Going to Trader Joe’s has to be one of my favorite things to cross off my weekend to-do list. I love going to find things to meal prep for the week or to make as fun dinner options when friends come over for dinner. Whether you are looking to get ingredients to make a meal from scratch or you want easy items to throw in the microwave or oven for a complete meal, Trader Joe’s should be your best friend. This time of year, they are loaded with all things pumpkin spice, apple and peppermint flavored, but their staples are among my favorites from any grocery store.
What I love most about Trader Joe’s is the quality of their food, down to every single ingredient. Even if you are getting ice cream or cookies, the ingredients are usually all natural. You won’t find many products filled with artificial sweeteners, refined sugars or random gums you can’t pronounce. They have some of the most delicious and unique products on the market — hello cauliflower gnocchi and pumpkin butter 😋And if you are a wine drinker, their $3 wine is not too shabby either.
I’m sharing some of my everyday pantry staples and some new, fun products I’ve discovered recently. Stock up during your next trip to Trader Joe’s!
Joe-Joe’s Cookies & Cream Light Ice Cream
If you are as obsessed with Halo Top as I am, you have to give this light ice cream from TJ’s a try. It had big pieces of cookies inside and was as good as real, full blown ice cream (no joke!). I believe they only have 2 flavors, C&C and peanut butter cup, but I hope they expand their selection cause this shit is goooood. Although, they did make the two best flavors possible, in my opinion.
Cauliflower Gnocchi
You’ve heard everyone rave about cauliflower gnocchi, but how good is it? Well if you’ve ever had real gnocchi, just know this is going to be different but still really good. I mean you can eat the whole bag for like 300 calories, but a bag of real gnocchi would be like 1,000+. So keep that in mind when eating this. I’ve heard from influencers I follow to not make it the way the package tells you, so I’ve never done that. I’ve made this twice — one by sauteeing on the stove, the other in the air fryer. Both options were delicious!
Organic Red Lentil Pasta & Tomato Basil Marinara
This has got to be one of the better TJ duo’s, in my opinion. I’ve been eating the red lentil pasta for a while now, but the sauce is a new add to my pantry. All of their pasta sauces I’ve tried have been great, but I liked this one for the lack of sugar and since it was pretty low calorie. I’ve switched to protein packed pastas since I can eat a smaller amount and feel fuller longer. Getting 12+ grams of protein from just one serving of pasta is pretty good. If you are looking to check out some of their other pastas, I’d avoid the black bean pasta. I wasn’t a fan of the taste and it’s really easy to over cook, which turns it into complete mush fast.
Falafel Mix
Love falafel but not a fan of it being fried? Well getting the mix from TJs allows you to make it however you want. I avoid the frying and oil all together and either bake or air fry these suckers. They’re sooo easy to make, too. Pour mix and water into a bowl, cover for 30+ minutes, then roll into balls. I’ve made these for meal prep and paired them with a salad or make a snack box with hummus, carrots and celery and some pita. You can’t go wrong anyway you pair these. And while you are at TJs, grab one of their hummus’ from the refrigerated section!
Just Mango Slices
This has to be my all time favorite product from Trader Joe’s. Most dried mango you find at stores has added sugars and tastes more like candy than dried fruit, but not these! The ingredients? Mangos. That’s it! They are perfectly sweet and make the perfect snack at night when you are feeling your sweet tooth kick in. They have a few varieties at the store, so make sure you grab the right ones. I’m also a big fan of their banana chips, dried pineapple and apples. Check ’em all out!
Lightly Salted Edamame & Shelled Edamame
Edamame is one of my favorites to have on hand since they are so versatile. I used to buy huge bags at Costco and eat them as my veggie with dinner or as a high protein snack, but now I get them at TJ’s in shelled and unshelled forms to use them however I please. The shelled kind is great for a snack or as a side with dinner, but the unshelled kind is perfect for adding to salads or stir-fry.
Organic Shredded Green & Red Cabbage with Orange Carrots
This mix is nothing but pure convenience. It adds the perfect crunch to your salads without the added calories and saves you time in the kitchen cutting up cabbage and carrots. I’ve tried some of the TJ’s other salad mixes, like their kale and brussel sprouts mix, but they always seem to be a little brown in the bag at the store. Cabbage lasts forever so I can feel confident that this is fresh by the time it makes its way into my salads.
Coconut Water with Aloe Vera Juice
If you’ve never drank aloe, you may want to start! It’s great for your digestive health and staying hydrated. Pair it with coconut water and you’ve got a perfect combo. This drink is great in smoothies or mixed into your BCAAs! I’m not the biggest fan of coconut water on it’s own, but if you are, I’m sure you’d love the taste of this drink!
Seltzer Water, Lemon & Ginger
…and last but not least, seltzer water! I love to have flavored seltzer on hand for when I get sick of water. I like to have it as a treat in the afternoon at work or while I make dinner at home. Either way, I’m obsessed with the lemon and ginger flavor from TJ’s. It tastes more like a Spindrift than a La Croix since it’s flavored with juice rather than “natural flavors.” Regardless, this has become one of my recent favorites that I grab every time I go.
Additional Trader Joe’s Favorites
- Plants and flowers
- Chia and flax peanut butter
- Frozen mango and fruit, best for smoothies
- Charles Shaw wine, cabernet, please!
- Mini wheat pita’s
- All of their hummus flavors
- Coconut yogurt (if you are dairy free)
- Pumpkin butter
- Apple butter
- Creamy almond butter, unsalted
- Banana chips
- Dried pineapple and apples
- Popcorn made with olive oil and sea salt
- Cauliflower pizza
Have additional fav’s from Trader Joe’s that you love? Share over on Instagram @breathesweateat!