I drive 2 hours for my monthly trek to Trader Joe's. Here are 12 things I always stock up on.
Carly Neil
- I love Trader Joe's, but I live a two-hour round trip away from the chain.
- I gladly make the trek there once a month for skin-care faves and tasty cheeses.
I've been shopping at Trader Joe's for years. When I lived within minutes of my nearest location, it became my regular spot for all of my groceries.
These days, I live an hour away. But I've become so devoted to the products that I gladly make the two-hour round trip monthly to stock up on the essentials. For me, it's worth the gas money when I know I'm spending less on good-quality items.
Here's what I always buy for my husband and myself.
I shop for skin-care products at Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe's sells more than just food.
I often find cosmetics and skin-care products, such as sunscreen, for lower prices than competing brands.
Picking up a bouquet of flowers is a must on every visit.
Trader Joe's bouquets liven up my home, and they're cheaper than most of my local supermarkets or flower shops.
Don’t discount the frozen egg frittatas.
The frozen aisle is probably my favorite section of the store. The frozen meals are delicious, and they meet my goal of finding quick meal solutions with longer shelf lives.
The egg frittatas are a must-buy every time I visit. They're a quick and easy breakfast solution when I want something a little fancier than standard scrambled eggs.
Trader Joe’s also sells tons of quick lunch solutions.
Another Trader Joe's classic is the chicken gyoza potstickers.
They're ready in under 10 minutes, so I always reach for them when I need an easy lunch idea. One bag typically lasts me weeks.
Dinner is way easier with frozen roasted potatoes.
Trader Joe's excels at frozen side dishes like its roasted potatoes with peppers and onion.
They're super flavorful, and I usually get two or three servings out of a single bag.
Trader Joe’s mac-and-cheese bites are one of my favorite snacks.
Mac-and-cheese bites are another non-negotiable for me on every visit. They're such an easy snack.
I also love the butternut-squash variation the store usually stocks in the fall.
No matter what, I always stock up on my favorite pantry essential.
Trader Joe's has become pretty famous for its assortment of seasoning blends.
Although I've found that they can be hit or miss, I always stock up on the Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.
Its sauces and marinades are also easy to add to dishes.
I tend to stock up on things like meat at my local supermarket and add the flavor with products from Trader Joe's.
The Korean gochujang sauce is something I've recently discovered, and now it's on my must-buy list whenever I'm running low.
I can't forget about my favorite chocolate-covered snacks.
I rarely find anything like Trader Joe's shelves of creative chocolate snacks at other stores.
But I usually keep things simple with the dark-chocolate-covered mini pretzels.
I sometimes plan my monthly trip around dinner parties or gatherings.
I'll sometimes schedule my monthly Trader Joe's visit around special dinners or holidays when we're entertaining.
There are a lot of great dips available, and one of my favorites is the Buffalo-style chicken dip.
The cheese section is a highlight on any visit.
Trader Joe's cheese selection features a great range of familiar and out-there flavors for any palate.
No matter what, I always pick up a few blocks of Unexpected cheddar. It's a hit at dinner parties, and I always find myself snacking on it when I'm looking for a quick bite.
I mix things up by buying more adventurous cheeses, too.
I also love how Trader Joe's offers cheeses that are a little more adventurous, like its cheddar cheese with caramelized onions.
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