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Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

The Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe’s

A list of the most popular and best-selling products from Trader Joe’s 

If you have a Trader Joe’s in your neighborhood, consider yourself very lucky. This popular grocery store has a cult following for a reason. Trader Joe’s scours the world to bring us the freshest and most unique foods. 

When you visit Trader Joe’s, make sure to check out their Fearless Flyer because it gives the background and explains where their products are made. I loved learning how they searched the Tuscany hillside to find the most perfect tomatoes for their special sauce or how they bring in their blueberries from Maine for many of their products. They partner with small growers to bring us products without all of the fillers.

I recently spent a ridiculous amount of time in Trader Joe’s trying to compile the Ultimate Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s list…..all in the name of research. It was an early Friday night and I had my little 8-year-old with me as my “helper.” By looking at the size of the store, she probably assumed we would be in and out. Oh boy was she wrong. She didn’t realize that I came in with a big clipboard, ready to do some serious research and investigative work.

I went straight to the employees. I know what I love at Trader Joe’s but these people see what is popular and which items fly off the shelves. I stopped and asked one of the female employees what her favorite products were at the store….things she just can’t live without.  She rattled off at least 30 items and I was salivating in aisle 2. I wanted to try EVERYTHING!

Next up, I went to the manager because I knew he would know numbers. I went through every department asking him what the customer favorites were and asking him to point out some of the hidden gems….things that haven’t quite hit their stride yet (I love to root for the underdog)!

We were about 45 minutes in when my daughter started to pull on my shirt because she wanted to whisper something to me. I went down to her level and she put her hand to my ear so that everyone around us couldn’t hear what she was saying. “Mom, they are going to think you are crazy. You are asking way too many questions!” I busted out laughing and had to tell the manager what she said.

His reply was, “Well that’s good because you are in good company. We are all a little crazy here.” This is foodie’s paradise and talking passionately about food is completely NORMAL.

We were at the register for a solid 20 minutes! All of the cashiers started giving me their feedback…. products they were sure I couldn’t live without.

So after spending days taste-testing items from Trader Joe’s and from years and years of shopping there, I have compiled the ultimate Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe’s list. It includes the most popular, best-selling, employee favorites, and the great deals to be found at Trader Joe’s. Of course, I could probably make this list 100 items deep because there are so many winning products at the beloved TJ’s, but I will try to keep it short.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

THE BEST 50 ITEMS TO BUY AT TRADER JOE’S:

1. Flowers. Where in the world can you get 9 gorgeous roses for $3.99? Plus let’s talk about the bright pink peonies and ranunculus that are regulars in the Springtime. The prices are dirt cheap for such beauties. You could take flowers to everyone and their dog without breaking the bank.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

2. Chocolate. Just trust me on this one. The Pound Plus Bars are crafted by a Belgian chocolatier and are beyond luscious, rich, and creamy. They come in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, bittersweet, and milk chocolate with almonds. Pound Plus Bars are heavenly to add to baked goods such as brownies and cookies because they melt so beautifully. The price is out of this world for legit Belgian chocolate. Run, don’t walk to TJ’s. The chocolate chips are a pantry essential too.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

3. Chili Lime Chicken Burgers. It’s no secret I want to eat a chocolate bar all by myself in one sitting so I have to balance it out with something healthy. These are just the ticket! Each 1/4 lb. patty has only 150 calories, 6 grams of fat, and 19 grams of protein. It’s also juicy and full of spices so it doesn’t taste as if you are eating something so healthy. It’s a perfect beef burger alternative or can be paired with some veggies for a healthy meal.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

4. Pizza Dough. Let’s be real…any type of yeast dough can be time-consuming and we all want something we can throw together quickly. Trader Joe’s does most of the work for us! They offer 3 types of pizza dough and at only $1.29 each, it’s a no-brainer.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

5. Mandarin Orange Chicken. It’s TJ’s #1 seller for a reason. It’s in the frozen section and the closest to take-out that you will ever find.  The price is right too for such quality chicken.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

6. Chocolate Peanut Butter  Cups (aka “the death of me”). Why did Trader Joe’s make something so much more superior to the original PB Cup that I feel compelled to buy them every single time I go to the register? If you like Reese’s, you are going to go nuts over these babies. You can buy a large package in the chocolate section or a smaller package at the register for 99 cents. You will thank me or hate me later because you will be a fan, no doubt.

7. Milk Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels. These are sold-out often for good reason. These are a road-trip essential snack in our family. We will usually pick up several bags to make sure everyone is happy. They are the perfect balance of sweet and salty. 

Milk Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy at Trader Joe's.

8. Cookie Butter. This jar of goodness flies off the shelves.  It’s made with famous European ginger cookies and all crushed up to make a creamy cookie butter that you may want to spread on everything. I love the crunchy variety. 

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

9. Homemade Tortillas. There are some flying disks that are sold in the stores which are supposed to resemble tortillas but are far from it. Their tortillas don’t have all of the fillers and preservatives either and just melt in your mouth. The Chile Onion is an excellent option as well.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

10. Hatch Chile Salsa. The ingredient list on this one is short and simple: Hatch chile peppers, tomatillos, lime juice, garlic salt. It’s a hot salsa so its perfect in a crockpot with chicken and then used in a cheesy quesadilla. It’s also a fantastic accompaniment to eggs and breakfast burritos. They offer a Chile Corn Salsa for all of my corn lovers out there too.

11. Roasted Garlic and Pesto Pizza with Deep Fried Crust. This one blew me away. This would be a perfect party food to serve as an appetizer or to serve with pasta. Cut it into small squares and you have the perfect garlic cheese bread. I went back and bought 4 more to have on hand in the freezer.

Roasted Garlic and Pesto Pizza with Deep Fried Crust from Trader Joe's. Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

12. Unexpected Cheddar Cheese. It tastes like the most expensive cheese but at $3.99 for the block, it will be the star ingredient in your next cheese board. The hints of parmesan put it over the top.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

13. Balsamic Glaze. It is crafted in Modena, Italy, home to some of the world’s best balsamic vinegar.  It’s insanely good on salads, drizzled on tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, and even over mozzarella cheese sticks as a snack.

Balsamic Glaze at Trader Joe's. Best Things to Buy from Trader Joe's.

14. Mac and Cheese Bites. If you are a fan of the popular appetizer from Cheesecake Factory, you are going to love these bites. They are perfect to dip in marinara sauce or even ranch.

Mac and Cheese Bites from Trader Joe's. The Best Food to Buy at Trader Joe's.

15. Braided and Sliced Brioche. This is the perfect bread to make french toast with. It is sweet yet firm and will hold up to the egg custard batter. I always have a loaf of brioche in the freezer. 

Braided and Sliced Brioche from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

16. Ice Cream. Trader Joe’s comes out with specialty flavors like this one or their Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup. Their classic French Vanilla ice cream is rich and creamy and priced right for the quality.

Ice Cream from Trader Joe's. Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

17. Bruschetta. Made with only olive oil, tomatoes, balsamic, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. It’s so fresh tasting and can be put on a french baguette or served with grilled chicken. The options are endless!

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

18. Fresh Basil. Have you seen what the grocery store charges for 6 small leaves of basil? It’s insanity. Trader Joe’s sells a large pot of vibrant basil leaves for $3.99. You won’t find that price anywhere. You can plant it in your own pot at home and it will just keep on growing. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

19. Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels. Buttery, smooth, creamy caramels, drenched in rich Belgian chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt.  Hook, line, and sinker.

20. Truffle Brownie Mix. This is an ultra-rich, fudgy brownie mix that tastes similar to homemade brownies. 

Brownie Truffle Baking Mix from Trader Joe's. Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe's.

21. Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels. Basically peanut butter baked inside a pretzel for a crunchy creamy treat for those who can’t decide if they want something salty or sweet.

22. Sweet Potato Ribbons. Perfect to add to curries, stir fries, or use as a side dish.  I even add them to Chicken Poblano Tacos. Trader Joe’s does the work for you!

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The ultimate list of most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals. Sweet Potato Ribbons.

23. Bacon Jam. Where are my diehard bacon lovers? If you love bacon, then you must embrace this jam. Spread this on your next burger and you will wonder why it took you so long to discover this stuff.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

24. Mac n Cheese. This is not the fake orange stuff you ate as kids. This is legit mac n cheese, made with 100% real cheese, made in small batches.  It’s sold in the frozen section so it’s perfect to take to work and plop in the microwave for a quick lunch. They even offer one with Hatch Chilies for my spice lovers. One of the top-selling items at Trader Joe’s by far.

Hatch Chile Mac and Cheese from Trader Joe's. Best Things to Buy from Trader Joe's.

25. Trail Mix + Nuts. You can’t beat Trader Joe’s prices on nuts and their temptation trail mix is full of the perfect combo of salty and sweet. Try the Thai Lime
+ Chili Cashews too.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

26. French Macarons. They might possibly be the most difficult cookie to master and they tend to have a hefty price tag. Trader Joe’s changes that as they offer frozen macarons in an assortment of flavors that look so pretty you aren’t even sure you should eat them.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

27. Chocolate Lava Cakes. These come in a package of two and you just put them in the microwave and they are hot and ready to serve in less than 1 minute. Serve with their french vanilla ice cream, fresh raspberries, and a little mint and you have a gourmet dessert. 

Chocolate Lava Cake from Trader Joe's. Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

28. Oatmeal. There are so many options but the Gluten-Free Oats, unsweetened Instant Oatmeal packets, and the steel cut oats are not only healthy but they taste good too and are all-natural.

Gluten Free Rolled Oats from Trader Joe's. The best foods to buy from Trader Joe's.

29. Mini French Baguettes. These come frozen and you just heat them up in the oven. Crunchy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. They are the perfect size for feeding several people or for charcuterie boards. I love these mini baguettes!

Mini French Baguettes from Trader Joe's. Best Things to Buy from Trader Joe's.

30. Mini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones covered in chocolate. This is such a fun dessert to serve at parties and is the perfect handheld bite-size dessert. 

Mini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones covered in chocolate from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy at Trader Joe's.

31. Mediterranean Hummus. It’s super smooth and creamy and is topped with crunchy pine nuts, olive oil, and spices. It has a following at TJ’s!

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

32. Coconut Cream.  Thick and rich dairy alternative to make homemade whipped cream or add to curry sauces. It’s excellent in Thai and Indian dishes and fabulous in homemade desserts.

33. Peeled Garlic. This is such a time-saver. Forget peeling the garlic and making your hands smell for days. This garlic is kept in the refrigerator to help it stay fresh even longer. 

Peeled Garlic from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

34. Woodfired Sicilian Pizza. This is a steal! Fresh Mozzarella Pearls, Red Pepper Olive Oil, Roasted Red Peppers, and Spices all on a crusty rustic crust. They are known for their frozen pizzas so I don’t think you can go wrong in this department.

35. Jicama Wraps. These are healthy, low-carb, low-calorie alternatives to corn tortillas. My daughter loves to make healthy chicken tacos with these jicama wraps. 

Jicama Wraps from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

36. Wild Blueberry and Vanilla Goat Cheese. They start with creamy goat cheese, vanilla, and then roll it in blueberries from Maine. It pairs so perfectly on a bagel, a baguette, or crumbled in salad (my personal favorite).

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

37. Dulce de Leche or Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce. Silky smooth rich caramel sauce perfect to be drizzled on ice cream or hot fudge brownies. Oh and don’t forget about the Fleur de Sel soft caramels.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

38. Fig Butter. It starts with a medley of fresh, ripe figs that are ground and then crushed before being slow-cooked, in small batches, with sugar, lemon and pectin. “It’s a simple recipe using only the finest, freshest ingredients, and no preservatives or artificial colors. The result is full fig flavor concentrated in a smooth, spreadable butter.” I spread this on my sourdough bread and top it with turkey and havarti cheese.

39. Riced Cauliflower. Fresh cauliflower grated so fine that you forget you are eating something healthy. Can be used to make cauliflower pizza crust, healthy veggie bowls, or to make garlic mashed “potatoes. I love to saute with fresh garlic, sea salt, and top with a generous amount of sharp cheddar cheese.

Riced Cauliflower from Trader Joe's. Best Things to Buy from Trader Joe's.

40. Vitamins. The price is right and the quality is high for their supplements. No middle man here so they can offer supplements at rock bottom prices.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee favorites, and great deals.

41. 5 Cheese Greek Spiral. It’s made with flaky phyllo dough and 5 types of cheeses. It will definitely knock the socks off of your guests! Serve it at your next party with a side of homemade raspberry jam.

42. Sea Salt and Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds. California roasted almonds drenched in dark chocolate and rolled in raw sugar and sea salt. Almonds are healthy, right? #justification101

Sea Salt and Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds. The Best Foods to Buy at Trader Joe's.

43Toasted Coconut Pancake Mix. This coconut pancake mix tastes just like homemade and you only need to add water. So easy and delicious!

44. Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut Chocolate Lace Cookies. These are one of my absolute favorite treats from Trader Joe’s. They are super simple but the caramel, chocolate, and subtle crunch from the macadamia nuts are the perfect combination. 

Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut Chocolate Lace Cookies. The Best Foods to Buy at Trader Joe's.

45. Green Dragon Sauce. This is the perfect accompaniment for scrambled eggs, burritos, or tacos. Such good flavor. 

Green Dragon Sauce. Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

46. Sweet Potato Fries. Perfect for the air-fryer if you are looking for classic sweet potato fries. I love to pick these up for quick dinners for the kids.

Sweet Potato Fries. The Best Things to Buy from Trader Joe's.

47. Fresh Ravioli. This is hands-down one of my favorite things to buy at Trader Joe’s because you can find all of your seasonal ingredients rolled into a handmade ravioli. Plus it is so aesthetically pleasing! This is the Sweet Corn Ravioli for summer but don’t miss out on the pumpkin ravioli in the Fall. 

Sweet Corn and Burrata, and Basil Ravioli from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

48. Everything Ciabatta Rolls with Bagel Seasoning. If you want to take your breakfast sandwich game up a notch, put some bacon, egg, and cheese on these ciabatta rolls. You could even make open-faced avocado toast with them.

Everything Ciabatta Rolls from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy from Trader Joe's.

49. Barebells Protein Bars. All with no added sugar and 20 grams of protein. These are my daughter’s favorite protein bars so we stock up when we see them at Trader Joe’s!

Barebells Protein Bars from Trader Joe's. The Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe's.

50. Guava Passionfruit Greek Yogurt. This is creamy, slightly sweet, slightly tangy with tropical flavors. This is a nice hybrid between unsweetened Greek yogurt and the sweetened yogurts you find in the store. I love the flavor on this one!

Guava Passionfruit Greek Yogurt. The Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe's.

51. Green Goddess Dressing. Low calorie, full of flavor, and perfect to drizzle on bowls or salads. We keep this in the refrigerator at all times. Find it near the produce at Trader Joe’s.

Green Goddess Salad Dressing from Trader Joe's. The Best Foods to Buy at Trader Joe's.

Add these to your grocery list for good measure:

Honorable Mentions: Sundried Tomatoes in Olive Oil, Key Lime Pie,  Almond Butter, Salted Crunchy Peanut Butter, Roasted Red Peppers, Sourdough Bread,  Corn Chippers, Greek Feta in Brine, Organic Marinara, Triple Ginger Cookies, Gone Bananas Chocolate Covered Bananas, Jo Jo’s Cookies, Burrata, Cocoa Almond Spread, Spiced Cider, Coconut Milk Chocolate Ice Cream, Spinach Artichoke Dip, 21 Seasoning Salute.

Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe's. The list includes the most popular items, employee's favorites, and great deals.

What did I miss? What are your favorite, go-to foods that you must have at Trader Joe’s? Leave me a comment so I can have an excuse to go back and try more food. Pin this Best Items to Buy at Trader Joe’s for later on Pinterest and share with your fellow Trader Joe’s loving friends.


Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler!

I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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28 Comments

  1. I realize this is an old post, but I just had to add a few of our must-haves as well. My daughters are obsessed with TJ’s brand yogurt, every flavor is amazing. We go through them so quickly that I buy extra and freeze them. Their spices have gotten a lot better too. I have an embarrassing stockpile of the Umami seasoning, I have put it on just about everything, but favorites are pasta, popcorn, eggs, and any kind of meat. The new cheesy seasoning is also delish and we love it on popcorn. The TJ’s ricotta is the only brand I will eat, it’s rich and creamy and goes great in lots of dishes or even spread on good toast.

    1. I love your Trader Joe’s recommendations, Keegan! Thank you! I need to try more of their seasonings. Oh and I have yet to try their ricotta cheese. I have ricotta cheese in my refrigerator at all times so I can make my ricotta pancakes recipe, so I can’t wait to try the Trader Joe’s brand.

  2. This is the proper weblog for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You notice a lot its almost exhausting to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply nice!

  3. I’m a TJ’s junkie myself & I couldn’t agree more about the Belgian chocolate bar & I love their chocolate chips & chunks. I always use them when I make chocolate chip cookies…YOUR chocolate chip cookies actually! And the butter! I ALWAYS get the Trader Joe’s butter for baking. It has a creamy, European style taste & in my opinion is better than Challenge & it’s about half the cost. One of my favorite go-to dips could not be easier! You get a jar of the TJ’s “Tomato-less Corn Salsa” & gently mix it with a container of the “TJ’s Whipped Cream Cheese” (I think it’s 8 oz.) & refrigerate for about a half hour. It’s amazing with Fritos Scoops or tortilla chips. I got the recipe from a friend whose family works at TJ’s & I get asked for the recipe every time I make it. So good & so easy!

  4. Maybe it wasn’t available when this post was originally written… but the Coffee Bean Ice Cream is the reason we travel 45 minutes each way to TJ’s with a cooler. 🙂

  5. Thank you for all of these great suggestions! Their Tuscano cheese is ALWAYS a party favorite!Its the one with the purple crust. Great for a cheese plate!

  6. I just came across your website while I was researching TJ’s honey. I’d love it if you write a bit more about honey as I’m not sure about where the TJ’s raw organic honey originated from. The label says product of Brazil but as over 75% of honey in the U.S. is actually originally from China & laden w/ carcinogenic chemicals.
    I’d love to mage your Thai salad but a vegan version if you have any ideas for a protein w/o chicken, also, a vegan Thai curry recipe would be most appreciated by my bf. Thank you for your glorious recipes & cheerful disposition. I find it a warm welcome & im signing up for your emails. All my best always & Musiclove, Tara

  7. These are my favorite items (in addition to some that you and others already mentioned) which I find to be not only good, but good value, especially for those veg oriented-

    bananas, Ridge Cut potato chips w/sea salt-1 lb bag-addictive though, dried cranberries, frozen and dry packaged veg Indian dishes, artichoke antipasto- great as a dip, frozen garlic naan, fresh spinach tortellini, frozen veg lasagna, 1 lb whole wheat couscous, peanut butter with only dry roasted peanuts.