The 10 Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe's, According to Chefs

There’s a lot to love about Trader Joe’s, a national grocery chain known for its low prices, seasonal releases and products with passionate followings. We wondered how chefs feel about this grocery store—and if certain TJ’s offerings keep them coming back. They pointed us towards an array of delicious, quality foods and ingredients that could change your everyday cooking. Here are their picks.

By Alice K. Thompson for Food Network Kitchen

Many Trader Joe’s shoppers cite the cheeses alone as a reason the find themselves at the store so often. “At home, I love a cheese plate on the table while dinner is cooking,” says Ann Ziata, a chef-instructor at New York’s Institute of Culinary Education. “The selection from TJ’s is a bargain, and it helps the meal stay on budget without ever tasting like a budget.” Ziata also praises the store’s variety and fun signature flavors. “One of my favorite easy meals is seared salmon topped with their blueberry vanilla chèvre, pecans and a little balsamic and olive oil.” During the holidays, look for the seasonal baked lemon honey ricotta. “Serve it with crackers for the easiest and most indulgent dessert ever,” she says.

“Whenever I go to Trader Joe’s I always pick up a bottle of High Guard Chardonnay,” says Kelli Ferrell, cookbook author and owner of Nana’s Chicken-and-Waffles in McDonough, Georgia. It’s made from 100% California Chardonnay grapes and is fruity, mildly oaky and priced astonishingly low. Ferrell also uses this bargain bottle when she’s cooking. “I love cooking with Chardonnay generally, and this one really takes my dishes to the next level.” Her favorite recipe to make with the wine? “Linguine with clams. It adds a lot of depth to this simple dish.”

Like a lot of chefs, Ferrell likes Trader Joe’s frozen foods for off-duty meals. And like many chefs she often puts a personal spin to them. “I love their vegetable fried rice, it’s easy and delicious by itself—all you have to do is heat it up—but I love cooking it with my daughters in a wok,” Ferrell tells us. “We always have fun adding different ingredients to make it our own. We might fry an egg and cook it in with the rice or dice up a pineapple to add extra flavor.”

Even chefs can run out of prep time, and Trader Joe’s is a known fallback for a variety of high-quality prepared foods. “If I don’t have time to make the dips I need for a party I can always pick up TJ’s Sour Cream Spinach Dip, Genova Pesto or Mediterranean Hummus,” says Denise Smith, chef and owner of Gennie Bee Catering in Long Beach, California. “For the hummus, I like to drizzle it with black truffle oil for extra flavor and aroma.”

Home cooks and chefs alike praise Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glaze as a shortcut ingredient that adds instant complexity and depth to foods. Nik Fields, chef and owner of Chic Chef 77 wine bar in Phoenix, Arizona, is one of its many fans. “It’s a really versatile glaze, great on both sweet and savory dishes, and it’s got real quality and convenience at an amazing at the price,” says Fields. She drizzles it over caprese salads, tops grilled vegetables with it and puts it over grilled chicken, steak or fish. For dessert, Fields paris it with fresh fruit like strawberries, peaches or watermelon.

Looking to make a stellar snack or charcuterie board? Trader Joe’s can be a one-stop shop. “I can always count on Trader Joe’s to have the perfect specialty items when I’m making up party boards for my clients,” says Smith. “Their truffle marcon almonds, Turkish dried apricots, garlic naan and fig-and-olive crisps will elevate any board. And the Italian meat combo pack with Calabrese salami, capocollo and prosciutto is a must.” Chef Smith also praises the quality and price of crunchy crudité like rainbow carrots and mini cucumbers.

“People are often surprised to see Trader Joe’s Cornbread Mix in my pantry,” says Ziata. “But it’s so quick and delicious, and it’s a perfect touch to serve a slice of fresh-baked cornbread with an easy dinner like mac and cheese or chili.” Ziata suggests stirring in shredded cheese and chopped roasted bell peppers for color and flavor.

Fields can’t say enough about the blend of sesame seeds, garlic, onion and more that goes into TJ’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning, and she has a wealth of ways to use it. “Sprinkle it on avocado toast or scrambled eggs for so much flavor and texture. Toss it in with vegetables before roasting. Mix it into softened butter for a compound butter. Use it to coat homemade crackers and breadstick. Add it to popcorn or roasted nuts for a savory snack.” Fields is so devoted to bagel seasoning she even offers it as a table condiment at her wine bar.

A self-described “hard-core TJ shopper,” New York-based culinary instructor and @thechefsmartypants host Erica Wides is especially fond of their goat milk yogurt. “It’s tangy and delicious and half the price of goat yogurt at other stores. I go through at least a quart a week,” she says. “I love to eat it straight up or use it in dishes like Turkish eggs and tzatziki.” A go-to sauce in her house is the yogurt mixed with smashed garlic, turmeric and preserved lemon. “I even use it in baking: I thin it out a bit and use it as a substitute for buttermilk.”