Admit it: we all love a good list with anything Trader Joe’s, right? It’s a favorite grocery store for many people because the prices are reasonable, the food is fun and straightforward, and the employees are honestly the nicest around. I love how they make somewhat “trendy” food a bit more accessible for everyone looking to try new things. There are so many great quality items you can find here for a much better price comparatively to other health stores.
I’m sharing a few items that I’ve loved since my first day in a Trader Joe’s (circa maybe like 2012? If you’ve been following Nutrition Happens since it started in May of 2013…..then you know!!) – all items with a simple + minimal ingredient list:
1. Superfood Pilaf
This was one of my go-to freezer staples in college because it’s ready in 10 minutes and pairs perfectly with any protein. And it’s one of those frozen finds that doesn’t get all sad and soggy on you. (I used to pack it for lunch when I worked corporate back in the day!) Technically more than 5 ingredients, but they’re all real, whole foods:
Ingredients: Water, organic tri color quinoa blend (organic white quinoa, organic red quinoa, organic black quinoa), organic sweet potatoes, organic carrots, organic kale, organic onion, organic red bell pepper, organic extra virgin olive oil, organic garlic, sea salt, organic spices
2. Chile Lime Chicken Burgers
Also another long time TJ classic. Eat it alone with some roasted vegetables, on a salad, as part of a wrap or taco, or as a traditional burger. Also ready in 15 minutes.
Ingredients: Ground chicken, onions, bell peppers, garlic, cilantro, natural flavor, salt, lime juice concentrate, red pepper flakes.
3. Roasted Plantain Chips
I’m sure you’ve seen these around before and if you haven’t, run and buy them. My personal favorite way is to eat with the Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar salsa and some fresh avocado with lime juice.
Ingredients: Plantains, sunflower oil, salt.
4. Dark Chocolate Honey Mints
With just 3 ingredients, these are the perfect sweet bite.
Ingredients: honey, chocolate liquor, oil of peppermint.
5. Sunflower Seed Butter
There are technically 2 versions of this – one sweet and one salty. I prefer the unsweetened, salted version! If you’re not into traditional nut butters, you might be into sunflower seed butter (nut-free).
Ingredients: sunflower seeds, salt.
Other honorable mentions:
1. Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
For those weeks you don’t feel like chopping, prepping, and roasting. These come pre-roasted and the only ingredient, is obviously sweet potatoes.
(so good with a dollop of the sunflower seed butter + coconut shreds!)
Ingredients: sweet potatoes
2. Roasted Rainbow Potatoes
I actually recently just tried these and can’t believe I’ve bypassed them all these years. Zero prep, all cut up and seasoned for you. Roasts to the PERFECT crisp. TRUST!
Ingredients: Red Potato, Yellow Potato, Purple Potato, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil, Basil, Sea Salt, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme
3. Organic Oven Roasted Turkey Slices
I usually get the no salt added turkey slices from my Whole Foods deli, but I am actually impressed by this organic version from TJ – no preservatives or nitrates.
Ingredients: organic turkey breast, water, salt.
