Reader Jenny said she has a chance to get some TJs stuff this weekend and wondered what is good. The real question - what isn't? People ask me all the time what to buy at TJs, so thought I'd share a "quick" TJs shopping list. I'll divide it by perishable/non-perishable and share my most favorite items. Please share your favorites as well!
Non-perishable:
- Simmer sauces: There are tons of these throughout the store - Indian, Italian, Asian. All the ones I've tried are great...Cuban Mojito, Spinach Punjab, Masala, Marsala, Picatta, Cacciatore, Orange (asian) are a few.
- Chocolate covered pretzels (dark chocolate!)
- Great trail mixes, dried fruit, bagged nuts
- Candy nuts - you know, Cocoa Almonds (YUM), etc.
- Whole wheat pasta
- Cereal - TJs brand knock-offs are yummy and great prices on all the cereal
- Kashi TLC crackers - cheaper at TJs
- Hawaiian Potato Chips - salted
- Blue Corn Chips - salted
- Chocolate chips (cheap and GOOD)
- Olive oil and oil spray - good prices
- King Arthur's flour - great flour, less expensive here
- Pasta sauces - good prices, great flavors
- Canned beans, veggies, fruit - all good prices
Perishable:
- Frozen prepared foods are GREAT. Gnocchi, Mandarin Orange Chicken, Stir Fry packs, Hors D'Ouevres (so many options)
- Frozen meats are well-priced and good
- Eggs are CHEAP
- TJs smooth and creamy yogurt - come in 6-pack, so so so delectable
- Bagged veggies - just snip corner and microwave for perfect veggies
- Pizza crust - in refrig section
- Cheese - I get all my cheese at TJs, cheaper, yummy
- Butter - $2/lb
- Fresh flowers - prices can't be beat, long-lasting, beautiful
- Cream, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese - I get all this stuff at TJs
- Breads - they have great fresh breads - totally beats grocery store
Oh my, I could go on and on. I'm going to stop. I'm certain I'm forgetting things - please share!
18 comments:
Ok, I am de-lurking. I have been reading your blog for a while now -and I love it. You have even inspired me to actually start making a "this week for dinner" list every week!
We tried out the TJ's Orange Chicken - and it's great!(I walk by it every week without giving it a second look, so thanks for the rec) My kids, or hubby, could not get enough of it.
I love pretty much anything from TJ's. They have whole wheat mini pita pockets that are lots of fun for kids lunches and snacks. They also have a really good creme fraiche. And their frozen rapsberries are wonderful and a great price.
Hi, I've never posted, but I've heard about your blog from 2 different friends now! I'm a huge Trader Joe's fan. We like the cheddar garlic sourdough bread and the Creamy Tomato Soup. The spicy hummus is good with either pitas or any of the crackers they have. We also like the granola bars...sweet, salty and tart trek mix bars and cereal bars. The just mango (dried mango) is wonderful and of course the fresh salsa. I could go on...
I need to try the simmer sauces.
just ran in to TJ's today, for a few "little" things, and had to resist dumping EVERYTHING into the cart.
I too love the sauces, they are all good, you really can't go wrong.
Chocolate covered peanuts are a great pick-me-up
Trader Joe's Os (their version of Oreos) are AWESOME. I prefer the vanailla, but the chocolate is also good.
Produce is always good.
Frozen stuff to die for - love the chicken fajitas, orange chicken, etc.
I especially like the frozen cubes of garlic other herbs... perfect for cooking.
We just tried the stuffed chicken breasts that they sell in the frozen section... dang good!
In the meat section they have this sliced sirloin, that is great for philly cheese steak sandwiches.
hmmm... what else?
You have read my mind!!!!
Last night I was thinking how there should be a Blog that let's customers/friends of Trader Joes and Costco come and give their opinions on what tasted great and not so...Just like a star system on recipe sites.
It is so hard when you are trying to make a great meal on a budget and spent some time on it and then you get the "yeah honey it was grrreeatt"...(you usually convince yourself that indeed it tasted good...only because it took so long to make or so much $$$)...then a week later he confesses that he would rather not have that ever again!
Thanks for the list!
If your making Indian food...The Nann Bread in the freezer is by far better than the fresh!
Im with Jane on the Chocolate Chip comment...By far the best...And I am a chocolate snob!!!!hehe!
Here are a couple things I pick up regularly:
Frozen pineapple, mangos, blueberries and raspberries (great for smoothies, fruit salads, just popping them in your mouth)
Frozen veggies--green beans, broccoli and corn
Drinks--Orangina, Blood Orange Italian Soda (so many good ones)
For kids--String cheese, multigrain circle crackers, TJ's pirate's booty (by chips), Cheese squares
Spices--so cheap and good!
Sun-dried tomatoes in jar (great for pasta dishes, sandwich spreads, etc)`
Their pound plus chocolate bars---great for baking, making chocolate covered pretzels (huge and cheaper than a hershey's bar and from Belgium!
Thanks for the ideas! I am just going to email my sister this link. Heh.
I heart Trader Joe's.
When I go there I seriously spend half what I would at a regular grocery store. And when I've gone to a regular grocery store to get something that I can't get at TJ's, I am wondering what I am doing there.
MILK. I love their milk. We drink a ton of milk and it's cheaper, stays fresh longer and tastes better--no hormones either.
I have adapted our weekly menus to fit Trader Joe's. If they don't have it, I don't need it--unless it's something very specific.
It's fun to read what every else buys there!
"..those of you without a Trader Joe's nearby are sick to death of me talking about it!"- aka Jessica. :) Wait, I'm not sick, I'm just sad I can't have these awesome things! And from the looks of it I'm the only one who can't get to one. Always the outsider, sigh.
Hi! I love the flour tortillas so much, they are to die for. Along with the Salsa Verde. I also love the nuts (I just found pepitas there--roasted/salted and plain! Can you believe them?!), kalamata olives, Heart to Heart cereal, the yummy tomato soup, and anything frozen. Have you noticed how inexpensive the fresh herbs are too? Where else can you buy fresh tarragon for $1.50?
We are SO excited, because our TJ's just bought the store next door and is expanding! So exciting!
I forgot - the drinks are GREAT! lots of fun sodas. also, Hansen's soda is WAY cheaper than anywhere else. :)
thanks for all your comments!!!
I live right near a Trader Joes but mine is too small. I stop there for a few things every week but I prefer my whole foods.
BUT Tjs has a great snap pea chips that I cannot find anywhere else.
I LOVE Trader Joes - one of my favorites is the Portuguese Bean and Sausage Soup. It comes in a jar and is so yummy.
I agree with one of the earlier posters who recommended the frozen naan bread.
Like angela said above, I too, have been lurking for a few days.
Love your blog!
We have to drive over an hour to 90 minutes for Trader Joe's in Ohio, and I make the trip as often as I can it's so worth it for the savings and good food!
I love their frozen Spinach Artichoke dip, ready in minutes.
Their beef is fantastic! Along with cheeses and fruits, veggies, herbs, nuts, and everything else already mentioned.
The oils and Trader Joe's brand cooking sprays are so much cheaper than name brand.
Their bread is great as is the wine. They have vanilla beans, paste, and extract that is pure and cheaper than anywhere I've ever seen.
But my FAVORITE Trader Joe's purchase ever has to be White Truffle Oil. $8.99 for the most delicious, exquisite food topping I can think of!
Good luck, you're in for a serious addiction! My sister and bro-in-law live in Colorado and when they come home they buy items and ship cases of wine back home that is still cheaper than if they'd buy the wine in CO.
I need to pack a cooler next time so I can get some of their Orange Chicken, I get cravings everytime I read it on here!
Hey Stephanie,
What do you use the White Truffle Oil on???
I would love to get the recipes...
Thanks,
Deidra
deidrasmith25@yahoo.com
Jessica, you're not the only one on the outs! Our closest Trader Joe's is in Atlanta, about 4 hours away (never been to it).
My brother is getting married in California in a month, and my husband and I will be making a quick weekend trip. We'll be there for less than 30 hours but have scheduled a TJ's stop so I can buy groceries...and then pack them in an extra suitcase to bring home on the airplane.
Incredibly pathetic scheme, but I'm excited about it! Thanks to everyone for sharing some fabulous shopping ideas.
Hi Deidra and anyone else interested in White Truffle Oil, no specific recipes, though you can google truffle oil to get some recipes and ideas.
You can use it to "enhance" so many foods! I put it on potatoes, pasta, bruschetta, eggs, etc., etc.
In my opinion it goes well with almost anything that takes garlic or mushrooms, and a drizzle will give a perfect addition to make food spectacular!
One of the easiest, tastiest things I've made is pizza with Robiola cheese (I found it at Whole Foods) and White Truffle Oil drizzled on top, so simple, but so decadent!
No doubt anyone who tries it will come up with all their own favorite uses, it's one of those things you just have to try to become a believer, and Thank God for Trader Joe's prices since I haven't seen other bottles for less than $32!
hi jane.
a friend gave me a link to your blog, and I am so happy!
I am constantly looking for new, yummy & easy meals. Looks like I am in the right place.
I am a HUGE fan of TJs as well.
You have some good suggestions already, but I have two words for you...
CARNE ASADA
It's in the fresh meat section. Pre-marinated, 5-10 minutes on the barbeque, and you have THE best base for tacos.
Try it. I know you'll get hooked!
I have a photo blog, but I occasionally talk about food (hey, we all gotta eat!) here's a link to my "good eats" section...
http://elizabethharris.typepad.com/_/good_eats/index.html
I have been thinking about a TJs favorites post for a while... you have inspired me to do that soon!
nice to "meet" you.
-elizabeth
Has no one mentioned the double cream brie yet? SO good (it's got a real "bite" to it) and WAY cheaper than I have seen anywhere else ($3.99/lb). Try it with their Multi-grain crackers.
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