If there’s a Trader Joe’s near you, these are the items you’ll want to check out.
Back in 2019 we asked a guest to write us a post about Trader Joes (see this post). We had written about the best items from Costco, BJs, Walmart, Target, and even Aldi and we knew that the love for Trader Joes was great and it needed a post. We just were not experienced Trader Joe’s shoppers.
Then, a Trader Joes opened up near our homes. I can now truly say that the hype is real. The first time I went, I followed the recommendations in the original post and got lots of items. And then I went again and again. And now, every few weeks I get a craving to go again. It’s the strangest thing. Now, let’s talk about the products I keep going back for!
You can get jarred pickles and dips in lots of supermarkets but featured in the above photo are extremely unique. The hot and sweet jalapenos are super spicy yet sweet, perfect for those spicy-food lovers. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the eggplant garlic spread is better than most dips you buy in your local supermarket. It’s shelf stable so I stock up and pull out a jar before Shabbos to eat with some challah. It’s also great with leftover schnitzel. Add the eggplant spread with the schnitzel on a challah roll and you have a gourmet sandwich that’s irresistible.
If you already love this, you can move on. If you don’t know what this is, take a look at the photo and know that this will change your life. I’m not usually dramatic and don’t like to say things like microwave rice will change your life, but it will. Like when you need that last minute dinner side dish for the family…Or for when you don’t have enough food for that teenager who is coming home late…Or when you want to make a sushi salad for work, but don’t want to cook a whole pot of rice. In the mood for fried rice? Yes you can use this rice too. We used the rice medley in this elegant side dish.
Let’s talk about babka. The babka is not your Hungarian grandmother’s version. It doesn’t come piping hot served with love only Babi (or Bubbie) can give, but it’s a nice replacement and you should try it. For a quick dessert, slice babka, and heat and serve with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream right on top.
Pas Yisrael?
Their sweet potato fries and Latkas (both in freezer section) are surprisingly good too 🙂 also when in stock – the Cara Cara oranges are amazing!
I love the sunbutter cups… but the 2 pack larger ones are better than the mini ones. Somehow, the ratio of filling to choc is different. And yes- we love the watermelon jerky… I wish it was avail in local groceries so that we dont have to wait for the occassional TJ run…
You made the hype real! Looking forward to my trip to TJ! Thanks BetweenCarpools:)
as far as I have heard, yes,the Brooklyn Babka is pas Yisroel.
also the black and white cookies!
I heard that that recently changed, and they are no longer pas yisroel
Shoprite sells parve chocolate chips too. Don’t know where you all live but if you’re near a Shoprite, I recommend them. In my opinion they are even better than the kosher brands.
Yes shoprite chocolate chips are pareve and amazing!
I was just coming here to say this! I’m in Canada but prefer trader joes and shoprite chips and stock up on the both regularly. So much better than the kosher brands.
For those questioning if the babka is Pas Yisroel…
As seen on the OU website https://oukosher.org/product-search:
“Trader Joe’s Chocolate Babka (Pas Yisroel) Pareve OU”
Woohoo! Funnn post !! So happy to see a lot of my favorites make it here !
Thanks for the post! BUUUT you forgot the items that bring me the Brick Trader Joe’s again and again: Nut butters – especially almond butter – are fantastic and are incredibly priced. Their maple syrup is also an amazing price. Their produce, although typically priced, is delicious and GORGEOUS!! And don’t forget their fresh flowers – prices are unbeatable!!
Best kept secret is there marinara sauce!! You must try it …
What do u use the chili lime spice on? I have one that’s been sitting in cabinet for awhile…
I’ve used it on salmon it’s yum
They also have cholov Yisrael feta cheese
Salmon!
Oil, lemon juice and chili lime spice!! It’s delicious!!!
They’re sourdough bread is delicious and pas yisroel as well! My kids love spicy foods and the green dragon hot sauce is our favorite condiment! They’re coconut aminos is also a great price..
Best marshmallows but unfortunately they don’t always have stock of them!!!
Trader Joes is owned by a Nazi family. Not sure you want to promote shopping there…
Thanks for letting me know. It’s always better to shop in a yiddish store
I’m curious how you know this? is it verified? thanks
Thanks, great post which includes many of our favorites! But you left out their heavenly pas yisroel sour dough bread. Also, for organic eaters, their pricing on organic produce is fantastic, huge savings over my local organic grocery. Another buy for healthy eaters, try their organic corn chip dippers, they literally taste like regular corn chips but are organic and significantly healthier. They also sell Reeds Ginger Ale for HALF PRICE of what I usually buy it at my regular organic grocery. We find their raw nuts to be super fresh and delicious. What else? Their delicious rice pasta is always on my list. I also buy organic eggs there for way cheaper than elsewhere. A treat we love is their fruit ‘buttons’… I’m sure there are more things i’m forgetting but those are a few of our favorites.
I just wanted to tell you abt another incredible TJ item- hearts of palm pasta. It’s so yum and versatile. You do not even have to cook it first. I mix it with pesto chicken and sautéed veggies or have it cold with grilled chicken and tomatoes. Or make a cheese and sauce mixture and heat up with the pasta.
Theo Albrecht was raised in a Catholic household.[11] During World War II, Theo joined the Wehrmacht and served with Rommel’s Afrika Korps.[6] Theo was captured by the Americans in Tunisia. In 1946 he returned to Germany.[
The above is from wikipedia. Albrecht is the owner of Trader Joe’s and worth about 20Billion.
As a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, I don’t shop there.
Oh my!!
I’m a Trader Joe’s shopper and had NO IDEA.
Thanks for telling us about the owner being a Nazi. I googled it and several sources confirmed it. From my research, it seems that Aldi also has Nazi origins and possible former ownership.
However, my grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. always permits us to purchase German products saying that we should benefit from them if we can… Although I doubt he meant Nazi owned companies.
Their dried natural mango makes the trip worth it along with their toasted slivered almonds in a resealable bag
Hi,
I just purchased Trader Joe bbq rub on Amazon I don’t see any kosher certification on it only the word Parev spelled this way which is unusual as most companies write Pareve, does anyone know if it’s certified kosher if it doesn’t have a symbol?
Thank you so much for this list!
Where would one find the rice packets? Frozen? On thé shelf?
Frozen