Today is the final installment in our grocery store series - and it's all about Trader Joe's!
Today is all about Trader Joe's!
With over 500 locations nationwide, this store is fun AND unique and for obvious reasons one of my favorites. I'm one of those people who love cruising around grocery stores {I know, weird} and Trader Joe's is extra fun for a few reasons.
1) they are owned by the same German company that owns ALDI 2) they have their own product line, so you never see name brand products and 3) it is super affordable.
Again, my three blogger friends are sharing their Trader Joe's lists this week as well. So be sure to check out their posts as well - because guess what? Their favorites are different than mine! You'll be sure to find a slew of fun items to throw in your cart.
Let's get started! In no particular order, here is a GRAND list of my Trader Joe's favorites.
Jalapeno Limeade
Well, I had to list this one first because it is my most recent fun find. This limeade has a small, smoky kick of jalapeno {just enough, not overpowering}. It makes the best Summer cocktail! Mix with vodka, gin or tequila and pour over ice. You'll thank me.
Caesar Salad Kit
My family loves Caesar salad - all forms, all kinds. We probably eat a bag a week alongside some sort of meal - and I'm okay with that because it means MY KIDS ARE EATING SALAD. This kit comes with dressing, croutons and Parmesan cheese.
Sour Cream Glazed Donuts
Unfortunately, {this comment is coming from my hips} I love donuts. One of my favorites are sour cream old-fashioned donuts. If you know, you know. This 6-pack is a special treat that I sometimes grab for the kids. Rich and delicious!
Quinoa & Black Bean Tortilla Chips
These chips were one of the first I ever grabbed from TJ's. They are a great dipper chip and are just lightly seasoned. Sturdy and perfect to go alongside salsa, guacamole or other dips - we get these a lot!
Everything But the Bagel Greek Yogurt Dip
Just like the seasoning, this dip is amazing! We like to eat it with sliced veggies {or dare I say, potato chips?}. It's also great slathered on a cold meat sandwich - it's thick, creamy and tangy.
Flowers
I realize this is not a food - but their flowers are INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS. They hit ya right when you walk in. They must have some elves gardening out back year around, because they are never short of beautiful. If you ever need a bouquet - this is your place.
Fresh Pizza Dough
Sometimes it's just nice to have pizza dough on hand, right? I normally make my homemade version {also very easy}, but I will also grab this from time to time and throw it in the freezer for busy weeknights. It makes a great crust! It also comes in a herb or whole wheat version.
Trader Jose Light Bottle Beer
Sometimes a crisp, cold beer on the back deck just sounds good, you know? If I'm going to drink beer I like it bottled. This light version is refreshing. It's also a great one to have on hand for my Crockpot Beer BBQ Chicken Sandwiches.
Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels
Oh, sweet Lord in heaven. These were a new find to me and they are amazing. This bag didn't last long in our house! It's the perfect little sweet treat after dinner. Creamy peanut butter filled pretzels covered in chocolate. Need I say more?
Greek Yogurt with Honey
We eat a lot of yogurt in our house and this version is thick and creamy and sweetened lightly with honey. This quart container lasts awhile and comes in at a great price. I also use this yogurt in these homemade bagels.
Everything But the Elote Seasoning Blend
Oh, is this stuff good. It's smoky and cheesy and we love it on Mexican dishes. Often when grilling up chicken for my burrito bowls I coat it in this stuff! I've also heard it's great sprinkled on macaroni and cheese.
Freshly Baked Ciabatta Baquette
Nothing sucks me in more than bread and at just $1.29 each these baguettes end up in my cart every time. I can make a meal out of fresh bread, cheese, fruit and maybe some jam or spicy mustard. I love using this bread for my Baked Caprese Garlic Bread.
Dark Chocolate Watermelon Sticks
Here me out when I say I'm not even a fan of watermelon - but another blogger told me to stick these in the freezer and I'M SO HAPPY I LISTENED TO HER. It's like a watermelon gummy covered in dark chocolate and fresh out of the freezer they stay firm and cold and are just awesome. Hide the bag from your kids.
Onion & Chive Cream Cheese
Our new favorite Summer snack is to put some of this cream cheese inside a sweet mini pepper and sprinkle it with EBTB seasoning. I also love this slathered on a toasted bagel with a slice of tomato or cucumber. It's so rich and creamy.
Sweet Chili Sauce
My Instant Pot Fried Rice is a staple in our house about once a month and a drizzle of this sauce on it is heavenly. It's sweet with just a tad of heat. It's also a great dipper for crab rangoons or my homemade egg rolls.
Avocado Oil Spray
I love this cooking spray as it's healthier than others {canola, corn, etc.} and well anything made from avocados is a win in my book. This spray lasts a bit and I use it on all my pans before cooking.
Onion Salt Seasoning
I buy three jars at a time of this Onion Salt. It is my go to seasoning! Like, for everything. It has the perfect ratios of dried onion, garlic, parsley and salt. I mix it into burgers, meatloaf, on chicken and more.
Mini Cheese Stuffed Ravioli
I won't lie, I first bought these because of how darn cute and adorable they looked. They are a staple in our house during the cold winter months - I put them in my Lasagna Soup and my Cheese Tortellini Minestrone Soup {I just use these instead of the tortellini}.
Mandarin Orange Chicken
I always pick up a bag of this frozen orange chicken. My kids flip for it! I usually serve it over rice and with a side of roasted broccoli on those nights when time is tight or I'm just lazy. It's like having Chinese takeout at home, without actually getting takeout.
Brownie Truffle Baking Mix
This boxed brownie mix is as good as any. Rich and super chocolately, it is loaded with chocolate flavor. I love having one of these in the pantry to bake up for the kids or use as the bottom layer of my Reese's PB Cup Stuffed Brookie Bars.
Proscuitto
If I'm getting fancy and need some proscuitto - I buy it at Trader Joe's - it's extremely affordable. We love to wrap asparagus in this and lightly grill them in the Summer. And have you ever wrapped proscuitto around melon? The sweet and salty combo is fun.
Multi-Purpose Cleaner
I grabbed this spray bottle of cleaner on a whim once when I was out at home and what a surprise! It has a nice clean, cedar and woody scent - nothing overpowering. It cleans countertops and tables well and with messy kids it gets used often.
Dill Pickle Mustard
Love this stuff. If you love dill pickles and you love a classic yellow mustard, I have no doubt this will find a way to your shopping cart. Great on hot dogs, brats, burgers and sandwiches!
Everything But the Bagel Nut Duo
I know, I know....more EBTB stuff. But I just love the flavor! This nut trio is great to have on hand in the car or in your purse for a quick, protein-filled snack.
Cheddar with Jalapenos Pub Cheese
This tub of cheese has traveled in our mini cooler to various ball games this Summer with a sleeve of crackers. It's a great snack to have on hand. There are a few flavors often on the shelves, but I like the small kick of jalapenos in this cheddar version.
Danish Kringle
Here in the Midwest there is a lot of Danish or northern European ancestry, so I've had kringle all my life! Honestly, it's the best pastry around. Light and flakey with a filling to die for {in this case cheesecake}. I buy these and stick them in our freezer for special breakfast occasions.
Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo & Conditioner
A friend long ago recommended this shampoo to me. If you love the smell of essential oils {especially peppermint or spearmint} you'll love this stuff. It really does give you a "tingling sensation" when washing!
Watermelon Fruit Spread
Again, watermelon! This is a seasonal item that my girls love. We eat a LOT of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches around here {we even freeze them} so changing up our jam routine is pretty normal around here.
Did you find something we both love? Or perhaps something new you've been on the fence about? Do yourself a favor and bookmark this post in your phone or on your laptop/tablet so that when you are in Trader Joe's again you can reference all my favorites.
Mine might become yours!
What do you want to try first?
If you have friends or family who also love Trader Joe's I would love for you to share this post with them. Enjoy!
