The many Trader Joe's locations around the United States may be recognizable for their passionate fans and long (but worth waiting in) lines, but Trader Joe's wouldn't have its crowd of followers or aficionados without the excellent line of top-notch products. The best items at Trader Joe's are great on their own, but you can only get them at TJ's—unless you turn to that elusive Trader Joe's black market—which makes them even tastier, somehow. What's that saying about always wanting what you can't have?
Everyone has a favorite Trader Joe's product, whether it's the Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel Seasoned Smoked Salmon or that Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi. If you have yet to find a Trader Joe's item to make braving the store’s weekend crowds worth it, you probably haven't looked hard enough. For those just discovering this cult-favorite grocery store, the editors at Real Simple have their own Trader Joe’s picks—and they just might offer a little inspiration.
Some Trader Joe's products are a little out there, but those famously low Trader Joe's prices make sampling anything that catches your eye doable—and affordable. Fill your cart with the colorful packaging and clever names that catch your eye, and prepare to fall in love. Once you've found your go-to Trader Joe's snacks, you'll never go back. Let these editor picks guide your trip, but don't be afraid to buy something new and different, too—you might be surprised by what ends up tickling your taste buds.
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Trader Joe’s Reduced Guilt Chunky Guacamole with Greek Yogurt
“It may be lower in fat and calories than regular guac, but I actually buy it because it’s delicious. The addition of Greek yogurt adds just a tiny bit of tang, which tastes great on tacos or scooped onto tortilla chips. I’ve been known to eat the whole thing in one sitting, but the leftovers keep for a few days, especially when properly storing guacamole.”—Jennifer Davidson, Deputy Digital Editor
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Trader Joe’s Just a Handful of Olives Pitted Salted Manzanilla Olives
“They come in a single-serve bag for 99 cents. They pack them without the brine so they’re easy to eat on the go, and wow are they delicious. After a recent trip to Barcelona, I noticed from the bag that these olives are imported from Spain. It’s no wonder they’re so top notch! I like to bring them to work for a briny snack during that mid-afternoon slump. I also love to pack them in my carry-on to plop into an on-the-plane Bloody Mary while traveling (you’re welcome!).”—Brandi Broxson, Senior Editor
“This is an absolute lifesaver for busy work nights. The meat comes pre-marinated (and delicious), so the time-consuming part is over.”—Anneke Knot, Assistant Beauty Editor
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Trader Joe’s Chèvre with Honey Goat’s Milk Cheese
“It’s insane.”—Rina Stone, Executive Creative Director
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Trader Joe’s Kettle Corn
“The kettle corn is the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Every time I buy it, I eat way too much at once, feel sick, promise myself I’m never buying it again, and always end up going back for more.”—Betty Gold, Senior Digital Food Editor
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Trader Joe’s Roasted Plantain Chips
“I’m not much of a snacker, but when I do snack, it’s on these salty chips. They feel like a healthier alternative to potato chips or even pretzels, with only three ingredients (and one’s technically a fruit!). I can snack on these and still feel like I’m getting a serving of fruit—I call that a win-win.”—Lauren Phillips, Associate Digital Editor
Trader Joe’s Spicy Chai Tea Latte Mix and Trader Joe’s Spiced Chai Black Tea Liquid Concentrate
“These two Trader Joe’s products create the ultimate chai latte! Mixing these two items makes a wonderful fall drink that is good hot or iced.”—Sara Brown, Social Media Specialist
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Trader Joe’s Dried Fruit Just Mango Slices
“These are so sweet, flavorful, and fun to eat—like fruit snacks for adults. Best of all, there are no added sugars or preservatives.”—Jenny Brown, Copy & Research Chief
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Trader Joe’s Party Size Mini Meatballs
“I’ve found these to be a great three-fer in my home. Perfect for a young, picker eater who finds every other meatball too spicy, great as a quick appetizer for an impromptu gathering (just add barbecue sauce), and a shortcut for delicious Italian Wedding Soup. A super useful item to keep in the freezer year-round.”—Leslie Yazel, Editor in Chief
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Trader Joe's Vegan Kale, Cashew and Basil Pesto
“I don’t eat cheese, so most pesto you find in the grocery store is off-limits for me. Sure, I can make my own, but sometimes you just need something quick and easy, not to mention pesto ingredients quickly add up cost-wise. Enter Trader Joe’s vegan kale, cashew, and basil pesto, which is delightful despite having no cheese. I use it for pasta, as a dip for crackers or vegetables, mixed into plain hummus, and drizzled onto just about anything—pizza, roasted vegetables, eggs, you name it. It also freezes beautifully.”—Elizabeth Sile, Features Editor
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Trader Joe’s Frozen Turkey Meatballs
“They are a great addition to a weeknight soup or pasta dish. Just add them to broth, then add spinach, orzo and voila!” —Filomena Guzzardi, Editorial Production Director
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Trader Joe’s Vegetable Bird’s Nests
“They are my go-to get-together food. Crispy patties—or ‘nests,’ if you will—of shredded carrots and zucchini along with the accompanying soy sauce dip makes this easy appetizer a no-fail crowd pleaser.” —Stephanie Sisco, Home Director
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Trader Joe’s Whole Milk Yogurt Cups
“Their yogurt is so creamy and delicious; we always get it. Sometimes, I have it as a dessert and add whipped cream on top.” —Rebecca Hart, digital creative director
She mentioned the outgoing, charismatic employees who are encouraged to strike up conversations, its quirky hand-drawn signs, its low prices, its unique seasonal products, and its fun, laid-back atmosphere that helps it to stand out from the hustle and bustle of other popular supermarket chains.
She mentioned the outgoing, charismatic employees who are encouraged to strike up conversations, its quirky hand-drawn signs, its low prices, its unique seasonal products, and its fun, laid-back atmosphere that helps it to stand out from the hustle and bustle of other popular supermarket chains.
Renowned for their creative branding and affordability, Trader Joe's offers a wide range of foods and products that attract repeat customers. By prioritizing affordability, students can stretch their budgets without compromising on the quality of their groceries.
We buy products we think are winners and that'll find a following among our customers. Sometimes it's a product we intend to stock as long as it sells well; and sometimes we buy a product which is in limited supply, sell through it, and you won't find it again. It's all part of the shopping adventure at Trader Joe's.
That is: Trader Joe's more or less only sells products under its own brand name, with few exceptions. Trader Joe's is definitely cheaper than the average grocery store, but you might have to wait in a longer checkout line to take advantage of them.
The company's CEO understands why you may think that. In a recent episode on the Inside Trader Joe's podcast, CEO Bryan Palbaum addressed the rumors that employees are trained to flirt with customers and said it's just that – a rumor.
Despite being known as a "neighborhood store" with affordable options, Trader Joe's locations are mostly in well-off neighborhoods. In 2022, the typical Trader Joe's customer was a married person living in an urban area, between 25 and 44 years old, earning at least $80,000.
A lot of product development and fine tuning goes into perfecting each item, and a team of Trader Joe's executives have to approve all of them before they hit the shelves. So, customers have a lot of confidence and trust in the Trader Joe's name. The brand also has strict criteria for what ingredients make the cut.
Aldi Nord also owns the Trader Joe's grocery chain in the United States which operates separately from the group. Aldi Süd's responsibilities are for Southern Germany, Australia, China, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States and through Austrian subsidiary Hofer AG in Austria, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland.
First off, the stores tend to be smaller than their competitors. “We just physically don't have room to carry things that aren't popular, as disappointing as that is to hear and experience,” said Matt Sloan, one of the hosts of the company's podcast.
Trader Joe's is named after its founder, Joe Coulombe. The chain began in 1958 as a Greater Los Angeles area chain of Pronto Market convenience stores. The original Pronto Markets were so similar to 7-Eleven that Coulombe felt the competition with 7-Eleven would be disastrous.
For those who are stunned to learn Trader Joe's isn't just an Aldi subsidiary but that there are two Aldis, let's take a step back. CNBC explains Aldi was originally founded as a suburban German corner store which brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht inherited after World War II.
Instead of calling their workers employees, Trader Joe's has nautical titles for positions. crew members are entry-level workers. Merchants are crew members who've received recognition for stellar customer service.
From its focus on sustainability and customer service to its affordable pricing and liberal position on refunds, Trader Joe's is one of the most popular grocery store chains in the United States for a reason.
“[The] average Trader Joe's Crew Member hourly pay is approximately $18.63, which is 42% above the national average,” reported Indeed.com. This positive work environment causes employees to love their jobs, which is demonstrated through their exceedingly great customer service.
They talk about what makes Trader Joe's so unique and popular, including their focus on community, curated selection, transparency around pricing, and exceptional customer service. d popular, including their focus on community, curated selection, transparency around pricing, and exceptional customer service.
The secrets to Trader Joe's success are pretty simple and not all that secret: smaller stores with a limited number of SKUs, a friendly, playful atmosphere, helpful employees, aggressively competitive pricing, and most importantly, the food. It's Trader Joe's focus on food that makes the rest of it work.
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