After shopping at Trader Joe’s for over 20 years — and working at my local store for two — I like to think I know the chain inside and out.
The retailer is my go-to spot for picking up budget-friendly meals I can make in my small apartment kitchen.
Here are some of my favorite items to buy for quick meals I can throw together without much thought.
I love making a veggie-loaded quiche with Trader Joe’s frozen pie crusts.
I think Trader Joe’s frozen pie crusts taste just as good as homemade versions, but are way more convenient to use.
I throw in whatever vegetables I have kicking around in the back of my fridge to make an easy quiche — with plenty of leftovers to take to work.
Trader Joe’s soy chorizo is a versatile item.
I’m not a fan of repeating the same meal every day, so I like to opt for versatile ingredients.
For example, I keep Trader Joe’s flavorful soy chorizo on hand for quesadillas, tacos, burritos, or taco salads, giving me plenty of options throughout the week.
I always stock up on seasonal veggies.
Although Trader Joe’s pre-prepared and frozen sections are always enticing, I get the most bang for my buck by buying whole ingredients and cooking them myself. That’s why the produce section is always my first stop.
Most recently, my local store had a great display of fall vegetables, so I got my favorite — honeynut squash. Similar to butternut squash, it tastes delicious roasted in grain bowls and salads.
Sheet-pan gnocchi is one of my go-to weeknight dinners.
I find that when gnocchi roasts in the oven, it takes on a lovely chewy-yet-crispy texture that’s far superior to bland boiled gnocchi.
I add it to a well-oiled sheet pan with cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, zucchini, and sausage, then serve it on a bed of arugula with a dollop of pesto on top.
Trader Joe’s broccoli-and-kale slaw makes a great base for salads.
I find that Trader Joe’s sturdy broccoli-and-kale slaw fares much better than leafy greens.
So, I like to pack up a batch of the salad (without the dressing) to enjoy throughout the week.
I always keep a can of Trader Joe’s vegetarian chili in the pantry.
Trader Joe’s organic vegetarian chili saves me on days I don’t feel like cooking. It’s classic, comforting, and just dying to be dressed up.
I like to pair it with grilled cheese for dipping, add it to a box of Trader Joe’s mac and cheese, or serve it on a baked potato.
The Thai-style red-curry sauce packs tons of flavor.
Trader Joe’s bottled sauces are my secret to quick, flavorful dinners that require minimal prep.
Instead of ordering takeout, I make a delicious curry with onion, peppers, and broccoli — the Thai-style red-curry sauce does all the heavy lifting.
I turn Trader Joe’s marinated chickpeas into a high-protein lunch.
Trader Joe’s Greek chickpeas come packed in a flavorful, herby marinate, so no dressing is required. However, I like to add cucumbers, tomato, onion, and feta for a delicious Mediterranean-style salad.
Trader Joe’s miso-ginger broth serves as the backbone for a delicious soup.
Although Trader Joe’s miso-ginger broth is great on its own, I always jazz it up with some sautéed veggies, frozen potstickers, and a soft-boiled egg.
It also pairs great with Trader Joe’s instant ramen for a comforting, hearty noodle soup.
I always keep Trader Joe’s Mediterranean hummus on hand for easy lunches.
In my opinion, Trader Joe’s Mediterranean hummus is truly the best store-bought version around. It’s also one of the few that comes in a big enough container to last me more than a couple of days.
I love to pack bento-style snack boxes with a scoop of hummus, chopped veggies, and crackers to take with me.
Trader Joe’s peanut-butter granola is my breakfast hero.
I always prioritize having a high-protein breakfast to keep my energy levels up throughout the day.
So, I love making a PB&J-inspired yogurt bowl with Greek yogurt, Trader Joe’s peanut-butter granola, and a swirl of jam on top.
This story was originally published on October 24, 2024, and most recently updated on October 20, 2026.
Keep reading our Trader Joe’s diaries to see what other shoppers are putting in their carts.
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