Trader Joe’s favorites??

[moroccangirl]

I'll be home soon and DH is not coming. My kids don't eat real food. I don't want to eat out all the time, I'll be going to the gym and want to still stay on some kind of eating plan. What are your favorite things from Trader Joe's? Maybe preprepared Foods? My mom lives close to one so I can go there easily.

[BonitaApplebum]

"My kids don't eat real food" is cracking me up. Even though I know the struggle is REAL!

[moroccangirl]

"My kids don't eat real food" is cracking me up. Even though I know the struggle is REAL!

I don't even take them into consideration when planning meals. As long as I can get fries or pb&j or pancakes then we're good.

[diablita]

 

So here are some faves that might work for you (thinking through in the order of the store by us):
They have tasty bagged salads with good combinations
If you like brussels sprouts and want to cook, the shredded sprouts are so good roasted with some olive oil. They get really crispy
favorite thing in the cheese area: brie with mushrooms
In the rice aisle, the canned green olives are fantastic.  Kids fight over them at Friday night dinner
We love the cashews with sesame seeds and honey

In the freezer area, DD loves gorgonzola gnocchi and fettucini alfredo with chicken
I love the convenience of cauliflower rice and the frozen fruit slices for smoothies

I'm sure there's more.  Be back later

[moroccangirl]

Ohhhh I forgot about the cauliflower rice and Brussels sprouts. Thanks!

[JBM]

Individual packets of mixed nuts
clif bars are cheap
they have fig newton types of bars
oatmeal in the red box
mini pizzas - I forget what they're called
chicken nuggets - freezer section
chicken tenders - freezer section
microwave rice
risotto
chicken sausage

[Run Amok]

I think you just have to go wander the aisles and see what appeals. It's not a huge store and the inventory varies all the time.

I like some of their cauliflower stuff: the cauliflower fried rice & gnocchi are both decent. They have mini ice cream cones that are popular w/ my husband and step-daughter. If you like things like dried or freeze dried fruit, nuts, or trail mix-- they are my favorite place for those things. Although, they have cut down the varieties. They have a great selection of bar type snacks like granola bars, protein bars, and what not. Cheese. Wine, beer, booze. If you like greek yogurt they have good prices on fage and just milk & dairy products in general (although I prefer to buy local dairy & eggs so I usually don't buy them there).

I personally skip over their produce & baked good for the most part. Their "fresh" bread is warehoused and its probably made by a local bakery so it's day old by the time TJ's gets it. I find their produce is just not as fresh as other places. Fine for something like citrus or avocados though.

In general their prepared items are where it's at.  They have some good frozen meal type options too.

Now that we are having this convo I'm realizing I do not shop there nearly as much as I used to.

[diablita]

I love the cauliflower gnocchi.  good call on that one.

[Chasing Amy]

I love the cauliflower gnocchi.  good call on that one.

I wanted to like those, but they tasted like...watery cauliflower masquerading as gnocchi.

I like their frozen salmon fillets and the asparagus risotto.

[Run Amok]

I wanted to like those, but they tasted like...water cauliflower masquerading as gnocchi.

I don't hate them-- but they aren't gnocchi.

[Chasing Amy]

I don't hate them-- but they aren't gnocchi.

They are unloved cauliflower.

[diablita]

ha!  They certainly aren't delicious toothsome gnocchi.  But I really enjoy them...they must be cooked as recommended though, butter and all.

[Ice Cream]

I lik their turkey balls, their frozen seafood medley, and theur gyoza.  Good to have when you want a quick meal.
Their lower sugar jams are good.
capers.
tuna fish is a good quality and price
I like their sponges (I know, not food)

[diablita]

love the capers.  and the yellowfin tuna.  and the smoked trout is delicious.

[CheryG]

I keep coming back to this thread because at some point in time I remember hearing about some utterly fabulous thing that could only be purchased at Trader Joe's.  I can't remember what it was.   I'm sure I'll remember if I see it, lol, but I must not have seen it when I was there last.

[radial]

The nearest TJs to me is farther away than the nearest Wegmans or Whole Foods or regular grocery store.  So I basically never get there.  I read their quirky ads just for fun, but I never see anything I want/need that I can't get from other vendors closer to where I live.

[merigayle]

I wanted to like those, but they tasted like...watery cauliflower masquerading as gnocchi.

I like their frozen salmon fillets and the asparagus risotto.

put them in the air fryer.

[BonitaApplebum]

I keep coming back to this thread because at some point in time I remember hearing about some utterly fabulous thing that could only be purchased at Trader Joe's.  I can't remember what it was.   I'm sure I'll remember if I see it, lol, but I must not have seen it when I was there last.

I bet it's that cookie butter stuff. People go nuts for it.

[diablita]

not my jam

[Chasing Amy]

put them in the air fryer.

I don't have an air fryer. So I just eat roasted cauliflower and regular potato gnocchi!