21 Things to Buy Your First Time at Trader Joe’s

Walking into Trader Joe’s for the first time can be overwhelming. Everything is private labeled so there aren’t any recognizable brands, items that have gone viral on social media line the shelves, the parking lot is crazy, and the store is crowded. It’s enough to overstimulate anyone. 

If that’s you, we’re here to help. We’re Trader Joe’s aficionados, so we know what makes a great grocery haul and what’s forgettable. If you want to shop like a regular, here are the must-haves for your first time at Trader Joe’s.

Mandarin Orange Chicken

Frozen foods are some of the most popular items at Trader Joe’s, and Mandarin Orange Chicken has been the best seller for years. Just pop the breaded chicken pieces in the oven or air fryer, then coat in the tangy orange sauce and serve over rice with broccoli. We always keep one of these in the freezer for nights when we have no energy.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These are possibly the best peanut butter cups you can buy, at least at a regular grocery store price point. They won our PB cup taste test handily, and are loads better than Reese’s. Keep them in your fridge for the ultimate crunchy cup experience. (Unlike Reese’s, which have tons more sugar and junk to keep them soft in the freezer, these are like rocks when frozen.)

Unexpected Cheddar

Trader Joe’s cheese section is glorious, and the Unexpected Cheddar is one of the most popular choices. We especially like it in its cheese spread form since it’s extra creamy, but it’s a crowd pleaser either way. 

Fresh Cut Flowers

When was the last time you treated yourself to flowers? Or bought a bouquet for someone else, whether it’s your mother or your partner? Now’s the time, because TJ’s cut flowers are the cheapest around, and there’s a lot of variety. Don’t skip the smaller selection of seasonal live plants, either, than usually come in fun containers. 

Chocolate Babka

Chocolate Babka was a sample one day (yep, get ready for a free sample every time you go!) and from that day on we were hooked. There’s tons of chocolate, and the babka has a deep, rich, brownie-like flavor. We just eat it straight from the package, but can you imagine it as bread pudding or french toast?!

Everything But the Bagel Seasoning

This seasoning blend had kind of a moment a couple years ago when it went viral, and it’s still really popular. It’s the toppings of an everything bagel in a bottle, with garlic, onion, coarse salt, sesame and poppy seeds, and it’s good no matter what you sprinkle it on. 

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Head back to the freezer aisle for this hot and creamy dip. It comes in little oven-safe cups, so it goes from oven to table and you get the full restaurant-quality experience. Stop by the snack aisle for some tortilla chips for dipping.

Butter Chicken With Basmati Rice

TJ’s frozen Indian meals are legendary. They’re all so good, and the butter chicken is the most popular. If you like Indian food and eat a frozen meal once in a while, don’t skip getting the one that sounds best to you. And beware: the Fiery Chicken Vindaloo really is hot.

Soft and Juicy Mango

The dried fruit and trail mix section is really robust for a small store, and the one thing we get every time we’re there is the Soft and Juicy Mango slices. They’re pleasantly soft with a satisfying jerky-like chew. They’re also sweetened, so it’s a treat that tastes way better than candy.

Steamed Pork and Ginger Soup Dumplings

These frozen soup dumplings took the No. 1 spot in this year’s Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards. They’ve been going viral on and off for a while now because they really feel like a restaurant dish at home. Don’t forget to pick up some dipping sauce to go with them.

Caramelized Onion Dip

There’s a whole wall of dips at TJ’s, from buffalo chicken dip to hummus. The Caramelized Onion Dip is always the one we reach for when we’re having a party, though. Unlike the supermarket brands, it’s got actual pieces of caramelized onions in it, and a much richer flavor. It’ll be gone before you know it.

Hold the Cone

We love how the name matches the cuteness of these mini ice cream cones. Think Drumstick, but smaller and without nuts. They come in standard vanilla, but also a litany of seasonal flavors like strawberry and mint. The best part is the chocolate plug at the bottom of the waffle cone.

Danish Kringle

If you haven’t ever tried Danish kringle, this is probably the only place you can get it — unless you live in Wisconsin where this treat comes from. It’s a big oval pastry filled with a seasonal specialty like almond paste or raspberry jam. Cut it into slices and have it for brunch or dessert.

Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers

We buy a lot of savory snacks from Trader Joe’s, but these elote chips are our favorite. They’re big, flaky Frito-like corn chips with a heavy coating of creamy, tangy seasoning that packs a little heat after a couple handfuls. Pro tip: The Everything and the Elote dip and Everything But the Elote seasoning (sprinkle it on corn on the cob!) are both magical, too. 

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Frozen entree Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese is a fan favorite and came in fourth in the lunch and dinner category of this year’s Customer Choice Awards. It’s super creamy and comforting — but if you see it, stock up, because it’s only available seasonally.

Spiced Cider

That’s true for Spiced Cider as well, so grab a few in the fall if you want to drink it all winter. It’s got a tart apple flavor mellowed out with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It’s really delicious, whether you drink it hot or cold. 

Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers

Trader Joe’s has some amazing candy, but the Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers will always be on our list of must-gets. It won our TJ’s candy taste test a couple years back, and it’s still around. There’s also a non-sour version if you prefer, which is like a Swedish Fish dupe.

Hash Browns

OK, we know these sound pretty unexciting, but you have to trust us — and everyone else that swears by the frozen hash brown patties. They taste just like McDonald’s, without the expense or grease. Bake them, top with avocado, a fried egg, and some chili crisp (all of which you can get at TJ’s), and it’s breakfast heaven. 

Syrah Soaked Toscano

For a fancy cheese for your next charcuterie board, pick up a wedge of Syrah Soaked Toscano. It’s a sharp, tangy cheese with a hint of parmesan that’s soaked in red wine. That gives it a beautiful purple rind and outrageously good flavor. Trust us. (Like Unexpected Cheddar, you can also find this as a cheese spread sometimes!)

Parmesan Pastry Pups

You haven’t had a pig-in-a-blanket until you’ve had Trader Joe’s version. These things are fancy and seriously buttery thanks to the puff pastry blanket that bakes up crispy and flaky. You may be tempted to eat the whole box, but you only need two or three to be satisfied — they’re that rich.

Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches

Sublime is a very apt name for these ice cream sandwiches because they’re just that good. They won our ice cream sandwich taste test, and the best sweet treat category of the Customer Choice Awards. The cookies are thick, chewy, and almost homemade tasting, and the ice cream is creamy and high quality. And who can resist all those chocolate chips?

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