13 Must-Have Trader Joe’s Products, According to Cookbook Authors

We all have those favorite Trader Joe’s products we can’t leave without (mine: 1,000 Day Gouda, Moroccan Mint Tea, and Everything But the Bagel seasoning blend, to name a few). The national grocery chain is perfect for stocking up on well-priced pantry staples, fun snacks, frozen dinners, seasonal blooms, and festive holiday items, all in one trip. And even chefs and cookbook authors turn to the grocer for snacks and shortcut staples.

“I love that Trader Joe’s makes it so easy to grab a mix of everyday basics and fun, unexpected finds,” says Alex Snodgrass, bestselling cookbook author and founder of The Defined Dish. “I don’t shop there weekly, but when I do, I leave inspired and with a full cart. Their freezer section is unmatched—whether it’s easy breakfast options for my kids or weeknight shortcuts like frozen rice or chicken burgers. I’m also always impressed by how fresh and well-priced their produce is, especially the little gem lettuce, salad mixes, and ready-to-roast veggies that make dinner prep faster.”

Always interested in finding new products to try, I tapped cookbook authors to share their must-have picks from Trader Joe’s. Here are the products they recommend adding to your cart.

1. Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip

The Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip is a perennial Trader Joe’s customer favorite, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to its namesake ingredients, it’s made with Swiss, Parmesan, herbs, and spices. “Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I buy this spinach artichoke dip when I’m too lazy to make it from scratch and claim that it’s homemade,” says cookbook author Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking. It’s great paired simply with tortilla chips, but the store also recommends spreading it on a burger, adding it to a quesadilla, or using it as a sauce over steamed vegetables.

2. Mandarin Orange Chicken

Another longtime customer favorite, Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken features tender chunks of juicy chicken in a crispy breading that gets tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce. It’s also a favorite of Dalkin’s. “Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken gets love among fans for being a go-to freezer entrée that’s easy and flavorful,” Dalkin says.

3. Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons

The Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons are a particular favorite of Caroline Chambers, the author of What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking. Filled with chicken, cilantro, green onions, cabbage, soy sauce, and garlic, they can be cooked in the microwave, steamed, or pan-fried. “I steam them with broccoli florets and toss everything in a simple peanut sauce—it’s been dinner at least once a week for four years running,” Chambers says.

4. Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters

I couldn’t wait to try the Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters after Dalkin recommended them, and my only regret is not buying them sooner. They’re a riff on the Brookies found in Trader Joe’s bakery section with caramel, dark chocolate, and sea salt added to the mix. “These are truly next level,” Dalkin says. “Soft, chewy, gooey, and you need two bags minimum.”

5. Traditional Tunisian Harissa

Often considered the national condiment of Tunisia, harissa is a spicy chili paste made from roasted red peppers, garlic, olive oil, and warm spices. Trader Joe’s harissa paste, which is sourced from a Tunisian supplier, is smooth and spreadable, with a slightly smoky, spicy flavor. “It’s such a flavor booster!” Snodgrass says. “I love using it to mix into marinades or whisk into dressings for a smoky, spicy kick.”

6. Frozen Rice

Chambers and Snodgrass both love the frozen rice at Trader Joe’s. Snodgrass says the frozen jasmine rice is “the ultimate lifesaver for busy nights,” while the vegetable fried rice, which features carrots, edamame, corn, green peas, leeks, and red bell pepper, is another staple for Chambers. “I’ll toss it with shrimp or steak and add a ton of greens while it’s heating up, then finish with a drizzle of chili crisp on top,” she says.

7. Crunchy Chili Onion

Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion, a take on classic chili crisp, is a pantry must-have for both Chambers and Snodgrass. It’s made with crispy dried garlic and onion, dried red bell pepper, chili flakes, and olive oil, and the store suggests using it anywhere you’d use hot sauce, steak sauce, or even salt and pepper. “I drizzle it on everything from roasted veggies to eggs to add a little crunch and heat,” Snodgrass says.

8. Unexpected Cheddar Cheese

Unexpected Cheddar is a darling of the Trader Joe’s cheese case. The hard cheese has a tangy flavor and slightly crumbly texture, and combines the best of two popular cheeses. “It tastes like aged white Cheddar meets Parmesan, and it’s packed with flavor,” Chambers says, adding that it’s incredible both in shredded or block form.

9. Pound Plus Chocolate Bars

A staple at Trader Joe’s for more than 20 years, the Pound Plus Chocolate Bars are made by an artisan confectioner just outside of Antwerp, Belgium. Whether you choose dark or milk chocolate, they’re a steal. Chambers says she always keeps the giant chocolate bars around for chopping into shards instead of using chocolate chips. “They melt beautifully, and the price is incredible,” she says.

10. Traditional Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese

Trader Joe’s is particularly known for its cheese section, and the Traditional Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese is a favorite of recipe developer Justine Doiron of Justine Snacks and the Justine Cooks cookbook. “It’s deceptively low-key and good!” she says. Stock up next time you’re making your favorite ricotta recipe, like lasagna, stuffed shells, or a loaded seasonal toast.

11. Raisin Rosemary Crisps and Fig & Olive Crisps

Trader Joe’s has an impressive, affordably priced cheese selection, but the grocer also stocks all the accouterments you need to build a perfect cheese and charcuterie board, including crackers, nuts, olives, and more. The Raisin Rosemary Crisps and Fig & Olive Crisps are equally at home on a board or paired with a dip, and Doiron says both varieties have her hooked for life. Keep an eye out for seasonal varieties, such as Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps in the fall.

12. Frozen Party Meatballs

Chambers says the Frozen Party Meatballs are one of her top must-have items. Made with a mix of beef and pork, the meatballs are fully cooked and flame-broiled. “They’re such an easy shortcut for quick dinners or appetizers,” she says.

13. Frozen Edamame

Doiron always makes sure to have some of Trader Joe’s frozen edamame on hand. “Their frozen edamame is the best price out there,” she says. The frozen salted edamame features fully cooked soybeans that are blanched, salted, and quick-frozen to seal in freshness.