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'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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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.

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.

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 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. 

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. 

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.

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 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.

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. 

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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My kids can't believe these flavorful Caesar, green-goddess, and creamy-dill dressings in the refrigerated section are completely plant-based. Plus, they have less than 100 calories a serving and are made from simple ingredients.

I'm vegan and the rest of my family isn't, so they're my answer for zhuzhing up steamed vegetables, grain bowls, wraps, and, of course, salads.

I'm always looking for ways to add more protein to meals, and I do so to our noodle dishes by using certain pasta varieties from Trader Joe's.

There are several options for pasta with up to 14 grams of protein a serving, including varieties made with lentils, brown rice, quinoa, and chickpeas.

Beyond pasta night, I also use the noodles to ramp up salads, veggie stir-fries, and curries.

Trader Joe's simple can of vegetarian chili is great on nights when I don't feel like cooking. It's vegan, so everyone in my family can enjoy it.

I love that the added pea protein boosts the protein content of the red beans.

I serve it with a variety of toppings so everyone can pick what they like. I'll also use it as a topping for baked potatoes or sweet potato "nachos."

There's a wide variety variety of salad kits at Trader Joe's, from sweet-chili mango to pizza ranch.

Sometimes I just follow the package instructions to build a flavorful salad, but the kits have also inspired a number of dinners in my house. I use the Mediterranean kit as a base for falafel bowls and the Southwestern chopped as a pizza topping.

New varieties always seem to be popping up on shelves, creating limitless options for creativity.

Preparing beans and legumes can be time-consuming, but they're one of the best plant-based protein sources. So, the prepared lentil package in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe's is a handy staple.

I use it in countless ways — to fill taco shells, stir into pasta sauces, and sprinkle on salads, to name a few.

I've also combined the lentils with lemon juice, fresh herbs, and Trader Joe's bruschetta to make a hearty filling for a wrap.

Trader Joe's offers a variety of tofu, but the high-protein super-firm, baked teriyaki-flavored, and baked Sriracha-flavored varieties are my favorites.

The pre-seasoned and baked varieties are ready to slice, crumble, or air fry without any prep. Meanwhile, the high-protein tofu can be whipped up for a number of dishes and provides 5 more grams of protein per serving than the store's standard extra-firm block.

Some of my menu highlights include grilled tofu "steaks" topped with chimichurri and breaded tofu sticks served with dipping sauces.

I always keep a box of Trader Joe's brown rice in my freezer to make easy weeknight meals — from grain bowls and stir-fries to burritos and casseroles.

Instead of meal-prepping a big pot of rice at the start of the week, I can just pull out one of these packets and microwave it for four minutes.

I'm also a fan of the store's frozen jasmine rice.

Much to my kids' chagrin, one of the easiest ways to level up the nutrition factor in my family's meals is to add more vegetables.

Luckily, all of us can get behind Trader Joe's fun zucchini spirals and butternut-squash zig-zags.

I toss the spiralized zucchini with protein-enriched spaghetti and use the butternut-squash pieces to replace thicker noodles in soups and casseroles.

Trader Joe's package of lightly salted edamame is ready to eat, making it a go-to for my Asian-inspired meals.

I sprinkle them into stir-fries, teriyaki bowls, and sushi rolls, but they're also just great for snacking.

We go through the refrigerated package in a week and don't have to worry about it going bad, but there's also a frozen option.

Tossed with soybean oil, lemon juice, parsley, salt, cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper, Trader Joe's Greek chickpeas are my shortcut for adding zest and plant protein to meals.

For salads, I skip the dressing and toss the chickpeas directly into the bowl with the juice of a lemon. Or, I'll roast them until crunchy and use them as croutons.

I also love to spoon them over grilled vegetables such as zucchini, cauliflower, and portobello mushrooms.

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I pick up Italian extra-virgin olive oil at Trader Joe's.

The best quality olive oil is extra virgin, meaning the oil is extracted the first time the olives are pressed for their liquid.

My favorite part about olive oil is its versatility. I use it as a nonstick agent on my pans, a base for sautéeing veggies, and a topper for added garnish and flavor.

When creating my shopping list, I prioritize what I can purchase fresh — especially when it comes to herbs.

After all, any dish can be elevated with fresh herbs.

If I know I need to use my herbs over an extended period, I put them in a resealable bag with a damp paper towel in the fridge to help extend their freshness.

Trader Joe's has several tomato varieties, from cherry tomatoes for easy snacking to Roma tomatoes for making sauces.

I prefer to purchase tomatoes on the vine because I find they have a longer shelf life. Longevity is a priority because I'm only meal-prepping for one.

An essential part of the Mediterranean diet is eating whatever fruits and vegetables are in season.

So, I stock up on seasonal vegetables at Trader Joe's, where I find produce in season is often centerstage and reasonably priced.

I also like to check Trader Joe's website for recipe inspiration for my seasonal veggies.

There's a reason garlic and onion are classics in Mediterranean cooking: Both are delicious and high in natural antioxidants.

My Trader Joe's carries a wide selection of onions, so I always know it will almost always have the variety I want. However, I also love swapping basic white onions for the more delicately flavored shallot.

I like to dice onion and garlic, sauté them in olive oil, and store them in an airtight container in my fridge to use throughout the week for omelets, veggies, and pasta.

I've found that beans are a popular source of protein for the Mediterranean diet.

I use canned beans to whip up quick dips and salads that pair perfectly with fresh sliced bread. Sometimes, I blend them with fresh herbs, pasta water, and lemon juice to make a creamy protein-packed sauce.

Although not necessarily a crucial part of the Mediterranean diet, pasta is a great base if you want to consume more legumes and veggies. Sometimes, I also top my pasta with a white-bean sauce to create a high-protein dish.

I like to stock up on several different pasta shapes so I never get bored mixing and matching them with new sauces.

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This story was originally published on January 2, 2024, and most recently updated on January 3, 2025.

Whether you're not a baker or just short on time, Trader Joe's multipurpose gingerbread mix is great for making cookies, cakes, bars, and more.

The mix itself is naturally plant-based, and to keep it that way, I use a flax egg and plant-based butter when I prepare it.

In the winter, I rely on Trader Joe's flavorful holiday vegetable hash.

Since the peeling and chopping are already done, I just sauté or roast the mixture of diced butternut squash, sweet potatoes, red onions, celery, parsley, sage, and rosemary before adding it to dishes.

It gives me a headstart on dinner when I'm making stuffing, soup, or side dishes with quinoa and wild rice. The mix also tastes great in breakfast scrambles and burritos.

Sweet meets savory in Trader Joe's seasonal peppermint-crunch popcorn, which mixes dark- and white-chocolate-coated kernels tossed in crushed candy canes.

It's great for a holiday dessert table or a cozy movie marathon, but it also makes a nice host gift.

Sometimes, I'll even add it to a larger holiday snack mix or rice-crispy treats for extra festive cheer.

It's easy to keep my candy dishes full with Trader Joe's gummy Scandinavian Tidings, which come in all sorts of festive shapes.

I also saw a Festive Chaos candy mix this year. It contains bovine gelatin, so it's not vegan, but the rest of my family can enjoy it.

Aside from snacking, these festive bags make excellent stocking stuffers. You can also use them to decorate gingerbread houses and top holiday cupcakes and cookies.

Perhaps the most anticipated product of the season at Trader Joe's is its candy-cane Joe-Joe's.

The peppermint sandwich cookies are great on a holiday dessert board, chopped and stirred into a bowl of ice cream, crumbled on top of eggnog, and dunked into mugs of hot cocoa.

You could even crush them into bits to make an easy pie crust.

The regular candy-cane Joe-Joe's are "accidentally" vegan — meaning they just happen to be fully plant-based. However, the gluten-free version of the cookies may contain milk and eggs, per the ingredient list.

Zesty lemon-stuffed olives are my top pick for adding flair to cocktails, mezze platters, and charcuterie boards.

The citrusy olives are good as a right-out-of-the-jar snack, but I also skewer them on toothpicks alongside vegan cheese and cocktail tomatoes or chop and swirl them into dips.

If lemon isn't your thing, other stuffed-olive options are available, including garlic and jalapeño.

The vegan peppermint mini marshmallows are something I look forward to all year.

Toast and sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate for festive s'mores, or melt them with vegan butter for a holiday take on the quintessential rice-crispy treat.

For the ultimate seasonal beverage, I like to include them on my hot-cocoa bars alongside plant-based whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

I check appetizers off my to-do list with Trader Joe's frozen crispy vegetable pouches.

The pockets of pastry dough are filled with jicama, taro, cabbage, carrots, onions, and shiitake mushrooms for an elegant plant-based hors d'oeuvre.

They're seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and red chili, adding global flavors to your holiday menu. Plus, they're ready to eat in under 15 minutes.

This story was originally published on December 21, 2024, and most recently updated on December 23, 2024.

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When I have time to make breakfast, I opt for an egg sandwich with mushrooms and kale on a Trader Joe's classic English muffin for a low-sugar, moderate-carbohydrate meal.

Because I exercise a lot, I try to ensure I'm getting my macros — a balance of carbs, fats, and proteins my body needs.

This English muffin has 24 grams of carbohydrates per serving, and the two eggs have about 12 grams of protein.

I've stuck with Trader Joe's peanut butter my whole adult life. I use it in homemade protein balls or simply have it with a banana or apple for a quick snack.

I love that this product has only one ingredient — dry-roasted peanuts.

Not to sound boring, but cottage cheese can be a great high-protein, low-carb breakfast. This particular cottage cheese has 12 grams of protein per serving.

If I want something simple for breakfast, I'll have cottage cheese and fruit. If I'm in the mood for something savory (but don't feel like bringing out a pan), I'll eat it with salsa.

For me, Trader Joe's seaweed snacks are a perfectly portioned low-carb potato-chip replacement.

They give me the same satisfaction as a handful of chips, and each package contains 3 grams of protein.

I love keeping microwavable breakfast bowls in my freezer for busy weeks when I don't want to deal with dishes.

This breakfast bowl has scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, and cheddar cheese — so each serving is mainly protein (32 grams) and fat (27 grams). However, it's important to remember that some fat is not necessarily a bad thing.

Trader Joe's chicken strips are high in protein, and the retailer carries various prepared options: grilled chili-lime, grilled balsamic-vinegar-and-rosemary, plain, and grilled lemon-pepper chicken.

I go through moods when I can eat the same thing for several days or weeks at a time, and these strips, paired with a bag of salad, are a great go-to option when I'm in this routine. 

I like to pair Trader Joe's broccoli-and-kale slaw with chicken for a low-carb, low-sugar salad. I also like the classic Greek salad because it has fiber, protein from feta cheese, and little sugar. 

Additionally, the lemon-basil pasta salad is pretty low in carbohydrates and sugar (considering it's made with pasta), with only 26 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of sugar per serving. 

On my latest trip, I wanted fresh veggies and dip, so I opted for these teeny tiny tomatoes to pair with a dressing.

These look and taste like tiny heirloom tomatoes and are great in salads. Because they're so small, they don't even need to be sliced.

Trader Joe's carries a few low-sugar dressing options — this week, I went with the Green Goddess dressing. 

I couldn't resist buying figs when I saw them, so I impulse-purchased this cheese to pair with them.

Though I was craving a sweet snack, my Trader Joe's also carries goat's-milk cheese without honey.

Trader Joe's squiggly noodles take only four minutes to boil. They come with soy-and-sesame-sauce packets, though I also like to pair them with a high-protein peanut sauce or Trader Joe's crunchy chili-onion topping.

This week, I used the noodles in a stir fry. To make the dish, I sautéed a few vegetables and baked Trader Joe's wild, raw Argentinian red shrimp on a sheet pan for 25 minutes.

I tossed everything together in the same pot and had leftovers for the rest of the week.

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