Mila Cuda
- I take a 40-minute bus trip to Trader Joe's every week to do my grocery shopping.
- Crispy jalapeño pieces, Japanese-style fried rice, and onions are some of the items I like to buy.
- I also shop for dark-chocolate orange sticks, salad kits, and ghost-pepper chips.
Every Saturday, I brave a 40-minute bus ride to Trader Joe's, where my partner and I shop weekly.
Like many Americans, we both work from home, so it's important we have quick and easy bites to get us through the day.
Here are 12 items that always make it into my shopping cart at Trader Joe's.
Mila Cuda
Trader Joe's BBQ-and-black-pepper Toscano chopped salad makes the ultimate effortless lunch. These salad kits are perfect for two people and are easy to elevate. I often add chicken and red-pepper flakes for that extra zing.
Although most of my favorite Trader Joe's salad kits are seasonal, the barbecue-and-black-pepper Toscano chopped salad is a fixture in the produce aisle — and it never disappoints. I love the corn-bread croutons and barbecue sweet-onion dressing.
Mila Cuda
One of my partner's favorite snacks — if you consider bread a snack — is Trader Joe's beer bread. It's also one of the few things I know how to bake from scratch. However, this doesn't stop me from stocking up on beer-bread mix.
It is outrageously easy to make, and as the package says, all I need to do is add beer and butter to the mix. However, I also like to add cheddar and herbs.
Mila Cuda
With only four ingredients, Trader Joe's crispy-jalapeño pieces pack a punch, making them the perfect topping for salads, soups, and sandwiches.
Whether I'm snacking on them straight from the canister or sprinkling a handful onto my salmon bowl, their craveable crunch and subtle heat truly can't be beat.
Mila Cuda
These are not your usual frozen chicken tenders. Trader Joe's breaded-chicken tenderloin breasts are crispy, fresh, and evocative of amusement park afternoons.
I like to chop them up and add them to a salad or serve them with a side of sweet-potato fries and ranch.
Mila Cuda
Beneath the dark-chocolate shell lies a gelatinous texture bursting with orange flavor. Albeit not for everyone, Trader Joe's dark-chocolate orange sticks are my favorite sweet treat.
I imagine they're reminiscent of the chocolate oranges I see at Christmastime, though I've never actually tried them myself.
Mila Cuda
The Japanese-style rice is by far my favorite Trader Joe's rice, and, in my opinion, it's not even a close race. Fully cooked and flavored with soy sauce and mirin, this quick and comforting meal includes edamame, tofu, and hijiki seaweed.
I recommend adding a fried egg and some Chile Crunch for extra flavor.
Mila Cuda
Want to spruce up your salads, add more flavor to your Brussels sprouts, or make your popcorn really pop? Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel seasoning is your answer.
I didn't believe the hype until I tried it for myself. The flaky sea salt, dried onion, and garlic pair well with the crunch of the sesame and poppy seeds. This blend will get stuck in your teeth, but in my opinion, it's totally worth it.
Mila Cuda
Trader Joe's onions can't be beat — they're the size of a softball and are priced by quantity, not by weight. Sometimes, a single onion can get me through a week of meals.
Mila Cuda
I keep Trader Joe's Swiss-and-cauliflower frittatas on deck for all my savory breakfast needs. The fried onion is subtle and pairs well with the Swiss. The fluffy texture is delightful on its own or in a sandwich.
Mila Cuda
These lattice-cut, kettle-cooked chips deliver on both heat and crunch. Trader Joe's ghost-pepper potato chips make the perfect late-night snack for those who aren't afraid of a little spice.
Have I ever eaten a bag in one sitting? No comment.
Mila Cuda
You never know what you'll find in the floral section, from seasonal bouquets to orchids and fresh eucalyptus.
My partner makes an arrangement of Trader Joe's flowers for our dining table every week. The bright pops of color and sweet aromas are an ever-welcome delight.
Mila Cuda
I have yet to actually try this spread on sandwiches or as a dip for veggies. Instead, my partner and I like mixing it with fresh garlic and onion (and a spoonful of Gochujang) on pasta night.
We always keep a jar in the pantry since we never know when it might come in handy.
