Trader Joe's Shopping List

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: