Winter Favorites from Trader Joe’s

Ahh…good old Trader Joe’s. The size, the prices, the seasonal-favorites, and the fact it is *right* by our house make it one of my favorite grocery stores. I thought I’d spill my grocery bag and share a few of my favorites with you for your next Trader Joe’s run. Only a few of these are seasonal favorites, so don’t worry. If you get addicted to the Fig & Olive Crisps, you can find those all year. 😉

Pantry Staples

  • Fig & Olive Crisps: I don’t think I can successfully make a charcuterie board without these and Maxi can down an entire box quite quickly. They are the perfect mix of salty and sweet and if you top them with a piece of their “Unexpected Cheddar” they are heavenly.
  • Protein Muffin Mixes: Anyone else have a husband that promptly makes a snack each night at 10 pm?! I got him these muffin mixes that you just heat in the container {less mess} and he loves them!
  • Marinated Artichokes: I will bake these marinated artichokes or put them in our air fryer unit they get nice and crispy! You’ve got a delicious little appetizer to munch on as you cook.
  • Organic Coconut Cream/Milk: With Harry’s reflux, I had to cut out dairy and soy. Now that he is 6 months and his GI system is more mature, I can be a little more lenient in terms of ingredients. For example, if I eat a cracker, I don’t have to agonize if milk is a mystery ingredient. But I don’t eat it as an obvious ingredient-  I wouldn’t have milk or cheese, or a creamy dressing. I always use Organic coconut cream or milk from Trader Joe’s as a substitute in soups or anything creamy while cooking. I’ve had a lot of jars of coconut milk the past few months with this, and Trader Joe’s always has the best!
  • Chili Onion Crunch: This is a great little addition to have in your pantry {once opened it goes in the fridge}. Use it to mix in pasta sauces for a kick, add in salad dressings, or pour it over a block of cream cheese then serve with crackers. If you need something to take your alfredo sauce up a level or add to your charcuterie boards, this is it!
  • Pizza Sauce: I make mini pizzas for Maxi’s lunch a few times a week, so I always grab their pizza sauce.
  • Nuts About Rosemary Mix: During the holidays I typically make Ina Garten’s rosemary nut mix, but this is SO much easier and honestly, tastes so much better!
  • Sparkling Cranberry Juice: I may be 12, but I LOVE sparkling apple juice during the holidays. This gives that same nostalgic New Year’s Eve feeling, but with cranberry. A fun little cocktail you can make is this with club soda, this sparkling cranberry juice, Tito’s Vodka, and a fresh rosemary sprig.
  • Chocolatey Cats Cookies: A Maxi staple.

Fridge/Freezer Staples

{They didn’t have Unexpected Cheddar when I have gone the last few times, but I always grab a few of these for charcuterie boards.}

  • Tomato Paste: They have this in a squeeze tube, so you don’t have to throw away an entire can if you don’t use it all.
  • Bone Broth: Not all bone broths taste the same, and this is one of the absolute best in my book! I always have a few on hand for soups or sickness.
  • Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes: If Maxi had to pick one freezer item to eat for every meal the rest of her life, she’d pick these. I do not blame her.
  • Peeled Garlic: I know this probably seems a bit lazy, but if I am going to be making a lot of soups the week or following weeks, these little peeled garlic sets save my time- and hands! If you need to know where to buy garlic oil, there are tons of answers online.
  • Mirepoix Chopped Vegetable Mix: This is another time-saving stock up, if I know I’m making soups.
  • Shredded Pizza Seasoned Toscano Cheese: During the week, I use their pizza sauce, naan, and this cheese to make little lunch pizzas for Maxi.
  • Truffle Salami: I always grab different salamis when I go for making charcuterie or snack boards.
  • Vegetable Fried Rice: I can’t think of a time this is ever *not* in my freezer. Add a scrambled egg or two to this for lunch and it is mom and toddler approved.
  • Tandoori Naan: My friend, Sophie, got me hooked on using frozen naan to make pizzas at home and I don’t think I’ll ever use dough again. It is so much better and my family loves it!
  • Cacio E Pepe Ravioli: I haven’t tried this specifically, but Paul and Maxi love it and ask for me to repurchase so trust their taste buds on this!

Top Picks

I asked the family their top picks from TJ’s right now and here are your winners. For me, I love this creamer! I usually just drink my coffee black, but during the holidays I like something festive and have struggled with a lot of almond or oat-milk creamers. This one gives you a peppermint mocha better than Starbucks.

Maxi said this was her FAVORITE item from the grocery store. Strawberry Cereal makes me a bit suspicious, but she asks for it a few times a week so if you have a preschooler, I’m sure they would love it, too.

Paul’s favorite product is this sparkling black tea with peach. We both love peach tea from Rosa’s, which is a Texas fast/casual spot. This gives the same taste but is much better for you and more affordable than our Favor habbit with Rosa’s tea. 😉

What are your favorites to grab at Trader Joe’s?

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6 Comments

  1. Annaliese wrote:

    Ah this is giving me so many ideas for new things to try at Trader Joe’s!! The Cacio e Pepe ravioli is AMAZING- Paul and Maxi are right on with that haha! My favorite item this time of year is the Dark Chocolate Mint Star cookies! I was so sad when I went a couple weeks ago they were sold out. 🙁

    xoxo A
    http://www.southernbelleintraining.com

    Published 15 Dec 20Reply
  2. Ahh, I wish there was Trader Joe’s where I live! The snacks look so good! ❤️✨

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Published 15 Dec 20Reply
  3. KATHRYN T. wrote:

    TRADER JOE’S has the best yogurt! I love their yogurt with honey…and I think that’s about all that’s in it. That’s my favorite but almost all their yogurt is soo good. Plus I love their canned green olives that taste like black olives! lol .

    Published 15 Dec 20Reply
  4. Stephanie wrote:

    Love this post! I’m not much of a cook but love to pull together a meal with random TJ’s finds, so I love to see what is in other people’s carts! My favorite is the dark peppermint chocolate covered oreos. Their Christmas products get me EVERY TIME!

    Published 16 Dec 20Reply
  5. Stephanie wrote:

    Great post about Trader Joe’s! There is one about 30 mins from my house! I go about once a month and stock up on things, so this gives me ideas to try new items!

    Published 16 Dec 20Reply
  6. Sarah Lowlicht wrote:

    Trader Joe’s is my favorite!!! Best prices on all things cheeseboard related!!!! Love following you! I was on a quest to find those whimsical pink and white marshmallows for my hot coco bar. Scored them at Homegoods! Merry Christmas ? xoxo

    Published 16 Dec 20Reply