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This pro knows TJ’s, and these are the foods she buys month after month.

Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Key Takeaways

• The author, a loyal Trader Joe’s customer, shares her favorite underrated pantry staples.
• Key highlights include products that enhance everyday meals with flavor and convenience.
• Some favorites include grains, canned and frozen beans and vegetables, sauces and tortillas.

Trader Joe’s has a well-deserved and loyal fan base, and I’m a proud member of the club. From holiday products to samples and extremely friendly employees, shopping at Trader Joe’s is a more fun experience than going to other big grocery stores.

While Trader Joe’s gets a lot of buzz for their tasty, seasonal and quirky products, I tend to stock up on the same staples year-round. My shopping list at Trader Joe’s is nearly identical month after month (please don’t discontinue anything, TJ’s!), but I admit I almost always end up walking out with something new that caught my eye. While it was hard, I pared down my shopping list to highlight eight Trader Joe’s products I keep going back for.

Greek Chickpeas with Cumin and Parsley

This can of flavor-blasted chickpeas is an underrated gem. Greek Chickpeas with Cumin and Parsley not only boast a burst of flavor from the parsley and cumin seasoning but also offer significant nutritional benefits. Packed with protein and fiber, they make a wholesome addition to your diet. I eat them straight from the can as a quick, satisfying snack, or I just dump the can onto a cookie tray to roast them for a crunchy and flavorful side dish. Their versatility makes them a must-have in our pantry.

Harvest Blend Grains Blend

This is my go-to for the base of a hearty grain bowl. It can take on a number of different flavor profiles, whether that’s pesto, tahini-miso or a simple vinaigrette. Harvest Blend Grains Blend is the perfect vehicle for whatever leftovers you have waiting around in the fridge. Add greens (like arugula, kale or romaine), protein (leftover chicken, a can of beans or a fried egg) and any other veggies you have on hand. It’s great to make ahead for lunches for the whole family. I typically make it with chicken stock for a little extra flavor!

Crunchy Chili Onion

It’s bold and flavor-packed, and your eggs will never be the same. Crunchy Chili Onion is reminiscent of the chili oils at my favorite Chinese restaurants, and it has an incredibly deep flavor without being knock-your-socks-off spicy. I personally really like that it’s made with olive oil, which gets slightly infused by the chiles and garlic. It could go on just about anything, but my personal favorite is on egg sandwiches and breakfast tacos. That being said, I can’t think of much that wouldn’t benefit from a scoop of this.

Zhoug Sauce

Once you figure out how to pronounce it (it’s ZOOg), Zhoug Sauce will earn a permanent space in your fridge. It’s a spicy, cilantro-based Middle Eastern sauce. In the container, it kind of looks like pesto, but the taste is completely different. With jalapeño and chile flakes, it certainly packs a punch, so if you have an aversion to spice, you’ve been warned. In my home, we mostly use it on eggs and sandwiches, but the sky’s the limit. I’ve mixed it with whole-milk plain yogurt for a milder dipping sauce, too.

Canned Beans

This may seem like a silly one, but I always stock up on canned beans to fill the pantry with easy, fiber- and protein-packed, versatile additions to just about any meal. My go-tos are organic black beanschickpeas (garbanzo beans) and great northern beans. We use black beans for enchiladas or a quick quesadilla, chickpeas for classic hummus and white beans for soup (like white bean soup with pasta). As a busy mom, I find beans are a great compromise with my little ones when folded into comfort food, like kale & white bean potpie with chive biscuits.

Thai Vegetable Gyoza

While homemade gyoza would be my preference, no one has to know these are straight from the frozen section. These Thai Vegetable Gyoza are perfect for quick appetizers if people pop by the house or there’s a last-minute get-together I’m woefully unprepared for. These moon-shaped gyozas filled with white cabbage, carrot, chive, white radish and onion are a crowd-pleaser in my family. While these aren’t a complete meal, they are a fun addition to one. My favorite method for cooking them is to add the frozen gyoza right into a pan with hot oil on medium heat, browning the gyoza. Then I add a little water and cover the pan so they steam. Voilà!

Corn & Wheat Tortillas

These Corn & Wheat tortillas are soft and flavorful, a far cry from my typical experience with grocery store tortillas. We use these for breakfast tacos (more often for dinner than for breakfast!) with scrambled eggs, avocado and some sharp Cheddar cheese. These tortillas are really tasty for quick clear-out-the-fridge quesadillas. Just store the tortillas in the fridge to extend their shelf life so they’re ready when you need them!

Hot & Sweet Jalapeños

I’ve got to admit this is the newest item on my list, but I already loaded up on a few jars of these Hot & Sweet Jalapeños. I was at a Halloween party where these were served with chili. The reaction among the guests was hilariously passionate. People love these things! Needless to say, I immediately stocked up and have found a lot of uses for them already, including eggs, tacos and chicken tortilla soup. They pack a punch (they’re jalapeños, after all), but the sweet cuts the spice level—providing a nice balanced kick.

The Bottom Line

For those who love Trader Joe’s, the weekly shopping experience is an event. If you’re not careful, you may leave with a lot more than you budgeted for. However, when shopping with intention, you’ll get exactly what you need, week after week. Items like pre-seasoned beans and grain blends, as well as frozen favorites, can make your weeknight meals a breeze. Staples like canned beans, tortillas and condiments are always a must.