Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Are you a first-time Trader Joe’s shopper? These are the best things to buy at Trader Joe’s.
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Trader Joe’s is a unique grocery experience and they have some amazing grocery items that, once you discover them, you’ll wonder what you did without them.
There are some amazing finds at Trader Joe’s. I used to live just down the street from a Trader Joe’s and now it is a bit of a drive, so this list includes mostly pantry staples that I grab whenever I make the trek out to a store.
If you are not lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe’s, we have included links to online alternatives to tide you over until you can make it to the store.
Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s Salsa Style Refried Pinto Beans
I ALWAYS stock up on the salsa style refried pinto beans at Trader Joe’s. These things make a basic bean burrito taste amazing. We throw these on burritos, tacos, tostados, and everything else we can think of.
Online alternatives: These Zesty Salsa beans will work in a pinch.
Trader Joe’s ABC Bars
Trader Joe’s ABC Bars (Almond Butter Cocoa Bars) and a great gluten free snack and they are so tasty. I always stock up on these when we hit up a Trader Joe’s.
Online Alternatives: You can actually buy ABC Bars on Amazon, at a higher price than Trader Joe’s. If you want a more affordable option, these are a great choice.
Trader Joe’s Organic Spicy Taco Sauce
The Organic Spicy Taco Sauce at Trader Joes is definitely worth picking up. We love the flavor on this and put it on everything we can.
Online Alternatives: You can buy Trader Joe’s Organic Spicy Taco Sauce on Amazon, for a higher price. This one is a more affordable option.
Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread
The Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread is like Nutella … but better. This does obviously have a bit of a different flavor than Nutella
Online Alternatives: You definitely can’t go wrong with good old Nutella.
Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter Spread
I’d go to Trader Joe’s just for the Cookie Butter. If you have not had cookie butter, you are missing out. This stuff is amazing straight out of the jar, as a dip, as a spread on … well, anything.
Online Alternatives: This is sold on Amazon at a higher price. A more affordable and fairly good alternative is this one.
Trader Joe’s Lemon Curd
Another sweet treat at Trader Joe’s but the Lemon Curd is perfection. We love this on pancakes, especially blueberry pancakes. I have to hide it in my fridge though because my kids will just slather it on toast and eat the whole jar in a day or two.
Online Alternatives: This is available on Amazon for an outrageous price. This lemon curd is much more affordable and people love it.
Trader Joe’s Seville Orange Marmalade
The Trader Joe’s Seville Orange Marmalade has a nice, tart flavor that my family loves. We love this on toast.
Online Alternatives: This is online at a high price. A more affordable option is this one.
Trader Joe’s Limone Alfredo Sauce
I love a good Alfredo sauce and the Trader Joe’s Limone Alfredo Sauce is over the top. Made with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and just a hint of lemon this pairs fantastically with the frozen cauliflower gnocchi at Trader Joe’s.
Online Alternatives: This is a great alternative if you don’t have access to a Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe’s Joe-Joe’s
I try to avoid Joe-Joe’s whenever I shop at Trader Joe’s because they disappear too quickly at my house. These are fantastic for a boxed cookie though. I actually think I love the vanilla one the best, and I’m a huge chocolate fan.
Online Alternative: Oreos are definitely an alternative to these.
Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels
I mean … what’s not to love. These are super fattening though so go easy. These are a special treat whenever we go to Trader Joe’s and they are absolutely amazing.
Online Alternative: You can find these online here. If you want a more affordable option, these are a great alternative.
Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce
Trader Joe’s Enchilada Sauce is probably my favorite item in the store. This has so much flavor and makes the most amazing enchiladas. It’s a sad day at my house when we run out.
Online Alternative: This is available online, and honestly, it’s so good I’d be tempted to pay the higher prices. We’ve also really liked this enchilada sauce.
Trader Joe’s Goddess Dressing
I’ll start by saying, I don’t personally like the Trader Joe’s Goddess dressing on salad … but I LOVE it on chicken. This makes the most amazing crockpot chicken. My whole family loves it, even my picky eaters. We always grab a bunch when we shop at Trader Joe’s.
Online Alternatives: This is another one that is available online and I’d be tempted to pay higher prices for it. A more affordable option is this one.
