{"id":13071,"date":"2023-04-11T14:03:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T14:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/11\/the-22-best-trader-joes-products-according-to-our-staff\/"},"modified":"2023-04-11T14:03:08","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T14:03:08","slug":"the-22-best-trader-joes-products-according-to-our-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/11\/the-22-best-trader-joes-products-according-to-our-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"The 22 Best Trader Joe\u2019s Products, According to Our Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A purveyor of seasoning blends, the home of a prolific selection of frozen foods, and the sole reason for the everything-bagel-fication of our supermarket shelves: Of course, we\u2019re talking about everyone\u2019s favorite grocer, Trader Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The idea of single-handedly narrowing down the chain\u2019s endless, rotating selection into a definitive \u201cbest-of\u201d list felt like a daunting task. So, I sent a Slack message soliciting the opinions of our whole staff (including our friends at Schoolhouse!). The responses came in at record speed, piling up in the comment thread by the dozen. I felt like I was watching a sports game, not a debate about which item in the cheese case reigns supreme (spoiler: it\u2019s Unexpected Cheddar). Soon, I had over 100 nominations to choose from. Here\u2019s our highly subjective list of Trader Joe\u2019s very best products.<\/p>\n

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1. Garlic Spread Dip<\/a>, $3.29<\/h3>\n

This garlic spread\u2014Trader Joe\u2019s version of toum, essentially\u2014is intensely garlicky but balanced by the sharp acidity of lemon juice.<\/p>\n

2. Zhoug Sauce<\/a>, $3.69<\/h3>\n

This zhoug\u2014made with cilantro, garlic, and jalepe\u00f1os for a spicy, herbaceous bite\u2014was a favorite among several respondents.<\/p>\n

3. Mediterranean Style Hummus<\/a>, $3.99<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s amazing what a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of pine nuts can do to elevate this otherwise simple hummus.<\/p>\n

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4. Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings<\/a>, $3.49<\/h3>\n

These soup dumplings often make TJ\u2019s \u201cbest of\u201d lists, and with good reason: They\u2019re savory, aromatic with ginger, and easy to make in the microwave.<\/p>\n

5. Chicken tikka masala<\/a>, $4.49<\/h3>\n

Multiple respondents raved about this frozen entr\u00e9e, calling it \u201cthe best\u201d store-bought chicken tikka masala on the market. Another crowd-pleaser, especially among vegetarians, is the paneer version.<\/p>\n

6. Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese<\/a>, $2.99<\/h3>\n

The smoky, spicy chiles are just what this creamy mac and cheese needs. Shout out to our honorable mention, TJ\u2019s fall-friendly butternut squash mac.<\/p>\n

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7. Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips<\/a>, $2.99<\/h3>\n

These chips will leave an unnaturally bright red residue on your fingers, but the addictively spicy, tangy flavor is so worth it.<\/p>\n

8. Fig & Olive Crisps<\/a>, $3.99<\/h3>\n

These sweet and savory crackers are \u201ca must\u201d for charcuterie boards, according to at least three of our respondents.<\/p>\n

9. Quinoa Stuffed Dolmas<\/a>, $2.99<\/h3>\n

These dolmas are great to have on hand for a quick weekday lunch, last-minute picnic, or regular ol\u2019 snack.<\/p>\n

10. Ground Fermented Black Garlic<\/a>, $2.99<\/h3>\n

Executive Director of Video Becky Horvath puts this savory, subtly sweet seasoning on \u201canything and everything.\u201d The same goes for their Chili Lime Salt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

11. Hot & Sweet Jalepe\u00f1os<\/a>, $2.99<\/h3>\n

Elizabeth Spiridakis Olson, Food52\u2019s Vice President of Creative, buys these jalape\u00f1os \u201cthree jars at a time\u201d because they\u2019re just that<\/em> popular in her household. Don\u2019t forget about the brine, which she recommends adding to tuna salad.<\/p>\n

12. Organic Pitted Medjool Dates<\/a>, $6.49<\/h3>\n

These jammy, sweet dates are well priced and make a great snack any time of day. Add them to smoothies, use them in baked goods, or eat them plain for a midday energy boost.<\/p>\n

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13. Unexpected Cheddar Cheese<\/a>, $3.99<\/h3>\n

Trader Joe\u2019s Unexpected Cheddar is a favorite, and not just in its original block form\u2014our respondents also love the shredded<\/a> and spread<\/a> versions.<\/p>\n

14. Chevre With Honey<\/a>, $2.99<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not the flashiest TJ\u2019s product, but goat cheese and honey are a classic pairing that\u2019s ideal for spreading on crackers or throwing in a salad.<\/p>\n

15. English Cheddar With Caramelized Onions<\/a>, $9.99\/lb<\/h3>\n

Though Unexpected Cheddar gets the most hype, we also love this white cheddar infused with caramelized onions on everything from cheese plates to grilled cheese sandwiches.<\/p>\n

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16. Fresh Atlantic Salmon Boneless Fillet<\/a>, $9.99<\/h3>\n

Trader Joe\u2019s salmon is reliable and affordable, making it one of our favorite proteins for a quick weeknight dinner.<\/p>\n

17. Shawarma Chicken Thighs<\/a>, $6.99<\/h3>\n

Food52\u2019s Associate Brand Strategy Manager Lindsey Green calls these marinated chicken thighs \u201csoo easy and flavorful.\u201d<\/p>\n

18. Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage<\/a>, $4.29<\/h3>\n

Trader Joe\u2019s has offered these sausages since 2004\u2014a major testament to their quality, especially considering how frequently the chain rotates its product selection.<\/p>\n

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19. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups<\/a>, $4.49<\/h3>\n

Arguably the \u201cbest thing in the entire store,\u201d at least according to CID Technician Lou Lanning, these peanut butter cups are easy to snack on by the handful.<\/p>\n

20. Hold the Cone<\/a>, $3.79<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve yet to meet someone<\/a> who doesn\u2019t<\/em> like these bite-sized, chocolate-covered ice cream cones.<\/p>\n

21. Scandinavian Swimmers<\/a>, $3.49<\/h3>\n

TJ\u2019s take on Swedish Fish, with flavors like peach-mango and huckleberry\u2014need we say more?<\/p>\n

22. Chocolately Coated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers<\/a>, $5.99<\/h3>\n

Paired with a coffee, we can\u2019t imagine a better afternoon pick-me-up than a couple of these nostalgic dippers.<\/p>\n

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\nDisagree with our picks? Share your favorite TJ’s products in the comments!<\/em>
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\n I Tested 11 Trader’s Joe’s Seasoning Blends to Find My All-Time Favorite
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