The 20+ 'Perfect' Trader Joe's Items, According to Reddit
If you think Trader Joe's is relatively new, think again. The chain traces its roots back to 1967, when Joe Coulombe opened the first Trader Joe's in Pasadena, Calif. One Redditor has been going there for decades—for one thing in particular. And the person celebrated 30 years of love at first bite in true 2023 fashion: By posting about it on Reddit.
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"A post in honor of my 30-year love affair with TJ's potato salad," wrote u/VaguelyArtistic in the Trader Joe's subreddit. "It hasn't changed in taste in 30 years and has only gone up a couple of dollars in price. It also tastes just like my mom's potato salad. It's my perfect product. What is your perfect TJ's product?"
Redditors responded with more than 300 comments praising the groceries that have them making second—and third—trips to Trader Joe's each week.
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1. Trader Joe's Sweet Treats
There were a ton of sweet tooths in the thread. Trader Joe's sweet treats were the most mentioned category. From frozen to baked, it's clear that Trader Joe's doesn't skimp on sugary goodness.
"Vanilla Chantilly Cake is the best store-bought cake I’ve ever had," wrote one user about the moist, heavenly sheet cake with vanilla-bean buttercream. They added another sweet find: "[The] 100-calorie milk chocolate bars."
Another user also loves a vanilla product that's anything but "vanilla" in the figurative sense. "It’s currently the hash browns and the French vanilla ice cream—not together, though," the person raved. Although it sounds strange, there are some people who swear by a hash brown-ice cream sandwich (for real!).
"Chocolate coconut almonds! I rarely let myself buy them because I delete them far too fast," said another Redditor.
"Dark chocolate PB cups and the best—my true perfect product," added someone else.
Baked goods are also smash hits at Trader Joe's.
"My daughter is obsessed with the tiramisu," one person dished.
"Frozen chocolate lava cakes," raved another.
"The crispy, crunchy mini chocolate chip cookies are my ride-or-die," spilled someone else.
And how about dessert for breakfast?
"The Cranberry Oatmeal Dunkers with White Fudge Drizzle," someone responded. "I have one nearly every morning with my coffee and have since 2005 when l first had them...I now buy two buckets at a time."
2. Vegan favorites
Trader Joe's ample supply of vegan foods makes it a go-to for plant-based eaters (and those who are trying to just eat less meat). Here's what people had to say.
"Their vegan pesto—just soo good," wrote one person.
"The vegan spicy lentil wrap with that magical tahini sauce," said another. "I will riot when it’s discontinued."
"The vegan tzatziki. It’s a god-tier dip, but I happily eat it by the spoonful," gushed a Redditor.
"I LOVE that tzatziki, and I’m not even vegan," agreed someone else.
3. Easy Party Snacks
Summer is prime time for picnics and backyard bashes. Chips and veggies make for quintessential and fuss-free appetizers. But the same-old can get rather...stale. Some Redditors swear Trader Joe's has upped the ante.
"Dill pickle potato chips," replied one user.
"Their rippled potato chips are a dream," said another.
Or opt for Trader Joe's easy edamame for something different—they prepped it for you.
"The salted edamame is perfection," one Redditor said.
4. Condiments
Easy party snacks and quintessential cookout foods call for dips and condiments. Trader Joe's delivers.
"The tomatoless corn salsa," shared a fan. "I add it to tuna salad or salmon patties. I just love it."
"Pecan blue cheese dip...Garlic paste (Toum)," said another.
"Upvote for pecan blue cheese dip," concurred another. "I'm occasionally annoyed that it's a seasonal item—then, [I] realize it's probably a good thing I can't eat it year around!"
Pepper-infused condiments are also popular, from mild to spicy.
"The red pepper pesto," shared one.
"I go through 5-7 bottles of their habanero hot sauce each month," raved a fan. "I love it so much."
This spicy tooth is not alone.
I cannot live without the Habanero Hot Sauce," another person replied.
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5. Mandarin Orange Chicken
Sure, the rest of the categories are categories, but TJ's orange chicken is a category in and of itself. No best-of Trader Joe's list would be complete without it.
"The Mandarin Orange Chicken," someone wrote. "I'm sorry. I know it's cliché, and it's frozen and all that, but...I'm so addicted to that stuff."
No need to apologize — it's a classic, and others have similar tastes.
"Orange chicken is my go-to," another Redditor said. "[It's] so easy, and the kiddos love it. I toss it in the air fryer."
6. A Bonus 'Recipe' for Trader Joe's Fans
And sometimes, TJ's favorite is something you put together using what you picked up at Trader Joe's. One Redditor shared their signature recipe made with Trader Joe's products.
"I'm going to reveal a secret that I thought I'd carry to my grave," the person started.
I have a chipotle, cheddar [and] applewood smoked bacon potato salad that has everyone asking for the recipe. I feel like such a fraud. It's Trader Joe's potato salad with a little bit of doctoring."
Here's what you need, according to the Redditor:
Two packages of Trader Joe's potato salad
Boards Head's chipotle gourmandise sauce
Trader Joe's applewood smoked bacon (cooked in the air fryer)
Trader Joe's Bonnet Cheddar
Diced chives
A splash of whole milk "to bring it all together."
Mix well and relish the compliments—pun intended.
