34 BEST Trader Joe’s Food Items You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
We LOVE all things Trader Joe’s so we’ve rounded up our team’s favorite must-have foods!
Oh, how we love Trader Joe’s!
It’s not hard to find something to fall in love with at Trader Joe’s. In fact, there are so many options (even beyond food) that it’s easy to become overwhelmed and you may not even know where to start!
From frozen foods to seasonings and dips, there’s certainly something for everyone on this list! Our team had a blast coming up with all our irresistibly delicious Trader Joe’s food items you won’t want to leave without next time you’re at TJ’s. 😍
1. Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi
Stop what you’re doing and go buy this cauliflower gnocchi – it’s been deemed one of the best Trader Joe’s food items, hence why it made our #1 spot which also tends to fly off the shelves.
Not only are they ridiculously easy to whip up in a pan, but with everyone searching for healthier alternatives and obsessing over everything cauliflower, this bag of goodness is a must-try! Your only regret will be that you didn’t grab more bags when they were available.
“Of all the things Trader Joe’s sells, this is by far my favorite thing ever! I always make sure to grab a few bags so I have an easy and healthy dinner on hand at all times.” – Brooke
2. Trader Giotto’s Linguine with Pesto & Tomatoes
When it comes to a quick dinner, you can’t beat this frozen linguine with pesto sauce and cherry tomatoes. It’s a frozen dish that gets defrosted on the stovetop in one skillet, which means only cleaning one dish!
The delicious pesto sauce overflows the entire dish, so, if you love pesto as much as we do, you’ll love this flavorful, mouthwatering pasta!
3. Trader Ming’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
Recently, Trader Joe’s fans voted Mandarin Orange Chicken as their favorite overall item to purchase at Trader Joe’s; that’s enough of a reason to add a few bags to your cart the next time you head to the store! Plus, it’s loved by kids too, so stock up on these bags tenfold if you have a large family.
“Orange Chicken is a weekly staple in our house! My boys can’t wait till it’s Orange Chicken night every week. I pair it with Trader Joe’s Jasmine rice and it’s amazing and so easy to make!” – Heather
4. Trader Joe’s Gyoza Potstickers
With these potstickers, you’ll be skipping takeout! My Hip teammate Kaitlyn makes these along with some homemade fried rice, and she swears by it!
They have pork, chicken, shrimp, and just vegetables, and, trust us, they are ALL delicious. Trader Joe’s also has this delicious potsticker soup recipe that is plain irresistible.
5. Trader Joe’s Breaded Fried Ravioli
Kaitlyn also found these breaded fried ravioli on TikTok when they were first released, and she’s never stopped adding them to her cart regularly. She deems them as her all-time best Trader Joe’s food item! The best way to make them, which is even mentioned on the packaging, is to throw them in the air fryer. You can’t beat the crispiness!
“I could go on for hours on how much I love these breaded fried ravioli. I eat them at least once a week along with some marinara sauce, and they’re seriously delicious! It’s the easiest to throw them in the air fryer. They get super crispy!” – Kaitlyn
6. Trader Joe’s Jicama Wraps
While homemade flour tortilla shells are fun to whip up for Taco Tuesday, we’re huge fans of these low-carb jicama wraps at Trader Joe’s! Plus, they’d be almost impossible to make on your own so they’re more than worth their weight in gold, making them another one of the best Trader Joe’s items you’ll find.
They’re thick enough to hold whatever food you put inside and considering they’re literally only made of jicama, they’re completely guilt-free!
Hip Tip: Interested in reading more about these wraps? Hop over to our sister site, Hip2Keto, where Collin shares her love for these low-carb and keto-friendly jicama wraps!
7. Trader Joe’s Carne Asada Burritos
These Trader Joe’s Carne Asada Burritos actually won Lina’s frozen burrito taste test! She compared them to tasting like a restaurant-style burrito in the comfort of your own kitchen!
Pair it with some salsa or hot sauce of your choice, and you’ve got a golden burrito!
8. Trader Joe’s Jerk Plantain Chips
This is a big win I use to top my salads! These plantain croutons are only made with a handful of ingredients: Plantains, high-oleic sunflower oil, dried garlic, and sea salt. I love that I know exactly what I’m eating. You’d never know how few ingredients they have based on the flavor!
9. Trader Joe’s 3 Seed Sweet Potato Crackers
We can’t get enough of these sweet potato crackers! They still have that classic salty cracker taste along with a burst of sweetness. Plus, they’re gluten-free, but you’d never know by the taste! 😉
10. Trader Joe’s Many Things Snack Mix
My Hip sidekick Emily can’t get enough of this snack mix. It features honey roasted peanuts, spicy and honey butter cereal squares, corn sticks, pretzels, and savory bread chips. This is pretty much the perfect savory treat!
11. Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning
This versatile blend of sea salt, garlic, sesame, and onion can be used in a variety of ways such as sprinkling it on delicious avocado toast or using it for the best cream cheese appetizer. Plus, it’s super affordable at only $1.99 a jar!
It’s become so popular that Trader Joe’s even recently launched Everything But The Bagel Nut Duo – its super nutty and delicious counterpart.
Don’t have a Trader Joe’s? ALDI recently started carrying a similar seasoning too!
Hip Tip: Want more ideas for this Trader Joe’s seasoning? Make these incredibly simple 2-ingredient air fryer bagels and sprinkle this seasoning on top for a delicious and easy breakfast or anytime treat!
12. Trader Joe’s Creamy Jalapeño Sauce.
Made with real jalapeños, this creamy jalapeño sauce is going to be the perfect addition to any hot sauce lover’s next meal. While Trader Joe’s realizes people tend to stick with their hot sauce of choice, this one is considered to be one of the best Trader Joe’s food items that are making everyone step outside their comfort zone.
13. Trader Joe’s Crunchy Peanut Butter with Flax & Chia Seeds.
If you’re a person that loves incredible textures when you’re enjoying your food, then this jar of crunchy peanut butter with flax and chia seeds is going to take your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the next level! It’s high in good fats, protein, and contains almost no sugars. Plus, you can enjoy this amazing butter with apples, on toast, or by the spoonful. Just keep in mind, that it does need to be refrigerated after opening.
Hip Tip: Skipping on the store-bought butter? Here are 3 easy ways to make your own peanut butter at home.
14. Trader Joe’s PB&J Bars
Don’t feel like making an entire peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Trader Joe’s has got you and your kids covered with these delicious soft & chewy PB&J snack bars! They’re almost always in stock and are such a fun and easy snack to take with you anywhere!
15. Trader Joe’s Vegan Kale, Cashew, & Basil Pesto
Trader Joe’s vegan kale, cashew, & basil pesto is an impressively versatile condiment that can be tossed with pasta or chicken, spread on a wrap or sandwich, or enjoyed as a dip on veggies or crackers. This is a fresh staple item that makes adding flavor to any dish extremely simple!
16. Trader Joe’s Smoked Salmon Dip with Capers
This dip is a mix of smoked salmon, capers, and cream cheese. If you’re a fan of salmon bagels, add this as a topping on your bagels. You’ll be thanking me later!
17. Trader Joe’s Three-Layer Hummus
This hummus is made of three different types: traditional, cilantro jalapeño, and spicy hummus. It’s a balanced flavor that is pretty much irresistible along with some crackers. 😋
18. Trader Joe’s Fig Butter
Trader Joe’s has reinvented this simple condiment with unique recipe ideas like Buffalo Fig Burgers and Fig Butter Cream Cheese Bagels. Need we say anymore?
Hip Tip: This butter spread will pair perfectly with a Charcuterie Board, too!
19. Trader Joe’s Raspberry Preserves
This raspberry preserves jam is made with fresh raspberries, giving it the most delicious fruity flavors possible! It has a smooth texture that pairs well with cream cheese or on a PB&J!
20. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Now, I realize Trader Joe’s isn’t the only place to sell these, but I can tell ya one thing – they’re the best tasting peanut butter cups around – hands down! 🙌 You’ll also find various sizes around your store from large tubs to travel-sized packs and even mini cup versions of this treat. No matter the size, they’re definitely some of the best Trader Joe’s items you’ll find.
Plus, if peanut butter isn’t your thing, they also have dark chocolate almond butter cups which is a personal favorite of mine! Regardless of which ones you scoop up, all of them taste extraordinary when stored in the fridge for a late-night treat.
21. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
The ultimate sweet yet savory treat comes with these delicious treats. These pretzel bites are wrapped along with some silky almond butter which is covered in dark chocolate. Doesn’t that sound like heaven?!
22. Trader Joe’s Gone Bananas! Dark Chocolate-Covered Banana Slices
These chocolate-covered bananas are so delightful and fruity that they’ll drive you bananas! Plus, they’re only 100 calories per serving, so you’re still able to indulge in this sweet guilt-free!
23. Trader Joe’s Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
When it comes to the best Trader Joe’s food, this is probably the best dessert! Considering frozen sweet sandwiches, these are truly spectacular.
Vanilla ice cream is rolled around a bunch of semi-sweet chocolate chips sandwiched in between two chocolate chip cookies. TJ actually taste-tested and altered this recipe for months until it was satisfied with equal chewy yet crunchy flavors! 🤤
24. Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone Mini Ice Cream Cones
While we’re on the topic of the best Trader Joe’s sweet items, you might as well grab a box of these Hold the Cone ice creams too. The perfect size for kids to enjoy a cold treat and perfect for you when you’re watching your sweets intake. Choose from traditional vanilla or chocolate, both dipped in a chocolate coating — you simply can’t go wrong!
“They’re perfect ice creams for kids! I love that I can give my 4-year-old a treat that won’t melt everywhere before he can eat it.” – Taryn
25. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Bars
Before you checkout with all the other best Trader Joe’s foods you’ve scooped up, make sure to swing by the shelves near the cash registers to scoop up a few of these Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Bars! They’re irresistibly good and even come in unique, fun packaging making them perfect for a gift basket too!
While the Caramel & Sea Salt is my favorite, they also have Toffee with Walnuts & Pecans and Coconut Caramel too. Don’t be shy about grabbing a few because they’re only $1.99 and chances are you’ll eat half of it before you even get home. 😉
26. Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
If you haven’t tried Trader Joe’s cookie butter, you haven’t been living! I’ve never spooned it out of the jar…said no one ever. 😂 In all seriousness though, this delicious combination of Belgian biscuits with flavors including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and white pepper are so heavenly and many consider it the best Trader Joe’s items hands down.
On our team, this is an ultimate favorite! It’s perfect on toast, blending into shakes, dipped in apples, or as I said, all on its own. 🙌 And if you’re a fan of frozen desserts, Trader Joe’s even has this flavor available in ice cream form as well! Yum!
27. Dü Good Keto Fudge Bites
These keto-friendly creamy & dreamy fudge bites are made with pure and real ingredients so you can have your after-dinner treat without all the unwanted tummy problems. Packed with 7g of fat and 6g of protein, there’s no wonder everyone’s scooping these up!
Read more about these keto treats on our sister site, Hip2Keto!
And now for some honorable mentions of non-food Trader Joe’s must-haves:
28. Trader Joe’s Bouquets of Flowers
Love sprucing up your home with fresh flowers? We love the seasonal floral arrangements that Trader Joe’s offers year-round (in spring, they even have gorgeous bunches of peonies for just $7.99 – my favorite!). 😍
With tons of other beautiful bouquets starting at just $3.99, these flowers are some of the best Trader Joe’s items to pick up and are perfect for any occasion. If you’re having a big party (or even a wedding), they accept large flower orders upon request! Just note that oftentimes you won’t get to choose the color of the flowers.
Check out our other favorite places to buy flowers and the best deals on them too!
“Trader Joe’s flowers are beautiful and priced great. When my son got married last year they over-ordered roses so they would have a bunch for the wedding rehearsal dinner. I had about a dozen white roses in the middle of all the tables, and we put different colored roses on the tables where the parents and bride and groom sat.
The entire place was gorgeous and I didn’t spend a fortune like I would have if I had gone to a florist. It was really amazing!” – Kathy
29. Trader Joe’s Plants & Succulents
Aside from flowers, Trader Joe’s also has the cutest succulent and plant selection! You’ll find all sorts of one-of-a-kind vases like this one that Lina has!
30. Trader Joe’s Whipped Coconut Body Butter
Trader Joe’s is so much more than just food products. Their body butter is rich and ultra-soothing. I love that after applying it to my skin, there’s no oily residue left behind. It’s great to keep on hand year-round to keep skin feeling silky soft all day!
In the fall, make sure to scoop up some of their popular seasonal varieties of Body Butter, as they’re always the first skincare item to sell out!
“I’m like a kid in the store at Trader Joe’s. I love their beauty products, especially their body butter which I have been using for years.” – Mary
31. Trader Joe’s Seasonal items
Some of the best Trader Joe’s items can be found in their selection of seasonal essentials throughout the year. From lemon ice cream in the spring to Decked Out Tree Cookies in the winter, there’s an endless array of fun and delicious options for everyone.
Hip Tip: If you’re curious about what Trader Joe’s offers all year long and what we’re currently obsessing over, make sure to follow our Trader Joe’s page so you can stay up to date on all the delicious news.
And now onto the drinks!
32. Trader Joe’s Ethiopian Whole Bean Coffee
Score this whole bean fair trade coffee the next time your in Trader Joe’s. It’s filled with sweet, floral aromas and ready to help you kick off your day! Plus, at just under $10, it won’t cost you much more than two Starbucks drinks.
“This is hands down one of the best Trader Joe’s items and my favorite coffee! The earthy flavor is so good and it’s such a smooth, yet strong blend. I love that it comes in whole beans and I can just grind it myself at Trader Joe’s. For good, quality coffee, this stuff is really affordable and it doesn’t give me a headache like other coffees sometimes do. Yay! If you’re a coffee lover like me, you’ve got to try this stuff! Oh, and you can also repurpose the canister that it comes in for storage or for a craft project!” – Taylor
33. Trader Joe’s Sparkling Green Tea
This may not technically be the best Trader Joe’s food, but it is the best beverage! Whether it’s with pineapple or peach juice, Lina swears by this sparkling green tea beverage. It’s both fruity and refreshing. As the weather gets warmer, we can’t imagine anything more relaxing than sipping one of these on a warm sunny day!
34. Trader Joe’s Wine
It wouldn’t be a Trader Joe’s lineup unless we shared the tasty & inexpensive “Two Buck Chuck” they’re so well known for! While not every location will have wine due to state liquor licenses, it’s a total steal (starting at just $3.99 a bottle) if you’re lucky enough to have it! Plus, so many of them taste absolutely amazing!
We’ve rounded up all the best Trader Joe’s wines for ya!
Grab a wine that you’re not crazy about? Here’s what one reader suggested:
“Bad wine makes the best sangria. Add some fruit, brandy, and housewives of NJ. Awesome night in.” – Daniela
We aren’t huge sweets people here. But we LOVE LOVE the smoke trout we get at Trader Joes!
#22. Our Trader Joe’s also carries dark chocolate covered frozen strawberries. Similar box. We love them both!
My favorite item is Trader Joe’s Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip!! I always have a few in the freezer for a nice snack while we watch TV.
OH MAN!! This was what I was gonna mention! Their spinach dip is the BEST!!!
Trader Joe’s is my FAVORITE grocery store. I have not tried many of these items as my son and I are gluten free. I will have to say, Trader Joe’s has awesome gluten free items that we enjoy eating.
Some of these my family will eat. Score.