Grocery
17 New Trader Joe’s Products to Stock Up on ASAP
Plus, some old favorites make a triumphant return.
Photo by PHOTO BY BOBBI LIN. FOOD STYLIST: ANNA BILLINGSKOG. PROP STYLIST: BROOKE DEONARINE.
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42 Comments
Patty W.
January 12, 2021
Chili-lime chicken burgers, gyoza, the bag salads, French baguette, pancake bread, omg~ their cheeses, the fiocchetti (pasta “purses” in pink sauce), the inside-out gnocchi, I love their ready-made boxed miso soup along with their chicken/cilantro wontons, pepperoni Mac and cheese, ALL mac and cheese there, mushroom risotto, the refrigerated tikka masala and chicken medallion coconut red curry sauce-TO DIE FOR, IMO- desserts, sorbets...And I’m just getting started! 🤣🤣
tkp
January 11, 2021
Really wish they'd do delivery or online ordering. There's just no way we're going into that tiny store during the pandemic.
Gammy
January 11, 2021
Timing is everything. Most times of the day our local TJ is no more crowded than our Publix grocery store. TJ also puts limits on in-store shoppers and has areas outside for a waiting line. I have noticed that they also have a greater ratio of staff to shoppers than the typical grocery store. Make a list and you will breeze thru.
Mellen
January 9, 2021
I like the dark chocolate espresso beans. Miss that my TJ’s no longer has the instant onion dip mix - no preservatives and just simple ingredients.
Gammy
January 4, 2021
I STILL wish Trader Joe's would bring back the Mango Bon-bons from a couple summers ago. So yummy enrobed in that dark chocolate.... Sigh......
Ms. S.
January 4, 2021
Woooweee! Have you tried the all year around tamales?! It doesn’t matter which ones you try, they are all delicious. Chicken, Beef or cheese and green Chile.
Heidihelm
January 3, 2021
mint chocolate covered shortbread stars! Also the cauliflower gnocchi are surprisingly good and a simple dinner. The frozen french green beans (haricot verte) are also a freezer staple for me.
Mo W.
January 3, 2021
We also love the Indian Butter Chicken and usually pair it with the TJ Indian Vegetable Biryani with dumplings. My husband and I split the two dishes and it is as good as if not better than local Indian restaurants. Easy peasy when there isn't time to cook. I also loved the frozen stacked eggplant.
MLHE
January 12, 2021
Because of this comment, I tried the Butter Chicken (and I really try to be vegetarian). Just: thank you. Thank you. (Sorry, chickens.)
scoot87501
January 3, 2021
No Trader Joe list I have ever seen includes Butter Chicken. I can't imagine why. For me and my wife it is by far the best item in the frozen section. I buy two so she gets one and I get one. It comes with Basmati rice. It is a bit spicy so she adds some yogurt to hers. I like to pair it with the Chana Masala for a knock-out Indian meal. It tastes just like it came from the best Indian restaurant.
Hannah
January 3, 2021
For a little while I saw the joe-Joe’s ice cream pints in my TJ’s, but not anymore. I so wanted to try it!!
Rockstargirl
January 3, 2021
Aaaah, those cornbread bites are a party in your mouth. I also really love the sweet and spicy jelly, with a baked brie. The TJ Puff pastry is amazing and also seasonal, so I tend to stock up on it, as well as the cornbread bites. They each have their own sections in my freezer.
Cynthia F.
January 3, 2021
Wish these lists didn’t focus so much on snacks and sweet items. Would love to see more savory and substantial items reviewed.
Jen
January 3, 2021
My life and my freezer isn't complete without the Frozen Veggie and Frozen Chicken Fried Rice. They both seem like such simple things but they are the best tasting and most convenient building blocks for the rest of my meals.
Mo W.
January 3, 2021
The box of chopped yellow onions are fabulous to sauté and add to anything. Brioche French toast, all prepared and ready to warm in the microwave is a huge hit at our house. We also adore the scallion pancakes - just warm them in the over as a super side dish for fish or chicken. T J Mac'n Cheese is as good as it gets. Our new favorite is the marinated chicken thighs all ready for the grill. I buy several of the pre-made Southwestern salads to use for lunch. Only $3.95 and 210 calories and so fresh and delicious.
MLHE
January 3, 2021
Do you know how many complete boxes of Peppermint JoJos I've eaten all by myself? Neither do I, but with each one consumed, my mouth was on vacation.
barbara S.
January 3, 2021
Get your hands on a jar of Trader Joe's Black Truffle Cashew Pesto Sauce! OMG it is amazing on crostini with goat cheese and a drizzle of honey
Sharon
January 3, 2021
On your list I have had the maple butter, cornbread biscotti and vanilla bean paste and enjoyed them all. For a fleeting moment they had Everything But The Turkey potato chips that were very good but I only saw them once. Keep your eyes peeled.
Marycooks
January 5, 2021
You are so right about the chips DE-Liscious bought 2 bags and when I went back 2 days later to get more “All Gone”
Stephanie A.
January 3, 2021
The secret ingredient you mention in the turkey seasoning is actually just another name for MSG. Of course, it makes the product taste yummy! That's what MSG does. But it does so by acting on the brain and nervous system and it is really not very good for your overall health. MSG has many(!) altenate, legal names. Over 34, at last count. If you want to know more about the very unappetizing side-effects of MSG and the various names that it goes by, you can read Dr. Russell Blaylock's book "Exitotoxins: the taste that kills". Russell Blaylock is a neurosurgeon.
Umami C.
January 3, 2021
Yes, let us all read a book by a pseudoscience peddler and conspiracy theorist (by someone who was once a respected neurosurgeon). Everything he has written has been widely debunked. But by all means feel free to follow his advise on how to cure your cancer if you were to get it, that green tea will do wonders for you!
brandyk
January 3, 2021
I stop reading whenever someone uses the word debunked. Be honest, you never even scratched the surface of researching anything about that man.






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