10 Trader Joe’s Items You Might Not Have Tried (but need to!!)

Hello, Trader Joe’s lovers!! Today I’m showcasing 10 items (and three honorable mentions) at Trader Joe’s that you may not have tried, but you need to pick up on your TJ’s run!

1. Hardwood Smoked Pulled Chicken

This is one of my brand-new finds and I am OBSESSED. I buy this every week. It’s microwavable and done in minutes. The flavor is nice and smokey and no extra seasoning is needed.

You can use it in SO many ways–for pulled chicken sandwiches, burrito bowls, tacos, salads, or in any recipe that you would use rotisserie chicken. It’s the BOMB, trust me!

2. Vegetable Bird’s Nests

Another recent find that I am obsessed with! I was skeptical about “frozen” tempura but these are SO delish and full of flavor – they aren’t bland like some tempura. 8-10 minutes the air fryer makes them perfectly crispy.

My obsession is also the soy dipping sauce that comes with it + a teaspoon or so of Chili Onion Crunch…I could bathe that mixture, let me tell you!

3. Pizza Crust (flatbread-style)

Hands down my family’s favorite way to enjoy pizza–and it’s SO quick! Pile on your favorite toppings, and bake for 8-10 minutes in a 425°F oven.

See my favorite ways to use this crust here: Trader Joe’s Pizza.

4. Coconut Date Bars

These shocked me, honestly. I did not think I would enjoy but I love the fact there are only 5 ingredients. Man, they are good! They taste more or less like a chewy, fudgy brownie! SUCH a great little breakfast or mid-afternoon snack (I just enjoyed one as I was writing this)!

5. Mini Cheeseburgers

A new family fave, these little guys heat up in about a minute and a half! You can also warm them in the air fryer for a quick little after-school snack! Don’t forget the pickles 🙂

6. Chili Onion Crunch

Saying I am obsessed with this stuff is an understatement. If you like Asian flavors (and even if you don’t!!!), you will love this stuff! I show you 12 ways to use it in this post, but my favorite way is stirred into fried rice, or using it as a dipping sauce for the Vegetable Bird’s Nests (#2 above) or pot stickers and dumplings.

7. Guacasala

Another “sauce” I could bathe in! It’s so good with tortilla chips, in burrito bowls, or with tacos.

8. All Natural Shaved Beef Steak

This is a bit pricey but I truly think it’s worth it for quick and easy meals! My favorite thing to do season it up some seasoning salt, pepper, and garlic powder and pile it onto toasted brioche buns with lots of provolone cheese! It cooks so quickly!

9. Thai Wheat Noodles

These Udon noodles are so good and a fraction of what they cost at the “regular” grocery store. You can stir fry them right out of the package to make dishes like this 10-Minute Shrimp Yaki Udon or this Teriyaki Noodle Stir Fry!

10. Dill Pickle Chips

These are kind of a cult fave at my house because we all LOVE pickles! They are super tangy with lots of dill flavor! If you’re a pickle lover, you cannot miss these–they are amazing with sandwiches!

A Few Honorable Mentions

Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

I’m not a Carolina “vinegar-based” BBQ sauce girl, so when hubs bought this Carolina Gold sauce, I didn’t try it for the longest time. When I finally did I was shocked! It’s the PERFECT combo between smokey “Texas-style” BBQ sauce and the sweet Carolina sauce. It’s SO good!!

Chili and Corn Tomato-less Salsa

This salsa is one of my favorite ways to mix up “chips and salsa” with something a little different. My favorite dip in the whole world is made with this salsa:

1 jar of this corn salsa, 1/2- 1 cup pomegranate seeds, 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed), two diced avocados, and the juice of 1-2 limes. Toss gently and serve with tortilla chips–it’s SO AMAZING!

Jalapeno Sauce

Not too spicy, not too mild, this jalapeno sauce is the perfect alternative to salsa on tacos, burritos or in burrito bowls. It’s also great for tortilla chip-dippin’!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Creamy, garlicky deliciousness!! It’s amazing with tortilla chips or toasted baguette…but you haven’t lived until you’ve used it for this viral Spinach and Artichoke Dip Pasta! The easiest, most delicious weeknight dinner!