Add these chef-approved finds to your cart.
are the best. Some content creators build their entire channels on giving product recommendations, or taste-testing through the highly coveted seasonal releases. But if you really want insight on what to buy at the cult-favorite grocery store, you should look to the people who know food best — professional chefs.
for their go-to products at Trader Joe’s. From easy meals to affordable booze, these are their favorite items.
Cheese & Green Chile Tamales
. “I always have them stashed in my freezer,” he says. “I microwave them for four minutes while I dice some tomatoes, shred some lettuce, and slice an avocado. I serve [them] with sour cream and a fried egg.”
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Portuguese Custard Tarts
. Just like the versions you might find at a Portuguese bakery, these tarts are made from puff pastry and a soft, sweet egg custard that turns golden-brown in the oven. The TJ’s version comes frozen — heat them up in 20 minutes in the oven or one minute in the microwave.
Cheddar Rocket Crackers
picks up a box during his regular grocery haul. “They’re a big hit with the kids — and to be honest, myself, too.”
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Rear Admiral Joseph’s London Dry Gin
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Sea Salt Brownie Bites
swears by TJ’s Sea Salt Brownie Bites. These fudgy brownies, cut into eight squares, are packed with chocolate chips and finished with flaky sea salt. “I think they are perfect,” she says. “It’s dangerous to keep them in the house because they won’t last long.”
Coconut Shrimp
2021 F&W Best New Chef Fermín Nuñez’s eye doctor is right next to a Trader Joe’s. “Every time I have to go, I get excited because it means I get to stock up on one of my all-time favorite frozen food items, their coconut shrimp,” he says. “I actually hate most coconut shrimp because usually, they either taste too much like fake coconut or fake sweet pineapple juice, but this one has the perfect balance of awesomeness. They’re easy to pan-fry or heat up in the oven or air fryer at home.”
Blueberry & Pomegranate Green Tea
. “It’s a fantastic thirst quencher and pairs well with almost any meal, offering a burst of flavor without being overly sweet.”
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Reusable bags
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