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The 20 Best Trader Joe's Products, Ranked

Not all frozen meals are created equal

Trader Joe's is more than just a grocery store. It's a magical place where you can buy all the ready-to-eat foods your heart desires, from frozen naan to cookie butter and everything in between. However, not all Trader Joe's foods are created equal. What are the best Trader Joe's products out there? Here, 20 items ranked from best to worst.

best trader joe s products cookie butter
Trader Joe's

Fact: We can't picture life without this stuff. Imagine the creaminess of peanut butter combined with the nutty, crunchy flavor of cookies. You know what? We're running out to Trader Joe's.

2. Parmesan Pastry Pups

These are the gold standard by which we judge all other finger foods. Move over, Hebrew National: These little franks are essential to any successful cocktail party.

best trader joe s products ginger snaps
Trader Joe's

3. Triple Ginger Snaps

Christmas comes early whenever these melt-in-your-mouth ginger cookies are around. Actually, can you remove these from our sight before we devour them all?

best trader joe s products corn chile salsa
Trader Joe's

4. Corn Chile Salsa

Trader Joe's has a strong salsa game. This tomato-less dip is a top choice. No Tostitos in the house? No problem--we'll eat this stuff straight by the spoonful. 

best trader joe s products fig butter
Trader Joe's

5. Fig Butter

Better than jam. And we would eat it on pretty much anything. Spread it on your morning toast or add it to your cheese plate.

best trader joe s products mac and cheese bites
Trader Joe's

6. Mac & Cheese Bites

Breaded pasta cheese balls. Nuff said.

best trader joe s products chai tea latte mix
Trader Joe's

7. Spicy Chai Tea Latte Mix

Ahh, tastes like fall in a mug.

best trader joe s products reduced guilt spinach and kale dip
Trader Joe's

8. Reduced Guilt Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

A healthier substitute for the original dip. But it's hard to feel "reduced guilt" after downing an entire tub.

best trader joe s products frozen naan
Trader Joe's

9. Frozen Naan

This thick, doughy naan may not be exactly authentic, but it's pretty awesome when you have made your chicken tikka masala from scratch and need something to sop us the sauce.

best trader joe s products macandcheese
Trader Joes

10. Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese

The hatch chiles give this microwavable option a needed kick. (And if we're being honest, the cheesiness is on-point.)

best trader joe s products bbq chicken pizza
Trader Joe's

11. Bbq Chicken Pizza

When it comes to frozen pizza, our expectations are never too high. But this BBQ chicken version does the trick.

best trader joe s products hummus
Trader Joe's

12. Any Flavor Hummus

Mediterranean, edamame, beet--we'll happily dunk our carrots and pita chips into this guy.

best trader joe s products tamales
Trader Joe's

13. Handmade Tamales

Skimpy on the chicken and green chiles, but, OK, pretty convenient.

best trader joe s products greek honey yogurt
Trader Joe's

14. Greek Honey Yogurt

Not the worst Greek yogurt we've tried, but not as good as Fage.

best trader joe s products vegan tikka masala
Trader Joe's

15. Vegan Tikka Masala

Ditto.

best trader joe s products fried rice
Trader Joe's

16. Japanese Style Fried Rice

We'll stick with takeout from our local joint on this one.

best trader joe s products frozen falafel
Trader Joe's

17. Heat And Eat Falafel

The texture of these fried chickpea balls isn't quite right.

best trader joe s products party size mini meatballs
Trader Joe's

18. Party Size Mini Meatballs

Maybe it's the toothpicks...maybe it's the kid's birthday party font...but something here is creeping us out.

best trader joe s products salmon burger
Trader Joe's

19. Premium Wild Salmon Burgers

If you must eat frozen fish...

best trader joe s products frozen seafood paella
Trader Joe's

20. Frozen Seafood Paella

Something about this just makes us say, "NOPE."


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Freelance PureWow Editor

From 2015-2017 Hannah Loewentheil held the role of Editor covering entertainment, food, travel and all things nyc.