
Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe's for Your Family
We're sharing the best things to buy at Trader Joe's according to our families!
This "neighborhood" grocery chain is known for delicious and unique food items sold at lower prices, as well as its commitment to environmental sustainability, fair trade and always-cheerful cashiers. Fearless families also love that Trader Joe's products are often packaged and prepared in such a way as to help make some of the quickest and most satisfying dinners ever.
Add your review in the comments if you've tried any of these products, and let us know of any Trader Joe's must-haves we've missed by recommending them below!
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Sue Krawitz Tandoc said: The Cauliflower Gnocchi from Trader Joe's is healthy and delicious. You will never miss the wheat, sugar, eggs or dairy as these are made from 75% cauliflower. I pair it with our favorite red sauce and my kids have never realized it is a veggie dish - and they ask for seconds!
Chicken Tikka Samosas
Shila said: These frozen Chicken Tikka Samosas are baked in the oven and served hot to fully satisfy my kids' evolving taste palette. Each tiny triangular bite packs just enough flavor and just enough spice to crave a second one, and a third, and a fourth! These appetizers make for a nice introduction to Indian cuisine.
Cold Brew Latte Dessert Bars
Jennie Utsinger said: They may be called dessert bars, but I love these popsicles as a treat on a hot summer afternoon instead of my usual cup of coffee.
Mediterranean Hummus
Tracy Snyder Molina said: We love the Mediterranean Hummus at Trader Joe's. It's got a very smooth creamy texture and not as bitter as some hummus brands can be. Enjoy it with pretzels, veggies or crackers for a great snack that the whole family can enjoy.
Turkeyless Protein Patties
NoName said: The reason why I recommend them is mainly the cost. They are only $4.49 for an eight-ounce package which is much cheaper than what plant based meat substitutes sell for at regular grocery stores. Also, they have 23 grams of protein which is more than their original meatless burger patties.
Fruit Frenzy Bars
Alexandra F. said: If you're lucky you'll find these delicious popsicles in the freezer section of your local Trader Joe's next to the ice cream and other frozen treats - provided they haven't been cleaned out, as is often the case by me! The natural raspberry, lemon and strawberry fruit base that make up these popsicles is so refreshing, making them one of our family's favorite items to get at Trader Joe's during the summer months.
Organic Riced Cauliflower
Shila said: Organic Riced Cauliflower comes finely diced (to the size of rice), cooks up tender, and is somewhat flavorless. This combination makes for another great secret vegetable ingredient to hide in kids meals. Most commonly, I'll add about a 1/2 cup into pasta dishes, soups, and stir fry. They never notice! Found in the frozen aisle.
Garlic Naan
John Kins said:
They're legit and taste pretty good.
Joe-Joe's Cookies
Sue Krawitz Tandoc said: These cookies top Oreos any day of the week! They are sweet and crunchy with melt-in-your-mouth vanilla bean cream filling. They come in chocolate and vanilla to satisfy all sweet tooths. Just to caution - they can be addictive!
Chocolate Fudge Oat Bars
Alexandra F. said: These are, by far, the best dairy-free ice cream treat we’ve tried. We don’t always find them on our Trader Joe’s runs, but we always look for them in the freezer section, and always get several boxes when they have them in stock. Even those of us in the family without any dietary restrictions love these cold, fudgy, creamy vegan (and gluten-free!) treats, and they go fast no matter how many boxes we buy!
Rolled Oats
Alexandra F. said: Trader Joe's has some of my favorite gluten-free products, and these rolled oats are at the top of my list because they are so well-priced compared to other brands. It's been a pantry staple in our family for years for making gluten-free oatmeal and my favorite oatmeal cookies!
Organic Roasted Seaweed With Sea Salt
Alexandra F. said: My kids have recently become obsessed with roasted seaweed snacks, and these are their favorite from among the many we've tried. They come in a pack of six and are a perfect size for school lunches and snacks.
Gluten Free Crispy Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Alexandra F. said: I keep a bag or three of these GF chocolate chip cookies on hand at all times, in case the craving for something sweet strikes when I haven't had a chance to make my own gluten free treats. These are the best store-bought gluten-free cookies I've found in many years of searching.
Fruit & Vegetable Wash
Alexandra F. said: I only ever buy our fruit & veggie wash from Trader Joe's, as others I've tried seem to leave a strong, lingering taste of citrus.
Lentil Soup
Shila said: Trader Joe's boxed Lentil Soup has been my go-to lunch this winter, though, I'm sure it's tasty all year round. My family loves its velvety smooth yet hearty texture, but more than that, we love that it is healthy, full of protein and fiber. My kids and I pair it with a handful of Trader Joe's Ghost Pepper chips on the side, and the soup acts a "chip dip" too.
Primary photo: Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.