loaf of bread, a block of cheese, and roasted garlic a respectable meal, but cheese is also a nice way to take a simple meal or side dish from plain to something special. Sprinkle goat cheese on roasted beets or feta cheese over a Greek pizza. Add some Gouda to your ham sandwich or cubes of Brie to hot pasta.
And the Quattro Formaggio is my favorite shredded cheese blend. Add a handful to No-Knead Bread dough, sprinkle it in your lasagna, pile it on your pizza. All good.
Serious foodies will say never buy shredded cheese! Always buy the blocks and shred them yourself! I would be willing to bet these same foodies do not make pizza with a howling one-year old wrapped around their leg and a three-year old “helping” spread sauce.
Think about that, Foodies, and back away from my cheese.
CONVENIENCE FOOD
I define “convenience food” as anything I could prep or make myself. While I try and prefer to make food from scratch, when life gets busy shortcuts in the kitchen are a huge help in getting a good meal on the table.
My favorite go-to convenient items are canned beans ($.99-1.19/each), frozen pie crusts ($3.99 for a double crust that people will think is homemade), and bottled salad dressing ($1.99).
At $1.99, this is a good place to buy cartons of chicken stock (organic! free range!) when you run out of your holiday stockpile. (Of course, you can always make homemade chicken stock here.) I also always have a bottle of Soyaki on hand for quick stir fries or Rice Bowls with Teriyaki Chicken & Ginger Slaw.
And chopped kale is pretty much the best invention since sliced bread. Depending on how fresh and bug-free it is, washing kale can take forevah. This ten ounce bag costs $1.99 which is honestly a great deal. $2 is a normal sale price for a bunch of kale, and the work is already done here.
Kale is great for everything from fresh salads to healthy soups to green juices.
RELATED: 25 ways to prepare late spring produce (including kale!)
NUTS & DRIED FRUIT
Quite possibly my favorite section, there is a crazy variety of nuts and dried fruit to choose from at Trader Joe’s. I love their raw and reduced-salt nuts, perfect for making Roasted Almonds, Sweet & Spicy Roasted Nuts, or Maple Cluster Granola.
They also have a great selection of dried fruit. My preference is anything that doesn’t have added sugar. At TJ’s, this includes raisins, sweet cherries, pitted prunes, mango, apricots, and figs. While my kids aren’t 100% convinced, I call these “fruit snacks.”
PANTRY STAPLES
Pay attention to the condiments like mustard, mayonnaise, vinegars, oils, etc. They have a wide selection of great products. I also love their coconut milk, coconut cream, and shredded coconut for cooking, baking, or just making repeated batches of Coconut Whipped Cream.
Our family eats pancakes or granola like it’s our job each morning so maple syrup is often on the grocery list. TJ’s Grade-B Maple Syrup (32 fl. oz.) is around $16.99.
And the Automatic Dishwashing Detergent might seem like a strange thing to throw in there, but this stuff is great. I hate cleaners that smell like some overpowering combination of lemons and chemicals. And yet, many of the “environmentally-friendly” detergent brands I have tried might be dye/fragrance-free, but they don’t actually get dishes clean.
This detergent, on the other hand, consistently gets everything sparkly clean without using crazy chemicals.
SNACKS
I don’t buy snack food often, but Trader Joe’s is my go-to place for camping trips, birthday parties, or special treats. It’s easy to stock up on junk food that isn’t totally junky.
I’m under no illusion that slapping an organic label on something transforms it into something healthy, but I do appreciate that all Trader Joe’s brand products have no synthetic colors, artificial flavors or preservatives, MSG, added Trans Fats, or genetically modified ingredients.
Trader Joe’s also carries inexpensive flowers or plants, greeting cards ($.99), or small gifts (think hostess or housewarming).
And there you have it. One shopping trip (stickers and suckers not pictured).
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So many favorites have already been listed but here are a few additional. Frozen Foods: whole steal cut oatmeal with maple -divine. sliced potatoes with herbs and wild mushrooms -a gourmet treat, grilled eggplant and zucchini -wonderful for sandwiches, veggie lasagna or moussaka, veggie potstickers (don’t forget to grab a bottle of the soy sesame dipping sauce to go with) 24K Carrot Cake -best carrot cake I’ve ever had. Misc: : Pine Nuts -a huge bag for 7.99, Rosemary Raisin Crisp crackers. Triple Cream Brie cheese, Stilton cheese with apricots, dried Chili Mango strips -(pair with anything chocolate) Dried assorted flavored pastas -such as garlic chive, lemon pepper, and spinach. Soy Chiorzo -delicious as taco meat, to add to chili etc.. Drinks: Pomagranite unsweetened green tea. Spices: assorted good sized grinders for 1.99 -Himalayan pink salt, Rainbow peppercorns, Lemon pepper, Cinnamon sugar etc.. Wonderful selection of oils and vinegars. I could go on and on but these I the main things I go for
My go-to favs…
The rosemary ham and a tub of jalapeño spreadable cheese and pretzel bread…so yum
The vanilla Joe-joes are the BEST cookies.
Also staples like spaghetti sauce, nuts, dried fruit are a great deal and so good.
I recently went and got a whole cart full for $100 and I got some of the higher priced items like dr bonners soap with is $3 less there than anywhere else ($11.99)
Their shampoo saved me! I have psoriasis that is always worse after a wash with any other kind of shampoo. So many have chemicals, but trader joes is all botanical products. So soothing and not drying. My dog loves the peanut butter dog biscuits. The big bar of baking chocolate is to die for. Their sun dried tomatoes have no preservatives and are always perfectly moist and sweet.
The thing I couldn’t believe no one else mentioned was the life saving frozen foods. I am single, grad student, working mom of 2 teens so I am not around much to make make dinner from scratch but I want to know my kids are eating a real meal. We go to TJ’s, stock up the Mandarin Orange Chicken, the Chicken or Pork Potstickers, the tamales (any kind will do but I like the green chile and cheese), and the pre-portioned organic brown or jasmine rice and we are good to go. They can make themselves a caesar salad, throw dinner in the oven, microwave the rice, and we all rest easy. In the morning they have vanana yogurt and granola before school and once again I have not failed. I could not do my life and feel like a half way decent mom without Trader Joe and his help, there is no way. BTW, at TJ’s in Eugene, kids have to find Yoda!
Thanks for these ideas! I roll through the freezer section and the meal options look really good, but I never know what to pick. I’d love to have some on hand for crazy nights. Definitely going to check these out!
I agree with you the cheese department has great selection, I especially love their wine soaked Toscana, (I was there today and they have one seasoned with cinnamon for the fall!) Their specialty or seasonal items are great. I stock up on puff pastry during the holidays, unlike the Pepperidge Farm variety made with shortening, theirs is made with butter. Their Danish Pancakes (Abelskiver) are very authentic (my Mom was from Denmark) and I also like the frozen sliced leeks (when available) I like to bake and the big bars of Belgium Chocolate are a good deal. And of course the wine. I could keep going on and on………..
I love their Veggie Melange in the frozen section, I use it in everything from shepherd’s pie to shrimp fried rice, also makes a nice side to any meal=)
Our Trader Joe’s by us hides a monkey my boys call ‘The Mystical Monkey’ cause he moves around the store, makes the kids a lot more manageable when we shop.
one more cool tip-if you have an allergy they can and will print you up a list of all of their products that are safe. I have only done this for gluten free but it was awesome!!!
I love that TJ’s has unsulfured dried fruit. Sulfur dioxide is highly used as a preservative, problem is it puts me into anaphylactic shock. It is comforting to know I can trust TJ’s brand. I also love the English cheeses and Haloumi cheese from Cyprus, try it grilled …..YUMMMMM.
Love everything you mentioned. The only item left out was the coffee pods for our Keurig. My husband LOVES them and will only use TJ’s Keurig cups in the morning. Same price as others, but much better.
Oh, great idea! I’ll have to check those out.
The tomato soup in the quart pack is a favorite and when mixed with a cooked bag of the tortellini- you’ve got a meal! The frozen Brussels sprouts and artichoke hearts, olive oil, Marsala, port, sherry. So many good deals.
We had that tomato soup for lunch today! It’s a favorite at our house, too.
Their Pretzel Bread is simply amazing, and only .99 cents. I’ll pick up many and take it to my neighbors or give to whomever pops into my house. It’s always a must buy on my shopping list!
I have two great friends who got me “hooked” on the Chili Spiced Mangos” and the Dark Chocolate Coffee Beans at TJs. Amazingly, I still call them “great” friends. LOL In fact, I made a trip to TJs just last week and bought those items and took them to where I used to work, to give them to those “great” friends. 🙂 It was pay back time. I love TJs and their selections! Totally a fan.
I really like the gluten free choices and 100% juices at TJ’s, but I usually go there to stock up on dog treats. I am slave to an extremely finicky Westie, but she LOVES Trader Joe’s doggy jerky. And at $1.99 a bag – I’m happy too!
As the daughter of a TJs employee, I know the whole crew of the local TJs and all the secrets. Just thought I’d comment a few tips! For one, at Trader Joe’s you can ALWAYS ask to try something in the store, so long as it doesn’t need to be cooked. Just ask an employee to sample it! Another tip, if you go to demo, the counter where they have food samples, little kids (or adults who are children at heart) can ask for a Joe-Joe, the Trader Joe’s version of Oreos. It’s good to know if you have kids. Also, if you don’t like something, trader joes will always let you return and refund it!! Lastly, like the author of this post mentioned, all stores have a stuffed animal hidden. Our local store hides a turtle! It helps keep kids occupied.
Thanks for the tip Liv! We have Olivia the octopus. Love it.
Love me some TJ Mochi. Chocolate and Mango!
Since I am a devoted TJs fan, thought I would share a couple of my favorite items. Unexpectedly, their shaving cream. It is the BEST! Using it my razors last so much longer. Many of the creams that are produced by the razor companies contain ingredients that contribute to your razors erroding. Try it, you will love it!
My other favorite, maybe for special occasions since you got the kiddies at home, are their frozen chocolate croissants. Take them out the night before to rise, then put them in the over for about 15-18 minutes. Delicious! And you didn’t have to go the bakery. 🙂
I have two stores in my state- and I drive either 2 hours or an 1.5 to get to one. We have big carts and I fill that thing! My finds are the sweet corn (seriously tastes like corn on the cob) for 1.29 a bag. The frozen croissants (choc/almond) are incredible and an easy morning treat for company (1.99 for four). So many inexpensive spices, the mustards are excellent. I buy the chocolate chips in milk and dark ( they look like pringle chips) and I use them as a dessert with company by placing them on a tray with raspberry yogurt as a dip. The lemon verbena soap smells good all the way to the end. Coffee cake mix is also excellent and a frequent request. The raspberry tart is excellent- it just went up in price and I don’t mind- its that good! Its another easy to have in the freezer for company- in fact you can just let it thaw and eat it that way! No need to cook or heat up. So many other things there too. You need to find one and check it out yourself. I love love love Trader Joes!
I had of heard of the wonders TJ’s for many years before moving to Portland. In fact the first time I went there I looked long and hard for the “Two Buck Chuck”. Well as you all know it was called Charles Shaw, the Hawaiian shirt clad clerk tried not to wince when I asked for the wine and then he had to explain why it wasn’t $2 in Oregon ’cause of liquor & wine laws.
Dublin tea bags, gluten free English muffins, gluten free Choco chip cookies and their frozen boneless chicken tenders! Worth the 20 mile trip!
Love lots of the previous comments, but I love leaving the store with a little happy flower or some other little seasonal decorative item in my shopping cart for a couple of dollars!
For any coffee lovers out there, Joe’s Dark coffee is really, really good…and it’s only $4.99 (if you don’t regularly buy coffee…for the same amount, Starbucks or Peets is usually never cheaper than 7.99)!!
That is always the hope but no. We did just get Natural Grocers and I really like it and have found that their prices are a little cheaper than New Seasons. But it’s still no TJ’s. 🙁
I adore the dried fruit…esp their Turkish Figs & Dried Pineapple Round Slices. The seasonal Apple Cider is tdf as well.
Miami just go a TJ’s about 3 or 4 months ago. my favorite is the teeny tiny potatoes and their pre made cut veggie’s for stir fry’s. i love their 21 seasoning spice. my mom has switch to their coffee. Since i keep Kosher the store in Miami has a great selection of kosher meat and products which is fantastic.
I’ve recently started shopping more at TJ’s due to various food allergies that my son has. I can find products without the added junk my son can’t have (and most of us just shouldn’t have) for a decent price. It’s been so helpful and encouraging to shop somewhere that has safe food for my son without breaking my budget the way some other places do.
I love TJs for theses reasons and one more- packaging. They carry powered sugar in a large, sturdy zip loc bag. The baking soda comes in canisters with a lid rather than a box. And they have sweetened condensed milk in a squeeze bottle, which I use in coffee. All of this reduces waste so the price is even better. Love them!
Trader Joes coconut oil is awesome and a great value at $5.99#. We also got some shelf-safe almond milk for smoothies for only $1.49 qt on sale. We love to go in there to just look around but are unable to shop there regularly because the nearest one is about 90 miles away. (Rochester MN)
I generally don’t comment but I had to tell you how funny this article was. Informative and it had me chuckling. Maybe because I relate. Preshredded cheese DOES win when you have a crying one year old wrapped around your leg. Love it.
The white balsamic vinegar is wonderful
I have been shopping at Trader Joe’s for years. Many of my favorites have been listed but wanted to add a few more. Love their sheep milk feta, the one in the yellow and green package. For a treat the guacamole made with yogurt and eaten with the corn, not tortilla chips is yummy. Their cheese popcorn is my latest addiction, and my dog goes crazy for it too. They have a great price on organic orange juice, I don’t buy any citrus that is not organic. I also make my own granola and get my nuts there. Oh, and the beef hot dogs are delicious too.
What a great list! All my TJ’s favorites are present and accounted for 🙂 I am single and a grad student, so finding wholesome food at a reasonable price was near impossible before Trader Joe’s opened in my town. My only issue is that meats/lunchmeats are kiiiiinda pricey. I really don’t like to drive all over town finding grocery deals, so I try to alternate my weekly shopping trips between TJ’s and a larger grocery chain. Usually leaves me with a good mix of last week’s TJ’s purchases and a few staples from my bigger grocery!
I love love love Trader Joe’s coconut oil. It’s reasonably priced at $5.99 and I buy 2-3 jars every time I go. Last time I went, there were only six bottles left on the shelf, so obviously other people are catching on.
Absolutely! The best deal on natural coconut oil I found.
It is a good price. If you’re ever at Costco they have a large jar for $.28/oz where as this is $.37/oz. It is a bigger size but is just a bit cheaper.
I also love TJ! (And costco). The cookie butter is highly addicting, especially with the chocolate covered pretzels! And the triple ginger snaps!
You can’t beat their prices on canned and jarred luxury goods that don’t usually have coupons. Coconut milk, kalamata olives, capers, heart of palm, artichoke hearts etc.
Their frozen fruit is a great deal. I buys tons of bags of frozen mango and pineapple for smoothies. Spices are a great price as are their salad dressings. I don’t buy a lot of produce there, but I do love their pomegranate seeds, their micro greens to spice up a salad and their bags of little perfect for kids lunches, apples.
Yes, the mango!! They have the best frozen fruit I’ve found. Perfect for smoothies.
Loved the heads-up regarding TJ’s…I never would have thought to check out dishwasher detergent, but I will now! Also nice to have someone ‘in the know’ give feedback regarding value/price (ie; chopped kale)…Keep up the good work, enjoy your writing, just wish I was still in the NW to take advantage of some of the good deals. Luckily I still have TJ, Costco available, and of course Amazon!
I think their low fat cottage cheese is the best I have tasted. I also like their dried green mango and their green salsa. I have not found cheaper decent balsamic vinegar (the square bottle) or rice wine.
I do like Trader Joes – but I recently read an article on the food that comes out of China but it re-labeled and sold as packaged in USA. I went through Trader Joes and so many labels just said packaged in CA – it really left me wondering. The documentary on food from China is scary. I know of know one person who bought the English toffee and it was full of hair. It was disgusting – they have not gone back to TJ’s since. I would like to know where food comes from not just where it is packaged. If it is made in Canada it usually says that but I think the offshore food just says packaged in CA.
I would email the company and ask. I do know that they strive to have all their products GMO free.
I can tell you that their trader how’s brand cereal is made and packaged in eugene. I think the label still says California though for so e reason, but I think that’s where it’s distributed from. I used to work where it was made, and they are really secretive about that stuff. I think it may be partly because they contract out every one of their brand products, and they’re made all over the country, with the distribution site in Cali. So they just list Cali as the general point of origin. I wouldn’t worry about tj’s products being Chinese knock offs; I think they just so many producers they try and streamline package labeling requirements.
The hair in the English toffee reminded of a story. I am not saying this is what happened to your friend, but it is a funny story. Many years ago, my then boyfriend’s family was talking about the time they opened a box of cereal and it was full of hair. They contacted the company to let them know how disgusted they were. The company apologized profusely and sent them an entire case of the cereal to make it up to them. The incident had happened many (10 or so) years previous. His sister spoke up after they finished telling the story and admitted that she had actually spilled the cereal on the floor. Afraid she would be in trouble (she was 6 at the time), she scooped it, along with the dog hair, off the floor and back into the box, never mentioning it to anyone.
The Mediterranean Hummus, plus the fact that they have a good selection of other types of hummus. Also olive oil, bananas are a great price, I like their hot cereal so much more than Quaker, and I also like the 2 buck chuck wine for cooking. I’ll stop there, but there so many more things I love.
I love TJ’s seasonal items. I can enjoy my shopping there without thinking sales and/or coupon price etc. I like couponing, but sometimes I’m too tired to think about it.
I’m sensitive to MSG (which, by the way, is commonly called “Yeast Extract”, check your labels!) and TJ’s has been a life changer. Their organic chicken broth is literally the only one on the market without MSG in any hidden form or flavor. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
this is such a cute love-fest for Trader Joes! Thanks for the great post, Emily! We love the great price they have for goat cheese and feta compared to other stores, no couponing required!
Also, I recently noted that the price of 2 Buck Chuck went DOWN from $2.99 to $2.49! I’m loving their new “Nouveau” variety.
Their gluten free cup cakes are amazing, light and fluffy, and oh so yummy.
TJ is now carrying Ghee at a very good price.
TJ Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce is spicy and oh so good.
Most of the time their nuts are cheaper than Win-Co.
I just love that store.
Their fondue is crazy good and cheaper than buying all the ingredients yourself to make. Who keeps kirsch in their cabinets? I sure don’t! (hint, fondue v v good w/ no knead bread!)
A friend of mine stocks up on the fondue during the holidays.She says it is the best. (PS I have kirsh in my liquor cabinet)
Spices! Almost all of them come in glass jars and are $1.99. My favorite is the 21 seasoning salute. I also just got a sweet Himalayan pink sea salt w/ a grinder for $1.99.
Love TJs! When I was reading your opening paragraphs, it was like I was reading my own story!
during the holiday they carry seasonal appetizers.
My husband LOVES them
They have an amazing spice section for prices that rival the spice bins at Winco. And you can never talk about TJ’s without talking about their crazy cheap wine section! Best price for quality, by far.
Their cornbread is amazing. And their cheese!
I love, love, love trader Joe’s. Also, something I would add ground turkey 1lb 2.99 & ground beef 80/20 1 lb for 2.69. That’s cheaper than Walmart!