ALL THINGS / February 5, 2019

13 TRADER JOE’S FAVORITES

This week we’re sharing something new with you all, our 13 TRADER JOE’S FAVORITES.

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Most people love Trader Joes, like us, but we think we’re all most likely buying a lot of different things so why not share the love. It’s always interesting to see what people keep buying time after time and what are considered top favorites.

We’re very lucky to live close to a Trader Joe’s but with that comes with times where we have to try not go to the store and use self control!

We update our fav Grocery List Notepad over a couple weeks and then wait to go do a big haul all at once. It’s so easy to get carried away in there because you want to literally try every product. But we remain prepared and try to (mostly!) stick to our list.

These are our 13 Trader Joe’s Favorites that we buy every single time we visit and completely love.

1.TACO SEASONING $.79:

Our favorite Taco Seasoning ever, it has the perfect bite to it. We combine it with tomato sauce or diced tomatoes (per instructions) and make it with both diced chicken and ground beef. By far the BEST taco seasoning for tacos, burritos, quesadilla’s, bowls, nachos. We could go on…

2. BACON $5.49:

We literally don’t buy any other kind of bacon. This is the one. It is uncured and dry rubbed with the best natural flavors, not too fatty, and it cooks and holds its shape. We cook it in the oven at 420 degrees F for 10-12 minutes for the most delish crispyness. We use this crispy bacon for the most wonderful BLT sandwiches.

3. PEACH & MANGO YOGURT $2.99:

Yogurt and granola is one of the best lunches for us (or breakfasts!). This individual 6 pack of yogurts is perfect for one serving and we can’t help but top it with all the yummy granola (see below). Peaches and Cream and Mangos and Cream are the two flavors in these yogurts and they are just that. Smooth, so creamy and delightful, almost as if you’re eating dessert.

4. FROZEN CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA & RICE $3.69:

This has been something we have been buying for years. Bake it easily 15-20 minutes for a quick lunch or even dinner. We serve it with toasted naan bread (also a wonderful frozen TJ find) and chutney (also see below). Our favorite part is that the chicken is cooked in spices, there is plenty of sauce, and it comes with white rice already cooked. This is best served for one.

5. VELVET MOON CABERNET SAUVINGNON $5.99:

Can we get an amen about Trader Joe’s wine section?! And the prices?! This Velvet Moon Cab Sauv is flavored wonderfully and the price is even more wonderful. It’s easy to drink and very smooth and accompanies any red meat, marinara, or cheese board you’ve got.

6. WHITE CHEDDAR POPCORN $1.99:

This popcorn is actually the greatest. We’re not huge fans of Pirates Booty but this White Cheddar Popcorn is the one for us. It’s so light and airy you might accidentally eat the whole bag in one sitting. True story right here!

7. PECAN PRALINE GRANOLA $2.99:

Granola that is full of actual oats that has real nuts in it. WOW. Not all granola’s are made equal but this Pecan Praline Granola is just sweet enough with real pecans, and actual chunks of crunchy granola. Spoon it into their Peach and Mango Yogurts for a surprising treat.

8. FROZEN FRIES $2.49:

We like our fries with a little skin on them. Trader Joes cut their fries with skin on and these bake to the perfect crispy-ness. If you don’t think you can make restaurant fries at home, you can with these! Just bake them for 20-30 minutes flipping halfway and make sure they’re all spread apart. You can find these when we make our Perfect Burgers every time.

9. MANGO GINGER CHUTNEY $2.49:

Mango Chutney if you love any type of Indian Food is always a must. This one sits in our fridge all year long (multiple ones of course!). We’ve even been known to blend the chutney and put it back in the jar for a less chunky chutney. We use this over and over again in our Indian Butter Chicken and Chicken Curry Pitas.

10. HOT CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW SPOON $.99:

These Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Spoons have been more of a recent find. But since then they’re always on our list. They’re one serving for a glass of hot milk or water and just melt into the hot liquid, how fun!

11. ROASTED GARLIC MARINARA $1.99:

Marinara is something we never buy any where else. We usually buy one Roasted Garlic Marinara and one Tomato Basil Marinara. Our go to marinara sauce right here, we even used it in our Chicken Meatballs and Spaghetti and Pasta Alla Vodka.

12. CHOCOLATE COVERED FRUIT $4.99:

You can’t not have a favorite chocolate from your favorite place. While we love other chocolates from TJ, these take the cake. Apricots, Cherries, Blueberries, and Strawberries covered in milk chocolate. Um YUM!

13. PAPPARDELLE PASTA $1.99:

This pasta is so amazing. It tastes so fresh almost like it was just homemade and it soaks up all the yummy sauce. This pasta is usually so hard to find but Trader Joe’s always has it! We use it in our Spicy Sausage Pappardelle and couldn’t love it anymore.

What are your favorite Trader Joe’s finds!?! Let us know in the comments.

Much Trader Joe’s love,