Trader Joe’s Favorites // Bonus: FREE Grocery List Printable

Trader Joe’s… oh, how I wish we would’ve met sooner, but I’m so glad we finally did.

The week I was moving from OKC to Oregon, Trader Joe’s moved into Nichols Hills Plaza. Naturally. To say I was bummed is an understatement. I had heard about all the amazing things people would get from TJ’s and that people were OBSESSED – so much so that they would have friends ship them items if they didn’t have one nearby.

I needed to know what this craze was all about! Lucky for me, when I moved to Oregon, I gained several Trader Joe’s stores. PRAISE! We would travel over an hour from the coast to get all our goods – and it was definitely worth it.

 

 

 

In my instagram stories a few weeks back, I asked if y’all would be interested in a post with some of favorites. The response was an overwhelming YES! So, here are just some of my favorites, things I buy almost every trip, as well as some recipe/easy meal ideas with the products I buy!

ADDED BONUS // There is a free printable grocery list for you at the bottom of this post! One that is blank, and one with some of these favorites already filled in for you! No sign-up required – just click, download, and print!

 

Now, let’s get to the list, shall we?

Produce:

• Jicama sticks
  • Great for a crunch, mild flavor in salads (and not a lot of calories)
• Corn on the cobs
  • Already husked, ready to go
  • Also great to add to southwest salads, and favorite in eggs/chicken/cheese burrito bowls
• Teeny tiny avocados
  • Great price – 5-6 for about $2.99
  • The perfect size for 2 pieces of toast (if I’m only fixing one, I’ll save the other half for later)
  • TIP: if the avocados aren’t ripe yet, leave them on your kitchen counter. Once they are ripened or just before, throw them in the fridge – they will last for at least a week, if not longer (huge money saver!)
• Riced cauliflower
  • Convenient – it’s already “riced” for you so it’s ready to use in any recipe
  • Makes great fried “rice” (I like making ours with coconut aminos, in lieu of soy sauce)
• GF flatbread pizza crusts
  • These are a staple for me – perfect for dinner when you don’t feel like cooking up a whole meal
  • Great tasting (especially for gluten free)
  • 2 per pack – makes a couple of meals for myself or buy 2-3 packs for family homemade pizza night!

 

 

• Butternut squash triangoli
  • Easy & quick to cook
  • Great with any sauce or just EVOO

 

 

• Vegan kale, cashew, & basil pesto
  • Love this on the GF flatbread pizza crusts (recipe idea in pic below – roasted asparagus + grilled chicken flatbread – SO GOOD)
  • Great on toast for a quick snack
  • Throw in with any cream (heavy, coconut, etc.) and you have an instant pasta sauce – great with the butternut squash triangle (see pic above 🙂 )

 

 

Pantry:

• Chili lime seasoning
  • Love this on grilled chicken, avocado toast, taco salad topper, eggs, fruit (mango, pineapple), margs, anything Mexi-inspired
• Everything but the bagel seasoning
  • EVERYONE’S FAVORITE (even Tank’s 😉 )
  • Perfect companion for eggs, avocado toast, grilled chicken, mac and cheese (just discovered this magical-ness)

 

 

• EVOO spray
  • I will never not buy this spray – it’s a pantry staple (and it’s affordable)
  • Perfect for roasting veggies – spray just the right amount (the worst is pouring too much EVOO on your food and then they are a sloppy mess instead of that perfect crispiness – this will fix that!! Trust me)
  • Since you end up using only want you need, you don’t end up wasting expensive olive oil – hello money-saver!
• Organic coconut aminos
  • Great replacement for soy sauce
  • Perfect for homemade marinades & dressings

 

 

• Raw almond butter – creamy
  • Great on toast, rice cakes, in oatmeal
  • What I use to make my homemade protein bars

 

 

 

Dairy:

• Coconut creamer
  • Absolute all-time fave!!!
  • Dairy free, gluten free, soy free
  • Minimal ingredients and sugar
  • Reasonably priced

 

Beverages:

• Coffee pods – medium roast
  • Great price – $4.99 for 12
  • No plastic pod, just the filter
• Turmeric ginger tea
  • Add coconut creamer for a turmeric ginger “latte”

 

 

• Ginger beer – great for Moscow mules
  • Hands down my favorite ginger beer
  • A little sweeter, but that’s why I like it – great for making drinks with minimal ingredients
  • One of my favorite go-to refreshing drinks – Tito’s vodka + Trader Joe’s ginger beer + top with your favorite sparkling water (my favorites are La Croix Coconut with a squeeze of lime or La Croix Blackberry Cucumber)

 

 

Seasonal Favorites:

• Pumpkin butter
  • Great on toast, waffles, in oatmeal, yogurt
  • If you like apple butter, this is a must-try when it’s in season!
• Pumpkin waffles (frozen section)
  • Quick option for breakfast, perfect for a snack
  • Add pumpkin butter in lieu of syrup
  • Make a yummy desert with a scoop of ice cream
• Butternut squash mac & cheese (frozen section)
  • So good! When it was in stock, I’d always buy at least 2 at a time
  • One package made 2 servings (or 1 – no judging here 😉 )
  • Best when prepared in the oven – trust me, it’s worth the effort! The cheese gets perfectly melty and gooey… dang it, now, I want some (come on fall!)

Now for the freebies!

Click the buttons below to download your free grocery list instantly! I created the list layout in such a way so that you can fold it in half (hamburger style) and carry it with you at the store. Use the blank one for your regular grocery trips & use the Trader Joe’s one for your TJ trips – it includes some of my faves already listed for you! 🙂

 

     

 

Do you love Trader Joe’s too? What are some of your favorites? Share them with me in the comments below! I’m always looking for new stuff to try from TJ’s 🙂