Ahh…good old Trader Joe’s. The size, the prices, the seasonal-favorites, and the fact it is *right* by our house make it one of my favorite grocery stores. I thought I’d spill my grocery bag and share a few of my favorites with you for your next Trader Joe’s run. Only a few of these are seasonal favorites, so don’t worry. If you get addicted to the Fig & Olive Crisps, you can find those all year. 😉

Pantry Staples

• Fig & Olive Crisps: I don’t think I can successfully make a charcuterie board without these and Maxi can down an entire box quite quickly. They are the perfect mix of salty and sweet and if you top them with a piece of their “Unexpected Cheddar” they are heavenly.
• Protein Muffin Mixes: Anyone else have a husband that promptly makes a snack each night at 10 pm?! I got him these muffin mixes that you just heat in the container {less mess} and he loves them!
• Marinated Artichokes: I will bake these marinated artichokes or put them in our air fryer unit they get nice and crispy! You’ve got a delicious little appetizer to munch on as you cook.
• Organic Coconut Cream/Milk: With Harry’s reflux, I had to cut out dairy and soy. Now that he is 6 months and his GI system is more mature, I can be a little more lenient in terms of ingredients. For example, if I eat a cracker, I don’t have to agonize if milk is a mystery ingredient. But I don’t eat it as an obvious ingredient-  I wouldn’t have milk or cheese, or a creamy dressing. I always use Organic coconut cream or milk from Trader Joe’s as a substitute in soups or anything creamy while cooking. I’ve had a lot of jars of coconut milk the past few months with this, and Trader Joe’s always has the best!
• Chili Onion Crunch: This is a great little addition to have in your pantry {once opened it goes in the fridge}. Use it to mix in pasta sauces for a kick, add in salad dressings, or pour it over a block of cream cheese then serve with crackers. If you need something to take your alfredo sauce up a level or add to your charcuterie boards, this is it!
• Pizza Sauce: I make mini pizzas for Maxi’s lunch a few times a week, so I always grab their pizza sauce.
• Nuts About Rosemary Mix: During the holidays I typically make Ina Garten’s rosemary nut mix, but this is SO much easier and honestly, tastes so much better!
• Sparkling Cranberry Juice: I may be 12, but I LOVE sparkling apple juice during the holidays. This gives that same nostalgic New Year’s Eve feeling, but with cranberry. A fun little cocktail you can make is this with club soda, this sparkling cranberry juice, Tito’s Vodka, and a fresh rosemary sprig.
• Chocolatey Cats Cookies: A Maxi staple.

Fridge/Freezer Staples

{They didn’t have Unexpected Cheddar when I have gone the last few times, but I always grab a few of these for charcuterie boards.}

• Tomato Paste: They have this in a squeeze tube, so you don’t have to throw away an entire can if you don’t use it all.
• Bone Broth: Not all bone broths taste the same, and this is one of the absolute best in my book! I always have a few on hand for soups or sickness.
• Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes: If Maxi had to pick one freezer item to eat for every meal the rest of her life, she’d pick these. I do not blame her.
• Peeled Garlic: I know this probably seems a bit lazy, but if I am going to be making a lot of soups the week or following weeks, these little peeled garlic sets save my time- and hands! If you need to know where to buy garlic oil, there are tons of answers online.
• Mirepoix Chopped Vegetable Mix: This is another time-saving stock up, if I know I’m making soups.
• Shredded Pizza Seasoned Toscano Cheese: During the week, I use their pizza sauce, naan, and this cheese to make little lunch pizzas for Maxi.
• Truffle Salami: I always grab different salamis when I go for making charcuterie or snack boards.
• Vegetable Fried Rice: I can’t think of a time this is ever *not* in my freezer. Add a scrambled egg or two to this for lunch and it is mom and toddler approved.
• Tandoori Naan: My friend, Sophie, got me hooked on using frozen naan to make pizzas at home and I don’t think I’ll ever use dough again. It is so much better and my family loves it!
• Cacio E Pepe Ravioli: I haven’t tried this specifically, but Paul and Maxi love it and ask for me to repurchase so trust their taste buds on this!

Top Picks

I asked the family their top picks from TJ’s right now and here are your winners. For me, I love this creamer! I usually just drink my coffee black, but during the holidays I like something festive and have struggled with a lot of almond or oat-milk creamers. This one gives you a peppermint mocha better than Starbucks.

Maxi said this was her FAVORITE item from the grocery store. Strawberry Cereal makes me a bit suspicious, but she asks for it a few times a week so if you have a preschooler, I’m sure they would love it, too.

Paul’s favorite product is this sparkling black tea with peach. We both love peach tea from Rosa’s, which is a Texas fast/casual spot. This gives the same taste but is much better for you and more affordable than our Favor habbit with Rosa’s tea. 😉

What are your favorites to grab at Trader Joe’s?