A Love Letter to My Favorite Trader Joe's Products!

My love of Trader Joe's runs deep. In my early 20’s, a Trader Joe’s opened up 45 minutes from my hometown and we would occasionally make the trek to visit. I was obsessed. Trader Joe’s is such a happy place, and the food is always kind of different and special and fun. If you're new to Trader Joe's and a location just opened near you, here are some recommendations!

Frozen Garlic Cubes and Frozen Ginger Cubes

These are life changing. They live in my freezer at all times. Don’t get me wrong, I will absolutely use fresh garlic when it is one of the main flavors of a dish, such as my spaghetti aglio olio. But if the garlic is just an aromatic among many, such as a stir fry, then I really can’t tell the difference. It’s frozen so it tastes much more fresh than the bottled kind. Same with the ginger.

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Frozen Japanese Style Fried Rice 

I’ve started replacing takeout with frozen items from Trader Joe’s, and it has saved me so much money! Trader Joe’s has a wonderful frozen section with meals that taste gourmet. This one is always on rotation. They also have a plain veggie fried rice and a chicken fried rice. I like this version because it’s got protein from the tofu and edamame, and I like the flavor the seaweed adds.

I zhuzh it up by adding some teriyaki sauce, garlic powder and onion powder. I like to flatten it out in a single layer and allow the underside to get crispy. And then I toss and repeat until it gets crispy all over. Add a squeeze of lime juice and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Tastes so fancy and gourmet, and it’s ready in about 5 minutes! 

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Frozen Pork Gyoza Potstickers

I will now get on my soap box and preach on how gyoza is the best snack! It’s what I like to call a “hearty snack”, because it’s heavier than a snack, but not enough to be dinner. It’s what I usually make in emergencies, when I’ve just come back from traveling and I need something filling fast. Enjoy it by itself topped with chili crisp, serve as a side dish, or add to a soup!

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Soy Chorizo 

I like to try to make something vegetarian at least once a week. However, it can be hard for me to find meat replacements that I like. The soy chorizo from Trader Joe’s is an exception! It is a ground meat replacement that is so flavorful, a little spicy, and goes well in so many things. Nachos, quesadillas, breakfast burritos, the options are endless!

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Uncured Apple Smoked Bacon 

This bacon is the secret ingredient in many of my soups and stews. It has a distinct sweet and smoky flavor that is SO delicious. It's also thick cut, which is my favorite!

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Medium-Roast Joe Coffee and French Vanilla Coffee

I exclusively get my coffee from Trader Joe’s. The medium-roast Joe’s is my go-to. It’s reliable, balanced, and mellow. It’s just a really good cup of coffee. And the French vanilla is SO lovely. I usually don’t like flavored coffees because the flavor can be overpowering, but this one is just right. Also the silver bag is very cute. 

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Dark Chocolate Peanut Cutter Cups 

I probably eat one of these at least once a day. They’re very satisfying. The dark chocolate is rich and has a nice thickness. The peanut butter is super creamy. They’re absolutely perfect. 

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Rice Cracker Medley

I've been trying to eat healthier, and one of my vices is potato chips. Even if you don't buy potato chips, there's this big gaping hole where something crunchy and savory needs to go. I discovered this mix at Trader Joe's and because it's rice-based and gluten-free, it doesn't leave me feeling as bloated as potato chips do. I also appreciate the mix of textures and flavors that make it interesting. It reminds me of Chex mix.

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Organic Gluten-Free Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli Pasta 

This is one of the few “healthy” pastas I’ve found that isn’t cardboardy and doesn’t have a weird texture. It works for any recipe that calls for a short pasta. 

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Mini Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

I have a weakness for the rich chocolate hazelnut flavor of these "soft-bite" biscotti. They are righteously chocolatey and have chunks of hazelnuts and chocolate throughout. And because it's a "soft-bite" biscotti, it's gentler on your teeth.

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Reed's Extra Spicy Ginger Beer

This product isn't a Trader Joe's exclusive necessarily, but Trader Joe's is the only place I've found that sells Reed's Ginger Beer in cans and not bottles. I've struggled with motion sickness for a very long time, and if it's not a serious case, I can sometimes head it off by drinking ginger beer. Ginger is great at settling your stomach. I always have a can chilling in the fridge. I'm also really picky when it comes to ginger beer. I only drink Reed's.

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Seasonal Honorable Mentions: 

Thanksgiving & Stuffing Seasoned Kettle Chips

I have an obsession with weirdly-flavored potato chips. Lay’s used to come out with strange flavors all the time, and my dad and I would to try them together. It was so much fun! I’ve had mango salsa flavored potato chips, chicken and waffles flavored potato chips, even cappuccino flavored! These Thanksgiving and stuffing ones from Trader Joe’s, which they come out with every year, are extremely addictive. They have a savory poultry-seasoning flavor that will have you finishing the bag in one sitting. 

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Panettone

I am a big Christmas girl, and my favorite treat that comes out around the holidays is Panettone! Panettone is an Italian bread that’s very tall and light, not too sweet, and studded with dried fruits like raisins and orange peel. It goes great with coffee or tea, and can be eaten for breakfast or dessert. Trader Joe’s happens to have a very good Panettone.