I get asked all the time what I bought at Trader Joe’s. I thought a blog post was the easiest way to show you!
Before the Trader Joe’s arrived in Dallas, I really never understood the hype. But I have to say that I love buying five bags of groceries for $150! When you love to cook and you mostly eat fresh food, it can get expensive. Especially if your family likes fruit the way mine does!
Here is the listing of the staples that I buy at Trader Joe’s on almost every visit:
Fresh flowers
Lots of organic produce: arugula, romaine hearts, tri color carrots, edamame, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, fresh basil, avocados, heirloom tomatoes in season, organic cherry tomatoes
Wright’s of Texas Fresh Salsa, TJ’s Hot and Sweet Jalapeños, TJ’s Salsa Verde, TJ’s Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips, organic chicken stock, Miso broth
In the frozen section:
Chili Lime Chicken Burgers, Turkey Burgers, Egg Frittata, Tamales (in the fabric bag), frozen mango, pineapple, mixed berries, raspberries and blueberries
Dry Goods: Gluten-free Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle Mix (I buy 4 boxes at a time!), Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix, TJ’s Caramel Cheddar Popcorn, Individual bags of Kettle Corn, Inca Corn Nuts, Tapas Style Artichoke Hearts, Italian Chicken Sausage (It’s so good and freezes well, too. Made with no casing!), Balsamic Glaze, Garlic Aïoli Mustard Sauce (great as a dip or baked on fish), Pesto and Quinoa (a nut-free pesto for pasta and also great for a dip!)
There are always lots of great seasonal items as well. All of the fun fall items including salted caramel sauce and everything pumpkin are coming soon I will share those favorites in just a few weeks!
Hope you enjoy this post. I’d love to know your Trader Joe favorites also! Please leave them in the comments at the bottom of the post.
XO
Alicia
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Photos by Audrie Dollins
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I’m not a big fan of frozen foods generally, but their frozen mashed potatoes and mashed cauliflower are such time savers. Separate or combined, they’re so good. Frozen gluten-free pancakes get us out the door quicker on school days. And their frozen Asian items (potstickers, dumplings, fried rice) are my boys favorite, and easy to prepare all together in the steam oven. Also, great selection of raw nuts.
Thank you so much for the great recommendations!
xo
Alicia
My husband and I frequent the local Trader Joe’s at least once a week. There are items that we must have on hand and then others we pick up just because they look interesting.
Love the cauliflower gnocchi, hot & spicy dill pickle chips, cookie butter, and chili lime seasoning, as well as most of the ones you posted. Trader Joe’s forever!
I want to try the Cauliflower gnocchi soon! How do you prepare it?
xo
Alicia
I am the same way. Their packaging is good marketing!
xo
Alicia
What do you do with the tapas style artichoke hearts? Do you use them in a recipe or just for tapas style appetizer?
I’ve put them in salads and also on a charcuterie board. They are so good!
xo
Alicia
Good post!! Can you one day do a hair tutorial how you get your soft big waves 😊
You are so sweet! One is in the works! I just need to finalize it 🙂
xo
Alicia
My son and I also love the Everything but the Bagel seasoning!
What do you do with the Everything but the Bagel Seasoning?
I keep forgetting to pick that up but I know everyone LOVES it!
xo
Alicia
So timely as I was making my TJ’s list as this email came in! Thank you for the new ideas. We love the pesto marinated chicken cutlets (meat section), soy chorizo (for breakfast tacos), frozen potato and pepper medley, gluten free toaster waffles, green goddess dressing and mango slaw.
Thank you so much for the new ideas! It’s so nice to get a recommendation from someone on good things! Love the Green Goddess Dressing, toO!
xo
Alicia
Thanks for sharing this post. Like you, I prepare all our meals – I almost never buy processed food. When my youngest daughter visits, she complains that I have nothing but ingredients! However, at Trader Joe’s, I am tempted to purchase prepared foods – the descriptions sound so good!
I just purchased the Garlic Aioli Mustard just because it sounded tasty and am grateful for your suggestion to use it on fish.
Again, thanks for this post.
My girls say the same thing: “We need food!” When there is a ton of food it’s just not in a box! I hope you love the Garlic Aioli Mustard!
xo
Alicia
Thank you for doing this post. I LOVE Trader Joe’s but there is SO much there that it is great to hear reviews of what others are loving. I got some good ideas and I am headed to TJ’s this afternoon!
There are so many things to try and I love to hear what others like, too!
xo
Alicia
TJ’s frozen Vegetable Bird’s Nests and the Tofu Edamame Nuggets make a great shortcut Asian hors d’oeuvres platter. Just add a soy dipping sauce and you’re good to go!
Oh! I love a good appetizer idea! I’ll look for these. I’ve never tried tofu but I will at your recommendation!
xo
Alicia
Frozen chocolate croissants; perfect to keep in the freezer to serve when house guests arrive
That is such a great idea!
xo
Alicia
Love the orange chicken and the portobello chicken with green beans from the frozen section. The whole grain brown rice goes great with it and seems like a “healthier” version of Asian food. I bake the orange
Chicken vs, the usual fried type.
That sounds wonderful! I’ll have to try your recipe!
xo
Alicia
I know you have to be sensitive to gluten in your house. Are these products gluten free? Thank you.
Hi, Connie,
Yes! These are all gluten-free!
xo
Alicia
Love TJ. Wish I lived closer. I copy your lists to use when I get a chance to go. I also
Always get an orchid.
Their orchids are a great find! I love to take three or four small orchids and create a centerpiece in one of my large blue and white bowls or even my silver punch bowl!
xo
Alicia
We love the buffalo hummus and vegan queso!
Hi Erin,
I’ll have to try that!
xo
Alicia
TJ’s frozen orange chicken is a quick weekday meal too.
Oooh! That sounds great! I’ll have to try it!
xo
Alicia