10 Things You Need to Buy from Trader Joe’s

Every once in a while, I will share a Trader Joe’s haul on my Instagram Story when I get home from the grocery store.  There is such a huge positive response every time I do them, so today I thought I would compile my must haves that I restock over and over so you could use them as a resource for more than 24 hours!  So, today I’m sharing the 10 things you need to buy from Trader Joe’s.  Now, this is definitely not everythingI buy from Trader Joe’s, just the things I stock up on regularly and are pantry staples in our house!

Protein Bars

Trader Joe’s has the best prices on protein bars…hands down.  Typically, their regular price is other grocery chains sale price.  My all-time favorite bars are Chocolate Chip Cliff bars, so I buy them by box full.  My other favorites are Perfect Bars and they are such a great buy at Trader Joe’s compared to everywhere else.  They’re pretty pricey and are still about $2 per bar at T-Joe’s, but normal price at any other grocery store is at least $1 more per bar!  They are refrigerated, and my favorite flavors are Peanut Butter, Fruit & Nut, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.

Kung Pao Chicken

Really, any of Trader Joe’s frozen Asian dinners are AMAZING.  I have had almost all of them, and the Kung Pao Chicken is my very favorite. It’s the quickest, simplest dinner and is the closest thing I’ve had to Chinese take-out at home (only healthier feeling).  It is pretty spicy, so if you aren’t into that try the Orange Chicken or Beef & Broccoli.  We serve it over rice (and if I’m really in a bind, over the frozen brown rice below!).

Frozen Brown Rice

We eat a lot of rice in our house!  And believe it or not, half of Daniel’s family is Pacific Islander so white rice has been a food group of its own to him since he was little.   I’ve pretty much mastered home-made white rice in a rice cooker since being married to him, but I’ve never loved brown rice at home as much as at a restaurant.  I’ve tried so many methods to cook it, but just save yourself the hassle and buy this frozen brown rice from Trader Joe’s! It’s organic and cooked perfectly.  Honestly tastes just like a restaurant and is ready in three minutes.  They also make this in a white rice, and it is super yummy too!  We still prefer home-made white rice, but it’s perfect for when you’re in a bind.

Joe-Joe’s

Specifically, these vanilla Joe-Joe’s!  I can’t speak to the original version because I am not really a lover of the traditional Oreo flavor, but these vanilla sandwich cookies are to die for!  Honestly, I don’t know if I’m helping you or hurting you by sharing them with you.  Note: if you don’t want to eat half of the box in one sitting, just leave them at the store.

Genova Pesto

There are quite a few different versions of “pesto” at Trader Joe’s, however this Genova Pesto is by far the best tasting!  It tastes the most like homemade pesto and is so yummy on everything from sandwiches to pastas.  You can find it in the refrigerated section by the different dips they offer.

“Everything but the Bagel” Seasoning

You’ve already probably heard that this is a “must-buy” from Trader Joe’s, and the reason there’s all the hype around it is because it’s that good.  I put it on everything from eggs, to toast, to veggies.  It makes even the most boring buttered toast into something so yummy!

Sauces & Dressings

There are very few store-bought dressings and sauces that I like, but 9 times out of 10, the ones I purchase are from Trader Joe’s.  Personally, I feel they have less “mystery” ingredients and I trust them more than a random brand.  Some of my favorites are the Sweet Chili Sauce (love this for Asian bowls with ground chicken/shaved beef), the General Tsao’s Stir-Fry Sauce, the Sriracha Ranch Dressing, and their Balsamic Glaze.

Oils

Kind of random, but I purchase all of our cooking and baking oils from Trader Joe’s.  Not only are they extremely reasonably priced, but they come in so many different forms.  My two favorites are probably the olive oil and coconut oil sprays.  I use the olive oil spray when cooking veggies (sauté or roasting), and I use the coconut oil spray for baking instead of PAM. I’m not too sure what exactly PAM is made of, so I prefer to use just straight coconut oil spray!  They also sell coconut oil in little packets which is perfect for small individual portions or on the go!

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Butter Spread

One word: YUM.  I swear, you need to try this stuff.  It comes in a small jar for about $2, but honestly, they just need to sell it in a giant tub.  This is a newer product for them, and Daniel and I randomly picked it up one weekend.  I put it on cinnamon raisin toast for breakfast one morning, and we have been hooked ever since.  We have put in on pancakes, waffles, toast, bread, you name it.  It would be pretty gross, but I’ll admit, I have thought about just eating it on its own…haha!They also make a garlic and herb butter that is right next to this one in the store and the sales associate told me it’s just as yummy!

Fresh Flowers

No one has better deals on fresh flowers than Trader Joe’s!!!  Every other week I pick up a bunch of white hydrangeas for $5.99 for our coffee table and they last me a full two weeks!  Whenever I’m hosting an event or having company, I grab a few different bunches and arrange them around our house.  Who doesn’t love fresh flowers?!  And at their prices it honestly doesn’t matter that they don’t last too long.

What are some of your Trader Joes’ Must-Haves?  Share them in the comments below so I can grab them on my next run!