If you’re reading this, then you’re probably already a big fan of Trader Joe’s. And I’m sure you have your own list of must-have TJ’s products. (Don’t we all?)
I honestly didn’t start shopping at Trader Joe’s until relatively recently, but since then, I’ve developed an addiction for a handful of their products…
Here’s my list of the eight TJ’s products I absolutely have to keep my kitchen stocked with.
Contents
Organic Dry Roasted & Salted Cashews
Finding high-quality organic nuts isn’t as easy as you would think. That’s why I love that Trader Joe’s reliably stocks these organic cashews in their dry snacks aisle.
Packed with protein, iron, potassium, and healthy fat, cashews are one of my all-time favorite sources of vegetarian protein.
At $8.99 for a 1-lb bag, these cashews might seem expensive, but organic cashews elsewhere range in price from $12 to $15 per pound. For this reason, Trader Joe’s is the best source I’ve found for affordable organic cashews. I just wish they offered an organic option for more of their nuts and snack blends.
Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto
I’m a huge fan of pesto. I put it on toast, eggs, pasta… anything, really. Sometimes I’ll even make it at home from scratch, but most of the time I can’t find the extra time.
That’s why I love being able to grab a tub of this Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto from Trader Joe’s. Each container is just $3.99 and lasts me through a whole week of meals. I find that one container is enough to make several large batches of pesto pasta, for example.
Crunchy Chili Onion
To be honest, I was super skeptical of this stuff before I tried it. I had read a ton of underwhelming reviews that claimed that it lacks flavor and is too oily.
They’re all wrong–this stuff is amazing. I bought it for the first time almost a year ago, and I honestly don’t think I’ve let my stash run out since then. I grab a new jar of it almost every time I go to TJ’s, and I put it on almost everything I cook.
This stuff is anything but unflavorful–it’s rich in garlic and onion and has a slight spiciness from the red peppers and chili peppers. I put it on my eggs in the morning, I slather it on avocado toast, and I top every savory meal I make for dinner with this amazing topping. Seriously, just buy it.
Gluten-Free Norwegian Crispbread
I first bought this stuff for two reasons… One, it’s a healthy snack rich in protein. And two, it’s from Norway.
Well, it’s not actually from Norway. But it’s based on a centuries-old Norwegian recipe that supposedly dates all the way back to the Vikings.
I’ve spent some time in Norway in recent years visiting friends, and I’ve developed a taste for these rich, dense, seedy crackers and breads.
So, coming from someone who has tried authentic Norwegian crispbread in Norway, I can confidently say that the Trader Joe’s version is spot on. It has just the right amount of crisp, a great nutty flavor, and an almost butteriness that I can’t quite explain but am definitely not complaining about.
These crackers are also gluten free, making them an accessible snack for many diets. They come in packs of about 10 large crackers (about the size of a piece of bread) and cost $4.29 per bag.
Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
If there’s one Trader Joe’s product that I’m completely addicted to, it’s this one. I actually have to limit myself to only buying them every once in a while, because as soon as I have those pretzels in my possession, they’re gone in record time. I literally can’t help myself–they’re just that good!
These Almond Butter Filled Pretzels are a great alternative to TJ’s classic Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels. I try to avoid non-organic peanut products as much as I can because conventionally farmed peanuts contain the highest amount of pesticides at the point of harvest of any other food in the “dirty dozen.”
So whether you’re allergic to peanuts or just trying to keep your diet as clean as possible, try a bag of these mind-blowingly delicious pretzels for $4.49.
Organic Cold-Pressed Green Juice
As a self-proclaimed health freak, I’m constantly on the hunt for high-quality green juices. I look for products that are low in natural sugars (with zero added sugar) and, whenever possible, high in fiber.
It’s also important to find a green juice that actually tastes good and has a nice texture so that I don’t avoid drinking it.
When I recently discovered Trader Joe’s Organic Cold-Pressed Green Juice, I was honestly shocked. The texture is smooth and the flavor is amazing (not at all sweet, a little citrusy, not overly “green”).
But the most amazing part in my opinion is that a 32-oz bottle costs just $5.99, which is basically unheard of when it comes to high-quality organic green juice.
Check out this post where I break down all of Trader Joe’s green juice offerings and give my honest review.
Garlic Naan
I try not to buy too many things in the frozen section as I prefer to make my meals from scratch. But when it comes to baking bread, I rarely (if ever) find the time.
That’s why I love being able to grab a package of Trader Joe’s Garlic Naan in the frozen aisle whenever I go shopping.
I love warming up my TJ’s Naan for a couple minutes in the toaster oven and having it on the side of a bowl of stew or rice with protein and veggies. There’s a ton of garlic on each piece, which I love. But TJ’s also carries a plain naan in the same section that doesn’t have garlic if that’s your preference.
Each package of TJ’s Garlic Naan costs $2.69 and contains four large pieces of bread. For more info, check out our post about TJ’s Garlic Naan here.
Mochi Ice Cream
I couldn’t wrap up this list without including at least one dessert. While I do try to avoid eating sugar as much as possible, it’s impossible to deny myself of it altogether. Where’s the fun in that?
Trader Joe’s Mochi Ice Cream is by far one of my favorite sweet treats to buy whenever I’m shopping. These ice cream-filled mochi balls come in vanilla, strawberry, green tea, chocolate, chai tea, and ube flavors, but not all of these flavors are available year round. In recent months, I haven’t seen chai or ube at my local store.
TJ’s Mochi is creamy, super flavorful, and not overly sweet. I find that the vanilla variety is the sweetest of all, while the green tea flavor is the least sweet. It’s honestly hard to pick a favorite though, since they’re all so good!
Each package of Trader Joe’s Mochi Ice Cream costs $4.79 and comes with six individually wrapped ice cream treats.
