Trader Joe's is the greatest grocery store in the world. No, really. This is not an exaggeration. The store offers a wide variety of food that ranges from premade to fresh produce, and it is cheap, too!
Butternut Squash Triangoli
This is a very quick and cheap meal that will satisfy your more savory cravings! The ravioli is seriously restaurant quality and tastes awesome by itself or with tomato sauce. I recommend the Trader Joe's brand Roasted Garlic Mariana Sauce (only $1.99 for a giant jar) if you don’t have time to make your own!
Cinnamon Apple Snack Sticks
Cinnamon Apple Sticks are great for on-the-go and are impossible not to love. They taste like a better version of Apple Jack’s cereal but in stick form.
Zucchini Fries
Zucchini Fries honestly did not sound very appealing to me before I tried them, but now I am hooked. These are a staple in my freezer as they’re super easy to make, go great with just about any meal and as a snack, and satisfy my fry cravings with out all of the fat. They still are not necessarily good for you but are definitely a better option than regular potato fries (and they taste better, too)!
Reduced Fat Chicken Salad
This is one of Trader Joe's' premade refrigerated items. The chicken salad is made with Greek yogurt and white breast meat to give a healthier spin on the classic high fat chicken salad. It goes great with croissants, Ezekiel bread (my personal favorite), and pita chips, which can all also be found at TJ’s!
Spicy Chai Tea Latte Mix
TJ’s has an amazing selection of coffees and teas, and this definitely comes out at the top of the pack. Add one scoop of the mixture to hot water, and you have an instant chai tea latte. During the fall, there is also a Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte mix that is equally good and honest competition for the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. To make the drink more savory, use milk or soymilk in place of water!
Grilled Chicken Strips
These were definitely a staple for my college dorm room fridge. They are precooked and refrigerated, so you simply need to heat them up in the microwave. You have an awesome addition to any meal; they also taste great cold on salad!
Frozen Fruit
Trader Joes offers an array of frozen fruit including pineapple, strawberries, and even figs. I personally hate eating greens, so instead I throw about two to three cups of spinach, water, and a handful of whatever frozen fruit I’m feeling that day into a blender to make a super easy and yummy smoothie. The fruit completely masks the taste of the spinach so you can get part of your green fill for the day without ever tasting it!
Roasted Vegetable Pizza
Found in the frozen section, this roasted vegetable pizza is made with an organic wheat flour crust and is vegan friendly! The entire pizza costs only $1 more than buying one slice of vegan pizza at Whole Foods, which is a definite plus.
Chicken Pot Pie Bites
These are another item that taste even better than they sound. These little pies are perfect for party appetizers, part of a meal, and after-school snacks (I am not kidding when I say kids love them).
Japanese Style Fried Rice
Trader Joes Japanese Fried Rice can be found in the freezer section, and is incredible. It’s about $3 a bag, is easy to make, and is super filling.
Dark Chocolate Speculoos Cookie Butter Cups
Wow. Just wow. TJ’s really outdid themselves with this one. The best description of these is just to think peanut butter cups but filled with cookie butter instead of peanut butter, and they taste amazing. If you love these, also check out the Cookie Butter ice cream, which is also amazing.
