After over a decade of shopping at Trader Joe’s, I’ve learned which items are actually worth buying. And as grocery prices continue to rise, I appreciate that the store still has a good selection of tasty staples for under $5.
Here are 10 affordable, reliable, and delicious items that have earned a permanent place in my shopping cart.
Prices may vary by location.
I love Trader Joe’s Dill-icious chopped salad kit.
I always love checking out Trader Joe’s selection of bagged salads because they’re so easy to doctor up or eat on their own.
The Dill-icious chopped salad kit ($3.99) is one of my favorites — I can’t get enough of the added crunch from the dill-pickle-flavored potato chips. To make it a more substantial meal, I just add some grilled chicken.
There are so many ways to spice up Trader Joe’s buttermilk protein pancake mix.
My sister, who’s a registered dietitian, introduced me to Trader Joe’s protein pancake mix ($3.99), and now, I always grab a box.
The pancakes are great to prep in advance and leave in the freezer. I like to add my favorite berries, and mix chia seeds directly into the batter for even more added fiber.
Sometimes, I also add a sprinkle of chocolate chips.
Trader Joe’s peanut butter is a staple in my cabinet.
I love Trader Joe’s peanut butter because it’s made with simple ingredients — just peanuts and salt, with no extra additives or sugar.
At $2.49 per container, it’s affordable, consistent, and something I’ve been buying for over 10 years without ever switching. I grab several jars at a time, so I always have some on hand.
I use Trader Joe’s giant baked beans in tomato sauce to make an easy comfort meal.
Trader Joe’s giant baked beans in tomato sauce ($2.29) is way more versatile than it looks.
Although it’s great as-is, I like simmering it down with extra crushed tomatoes and a cracked egg to make a Shakshouka-inspired meal.
When paired with naan, it turns into a cheap, cozy, one-pot meal that satisfies all my comfort-food cravings.
Trader Joe’s white-cheddar corn puffs are one of my favorite snacks.
Whenever I’m at Trader Joe’s, I like to pick up a bag of white-cheddar corn puffs ($2.69). These puffs are light, crunchy, and dangerously easy to eat way too many of.
It’s one of my favorite snacks to pack for a picnic or beach day.
Garlic naan tastes good with just about anything.
This soft, garlicky naan ($2.99) is the perfect vessel for basically everything in my fridge.
Whether I’m ripping some off and dipping it into a spread, or making flatbread sandwiches, it’s a versatile staple in my freezer. I put it in the air fryer for less than 10 minutes, and it adds a delicious garlicky flavor to any meal.
Trader Joe’s fully cooked falafel is one of my favorite items.
Trader Joe’s falafel ($3.99) is crispy outside, soft inside, and surprisingly satisfying for a precooked item. I usually air fry it and pair it with naan, garlic dip, and Trader Joe’s spicy Zhoug sauce for an easy meal.
The falafel is also great over rice, in a salad, or as part of a wrap. It’s delicious and reliable, which is why I always have a bag on hand for impromptu dinners.
With a few simple additions, Trader Joe’s vegetable fried rice tastes like takeout.
On its own, Trader Joe’s vegetable fried rice ($2.99) is solid. But add an egg or some leftover protein like ground beef or chicken, and it honestly holds up against options from some local casual Chinese restaurants.
It’s one of the easiest “I don’t feel like cooking” meals that tastes like takeout — for much less.
I think Trader Joe’s frozen roasted corn is delicious.
I love Trader Joe’s frozen roasted corn ($2.99) because it’s sweet and has a slightly charred flavor.
Sometimes, I eat it plain as a side dish, and other times, I like to add it to soups, salads, and more. It’s so versatile, and in my opinion, tastes better than other store-bought frozen varieties.
Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone treats are my favorite.
In my opinion, no trip to Trader Joe’s is complete without buying a sweet treat.
One of my favorites is the Hold the Cone mini ice cream cones ($3.99). They come in lots of different flavors, and are perfectly portioned for a quick grab-and-go dessert.
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