I worked at Trader Joe's for almost 3 years. Here are 12 things I always buy there.

Trader Joe's sourdough baguettes are delivered every morning freshly baked, and they're perfect for sandwiches.

I personally like to use it to make grilled cheese or garlic bread.

The quality loaf is just $2.49.

At $3.69, the mixed-fruit container with grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, and melon is fresh, affordable, and keeps me from snacking on processed foods throughout the day.

I love using Trader Joe's prewashed kale to make salads, smoothies, and kale chips.

You get a lot of kale in each bag for $1.99, but I usually buy two or three at a time.

The corn dippers pair well with a variety of Trader Joe's dips, but they taste really good plain as well.

They're less salty and thicker than name-brand corn chips, and they're just $1.99 a bag.

I love putting dried strawberries in my oatmeal, cereal, or even salads.

They taste like candy, but there's no added sugar.

They're $3.49 a bag, and I usually grab two.

Trader Joe's five-layer dip is perfect for any party, and I usually pair it with the corn dippers.

For $4.99, the dip includes sour cream, black-bean hummus, mixed Mexican cheese, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Trader Joe's is known for its frozen meals, and the classic orange chicken doesn't disappoint.

I love to cook it in the air fryer and pair it with brown rice. It makes an easy, tasty meal for $4.99 a bag.

I promise you won't find another frozen mac and cheese that's as good as Trader Joe's hatch-chile variety.

I prefer to make it in the oven, but you can easily cook the filling meal in the microwave.

It's super flavorful and all for $2.99.

Trader Joe's premade kale chicken Caesar salad is the best if you're looking for a quick lunch or an easy dinner side.

For $5.99, the salad is pretty filling. But I like to add avocado so it keeps me fuller longer.

Trader Joe's has an amazing collection of artisanal cheeses, but this imported Parmesan is absolutely divine.

I love adding it to salads and on top of pizzas.

The price depends on the weight of the cheese, but I tend to pick up blocks in the $5 range.

The potato tots are the perfect, crunchy air-fryer snack.

I like to add avocado and mixed cheese on top for added flavor, but they're also great on their own.

Each bag of frozen tots is $2.49.

The dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups are the perfect dessert.

There's a larger container in the dessert aisle, but I like to pick up the smaller, $0.99 bag of individually wrapped cups near the checkout stands.

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