• I'm a professional meal planner who loves making quick and easy dinners for my family.
• I shop at Trader Joe's for affordable ingredients that make meal-prepping easy.
• Some of my favorite meals to make with Trader Joe's products include ramen and a falafel salad.

As a professional meal planner, I shop primarily at Trader Joe's for a wide variety of affordable ingredients that simplify meal prep.

The store's array of pre-seasoned and pre-prepared ingredients for every cuisine and diet makes it easy to create delicious and inventive family meals — even on busy weeknights.

These five dinners are some of my favorites, as they use only a few ingredients from Trader Joe's, require minimal prep, and are easily adaptable for both plant-based and omnivore eaters.

This chopped falafel salad is my new go-to meal

Ingredients: two heads of romaine lettuce, two Roma tomatoes, an English cucumber, ½ cup of kalamata olives, 7 ounces of Trader Joe's tabbouleh, ½ cup of Trader Joe's Goddess dressing, and 12 frozen Trader Joe's falafel

Main-event salads are one of my favorite ways to feed my mixed-diet family.

This easy Greek-inspired version starts with a bag of frozen Trader Joe's falafel. While they're baking, I chop the romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Then, I add them to a large serving bowl.

Next, I stir in Trader Joe's prepared tabbouleh — an easy addition that adds texture and more Mediterranean flavor.

Once the falafel is cooked, I quarter each one and toss them into the bowl, along with a drizzle of Trader Joe's Goddess dressing.

When my kids need a little extra motivation to eat their greens, I serve the salad with pita halves so they can turn it into fun, customizable pita pockets.

Skillet lasagna makes for an easy weeknight meal

Ingredients: a tablespoon of olive oil, half of an onion, 24 ounces of Trader Joe's marinara sauce, two packages of Trader Joe's vegan ravioli, 2 tablespoons of chopped basil, 6 ounces of vegan Boursin cheese, and a cup of vegan mozzarella shreds

With all the flavors of homemade lasagna, this version requires virtually no prep and is on the table in under 30 minutes.

I start by sautéing the onion and garlic until fragrant. Then, I stir in Trader Joe's marinara sauce and let it simmer.

Next, I add two packages of ravioli — Trader Joe's vegan spinach and cashew is my go-to — and cook them for about five minutes.

After removing the skillet from the heat, I add dollops of vegan Boursin cheese and sprinkle on shredded dairy-free mozzarella. A quick broil melts everything to perfection. I finish the meal with fresh chopped basil.

This meal is cozy, comforting, and easy to pull off on a busy weeknight.

You don't need to be a seasoned chef to serve up this ramen recipe

Ingredients: 2 quarts of Trader Joe's ginger miso broth, a tablespoon of toasted sesame oil, 14 ounces of Trader Joe's organic baked teriyaki tofu, four packages of Trader Joe's miso ramen, 2 cups of chopped napa cabbage, four heads of baby bok choy, and a cup of shiitake mushrooms

Using a few of my favorite Trader Joe's ingredients, I can easily make a hearty, flavorful bowl of miso ramen.

I start by bringing the ginger miso broth to a boil in a large stockpot.

While it heats, I cube and sauté organic baked teriyaki tofu. Once the broth is ready, I add the noodles and the seasoning from a Trader Joe's miso ramen cup.

To finish, I stir in chopped bok choy, sliced shiitake mushrooms, and the cooked tofu.

In just 20 minutes and with only a few ingredients, this plant-based ramen delivers great comfort and flavor.

These easy meatball subs are a family favorite

Ingredients: 28 ounces of San Marzano tomatoes, a tablespoon of Italian seasoning, 12 frozen vegan meatballs, 4 ounces of vegan mozzarella shreds, a tablespoon of garlic olive oil, ¼ cup of basil leaves, and four Trader Joe's sandwich rolls

This meal is almost embarrassingly simple to make, but it's one my kids request on repeat.

I start by baking the meatballs — meatless for me and beef for the rest of the family. Trader Joe's has both types in the freezer section.

Once they're cooked, I slice open sandwich rolls, spread on the marinara, and tuck in the meatballs. I add more marinara on top, sprinkle some shredded cheese, and pop them under the broiler until the cheese melts.

Dinner doesn't get easier than this family-favorite meal.

This pizza/salad mashup is my favorite dinner shortcut

Ingredients: a package of Trader Joe's pizza crust, a tablespoon of garlic olive oil, four garlic cloves, ½ cup of vegan mozzarella shreds, and a bag of Trader Joe's lemony arugula basil salad kit

Trader Joe's has a great lineup of salads that pair perfectly with pizza, but I like to skip the side dish and serve my salad right on top.

Trader Joe's precooked pizza crust makes this recipe easy. I start by brushing it with garlic olive oil and layering on fresh garlic slices. Then, I sprinkle it with dairy-free mozzarella and bake for five minutes.

While that's in the oven, I toss together the ingredients from my favorite lemony arugula basil salad kit. Once the crust is golden, I spoon the salad on top.

It's a quick, satisfying way to level up pizza night with almost no extra effort.

• My husband and I stay active and buy groceries for our Mediterranean-style diet at Trader Joe's.
• We keep Trader Joe's pico de gallo salsa, 21 Seasoning Salute, and organic coconut milk on hand.
• We like Trader Joe's three-layer hummus and Asian-style vegetable stir fry, too.

I'm a retired personal trainer in my 60s living in Tucson, Arizona, with my husband. We both live active lifestyles.

I'm also a certified yoga instructor, swimmer, and author who's published four fitness books — including "Fitter Than Ever at 60 and Beyond." My husband regularly swims, lifts weights, runs, and practices yoga.

To support our healthy habits, we try to eat a Mediterranean diet rich in lean protein, eggs, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

We like shopping at Costco with our executive membership, and we also buy a lot of staples at Trader Joe's.

Here are some products from the chain that we swear by.

We always keep crunchy almond butter in our pantry.

Celery sticks spread with crunchy almond butter is one of my favorite lunch sides.

I buy Trader Joe's unsalted almond butter because it only contains almonds — no inflammatory oils or sweeteners — which often appear in other brands.

A 16-ounce jar of Trader Joe's chunky almond butter cost us $6.

Trader Joe's colossal olives stuffed with garlic cloves are a great snack.

These garlic-stuffed olives from Trader Joe's are a fairly light and delicious pre-dinner snack, especially when paired with cheese.

A 16-ounce jar of Trader Joe's colossal olives cost $4.50 on this trip.

The olives pair well with baby Swiss.

We usually pair our olives with a few thin slices of baby Swiss cheese.

It usually costs about $5 per pound at Trader Joe's.

Three-layer hummus is delicious.

I like that this three-layer dip contains tasty layers of traditional hummus, cilantro-jalapeño hummus, and spicy hummus.

It pairs nicely with blue-corn tortilla chips or almond crackers.

We usually pay $4 for a 12-ounce container of this dip from Trader Joe's.

Trader Joe's Asian-style vegetable stir fry is easy to turn into a full meal.

Trader Joe's Asian-style vegetable stir-fry mix includes snap peas, mushrooms, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and more.

I like cooking these pre-chopped veggies in olive oil with a protein, like lean ground turkey, to whip up a satisfying dinner within minutes.

The 18-ounce bowl of veggies costs $5.50.

We use pico de gallo salsa in a few ways.

Trader Joe's pico de gallo salsa contains fresh-tasting ingredients like tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeños, and lemon juice.

It's a delicious side with any meal, and we sometimes add it to scrambled eggs for extra flavor or use as it as a dip with blue-corn tortilla chips.

A 12-ounce container of Trader Joe's pico de gallo salsa cost us $3.

Dolmas can be a nice snack before lunch or dinner.

Popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, dolmas are grapevine leaves typically stuffed with rice, onion and seasonings.

We like the ones from Trader Joe's, which are especially nice as a light appetizer before lunch or dinner.

A 9.86-ounce can of Trader Joe's dolmas cost us $3.50.

Green tea is a staple.

Green tea is high in antioxidants, and I often drink it with breakfast.

A box of 20 bags of Trader Joe's green tea cost $3 on our last trip.

Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute is great to have on hand.

We like using Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute on meat, poultry, or fish that we cook outside on our grill.

The spice blend contains a flavorful mix of ingredients like onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne, parsley, basil, and oregano.

A 2.2-ounce bottle of it cost us $2.50.

My husband loves mochi ice cream.

Trader Joe's mochi ice cream is a hit with my husband, who especially enjoys the vanilla and dark-chocolate flavors.

These tasty gluten-free treats are essentially a chewy rice dough filled with ice cream.

A package of six vanilla mochi usually costs us $5 at Trader Joe's.

Organic coconut milk is the key ingredient in one of my favorite sauces.

We regularly eat baked wild salmon with a dill and lemon sauce.

One of the sauce's key ingredients is coconut milk, which adds a nice creaminess to the dish without making it too heavy.

A 13-½ -ounce can of Trader Joe's organic coconut milk costs just under $2.

• I work 70 hours a week and often don't have the time or energy to prepare meals.
• Trader Joe's selection of ready-to-eat and frozen meals are a lifesaver.
• I love the brand's fiery chicken vindaloo and salted edamame.

Between my remote role in financial services and freelance jobs, I spend about 70 hours working each week. So, I often have limited time and energy for cooking meals.

Thankfully, I've been shopping at Trader Joe's for five years and love the brand's wide range of pre-prepared and frozen foods.

Low-calorie, high-protein meals that only require a microwave or a bowl are always in my cart. They help get me through the week without spending too much time prepping or money ordering takeout.

I usually spend about $70 a week on groceries at Trader Joe's. From salads and internationally inspired fare to sweet treats, here are some of my top workweek picks.

Trader Joe's lemony arugula basil salad kit comes ready to eat.

This zesty salad includes arugula, shaved carrots, almonds, Parmesan cheese, and basil lemon dressing for a light, healthy meal.

Simply dump the ingredients into a bowl, and it's ready to eat.

I love the vegan pad see ew.

Trader Joe's pad see ew is a vegan take on the popular rice noodle dish.

Stir-fried with carrots, broccoli, tofu, and soy sauce, it's richly flavored and arguably tastes close to what I'd order from a Thai restaurant.

Trader Joe's chicken shawarma bowl keeps me full for hours.

With 400 calories, 20 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber, Trader Joe's chicken shawarma bowl is my power meal that keeps me full and energized for hours.

Although nothing truly beats the taste of chicken over rice from a halal truck, this is certainly a decent alternative.

I love all the nutrients I get from the broccoli slaw and kale salad.

I swear by Trader Joe's broccoli slaw and kale salad. With shredded cabbage and carrots, it's got a heap of micronutrients. Plus, there are healthy fats from the sunflower seeds and protein from the chicken.

Dried cranberries and a sweet and spicy dressing give the salad a nice tang, too.

One of my favorite meals is the lamb vindaloo.

Trader Joe's delivers with its line of Indian-inspired microwaveable meals. One of my favorites is the lamb vindaloo.

The tender lamb chunks simmered in curry sauce are a treat to the palate; they're savory and nicely spiced, but not spicy.

I'm also a huge fan of the fiery chicken vindaloo, which packs a punch with its spicy sauce.

I also like to grab the spicy chicken vindaloo, which is served on a bed of turmeric rice.

Unlike its lamb counterpart, this one is no joke when it comes to spice. I think it lives up to its name with a very spicy, yet flavorful sauce. Still, it's delicious.

The garlic shiitake green beans are the perfect side dish.

Smothered in garlic and mushroom sauce, these green beans are a great accompaniment to most meals.

I like that they add to my daily serving of vegetables and have a fiber count substantial enough to curb my hunger.

Trader Joe's spicy lentil wrap is great for a snack or meal.

I like to enjoy the brand's spicy lentil wrap as a quick snack, but sometimes I'll pair it with fruit or a salad to make a meal.

My only gripe is that there's too much tortilla for the amount of filling, but the lentils and tahini sauce taste wonderful.

I love snacking on popcorn with extra virgin olive oil.

Tossed in olive oil and sea salt, Trader Joe's organic popcorn with extra-virgin olive oil is my go-to snack.

It's delightful and crunchy, not oily or overly salty, and it helps holdd me over until my next meal.

Salted edamame is another tried-and-true snack option.

I like snacking on edamame for some extra protein, fiber, and nutrients.

Trader Joe's frozen salted edamame has a nice flavor. I also drizzle olive oil and black pepper on it for an added kick.

The dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups are one of my favorite sweet treats.

Rich, smooth, and decadent, Trader Joe's mini dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups are my favorite mood boosters for stressful moments.

Just one velvety morsel is enough to temporarily calm my nerves and satisfy my sweet tooth. Plus, the tiny size of each chocolate makes it easier for me to monitor my servings.

• I spend a lot on groceries every week because I love to entertain.
• I used to spend $125 to $150 on groceries each week at Trader Joe's, but then I discovered Lidl.
• At Lidl, I save on groceries, and my weekly bill is now around $90.

While visiting Portugal several months ago, I noticed Lidl stores everywhere. When I finally entered one, I found that the German-owned grocery chain reflects a European sensibility with fresh bakery items, great cheeses, and large wine selections.

The extensive and inexpensive wines immediately struck me. Portugal has a thriving wine industry, so this was not surprising, but the pricing was. You could buy a good bottle of red for just $2.

I also noticed a wide selection of canned fish, which is a Portuguese gourmet product and tastier than what we have in the US. I found free-range eggs for less than $3 a dozen. Also, there were gourmet cheeses and crackers. Suffice it to say, I fell in love with the store.

When I learned there was a Lidl location near my home in Maryland, I couldn't wait to visit. I didn't expect it to transform my grocery shopping.

I used to swear by Trader Joe's

We are a family of two — just my husband and me. Since we're retired, my husband and I eat most meals and snacks at home, so we spend a lot on groceries. I also have extended family nearby, so I shop and cook for them frequently.

Before discovering Lidl, I shopped primarily at Trader Joe's to save money. Although the brand is known for its cheaper prices, my grocery bill kept rising. It's especially challenging to stay within a budget when preparing and cooking for guests.

My family likes fresh vegetables and fruits. Items like berries, avocados, apples, and leafy greens were costly, running me around $40 a week. Dips, cheeses, and crackers are also great for entertaining, but they got expensive, too. I spent around $30 a week at Trader Joe's on these items.

I also purchased organic red meat and chicken for my family, which cost roughly $70 a week.

My average weekly grocery shopping was between $125 and $150.

Lidl has helped me save money on my weekly groceries

Once I finally made it to my local Lidl, I was able to save. Fresh fruit and vegetables, for example, were plentiful. We love avocados, and Lidl sells them for under $1 apiece. I sometimes buy a one-pound bag of French shallots for just under $3, and fresh berries are also well-priced at $3.99 for eight ounces.

I also save money on some meats. For example, I now purchase a pound of wagyu beef for $7 and a 32-ounce economy bag of frozen salmon filets for under $22.

I also purchase imported items like four-ounce jars of Italian anchovies for $3. This is less than what I spend on domestic brands, and the foreign brands taste better.

In the past six months since I started shopping at Lidl, I have saved a large chunk of what I spend in other stores for similar items. My weekly grocery bill is now around $90.

But Lidl isn't perfect. If you rely on an item, it might disappear next visit. And while there are some brand names, Lidl will not meet your needs if you are a brand-name shopper.

Still, if you're flexible, you will find products you want to try since prices allow experimentation.

My family has come to love Lidl, and I love the savings

My family appreciates several different products I have consistently purchased at Lidl. Specifically, they love avocados, the imported anchovies, the hummus, and the berries.

As grocery prices continue to rise around the US, I plan to continue shopping at this store. Just this Passover, I got free-range, organic eggs for $6 per dozen at Lidl, which is a $2 per dozen savings from other stores — if you can even find eggs at all.

I count this as a win for my budget.

• I tried the seasonal foods at Trader Joe's for the spring and reviewed them.
• The coffee creme Joe-Joe's and Meyer lemon cookies were both delicious and adorable. 
• The chain's cheese-filled fiocchetti and taco salad kit are both good entrée options.

Trader Joe's stocks its shelves with a variety of seasonal products every spring.

So, I've been trying the spring offerings from my local store as part of an ongoing series where I review the grocery chain's seasonal foods. 

Keep reading to see which items I'll be stocking up on and which I'll skip. 

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2021. Although many seasonal spring foods return, item availability is subject to change.

The cheese blintzes would make a perfect addition to any brunch table

A blintz is a popular breakfast treat that's essentially a lightly sweetened pancake wrapped around a cheese or fruit filling.

They're often associated with Shavuot, a springtime holiday celebrated in the Jewish faith, but are also popular throughout parts of Eastern Europe.

I picked up a package of four pastries in the frozen section at Trader Joe's. Although the product doesn't come with toppings, its box features a picture with whipped cream and fruit, so I followed suit to get the full experience. 

This was my first time trying blintzes, and I mostly enjoyed them. They tasted like a traditional crepe, and I appreciated that their light sweetness became more noticeable with the berries. 

However, I don't love the texture of cottage cheese, so I was a little turned off by the filling.

VERDICT: Overall, the blintzes were decent, but they weren't my favorite. The fruit and whipped cream certainly elevated them, but I had trouble getting over the texture. 

But if you're a cottage cheese fan or like a versatile breakfast, these will probably be right up your alley. 

The gluten-free coffee cake muffins were incredible

The most noticeable thing about these muffins was their size — compared to a standard version, these were gigantic.

Each treat sported that signature coffee cake look with a ribbon-like swirl of cinnamon on the bottom, which was dense and sturdy, yet also slightly crumbly. The tops were adorned with a dusting of sprinkles.

I'm usually wary of gluten-free pastries because of their tendency to be either super dry or way too dense and crumbly, but these muffins were surprisingly moist and delicate, with a lightly sweet flavor that made them suitable for an early morning bite. 

When paired with a cup of coffee, the cinnamon flavor really popped.

VERDICT: Although I can't see myself buying these muffins all the time, I will absolutely be hitting up Trader Joe's for these when I'm craving a sweet breakfast or having guests over. 

The oven-baked cheese bites would be great in soup or on their own

If you ever wanted to know what spaghetti would taste like in snack form, this is your answer. And as strange as that might sound, this item is absolutely worth buying.

Basically, these gluten-free bites are dehydrated, aged cheese with a few added seasonings. 

Like any good snack, these morsels delivered in crunch, and I gave them bonus points for their airiness that gifted each bite with a crispy, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

What made these a real standout, however, was the zesty chili and tomato flavor that came through with each bite. 

VERDICT: 10/10. I'm obsessed. 

The vegan taco salad was delicious

Each vegan taco salad kit contains iceberg lettuce, blue tortilla strips, corn salsa, and chipotle-seasoned seitan.

The Chipotle seitan made this mix a filling meal on its own and gave it a necessary layer of savory flavor, which is crucial in salads with a limited amount of dressing. 

This seitan wasn't dry or soggy, and though I couldn't really detect the chipotle flavor, it was still seasoned enough to have that taco meat taste. It was like a toned-down version of the chain's soy chorizo.

Trader Joe's also nailed the salad dressing. It didn't have a weird artificial taste, and the only downside was that there wasn't more of it.

VERDICT: With the mix of textures, super filling seitan, and tasty dressing, this salad is a must-buy for anyone looking to spice up their lunches.

The lemon bars tasted homemade

Chocolate is great and all, but nothing screams springtime like a yummy lemon bar.

There was no mistaking the presence of real lemon in these — as soon as I opened the box, I noticed a sweet citrus aroma.

I let these lemon bars defrost on my counter for an hour before tasting them, and I'm not sure I'll ever attempt baking this dessert on my own again — they were out of this world.

Had I not purchased this dessert myself, I never would have guessed it came from the freezer section. Each bar had a scrumptious, fresh taste, so it could easily pass as homemade.

The combination of vanilla shortbread with the bright, citrusy lemon curd and a dusting of powdered sugar was absolutely divine. But these stood out for their texture — they had a perfect level of chewiness with an impressively buttery crust despite being frozen.

VERDICT: I apologize in advance to anyone who lives near me and wants to try these lemon bars because I might be buying them all the next time I hit up Trader Joe's.

These peanut-shaped chocolates were fun and creative

In my opinion, all chocolate tastes better when it comes in a cute shape, and these peanut-like candies were proof of that.

Plus, they had just the right ratio of high-quality chocolate exterior to creamy peanut butter filling. Each bite was so melt-in-your-mouth delicious that the treats could have passed for something I'd buy at a specialty candy shop. 

The texture really won me over, as each piece had an added layer of rice cereal under the coating for extra crunch.

VERDICT: To say I loved this candy would be an understatement.

The dark chocolate plantain chips are a great springtime treat

Crunchy, salty, and slightly sweet, these plantain chips were everything I'd been craving.

I appreciated how Trader Joe's didn't go overboard with the chocolate coating and opted for a light drizzle. Plantains already have a natural fruity sweetness, so they only need a touch of cocoa flavor to highlight their sugary notes.

Although I thought these plantain chips were tasty, I'm not sure I would rate them above the jerk-style variety, as I was over these after a few bites. 

VERDICT: Overall, I'd say these chips are a must-buy for anyone who loves the combination of dark chocolate with salty flavors. I can also see them making a superb sweet addition to any snack platter.

I fell in love with the tasty filling in the lemon and ricotta ravioli

My longtime favorite Trader Joe's ravioli is the Caprese one, but after trying this lemon version, I'm not so sure. 

The ravioli cooked in less than 10 minutes, making it an excellent quick dinner option.

In the interest of tasting the ravioli in its purest form, I coated the dish in just olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.

When I took a bite, I noticed the filling was super smooth and had a pleasantly fresh flavor to it. The delicate hints of lemon provided a needed contrast to the ricotta's sweetness to make it less rich than the standard cheese-stuffed ravioli.

I also loved that I didn't feel heavy after eating this meal, which almost never happens with cheesy pasta.

VERDICT: It's safe to say this ravioli will be my new go-to weeknight dinner this spring.

The almond-butter almonds make a perfect snack

With a super smooth coating and lightly salted nutty interior, these almond-butter almonds tasted like candy.

Super creamy and sweet, with subtle notes of cocoa and vanilla, the almond-butter coating was so yummy I could have eaten it by the spoonful.

VERDICT: Almond on top of almond might sound like a bit much, but it proved to be an excellent choice. These bites were delicious. I hope Trader Joe's keeps them around, but I'll stock up just in case.

These crispy mushrooms were a bit of an acquired taste

I love mushrooms, but when I saw these snacks at Trader Joe's, I raised an eyebrow.

I wasn't sure what to expect from these, but at a glance, they didn't look super appetizing — more like overcooked mushrooms than anything else.

Appearance aside, these were a decent savory snack. They tasted like nothing I'd ever eaten, so I gave Trader Joe's credit for creativity. 

According to the package description, the mushrooms are lightly salted, dried, and tossed in sunflower oil, so their natural umami taste stood out because it wasn't competing with too many seasonings.

Their texture made them a memorable snack, as they had a light, crispy exterior like a chip and a slightly chewy inside like a cooked mushroom.

VERDICT: The crispy mushrooms are worth trying at least once, but I don't think I'd buy them again.

The cheese-filled fiocchetti with pink sauce was good, but not mind-blowing

Just as the package suggested, the fiocchetti cooked to an optimal tenderness in less than 10 minutes, but the sauce didn't really look quite right.

Even though I measured the water and oil according to the instructions, the mix looked much thinner and less pink than advertised. Despite its light-orange hue, I still gave it a chance.

I generally enjoyed the pasta component of the dish, but the sauce left much to be desired. I thought it desperately needed more tomato and garlic flavors.

It's possible I watered it down during the cooking process, but even so, the flavor wasn't as bold as I anticipated, and it came out so thin that it seemed more like a lightly seasoned broth than a sauce.

I set aside some leftovers in the fridge and noticed the next day that the sauce had thickened slightly.

VERDICT: Overall, I'd say this pasta is a great vegetarian entrée to add to your weeknight repertoire.

Although the dish's flavors were quite mellow, the meal could easily be upgraded with a few extra ingredients, like red pepper flakes and more cheese, so I'm willing to buy this one again. 

The pink and white shortbread cookies would make a great addition to any picnic

With their cute floral shape, colorful yogurt coating, and adorable rainbow sprinkles, these cookies were pretty much impossible for me to dislike.

They tasted just like the frosted circus animal cookies I was obsessed with growing up. My fellow '90s babies will know what I'm talking about, as one bite of these Trader Joe's cookies instantly transported me to my childhood. 

In terms of texture, they were of comparable thickness to graham crackers with a familiar, crumby feel.

Most of all, I enjoyed that these cookies were sweet but not overwhelmingly sugary. The yogurt coating was super smooth and contained subtle notes of vanilla that didn't taste artificial.

VERDICT: I can picture serving these cookies as a treat at brunch or an outdoor picnic with friends. They'd also make a great decorative addition to an ice cream sundae. Perfect for kids and adults who want a hit of nostalgia, these cookies are worth buying again. 

The Meyer lemon cookies would make a scrumptious springtime treat

The first thing that came to mind when I opened this box of cookies was afternoon tea. With their pale yellow color and paper-thin texture, they were practically designed to be consumed off a pretty pastel colored plate atop some doilies.

These cookies had a delightfully airy quality and nice crisp that crumbled in my mouth with every bite.

As a fan of all things citrus, I appreciated that the tangy flavor was detectable but not artificial tasting. They also had a slightly floral quality, which probably came from the use of Meyer lemons.

Either way, they were absolutely delicious.

VERDICT: If you're searching for a super light sweet treat to munch on, look no further than these Meyer lemon cookies.

I couldn't get enough of the candy-coated almonds

With their slightly crunchy, colorful shell, these candy-coated almonds look a lot like Cadbury's mini eggs. They were also delicious.

The coating offered a yummy crunch that regular chocolate-covered almonds can't compete with. Plus, I loved the pastel colors.

The chocolate layer was pleasantly smooth, and the almond center gave these treats dimension and a yummy, nutty flavor.

VERDICT: As someone who frequently craves chocolate, these springtime almonds are a must-have.

This blood orange cake mix made a delicious loaf, but I wasn't impressed by the icing

I've never thought to use blood oranges for anything beyond cocktails, so I was excited to try this mix. 

The moment I started mixing the ingredients, I caught a strong whiff of the bold, citrus aroma, and the batter was bright orange.

Like most boxed cake mixes, this came together with just a few ingredients and under an hour of bake time. It also included a packet of icing, which saved me even more time.

On its own, this cake was awesome. The blood orange flavor was pronounced, offering a unique profile that was noticeably more tart than sweet. Its texture was dense yet tender and moist, like a pound cake. 

However, I found the icing tasted too much like candy. It was sweet with a seemingly artificial flavor. Next time, I'll try topping it with my own cream cheese frosting and blood orange zest. 

VERDICT: Buy the cake mix, but ditch the icing — it doesn't need it.

These lemon madeleines were sweet and delicious

These fluffy tea cakes were sweet, buttery, and delicious. The lemon zest flavor was very subtle yet detectable.

They're dainty, which made them suitable for early mornings when I wasn't quite ready for a full meal. 

The flavor was comparable to a classic vanilla pound cake, with just the slightest kiss of lemon. The firm yet spongy texture would be ideal for dipping in hot coffee or tea. 

VERDICT: As someone who often craves light sweets in the morning, these lemon zest madeleines hit the spot. I'll gladly be buying a couple more packages before the season ends.

Fans of spinach would really enjoy this frozen Florentine lasagna

Based on the box, I assumed this lasagna would be loaded with Italian flavors, but I later learned that Florentine is actually a French cooking term that refers to a dish with cooked spinach and a cheesy, creamy sauce.

I was excited about this dish since it's vegetarian, serves more than one person, and doesn't require any actual prep work — just patience.

Per the instructions, you can heat this in the microwave in two six-minute intervals, but I opted to bake mine in the oven for just under an hour.

The aroma of garlic, herbs, and cheese filled my entire apartment while this cooked, which was reason enough to give this a solid rating.

However, spinach has a high water content, which was evident the moment I cut into this lasagna. It looked more like a cheesy soup with pasta. So, getting any kind of square slice was impossible. I used a spoon to scoop it onto my plate.

If you really dig cooked spinach, you'll probably enjoy this. The bitter, metallic green tasted great with the creamy, sweet ricotta. 

I also appreciated that Trader Joe's included Parmesan in the cheese blend — which added a nice balance of salt — and a ton of flavorful dried herbs and garlic.

VERDICT: Although the Florentine lasagna offered a lot of fragrant, cheesy flavor, its lengthy cook time and sloppy texture kept it from being as good as possible. 

Trader Joe's Springle Jangle was just OK

Like the winter equivalent, the Trader Joe's Springle Jangle consists of various bite-sized snacks, like butter toffee peanuts, yogurt-dipped pretzels, dark chocolate Joe-Joe bark, dark and milk chocolate mini peanut butter cups, sprinkle covered chocolate discs, and candy gems (which are similar to M&Ms). 

It's more of a candy mix than a snack one, as it was very sweet and barely salty, save for the yogurt-dipped pretzels. Those were my favorite parts, even though some pieces tasted a bit stale.

The chocolate could've been better, as it was slightly chalky and didn't quite have that melt-in-your-mouth quality I expect from most dipped treats.

Overall, this would make a decent snack if you want something sweet but can't decide on what to buy. However, I think it could've used one more salty component, like a handful of almonds.

VERDICT: Although the Springle Jangle is a yummy snack that people with a sweet tooth will likely enjoy, it's far from my favorite springtime Trader Joe's product. 

Trader Joe's spring cupcake mix required way more work than I anticipated

These spring cupcakes looked so cute on the box — but the assembly wasn't what I expected. 

The box didn't come with finished frosting, but rather a powder, which required milk and butter to prepare (more ingredients I had to buy). It also needed to be beaten with a hand or stand mixer.

The kit didn't include a piping tip, which made working with the frosting disastrous. My cupcake grass looked more like Medusa's hair than anything you'd find in an Easter basket.

On a positive note, the cupcakes themselves turned out great. They had a nice buttery flavor and were super fluffy.

The caramel candy eggs that came in the box were by far the best part and made the price tag worth it. Honestly, I wish there were more of them.

VERDICT: These spring cupcakes had so much potential, but between all the additional ingredients you have to buy and the extensive prep, it wasn't really convenient, especially if you plan to make them with kids. 

I'd rather buy one of the better cake mixes that Trader Joe's sells.

There's no need to buy Easter candy if you have these chocolate mousse eggs on hand

These creamy treats are probably one of my favorite finds in Trader Joe's bakery section. 

The chocolate cake was soft, moist, and rich, while the mousse layer was sweet and fluffy. The double chocolate flavor worked well since the mousse had more of a milk chocolate profile that built on the cake's richness. 

All of this came wrapped in a thin, chocolate candy coating, complete with colorful icing designs on top.

Each egg-shaped cake is just the right size for a mid-afternoon or after-dinner sweet. Eating just one or two satisfied my chocolate craving.

VERDICT: I wish they were individually wrapped, but as long as these are available at Trader Joe's, I'll keep buying them.

These blueberry and lemon hand pies are the perfect pastry for spring

These crescent-shaped mini pies tasted like they were from a local farmers market. The crust was thick and semi-flaky, with bits of yummy raw sugar on top and imprints that gave them a rustic feel.

Each pie was loaded with a bright, semi-sweet filling made primarily with puréed blueberries. However, a few chunks made it feel more like a homemade pie than a mass-produced one.

The use of lemon flavoring on the pastry made them significantly more tart than I expected, but I wouldn't call them sour. It's almost as if they're made to be consumed with sweet tea or vanilla ice cream. 

For the price, these are a solid way to enjoy a fruity dessert without having to bake an entire pie. The fact that they're handheld is even better. 

VERDICT: If you're a huge fan of blueberries, these are a must-buy. If you're pretty indifferent about them, this may not be for you. I found these hand pies to be quite tasty, but I'm not in a rush to buy them again because blueberries aren't my favorite. However, if Trader Joe's made these with other fruit fillings, I'd buy them.

These Sprinkles Walk into a Sandwich cookies are a fun treat for kids, but they were too sweet for me

These crumbly, buttery, cookie sandwiches took a while to grow on me, and I'm still not totally sold. 

The thin layer of buttercream frosting had a super sugary sweetness with a slightly fluffier quality than I expected. This made the buttery flavor in the shortbread pop. The sprinkles, meanwhile, were a nice touch and provided a bit of fun texture.

Overall, each bite kind of tasted like a cross between vanilla Funfetti cake and a Walker's shortbread cookie.

I also thought the cookie part was a little bit too dry and could have been thinner. That said, I can see these being a hit with others looking for a sweet springtime dessert that's easier to transport than a cupcake. Kids will definitely get a kick out of them.

VERDICT:  These cookies were a bit too sweet for me. Although they were decently tasty, I'm not in a rush to buy them again.

Trader Joe's Portuguese custard tarts totally lived up to the hype

I've been to Portugal twice, and the custard tarts — called pasteis de nata — are always a highlight. When the tarts are enjoyed fresh, they have a signature crunch that I love, so I was nervous to try these out of a box. 

Fortunately, Trader Joe's knocked it out of the park. I popped all four tarts into my oven with the intent of sampling just one, and ended up devoured three in a sitting. The crust was buttery and flaky, and the custard center was light and creamy. 

Best of all, they weren't overly sweet, which can sometimes happen with American custard tarts. 

Nothing is ever going to be the same as getting pasteis de nata in person, but for coming out of a box and requiring pretty much zero effort (or travel plans) these were absolutely spectacular.

Verdict: I waited an entire year to finally get my hands on a box of these and have already stocked my freezer with several more for the season.

The goat's milk cheese rubbed with vanilla sugar has a unique flavor, but its sweet profile may not be for everyone

Made using goat's milk cheese that's aged for several weeks, this semi-solid cheese smelled and tasted faintly like a vanilla cupcake.

I found the cheese itself was overall very mild in flavor, but undeniably sweet. The vanilla notes were clearly detectable at the end of each bite. I can see this being a hit with people who like the idea of a sweeter cheese they can use on crepes or fruit. 

That said, I was thrown off by the lack of tang I'm used to getting with goat cheese, and I'm not sold on the flavor yet.

VERDICT: I appreciate the creativity of this goat cheese, but don't know if I'd go out of my way to buy it again.

I was blown away by how delicious these Joe-Joe's with coffee creme were

These chocolate-dipped Joe-Joe's taste less like something from a grocery store's prepackaged cookie section and more like a dessert I'd expect to see behind a glass case. The cookie component was semi-soft, and the dark chocolate coating was smooth, thick, and delicious. 

These tasted like the cookie version of a dark-chocolate-covered espresso bean. The layer of mocha filling in the center was fluffy and smooth, with a bold coffee flavor that was impossible to miss. 

Overall, the flavor was bold and quite intense, with each bite offering a good balance of bitter and sweet tones. I also appreciated how large each cookie was. 

VERDICT: The Joe-Joe's with coffee creme are now my favorite of the entire Joe-Joe's lineup.

The triple-ginger pretzels are a great spring snack for those who reach for pumpkin spice pretzels in the fall

As someone who usually reaches for pumpkin spice items in the fall, the ginger version of these pretzels is just right for spring. These pretzels are satisfyingly crunchy, delicately sweet, and delicious.

Despite the name, these pretzels weren't as front-loaded with intense ginger as I expected them to be. Instead, the spicy flavor came through on the finish of each bite, building a nice, warm sensation that tickled the sides of my mouth more and more with each successive bite.

Overall, I'd describe these as quite similar to pumpkin spice pretzels, with a slightly more peppery taste.

VERDICT: I'm already longtime fan of Trader Joe's various coated pretzels, and these are now giving the chocolate and peppermint ones some serious competition.

Trader Joe's all-butter shortbread sandwich cookies with raspberry filling were delicious

I honestly wasn't expecting these cookies to be as good as they were. I loved everything about them.

With their sleek, rectangular shape and striking layer of visible, bright red filling, these cookies were clearly made to be served on pretty plates with doilies on an outdoor patio. 

The texture was crumbly, yet not as dry as I anticipated. In my opinion, the ratio of shortbread to raspberry on these cookies was just right, offering a yummy, slightly sweet, faintly tart, fruity flavor that resolved nicely into the delicious melt-in-your-mouth buttery shortbread.

VERDICT: For a boxed cookie, these were absolutely incredible. 

Trader Joe's mini lemon sheet cake is the showstopper every spring brunch needs

I saw so much hype about this lemon cake online, and based on my experience, it's well-deserved.

The cake was exquisitely moist and its lemon flavor was fragrant and inviting without tasting overly sweet or artificial.

The lemon cream cheese was sublime. It tasted like a recipe from an Ina Garten cookbook that uses real lemons.

The dusting of lemon zest on top was a perfect garnish for a dessert this classy. If someone told me Trader Joe's lemon sheet cake came from a fancy bakery, I wouldn't question it for a second.

VERDICT:  This cake is a high-quality gem. I'll keep buying it as long as it's in stores.

The spring gummies felt like a grown-up version of fruit snacks

These are the softest gummies I've ever purchased.

They resembled fruit snacks rather than traditional peach rings or gummy worms.

They had a pleasant, fruity flavor without tasting too sugary or hurting my teeth. However, the spring-themed shapes were a bit indiscernible (I think they were supposed to be birds), as were the flavors.

One gummy kind of tasted like raspberry, and another had a slightly sour, citrusy vibe. Still, the snack was as bright and vibrant as spring itself.

VERDICT: I probably wouldn't buy multiple bags per season, but I'd get one for snacking.

The dulce de leche ice cream was decadent, but also very one-note

This ultra-smooth, creamy dessert felt like pure decadence when it hit my palate.

The flavor reminded me of a light caramel candy. It was buttery, sweet, and milky.

Though this ice cream had a lot going for it, I thought it was a one-note dessert. The combination of dulce de leche and caramel tasted like one super sweet flavor stacked on another.

Even the caramel swirls, which required a bit of an excavation to find, were underwhelming. The near-uniform ice cream texture lost its luster after a few bites. 

In the future, I'd pair this ice cream with something to cut through the sweetness, like salty pretzels or a dark chocolate brownie. 

VERDICT: I wouldn't buy this as a stand-alone dessert, but I'd get it if I wanted an accompaniment that wasn't basic vanilla.

I wasn't impressed by the passion fruit meringue tartelettes

Trader Joe's passion fruit meringue tartelettes perfectly capture the vibes of an island getaway. After thawing for two hours in the fridge per the instructions, the vibrant yellow tarts looked like a cups of pure sunshine.

However, I took a tiny bite of this and felt my lips automatically pucker because of how intense the fruit flavor was.

If you don't love tart notes in a dessert, you will, like me, probably feel overwhelmed by this.

That said, even though it wasn't really my thing, I can still acknowledge that it's a good dessert. The texture of the main fruit component was perfect and I enjoyed the buttery shortbread crust.

The meringue also did a superb job balancing out the intensity of the tropical sweetness.

VERDICT: Although this wasn't for me, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a tropical-themed fruity dessert.

I had high hopes for the lemon poppy seed buns, but I thought they tasted dry

The box promised a lemon filling, but I didn't find anything inside these buns. Instead, it tasted more like they were baked with some sort of lemony extract or soaked in lemon glaze.

They were sweet like a slice of lemon cake, and the inside of each pastry had pockets of poppy seeds and sugar crystals. I also thought the pastry component tasted a bit stale.

VERDICT: As a diehard fan of lemon poppy seed muffins, these should have been up my alley. However, I thought they left a lot to be desired.

The chocolate truffle eggs are perfect for adults who miss getting an Easter basket

These felt like Trader Joe's take on a miniature Cadbury egg. Each chocolate truffle has a unique filling and is individually wrapped in colorful foil.

I was impressed by the selection of unique flavors including pistachio and cookies and cream.

The dark chocolate praline (my favorite of the bunch) was reminiscent of a Ferrero Rocher. The others tasted close to something you'd get from a pricy confectionery.

VERDICT: I'm a sucker for miniature chocolates, so I'd say this is worth the buy.

The chocolate break-apart bunny is (literally) filled with festive fun

If you grew up in the '90s, you probably recall a gimmicky confection called a Wonderball — a chocolate orb that featured character-shaped bits of candy inside.

This bunny kind of reminded me of one, but with a little more festivity and creativity. Along with being fun to break, the chocolate itself was yummy. It offered a smooth, milky flavor that's noticeably better than many other chocolate bunnies I've tried.

Inside, I found a treasure trove of sugar-dusted gummy carrots, making me feel like I was getting two treats in one.

VERDICT: Though this isn't something I'd go out of the way to buy for myself, I think it's an adorable idea for an Easter basket treat.

The Seville orange marmalade will make you forget other jams exist

Unlike jelly, this marmalade was much firmer and easier to spread, with actual pieces of orange peel dispersed throughout.

Its fruity, orange flavor was well pronounced and bright, with a combination of sweet and tangy notes. For me, what really made it stand out was that it had a unique bitter note. In some ways, it reminded me of Aperol.

VERDICT: I would buy another jar of this.

This story was originally published in April 2021 and most recently updated on April 17, 2025.

Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series.

• I've been a dietitian for over 20 years and follow the Mediterranean diet, but I don't love cooking.
• Precooked hard-boiled eggs, vegan pesto, and frozen pizza from Trader Joe's make my life easier.
• I also pick up Envy apples, salmon, and vegan creamy dill dressing to use in a number of meals.

When I tell people I've been a registered dietitian for more than 20 years, the assumption is that I love to eat nutritious foods and cook them myself.

I try to mostly eat balanced and nutrient-dense meals that follow the Mediterranean diet, but I don't enjoy spending time planning, cooking, and cleaning.

Thankfully, Trader Joe's has some gems that help me feed my entire family (including a picky child).

Here are 15 of my must-buys to help create healthy and easy meals without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Editor's Note: Product price and availability may vary.

Envy apples seem to stay fresh longer.

Envy apples can be added to salads, "girl dinners," or lunchboxes for an extra crunch, a boost of fiber, and balanced sweetness.

They're appealing because their insides tend to stay whiter longer, allowing for slicing or chopping without worrying too much about being stuck with discolored fruit.

I buy Norwegian farm-raised salmon for a kick of healthy fats and protein.

Salmon from Norway is known for its pure taste, beautiful color, and firm flesh. Much of that is due to its balanced fat content and firm texture.

It's also nutrient-dense, providing essentials such as omega 3; vitamins D, B12, and A; and selenium. Plus, it's incredibly easy to cook, especially if I remember to marinate it the night before.

Clif Bars are my go-to for a boost of energy.

Not loving to cook also means not loving to prep snacks. But because I live an active lifestyle, I know I need to fuel myself with nutrients such as sustainable carbs before I start a workout.

Clif Bars are crafted with a blend of plant-based protein, fat, and carbohydrates. They're my go-to pre-workout snack that requires zero effort in the kitchen.

The vegan kale, cashew, and basil pesto tastes good on almost everything.

I don't follow a vegan diet, but that doesn't stop me from purchasing Trader Joe's pesto to use on pasta dishes, sandwiches, or as a dip.

This pesto is also my secret ingredient in grilled-cheese sandwiches.

Trader Joe's fruits-and-greens smoothie blend makes morning smoothies a breeze.

The blend of frozen produce makes my smoothie-making so easy.

There's no chopping or prepping required when I'm in the mood for a breakfast smoothie — I simply toss some into a blender, add milk, and turn it on. 

Vegan creamy dill dressing elevates a slew of dishes.

If it were socially acceptable to drink Trader Joe's vegan creamy dill dressing with a straw, I'd do it. I love that it's free from fillers or emulsifiers, and the flavor is incredibly satisfying. 

The obvious way to enjoy this dressing is on top of salad. However, I also use it as a saucy addition to chicken or fish meals, an ingredient in grain-based dishes, and a condiment on sandwiches.

The organic Mediterranean-style salad kit helps us eat more veggies.

Making a salad isn't extremely labor-intensive.

However, opening a salad kit and dumping all of the contents into a bowl is so much easier than procuring and chopping ingredients and coming up with the perfect flavor combo. 

Trader Joe's Mediterranean salad kit is packed with veggies and a corresponding dressing packet. I love pairing it with protein and starch for a balanced and healthy meal.

Trader Joe's prepackaged veggie mixes come in handy.

Veggies are a must at dinnertime in my house. Having prewashed and cut veggie and produce kits, such as the Trader Joe's asparagus sauté, makes cooking dinner a breeze.

Simply open the package and sauté everything in some extra-virgin olive oil. 

The bulgur pilaf with butternut squash and feta cheese is an easy side dish.

Whole grains can be both nutritious and filling. For those who don't like spending too much time in the kitchen, cooking them can be a tedious task.

Precooked frozen grains, such as Trader Joe's bulgur pilaf, help save a ton of time because they just need to be heated through.

Plus, this one is made with butternut squash, and I like the boost of veggies in every bite.

Riced cauliflower stir-fry is a great base for a low-carb meal.

Trader Joe's precooked cauliflower rice is a perfect base for a low-carb meal. I just add a protein for a complete dish. 

For people who don't love cauliflower rice — but tolerate it because they want to include more veggies in their diet (such as my husband) — mixing this dish with some regular rice can offer the best of both worlds.

Hard-boiled eggs are a secret shortcut in my kitchen.

Precooked and shelled hard-boiled eggs make for an easy breakfast protein, salad topping, or sandwich addition.

Trader Joe's Tarte au Brie et aux Tomates is my solution for pizza night.

Yes, even dietitians want to have pizza night once in a while.

Trader Joe's frozen Tarte au Brie et aux Tomates satisfies the fiercest pizza craving. Plus, heating it up takes less time than we'd spend waiting for a pie to be delivered from the local pizzeria.

I enjoy one serving along with a side salad for a full meal. 

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

This story was originally published on September 25, 2023, and most recently updated on April 16, 2025.

• I'm a former line cook who recently transitioned to the corporate world.
• I rely on Trader Joe's for fresh, flavorful, and affordable products.
• I always grab fresh vegetables, Greek yogurt, and frozen meals when shopping at the store.

As a former line cook, it's probably no surprise that I enjoy cooking. Now that I've entered the corporate world, though, it's more important than ever to keep my fridge stocked with meals that keep me fueled and focused.

That's why I love shopping at Trader Joe's for fresh, flavorful, and affordable products. Here are seven of my favorite things to get there.

I always like to keep baby broccoli in my fridge.

When I shop at Trader Joe's, I always go for the vegetables first, and baby broccoli is one of the many staples I grab.

My partner and I enjoy it roasted with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. It's one of those vegetables that always does its job with minimal fuss.

Sugar snap peas make the perfect snack.

Snap peas make a great afternoon snack and are a fun vehicle for hummus. I even like to cut them up and scatter them atop a warm bed of couscous.

Trader Joe's organic chives make the perfect garnish.

Cooking in a restaurant taught me that a plate is never complete without a garnish. So, I always grab a package of Trader Joe's organic chives to liven up my meals.

I love Trader Joe's Greek yogurt.

Trader Joe's Greek yogurt makes a creamy, sweet, and satisfying breakfast. Before indulging, I like to stir chia seeds into my container, allowing them to plump up in the yogurt's richness.

I always keep a few boxes of Trader Joe's mini vegetable samosas in my freezer.

Trader Joe's vegetable samosas are my kryptonite, with their crispy exterior and spicy, savory filling. I aim to keep two to three boxes in my freezer at all times.

Whenever Trader Joe's has cauliflower gnocchi in stock, I grab a bag.

Last year, my nearest Trader Joe's store chronically sold out of cauliflower gnocchi. So, I'm always happy to find them now.

I like to lightly fry the gnocchi with Trader Joe's chile-lime seasoning, making them reminiscent of bang-bang cauliflower.

Trader Joe's pancake bread tastes like Sunday brunch.

As the sign on the display suggests, I think Trader Joe's pancake bread is best served warm with butter on top. Whenever I eat it, I feel as though I'm transported to Sunday brunch at my favorite diner.

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

• I tried canned tuna from StarKist, Bumble Bee, Trader Joe's, and Good & Gather.
• I wasn't a fan of the StarKist or Good & Gather options.
• The Trader Joe's version was OK, but I'd definitely buy the Bumble Bee tuna again.

I'm no stranger to a tasty tuna fish meal. Whether I'm making a sandwich, pasta dish, or high-protein snack, I love cracking open a can of tuna to enjoy.

So, to see which canned option is best, I tried four brands of white Albacore tuna in water from Good & Gather, StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Trader Joe's.

In an effort to get the truest experience from each option, I simply scooped some out to taste on a cracker.

Here's how the taste test went.

I wasn't a fan of the StarKist tuna.

The first thing I noticed after opening the can of StarKist tuna ($2.30) was that a very fishy aroma filled the kitchen. Though this one had a strong smell, I was surprised by how bland it tasted.

The texture was dense, but the fish seemed dry even though it had been sitting in water in the can.

I expected more from Trader Joe's tuna.

According to the can, the Trader Joe's tuna ($2) I picked up was unsalted, and I could certainly tell when I took a bite.

The taste was fishier than the StarKist version, but offered more moisture, which added to the overall experience.

Though this was certainly better in taste and moisture compared to StarKist, I probably wouldn't buy it again.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Bumble Bee tuna.

When I opened the can of Bumble Bee tuna ($2.49), I couldn't help but notice it resembled generic cat food. However, I'm glad I didn't base my opinion on appearance alone.

To my surprise, this option offered the most flavor and moisture of the four I tried. Unlike some of the others, it didn't have a flat fish note.

The Good & Gather tuna was my least favorite.

I was excited to try the Good & Gather version, which is Target's house brand. When I attempted to scoop the Good & Gather tuna ($2.30), though, I noticed it was kind of hard.

It did have some pink pieces, which gave me hope for the taste, but ultimately, I was disappointed when I took a bite.

The little flavor present was most akin to the StarKist tuna. I also didn't love the texture and found it had low moisture retention.

Of the four options I tried, the Bumble Bee canned tuna was my favorite.

Before tasting all four cans of tuna, I didn't expect the taste to vary much between brands. However, Bumble Bee's white Albacore tuna proved me wrong.

The Bumble Bee option offered great flavor, texture, and moisture. It was even better when I added it to spaghetti alla carrettiera for dinner that night.

Though I could appreciate the Trader Joe's tuna, especially after adding salt to bring out its fishiness, I found its flavor fell flat in comparison to Bumble Bee's version.

I'll definitely look for Bumble Bee next time I visit the grocery store.

• We started buying a lot of our groceries at Trader Joe's once my husband began working there.
• The chain's frozen mac and cheese and fried rice are perfect for our busy lifestyle.
• We find Trader Joe's meats, produce, and wines are high quality but not too pricey.

Ever since my husband started working at Trader Joe's, our grocery hauls have completely changed.

The chain has so many convenient, high-quality, and affordable options that we find ourselves stocking up on the same must-haves week after week.

From frozen favorites to pantry staples, here are the Trader Joe's products we can't live without right now.

We use Trader Joe's Dutch griddle cakes to make fast-food-style breakfast sandwiches at home.

These fluffy griddle cakes are the secret to our homemade version of popular fast-food breakfast sandwiches.

Add an egg and some Trader Joe's chicken breakfast sausage, and you've got a protein-packed breakfast in minutes. The cakes are also good on their own and easy to heat up in a toaster or microwave.

Frozen mac and cheese is a staple at our house.

Forget the boxed stuff you have to cook on the stove — Joe's Diner frozen mac and cheese is creamy, rich, and indulgent.

It heats up in minutes, making it a perfect lunch for busy days or side dish with dinner. This is one of my favorite things to buy at Trader Joe's.

We love getting high-quality meat for a solid price.

The centerpiece of most meals my husband cooks is some sort of meat, so we buy it regularly. Fortunately, Trader Joe's offers an impressive selection of it at competitive prices.

I've been impressed by the quality of the meat we've gotten at the chain, so we grab beef, poultry, or pork on each shopping trip.

Plantain chips are our ultimate anytime snack.

Trader Joe's plantain chips deliver when the craving hits for something salty, sweet, and crunchy.

Made with just three ingredients — plantains, sunflower oil, and salt— these chips are my guilt-free, go-to snack.

We always keep a few bags on hand for road trips, late-night cravings, and afternoon desk snacks. If you prefer a little kick, try Trader Joe's jerk-style plantain chips.

Ice-cream sandwiches are some of our favorite perfectly portioned treats.

We always have ice cream in our freezer, and Trader Joe's ice-cream sandwiches are some of our favorite buys.

They're the perfect portion-controlled treat for when we're watching TV after dinner.

Some of our top picks are the Mini Mint Mouthfuls, brownie-coffee crisp ice-cream sandwiches, and classic Sublime cookie ice-cream sandwiches.

We no longer order takeout since Trader Joe's has such good frozen alternatives.

We've been so impressed by Trader Joe's frozen foods inspired by other countries that we rarely order takeout these days.

Trader Joe's soup dumplings and fried rice are some of our favorite buys. Both dishes deliver on flavor and cost far less than if we'd ordered them from a restaurant.

For us, these heat-and-eat options are a game changer for busy nights when cooking from scratch isn't an option.

A few things from the produce section are always in our cart.

Eating clean is important to us, so fresh produce is always in our kitchen.

We regularly stock up on bananas, berries, and mini carrots for easy snacking for us and our dogs. Plus, the chain's seasonal fruits and vegetables can be great for trying new recipes.

My husband also swears by Trader Joe's salad kits for quick, no-fuss lunches.

Chocolate milk is a staple in our fridge.

Open our fridge, and you'll always find a half-gallon of Trader Joe's chocolate milk. It's so creamy and delicious.

We like to drink it as a coffee alternative, after-dinner sweet treat, or post-workout pick-me-up.

We use Goddess dressing as way more than just a salad topper.

Trader Joe's Goddess dressing is a staple for us. It's fantastic on salads or as a veggie dip. We also like using it to upgrade pasta or tuna salad.

It's one of the most versatile condiments we own and a great value, as a little goes a long way in terms of flavor.

Breaded chicken tenderloin breasts are the star of some quick meals in our house.

Trader Joe's breaded chicken tenderloins are a lifesaver when I'm trying to make a quick, stress-free meal.

I like pairing them with Trader Joe's mac and cheese and some veggies for a dinner that's ready in minutes. The tenders are also great for adding protein to salads.

Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and conditioner have become shower staples.

Infused with eucalyptus and other botanicals, Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle products leave our hair feeling soft and clean. I like how they make our hair smell, too.

A little bit of these goes a long way, which makes them a great value for us.

We regularly grab a bottle from Trader Joe's excellent wine section.

I think Trader Joe's wine selection is unbeatable in terms of value and quality.

Whether we need a bottle for a special occasion, a hostess gift, or something to pair with dinner, there's always an affordable option that tastes like it cost way more than it actually did.

There are a lot of bottles available for under $20, and many cost less than $10.

• I tried all the wraps and sandwiches I could find at Trader Joe's in the prepared foods section.
• I thought the tuna salad wrap was slightly lacking in flavor.
• The turkey apple cheddar sandwich would be perfect for an office lunch.

Trader Joe's is known for its varied and affordable prepared foods section.

From soups and salads to sandwiches, the grocery chain offers many choices for a quick lunch on the go.

To see which wraps and sandwiches are worth the money, I tried nine different kinds from my local Trader Joe's in Brooklyn, New York.

Some, like the chain's tarragon chicken wrap and turkey apple cheddar sandwich, would be perfect for a cheap office lunch or beach picnic. Others, like the tuna wrap, were decent, but I wouldn't reach for them again.

Here's every Trader Joe's wrap and sandwich, ranked from worst to best.

My least favorite sandwich was the tuna salad wrap.

It cost $5.49, excluding tax.

It came in a wheat tortilla with tuna salad and lettuce.

The tuna salad was moist and packed with chopped tomatoes, but it tasted flavorless, underseasoned, and bland overall.

The wrap could have benefited from other vegetables, like celery or red onion, to add more of a crunch.

Next up was the Italian-style wrap.

It cost $4.99, excluding tax.

The wrap had uncured smoked ham, provolone cheese, genoa salami, and sopressata tucked into a wheat tortilla.

The wrap came with a creamy mustard spread, which I wasn't sure how to use. I ended up dipping the sandwich into the spread as I ate, which added a sharp spiciness to the sandwich.

The meat tasted fresh. However, other than the mustard sauce, it didn't pack much flavor.

I thought the creamy hummus and vegetable wrap was a good vegetarian option.

It cost $4.99, excluding tax. I thought this was a little pricey for a meatless wrap that didn't come with a dipping sauce.

The wrap was fresh and flavorful but not very filling.

The wrap was simple, and the hummus was just as creamy as described.

The chopped carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red cabbage gave it a Mediterranean flair and added flavor. Overall, however, I didn't feel completely satiated by this meatless option. I'd need a bit more than this wrap to fill me up at lunchtime.

The turkey club wrap was a tomato-flavored twist on a classic sandwich.

It cost $5.49, excluding tax.

The wrap was stuffed with turkey breast, spinach, turkey bacon, and tomato mayonnaise.

The turkey breast was moist and flavorful, and the turkey bacon added a slight smokiness. The spinach added a touch of freshness, and the tomato-flavored wrap added even more flavor to this take on a club sandwich.

However, I thought the wrap could have used a touch more mayonnaise, and the tomato flavor in the sauce didn't come through as much as I expected it to.

I also tried the turkey breast, spinach, and Swiss cheese wrap.

It cost $5.49, excluding tax.

The wrap was made with an herb and garlic tortilla.

The fresh flavor of the spinach and pungent Swiss cheese really came through, as did the honey Dijon mustard sauce. I thought the tortilla was also really flavorful.

However, other wraps from Trader Joe's delivered a more dynamic flavor profile. This wrap was undeniably tasty but just a little boring.

The grilled pesto chicken wrap landed in the middle of the pack.

It cost $5.49, excluding tax.

The wrap was made with pesto-seasoned grilled chicken, ricotta, feta cheese, zucchini, and sundried tomatoes.

This wrap was really moist and flavorful, and the nuttiness of the pesto, which came on the side, added a vibrant flavor that really impressed me.

The two different types of cheese also added a lot of moisture and flavor to the wrap. I liked the addition of the pesto sauce, which I drizzled over the top of the wrap as I was eating.

I'd definitely buy this again for an easy lunch on the go.

My third favorite sandwich was the Buffalo-style chicken wrap.

It cost $5.49, excluding tax.

This was the only Trader Joe's wrap I had tried before, so I already knew I liked it.

The wrap features chicken meat tossed in spicy Buffalo sauce, complete with diced celery in a tomato-flavored flour tortilla. It also includes a packet of blue cheese dressing.

I thought this wrap was super flavorful and had just the right amount of spice. I dipped the sandwich in the blue cheese dressing provided, which added a more savory flavor.

The wrap was moist without being soggy, and overall, it impressed me.

My second favorite was the only true sandwich in the lineup: Trader Joe's turkey apple cheddar sandwich.

It cost $4.99, excluding tax.

The sandwich is made with thick slices of turkey breast, sliced apples, cheddar cheese, arugula, and Dijon mayonnaise.

Unlike the wraps, this sandwich came served on a multigrain rustico roll.

I loved every part of this sandwich and thought it would make the perfect lunch for the office or a refreshing beachside snack in the summer.

The apple slices added a tart contrast to the savory turkey and Dijon mayonnaise, while the nutty, grainy bread tied all the flavors together.

It was also heartier and more filling than many of the wraps despite being less expensive in most cases. I thought that made this sandwich the best value by far.

The best wrap from Trader Joe's was the tarragon chicken salad wrap.

It cost $5.49, excluding tax.

The wrap was stuffed to the brim with thick chunks of chicken and romaine lettuce.

This wrap reminded me slightly of a chicken Caesar wrap but had even more flavor. The tarragon's fragrant flavor balanced out the fresh notes of the lettuce and mayonnaise, while the almonds added the ideal amount of nuttiness and crunchy texture.

It had a great depth of flavor and kept me full all day. However, it was also one of the highest-calorie wraps I tried, so keep that in mind if you're trying to cut back on your intake.

That said, based on flavor and size, I thought this wrap was great value for the money, and I'd definitely buy it again.

• I tried chicken salad from Costco, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, and Whole Foods.
• The Wegmans option was pretty expensive and didn't have a ton of flavor.
• However, I enjoyed the Whole Foods chicken salad, which was scooped fresh at the deli counter.

I never enjoyed chicken salad until I started working at a deli in my early 20s. It quickly became a lunch staple for me, even though I had so many other sandwich options at my fingertips.

Nowadays, I usually get my chicken salad fix at home when I have leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken. However, I wanted to see if I could find something worthwhile at the supermarket to enter my lunch rotation.

So, I visited four major supermarket chains — Costco, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, and Whole Foods — and bought premade chicken salad at each one.

I taste-tested all four with some crackers and ranked them from worst to first. Here's how they stacked up.

I wouldn't buy the Wegmans grilled chicken salad again.

When I visited Wegmans, a 16-ounce tub of grilled chicken salad cost $15. Since that price seemed borderline outrageous, I hoped the chicken salad would be delicious.

However, I was disappointed. There wasn't much flavor to it at all — the prevailing taste was that of mayonnaise — and it had an oddly grainy texture that closely resembled tuna salad.

There was a good amount of chicken in the mix, which might help explain the price, but the meat lacked flavor and wasn't especially moist.

The price point, more than the chicken salad itself, earned Wegmans the bottom spot on my ranking.

Trader Joe's Wine Country chicken salad was too sweet for me.

Across multiple visits to three separate Trader Joe's in my area, the closest option I found to the others on this list was the Wine Country chicken salad. However, it differed slightly from the others as it incorporated sweetened dried cranberries and pecans.

At first, I thought that might give it an unfair advantage in the ranking, since I normally enjoy a chicken salad with dried cranberries. The $5 price also seemed like a good deal for a 12-ounce container.

However, this chicken salad was way too sweet for my taste and not quite hearty enough. It seemed like there was a lot more goopy liquid than chunks of chicken, and the cranberries tasted like candy.

Overall, I thought this tasted more like a salad dressing than a deli salad.

Costco's chicken salad was just OK.

I found the Kirkland Signature chicken salad in Costco's prepared foods section. It was priced at $6 a pound, making it the least-expensive option I tried on a per-pound basis. The container I picked up contained about 2 pounds of chicken salad.

The salad had the biggest chunks of chicken of any I tried by far, but it practically shimmered with grease.

I also thought it was bland in terms of flavor. However, since I was already familiar with the Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken, the briny, brothy flavor of the meat was easy to pick out.

There was celery in the mix, but it added more flavor than texture; ideally, I'd prefer that reversed.

The chicken salad was fine but not especially good, and it's hard to imagine a situation in which I'd want two pounds of it.

I'd buy the Whole Foods classic chicken salad again.

Of the four chicken salads I tried, the version from Whole Foods was the only one that was scooped fresh at a deli counter. It was also the only one I'd consider buying again.

At $14 per pound, it was significantly more expensive than the chicken salads from Costco and Trader Joe's but slightly less expensive than the one from Wegmans. I appreciated that I could order only as much as I needed — a half-pound, in this case.

It was easily the best-tasting of the four salads I tried. The chicken, chopped up into bite-sized pieces, was moist and tasted fresh. Although hardly bold in flavor, the salad was nuanced with the earthy sweetness of red onions, notes of rosemary, and a touch of mustardy bite.

Unlike the others, it tasted better than anything I could easily make at home.

• I tried all the cheeses I could find at Trader Joe's and ranked them from worst to best.
• I didn't like the white Stilton cheese with apricots at all.
• Trader Joe's creamy Toscano cheese soaked in syrah was my favorite.

Trader Joe's has so many cheese options on its shelves that it can be hard to pick just one.

To find out which varieties are worth the money, I purchased 17 different kinds at my New York City location and tasted each one.

Here's how I'd rank them from worst to best — and which I'd definitely buy again.

Trader Joe's white Stilton cheese with apricots was my least-favorite option.

Trader Joe's white Stilton cheese with apricots primarily tasted like the fruit, so it was cloyingly sweet.

I'd only pair the sweet cheese with a breakfast pastry. Still, I'd prefer to use jam or butter instead.

The Comté cheese was too earthy for me.

I didn't like the Comté cheese because I thought it had a deep, unpleasant earthiness.

This option could be a conversation starter on a cheese board, but I'd pair it with fig jam to take the edge off the strong flavor.

The Cotswold double Gloucester cheese with onions and chives reminded me of a baked potato.

The Cotswold double Gloucester cheese had a smooth, almost Velveeta-like texture. The assertive cheese's onion and chive flavors, which reminded me of a loaded baked potato, grew on me after a few bites.

I'd add this cheese to a steaming hot baked potato, with or without sour cream.

The New Zealand sharp cheddar cheese had a unique aftertaste.

Trader Joe's New Zealand sharp cheddar cheese had a subtle, Swiss-like aftertaste that I didn't love.

However, I liked it better when I tried it alongside pepperoni.

The fontina semisoft cheese wasn't memorable.

The fontina was soft, mild, and one of the most forgettable cheeses I tried. Its subtle flavor, milky texture, and red-wax coating reminded me of the Babybel cheeses I pack in my kids' lunches.

I used it to make a particularly creamy mac and cheese, which my family enjoyed.

Trader Joe's Manchego cheese was fine.

The Manchego had a mild, buttery flavor with a hint of sweetness. I'd describe it as a refined Monterey Jack.

It didn't wow me, but it would probably be good on a burger.

The cheddar cheese with scotch bonnet chile and red peppers had a nice kick to it.

The cheddar cheese with scotch bonnet chile and red peppers was one of the strongest options I tried. It was very sweet, fairly spicy, and soft like a classic pimento cheese.

I could see it serving as a great starter for a spicy cheese dip.

The creamy Danish Havarti cheese would be great on sandwiches.

The Havarti had a creamy texture and mild flavor that could work in plenty of dishes.

It would probably be great on sandwiches, especially because Havarti tends to melt well.

Trader Joe's goat milk cheddar-style cheese was tangy.

Trader Joe's goat milk cheddar-style cheese was a great option. It had a sharp, familiar cheddar flavor and a tanginess from the goat milk.

It was surprisingly creamy for a firm cheese. I'd use it on a roasted-turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo.

Trader Joe's Camembert was a smooth, subtle cheese.

Trader Joe's Camembert was silky and mildly earthy. It would be a great mild option on a cheese plate alongside bold flavors like salami or chorizo.

I might also spread some on a fresh baguette.

The Unexpected cheddar was one of the best cheeses I tried.

I didn't expect Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar to be the best cheddar I tried, but its dry, pleasantly grainy texture and sharp, tangy flavor were addictive.

Next time I make chili, I'll be grating this on top.

The Chiave d' Oro raw milk hard cheese was nutty and mild.

Trader Joe's Chiave d' Oro, which translates from Italian to "golden key," was a hard cheese that was surprisingly creamy in texture. It had a mild, nutty flavor and bitter rind.

I'd pair it with honey on a charcuterie board or add it to a salad with a sweet vinaigrette.

Trader Joe's goat's milk Gouda-style cheese was milder than I expected.

I love Gouda-style goat cheese, so I was excited to try this option from Trader Joe's.

I was initially disappointed that the goat's milk Gouda-style cheese tasted milder than expected. Still, it had a subtle earthy flavor and a delicious creamy texture on a cracker. It was especially tasty when paired with a slice of spicy soppressata.

My kids were fans of the Iberico cheese.

This 4-month-old Spanish cheese made with cow, goat, and sheep's milk was hard and sharp, like a buttery Parmesan.

I could see it pairing well with red wine or fruit, like sliced pears. My Parmesan-loving kids liked this cheese the best.

Trader Joe's raw milk cave-aged Le Gruyère was delicious.

The cave-aged Le Gruyère was especially tasty because of its hearty spiciness, earthiness, and delicately granular texture.

It was a powerful cheese that I'd imagine pairing well with whiskey. To serve, it doesn't need much more than a simple cracker.

Trader Joe's bucheron was more flavorful than I expected it to be.

Though Trader Joe's bucheron was the last cheese I tried, it was the one I ate the most of. The soft-ripened goat's milk cheese had an intense flavor that came on slowly.

It had a soft, creamy texture and pleasant tanginess. It would likely make a tasty, indulgent addition to a salad.

The creamy Toscano cheese soaked in syrah was my winner.

The creamy Toscano soaked in syrah was the clear-cut favorite for me and my wife. It was creamy and granular, sharp and sweet, with only a breath of wine flavor.

This cheese paired nicely with a sweet cracker — I'd recommend the Carr's whole-wheat variety or anything with dried fruit.

This story was originally published in April 2024 and most recently updated on March 3, 2025.

• I bought five frozen meals at Trader Joe's and made them all in my air fryer.
• The store's shrimp burgers and carne-asada burritos were pretty much made for the air fryer.
• Sadly, I couldn't get a perfectly crisp and bubbly cup of French onion soup in the air fryer.

I'm a chef and love using my air fryer to whip together quick, easy meals.

Some of Trader Joe's frozen items seem designed for the countertop appliance. However, it can be hard to tell which ones are better off in the microwave or on the stove.

As a test, I made five of Trader Joe's popular frozen meals — shrimp burgers, chicken fried rice, chiles rellenos con queso, carne-asada burritos, and French onion soup — in my air fryer.

Here's how they turned out.

Trader Joe's shrimp seafood burgers are made for air-frying.

I air-fried a couple of frozen shrimp seafood burgers at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

They came out plump and juicy with a lovely golden crust on the outside.

Because the burgers were so juicy, they made a bit of a mess in my air-fryer basket. However, it was quick and easy to clean it out.

Chicken fried rice was a bit of a dark horse.

I don't like making frozen fried rice in the microwave because it stays soft and mushy, but I don't always have the energy to stand over a frying pan.

The air fryer seems like a smart alternative to enhance crispiness.

I dumped about half the bag of Trader Joe's chicken fried rice directly into my air-fryer drawer and cooked it at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.

The chicken cooked nicely without drying out, and the veggies turned bright and crisp, not overcooked or mushy. My one disappointment was that the rice didn't get quite as crispy as I'd hoped.

The chiles rellenos con queso came with air-frying instructions.

Trader Joe's box of frozen chiles rellenos includes two batter-covered, cheese-stuffed peppers.

I followed the box's specified air-fryer instructions to heat the peppers at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, flipping halfway.

They came out beautifully golden — the crust was crunchy and light, and there was no shortage of delicious cheese inside. However, perhaps because of this, the poblanos themselves almost became more of an afterthought flavor-wise.

The carne-asada burritos were another air-frying win.

Trader Joe's carne-asada burritos feature thinly sliced grilled beef and onions wrapped in a thick flour tortilla.

I air-fried a single frozen burrito at 350 degrees for 13 minutes.

The tortilla came out stiffer and darker than if I'd microwaved it, and the interior was still nice and moist. I find the microwave can dry things out sometimes.

The meat was juicy, and there was a good amount of it, but the burrito still benefited from a dunk in spicy salsa for more flavor.

It might sound silly, but I wanted to test the frozen French onion soup.

That's right, soup in the air fryer.

According to the instructions on the box, you're supposed to microwave the soup for five minutes. However, I wanted to maximize the crispy, cheesy top to imitate a restaurant-style crock of French onion soup.

I placed the frozen soup puck in an oven-safe glass container and put it in my air fryer at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

When the timer went off, I got the crispy crown I was after, but the center of the soup wasn't totally defrosted. I was forced to stir until it was fully melted, which scattered the cheese.

Even though I didn't have the top I wanted, once the soup was heated through, it was delicious. The cheese found its way into nearly every bite.

I'm excited to keep cooking most of these in my air fryer.

Overall, the air fryer seems to be a good match for many of Trader Joe's frozen offerings.

I'd choose the appliance every time for the shrimp burgers since it's hands-off. I think it cooks them a little more evenly and reliably than the stove.

I also loved the texture and cheesiness of the air-fried chiles rellenos, and I'm excited to liven them up in the future with extra salsa or taco sauce.

If you like a crispy burrito, the air fryer is definitely the way to go for Trader Joe's frozen offerings.

Although it wasn't absolutely perfect, when I'm in a rush and can't pan-fry the chicken fried rice, I much prefer the air fryer to the microwave.

All that said — and this may not come as a surprise — there's no clear advantage to cooking the French onion soup in an air fryer. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the perfect, crispy topping for that one.

• I'm a vegetarian who works from home and relies on Trader Joe's items for quick lunches and snacks.
• Trader Joe's shredded hash browns are perfect for a homemade brunch.
• Impossible chicken nuggets and Trader Joe's vegetable fried rice make great filling meals.

As someone who works remotely from my Brooklyn apartment, I value quick, easy-to-prep lunches and snacks to keep me full throughout the day.

Once or twice a month, I go to Trader Joe's to stock up on vegetarian staples, frozen foods, and shelf-stable products.

Here are some of my favorite items to buy that keep me fed and fueled up through the workday.

Trader Joe's frozen vegetable fried rice makes a great base for easy lunches.

Trader Joe's frozen vegetable fried rice has a spot of honor in my freezer. I usually spruce it up with some extra chopped vegetables, an egg or two, some edamame, and a drizzle of Sriracha.

It takes less than 10 minutes to make, is just as good as takeout, and costs much less than a lunch special at local restaurants.

I always grab a bag or two of Trader Joe's frozen fruit.

I've found that Trader Joe's bags of frozen fruit are much cheaper than those at other grocery stores near me.

I drink a lot of midday smoothies, so it makes financial sense to stock up on my beloved frozen berries and mango chunks at Trader Joe's.

Greek yogurt is a versatile staple.

Trader Joe's plain Greek yogurt can be used in so many different meals. In my opinion, it's as good with granola and fruit as it is a base for a savory sauce, mixed up while I roast a tray of vegetables and legumes in the oven.

I can never have too many cans of beans.

I go through enough cans of beans that they're worth lugging home on the subway. I like roasting chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and spices for a crunchy snack.

Recently, I also cooked a delicious white bean soup for dinner and used the leftovers for my lunch the next day.

Trader Joe's shredded potato hash browns are perfect for homemade brunch.

I love frying up Trader Joe's shredded potato hash browns with an egg, some shredded cheese, and a few shakes of hot sauce.

If I have kale on hand, I'll shred some and cook it on top of the potatoes to add a green vegetable.

Impossible chicken nuggets aren't just for kids.

Do these plant-based chicken nuggets make me feel a bit like an 8-year-old vegetarian? Yes.

But are they a good source of protein for when I remember I'm going to the gym after work and should eat accordingly? Also yes.

I like to make these delicious nuggets in my toaster oven.

Freeze-dried fruit makes oatmeal more fun.

If you can't tell, I love having breakfast foods for lunch. Oatmeal takes just a few minutes to make, is so filling, and is a real choose-your-own-adventure when it comes to toppings.

I love adding Trader Joe's freeze-dried strawberries, which add great flavor and texture. If I want more of an apple pie flavor, I'll cook the oats in applesauce instead of water or milk and mix in some cinnamon and nutmeg.

Sometimes, I even add some Greek yogurt and nuts for a tasty and filling lunch.

Trader Joe's Sublime ice cream sandwiches make the perfect snack.

The Sublime ice cream sandwiches make me feel like a kid eating a Chipwich on the beach — even when it's 1 p.m., and I'm about to join a Zoom meeting.

These ice cream sandwiches are my favorite single-serve frozen treat from Trader Joe's.

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

• The first Trader Joe's opened in Pasadena, California, in 1967.
• Many of its most recognizable traits, like the nautical theme, date back to its early days.
• Here's how the chain expanded to 42 states and gained cult status over the last 58 years.

When you walk into a Trader Joe's, it feels different from a typical grocery store.

While you can grab everything from bananas to paper towels to beer, the retailer tries to distinguish itself with its small size, low prices, unique products, and friendly staff.

The grocery store has been around for nearly 60 years. Some aspects — like the nautical decor and commitment to offbeat items — haven't changed.

Yet other events, like losing its founder and expanding nationwide, have left their marks on Trader Joe's.

Here are some significant milestones in the brand's history.

There's a real Joe behind the store name.

Born in 1930, Joe Coulombe fell into the retail business after attending Stanford University as an undergrad and then to get his MBA. He met his wife, Alice, there, and they would have three children together.

To make extra money as a graduate student, Coulombe sold vacuums door-to-door, according to his memoir, "Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys."

In the early 1960s, the San Diego native was running several Pronto Markets, what he called a "copy of 7-Eleven," which didn't yet exist in California. Yet he knew he wouldn't be able to compete with the convenience store chain when they did arrive.

The first Trader Joe's opened in 1967 in Pasadena, California.

With the specter of "the 800-pound gorilla" that was 7-Eleven looming, Coulombe had to try something different, he told The Los Angeles Times in 2011.

An avid reader of Scientific American, Coulombe learned in 1965 that more Americans were going to college.

"The demographics were changing in the United States because of the GI Bill of Rights, which was the largest experiment in mass higher education in the history of the human race," he said in a 2018 episode of the "Insider Trader Joe's" podcast. "And I thought that these people would want something different."

Analysts predicted that the upcoming Boeing 747 jumbo jets would dramatically drop the price of international travel, according to The Los Angeles Times. From his days at Pronto, Coulombe knew that people who liked to travel also liked trying new products.

Coulombe decided to cater to this group — the "overeducated and underpaid," as he described them — by offering something more niche than the same basics available in every grocery store or mini-mart.

In 1967, the experiment began with the first Trader Joe's in Pasadena, California. It sold everything from discounted paperbacks and records to pantyhose.

The store's aesthetic was purposefully nautical.

Coulombe wrote in his memoir that he was one of the many 30-somethings drinking mai tais at the tiki bar Trader Vic's in the 1960s. He wanted to capture a similar "fun-leisure-party-prosperity" atmosphere at his store. A trip on Disneyland's Jungle Cruise also influenced him.

At salvage companies near LA's harbor, he found oars, netting, and other marine paraphernalia to deck out the store.

Employees were called crew members and captains instead of cashiers and managers. They wore floral Hawaiian-style shirts. A limited selection of Hawaiian music poured out of the speakers until the workers complained about the lack of variety, according to Coulombe's memoir.

The tiki-inspired theme continues in stores today.

In its early days, Trader Joe's focused on alcohol.

At first, Coulombe planned for Trader Joe's to be tiny, just 4,500 square feet. Yet the building that housed it was almost twice that size. So, he expanded the wine section, bringing in 17 brands of California wines, whereas a gourmet competitor only had seven.

California's Fair Trade laws meant that Trader Joe's couldn't offer discounts on prices, so it hoped to lure customers with sheer variety. The store stocked dozens of brands of Scotch, bourbon, rum, and other liquor.

Coulombe also brought in French wines and managed to import them for cheaper than his competitors.

"I wanted to make sure that every family could afford a bottle of decent wine on the table every night," he wrote in his memoir.

In 1969, Trader Joe's started publishing a precursor to its Fearless Flyer newsletter. Then called the Insider's Wine Report, it helped the underage employees explain the bottles to customers, since they couldn't taste them themselves. A version for the store's food products soon followed.

Today, the Fearless Flyer gives shoppers detailed descriptions of new or seasonal products such as butternut squash mac & cheese or heart-shaped jelly beans.

Granola, bran, and almond butter were some early staples.

In 1970, Scientific American once again swayed the course of Trader Joe's history. An issue dedicated to threats to the environment stunned Coulombe.

Around the same time, the manager of the new Trader Joe's in Santa Ana was evangelizing for health foods. Coulombe was intrigued by the idea that a healthier diet might positively impact the environment, too.

In 1971, the company started introducing health foods alongside its many wines and other alcohol. Customers could get fresh orange juice from the stores' squeezing stations. They could also pick up wheat bran and almond butter, a rarity at the time.

The next year, Trader Joe's created its first private-label product, granola. Over the next few years, it added its branding to dried fruits, nuts, vitamins, and cheese.

In the late-1970s, Trader Joe's started focusing on products you wouldn't find anywhere else.

In 1976, Trader Joe's was still relying on recognizable brands for most of its products, like coffee, bread, and other basics. The small size of its stores meant space was at a premium, and this was when the company shifted its focus.

It got rid of items like soap and light bulbs. It stopped carrying many national brands, like Folgers coffee. Instead, the stores stocked rare items, like unfermented zinfandel grape juice, and gourmet goodies, like handmade berry pie.

Many of the products were unbranded or came under the Trader Joe's label.

Coulombe aimed to give the products names that would amuse his educated, well-traveled customers. These included nods to historical, artistic, and scientific figures, including The Bagel Spinoza, The Peanut Pascal, and Heisenberg's Uncertain Blend of coffee beans.

Small stores and niche products meant that some items weren't always available. They might be seasonal, like its vintage dated canned corn. Coulombe called it "vinous thinking," treating food products like they were rare bottles of wine.

Customers still treat it like a treasure hunt, always on the lookout for an unfamiliar taste or the bargain version of a pricey cheese.

Today, about 85% of Trader Joe's products are private label, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're locally sourced. Some are supplied by brands like Coca-Cola, Taylor Farms, and Campbell's, Fast Company reported in January.

In 1979, Coulombe sold Trader Joe's to the family behind Aldi.

In 1979, Trader Joe's was bought by Theo Albrecht's family trust.

Theo Albrecht was brother to Karl Albrecht. The two expanded dozens of stores across Germany and then split the family business in 1961. Karl's business, Aldi Süd, would eventually lead to the Aldi stores in North America, while Theo's, Aldi Nord, became involved with Trader Joe's.

Coulombe remained with the company until 1989, The LA Times reported, and Aldi Nord allowed the day-to-day running of Trader Joe's to remain the same.

After stepping back from the company, Coulombe went on to serve as president and chief executive for several other retailers. He died in 2020 at the age of 89.

The first Trader Joe's outside California was opened in Phoenix in 1993.

Trader Joe's continued to expand throughout the 1970s and '80s. Coulombe had targeted his ideal "unemployed PhD" customer by opening nearly 30 stores in Southern California, The New York Times reported in 2014.

The chain didn't move outside the state until 1993. By then, John Shields, Coulombe's Stanford fraternity brother, had become chief executive. Three years later, Trader Joe's headed to the East Coast, opening two stores in the Boston area.

When Shields retired in 2001, the company had 158 stores and its annual sales had exploded from $132 million to $2 billion.

Now, the store has over 500 locations in 42 states and Washington DC.

The store's Two-Buck Chuck phenomenon dates back to 2002.

As Trader Joe's started focusing on its private label products, it did away with its vast selection of liquor. However, alcohol, and wine in particular, remained a core part of its identity.

In 2002, the stores began stocking a $1.99 bottle of wine. The secret of how they could sell a wine for so cheap involves its own saga.

Chuck Shaw started his Charles Shaw winery in 1974, making a respected gamay, Thrillist reported in 2017. After several mishaps, the winery went bankrupt in the 1990s, and Fred Franzia, owner of Bronco Wine Company, bought the trade name.

Bronco would take grapes grown in California's Central Valley and bottle the wine at a facility in Napa, where grapes are more expensive, Marketplace reported in 2017. That allowed the company to use the prestige associated with Napa at a fraction of the cost.

Though its price has risen over the years, the wine retains the nickname Two-Buck Chuck. Over a billion bottles have been sold, per The New York Times.

Though Shaw hasn't seen any of that money himself, he told Business Insider in 2018 that he's come to terms with that and is now thrilled to be associated with the wine.

Trader Joe's has reached cult status.

Trader Joe's doesn't just have customers. It has fans who join Facebook pages and Reddit groups to enthuse about their favorite products.

Coulombe purposefully cultivated that response. "[W]e deliberately tried to make it a cult once we got a handle on what we were actually doing," he wrote in his memoir.

The excitement of discovering new products, the chance that your favorite item will be out of stock, and the excessively friendly staff all contribute to that feeling, the hosts of the "Sounds Like a Cult" podcast said in a 2022 episode.

Celebrities from Hillary Duff to Travis Kelce have raved about the chain or been spotted lugging shopping bags full of groceries.

For many people, its comparatively low prices are the biggest draw. Others love the ease of its wide selection of frozen meals.

Last year, Trader Joe's set off a frenzy when customers tried to snap up its $2.99 reusable mini canvas tote, an item that became as coveted as some Stanley cups.

Despite its early adoption of reusable totes and environmentally friendly reputation, groups like the Humane Society, the Climate-Friendly Supermarkets program, Green America, Friends of the Earth, and Toxic-Free Future have given the company low marks for some of its environmental practices or a lack of transparency around its animal welfare policies, for example, Fast Company reported in January.

In 2012, Pirate Joe's brought the store's products to Canada.

Mike Hallatt, the founder of Pirate Joe's, once owned a small Vancouver shop with shelves lined with marina sauce, sweet potato chips, and almonds, all bought from Trader Joe's. The chain had no stores in Canada, so Hallatt would cross the border to Washington State to buy the snacks, sauces, and toiletry items.

Trader Joe's sued Hallatt and barred him from its stores. In 2017, he closed Pirate Joe's for good.

"Many times I've thought I've got to just give this up, this is ridiculous," he told The Guardian in 2017. "Then people would come up to me and thank me for doing it. That was the curse: We had so many people who love what we were up to, and yet it was just so devilishly hard to do."

Tourists from other Trader Joe's-less countries still bring back suitcases full of snacks home.

In 2024, a traveler who returned from the US with 20 bottles of Everything but the Bagel seasoning had to surrender them at the airport in South Korea, CNN reported. The mix contains poppy seeds, which the country doesn't allow anyone to bring in.

Trader Joe's is known for its friendly employees, but some have complained about working conditions.

Crew members often talk with customers while they ring up their purchases. It's not flirting, just friendliness, a national director of public relations for Trader Joe's told Glamour in 2021.

In 2016, The New York Times reported that one employee said he was reprimanded for not smiling genuinely enough. "We do not fire crew members for trivial reasons," Trader Joe's said in a statement at the time. "We pride ourselves on operating our business with integrity and adhering to the law at all times."

In his memoir, Coulombe wrote that the average full-time employee at Trader Joe's made the median family income in California. This wasn't fully altruistic, he wrote, the "policy was grounded partly by the desire to stay un-organized by the Retail Clerks Union."

Concerns about workers' physical safety and the company's response to sexual harassment complaints led Hadley, Massachusetts employees to form the first Trader Joe's union in 2020, Fast Company reported in January.

In the years since, the National Labor Relations Board has filed dozens of unfair labor practice complaints against the company, saying it fired workers or closed stores in retaliation for organizing. In 2024, Trader Joe's joined SpaceX, Starbucks, and Amazon in arguing that the NLRB is unconstitutional.

Customers pushed the company to rename the Trader José line and other products.

Coulombe consciously cultivated Trader Joe's reputation for unique, worldwide products from early on. That included importing Brie from France and maple syrup from Quebec.

As the store started bringing in more international foods under the Trader Joe's branding, "we fell back on some useful naming devices," Coulombe wrote in his memoir. "All Mexican products were Trader Josés. All Japanese products, Trader Joe-San."

In 2020, customers circulated an online petition asking the company to remove the names.

Trader Joe's said it had "made the decision several years ago to use only the Trader Joe's name on our products moving forward," USA Today reported in 2020.

"We want to be clear: we disagree that any of these labels are racist. We do not make decisions based on petitions," Trader Joe's said in a statement at the time.

In 2024, Taste magazine spoke with several creators of small- and medium-sized food brands who said Trader Joe's solicited products from them and expressed interest in partnering up, only to come out with similar items soon after.

One founder said the company had created knockoffs of unique products from culturally diverse brands. "Ethnic foods are specialized items," the founder said. "There's so much history and culture and tradition that you can't do simple knockoffs like you do with everyday items like ketchup or mayo. You need brands like ours to educate you."

"Our common practice is to deal directly with producers or growers rather than purchasing through brokers, distributors, sales agents, or other middlemen," Trader Joe's told Business Insider at the time.

In 2023 and 2024, Trader Joe's recalled products that contained rocks, insects, glass, and plastic.

Over the course of a week in July 2023, Trader Joe's recalled cookies contaminated with rocks and broccoli cheddar soup containing insects, NBC News reported at the time. Just a few months earlier, the company removed its instant cold brew from the shelves over fears that the containers also held shards of glass, per The Takeout.

Several items in Trader Joe's lineup have been pulled for containing plastic, including its steamed chicken soup dumplings in 2024 and its organic acai bowls in February.

In general, food recalls increased by 15% between 2020 and 2024, according to TraceOne. These include outbreaks of listeria, salmonella, and hepatitis A, all of which have affected Trader Joe's.

Food-safety lawyer Bill Marler told Fast Company that Trader Joe's recalls may be linked to the way it sources its own private label. "If you buy from suppliers at low prices, but you don't ask how they could get the price so low and something goes sideways, that's on you," he said.

Trader Joe's did not respond to a request for comment by Business Insider.

• My parents travel around the world in an RV while I'm in New York City, so we're often far apart.
• Trader Joe's keeps us connected because my mom and I often recommend products to each other.
• As a Japanese family, we love to connect over Trader Joe's offerings.

Seeking adventure runs in my blood. My father met my mother after he asked his friend if he knew a girl who scuba dives and rides motorcycles. My parents have been diving and riding together for more than 30 years now.

This also meant that as soon as I left my childhood home in California, my parents sold it, bought an RV, and have been on the road. Every time I call them, I'm not sure where they are. Every Thanksgiving, I have to call them and figure out where they would be. One year, they were in Utah, another in Florida.

I, on the other hand, settled down in New York City, which means I'm often thousands of miles away from my parents.

Unexpectedly, Trader Joe's has been invaluable in keeping my Japanese family connected.

Trader Joe's: Our surprising family anchor

My mother and I love Trader Joe's. I remember tagging along as a kid, always asking to get a bucket of the alliterative masterpiece that is the "Crispy Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies."

Perhaps it's the familiar handwritten chalkboard signs or the clanging of the bells calling for employees across the store, but today, every time I step into a Trader Joe's, I feel like I'm shopping with my mother.

Every time I grab a pack of Japanese fried rice or the amazing Kimbap (I excitedly told my mom a few months ago over the phone that my local store increased the customer limit from two to four), I'm reminded that my mother recommended those items to me.

Whenever I look for a new apartment in New York, I keep a separate Google Maps tab open on my browser that shows all the Trader Joe's locations nearby. When I moved into a new apartment a few years ago, the first question my mother asked me was whether a Trader Joe's was close.

Whenever my mother and father arrive in a new town, I ask my mother whether there's a Trader Joe's. Last time, somewhere in Wyoming, she responded, "That's the thing, it's beautiful here but no Trader Joe's. But don't worry, I stocked up on the Japanese fried rice, and it's in the freezer, so we're good."

When I visit, I've even offered to bring with me what I can from my local Trader Joe's when they're somewhere without easy access to one.

We keep in touch by recommending Trader Joe's products to each other

My mother recently sent me a photo of the brand's Butternut Squash Soup, Thai Yellow Curry Sauce, and a can of coconut milk. She texted, "Apparently, if you mix these up and throw in some veggies and some meat, it's really good."

Our relationship with national news is also shaped by Trader Joe's, too. The bird flu is causing egg prices to hit a record high. At my nearest grocery store, a dozen eggs were $10, nearly a dollar per egg. Meanwhile, my mother sent me a photo the other day from Trader Joe's showing that they've implemented a limit of one egg product per customer while keeping the egg prices at a much more reasonable $3.49 per dozen. She said, "Trader Joe's is so admirable! Check out this price."

Additionally, when I travel 5,000 miles away to Japan, Trader Joe's still manages to bring our family together. I found out that their "Daily Facial Sunscreen" works really well on my skin, not leaving a white cast. I bought a few and brought them over to Japan to give to my grandma, who loves skincare.

My grandmother loved it so much she told my mother about it. My mother then sent me a message asking where I got the sunscreen, and she got excited when she learned I bought it from our favorite store.

I'm glad we have something to bond over when we're so far apart

I doubt that Trader Joe's designed its products or its shopping experience to foster a sense of connection between members of a Japanese family scattered around the US.

But that's exactly what they've done.

Now, please excuse me. My mother just messaged me about Trader Jo's sea salt from Portugal, which comes "in a really cute container." She says she loves how it looks on her countertop, and 3000 miles away, I'd love to find out whether it looks good on mine.

• As a dietitian, I prioritize protein and fiber to stay full and keep my blood-sugar levels stable.
• Trader Joe's has a stellar selection of simple foods that help me eat more protein and fiber.
• The precooked lentils, frozen salmon burgers, and marinated chicken thighs make meals easy.

As a registered dietitian, protein and fiber are two of my top nutrition priorities because they help me stay full and promote balanced blood-sugar levels.

Trader Joe's is one of my favorite places to shop when I need to stock my kitchen with easy, filling foods that pack both nutrients.

Here are some of my favorite things to buy at Trader Joe's.

Frozen edamame is the ultimate snack.

When I want a filling snack that has lots of nutritional value, I opt for frozen edamame. Trader Joe's sells bags of the legume both in the pod and shelled.

It's convenient for a quick snack, but it also makes for a delicious addition to Asian-inspired rice bowls.

One serving contains about 8 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

The store's egg wraps are a protein-rich vehicle for fillings.

Trader Joe's egg wraps are my favorite option for a higher-protein alternative to tortillas.

They taste pretty neutral, so they take on the flavor of whatever you choose to fill them with. Some days I use them for savory meals such as tacos, and other times, I use them as a base for a sweet snack of Greek yogurt and jam.

Two wraps contain 8 grams of protein.

Plain Greek yogurt is great for breakfast bowls and homemade sauces.

It may not be the most exciting thing on the list, but Trader Joe's plain, nonfat Greek yogurt is essentially pure protein. One serving contains 17 grams.

I often use it as a base for breakfast bowls to help keep me full and energized for my day.

Greek yogurt is also a great creamy base for homemade sauces. I like to make a burger sauce with yogurt, ketchup, mustard, and chopped pickles.

Trader Joe's steamed lentils are a game changer.

Trader Joe's steamed lentils are excellent because they're already cooked. That means I can get all of the wonderful nutritional benefits of eating legumes without the effort of soaking and cooking them.

I like to prepare a lentil salad with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and Greek dressing for an easy and satisfying lunch. I also enjoy popping them in the microwave and plating them up as a simple side dish for a warm dinner.

Each serving packs 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber.

Rolled oats are a pantry staple.

Trader Joe's rolled oats are a must-have in my pantry. I love that they have 5 grams of fiber per serving.

They're super easy to whip together in just a few minutes and are an awesome base for whatever flavors you like — sweet or savory.

If I'm going sweet, I like to add vanilla protein powder to bolster the 6 grams of protein in each serving of the oats.

Shawarma chicken thighs elevate my typical weeknight dinners.

Chicken is my protein of choice at dinner, but preparing it in the same few ways can get boring.

Trader Joe's marinated shawarma chicken thighs help me switch things up, thanks to the savory and delicious spice blend.

They pack 21 grams of protein per serving and pair well with rice, salad, and hummus for a satisfying yet balanced meal.

I pick up Trader Joe's chicken meatballs once a week.

The store's chicken meatballs are high in protein and flavor.

I like to throw them in a pasta dish or pop them into the air fryer to serve with rice and a veggie. They're fully cooked, so all I have to do is heat them through.

A serving of four meatballs contains a whopping 16 grams of protein.

The chain's premium salmon burgers are one of my top picks for a low-effort lunch.

If you want to eat more seafood but don't want a dish that tastes too fishy, try Trader Joe's frozen salmon burgers. Each patty has 15 grams of protein.

I like that they don't need to be thawed before cooking, which makes things easier on busy work-from-home days when I need a quick lunch.

After cooking the patty on the stovetop, I assemble my burger with arugula, red onion, and some sort of sauce.

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• My 4-year-old daughter and I tried boxed mac and cheese from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Wegmans.
• Overall, they were all incredibly similar, and I'd buy any of them again.
• However, the version from Trader Joe's was my personal favorite.

Like a lot of busy parents, I keep at least one box of mac and cheese in my cupboard at all times. It's inexpensive, easy to prepare, and something my kids will reliably eat.

However, practically every supermarket chain offers its own house-brand mac and cheese, so I was curious to see which one was best.

So, I grabbed boxes from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Wegmans and tasted them with my 4-year-old daughter. Here's what we thought of each one.

The Trader Joe's mac and cheese was my favorite.

At first taste, my favorite was the Trader Joe's version. To me, it looked like it had the richest orange hue of the three brands and the creamiest, meltiest texture to the cheese sauce.

I thought it tasted like it had a hint more salt than the others, bringing out more of the cheese flavor.

My daughter preferred Wegmans' mac and cheese over the other two we tried.

My daughter liked the Wegmans version best, but personally, it was my second favorite.

The cheese powder didn't seem to dissolve as evenly in the Wegmans pasta as it did in the other two, which actually made it feel a little more like real cheese.

To me, it had a mellow, buttery taste that was a little less assertive than the Trader Joe's version.

The 365 by Whole Foods version was pretty good, too.

Although neither of us chose the 365 by Whole Foods mac and cheese as our favorite, it wasn't bad.

However, the Wegmans and Trader Joe's recipes called for the same amount of butter and milk, while this version called for less of both.

That said, it was similar enough to the other two that it felt reasonable to wonder if the only difference was how it was prepared.

I thought it had a milky flavor, was a touch less cheesy than the other two, and had the smoothest sauce.

Overall, I'd buy all of these again.

After tasting all the boxes of mac and cheese, my daughter and I conducted blind taste tests to see if we could correctly identify which was which. However, neither of us could identify them with any sort of consistency.

They were all incredibly similar and perfectly suitable for my boxed mac and cheese needs. Truthfully, I'd buy any of them again.

• As a busy mom, I sometimes rely on Trader Joe's to create delicious meals for my family.
• We love Italian-inspired dishes like the sweet-potato gnocchi and butternut-squash lasagna.
• When I want something sweet, I reach for the green-tea mochi.

I love to cook meals from scratch, but as a busy mom, there are some days where I just don't have the time.

Over the years, I've found lots of tried-and-true frozen meals from Trader Joe's that come in handy when there's not enough time to labor over the stove.

Here are 10 frozen foods I never leave the store without buying.

Trader Joe's sweet-potato gnocchi is soft, pillowy, and filling. 

Trader Joe's sweet-potato gnocchi with butter and sage is an amazing comfort food. The soft gnocchi perfectly sops up the rich, buttery sage sauce.

Best of all, the sweet-potato gnocchi takes about 10 minutes to cook and serve. I like to garnish the dish with fresh sage and serve it with warm, crusty bread.

We typically prefer to eat this vegetarian dish on its own, but you can easily add chicken, sausage, or another protein.

When it's in stock, the butternut-squash lasagna is a perfect meat-free comfort food. 

Though frozen lasagna doesn't sound all that exciting, Trader Joe's butternut-squash version is an elevated rendition of the Italian staple.

The butternut-squash-béchamel sauce, made with carrots and butter, is velvety and slightly smoky. The pumpkin seeds, chives, rosemary, and pepper also give the dish a flavorful punch, making it a nice alternative to the typical pasta and tomato sauce. 

Trader Joe's butternut-squash lasagna only takes about 10 minutes in the microwave, but if you have the time, I recommend popping it in the oven to get it perfectly crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

I found Trader Joe's gnocchi al Gorgonzola surprisingly delicious.

This gnocchi is super easy to prepare — simply add the bag's contents and some oil to a skillet. I like to jazz this dish up with vegetables like peas, tomatoes, and spinach, or proteins such as pancetta, sausage, or chicken. 

Trader Joe's Thai vegetable gyoza is a vegan delight. 

Trader Joe's vegetable gyoza is stuffed with white cabbage, carrots, chives, white radish, onion, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. These crescent-shaped dumplings can be steamed, microwaved, or pan-fried.

I like to brown the wrappers in a cast-iron skillet for a slight crunch — all you need is a little oil and water. I serve these with extra soy sauce for dipping, steamed rice, and simple stir-fried vegetables. 

The bean, rice, and cheese burritos make a great lunch or dinner.

My 9-year-old loves Mexican-inspired food as much as I do, and she's a big fan of Trader Joe's bean, rice, and cheese burritos.

Though this two-pack can be prepared in the microwave, I think the burritos taste so much better baked in the oven, especially with enchilada sauce. Once they've cooked through, I add shredded cheese and broil the dish to give the simple meal a restaurant feel. 

I recommend pairing the burritos with Spanish rice and black beans for a complete, inexpensive meal. 

The vegetable bird's nests look beautiful when plated. 

These nest-shaped combinations of onions, carrots, and kale come fully cooked, so all you need to do is heat them and serve.

They can be deep fried, but I prefer to air-fry or bake them on a cookie sheet.

The package also comes with soy dipping sauce, which I defrost by submerging it in a mug of hot water.

The salsa-verde chicken enchiladas are zesty and delicious. 

These chicken enchiladas come with salsa verde made with tomatillos and green chiles. I like how the shredded chicken really lets the chile flavor come through.

They're great with cilantro, brown rice, beans, and some shredded cheese or guacamole.

I like to grab Trader Joe's frozen organic fruit for smoothies.

I love the convenience of smoothies, so I always stock up on Trader Joe's organic frozen fruit. My favorites are the organic raspberries, wild blueberries, and mango chunks.

The mini French baguettes are one of the store's best items. 

I'm lucky to live near a bakery — but they often sell out of baguettes before noon. When this happens, I turn to Trader Joe's mini French baguettes. 

They're already partially baked, so they only need four to six minutes in the oven to get soft, chewy, and crisp on the outside.

They're the perfect accompaniment to a hearty winter soup, stew, or slow-cooked meal. 

Trader Joe's green-tea mochi is the perfect sweet treat.

When it comes to desserts, Trader Joe's has some unique finds, like this six-count box of green-tea mochi. These chewy bites contain soft, flavorful green-tea ice cream in the center, perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.

These are best enjoyed when taken out of the freezer to defrost for a few minutes before eating (if you can resist the wait).

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• I tried orange chicken from Trader Joe's, Panda Express, and P.F. Chang's to find the best one.
• P.F. Chang's dish was my least favorite and also the most expensive. 
• Although Panda Express' was great, Trader Joe's orange chicken won based on its price.

Orange chicken is a popular dish that's been around for decades, but there's still some debate about the best place to get it. 

Panda Express' former executive chef Andy Kao is said to have premiered the Chinese-American recipe in 1987, and in 2017, over 50% of the chain's customers ordered the dish as part of their meal.

What started out as a mere addition to the Panda Express menu went on to become a food phenomenon, as restaurants and grocery chains around the world now offer their own version of the dish, with some rivaling the popularity of the original.

I decided to sample three of the most popular orange-chicken takes on the market from Trader Joe's, Panda Express, and P.F. Chang's to see which was best.

Trader Joe's award-winning Mandarin-orange chicken was just as delicious as actual takeout

Trader Joe's Mandarin-orange chicken is one of the brand's most popular items — it's so beloved by shoppers that it's earned a spot in the chain's Product Hall of Fame. After trying it for the first time last year, I could understand the hype.

But the most obvious difference between Trader Joe's orange chicken and its taste-test competitors is it's the only one that requires any actual cooking.

It's a drawback in some ways but in others, it's a plus, as you can add as little or as much sauce to the chicken as you want and choose to fry or oven-bake the dish.

You can also doctor it up with some chili oil or flakes if you favor spice. 

Trader Joe's orange chicken also had the crispiest texture

Once the Trader Joe's orange chicken was prepared, I couldn't even tell I'd cooked it from frozen. 

From bite-sized crisps to chewy mouthfuls, the fried-chicken pieces came in varying sizes, so no two scoops were identical.

The breading on this chicken's exterior was much thicker than most restaurant versions, which I found gave every bite a satisfying crunch. The meat was also surprisingly soft even after being cooked under the dry heat of the oven.

Without being super heavy or oily, this meal reminded me of a typical fried-chicken entrée.

The sauce that comes with the dish is much thinner than some others, so much so that it's more like a glaze. I combined the ingredients in a shallow mixing bowl, which left each piece nicely coated.

Good orange chicken is mostly defined by its sauce, which is why Panda Express' balanced mix of sweet, tangy, and savory remains unmatched. And although it wasn't identical, Trader Joe's orange-chicken glaze came close to mimicking the iconic combo.

Flavor-wise, the grocery chain's sauce is much less spicy than Panda Express', but it still had a nice, even blend of tangy orange flavor and a sweetness that didn't taste syrupy or artificial.

It leaned slightly more to the acidic side, which nicely cut down the sugar and created a wonderfully balanced dish. 

Panda Express' orange chicken had the most memorable flavor

According to NPR, Panda Express is believed to have invented this popular dish in the 1980s when a chef at one of the chain's Hawaii locations experimented with creating a spin on General Tso's chicken.

I've eaten this restaurant's orange chicken for as long as I can remember. Affordable, tasty, and consistent, it's pretty difficult to beat as far as fast-food dishes go.

At a glance, the order looks pretty unassuming — it's essentially bite-sized morsels of fried dark-meat chicken coated in a sticky, tangy orange sauce with no vegetables anywhere in sight.

Served in the signature red takeout box, it's a simple, no-frills option that's pretty much designed for convenient eating.

But don't let presentation fool you — this orange chicken hit all the right notes of a perfect takeout meal.

The chain's signature sauce really made this chicken a standout hit

Thick enough to cling well to every piece but not so syrupy that you have to scoop it up with a fork, this sauce balanced honeyed sweetness and tang just right.

Plus the lip-smacking umami finish lingered on the inside of my cheeks and kept me reaching for more like a bag of salty potato chips would.

The orange flavor was clearly detectable, but it didn't overpower the entire dish, which I actually prefer so my dinner doesn't taste like a mimosa. And a kick of chili came through to give each bite an extra oomph.  

Plus every chicken morsel was fried to perfection and had a tender, juicy center.

Compared to the other two dishes I tried, this one's breading-to-chicken ratio was just right, as the coating on each piece was thick enough to provide an initial crunch without tasting like fried bread.

To put it plainly, the chain's meal was perfectly balanced, and I wouldn't expect any less from a company that's had several decades to perfect its recipe.

Currently, a small order costs under $5 and gets you enough food to eat as an entrée for one or a light snack for two. This seemed like a pretty solid deal until I realized that an entire multi-serving bag of orange chicken from Trader Joe's is only $4.99. 

P.F. Chang's orange chicken had a refreshing, homemade taste

A single order from my local P.F. Chang's cost me $14.95, making it the most expensive orange chicken I tried for this taste test. But to be fair, that price gets you a more sophisticated version of this takeout classic. 

Right off the bat, I was impressed by how this meal looked. 

Garnished with fresh orange slices delicately placed around the edges and finely minced scallions speckled throughout the center, this entée consisted of several thick pieces of meat doused in a vibrant sauce.

This order also came with a side of rice at no extra cost. Compared to the others, this option had the appearance of a complete meal rather than a snack or appetizer.

Although the chicken was juicy and well-marinated, the orange-peel sauce was slightly too sweet for my liking

According to its menu, P.F. Chang's current orange chicken features a recently updated recipe. Since I've never tasted the previous version, I can't accurately speak to what's different about this new one. 

The chain describes its orange-peel chicken as "lightly battered" with a "sweet citrus-chili sauce" and "fresh orange slices" — and based on what I tried, that seems accurate.

To start, the chicken was cooked perfectly — I'm talking melt-in-your-mouth quality. 

I don't know what's in the batter, but I'd have to guess it contains some cornstarch, as each piece of chicken had a thin outer layer of breading with a delicate crisp that gave way to a tender meat interior.

It could be that I'm so used to the fast-food version of this dish, but the sauce seemed off-balance and was a little too tangy and fruity for my liking. It reminded me of an orange marmalade with the slightest whisper of chili.

The sauce's jelly-like texture oddly paired with the fried meat, and there was also way too much — the chicken was practically swimming in it.

And although I appreciated the fresh oranges, they seemingly served no real purpose beyond garnish. 

I'll give P.F. Chang's props for elevating this classic takeout dish and putting an upscale spin on it, but I can't picture myself craving orange chicken and immediately reaching for this fancier version first, especially when others exist for half the cost.

If you love traditional sweet-and-sour sauce or the "orange" half of the equation the most, you'd probably enjoy this option. But if you're looking for something with that familiar orange-and-spice combo, I'd advise ordering from elsewhere.

Still, if I went to an office party or a dinner soiree where P.F. Chang's was being catered, I definitely wouldn't turn this dish away. 

Despite having to cook it myself, Trader Joe's orange chicken may be my new go-to

P.F. Chang's meal had a yummy, fresh taste to it, but its citrus-forward sauce lacked the distinct orange-chicken seasoning found in the other versions. And although the portion size was generous, it is still much pricier than the other two options.

But when choosing a go-to orange chicken, it really comes down to preference.

If you like yours on the sweeter side, you may find P.F. Chang's meal to be just right. If you favor more of a spicy or tangy taste, you'd probably enjoy the other two.

With a winning combination of sweet, tangy, and umami, Panda Express is clearly the expert when it comes to this iconic dish. That said, Trader Joe's orange chicken left me feeling equally as satisfied.

And the fact that I can buy a 22-ounce bag of it from the store for almost the same price as a small order from Panda Express made it quite clear to me who the winner of my orange-chicken battle had to be.

Sure, eating it requires a little bit more work than simply ordering takeout. But considering I can get at least two meals out of it for the price of one, Joe can go ahead and take my money.