My Favorite Trader Joe’s Products

44 Replies

As you may remember, Trader Joe’s opened up in Mt. Pleasant last month. Amanda and I went to the grand opening, and I have been many times since. Many, many times. An inappropriate amount of times according to Wachovia. Here are some of my favorite products I’ve had so far.

Trader Joe’s Greek Yogurt + the Sugar, Chocolate, & Coffee grinder:

Spiral Wines Cabernet Sauvignon. For only $4.99, this wine is a steal. It’s much better than the 2 Buck Chuck. Go ahead, splurge a couple more dollars, ha.

I know soda isn’t the best thing for me, but sometimes I have my cravings. I don’t feel too bad drinking these:

Carrot Ginger Soup. It’s got great flavor, and for being low-fat, it’s pretty creamy.soup

Roasted Chicken Patties. These are incredibly convenient and are great on top of a salad or with a plate of veggies. I am really impressed with how much flavor they have.patties

Speaking of salads, this Champagne Pear Vinaigrette is awesome. It’s low in calories and fat, but it’s sweetness and chunks of gorgonzola make it an excellent salad dressing.

champagne

Lemon Pepper Pappardelle. I made a shrimp & broccoli recipe with this here.

Omega Trek Mix packets. For only 170 calories, these bags full of walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries are a great on-the-go snack.

omegas

Freeze-dried mango and banana slices. Holy heck, I could down an entire bag of each of these. mangobanana

And on the sweet note, these Dark Chocolate Mints are a delightful treat.chocmints

I have bought a lot of different products, and of them all, I’ve only been disappointed in two. First up, this Dark Chocolate Bar with Caramel & Black Sea Salt. These flavors are right up my alley, but unfortunately the 70% cacao was too bitter for me. seasalt

I was psyched to see these prepared beets, but they were much too vinegar-y.

How about you? Which TJ’s products have you loved? Any I should avoid?

Related posts:

  1. My Favorite Healthy Snacks
  2. Tasty Tuesday
  3. My Favorite Healthy Snacks
  4. I spy Trader Joe’s, The Fresh Market, and Fresh2Order!
  • http://www.drizzleofsunshine.blogspot.com Joanna

    I just love TJ’s! Such great quality stuff for pretty cheap! That sugar coffee grinder thing looks amazing! I need that! I really love their selection, my favorite things have to me the oatmeal bar soap and this candy bar that I haven’t seen in awhile, but is sooo good! I’ts a PB &J chocolate bar with potato chips inside…. sounds funny but it’s a perfect combo of sweet and salty! The only bad thing I’ve had there is their Veggie breakfast sausage patties…GROSS!

    • http://www.hungrymeetshealthy.com/ Christina

      OMG that chocolate bar sounds awesome. i didn’t see it yesterday, but i’ll ask next time i’m in.

  • http://foodnessgracious.blogspot.com/ Foodness Gracious

    I recently saw some new stuff, a pack of brownie mix which you literally open and pour into the pan and bake, it looks really good, theres also some more new shakers like the vanilla one you bought. Olive oil chips, salmon teriyaki rice bowl is pretty tasty and pasta in clam sauce which can be matched up with the frozen steamer clams and garlic bread for an awesome dinner. Don’t forget the frozen garlic fries. Yeah maybe I shop there too much… oh I almost forgot they have great frozen bluberry scones that you bake at home, sprinkle some brown sugar on top and eat with some coffee for an awesome breakfast. I’m done now…

  • http://profiles.google.com/mes836 Meghan Smith

    Be still my beating heart…I LOVE T.J.’s freeze-dried mango and those papparadelle noodles are the best. I think one of my favorite products has to be their tofu veggie burger. The packaging is a lot like those chicken patties. Alas the closest I am to one of those right now is at least 6 hours :-(

  • http://twitter.com/MegLIBTF Meg Bailey

    Sigh… wouldn’t I love a trader joe’s.  But there’s a Whole Foods coming here next year!  I think I would LOVE that pear vinaigrette! 

  • Kerryne

    Have you seen the “nothin but banana”?  Its just a banana flattened.  It tastes like heaven.  The texture is like a fruit leather treat.  SOOOOOO good!  You have to try them!

  • http://nevernotbeautiful.blogspot.com Laura @ nevernotbeautiful

    That salad dressing sounds delish!! I love their almond butter with flax seeds…

  • http://www.theblondebrunette.com/ Lynnette

    I have never been to Trader Joe’s, is everything they have their own brand? Or is it a lot like whole foods? that sugar coffee grinder is cool!

  • http://www.thepreppyvegan.com The Preppy Vegan

    So…now that I’ve moved to the middle of nowhere, I’ve been telling myself that I’m just fine shopping at Food Lion. This post reminded me that I WANT A TRADER JOE’S! I used to pop their chocolate-covered edamame and chocolate-covered almonds like crack rocks. But I think you’ve hit on the real treasure of TJ’s: the wine section. Ka-ching!

  • Sheanna Caban

    My relationship with TJ’s is dysfunctional.  I have this thingwith crowds…Too many people makes me go into anaphalactic shock and I start choking on my own saliva.  Okay, not really.  It just makes me want to run screaming from the store.  I went in to get a few products, but ended up with nothing because people were parking their carts haphazardly and loitering entirely too long around the very items I wanted to procure.  I left empty handed and my eye was twitching from anxiety.  I plan on going back and getting that pasta once the frenzy dies down a little more.  I have a sauce that would be fantazballs with it.

  • http://chocolateandcarrots.com Caroline

    Yum! That Lemon Pepper Pasta looks amazing! I loved the salted caramel sauce and chocolate cake mix. Mmm…so good.

  • Lacy Scherf

    Oh how I miss trader joes!! On my last trip to Charleston I had to make sure and go there… :) Love your BLOG by the way!! xo

  • http://atastelife.wordpress.com Emily

    Let’s see…the almond butter is by far one of my favorite TJ products.  I’m also partial to their hummus.  Especially the white bean and basil.  Tastes like pesto.  I also love their cilantro salad dressing.  Amazing.  Honestly, anything and everything TJs is a win in my book.

  • Sam

    Chocolate-covered pomegranate seeds from TJ’s are AMAZING.

  • Claire (www.dine-and-dash.com)

    Is there really a bad TJ product? I think not :) I LOVE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!

  • http://www.committofitblog.com Tracy Simmons

    Alas, we do not have TJ’s in Canada. :(

  • http://soakandsimmer.blogspot.com Carly

    I grabbed some hansens diet ginger ale and loved it! you should try the spinach and sour cream dip – or maybe not, it’s seriously addicting! i cannot stay away from it!

  • Jenny Bright

    I’m a HUGE fan of TJ’s, they also do a drawing for anyone who brings in their own bags, make sure you ask next time you are in!

    If you want something sweet get their Truffle Brownie mix. It is AMAZING, the low-fat brownie mix isn’t so bad either & its made with yogurt. We’re also huge fans of the Powerberries (berry juice gummies covered in dark chocolate). I’m obsessed with the Pastry Bites with Feta & Caramelized Onions & their fruit leather is also pretty delicious. :)

  • http://hominygirl.blogspot.com/ Laura

    I’ve tried to go twice now and both times I’ve see people actually barreling over ditches and parking in the neighborhood behind just to get in.  This freaks me out! 

  • http://www.thecaitieexperiment.com/ Caitlin

    I don’t remember if you like bell peppers or not, but if you do, you HAVE to try the roasted red pepper and eggplant spread (it’s with the spaghetti sauce)… I’ve used it on everything from little crostinis (TJ’s baguette, sliced thin, the sauce and a tiny slice of fresh mozz under the broiler) to mixing it with low-fat sour cream and using it as a pasta sauce. SO GOOD! I also love their little individually-wrapped goat cheese medallions. The only two things I’ve tried and really, REALLY hated were the thai peanut sauce (just… no) and the seaweed chips (and I love sushi!).

  • http://www.the-new-healthy.com Stefanie @TheNewHealthy

    I love their vanilla almond milk, tempeh, cilantro jalepeno hummus, meatless meatballs…okay, I love most of their stuff!!

  • http://thegrassskirtblog.com Erin @ The Grass Skirt

    You pretty much captured all of my favorites!  I also love their sprouted wheat & rye bread.  It is delicious!  I’ve used their Soyaki marinade too and am pretty much obsessed.  During the fall, you need to try their pumpkin butter.  It is addictive!  Do not try their Aloe Vera juice.  It tastes like gasoline (or what I’d imagine gasoline would taste like).

  • Lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com)

    Funny, I recently did a post on my favorite TJ’s items too!! I’ve got TONS of favorites, and I can’t recall anything I really didn’t like… but TJ’s has an AWEsome return policy–> If you don’t like it, take it back. NO questions asked!

    Here is my post on my Favorited–> http://redheadrecipes.com/?p=13317

  • Mary Loyal Laffitte

    i agree with you– those beets were awful– way too vinergary!! but i LOVE the edamame hummus.. and also the vegetable fried rice. we actually had that for dinner last night!

  • http://lifeafterhappilyeverafter.blogspot.com Susie Q

    Did you know you can return any item you by at TJ’s (even after you try it) if you decide you don’t like it they’ll give you a refund!  

  • http://peachyplum.wordpress.com Maria

    Oh man, I tried the 70% cacao chocolate too and I thought I ’bout near died (and not in a good way, haha) I’ve been eating it with a scoop of peanut butter to fight the bitterness. I wish Maryland TJs sold wine :( I love their produce the best! So inexpensive! I always buy their vanilla extract.

  • Diana Sternberg

    I too, am totally obsessed with TJ’s – what is wrong with it? Cheap, organic, extremely tasty pre-made food, free samples daily, the happiest staff on earth – I think it is a preview into heaven!!

    I will say, however, that I recently got an extremely sub-par mediterranean pasta salad there – I ended up adding my own sauce to it because of its overwhelming lack of flavor. BUMMER. Everything else, though, perfecto! Their PB is my favorite in the world, also their 2 gallon bags of gluten free oats, also their teriyaki tofu, also their hummus, also their….should I stop??

  • http://www.confessionsofachocoholic.com/ Bianca Garcia

    I have a long list of favorite TJ products but here’s one: edamame hummus! http://www.confessionsofachocoholic.com/healthy/trader-joes-edamame-hummus

  • http://iheartvegetables.wordpress.com/ Liz @ Iheartvegetables

    I’m seriously trying to think of something I’ve purchased at TJ’s that I didn’t like.

    One time I had this Punjabi Eggplant thing… and it wasn’t that good… but I think it just wasn’t my kind of thing.

    I love the rice noodle bowls, the multigrain pilaf dinners, and the bean enchiladas (they’re in the frozen section) YUM!!

  • Tasha

    Hey Christina,

    I have a quick question I absoulutely love your banana bread recipe with the greek yogurt!! Since fall is coming I was wondering if you have a healthy pumpkin bread recipe?  Thanks!!!

  • http://fittingbackin.blogspot.com Kelly

    Love your recs!! I use that pasta and those roasted chicken patties!! 

    I love SO many of their sauces and chutneys!

  • Sarah

    I need to try the wine (duh), chicken patties, and lemon pepper pasta!  I love that soda, too.  

    TJ’s Fruit Bars and mint chip ice cream (light on the ice cream, heavy on the chip) are a.maz.ing.  Pizza dough was pretty impressive.  Lots more to try!!!

  • http://lifesabowl.wordpress.com/ Allison

    I’m at TJ’s all too often [at least 2-3 times per week?]- aka they know me by name and ask me where I’ve been if I’m MIA or a couple of days :P

    I haven’t tried the Sugar, Chocolate, & Coffee grinder yet but it sounds right up my alley!  Some of my favorites include: low carb whole wheat tortillas, whole wheat english muffins, apple chicken sausage, low-sodium butternut squash soup, dill pickles, frozen mushroom risotto, veggie enchiladas, and the tomato basil gnocchi [and many, many more but I don't want to be a bore] :D

  • http://onehealthymunchkin.blogspot.com/ Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin

    I’ve never been to a TJs since we don’t have them in Canada. :( But when my mom visited one on her trip to the US, she brought me back pumpkin butter which I LOVE!

  • http://thisitalianfamily.wordpress.com/ Rach

    The chicken and the pasta both sound great! I’ve never been to Trader Joes, but someday I’ll make it to one!

  • http://lovingsimplemoments.wordpress.com/ Nicole

    LOVE Trader Joe’s…  :)   I just wish there was one closer to my house!

  • http://greekyogurtandappleslices.com/ Holly

    Reading this makes me SO sad that we don’t have a TJ’s. :( Maybe they will finally get one to FL…maybe they are moving down the east coast :)
    And seriously you are like the one person that I know that loves beets so much. Whenever I see them, I always think of you! Haha!
    STAY SAFE this weekend– thinking of you!!!

  • http://www.icouldbeordinary.com amanda

    i need to try those noodles. i need to try them RIGHT NOW! also on my to try list at trader joes: that coffee grinder stuff and the dressing. 

  • http://www.icouldbeordinary.com amanda

    oh! and some of my fave trader joe products: naan, thai vegetable gyoza, spanakopita, corn salsa

  • http://ferventfoodie.com/ Mary @ Fervent Foodie

    My favorite TJ’s items are the sprouted bread, greek yogurt (plain and vanilla), their premade wheat pizza dough, 3 cheese Italian cheese blend, traditional hummus & cilantro jalapeno hummus, and of course they are the only place around that sells Peanut Butter Puffins cereal mmmmmmm…..

  • http://profiles.google.com/moneymarriagemotherhood Christina Stephens

    I’m your newest follower from the Locals Link Up over at ‘for you {by love}’ & i’m loving your blog! i’m in Mt P, as well:)  just wanted to let you know I list the best deals you’ll find at Trader Joe’s each week & any coupons available over on my blog, http://www.moneymarriageandmotherhood.blogspot.com

    Have a great week!
    Christina S.

  • Deanna Regina

    I absolutely LOVE this post. :) Trader Joe’s is one of my FAVORITE grocery stores, hands down. I have one less than 5 mins from my home, which is dangerous. I haven’t tried those items you posted and am going to make a point to buy/try some of them! As far as things that I love from TJ’s: 
    - For wine always buy their Velvet Moon Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s delicious.- The reduced guilt brownie mix makes fantastic fat-free brownies. Just add some plain vanilla yogurt and bam!- TJ’s hummus, pita chips, and flatbread crackers are a must have.- Combined: TJ’s turkey chili, cornbread, and white cheddar cheese, makes a tasty chili casserole (the chicken chili is also great).- I am obsessed with TJ’s black bean soup as well as their roasted red pepper soup. Stay away from the butternut squash soup (I didn’t like it, at least).- Their organic salted creamy peanut butter, fruit spreads, salad dressings, pretzel things, salads, salsa, pasta sauces, and etc is all soo good! I could go on and on… I buy everything from TJ’s. =D

  • http://stepsofcourage.blogspot.com/ Deanna Regina

    I absolutely LOVE this post. :) Trader Joe’s is one of my FAVORITE grocery stores, hands down. I have one less than 5 mins from my home, which is dangerous. I haven’t tried those items you posted and am going to make a point to buy/try some of them! As far as things that I love from TJ’s: 
    - For wine always buy their Velvet Moon Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s delicious.- The reduced guilt brownie mix makes fantastic fat-free brownies. Just add some plain vanilla yogurt and bam!- TJ’s hummus, pita chips, and flatbread crackers are a must have.- Combined: TJ’s turkey chili, cornbread, and white cheddar cheese, makes a tasty chili casserole (the chicken chili is also great).- I am obsessed with TJ’s black bean soup as well as their roasted red pepper soup. Stay away from the butternut squash soup (I didn’t like it, at least).- Their organic salted creamy peanut butter, fruit spreads, salad dressings, pretzel things, salads, salsa, pasta sauces, and etc is all soo good! I could go on and on… I buy everything from TJ’s. =D