Trader Joe's - never been there, but friend is going & asked if I want anything

I like some of their stir-fry and simmer sauces. General Taos sauce. Red, green and yellow curry sauces. Masala simmer sauce. They are all good for a quick dinner with whatever meats and/or veggies you like.

Did you know if you ask to try a product they will open it up and let you try it. (Not including food that needs to be cooked)

I just deleted a list of "must try" Trader Joe foods, here are some others. (A lot of cross-over in these lists)
https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-foods-employees-favorite-2018-5
https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-customers-best-products-2018-1
https://www.thekitchn.com/our-readers-favorite-products-from-trader-joes-205344
https://whatsgabycooking.com/31-trader-joes-products-cant-live-without/
https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/46-favorite-finds-trader-joes/
https://www.refinery29.com/best-trader-joes-food-products

Everything but the Bagel seasoning.
Seaweed snacks (yes I like this)
Their tiny avocados. (six to a pack)
Produce is usually sold by "each" price not by pound.
Trader Joe's Pumpernickel Pretzel Sticks

That is just to get you started.

I LOVE Trader Joe's so much. I just found some Kung Pow Tempura cauliflower last night and can't wait to try it. I also found some "gyro" meat last night that I'm excited about too. I usually buy their Vanilla Rice Milk, pomegranate seeds, and fruits and veggies there. Dried mangoes, chicken tacos, chicken spring rolls, spicy shrimp fried thai rice, frozen jasmine rice, double dip chocolate dunkers, grilled asparagus(LOVE THESE), wasabi mayonnaise, various seasonings, spinach dip, spicy pecans, hot and sour walnuts, orange, mango, tangerine juice, pomegranate juice, they have the BEST organic hamburger meat ever. hot links, pork chops, raisin Challah(sp) bread --too many things to name. What I like about Trader Joe's is their foods taste like stuff tasted years and years ago (when I was a kid, foods nowadays tastes so different from back then)--old school tasting stuff.

Everything but the Bagel seasoning, Chili Lime seasoning, pink Himalayan salt grinder, maple cookies, any of the salsas, Arrabiata pasta sauce, mango black tea, strawberry oatmeal cups, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, Spindrift seltzer.

If your friend can bring back frozen food for you, that's where the really good stuff is! Cauliflower rice (stir fry), chili lime chicken burgers, masala veggie burgers, mashed cauliflower, scallion pancakes, mushroom ravioli, spinach and kale bites

nic_27_grassisgreener wrote: »

Speculoos cookie butter!! (Not a health food..😂)

I was soooooo gonna say this.

I don't buy much fruit and veggies there other than the bananas and persian cucumbers which are a good price.

I mostly buy:

mini chocolate chip cookies
animal crackers
turkey jerky
pistachios in the shell (takes longer to eat)
mini milk chocolate peanut butter cups
reduced sodium turkey breast (but that needs refrigeration so nevermind)

And I recently just tried their streusel topped blue berry muffins and damn, those were pretty darned good.

jjpptt2 wrote: »

Yes, this! I absolutely love that salsa. I also love their dried mandarins (great sweet snack!), PB+J Bars, Cookie Butter (not healthy in the slightest), tubs of cookies, Spicy Cheese Crunchies (like a Flaming Hot Cheetos), and Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Actually, a LOT of their spices are dirt cheap and very good. There's more but most of what I love from there is refrigerated.

DX2JX2 wrote: »

Depends what you're into.

My faves (the ones that I can't get elsewhere):

Everything Bagel Seasoning
Dried mangoes (both plain and chili seasoned)
Dried tangerines
Dried persimmons
Red pepper spread
Eggplant spread

Dried persimmons? I need to look for this!

Their Mango Nectar drink. It's near the wines and shelf stable.

Dnarules wrote: »

DX2JX2 wrote: »

Depends what you're into.

My faves (the ones that I can't get elsewhere):

Everything Bagel Seasoning
Dried mangoes (both plain and chili seasoned)
Dried tangerines
Dried persimmons
Red pepper spread
Eggplant spread

Dried persimmons? I need to look for this!

They are surprisingly good. They have a deep caramel-y sweetness and a satisfying chew to them. Contrast that with their dried mango which has more of a vanilla bent and a swedish fish type lasting chewiness, or the dried tangerines which are all upfront sugar with no real chew to them.

Yes, I've considered TJ's dried fruit selection quite a bit. I forgot to add that the dried coconut is also good though it's a little higher in calories.

I love their carbonated flavored water, taste great!