It’s two days.. two days!! until the new Trader Joe’s is unveiled in Metairie, Louisiana this Friday, September 23rd. I’m feeling inspired and excited about the new opening in my hometown. And ya’ll should be too!!
Maybe you’ve never been to a Trader Joe’s or never heard of one or maybe your last visit was many states and moons away. So, I wanted to put together a little treat for ya’ll. A bit of a shopping guide to all things Trader Joe’s. I’ve spoken to friends, co-workers, neighbors, and foodie mentors to share their favorite finds, and compiled them together along with my own. Certainly, you don’t need a guide because anything you pick up is fantastic, but I wanted to put together a preview and help you navigate the awesome that awaits because one of my favorite things is to share my favorite things.
WELCOME:
The front of the store is always seasonally welcoming and inviting. I can't help but want to grab a handful of mini pumpkins and gourds and decorate my office, my home, and everywhere in-between. Here, in Southern California, there's always plenty succulent plants and herbs outside. I can't wait to see the local flair in the Metairie store.
FLOWERS + CARDS + POTTED HERBS:
Upon entrance of my local Joe's I'm met with loads of flowers and and fresh planted herbs which always lift my spirits. The flowers are always fresh and colorful and often times you can find unique small bouquets of baby roses or in the springtime the handful of daffodils always are my favorite buys. And don't be like me.. for many years I never even looked at the cards!! For some reason I always passed them by because my focus was groceries and thought they would probably be too expensive. All of their cards are only 99 cents!! And they are super adorable and cute. Now, I never pass up the card section. It's always rotating and changing and I love to pick up the cute ones like this when I find them. Sometimes even just for myself to washi tape on a wall for decor.
FRESH PRODUCE + READY EATS:
Now we're elbowing our fellow shoppers. Okay.. fair warning, my local store is nearly always busy and we're all trying to make our way in for our favorite finds. My suggestion is once the Metairie location gets up and running do a quick google search which will show the busy times and plan your trip during the slow times.
I love the dressings available in the produce section and one of my favorites is this Cilantro dressing. It's delicious and actually very low in calories and fat. On Weight Watchers? It comes in at 2 smart points per 2 Tablespoons. I use it for salads and as a dip or even as a sauce in wraps.
I love these baby San Marzano tomatoes. Nice bright burst of flavor that I add to salads, wraps, simple tomato soup, sandwiches, or as a snack.
There's an assortment of items in the produce section to make your own simple, quick, and healthy weeknight toss together meals. I love the variety of pre-cut stir fry veggies. As a single lady, if I buy all these ingredients separately it's just too much food I can't eat up in a week and then there's the time to cut them up. Toss together a handful of these pre-cut veggies in a wok with some chicken, steak, or shrimp and add on one of TJ's signature sauces like their Island Soyaki and you've got a great meal faster than a trip to the drive-thru.
The pre-cooked lentils are a great buy! A quick and easy source of versatile protein. I love to toss these in a salad, wrap, or soup and you can even make a simple dip with these.
Shishito peppers!! I first discovered these gems only in the past year or two in a farm box, and TJ’s has been the only other place I can find them. These are a mild Japanese sweet pepper and occasionally one lone pepper will pack a surprising punch. I love to blister these up with a bit of olive oil in a hot pan, and sprinkle with salt. I prefer them with eggs (or when I treat myself to the ones at my favorite local Japanese restaurant) and once made this pizza.
TJ's is on point with their salad game. My all time favorite ready to go salad in a bag is their Caesar Style. I've had many salads in a bag and this is my favorite. Simple, familiar, versatile, and delicious. My lazy weeks I grab a handful of this lettuce in a bowl, sprinkle on the toppings, and to my belly it goes... sometimes topping with a few slices of pork tenderloin or grilled chicken.
If you prefer to have salads and lunches ready for the week, TJ's is your meal-prep wonderland, there’s a huge assortment of reasonably priced ready to eat salad boxes. I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve tried many and I really love them all. My best advice is grab a few that are calling to you and save yourself some meal stress. There’s also wraps and sushi and other simple grab and go items all at the front of the store.
more tomatoes.. and multi-color carrots. Simple favorites to make basic meals all that more colorful and special.
Seasonal squash is always fun!! Sugar pumpkins, acorn squash, honeynut squash, butternut squash, and delicata squash. Delicata squash is also new to me. Do yourself a favor.. buy one or two!!! It will be your new favorite part of fall. Forget the pumpkin, get some delicata squash. Roast it, stuff it, and search the internet for all the possibilities.
CHEESE:
Alright.. * ahem * let me gather myself. When it comes to cheese, I lose words. Saying cheese is my favorite is an understatement. There aren’t enough words to properly formulate my love of a good cheese. And well.. TJ’s on it. There are so many I haven’t tried and I have to force myself away because I cannot responsibly purchase cheese. But one of my favorites is this little Spanish Tapas cheese sampler. So, so good! Each section has several slices and they are a perfect snack or addition to a meal. I love pre-portioned foods and this one is a winner! Also, this Burrata cheese filled with cream will make your heart melt. If you take a bite of this you may just melt right into your kitchen floor. It is really that good. And do you see their seasonal cheese photo bombing there? Yeah.. that’s apple pie cheddar. TJ’s knows how to woo with cheese.
Okay, I need a second. The cheese still has a hold of my heart and mind. * sigh *
DIP + SNACKING
... Moving right along. Are you the kind of person that when eating at a restaurant you want to order a bunch of food and share with everyone? I am. I like tasting a little bit of everything and this is why I really enjoy this hummus sampler pack. I get to try a little of each and mix and match for maximum variety with only one purchase. Aside from this, I’m a fan of their salsa and creamy spinach and kale yogurt dip. I still have so many more to discover!
And these crackers are my favorite delivery method for the dip and along with their cheese. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.
FREE FOOD + COFFEE
Joe knows how to treat us well. Once you make it to the halfway point, you get a bite to eat. There are ALWAYS samples and ALWAYS little cups of free coffee. Enjoy! And take it as an opportunity to taste all the items you keep passing over. There are hidden gems. Really.
NEW ITEMS:
At the back of the store, there’s a section stocked with new items, which are constantly being introduced to the store. I love checking out this section and find it’s a great place to find gifts. Housewarming gift or a friendly, “I’m thinking of you” gift, birthday gift, or client gift. There’s often candles, or interesting tea flavors, new kitchen towels, or box of chocolates. Grab one or two items, flower bouquet and card, and you’ve got a great gift anyone would love.
NUTS + SEEDS + DRIED FRUITS --- OH MY!
TJ’s is THE place, in my humble opinion, to put together your own trail mix. You can find almost any nut or seed you are looking for. Salted, unsalted, raw, roasted, etc. They have it all. And not only do they have tons of varieties of dried fruits which are perfect for snacking, baking, and trail mix making, but they also have a unique variety of freeze dried fruit which is great! They are pretty much like candy chips that you can sprinkle pretty much anywhere your imagination can take you or eat as a snack on their own.
Some of my favorites in this section are these Thai & Chili Lime Cashews. They are spicy and a little bit sweet and pack a flavor punch. Great choice for keeping in your desk drawer at work for an afternoon snack or for traveling snacks.
I’ve really grown a love also for the Chili Spiced Mango. Don’t let it scare you, it’s not eye-watery spicy. It’s a bit of spice and flavor bomb with sweetness..
The roasted coconut chips are just as you can imagine, crunchy sweet bits of coconut that eat like a chip. Sprinkle THAT on your hot fudge sundae!!
FROZEN AISLE:
Narrowing down the frozen aisle to a couple items is nearly impossible. This is a slim representation of options, but I’m going to go with top favorites here.
Their Mac and Cheese is almost always sold out. It’s a fan favorite. I haven’t yet tried the full everything one, but I have purchased the lightened version on a couple occasions and do enjoy it. I usually purchase it if I know I need a quick easy weekday meal with no fuss. You can see how I fancied mine up a bit HERE!
I’ve got to admit, I have not tried the orange chicken, but felt required share because of the popularity. People buy this stuff almost by the cartful. I trust it's a winner.
You MUST try these mashed potatoes!! They are frozen in small little hockey puck portions. Perfect for making just what you need. I’ll grab a handful of little mashed potato pucks and toss in a baby saucepan with a little bit of water, cover, and within minutes I’ve got creamy mash. Grill a piece of fish and steam some veggies and you’ve got a perfect meal in less than 15 minutes.
Keep an eye out this fall because they sell the sweet potatoes pucks seasonally!
Any of my NOLA friends I’d typically steer away from the seafood because you can get fresh local seafood for much cheaper, but I do like these tuna burgers. They’re great for a quick healthy lunch and grill up quickly.
SAUCE:
There has never been a cocktail sauce I've loved more. That's all.
MORE FROZEN AISLE:
If you’re the kind of person that is a fan of convenience.. and oatmeal. This one’s for you. The Steelcut Oatmeal is frozen in one-cup sections and ready to pop in the microwave and add all the toppings of your desire. Remember the dried fruit aisle? There are endless variety of things there you can add to your quick oatmeal. And I promise to keep it a secret if you stir in a spoonful of cookie butter.
One of my favorite treats are these mini ice cream cones. I like treats, but often want just a taste. In this country, everything is super-sized and upsized. I don’t need a gallon of ice cream, and have a hard time portioning on my own. One scoop of ice cream quickly turns to two or three. I find this is the perfect treat and solution for that. They come in chocolate and vanilla and perfect mini portions to satisfy my need for sweet.
MORE SAUCE:
Remember when I said take advantage of the sample stand? This is how I found this awesome sauce! It’s a lotta bit sweet savory bbq and a little bit sriracha. And yes, it’s pretty awesome. Buy it! And please tell me what you put it on.
SWEET STAPLE:
The best lemon curd other than homemade. Now, you have to have a tea party with scones and curd. Or.. just put it on anything.
You musn’t confuse coconut milk with coconut cream. This is thick and wonderful and delicious. And a steal for $1.49! Put it in a smoothie, make it into a knock your socks off vegan clotted cream for your tea party, add it to your curry, or just eat it with a spoon.
CHIPS + CHIP-LIKE SNACKS:
The crunchy plantain chips are a favorite of mine and comes as a friend favorite as well. Remember all that trail mix you’re making now? You should pour in some of these into the mix.
The Partially Popped Popcorn is a fairly new item that you’re likely to not find anywhere else and they are crunchy little bits of buttery goodness. A must try! And that Baconesque White Cheddar popcorn peeking from behind? Yeah!!! You won’t believe there’s no bacon, but it tastes just like bacon and cheddar and it’s incredibly awesome.
My favorite Cheeto alternative is these little guys. You won’t get a film of cheddary cheese layers on your fingers or the bright powdery orange cheese grill when you smile. These are milder and more delicious in my opinion.
QUICK DINNER FAVORITE:
I’m a big fan of quick assembly dinners that are nourishing, warming, and make me feel happy that I don’t have a sink full of dishes to wash afterwards. One of my favorites is a packet of the Miso Soup along with Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings. It takes only 10 minutes or less to steam half the package of dumplings and the soup packets couldn’t be easier. Simply stir in boiling water. The two together? Magic. When you bite into the dumpling the pocket fills with the soup and adds a mouthful of extra flavor. It becomes a soup dumpling. For a single serving I use half the soup packet and half the package of dumplings.
QUICK TREATS:
TJ’S is known for their cookie butter. It tastes just as you imagine.. cookie mash and butter together in a creamy spread. Spread on fruit, crackers, or spoonfuls right out of the jar when you get a late night craving.
The truffle brownie mix is a nice staple to have in your cupboard. These brownies are simple, fast, and most importantly DEE-LICIOUS!! Need a quick potluck item or treats for the office or neighbors? This one is a win.
PANTRY STAPLES:
I know I should be narrowing down the guide, but when it comes to all the oils and vinegars I simply couldn’t. There are too many great options to choose from. A friend of mine loves using the Clarified Butter. According to Chef Ludo Lefebvre, clarified butter is the secret to his fries that were recently listed at one of the top 10 in Los Angeles. Chef Cherie Twohy recommends the California Estate Olive Oil. Additionally, the Balsamic Glaze is a trick to make any dinner go from a cheap weeknight meal to gourmet dinner in seconds.
UPLEVEL YOUR PANTRY:
Jars of roasted red peppers are my secret pantry ingredient. I love adding them to panini sandwiches or rolling them up with a few slices of deli turkey for a snack. They make great additions for wraps and are versatile flavor punches.
My go-to broth is TJ’s brand. There’s vegetarian, beef, chicken, and options for organic, conventional, and free range. A few of these are the best way to uplevel your Monday Red Beans, pot of gumbo, or simple rice. Stock up, they sell out fast and have a long shelf life!
The 10 minute Farro and Harvest Grains are a recommendations from Chef Cherie Twohy, aka #1 Trader Joe’s fan. She has written several Trader Joe’s cookbooks. I highly recommend. For the Harvest Grains, she says, “I usually sauté them in a little butter or olive oil, then cook in water or stock until tender and liquid cooked away. Good as a hot side dish, but also cold with some vinaigrette.”
FOR YOUR BODY:
This is my new favorite hand cream. As someone who has suffered with eczema on my hands and struggles with the Southern California dry air, finding hand lotion has always been a sampling experiment. This one is a winner. It’s moisturizing and creamy and soft without the greasy feeling. My hands just feel like soft protected silk.
My neighbor suggested the Nourish hair products. She says they are inexpensive, work well, and aren’t chemically laden. I’m going to give this a try on my next trip!
SEASONAL END CAPS:
We don’t have much seasonal weather shift here in California. It’s always sunny and warm. So, it’s a nice treat to see the seasonal shifts in the end caps. Of course, fall means everything pumpkin. So, Pumpkin Butter, Pumpkin Pancakes, Pumpkin Cookies, and Spiced Apple Cider. Enjoy them while they last!
SEASONAL TREAT:
I’ve not yet tried the Pumpkin Caramel Kringle, but it’s definitely worth sharing. The company that makes these sells them for over $20 on their website, and being a rare seasonal item, I think this will make you the office favorite if you bring this in to work.
WINE + CHOCOLATE:
You can’t forget about the Two Buck Chuck when you’re at TJ’s. Sure, the price went beyond two bucks, but for a bottle of wine under $3, this is still a great pick. Check out this article for blind taste test rankings by a Sommelier.
As far as chocolate, there’s plenty variety to choose from at the check-out stands as well as filtered throughout the aisles. I love the small 100 calorie portioned chocolates and sometimes pick up a bar of dark chocolate. Yes, there’s a Bacon Ganache.
On your way out, TJ’s wall is full of an ever changing wall of re-usable bags ranging from totes of various materials and even cooler bags. Did you pick up gift items? These totes make great gift bags that are practical and adorable! Remember to bring back your totes for your next shopping trip.
Enjoy your new store, Louisiana!! I can’t wait to visit at the end of the year.
I’d love for you to share in the comments below your favorite purchases or what you’re excited to try.
Now, go make some groceries, ya’ll!
