It's not like Trader Joe's is a new phenomenon. But if you haven't been in a while, are going for the first time, or just want to switch it up, it can become a whole new store! Here's my ultimate Trader Joe's shopping list, filled with my favorites across all the categories on offer.
Trader Joe's Shopping List
I love making a Trader Joe’s Shopping List because it's always filled with so many incredible things!
This Trader Joe’s Shopping List is full of must have items from Trader Joe's, along with some of my weekly staples.
Must Have Items from Trader Joe's
Here are 10 items from Trader Joe's you might want to try if you've never tried anything!
- Mini Hold the Cone Ice Cream Cones
- Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nugget
- Everything but the Elote Seasoning Blend
- Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers
- Chili Onion Crunch
- Just Dried Mango Slices
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Cookie Butter
- Vegan Caramelized Onion Dip
Sweets
It may seem a bit strange to start off a shopping list with dessert items, but Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to get some delicious sweet treats! Here's a list of my favorites:
- Bamba Peanut Snacks
- Dark Chocolate Dipped Bambas
- Peanut Butter Puffins
- Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
- Joe Joe’s Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
- Chocolate Coated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dunkers
- Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels
- Almond Butter Granola
Snacks
From sweets to snacks! If you're stuck on the same snack foods and need to get out of a rut, TJ's has you covered with some pretty unique and exciting options. Try some of my favorites:
- Chomps Jerky Sticks
- Turkey & Beef Jerky
- Tempting Trail Mix
- Sweet Savory & Tart Trek Mix
- Chile & Garlic Cashews
- Thai Lime & Chili Almonds
- Everything but the Bagel Nut Duo
- Lightly Salted Nuts
- Dried Mango Slices
- Chile-Spiced Pineapple
- Apple + Strawberry Fruit Bars
- Organic Fruit Wraps
- Gluten Free Pretzel Twists
- Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips
- Veggie Straws
- Plantain Chips
- Fig & Olive Crisps
- Russet Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips
- Elote Corn Chip Dippers
- Organic Naan Crackers
- Savory Thin Crackers
Dips
YES, I'm giving dips their own category, and YES, dips deserve their own category. Trader Joe's delivers here, too:
- Buffalo Style Hummus
- Cilantro LimeHummus
- Tzatziki Creamy Garlic Cucumber Dip
- Everything but the Bagel Greek Style Yogurt Dip
- Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip
- Avocado Tzatziki Dip
- Creamy Culiflower Jalapeno Dip
- Romesco Dip
Sauces & Spreads
While there's often no substitute for making sauces and spreads from scratch, some of these Trader Joe's items might just inspire you to build entire meals around them (I'm looking at you, Soyaki!).
- Cookie Butter
- Natural Peanut Butter
- Mixed Nut Butter
- Natural Almond Butter
- Hatch Valley Salsa
- Soyaki Sauce
- Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce
- Incredisauce
- Magnifisauce
Frozen Section
When a frozen food item comes through with convenience and taste, you know you've got a winner. The riced cauliflower and turkey meatballs have been game-changers for me, and the rest are just a small sample of what you'll find:
- Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons
- Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower
- Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry
- Chili Lime Chicken Burgers
- Fully Cooked Turkey Meatballs
- Root Vegetable Fries
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Light Ice Cream
- Joe-Joe’s Cookies & Cream Light Ice Cream
Seasonings
All four of these are on heavy rotation in my household, but lately I've been loving Everything but the Elote seasoning on eggs for breakfast. Yum!
- Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
- Everything but the Elote Seasoning
- Chili Lime Seasoning
- Cheesy Seasoning Blend
Produce Items
Trader Joe's isn't always my go-to for produce, but some of their collected greens are worth a look at:
- Broccoli & Kale Slaw
- Cruciferous Crunch Collection
Salads
Trader Joe's salads have been my lunch option on more than one occasion—and I'm usually super happy when it is!
- Harvest Grain Salad
- Salad Palette Super Greens
- Lemon Chicken & Arugula Salad
- Turkey Harvest Salad
- Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Chicken
Dairy
I'd put Trader Joe's store-brand yogurt up against some of my favorite brands.
- Greek Nonfat Yogurt
- Icelandic Style Yogurt
- Non-Fat Cottage Cheese
- Flavored Cottage Cheese
Meats & Seafood
While they're probably not about to replace your local butcher, it's possible to find some real winners in the meat section at TJ's:
- Spicy Jalapeno Chicken Sausage
- Just Chicken
- Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
- Grilled Seasoned White Meat Chicken Strips
- Ground Turkey Breast
- Pastrami Style Smoked Atlantic Salmon
Dressing
Green Goddess Dressing is an icon in its own right, but these other options are not to be slept on!
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing
- Vegan Creamy Dill Dressing
Vegetarian Items
When I want an option that's less heavy on the animal protein, Trader Joe's has some options that go beyond your standard plain tofu-and-tempeh fare:
- Lightlife Smart Tenders (Plant-Based)
- Beef-less Ground Beet
- Italianless Sausage-less Sausage
- Sriracha Flavored Baked Tofu
- Steamed Lentis
Beverages
I've brought Trader Joe's instant coffee on many a backpacking trip, and the five-country espresso can go toe-to-toe with any other blend!
- Dark Roast Coffee Beans
- Organic Espresso Blend
- Wine (they have so many $3 bottles!)
- Beer (make your own 6-pack)
- Instant Coffee Packets (I use these for camping & backpacking!)
Cheese Section
If I'm looking for some downright delicious cheese and don't have specialty grocery money on hand, Trader Joe's can come through in the clutch.
- Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges
- Light Mini Baybels
- Any of their fancy cheeses!
Protein Bars
My local TJ's carries all of these options, and it's nice to be able to stock up!
- GoMacro Bars
- Clif Bars
- RXBAR
- ONE Bars
- Quest Protein Bars
- Think! Protein Bars
- Perfect Bars (kept in the fridge!)
Breads
Some of these house-brand items are pretty awesome. The cauliflower slims are surprisingly versatile!
- Sourdough Bread
- Whole Wheat English Muffins
- Pretzel Bagels
- Organic Ancient Grain & Seed Bread
- Cauliflower Slims (found in the fridge)
What is the most popular item at Trader Joe's?
Trader Joe's recently announced their Trader Joe's 13th Annual Customer Choice Awards! If you've tried a lot of the classic Trader Joe's items, you might not be surprised to know that the Mandarin Orange Chicken was chosen as the most popular item at Trader Joe's.
Other popular items from Trader Joe's (all runner ups) are the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Unexpected Cheddar, Everything but the Bagel Seasoning Blend, and Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese.
The most popular items at Trader Joe's roundup also features the Peanut Butter Pretzel Nuggets as the favorite snack, with the Organic Corn & Elote Corn Chip Dippers as runners up.
What are must have items at Trader Joe's?
Here's a list of must have items at Trader Joe's if you're only able to pick up a few things!
- Mini Hold the Cone Ice Cream Cones
- Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Filled Pretzel Nugget
- Everything but the Elote Seasoning Blend
- Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers
- Chili Onion Crunch
- Just Dried Mango Slices
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Cookie Butter
- Vegan Caramelized Onion Dip
Can you buy online from Trader Joe's?
You cannot buy items directly online from Trader Joe's. However you can purchase Trader Joe's items from third-party sellers like Ebay or Amazon. Or you can try to convince a family & friend who lives near one to send you a big care package!
Can Trader Joe's Ship?
No. Trader Joe's doesn't offer shipping, online ordering, or curbside pick-up. You must shop in the store for everything you want!
Trader Joe's Recipes
Not sure what to make with your products? Here's a list of 30 recipes to make using Trader Joe's products.
More Grocery Lists
While this isn't a complete list of everything I purchase every time I go to the store, this is certainly a list I refer back to when I make a Trader Joe's run!
If you have anything that's not on my list that I should add, let me know!
For more grocery store finds, check these out:
Amanda Woodruff says
I need to try the everything but elote dip!! I’m a junkie for the seasoning on my vegis!!