When we chat at the office we like to ask before having a meeting ‘is this a NEED to know or a NICE to know’. I look at my shopping list the same way when it comes to Trader Joe’s. I NEED to have this.. and its NICE to have that. There are some items that I cannot live without, no jokes. I have been shopping here for over a decade and I wanted to share all my tips and favorite staples to add to your everyday list!
10. BOURBON VANILLA EXTRACT
Let’s start with the taste enhancing Bourbon Vanilla Extract. I have been using this for years. I add one in my mom‘s stocking for Christmas every year because shes a expert baker and seriously notices the difference. It can be used any type of dessert or breakfast such as pancakes, waffles, pudding, cake, french toast. It holds a deeper, richer, flavor versus the typical vanilla extract you buy in the grocery store. FUN FACT: Bourbon vanilla is a term for the vanilla plantifolia. Mexico is Vanilla’s birthplace but cuttings were taken to other tropical countries beginning in the 1700’s. In the 1800’s the French developed a large plantations on the Il de Bourbon which is how the name bourbon came into being.
9. SPICY SWEET PECANS
Next on the list is the sweet & spicy pecans. Well is it pe CONS or pe CANs? This little bag brings some heat but a balance of sweetness. I pair this with another item below on my list as a quick snack. (the unexpected cheddar cheese) The blend of flavor just melds in your mouth. These pecans are perfect to chop up and put on a lot of salads for kick of flavor too. Try them out!
8. UNEXPECTED CHEDDAR
I can talk a day about Trader Joe’s cheese. Number 8 is their Unexpected Cheddar Cheese. I would consider this my go to ‘house cheddar’ This is not just your cheese plate piece. I use this daily and it’s such a strong seller they started making it in the grated form so that you can sprinkle it on whatever you please. However, I was told once by my co-chef Lisa that when you buy cheese that is already graded they have to add preservative to keep that cheese from going bad in the bag versus buying in the chunk. Now I always buy the chunk. I love to break this cheese up and roll it with my Trader Joe’s Roasted Turkey Slices with mustard and it’s delicious.
7. DARK CHOCOLATE PRETZELS SLIMS
Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzel SLIMS made the list, surprising right? This simple dessert/snack that you probably have in your pantry with 10 other brands will not measure up. There’s something special about the Trader Joe’s version. I guess you won’t really know until you know. The dark chocolate is not too bitter but also not too sweet. It has that crisp salt on the outside and pairs perfectly with wine or even with your chamomile tea at the end of the night.
6. CREAMY TOSCANA SOAKED IN SYRAH
Picture this: you’re on the way to the store before you go to a party. You promise to prepare the charcuterie plate. You don’t know what to put on it. (okay. if you’re a cheese lover this isn’t difficult, but imagine) One thing Trader Joe’s has down is cheese. By far and large my favorite is the Creamy Toscana soaked in Syrah. That’s right, it’s cheese already soaked in wine. Its clearly a best seller as it has been on the shelves for years and hasn’t missed one of my cheese plates. I can do an entire blog post just an all of my favorite cheeses at Trader Joe’s let me know if you’d like that.
5. FROZEN ORGANIC CAULIFLOWER RICE
Ever since I did keto last fall we supplemented a lot of our rice dishes and pasta dishes for cauliflower substitutes. However I added the FROZEN underline that, capitalize it, the frozen riced cauliflower is a must from Trader Joe’s. Don’t make the mistake of purchasing the fresh version! It does not taste the same, the texture is not the same, and it will disappoint you, and you’ll end up making regular rice. I can’t tell you how many times this little bag has saved late night dinners for my family. It’s pretty guiltless! Carbs are low and all I need to do is add Umami Seasoning or throw in veggies and its wonderful.
4. STEAMED CHICKEN SOUP DUMPLINGS
Trader Joe’s Chicken Soup Dumplings are 100% always in my freezer, without fail, for multiple reasons.
- One: We are addicted because they are very similar to our favorite soup dumplings from Joe Shanghai’s version (Chinatown, New York City)
- Two: Calorie count, this 6 pack satisfies all the cravings at only 220
- Three: Speed, you can quickly pop it in the microwave for two minutes, add a salad, you have a meal.
I particularly love these dumplings when I’m not feeling well. Over the past few years whenever I get sick (& can’t get my matzo ball soup from down the street) these dumpling always settle my stomach. They make me feel warm, taste delicious, and hardly need energy to make them. They are exactly what you never knew, you always needed in your freezer. TRUST.
3. ALL THE SEASONINGS
I decided that they were too many seasonings that fell under the must-have list so we’re grouping them because I’m in charge here.
Umami Seasoning
My most influential spice on this list is the Umami Mushroom Company seasoning. Umami is a Japanese word for savory taste and is one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. I mostly use this on the riced cauliflower but it’s the perfect seasoning for everything. I don’t have to worry about adding extra salt or extra pepper I just use this. It’s an all purpose seasoning. It has a beautiful mix of dried onions, ground mustard, porcini mushrooms, white button mushrooms, red pepper, black pepper, and dried thyme. Add this to your next favorite roasted vegetable dish or eggs.
‘Everything but the Bagel’ Seasoning
You can assume why this is on my top list. I don’t think this is necessarily different than most of the ones that are available on the market but it’s a go to for me. Sprinkle it on whatever you like to make you feel like you’re eating and everything bagel. I primarily put this on my breakfast fiber crackers with cream cheese and top it with an egg. It’s so simple and easy but brings out all the savory flavors. I also love to use this mixed in with panko breadcrubs to coat chicken tenders and place over a salad!
‘Everything but the Elote’ Seasoning
Elote translates from Spanish into corn cob. In the United States Elote is known as a Mexican style street corn that has been charred over an open grill and then coated with a creamy mixture. My favorite NYC spot for Elote is in Soho called Café Habana. Stop by and pick up fresh corn on the cob roasted slathered in mayonnaise spices and cotija cheese. Since its not that easy to get out these days I’ve spent the summer making my own. Although you won’t be using the spice as often as Umami, this corn will turn heads.
Simply take a quarter cup of mayonnaise and mix in juice of a lime, lime zest, and 2 Teaspoons to 1 tablespoon of this magic mix. Grill corn until charred, spread mixture over kernels, and top with feta. (I use feta since its readily available in my fridge vs. the tradtional cojita cheese.
DO NOT FRET IF YOU ARE COB-LESS. Trader Joe’s also sells a frozen mag of roasted corn and you can use the same method without the hassle. it is to die for. This blend includes sugar salt corn flour chili pepper Parmesan cheese dried cilantro organic rice fiber and cumin.
Chili Lime Seasoning
Last but not least is Trader Joe’s Chili Lime seasoning blend I think this is perfect with taco night, fajita night, and anytime you want that chili flavor but lightened up with that lime zest. It’s a classic sprinkle of taco night on anything. Add to mango, pineapple, or enhancing any of your grilled meats. This spice includes salt, chili pepper, red bell pepper, lime juice powder, citric acid, and rice concentrate.
2. Greek Yogurt ‘Everything but the Bagel’ dip
This one is actually a problem because when I go to Trader Joe’s I buy five at a time! Not only is this dip kind to your waist line, but it packs a serious flavor punch. My obsession with this dip also goes hand-in-hand with my with my favorite snack that is not sold at Trader Joe’s. My go to snack of all time is crisp snap peas from Calabee in the Caesar flavor!! (you can purchase the lightly salted version at Trader Joe’s) I pair my snaps with this dip. The combo is to die for.
Note: I have tried buying Greek yogurt and adding the Trader Joe’s ‘everything but the bagel’ seasoning mix (which would be the cheaper option) however it just is NOT the same. This yogurt dip is literally perfection. Speaking of I just ran out of snap peas and I had some with broccoli!
1. CINNAMON ROLLS
We’ve officially done the research (my co-chef Lisa and I) on multiple frozen cinnamon rolls and hands-down Trader Joe’s Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls are the clear WINNER. Not only do they rise better than Pillsbury or Annie’s but they have a fresh taste with less preservatives. They also have a vanilla icing not a cream cheese icing that makes for the perfect balance between rich and sweetness for your weekly Sunday cinnamon roll brunch!
I hope you enjoyed this list of the NEED to know items. (Since I tried to keep it at top 10) Next is the NICE to know list. (Which is really the extended must have list haha) Let me know if you’re obsessed with some of these items or are excited to try them! Happy shopping!
