Wirecutter - Our favorite things from Trader Joe’s

Michael Murtaugh

The Peanut Butter Protein Granola is the perfect breakfast for people who would rather be having dessert but also need a bit of energy to start their day. Crunchy, sweet, and a little salty in that peanut butter sandwich kind of way, this granola is my favorite out of the wide variety of oat and nut combinations offered at Trader Joe’s. It’s perfect to pair with some TJ’s nondairy oat beverage, on top of some yogurt, or mixed into creamy overnight oats. I’ve been known to grab it by the handful for a midafternoon snack.

—Bella Sayegh, editorial projects intern

Michael Murtaugh

These are the Trader Joe’s version of Takis, but they taste way better and don’t burn my esophagus like Takis do. They’re the perfect amount of heat and lime and are the best impulse buy I’ve ever made. The last time I went to TJ’s, I grabbed three bags of these. They’re great with guacamole or just on their own!

—Jasmine Khoury, software engineer

Michael Murtaugh

This can is packed to full capacity with chickpea goodness and herby delight. I’ve thrown it in a pan with feta, tomato, and eggs for breakfast, tossed it with greens, lemon, and parm for a quick salad, and made many a piecemeal dinner with it (my favorite way is with rice and leftover veg). I love how versatile this can of chickpeas is, how I can pop it open anywhere (I have done so on road trips), and how filling it can be. Mind the herby oil that can spill out if you go in too fast—just catch it with some bread!

—Ana Paola Wong, associate operations manager

Michael Murtaugh

These Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Cups are a mix of salty, sweet, and nutty (but without peanuts), and they’re vegan. Personally, I think they taste better than peanut butter cups.

—Jasmine Khoury, software engineer

Michael Murtaugh

Yes, you could blend up your own chimichurri in a food processor and worry about it being too spicy, or too herby, or too oily—and then have to clean said food processor. Or you could buy this simple Trader Joe’s sauce for about $4 and eat it by the spoonful without a care in the world. I tear through a tub of this tangy sauce in about a week. I love it spread on grilled meat or fish, stirred into scrambled eggs, or plopped atop a dang Triscuit (or 10) with cream cheese. I put it on the hot flesh of baked potatoes with melted butter. Sometimes I save the potato skins, crisp them up in the oven, and put the chimichurri on them, too. The versatility and deliciousness of this sauce makes me feel sad for anyone who hates cilantro!

—Catherine Kast, supervising editor

Michael Murtaugh

I asked for this cake for my birthday—that’s how good it is. It comes in both vanilla and chocolate (I personally like the vanilla more). It’s not too sweet or too bread-like, and it’s soft and creamy—the perfect balance. When I buy these cakes, I literally keep a spoon next to it and eat right out of the package.

—Jasmine Khoury, software engineer

Kaitlin Mahar

When you picture scones, you may imagine them among the queen of England’s spread at afternoon tea, alongside tiers of cucumber sandwiches and petit fours. You may also think … dry. Trader Joe’s buttery, cakey Glazed Vanilla Bean Scones will remedy any bad baked good run-ins you may have experienced. They’re rich enough to have as a dessert and substantial enough for breakfast when a donut just won’t cut it. They’re also pretty enough to put out when hosting guests or for a casual at-home brunch. I love that you can actually see the specks of real vanilla bean in the scones and their glaze.

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—Kaitlin Mahar, newsletter specialist

Michael Murtaugh

I like spicy foods, but I prefer the kind of spicy that doesn’t take away from the main dish—these jalapeños do just that. They’re the perfect balance of sweet and heat. I love to put them in cowboy caviar, on BLTs, burgers, hot dogs, or really any sandwich. Sometimes I just eat them straight out of the jar.

—Jasmine Khoury, software engineer

Michael Murtaugh

I’m a soft, chewy cookie person all the way, but even I can’t resist the crispy crunch of a Trader Joe’s cookie dunker. The long, oval-ish cookie makes it the perfect shape to dip in a glass of cold milk, and the chocolate-coated side ensures the cookie stays intact through subsequent dips. My roommate and I used to keep an open box of these at the table by the door; they guaranteed a sweet mood-booster each time we left to face the world and a welcome pick-me-up after a long day—impressive work for just a cookie.

—Brittney Ho, newsletter coordinator

Michael Murtaugh

These started off as my house martini olive, but they’re so good that they’ve been promoted to a snacking olive, too. I usually have a few jars in my pantry. (I love that they’re shelf stable.) If I have unexpected guests, I serve them as part of a spontaneous aperitivo hour, and they always get oohs and aahs. The olives are giant, as the name promises, and have a lovely matte green-yellow skin that’s unusually pretty. The flesh is firm, meaty, and juicy—a real coup for jarred olives, which can run the risk of having a mealy texture. Flavor-wise, they walk the ideal line of mild and briny and as good martini olives do, take very kindly to vodka and gin.

—Gabriella Gershenson, lead editor

Michael Murtaugh

I love spinach and artichoke dip, so when I first saw this, I knew I had to try it. It’s so easy to make right in the microwave, and then I just grab some of Trader Joe’s Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers for a great snack. I eat it as a dip, but I’ve heard that people make grilled cheese sandwiches with it.

—Jasmine Khoury, software engineer

Michael Murtaugh

I love Trader Joe’s tzatziki because it’s relatively healthy, loaded with thinly sliced cukes, and pleasantly mild in flavor. But mostly, I love how versatile it is. I spoon it on grilled salmon or use it as a dip with cut veggies or crackers, but I’ve also used it as salad dressing or just eaten a few spoonfuls straight out of the container. I probably eat it one way or another every single day.

—Rose Maura Lorre, senior staff writer

Arianna Flores

A year ago, I lived two blocks away from the cutest little bread shop. Every so often, I’d treat myself to a morning croissant and black coffee; it was a simple ritual that always helped start my day off right. Now that I don’t live within walking distance of a bakery, Trader Joe’s almond croissants are my go-to for keeping that sweet, occasional delight alive. These frozen pastries have some of the best croissant dough I’ve tried from any grocery store (and I’ve tried quite a few). I pull them out of the freezer before I go to bed to prove overnight, then I pop them in the oven first thing in the morning before I even brush my teeth. As I get ready for my day, I’m greeted by the mood-lifting smell of fresh-baked pastries. The croissants are delicate and sweet—as good as any I’d buy in a bakery.

—Arianna Flores, updates writer

Michael Murtaugh

By far, one of my summertime faves is Trader Joe’s Horchata Ice Cream. I tend not to be a dessert person, but I do love horchata, and this treat is ideal for taking the edge off on hot days when the mercury hits triple digits. It has just enough cane sugar, and the cinnamon and brown rice flour gives me the sensation that all is well with the world. I’ll be serving this at my next BBQ.

—Kenneth Allen, project manager