Please enjoy this guest post from Journey Coach Maggie.

Trader Joe’s has become known for 2 things – low prices and unique products. With a typically smaller store size than big name grocery stores, the amount of products they have is less, but you’ll find some new and exciting products that you can’t find anywhere else.

Now you can still get your basics here – meat, fruits and veggies – but we want to focus on our favorite products that are one-of-a-kind Trader Joe’s. If you’ve never been and have wanted to know what it’s all about this is a guide for you!

We know there are countless goodies to try, but we’ve got 12 products that you NEED to try ASAP!

Refrigerated

Green Goddess Dressing

This dressing is made with simple, clean ingredients and adds a zesty lemon flavor to any salad. It’s also GREAT as a marinade for chicken.

Everything But the Bagel Dip

If you haven’t tried their “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning yet, that one is a winner too! They’ve taken their signature spice, and mixed it with Greek yogurt to make this creamy spread that is great on pretty much anything – bagels, veggies and crackers to name just a few!

Buffalo Style Hummus

Think buffalo chicken dip made healthy. This dip is very versatile and has the flavor of your favorite cheesy buffalo dip, but much lighter in calories. The base is garbanzo beans, so it pairs well with all your typical hummus snacks.

Pantry

Salsa

Trader Joe’s has countless salsas from mild to hot, with a ton of unique combinations as well. The Spicy Smoky Peach, Cowboy Caviar, and Garlic Chipotle are probably my favorites – but there are so many delicious ones to choose from you can’t go wrong!

Trail Mixes

Again, Trader Joe’s is a master at making trail mixes that are unique and wonderful. Our top 2 recommendations – Cashew Macadamia Delight, and “Happy Trekking” which is a combination of almonds, pistachios, chocolate, cranberries and cherries. Another great part about their extensive trail mix selection? Many of them are sold in individual snack packs so they are easy to pack for work or a road trip!

Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter with Flax & Chia Seeds

If you are a fan of crunchy peanut butter, this one is an absolute game changer! It has the crunch from the peanuts, plus the heart healthy additions of flax and chia seeds. It’s AMAZING on toast, apples, or a classic PB & J.

Plantain Chips

Looking for a snack that’s lighter than a potato chip, but still has the saltiness and crunch? These chips have minimal ingredients and satisfy that crunchy midafternoon craving perfectly.

Frozen

Joe Joe’s Cookies & Cream Light Ice Cream

Everyone likes a lightened up version of cookies and cream, right? This one is a winner – smooth and creamy with nice chunks of “Joe Joe’s”… which are a very close relative of your traditional Oreo cookie.

Peanut Butter Blondies

Maybe not the healthiest option, BUT they are bite sized treats that mimic a strawberry peanut butter sandwich with a graham cracker crumble on top. They are delicious right out of the freezer, or heated up for 30 seconds.

Gone Bananas

Simply sliced bananas coated in dark chocolate. They satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy(ish) kind of way!

Chile Lime Chicken Burgers

If you like having staples in your freezer for busy nights, these are one of the best healthy options at Trader Joe’s. They are made with simple ingredients and heat up on a skillet in no time. Put them on a bun or on top of a salad, and the spicy flavor adds a great kick to any meal. These are a great source of protein and taste amazing too!

Broccoli and Kale Pizza Crust

Here is another way to lighten up a meal – and who doesn’t want a healthier option for pizza night?! The crust has a mild flavor so it still tastes delightful with all your favorite traditional pizza toppings. The broccoli and kale stay hidden in the crust, so these are awesome for any picky eaters in your family.

There you have it! Our top 12 Trader Joe’s finds. Some varieties of foods will change with the seasons, and some products do get discontinued. We will be sure to do an updated seasonal list in the fall because Trader Joe’s is KNOWN for their pumpkin spice everything!

In the meantime, go explore your closest Trader Joe’s and we hope you love it as much as we do!