The Best of Trader Joes! 

Walking into Trader Joe’s feels a little like going on a treasure hunt—you never quite know what you’ll discover, but you know it’s going to be good. From fan favorite snacks that vanish from shelves in minutes to frozen meals that taste suspiciously homemade, Trader Joe’s has mastered the art of turning everyday grocery shopping into an experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor overwhelmed by the Hawaiian shirts and handwritten signs, these are the Trader Joe’s products that earn legendary status—and absolutely deserve a spot in your cart. Speaking as a former TJ’s crew member, here is a list of my favorite meals, snacks, and goodies that I buy every time I’m at Trader Joe’s.

• Frozen meals that taste like a home cooked meal
• Mandarin Orange chicken: The famous orange chicken that sells out instantly. Is it worth it? Personally, I think it is! It is delicious. Pair this with the basmati white rice and you are golden.
• Green Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese: This one has a little bit of a kick, but it is so delicious. I love this creamy mac & cheese that takes 5 minutes to heat up! You can’t go wrong with any of the mac and cheese options, but this one is my favorite. (Don’t miss out on the seasonal butternut squash mac & cheese during the fall). 
• Chicken Soup Dumplings: These dumplings fly off the shelves very quickly. These also pair very well with the frozen Japanese fried rice. Throw some crunchy chili onion topping on it and you have a delicious meal!
• Family Style Meat Lasagna: Like it says in the name, it’s a perfect family sized lasagna! It’s a delicious “homemade” meal. 
• Mini Chicken and Beef Tacos: Delicious meal to serve with salsa, guac, or sour cream.

 

• The BEST Munchies!!
• Chocolate Chip Dunkers: Perfect sweet treat to dip in your coffee, milk, whatever you like!
• Chili Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips: Referred to as the “healthy takis”. I love these chips! Zesty, tangy, spicy tortilla chips that have won multiple customer awards and cult status for bold flavor and crunch.
• Pita Bite Crackers: Perfect for a charcuterie board!
• Organic Corn Chip Dippers: Classic scoop-shaped corn chips perfect for dips or eating straight; simple and satisfying. Paired perfectly with the Autenica Salsa!
• Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: If you are a sucker for chocolate and peanut butter, these are just the sweet treat for you! 
• Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Bark with Almonds & Pretzels – Sweet-salty mix with crunchy almonds and pretzels balanced by dark chocolate—ideal for sharing (or not 😉).
• Everything but the Bagel Nut Duo – Almonds and cashews coated in that iconic savory seasoning. 

 If you can’t tell already, I am a sucker for anything sweet or salty at Trader Joes. At the end of the day, Trader Joe’s shines because it makes grocery shopping feel a little less like a chore and a lot more like a treasure hunt. Some of these products will become weekly staples, others will be impulse buys you didn’t know you needed—but that’s part of the fun. Keep an open mind, read the labels, and don’t be afraid to grab something new. Worst case? You found out it wasn’t for you. Best case? You’ve just met your next obsession.