Trader Joe's is the perfect grocery store for broke college kids looking to eat good on a budget! Here is a ranking of the items from my latest Trader Joe's Haul.
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
For this haul, I have to start with my all time favorite, the Dark Chocolate PB cups. They are an essential for my grocery cart no matter how much cash I have in the bank account. They are a classic TJ's dessert find and the perfect incentive for studying. The PB to chocolate ratio is heavenly! 10/10.
Trader Joe's Frozen Mango
Next in this grocery haul comes TJ's frozen mango. This brand always has the sweetest frozen mango out of ones I've tried and you never have to worry about cutting your fruit again. This fruit is perfect to sweeten a smoothie, add to a bowl of oatmeal or thawing and enjoying as is! 10/10.
Trader Joe's Chili Lime Seasoning Blend
This mouthwatering spice may be hiding in the shadows of the Everything but Bagel Seasoning but it's the perfect for seasoning chicken, avocado, vegetables or even rice and beans. The bright flavor profile is sure to bring out the freshness of food on your plate and can elevate any recipe. 9.5/10.
Trader Joe's Frozen Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Looking for the perfect appetizer but short on time? This dip is definitely going to be your go-to for the next game day! The TJ's spinach and artichoke dip is better than most restaurant versions (trust me on this one... I've had many versions) and all you need to do is microwave this frozen food for about two minutes and mix! 9/10.
Trader Joe's Shawarma Chicken and Jasmine Rice
Yes, this is a combo of two things because they are the perfect couple and the total is about $10 for around 4-6 servings! The Jasmine Rice from Trader Joe's takes about 20-30 minutes to cook and so does the Shawarma Chicken. The chicken is seasoned perfectly and if you follow the instructions for the rice on the bag, you've got yourself a masterpiece! 9/10!
Trader Joe's Frozen Orange Chicken
Craving Chinese take-out but on a grocery store budget? Try the TJ's orange chicken! I made this in an air fryer so it was extra crispy then dipped the nuggets in sauce and voila! Just make a quick side of rice and you have a takeout meal from home. Hopefully you have fortune cookies saved up from the last time you ordered out. 8.5/10.
Trader Joe's Organic Sparkling Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
A healthy and fruity drink that's detoxifying and delicious. I'll take all the store has of this apple cider vinegar seltzer drink! I preferred the lemon and ginger flavor but the strawberry and lemon is amazing as well! 8/10.
Trader Joe's Jalapeño Corn and Rice Puffs
For my spicy food lovers... these jalapeño puffs are a must buy snack. They are hot with a slight garlicky flavor to them and they have the most satisfying crunch. 8/10.
Hold the Cone! Chocolate Ice Cream Mini Cones
Looking for a small and sweet bite before heading to bed? Look no further than these, "Hold the Cone!" Ice creams. The chocolate flavor is my favorite and it's perfect for when I'm craving something sweet. 7.5/10.
Trader Joe's Wine Country Chicken Salad
I've had many variations of chicken salad throughout my life but I've never had a chicken salad better than the TJ's kind. It's so fresh and sweet, it is sure to be your new favorite lunch. 7.5/10.
Trader Joe's Frozen Garlic Naan
This Garlic Naan is perfect to pair with the TJ's Shawarma Chicken. I would not recommend this Naan for a first date but it has a heart warming amount of garlic and herbs. 7/10.
Trader Joe's Double Creme Brie
Dreaming of Charcuterie Boards? This creamy Brie is the perfect cheese to pair with crackers and fresh fruit. You can also slice it and melt it on bread for the perfect panini. All in all, this is top notch Brie. 6.9/10.
Trader Joe's White Truffle Potato Chips
My love for Truffle Fries inspired me to get these chips and honestly they have very similar flavors going on. These chips taste great and have the perfect crisp but a warning that they do get quite overpowering with taste if you eat too many. 6.5/10.
Trader Joe's Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Ranking lower on this list comes the Chocolate Chip Cookies. Nothing tastes as good as a homemade cookie and these are definitely contenders but they are lacking in love. 6/10.
Trader Joe's Frozen Sweet Potato Gnocchi
This Sweet Potato Gnocchi is a great freezer find but the cooking method is really important in the execution. I personally love heating these up in my air fryer so they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I have tried the stove top method and they end up getting too mushy. The Cauliflower Gnocchi is great as well! 6/10.
If you live near a Trader Joe's, I seriously recommend you stock up on some of these yummy products. Your wallet and your stomach won't regret it!