Trader Joe’s has to be one of my favorite grocery stores of all time. I remember I went for the first time back in 2007 in South Carolina, on vacation with my family. I was in high school, and I remember walking in with all sorts of wonder at this magical and fun grocery store. The tiki signs, and the cutesy, colorful packaging all drew me in, at such an alarming rate.
As I got older and got married, I would make special trips, whenever there was one even remotely close to us, just to pick up a few things. I loved the affordable prices, and creative products.
Last summer, when we lived in Baton Rouge, there was one 10 minutes from our apartment. I found myself frequenting it every week, and falling more and more in love. I literally google “best Trader Joe’s products” in my spare time, its bordering on unhealthy, haha.
Anyways, if you’re ever in the neighborhood of a Trader Joe’s, here are my favorite picks!
- Everything but the bagel seasoning-This is my favorite product of all time that Trader Joe’s sells. Its so inexpensive and I use it on everything. Eggs, avocado toast, lunch bowls, etc. And it’s only $1.99.
- Thai Chili Lime cashews-if you like spicy things, you’ll love these cashews! The flavors are so amazing and delicious. They are a little pricier, because they’re nuts, but its worth it.
- Sweet Potato Gnocchi with butter and sage-we just discovered these a few months ago and are so addicted. They are the perfect dinner (I love to pair them with roasted Brussel sprouts) and are super filling.
- Just Mangos-exactly what the name says, these are just mangos, no sweeteners, nothing fancy. But they are so sweet, with the perfect amount of tart. An amazing snack.
- Caramelized Onion White Cheddar-Trader Joe’s has so many amazing cheeses! But this one has to be our favorite, the sweet caramelized onion adds the most surprising and delicious flavor to the cheddar. A few of our other favorites are: jalapeño and honey chèvre goat cheese (this one’s a seasonal product for summer) , unexpected cheddar, Za’atar chèvre goat cheese, and the English Cotswold.
- Cookie Butter-it’s sweet and delicious, and a Trader Joe’s trademark, enough said.
- Frozen chocolate croissants-you set these out to rise the night before, and pop them in the oven in the morning. They are the closest thing to feeling like I’m in a French bakery in the morning that I can find! I love them.
- Herbs and Spices Popcorn-I know Trader Joe’s has so many different flavors of yummy popcorn, but this is the one I come back to over and over again. I love the spices in it.
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Cupcakes-ok these are becoming an unhealthy addiction. If you are a chocolate, and peanut butter lover you will die over these.
- Dark Chocolate PB mini cups-another chocolate, peanut butter option…these are the best! They come in a big plastic container, but they typically sell small packages by the check out stands too, for $.99.
- Scandinavian Swimmers-these are tasty little candies, almost like Swedish fish, except bigger and different flavors and shapes. The boys love these, and I do too.
- All of the salads-the yummiest premade salads that you can just take and eat for lunch. So easy.
- Flowers-They always have the cheapest flowers. I usually pay $2.99 for a really pretty little bundle.
- Greeting Cards-At $.99, these greeting cards are such a great deal! And they have so many pretty, sweet options
**Also, if you have kids its an extra fun place to visit because they usually have mini carts for the kids to push! In addition to that, at the check out stand, you can ask for a sucker and/or sticker…we usually get both.
Have you ever been to a Trader Joe’s? If so, what are your favorite things to buy there??