What to Buy at Trader Joe’s

I have been obsessed with Trader Joe’s before I ever set foot in the popular grocery store. One of the big reasons I was excited to move to California? Trader Joe’s.

On my Instagram (@blushinginhollywood) I’ve been posting Trader Joe’s Tuesday where I recommend different products or quick recipes. I figured I’d put together a master list of all of my all time favorite products. Whether you’re visiting Trader Joe’s for the first time or just want to know what’s good at Trader Joe’s you can use this post as a reference!

Trader Joe’s Condiments/Salsas/Dips/Spreads

Trader Joe’s Homestyle Salsa Especial in Medium

There’s a lot of salsa options at Trader Joe’s, but I’d argue that Salsa Especial in Medium is the best. It’s not too chunky, but not that super runny restaurant style that won’t stay on the chip. It’s also very spicy- I’d say more of a Medium Hot. This and Organic Stone Ground Blue Corn Tortilla Chips are probably my most purchased items from Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s 5 Layer Dip

Garbanzo & Black Bean Hummus, Guacamole, Pico de Gallo Salsa, Sour Cream & a 4 Cheese Blend. Good luck not eating 1/2 of this at least in 1 sitting especially with those Elote Corn Chips.

Trader Joe’s Pepper Jelly

Sweet hot perfection. Bite Sized Everything Cracker + Pepper Jelly + Havarti with Dill or Italian Truffle Cheese = perfection. This is a fantastic unexpected addition to a charcuterie platter especially if you’re like me and hate fruit.

Trader Joe’s Tzatziki Creamy Greek Cucumber Dip

This is SO GOOD on garlic naan or persian cucumbers even though there’s cucumbers in it.

Roasted Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic

This dip is savory and a little sweet. It’s relatively healthy and has some fiber in it too. I like it as part of a cheese plate, to dip crackers in, and spread on top of fresh baguette slices.

Chipotle Black Bean Dip

Again- healthy, quick, easy, has fiber, and delicious. Perfect on- you guessed it- the organic blue corn tortilla chips.

Zhoug Sauce

When I asked for Trader Joe’s recommendations on a YouTube video someone recommended this very spicy cilantro sauce. She recommended drizzling it on meat or roasted veggies. I also like to dip garlic naan and sweet mini peppers in it.

Trader Giotto’s Bruschetta Sauce

You’re going to want the bruschetta in the green tub that’s near the Salsa Especial in the refrigerated section it’s much better than the shelf version.

My friend Jessica Jay taught me how to make this amazing healthy snack/dinner. You take a brown rice cake, top it with vegan mozzarella and bake it in the oven until it’s a bit melty. Take it out and top it with Trader Giotto’s Bruschetta Sauce, fresh chopped basil, salt, pepper, and chili flakes and enjoy!

Blue Cheese Mustard

For some God-forsaken reason this is only a seasonal item around the holidays. I stocked up because it was incredible. I literally can eat it off a spoon it’s so good.

Trader Joe’s Chips, Crackers, and Breads

Organic Stone Ground Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

I like to call these a “healthy chip” even though I know I’m lying to myself. To be fair they have chia seeds and some fiber in them so they have a bit of nutritional value. I just think they’re the perfect strength for dipping and love the slightly nutty flavor from the seeds.

Trader Joe’s Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers

Umm Mexican street corn flavored corn chips? YES PLEASE. These are a little spicy and a lot addicting. I love them with the Trader Joe’s 5 Layer Dip.

Trader Joe’s Bite Sized Everything Crackers

These are like an everything bagel, but in cracker form and are absolutely delicious and addicting. These or the Some Enchanted Crackers which are basically a bigger and less garlicky version are great to have on hand for snacks.

Trader Joe’s Seeds & Grains Crispbread Norwegian Crackers

I love these with some peanut butter with a quick and healthy breakfast.

They’re also amazing for crumbling into tomato soup or asparagus soup like a crouton for some texture.

Trader Joe’s Artisan Bread Parm-iago Parmesan & Asiago Rosemary Rolls

Heavenly. Toast them up and serve with soup or make into a sandwich and ENJOY.

Trader Joe’s Cheese

Italian Truffle Cheese

Trader Joe’s has an outstanding and super affordable cheese selection and my #1 pick is the Italian Truffle Cheese. It’s just perfection. I love to take an Organic Stone Ground Blue Corn Tortilla chip and top is with the Salsa Especial in Medium and a little square of Italian Truffle Cheese which is a weird but delicious and addicting combo.

Havarti with Dill

I love how aromatic and flavorful this one is. It’s great on Bite Sized Everything Crackers.

Mini Brie Bites

Little 1 serving wheels of brie in rind in a to-go pack? Yes, yes please.

Trader Joe’s Nuts

Trader Joe’s Thai Chili & Lime Cashews

These are HOT and addicting and delicious and incredible. If you like spicy give them a try!

Truffle Marcona Almonds

Marcona almonds are usually super expensive because they’re fancy AF. Luckily TJs makes this luxury food available to the masses. These and the Rosemary Marcona Almonds are fancy snack perfection.

Salt and Pepper Pistachios

Super pepper-y if you’re into that sort of thing. I love to suck on the shells to get it all off. YUM.

Sweet & Spicy Pecans

Moderately spicy and lightly sweetened these are excellent on their own or chopped up in a mixed green salad with some goat cheese and beets.

Coconut Cashews

Excellent mid-afternoon snack. Not too sweet and it’s a nut so it’s healthy.

Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods

Trader Joe’s 4 Chocolate Croissants

These are an incredible treat. They take pre-planning because you have to leave them out overnight to proof but OMG does melt in your mouth deliciousness awaits the next day!

Trader Giotto’s Bambino Pepperoni Pizza

These lil pizza’s are the perfect quick and delicious meal when you’re feeling lazy. They’re a freezer staple for me. I like to top them with a little TJs crumbled goat cheese if I’m feeling frisky.

Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi

Cauliflower Gnocchi is one of the top selling items at TJs. It’s a little tricky to figure out how to cook it without having it stick to the pan, but once you figure it out it’s perfect. I like it with the vegan or regular pesto.

Trader Joe’s Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers with Black Beans and Roasted Corn

These are great to have on hand for a quick dinner. I would pop it into the toaster oven and eat it with a fork and some veggies on the side like roasted sweet potatoes with cayenne. I love the Thai Chili frozen veggie burgers too.

Trader Joe’s Frozen Garlic Naan

This is great because it cooks quickly and tastes amazing on it’s own or dipped in hummus or topped with tabouleh or tzatziki.

Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese and Caramelized Onions

The ultimate frozen appetizer to have on hand for unexpected guests. SO SO good.

Thai Vegetable Gyoza

Another freezer staple for me. You pan fry them in a little oil to make them crispy on all sides then steam them the rest of the way through. I make a sauce with soy sauce or TJ’s coconut aminos, garlic chili sauce (I WISH Trader Joe’s carried this), a little brown sugar and a little TJ’s sesame oil.

Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

One of my top 10 TJs products ever, but I’m not going to make a big deal about it right now because it’s only available during Pumpkin Spice Latte season. STOCK UP IF YOU EVER SEE IT!!!

Trader Joe’s Salads

Mediterranean Style Salad Kit

This one is new to me, but I loved it! It has romaine, shredded broccoli stalks, radicchio, celery, seasoned flatbread strips, feta, sun dried tomatoes, roasted chickpeas and a red wine vinaigrette.

Trader Joe’s Southwestern Chopped Salad

This is a perfect quick and easy dinner that won’t make you feel too full. I also feel like this lasts at least a week in my fridge without going bad which is great for a bagged salad mix.

Produce/Vegetables

Teeny Tiny Avocados

As a single person I don’t need those XXL Haas avocados because they’ll turn brown before I finish the other half. Plus these will get ripe more quickly. Warning: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ripe avocado at a Trader Joe’s so if you buy one here you are planning for the future.

Sweet Mini Peppers

These are like baby bell peppers (so not spicy) that are bright and vibrant and great for snacking. I dip them in hummus, tzatziki, or Zhoug sauce.

Persian Cucumbers

Maybe I just love tiny foods?? I like these little guys I cut them up in rounds and squeeze fresh lemon juice on them then top with kosher salt or tajin. I also dip these in hummus (sometimes topped with Everything but the Bagel seasoning) or tzatziki sauce.

Miscellaneous Faves

Vegetable and Soba Noodle Stir Fry Kit

This mix has broccoli, bok choy, savoy cabbage, snow peas, green onions, soba noodles and a soy ginger sauce. I like to add in a little extra Ginger stir-in paste and chili garlic sauce because if you didn’t catch on by now I love everything spicy.

Trader Joe’s Organic Baked Tofu Teriyaki Flavor

I cube this up and pan fry it and then keep it in the fridge and eat it throughout the week. This is also great on top of soups.

Everything But the Bagel Seasoning

You know all the deliciousness that coats an Everything Bagel? Yeah they’re all on here ready to shake on your Milk Bar Bagel Bombs, scrambled eggs, avocado toast, salad, roasted veggies, whatever!

Trader Joe’s Desserts

Trader Joe’s Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

These break and bake cookies are freaking bomb. Eat the dough or bake the cookies (but don’t over bake!) and enjoy.

Trader Joe’s Deep Dish Cookie

You know when you go to a chain restaurant and get a skillet chocolate chip cookie sundae? This is the at home version. Don’t forget to get ice cream to make it a sundae. I love vanilla ice cream with this. Add some Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce omg. I can eat that stuff straight out of the jar.

The TJ’s mint chip or coffee ice cream from TJs are both delicious as well.

Trader Joe’s Blondie Bar Baking Mix

OMG DIVINE. Super simple and outstanding.

Trader Joe’s Chantilly Cream Vanilla Bean Mini Sheet Cake and Dark Chocolate Ganache Mini Sheet Cake

These may not look like much in their little containers, but they are incredible. You will not be disappointed. Especially the vanilla the flavors rival a fancy bakery. These are good if you’re feeling old and like you can’t make a big deal about your birthday anymore but you really want cake but not too much cake, ya know?

Trader Joe’s Chocolate Covered Coconut Macaroons

These were a recent find for me and I love them. The chocolate is so fudgey and perfect. I love keeping them in the fridge. In the store look for them by the bread!

Chocolate Coconut Almonds

These have a shiny chocolate coating (vs. the more dusty but still delicious Sea Salt Turbinado Chocolate Almonds) and are fantastic. Super addicting. Coconuts and almonds are health foods, right?

Gummy Tummies

These adorable little penguin gummy candies with filled tummies are a great lil treat. I recommend them for road trips or to sneak into the movie theater. Do not, I repeat, do not confuse these with the Scandinavian Swimmers.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These are like those mini Reese’s cups, but with 1 less wrapper slowing you down from eating a whole plastic tub of them.

Laceys Cookies Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut

Dangerously good. Like oops I ate the whole container myself in one night good. The lacey part of the cookie is so perfect and crunchy and caramelized and the chocolate is the perfect complement.

Best Trader Joe’s Wine

I’m 32 so no, I’m not going to say 2 buck chuck. Some of these are available at other stores, but I know it can be hard to pick wines so recommendations can be handy.

White Wine – Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

This is a sweet white wine and a crowd pleaser and only $7. I usually have a bottle of this in my fridge just in case. I had this wine sitting on ice cubes with flowers (from Trader Joe’s) in them at my sister’s Tropical Bridal Shower.

Red Wine – Pontificis GSM (Trader Joe’s Exclusive)

For red I usually like a blend like this Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre (whatever that means) from France. Again, less than $10, light, crisp, and delicious.

Rose – Whispering Angel

IDK if it was the Bitch Sesh podcast, Real Housewives, or what, but this is a super popular rose. It’s a DRY rose aka not super sweet and much much better. I ordered it at a Houston’s and my dad liked it so much he added it to the menu at his restaurant. I’m pretty proud of that.

I also like that Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie wine aka Miraval.

These are both over $20 so they’re for when I’m feeling fancy.

Trader Joe’s Beauty Product Favorites

Trader Joe’s Jojoba Oil

This is such a great use-it-for-everything beauty product. Yes people love to put coconut oil on everything, but Jojoba oil is less comedogenic meaning it’s much less likely to clog your pores.

The rose water facial toner is whatever. It’s nice to keep in your fridge and mist on your face when you’re feeling heated.

Trader Joe’s Coconut Oil + Brown Sugar

This simple mix from the regular grocery makes one of the best exfoliators ever! Read more about it in my self tanning post.

Need even more Trader Joe’s Recommendations? Check out this YouTube video I made over the holidays which contains lots of non-seasonal items as well!

Trader Joe’s Shopping List

Condiments/Salsas/Dips/Spreads

Homestyle Salsa Especial in Medium

5 Layer Dip

Pepper Jelly

Tzatziki Creamy Greek Cucumber Dip

Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic

Chipotle Black Bean Dip

Zhoug Sauce

Trader Giotto’s Bruschetta Sauce

Blue Cheese Mustard

Chips/Crackers/Breads

Organic Stone Ground Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers

Bite Sized Everything Crackers

Seeds & Grains Crispbread Norwegian Crackers

Artisan Bread Parm-iago Parmesan & Asiago Rosemary Rolls

Cheese

Italian Truffle Cheese

Havarti Cheese with Dill

Mini Brie Bites

Nuts

Thai Chili & Lime Cashews

Truffle Marcona Almonds

Rosemary Marcona Almonds

Salt and Pepper Pistachios

Sweet & Spicy Pecans

Coconut Cashews

Frozen

4 Chocolate Croissants

Bambino Pepperoni Pizza

Cauliflower Gnocchi

Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers

Thai Chili Veggie Burgers

Garlic Naan

Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese and Caramelized Onions

Thai Vegetable Gyoza

Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

Salads

Mediterranean Style Salad Kit

Southwestern Chopped Salad

Produce/Vegetables

Teeny Tiny Avocados

Sweet Mini Peppers

Persian Cucumbers

Misc.

Vegetable and Soba Noodle Stir Fry Kit

Organic Baked Tofu Teriyaki Flavor

Everything But the Bagel Seasoning

Coconut Aminos

Dessert

Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Deep Dish Cookie

Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce

Blondie Bar Baking Mix

Chantilly Cream Vanilla Bean Mini Sheet Cake

Dark Chocolate Ganache Mini Sheet Cake

Chocolate Covered Coconut Macaroons

Chocolate Coconut Almonds

Sea Salt Turbinado Chocolate Almonds

Gummy Tummies

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Lacey’s Cookies Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut

Wine

Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

Pontificis GSM

Whispering Angel Rose

Miraval Rose

Beauty

Jojoba Oil

Coconut Oil