Favourite Trader Joe's Products

[Frozen Canuck]

So I read a blog called, "What's Good at Trader Joe's," and from it, have found a number of great products to try. Some of them we have straight-up agreed with, like the Sumatra Coffee Brownies or the Cocoa Dusted Truffles with Toffee Bits (these have only been available around Valentine's Day and are like eating delicate, chocolate clouds). Some other products, we have not been in agreement with quite so much. (I'm looking at you Uncured Bacon Ganache Bar and Truffle Mac and Cheese!) The blog itself only seems to post a review maybe once a week or so, but with all of the products that Trader Joe's has available and the seasonal items that come and go, I'm sure that I have got to be missing some hidden gems. What are some of your favourite products from TJ's?

 

[rastahomie]

Inasmuch as the nearest one is a solid hundred miles from me, I've never set foot at Trader Joe's (or Whole Foods, for that matter). I have to say, though, their offerings look interesting, to say the least.

If I'm driving a hundred miles for food, I'm skipping the grocery stores and going straight to Saint Louis' 250-year-old Soulard Farmers' Market. Farm-to-table, local (more or less) produce, and you can get anything there. Meats and breads and treats of various ethnic cuisines, made by people of that ethnicity no less; all manner of obscure meat (the Soulard butcher shop has coon, rabbit, gator, you name it); live chickens; imported cheese; grapes the size of a golf ball; everything.

 

[leebee]

Hmmm... WINE. They have an amazing variety, but the "Two Buck Chuck" (which now costs closer to $4 than $2 a bottle) is solid wine. TJ's Kettle Corn- we'll eat an entire bag on the drive home. TJ's makes these little (smaller than a 50 cent piece), pale chocolate chip cookies that come in a plastic bucket that we call "Crack Cookies." Ditto for their ginger-ginger snaps, or the dunkers, which are the same chocolate chip cookie but thicker, long/oval, with chocolate on the bottom. VERY fond of most of their ravioli and their chicken sausages, and their cheese section cannot be beat.

 

[powellrj]

Cookie Butter, enough said!

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Cookie Butter, enough said!

Which reminds me...their Speculoos Cookie Butter Cheesecake (usually available during the holidays) and the identical, but bite-sized cheesecake bites are amazing!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I like almost all of the frozen meals I've tried.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

and their cheese section cannot be beat

I totally agree with this comment. We have tried a number of different cheeses that we have enjoyed. A couple of years ago they had a spring cheddar that was made from the "first milk" of cows that was wonderful. We have also enjoyed Cottswold (like a creamy cheddar that has bits of chives in it) and more recently, an olive oil Asiago cheese with rosemary. It is always interesting to try some of the new flavours they get in stock.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

I like almost all of the frozen meals I've tried.

I haven't tried many of their frozen meals. I get the Chicken Tikka Masala occasionally when I need something quick to eat. I tried the truffle mac and cheese, but wasn't a fan. That doesn't mean that I don't heavily hit up the freezer section though. We love their grilled peppers and onions to go with sausages or burrito bowls, my 8 year-old loves the blueberry waffles, I treat myself to the chocolate mochi every once in awhile, and for special occasions, when we need appetizers, we grab the mushroom turnovers, the vegetable bird's nests, and the chicken parm lollipops. I'm sure there are tons of other items I am forgetting.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I haven't tried many of their frozen meals. I get the Chicken Tikka Masala occasionally when I need something quick to eat. I tried the truffle mac and cheese, but wasn't a fan. That doesn't mean that I don't heavily hit up the freezer section though. We love their grilled peppers and onions to go with sausages or burrito bowls, my 8 year-old loves the blueberry waffles, I treat myself to the chocolate mochi every once in awhile, and for special occasions, when we need appetizers, we grab the mushroom turnovers, the vegetable bird's nests, and the chicken parm lollipops. I'm sure there are tons of other items I am forgetting.

My favorite are the frozen bagged pastas. They come with these little sauce disks mixed in. Sauté them up in some olive oil or butter? Delicious.

 

[toystory1130]

I love the frozen potatoes, peppers and onion mix and the juice drink Dixie Peach.

 

[Neesy228]

Trader Joe's can be pretty hit or miss. Some of the things I buy regularly: guacamole, artichoke jalapeno dip (it's not spicy), tamales (not the frozen ones), their cooked, packaged balsamic rosemary chicken breasts are great as a main dish or on salads or even as a sandwich.

My friend loves their orange chicken. I think it's just ok.

I'm sure there's more, those are just what came to mind immediately.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Some of the things I buy regularly: guacamole

Ahhhh...yes! Avocado's Number! I love the names they give some of their products.

I haven't tried any of the other items you mentioned. I will have to look for some of them.

 

[emmybee]

I loooove TJs cornichons. Baby pickles! I also enjoy their frozen pasta dish w/ pesto and vegetables. However, their bread always gets moldy w/in a couple of days, so I stay away from it now.

 

[Newsies]

the little oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!

 

[QueenIsabella]

They have a peppermint version of the little chocolate cookies that's only out at Christmas time. An open tub is an empty tub!

I love their seasonal stuff, especially Christmas, because I'm a big peppermint fan. They have good trail mixes, too. And I like their frozen appetizers, and pizza. DH likes their beer, DD212 likes 3 Buck Chuck and a lot of their vegetarian entrees. I love their fresh herbs and their coconut body butter is great for people with eczema--except it smells so good, I want to eat my own arms after putting it on.

There have been a few misses, as well. I didn't care for their dill pickle chips, or their giant Peruvian corn. I thought the mac and cheese ravioli would be perfect for my kids, but they hated it.

 

[DisneyHardin]

The chocolate and sea salt covered almonds are our absolute favorite thing from there. I also like the vanilla bean cake mix and the chicken tikka masala frozen meal.

 

[leebee]

I forgot about the macarons (frozen)! They are amazing! We are also big fans of their tamales.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I love the frozen potatoes, peppers and onion mix and the juice drink Dixie Peach.

Dixie Peach is awesome.
I like buying cheese at Trader Joes. There's a big selection and the prices are great.
I buy frozen vegetables there. The only one that really stands out is the roasted cauliflower. Otherwise it's just because they have a good selection.
They have little individual round frozen pizza that are pretty good. I buy them because the kids like them.
Trader Joe's frozen pie crust is really good.
I usually buy flowers when I go there too.

 

[Elle23]

My kids LOVE the orange chicken.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

and their coconut body butter is great for people with eczema--except it smells so good, I want to eat my own arms after putting it on.

I haven't tried the body butter, but this does remind me about their Honey Mango Moisturizing Shave Cream, which my daughter and I both use. It smells really good too.