my favorites from trader joe’s
Trader Joe’s is our go-to store for good food on the cheap. They’re not the hugest in terms of square feet, but we’re always able to find a surprisingly large selection of food and drink for surprisingly low prices. I thought I’d share some of my TJ’s favorites. For those of you without a Trader Joe’s nearby, what’s your store for good, cheap goods? –Mary T.
Soy Chorizo
This is one of Megan B.’s favorites, and I know why — I’ve had one of her breakfast burritos, and the soy chorizo is a great way to go veg with a lot of taste. You can really stretch the amount that comes in each package, too, to get plenty of bang for your buck.
Pre-seasoned Seafood Steaks
First, I want to acknowledge that Trader Joe’s was the target of concerns about not sustainably harvesting seafood — they are addressing those concerns, which you can read here. They offer a changing selection of frozen seafood steaks that come already seasoned, such as the Chimichurri Pacific Salmon that we enjoy. Throw it on the grill, add a vegetable, and you have a quick, delicious meal.
Simpler Times Lager
Yes, it’s true — just $4.99 will get us a six-pack of beer that is surprisingly tasty. Great choice for a party.
Liquid Laundry Detergent
It smells pleasant, it cleans well, and a gallon of this stuff goes a long, long way. Read an in-depth review at Greener One.
Chicken Taquitos
Pop these in the oven, and you have a party treat that seems like you put in a lot of effort. These aren’t super-expensive, and every time I’ve served them, all of them are gone in a flash.
A few other Trader Joe’s faves: 100-Calorie Cookies (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip or Chocolate Graham Toucans), California Estate olive oil, Crunchy Curls, Fully Cooked Bacon, Organic Tomato Sauce, Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa
Soy Chorizo image via The Vegan Mouse
Refrigerator image via Flickr member rei_saru
Oh jeez, I could go on and on with my TJ’s favs. My store just added single red bell peppers (as opposed to the packed 2 or 3 mixed colors) and I think I was overly excited about that.
Their scrubby sponges are awesome, they come 5 in a pack i think, multi colored.
The french roast coffee, yum. The fresh baked breads are so gooooooood. I especially love the ciabatta.
Can’t find Tofurkey brand items for less anywhere else.
I could go on…
i used to live off the frozen tamales! i had to take a break, but they will always have a place in my heart.
I am addicted to their White Bean Hummus
OMG — I can’t believe I forgot to mention the Edamame Hummus!! It is amazing! So add that to your list, peeps. : )
No TJs in Texas (*sigh*) however- when I lived in Portland- I Loved buying their frozen cubes of garlic and basil- AMAZING time saving meal starters. Their flax seed pre-made pizza dough. Dark chocolate covered pretzels. Bruschetta topping. SO many great products! Why can’t they expand southward!?!
I love how TJ’s play around with names. “Soy Chorizo” means “I’m Chorizo” in Spanish. Of course, we know they refer to the soy as an ingredient. It took me a bit to understand that, as my Spanish-as-a-first-language mind just read the “I’m Chorizo”.
I do giggle at the “Trader Giotto’s” or “Trader Darwin’s” names, too.
I do have a fascination for their hummus (love the simple roasted garlic one), and their roasted red pepper spread. And when I need some energy, I buy they’re espresso beans. Delicious!
No one mentioned the pizza? It’s better than the real thing around here. Mmmm…………
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I also freaking love that edamame hummus. It is my goal to replicate that flavor from scratch, because it costs only pennies to make, and those little tubs are like almost 3 bucks. If I’m successful, I’ll do a RLTK!
We keep a bag of UFO’s in our fridge, little minty chocolate disks. I seriously love Trader Joe. I would totally marry him, if I wasn’t already hitched!
I can’t wait to try the soy chorizo…that sounds fantastic! Also, I have to suggest the TJ lasagna….it is delish!
I love the veggie potstickers but I’m REALLY not digging their packaged veggies in the produce dept. Huge waste of packaging. If people want to buy three peppers, let them but three peppers. Not eco-cool at all TJ’s!
Just to let you know Tiffany- TJ’s has listened to the customer complaints about this issue and has started making loose produce the predominant way it’s sold. At my local store, there are now loose peppers, avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, apples, oranges….with more to come.
Oh, I love TJ’s, too. I’m glad to hear they’re being a little more responsible with their fruit/veggie packaging.
I love lots of things but these are almost always on my shopping list: green chile and cheese tamales, spicey hummus, fresh pizza dough and sauce, the soyrizo (GENIUS), frozen edamame, beer (the one from the motherland, El Salvador, brought tears to my parents’ eyes).
Their chocolate croissants are to die for. They come in a small package in the dessert section. The night before you want to eat them you leave them out to rise. The next morning you put in the oven and you get freshly baked croissants.
The premade pizza doughs are also an expensive and easy meal starter.
I must say that the veggie packing has always bothered me and hopefully we start seeing some changes soon.
Hello? Have you had the extra-delicious Espresso Pillows with bits of toffee surrounded by dark chocolate?
Their rosemary vinegar pre-cooked chicken is just about the best chicken you will ever eat in your whole entire life!
Apple Strudel
Chocolate Raspberry Sticks
Chocolate Ice Cream
Pumpkin Bread cupcakes with tj’s pumpkin butter mixed with cream cheese frosting (unbeliveably good and super quick)
White Bean & Basil hummus
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[...] pomegranate seeds or eating them after the sister who bought them goes to sleep. I know I’m not alone in my love for you. If I was, someone wouldn’t have written this: Cooking with All Things Trader [...]