I’m sure many of you guys can relate to not having enough time to satisfy your inner foodies. As busy students, you don’t always have the time to check out that new restaurant you found on Yelp, or give in to your food cravings at restaurants. Postmating your food all the time isn’t financially sustainable, and dining hall food can be redundant. If this is the case, Trader Joe’s can be your savior. With amazing variety and accessibility, this supermarket has it all when it comes to fulfilling your food dreams on a budget. Here are some Trader Joe’s food items that can spice up your daily meals.
1. Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
These bite-sized morsels are super snackable. Crunchy on the outside with a creamy, salty, and sweet filling. It’s no wonder that these are Trader Joe’s most popular snack products. You can’t go wrong with these.
2. Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry
The trendy cauliflower rice has hit the frozen food section, and I’m not complaining about it. The dish has a flavorful, homemade taste, and it hits just the right spot when topped with an egg.
3. Thai Vegetable Gyoza
These gyozas are your go-to if Chinatown is miles away, and you just want something quick and easy. They are in and out of the microwave (and into your stomach) in five minutes, and they taste pretty delicious.
4. Speculoos Cookie Butter
Need I say more? It’s spreadable (and addictive) cookie cream that counts as breakfast when added on toast. AND its 100% vegan. The verdict is clear. Eat more cookie butter.
5. Sparkling Coconut Water with Yuzu
This one is a crowd-pleaser. The refreshing drink is not too sweet, and the yuzu and coconut flavors are subtle. Make sure to have some in stock for a quick pick me up while cramming for finals.
6. Cauliflower Gnocchi
A solid dinner choice. It is made out of only five ingredients (cauliflower, cassava flour, potato starch, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt), and 75% of it is cauliflower. Not only is this delicious, but you’re getting your fill of veggies with every bite.
7. Rolled Oats
Yes, it’s a basic food, but it’s also a great superfood that adds nutrition in your diet. Make overnight oats the night before, and you will have an amazing snack in the morning.
8. Vegan Tikka Masala
Trader Joe’s does Indian cuisine incredibly well, especially for microwaveable food. I was surprised when I first tried this masala because of how flavorful it was. You can taste the spices in it, and the mock meat soaks up the curry well.
9. Chana Masala
Another Indian dish that I was delightfully surprised with. Just like the brand’s tikka masala, it delivers authentic flavor at a reasonable price. This is great if you are craving Indian cuisine and don’t want to wait for it.
10. Mini Vegetable Samosas
If you’ve noticed the trend, you would realize that I absolutely love Trader Joe’s indian fare. While these can’t compare to the freshly fried ones you would find at restaurants, they are still pretty good for the convenience. Opt for these during your midnight cravings.
11. Thai Tea Mini Mochi
These are seriously bite-sized balls of joy. Not overly sweet, these will have you coming back for more. It has a strong Thai tea flavor, and a thin mochi layer so that you an fully enjoy the delicious, ice cream center.
12. Chicken-less Mandarin Orange Morsels
The perfect combo of sweet and spicy, these irresistible meatless products can satisfy vegetarians and meat lovers alike. They were once discontinued but came back because of how popular it was. If that doesn’t convince you to buy them, I don’t know what will.