A Trader Joe's Shopping List for Everyday Recipes!
The ultimate Curry Mommy approved Trader Joe's shopping list and guide is finally here. Simply pull this page up and make it available at your fingertips when shopping at one of my favorite grocery stores! Don't forget to grab my everyday essentials to make Easy Trader Joe's Recipes.
A Guide to Trader Joe's Shopping
HAPPY SHOPPING!
This is a list of things I normally buy when shopping at Trader Joe's, but it is not limited to just these due to convenience. Due to the pandemic, I have not updated this post much. However, my favorites still remain available. Be sure to catch up with me on Instagram in case I forget to list an item here.
My first visit to Trader Joe's Visit
I walked out with mints! No joke. I was very intimidated the first time I walked into a Trader Joe's. In fact, I wondered why people shopped there because they had no "real" brands. A Trader Joe's Shopping List was something I would never need because I told myself I was never going back to that store again.
After a few conversations with friends, I felt more confident to walk back into the store and give it a chance. My gosh was I amazed. Decades later, I am an ultimate fan.
Trader Joe's Indian Food Variety
As an Indian Food Blogger and someone with picky tastebuds, I can definitely say the variety that they have is actually great. The flavor, texture, and serving size are actually all great. Trader Joe's Indian Food is done right! If you don't agree, then just give some of my recipes that use their staples a try. You won't disagree ;).
What to add to your Trader Joe's Shopping List
I can go on and on... and on! This is my guide so I hope that it helps you be less intimidated when walking through your local location.
Produce Buying Guide
Produce can be bought anywhere. Whether you shop at a farmer's market or your local grocery store, most of the items are the same. A few things that I grab from Trader Joe's and make sure to add on the list include these items. Lentils are found in the produce section, so I have added them here. They work great as an addition to salads. Micro greens are perfect for morning eggs, broccoli slaw for a quick saute with turmeric and mustard seeds, and pre-cut vegetables for air fryer french fries.
- Broccoli Slaw
- Steamed Beets (beet salad recipe here)
- Pre-Cooked Lentils
- Micro Greens
- Leeks
- Rambutan (seasonal fruit)
- Sesame Crunch Chopped Salad Kit
- Vegetable and Soba Noodle Stir Fry Kit
- Pre-cut vegetables
Cheese Guide
I am not a cheese expert by any means, but I can be a taste tester all day long and tell you what is good. My all time favorite must have from Trader Joe's is burrata. I add it to a cheeseboard often and serve it on top of salads throughout the week. It is a cheese you do not want to pass up so be sure to add it to your Trader Joe's Shopping List.
- Aged Syrah Cheese
- Burrata
- Unexpected Cheddar (Perfect for Broccoli Pasta)
- Unexpected Cheddar-Shredded
- Rebel Pepper Cheese
- Herbed Goat Cheese
- Goat Cheese Medallions
- Truffle Brie
- Triple Cream Brie
- Pre-Sliced Mozarella
- Authentic Greek Feta in Brine
- Cheddar and Gruyere
- Port Salut
- Stilton Blue Cheese
- Organic Dutch Gouda
Refrigerated Section
My Trader Joe's Shopping List is never complete without a huge section for the refrigerated section. I make gyros with the deli meat, hummus for grab and go lunch/snacks, and zhoug sauce for my quick and easy jeera chicken recipe (linked below). I can't stress how easy these exclusive items make weekly meals easy and weekend meals so tasty!
- Fiesta Cashew Dip
- Green Chile Chicken Tamales
- Gyro Deli Meat
- Prociutto
- Salami
- Organic Sprouted Tofu
- Hummus
- Extra Hot Habanero Ghost Pepper Salsa
- Zhoug Sauce (Jeera Chicken Recipe)
- Almond Jalapeno Dip
- Garlic Spread
- Pizza Dough
- Marinara Sauce
- Buffalo Style Chicken Dip
- Vegan Soy Chorizo
- Curried Chicken Salad
- Tuna Salad
- Black Bean and Cheese Taquitos
- Tabouleh
Meats and Seafood
Controversial topic here! I constantly hear not to add meats to my Trader Joe's shopping list. But have you tried their salmon or lamb chops? For the price, I feel like you get a great quality of meat. The freezer section has a great variety of seafood that I keep on hand as well. Some of it is seasonal so be sure to grab it while you can!
- Organic Chicken (all varieties)
- Lamb Chops (Ultimate TJ Lamb Chop Recipe)
- Ground Lamb
- Pork Tenderloin
- French Cut Pork Chops (Ranch Pork Chop Recipe)
- Norwegian Farmed Atlantic Salmon (BBQ Cut) Garlic Salmon Recipe
- Chicken Shawarma
- Organic Ground Beef (Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe)
- Carne Asada
- Pollo Asada
- Beef Stew Meat
Freezer Section
I can't say enough great things about the freezer section at Trader Joe's. Their Indian food helped me survive motherhood. When my husband would go shop I would make sure it was added to our Trader Joe's shopping list, because I could never have enough (hello breastfeeding appetite). Try some of my other favorites like cauliflower cheese pizza :).
- Butter Chicken
- Fiery Chicken Curry
- Fish Korma
- Lamb Vindaloo
- Fettucini Alfredo
- Mushroom Ravioli with Mushroom Truffle Sauce
- Cauliflower Cheese Pizza
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Korean Short Ribs
- Halibut Fish Nuggets (gluten free and regular)
- Wild Blueberries
- Petite Green Peas
- Spicy Thai Fried Rice
- Vegetable Panang Curry
- Acai packets
- Pistachio Gelato
- Mini Ice Cream Cones
- I Dream of Chocolate Cake
- Mini Bon Bons
- Cauliflower Gnocchi
- Chicken Gyoza Pot Stickers
- Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings
- Shrimp Tempura
- Chipotle Vegetable Quesadilla
- Chicken Tikka Samosa
- Vegetable Samosa
- Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Orange Chicken
- Hold the Corn Appetizer
- Mini cheesecake cones
- Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breast
Cereals and Such
One thing I don't buy much of here, but I do love their hemp seed bars!
- Flax Seeds
- Organic Hemp Seed Bar
- Raw Shelled Hemp Seeds
Jarred Sauces, Spreads, Condiments
Buy it all! That is all I can say when it comes to this section. I've had a handful of things that I did not like, but mostly everything else is a must have in my kitchen. In fact, I just wish Trader Joe's was my pantry/refrigerator. Dreams come true, right?
- Italian Bamba Hot Pepper Sauce
- Tunisian Harissa
- Habanero Hot Sauce
- Truffle Alfredo (seasonal)
- Masala Simmer Sauce
- Thai Red Curry
- Organic BBQ Sauce
- Ghost Pepper BBQ Sauce
- Sunflower Butter (not the organic version)
- Cookie Butter
- Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
- Hot and Spicy Dill Pickles
- Miso Ginger Broth
- Organic Chicken or Beef Broth
- Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup
- Pepita Salsa
- Organic Toasted Sesame Dressing
- Romaine Caesar Dressing
- Organic Coconut Aminos
Dairy and Eggs
Not all Trader Joe's locations sell pasture raised eggs. For that reason, if you are lucky enough to get them then be sure to purchase here. I love and value everything about Trader Joe's. Hence, Why I am sharing these ideas with you here. Want to try an egg recipe? Give my Chutney Grilled Cheese a try!
- Pasture Raised Eggs
- Truffle Flavored Butter
- Peach Whole Milk Smoothie
- Vanilla Bean Yogurt
- Kerry's Gold Butter
- TruMoo brand whole milk chocolate milk
- Coconut Whip Cream
Pasta + Dry Goods
Brown rice pasta can always be found on my Trader Joe's list. It is just one of those things I have to have in my pantry. We don't eat a lot of regular pasta, and brown rice pasta has been my holy grail for about 10-15 years now. The Trader Joe's variation has never failed me with taste or texture.
- Red Lentil Spaghetti
- Brown Rice Pastas
- Organic Italian Pasta
- Organic Jasmine Rice
- Cheese Tortellini
Seasonings
I can not live without 21 seasoning salute. I use it on everything, whether it is heavily used or sparingly. It really enhances the flavor of foods. Be sure to add it to your shopping list!
- 21 Seasoning Salute
- Chile Lime Seasoning
- Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
- Umami Mushroom Seasoning
- Spanish Saffron
- Taco Seasoning
- Ghost Pepper Flakes (seasonal)
- Truffle Seasoning (seasonal)
Breads, Crackers, non-freezer Sweets
Here's the deal... Trader Joe's bread does not last long. Buy it and use it up quick. In my experience, it tends to mold easily. For that reason, refrigerate or use it up ASAP :).
- Gluten Free Crisp Bread (Crackers)
- Round Pita Crackers
- Brown Rice Tortillas (if clean-eating)
- Naan
- Organic French Baguette (fully enclosed package)
- Focaccia Bread
- Almond Danish
- Kringle (flavors are seasonal)
- Handmade Flour Tortillas (goes great with Butter Chicken)
- Organic Olive Oil Flour Tortillas
- Mediterranean Pita Bread
- Dark Chocolate Covered Honey Grahams
- Glazed Chocolate and Sour Cream Donuts
- Rustic Spice Cake
- Blueberry Muffins
- Raspberry Short Bread Heart Cookies (seasonal)
Snacks
Cheeseboards are more tasty with candied pecans and spicy cashews. Trust me, you want to add those two to every cheeseboard you ever make. If you live for spice, then ghost pepper chips will also hit the spot!
- Raw Pumpkin Seeds
- Candied Pecans
- Pine Nuts
- Coconut Cashews
- Sesame Stick Snack
- Roasted Broccoli
- Roasted Plantain Chips
- Seaweed
- Chomps Brand Jerky Sticks
- Pita Crackers
- Chocolate and Coconut Covered Almonds
- Ghost Pepper Chips
- Organic Tortilla Chips
- Organic Corn Dippers
- Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
- Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
- Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels
- Bamba Peanut Snack
Wines, Drinks, and Things
Although, I am not much of a drinker I can say that Trader Joe's wines are tolerable. Two buck chuck, also known as Charles Shaw, is available regularly (given that your store sells alcohol).
- Butter Chardonnay
- Charles Shaw Cabernet, Merlot, and Red Blend (I dont like the white wines but they are good for cooking)
- Simpler Wines (cans)
- Trader Joe's Brand Ginger Beer
- Suja Brand Celery Juice
- Trader Joe's Brand Coconut Water (check refrigerated section with juices)
- Trader Joes Brand Spiced Chai
- GT's Organic Gingerade Flavored Kombucha
Beauty and Homegoods
Microdermabrasion is possible in my world because of my holy grail exfoliant! I buy it buy the bulk and after one use I assure you will to. Give it and these others a try!
- Trader Joes Nourish All in one Facial Cleanser
- Witch Hazel
- Organic Argan Oil
- Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum
- Antioxidant Facial Serum and Moisturizer
- SPF 15 moisturizer
- Candles (seasonal)
- Dryer Balls (use with essential oils)
- Dr. Bonners Castile Soap Bar
- Lavender Salt Scrub
- Microdermabrasion exfoliant
- Moisturizing Eye serum
Everything else to add to your Trader Joe's Shopping List
- Flowers