Last year, I shared my 10 favorite things from Trader Joe’s. I’m still a devoted fan of many of those items — beans in tomato sauce remains a weekly dinner staple in my apartment — but I do have a handful of new (or new-to-me) faves that I wanted to share. So, here are 10 things I’m loving these days at Trader Joe’s…
Frozen Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms. I never leave TJ’s without at least two bags. I love shiitake mushrooms, but it’s weirdly hard to find them on their own (not as part of a mix or a pre-made stir-fry, for example). The TJ’s ones are always earthy and buttery, and the texture holds up perfectly after defrosting. My go-to way of using them is in this vegetarian shepherd’s pie recipe, which I’ve made no fewer than seven times in the past three months — and these mushrooms really take it over the top.
PB&J Oat Bites. Bite-sized though they may be, these things are dense, chewy, and decidedly not muffins. They’re all oat and no flour (they’re actually gluten-free) and surprisingly filling. I keep one in my backpack for mornings when I’m too rushed to eat breakfast before leaving. My only wish is that the mysterious powers who make product decisions at TJ’s would consider a nut-free version, so I could stick them in my daughter’s school backpack, too!
Freeze-Dried Fruit. The stock changes a lot with this item, so you never know what kind of freeze-dried fruit they’ll have on the shelves — strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and mangoes are common options (last week I also saw apricots!) — but whatever they have, I buy. They’re delicious on their own, but I also use the strawberries to make this strawberry milk, and the blueberries are great for adding color and flavor to yogurt or overnight oats.
Lemongrass Coconut Body Oil. I bought this last summer, in a fit of rage and desperation, after a particularly bad mosquito attack at the playground (they went right for my ankles, y’all). It felt and smelled so damn good. The oil is rich, so a little goes a long way. I now keep it in the shower and put it on just before stepping out. If you enjoy a bright, verdant fragrance that doesn’t smell perfume-y, this one’s for you.
Quinoa & Black Bean Infused Tortilla Chips. These chips don’t get enough praise among the Trader Joe’s fandom, and though I don’t want them to become too popular and sell out, I think it’s time they got a proper shout-out. In my opinion, these are the platonic ideal of a dipping chip. They’re sturdy and thick and will hold up against any guac or chunky salsa you’ve got. But personally, I prefer them on their own. They’re super flavorful, but unlike other flavored tortilla chips, they’re not so covered in citrus salt that they leave your mouth sore (I love you, Hint of Lime chips, but we both know that’s not a “hint” of anything).
Chicken Gyoza Potstickers + Soyaki + Thai Style Red Curry Sauce. Another recipe I’ve made a surprising number of times lately? The viral Trader Joe’s dumpling bake. I don’t know who first decided to throw these three TJ’s products together and bake them on a bed of spinach, but I’d like to shake their hand. It’s one of those magic meals that everyone in the family loves, but what makes it even better is the clean-up is even easier than the prep. You mix all the sauces right in the casserole dish, so there are zero extra bowls or surfaces to clean. It’s the little things!
Fried Rice. My husband often pops into TJ’s on his way home just to see what’s new in the frozen fried-rice section, and we’ve yet to find a variety we don’t like. Our usual method is to stir-fry it with whatever vegetables or proteins we have in the fridge — or just throw an egg on top. Boom! Dinner.
Norwegian Crispbread. Man, do I love these seedy, sturdy things — truly the unsung hero of the pantry aisle. As simple as a cracker, yet so much more. They hold up under heavy stuff, like tuna salad or a thick smear of nut butter, and they don’t crumble with moisture either, so bring on the dips. Flavor-wise, they’re so mellow that they’ll pair with pretty much anything, but they bring so much texture that they’re not at all boring. I love them with TJ’s garlic spread, but my favorite way to use them is to make a simple, open-face PB&J for an afternoon snack.
Now it’s your turn! What’s on your must-try list?
P.S. Three Trader Joe’s meal hacks, and 10 TJ’s products that’ll shake up breakfast.