The 9 Trader Joe's Finds Food Editors Buy Every Time They Go

It’s no secret that our editors love Trader Joe’s products. I mean, what’s not to love? With delicious products at reasonable prices, it’s a reliable place for families to grab groceries, ours included.

Walking the aisles of Trader Joe’s allows for a stress-free shopping experience: anything you pick will taste great, which we appreciate as food editors and consumers. It’s no wonder we find ourselves going back all the time.  

The Simply Recipes editors have been shopping at Trader Joe’s for years, so I asked them to spill the beans on the products they only get from Trader Joe's. I finally got a look into their shopping carts … and now, you can too.

1. Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip

Senior Editor Megan Scott swears by Trader Joe’s Everything and the Elote Dip. Although not usually a store-bought dip person, Meg can’t get enough of this one!

“I first tried TJ's Everything and the Elote Greek Yogurt Dip on a road trip, and when I say that this dip was the first item in our cooler to disappear, I mean that my husband and I opened it and never needed to put the lid back on. For the ultimate snacking experience, scoop up this dip with TJ's Elote Corn Chip Dippers.”

2. Unfiltered Apple Juice

“A few bottles of Trader Joe's Unfiltered Apple Juice are always in my cart,” General Manager Emma Christensen proclaims. “This became my go-to a few years back when I was working on a cookbook about homemade hard cider, and it's stayed my favorite since. Of all the store-bought apple juices I tried for that project, this one struck the perfect balance between flavor and price point. It's a lovely balance of sweet and tart (which tastes great on its own or turned into hard cider)!”

Although not currently available online, Emma continues to purchase this at her local Trader Joe’s, so check if it’s available in a store near you.

3. Pop-Up Sponges

Senior Editor Sara Bir's favorite TJ's item is a kitchen essential: Trader Joe’s Pop-Up Sponges. “I've been buying these sponges since 2008. I feel lost without one in my kitchen! They're sturdy, absorbent, and resilient, easily outlasting synthetic sponges. I love that I can compost them, too. Trader Joe's always has the best price—I'd never buy them anywhere else.” 

4. Frozen Brown Rice

A freezer must-have, Senior Editor Laurel Randolph always stocks her fridge with Trader Joe’s Frozen Brown Rice.

“Open my freezer and you're guaranteed to find a box of TJ's Frozen Brown Rice. It's my ultimate lunch and dinner hack—no matter how tired I am, I can muster up enough energy to microwave a bag of rice for three minutes. It's the perfect amount for two people and tastes great.” A simple yet mighty weeknight dinner solution!

5. Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce

Another of Meg's favorites, the Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce allows her to enjoy her craving for spicy food without breaking the bank.

“For years, I bought Calabrian chile paste at a fancy grocery store that sells imported foods, and although I considered the cost worth it, the price tag always hurt a little bit. The Trader Joe's version is every bit as good as the fancy stuff, and the price is extremely competitive. Now I dollop the stuff on pizzas, pastas, and eggs with abandon, without mentally calculating the cost of every spoonful.”

6. Mini Croissants

Following her six-week trip to France, Associate Social Director Brooke Schuldt was on the hunt for the perfect replica of the popular French pastry when she was introduced to Trader Joe’s croissants. Whether the chocolate croissants, almond croissants, or her personal favorite, the mini croissants, Brooke never leaves Trader Joe’s without at least one box. 

“The inside [of the mini croissant is] doughy yet had distinct layers, it’s crispy on the outside, and so buttery you could moisturize your face with the amount of full-fat butter covering it in the best way possible. It tastes amazing. More than amazing! I was transported back to my Parisian balcony.”

7. Mandarin Orange Chicken

For those “low-energy, need food now” sort of weeknights, Emma turns to Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken as her go-to meal. “Trader Joe's Orange Chicken is my dinnertime savior on nights when I'm too tired to think about anything else, and I get a little panicky when I reach into the freezer and realize I'm on my last bag. I roast the chicken with broccoli until both are crispy, toss it with the sauce, and serve over rice. Everyone at the table is happy and clean-up is a breeze.”

8. Jalapeño Sauce 

Another spicy food lover, Laurel always keeps her pantry stocked with Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Sauce. “It was love at first taste when I picked up Trader Joe's Jalapeño Sauce all those years ago. For an ingredient list so short (in fact, it's vegan), it has incredible flavor and a bit of creaminess. It's not too spicy, so I put it on tacos, burrito bowls, and nachos and use it as a dipping sauce.”

9. Kimbap

As for me, I’ll be honest, I’m pretty new to the Trader Joe’s bandwagon and only go every couple of weeks. However, I will actively venture out to grab a few packets of Trader Joe’s Kimbap. I love kimbap, but making them can be time-consuming, so I appreciated the release of TJ’s Kimbap. Filled with crunchy vegetables and braised tofu, this frozen kimbap is often my lazy girl dinner. It tastes good on its own but is also delicious dipped in tteokbokki sauce.