The Best Food at Trader Joe’s

These are my picks for the best food at Trader Joe’s because they’re yummy, nutritious, and affordable! If you’re looking for unique specialty foods at an affordable price, I’ve found the hidden gems.

I don’t know about you, but I used to be intimidated by Trader Joe’s because I thought it was only for fancy foodies with much larger grocery budgets. However, after I went there for the first time, I was blown away! The number of different food categories they offer, compared to traditional grocery stores, is amazing!

After my first experience, I must say that Trader Joe’s fans have been right all along. It’s now my new personal favorite grocery store for finding unique hidden gems at an affordable price. So, if you want to discover the best food at Trader Joe’s for the best prices, keep reading.

Update: It’s been several years since I originally discovered Trader Joe’s in California, and with a few moves, it isn’t always on my usual route. However, every now and then, I apply the methods I teach in Grocery Budget Bootcamp to see if it’s worth adding Trader Joe’s back into my shopping routine. And for certain items, it is!

Enrollment in Grocery Budget Bootcamp is currently closed, but you can check out my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop. You’ll get access to three AMAZING video sessions focused on how to save money on food right now, despite rising grocery costs.

THE BEST FOOD AT TRADER JOE’S

The following list isn’t in any particular order. And I didn’t include prices since they vary greatly from place to place. However, if you’re following the methods I teach in Grocery Budget Bootcamp, then you’ll know why these 18 items are some of the best foods at Trader Joe’s!

Chocolate

Let’s just start with one of my favorite products, shall we? A good portion of Trader Joe’s chocolate is fair trade and organic (I didn’t have time to check every label). The fair trade label means that the farmers are getting paid a fair wage for their hard work, and the organic label gives me peace of mind that the sweeteners used in the chocolate aren’t HFCS or other artificial sweeteners (here’s why I avoid those ingredients).

I buy the darkest chocolate they have, which is either 85% or 72% cacao, and use it in my favorite sweet treat – Chocolate Chip Cookies. It is also delicious in Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Brownies, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins, and Homemade Peanut Butter Cups.

Baking Powder

My regular local grocery stores don’t offer aluminum-free baking powder, so this is the best way to purchase it (unless I order a big 2-pound tub from Amazon).

100% Hardwood Briquettes

This is my favorite new product from Trader Joe’s for a good reason! These briquettes don’t come with the chemicals that treated charcoal does, but stores charge a pretty penny for briquettes. Fortunately, these briquettes are not only affordable, but you get three times as much as the typical bag of charcoal!

So while it’s not technically food, this food-adjacent item makes my list of the best items at Trader Joe’s.

Coconut Oil

Although I currently buy coconut oil from Amazon, this has been a monthly staple for a long time. It’s not only the best price in the area, but it’s the best tasting too!

Sesame Oil

Trader Joe’s sells smaller bottles of sesame oil, which is nice considering you use just ½-1 teaspoon in each recipe. I don’t use sesame seed oil in every stir fry I make, but it’s a must in Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli and Chinese 5-Spice Chicken.

Gluten-Free Pasta and Pasta Alternatives

I didn’t take specific note of the prices on every gluten-free item here, but I did notice a very good selection of gluten-free foods. Organic corn pasta, quinoa pasta, brown rice pasta, and even polenta were on the shelves, and this is likely the favorite aisle for gluten-free folks.

I know that gluten-free foods tend to be more expensive anyway. While the first line of defense would be to eat more naturally gluten-free foods (like fruits and veggies), it’s nice to know there’s an affordable option when you just want a bowl of pasta.

Dried Garbanzo and Dried Black Beans

Dry beans tend to be cheaper than canned beans. And when I can find them for under a dollar a pound, I’m excited to stock up! These beans are packed with protein, making them the ideal choice for crafting well-rounded, complete meals. My favorite way to cook beans is in the Instant Pot!

Coconut Milk

It’s incredibly easy to make your own coconut milk at home, but we used to buy this before I knew that was even possible! There’s no added anything to this can of coconut milk, which is a win in my book. Plus, its smooth texture is one of my favorite things about it, especially for those who have aversions to textures.

Canned coconut milk works better for recipes like No-Bake Blueberries Pie and Mashed Cauliflower, so it’s still on my shopping list.

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese adds a very “fancy” flavor to ordinary meals like Tomato Basil Soup, and Trader Joe’s has the best price in my area. It far surpasses Costco’s price, and the smaller wedges are perfect for our monthly budget and recipes.

In fact, many of the cheese options at Trader Joe’s are at a great price. Unexpected cheddar cheese is one that I like to buy in a block. It has hints of Parmesan flavors, too!

Gorgonzola

We often buy Gorgonzola instead of blue cheese because you can use it interchangeably in most recipes. True blue cheese is pretty pricey, but like Parmesan, this cheese is very affordable.

The per-package price is very affordable, too, making it easy to get just as much as you need for the month or recipe, as opposed to a huge brick from Costco that you put in a drawer and end up forgetting about until it gets moldy (I might know something about that from experience).

Organic Whole Wheat Pasta

The pasta here is just a little bit more than the per-package price at Costco, which is great if you only need one package of spaghetti instead of nine. It’s also MUCH better than what I’m able to find locally.

Bonus points for being whole grain and even more for being organic (which means it’s not enriched with synthetic vitamins). Plus, you can get several varieties of pasta too: spaghetti, fettuccine, rigatoni, spirals, macaroni…

Sunflower Seeds

We use sunflower seeds in our salads for crunch, as protein in our granola bars and protein bars, and to make Sun Butter when we’re out of peanut butter. These right here are always on my shopping list.

Spices

Trader Joe’s has a decent selection of spices, and while some can be found elsewhere for a better price, they’re all priced low – even the “fancy” ones. When you’re shopping for spices, definitely check out their selection first because most grocery store prices for spice blends start AT LEAST a few bucks higher.

Raw Honey

I was SHOCKED to see this on their shelves, but they have raw honey for super affordable prices. The only downfall is that it wasn’t local. The smaller jar was from India, and the larger jar was from Mexico. However, if you don’t have a source for affordable local honey anyway, you might as well consider these!

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

It is REALLY hard to find affordable unsweetened cocoa, let me tell you! Unsweetened cocoa powder is vital in sweet treats like Triple Fudgy Paleo Brownies and Chocolate Avocado Mousse.

White Balsamic Vinegar

Oddly enough, this was on my “to find” list when, lo and behold, Trader Joe’s carries it! I know this specialty vinegar would cost at least $4 at my local grocery store, not to mention what other health food stores might charge. As a lighter sister to the traditional balsamic vinegar, this would make some delicious salad dressings!

Balsamic Vinegar

I’m reluctantly adding this one to the list because I’m a bit bitter that Trader Joe’s has such a great deal on balsamic vinegar. Costco charges much more for the same thing! Consider this trip a lesson learned. I’ll get my balsamic vinegar (and likely all vinegars) from Trader Joe’s from now on.

Uncured Nitrate-Free Bacon

This isn’t the best price I’ve seen for nitrate-free bacon, but the cool thing about Trader Joe’s is that their prices are consistent. If no one has a sale or Grocery Outlet runs out of our favorite brand, I know I can get some here.

Trader Joe’s also sometimes has the “ends and pieces” variety of nitrate-free bacon, which sells for less. It’s definitely fattier than regular slices, but it’s an easy way to get some real bacon bits and bacon grease to keep those taste buds satisfied.

BEST FOODS AT TRADER JOE’S: 4 RUNNERS-UP

These are items that are priced great, but I wouldn’t normally buy them. I either make them at home or skip them for something cheaper. But I’m including them here because they are affordable if they are food items that you have on your shopping list!

Organic Corn Taco Shells

Sometimes, taco night needs a crunchy taco instead of a plain old corn tortilla, and these shells are the best bang for your buck. You’re getting organic corn and avoiding GMOs, plus you’re getting two more shells than most other boxes. Win!

Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

This sauce has some added sugar, but I couldn’t help but write the price down after buying something similar for more.

Orange Marmalade

It’s really hard to find marmalade, jams, or jellies without High Fructose Corn Syrup. And they usually cost two arms and a foot! This one isn’t cheap, but it was worth buying for a special treat.

Organic Chocolate Syrup

We literally buy maybe two of these a year, so it’s just worth the extra few bucks to me. Besides, the organic variety again means there are no HFCS or other artificial sweeteners. It’s the perfect balance for curing that sweet tooth cravings while sticking to your health goals.

POPULAR TRADER JOE’S MUST HAVES

I see these items on Trader Joe’s Must Haves lists all the time, but I haven’t tried all of them just yet. They tend to be a bit more processed, so check the ingredient lists first, but sometimes a grab-and-go snack or specialty food item fits in with an 80/20 real food lifestyle!

1. Everything Bagel Seasoning
2. Green Goddess Salad Dressing
3. Mandarin Orange Chicken
4. Mini Ice Cream Cones (the frozen section has lots of fun food!)
5. Cauliflower Gnocchi
6. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (perfect for stocking up in the freezer)
7. Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings
8. Butter Chicken
9. Chicken Tikka Masala
10. Gone Bananas Frozen Treat
11. Jicama Wraps (a fun alternative to a sandwich)
12. Rolled-Corn Tortilla Chips
13. Avocado Toast Spread
14. Butter Cookies
15. Mediterranean Style Hummus (with just the right amount of garlic)
16. Mac and Cheese Bites
17. Cauliflower Pizza Crust

BEST ITEMS AT TRADER JOE’S: THE BOTTOM LINE

What makes something the best food at Trader Joe’s?

• Smaller quantities. Trader Joe’s is an excellent place to shop when you want affordable, high-quality foods, but don’t need the large quantity that buying in bulk comes with.
• Specialty items. When you’re looking for a very specific “specialty” item, there’s a good chance they have it, AND it will cost less than your local grocery store.
• Unique seasonal items. From specialty flavor combinations to classic favorites (like pumpkin spice!), Trader Joe’s is known for its limited-time seasonal offerings.

So, the next time you decide to go grocery shopping, hit up your local Trader Joe’s and fill your carts! Who knows? You might find some new favorites you never would have thought to purchase before!

Have you tried any of these Trader Joe’s products? Let me know in the comments!

FAQS ABOUT THE BEST TRADER JOE’S ITEMS

WHAT TO BUY AT TRADER JOE’S AND OTHER STORES

• What is Cheaper: Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods
• Ultimate Guide to Shopping at Trader Joe’s
• Best 11 Things to Buy at Whole Foods
• 9 Practical Ways to Save at Whole Foods
• Costco Grocery Shopping Guide
• Ultimate Guide to Shopping at Aldi
• 15 Ways to Save Money at Sprouts Farmers Market