By Lily Datz

For many college students, the perfect weekend morning involves sleeping in late, eating waffles, and hanging out in your pajamas for as long as possible. Although I love all those activities, there’s one thing I love even more than a lazy Saturday: a shop at Trader Joe’s. With their funky ~tropical~ vibe, Non-GMO sourced ingredients, unique and tasty product selection, and free samples, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic shopping experience (all while not being judged for wearing your polar bears fuzzy pajama pants…or maybe that’s just me…). But the main question is “what do I buy that’s really worth it?” We’ve got you covered with a list of our 10 favorite Trader Joe’s food items:

 

SAVORY

1. Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa

While like everybody else I love a good pico de gallo, sometimes I like to switch up my salsa a bit. This corn and chile tomato-less salsa always hits the spot. It has the perfect balance of smoky sweetness from the corn, and a right amount a kick, especially for someone like me who doesn’t handle spice well. I love to eat it with corn tortilla chips, on top of fish tacos with some fresh cabbage slaw, or even as a salad dressing in my South-Western themed salads!

2. Fresh Pasta

I may be partial, but I think it is an absolutely necessity to eat pasta at least twice a week, and Trader Joe’s fresh pastas never disappoint. I personally love the Arugula & Parmigiano Reggiano and the Goat Cheese & Sundried Tomato ravioli. Both pack a punch of flavor, making it easy to simply finish them off with a little sage butter and parmesan cheese for a delicious meal.

3. Broccoli Slaw

This slaw may be the easiest way to eat veggies. You can eat this raw or cooked, and it basically takes on any flavor you put in it. I personally love it slightly cooked in a pan with some olive oil, garlic, and a little bit of parm. I mean, can you really go wrong with garlic or cheese on anything? You also can make homemade coleslaw with it for your next BBQ. The possibilities with this versatile product are endless!

4. Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Next up is my favorite dressing on the planet: Green Goddess. It’s a fresh combo of lemon juice, chives, basil, and garlic. This dressing will make even the simplest of salads shine. It’s so worth it that I bring a bottle to the dining hall when I eat… no shame!

5. Joe’s Diner Mac ‘n Cheese

Some nights are just not meant to be five star, home cooked meals, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor! This frozen mac and cheese hits the spot. It’s easy to make and can always be spiced up with toppings. Some of my personal favorites are crispy bacon crumbles and toasted breadcrumbs.

6. Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend

In my house, this seasoning is simply known as “crack”. For those of you who haven’t heard about this yet, I am not joking when I tell you that you truly are missing out on a heavenly experience. This seasoning is amazing on everything, and it’s guaranteed to elevate your avocado toast to a level 10.

 

SWEET

 

1. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

After many years of late-night studying, these peanut butter cups were the one thing that helped me survive. They are the perfect balance of salty and sweet… don’t blame me if they become your new late-night addiction.

2. Dark Chocolate Covered Honey Grahams with Sea Salt

If peanut butter isn’t your thing, or if you’re allergic, I’ve got the perfect alternative. These chocolate covered honey grahams are to die for. They’re sweet and crunchy upon first bite, but once you get that hint of sea salt they taste even more delicious. I always keep a few in my bag to make my day just a little sweeter.

3. Mango Mini Mochi

While I’m not the biggest mochi fan, these tiny desserts have a cult following. The sweet mango flavored mochi balls have the right amount of chew, and finish off with a fresh and tangy hit. Not only do they taste good, but they’re just super cute!

4. Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Bananas

Last, but certainly not least, are these frozen dark cholate covered strawberries and bananas. You may have sensed a theme that I’m a big dark chocolate fan, but I would definitely say these sweet treats are for everyone. They are low calorie, perfectly sweet, and will always lead to a good end of your night.

Let us know if we’ve missed any of your favorite TJ products in the comment section below, we’d love to try them out!