Trader Joe’s Favorites

Is it just me, or does a visit to Trader Joe’s feel like a field trip?! I get so excited to walk in those doors…usually with a list so I don’t go completely overboard! I know this sounds cheesy, but I can walk into a Trader Joe’s in any city that we are visiting and it feels familiar because I know exactly what products I’m going for! Routine on the road is very comforting and often extremely hard to come by. 
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So without further ado…here is my list of Trader Joe’s Favorites! 

Produce Favorites

Arugula and Spinach – Consistently fresh and you can’t beat the prices!
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Hearts of Romaine – I use these to make lettuce wraps with ground turkey or to cut up for chopped salads! 
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Organic Herb Salad Mix – A bag of organic greens and herbs! This is usually the base of my salads anyway so this mix makes my life so easy! 
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Shaved Brussels Sprouts-If you like your Brussels extra crispy then this product is for you! I sauté them in olive oil then roast them until crispy! 
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Bag of Cara Cara Oranges (or Navel Oranges when Cara Cara not in season) – They are delicious! One of our favorite wedding gifts is our Citrus Press. We use these oranges to make the best fresh-squeezed OJ to serve with breakfast or to make yummy margaritas! 
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Bags of Lemons and Limes – Great deal at TJ’s. I use them in lots of recipes and they make a perfect compliment to the fresh-squeezed OJ in our margaritas! 
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Persian Cucumbers – These mini cucumbers are super crunchy and taste delicious in salads or dipped in guacamole or hummus!
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Kumato Brown Tomatoes – Not the prettiest in color but sooo delicious! These are great in salads, on sandwiches, or as a snack! The best part? They’re available year round! 
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Tub of Basil – Before I had fresh basil growing in my backyard, this was my go-to when making pesto! 
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Cheese:

Blueberry Vanilla Chèvre Log – This is a delicious purchase for last minute entertaining! To make it extremely decadent, serve it with TJ’s Toasted Coconut Cookie Thins. This combo was given to me as a gift one Christmas and I’ve loved it ever since! 
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Nuts:

“Just a handful of” 50% Less Salt Roasted Whole Cashews – Just like the name says, these individual packets of cashews are the perfect portion for snacking or for making The Defined Dish Lemon Basil Pesto!
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Raw Almonds – Another great snack! I almost always travel with these cashews or almonds.   
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Refrigerated

Organic Hummus – I love this as a snack with carrots, red bell pepper strips, or Persian cucumbers as mentioned above!
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Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage – Sautéed and served on a salad, I use this to make one of my favorite lunches! 
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Perfect Bar – It’s no secret that I am a huge Perfect Bar fan! You can find Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Walnut Brownie for just $1.99 at TJ’s! (compared to $2.50+ at other grocery stores)! 
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Bars: 

GoMacro Bars – A Fairway Finds favorite! TJ’s carries the Peanut Butter Chocolate and the Sunflower Butter + Chocolate, both delicious! 
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RX Bars – Another favorite bar of mine! They carry several flavors, including my all-time favorite, Chocolate Sea Salt. 
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*I have already shared my love for Perfect Bar, GoMacro Bars, and RX Bars under snack spotlight! 
Epic Bars – The chicken sriracha bar is my favorite and has 100 calories, 15 grams of protein, and 0 grams of sugar! It’s Whole30 approved and a great snack. 
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Frozen: 

Frozen Fruit – A great price at Trader Joe’s! We always have their blueberries or strawberries in our freezer for smoothies!
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“Just Coconut Chunks”-The only ingredient? Coconut! And my latest favorite addition to smoothies! 
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Organic Brown Rice – This is one of those items that is so convenient to have on hand to whip up a weeknight meal! It is ready in just 3 minutes and each bag (3 within the box) is portioned for 2 people. Add herbs, veggies, and protein to make a million different combos! 
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Organic Riced Cauliflower – Perfect for a low carb meal and just like the brown rice, the options are endless. I also use this as a substitute for bananas in my smoothies sometimes (don’t knock it ’til you try it)! I buy the fresh if they’re out of the frozen and vice versa! 
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Premium Salmon Burgers – I am a huge fan of these! I sauté then serve over a salad or a grain for a quick and delicious meal! 
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Grocery:

Chia Seeds – I throw these in smoothies or use them when making Laura Lea Balanced Blueberry Coconut Porridge, one of my favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes! 
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Unsweetened Coconut Flakes and Canned Coconut Milk – I also use these in the recipe above. 
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Salsa Verde and Harrisa Salsa – My favorite use is to pour a jar of either of these over chicken in an Instant Pot or Crock Pot and BOOM you have a delicious protein to add to bowls and salads.
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Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles – I add a can of these when I’m making Salsa Verde chicken for an extra kick!
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Nutritional Yeast – This is a vegetarian food that has a cheesy flavor. After seeing it listed in many recipes, I snagged a bag for a low price at TJ’s!  I use it to make caesar dressing and sprinkle it on top of salad or pasta!
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Organic Tri-Color Quinoa – Yummy for salads and bowls! 
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Red Split Lentils – I had never cooked with lentils until I tried this AMAZING lentil soup recipe from Shana Niequist’s Bread and Wine.
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Sauces, Seasonings, and Oils:

Green Dragon Hot Sauce – I add this to anything and everything, but it’s especially delicious drizzled over the spicy jalapeño chicken sausage + salad that I mentioned earlier! 
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Coconut Aminos – A Whole30 approved soy sauce alternative. This ingredient has become quite popular in recipes lately.  It’s just $2.99 at TJ’s compared to $6+ at other grocery stores! 
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Red Boat Fish Sauce – Also Whole30 approved and used in many Asian recipes! Best price I’ve seen too! 
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Onion Salt – A brown Kumato tomato (that I mentioned earlier) topped with this seasoning is the most delicious snack! I learned this trick from the in-store demo station at TJ’s (You can’t tell me you walk by without checking out the sample)!
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Everything But The Bagel Seasoning – I ALMOST didn’t include this because #Basic, BUT I would be remiss if I didn’t! It really is delicious on eggs and avocado toast. 
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Avocado Oil – You just can’t beat the price at TJ’s! I use this interchangeably with extra virgin olive oil. 
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Coconut Oil and Organic Olive Oil Spray – Great for cooking and baking!
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Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Packets – These individual-size packets are perfect for travel! 
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Sweet Treats: 

Dark Chocolate Nutty Bites – Pieces of dark choolate topped with nuts and a hint of sea salt! 
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Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups – That 99 cent bag that’s usually hanging RIGHT BY THE REGISTER can be harddd to resist! 
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Miscellaneous:

Myntz Sugar-Free Breathmints in Wintermynt Blast – I always have a tin of these mints in my car and in my purse! They are strategically located at eye -level at the register! 
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Fresh Flowers – The selection at TJ’s is awesome and priced just right so no way I could leave these off my list of favorites! I confess I can’t pass up the peonies when they are in season!  
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One of my most favorite things about Trader Joe’s is that everyone I know that shops there has unique products that they absolutely LOVE. I enjoy hearing about all the favorites and go-to items, so if you have some please share yours with me!
Always finding joy,
Francie

3 Comments

  1. Courtney Byers
    August 17, 2018 / 10:04 pm

    This is such a great post! I love Trader Joe’s and am so glad Birmingham has one.

    • August 19, 2018 / 2:00 pm

      Thank you, Courtney! I am so glad to have one in Birmingham too!!

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