I travel out of state to shop at Trader Joe's for my family. Here are 8 items worth the long round trip.
The trip is 57 miles each way, but I pick up things I'm unable to get at my local supermarkets.
I fill my shopping cart with staples like pappardelle pasta, Alfredo sauce, and sunscreen.
Wyoming has a lot to offer. One thing it doesn't have, though, is Trader Joe's.
Although I can get pretty much everything I need from local grocery stores, there are a few special items I travel 57 miles to buy at a Trader Joe's location in Colorado.
Here are eight things I cross state lines to buy at the grocery chain.
I always grab a bag of Piñata apples when they're available.
Although they're not as sweet as my favorite Honeycrisps, I love grabbing a bag of Piñata apples from Trader Joe's. They have a nice tropical flavor and come in a large, 5-pound bag.
They never last long in my house, so I always hope they'll still be available on my next shopping trip.
Trader Joe's sunscreen doesn't feel greasy.
I never wore sunscreen as a kid, mostly because of the smell and greasy feel on my skin.
As a mom, though, I always have to make sure my kids are sufficiently protected from UV rays, which means I constantly have my hands covered in sunscreen. However, I don't mind it as much when it doesn't smell or feel greasy.
Trader Joe's has a great line of health and beauty products, and I especially love the invisible gel sunscreen. I find that it soaks in quickly after application, and I can't even tell by the smell that it's been applied.
Just the Clusters vanilla almond granola makes the perfect snack.
Trader Joe's Alfredo sauce is a hit with the whole family.
This Alfredo sauce has a nice blend of Parmesan and Romano cheese flavors. Even my picky child eats it without complaining.
I like to brown some chicken and simmer it in the Alfredo sauce with broccoli and pasta. The whole process is quick and results in a quick dinner that everyone will eat.
Pappardelle is the perfect base for pasta dishes.
These wide noodles cook quickly and pair well with any sauce. I only wish they came in a bigger package.
Trader Joe's glazed vanilla-bean scones are surprisingly tasty.
My husband loves the Trader Joe's cheddar jalapeño pull-apart bread.
My husband and older son both love spicy foods, so I like to get them Trader Joe's cheddar jalapeño pull-apart bread.
It's not super spicy, but it has a nice kick. I usually buy at least one extra package to freeze, since they typically polish off the first one within days.
Trader Joe's pizza crust makes dinner easy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business Insider
I worked at Trader Joe's for 3 years. I still come back all the time for these 10 underrated items.
I always stock up on cold brew coffee bags. I drink coffee year-round, but in the summer months, cold brew is essential. Trader Joe's usually only sells these bags during the summer, so I buy them whenever they're available. They come in packs of four. I just steep two bags in about 7 cups of water overnight in the fridge, and I'm set for days. Over the summer, I almost always keep a pitcher of cold brew in my fridge — and I find this is much more cost-effective than buying a bottle or jug. Trader Joe's overnight oats are my go-to for a quick breakfast. I've tried overnight oats from several brands and found many to be either too mushy or too sweet. These, however, are perfect. Whenever I go on a Trader Joe's trip, I'll grab a few to keep in my fridge for early mornings. There are several flavors I love, but I always look forward to the pumpkin one that's stocked in the fall. I always buy this horchata-inspired ice cream, which nails the flavor of the classic Mexican drink. Trader Joe's horchata-inspired ice cream is creamy, cinnamon-y, and has just the right amount of cookie pieces (my weakness). This is another product that's only around in the summer months, so whenever I see it in the freezer case, I don't hesitate to add it to my cart. Trader Joe's dolmas are one of my favorite pantry staples. A customer once convinced me to try Trader Joe's dolmas, and I've been hooked ever since. You can eat these little grape leaf-wrapped rice rolls right out of the can! They're packed in soybean oil and make a great snack or side dish with hummus or tzatziki. I always buy Norwegian sourdough rye chips to pair with tuna salad. I first tried this combo after a customer recommended it. The rye chips add the perfect crunch and saltiness to any creamy tuna salad, and they're thick enough that they don't break easily. Trader Joe's refrigerated chicken nuggets are the ultimate work-from-home lunch hack. These chicken nuggets crisp up quickly in the air fryer and are easy to eat as a quick meal or snack. Sometimes, I toss them on a salad for extra protein. They have saved me from ordering takeout more times than I can count — and the spicy ones are great, too. The frozen hashbrowns are a cult favorite, and I've come to understand why. When I worked at Trader Joe's, customers would constantly ask if these were back in stock. I didn't understand the hype … until I tried them. Now, I always keep a box in my freezer. They crisp up perfectly in the air fryer and make a great base for avocado "toast" with a fried egg. The squiggly knife-cut-style noodles are a delicious alternative to instant ramen. Compared to other instant noodles I've tried, these have a chewy, bouncy texture that I love. Also, don't get me started on the sauce — it's spicy, garlicky, and nutty in the best way. I always keep a few packs on hand for lazy lunches or late-night snacks. Matua sauvignon blanc is my favorite chilled wine from Trader Joe's. A coworker introduced me to this crisp, not-too-sweet white wine from New Zealand, and it's been a staple ever since. I highly recommend chilling it in the fridge. Also, a pro tip: Look for the snowflake on the label, which turns blue when perfectly chilled. I'm terrible at staying hydrated, but these coconut waters help.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
This Crunchy, Tangy and Spicy $5 Trader Joe's Find is My New Lunchtime Obsession
This Crunchy, Tangy and Spicy $5 Trader Joe's Find is My New Lunchtime Obsession originally appeared on Parade. As someone who works from home and tries his best not to eat out too often, living in New York City doesn't exactly help. With worldly cuisine on every corner and the familiar comforts of franchised chains always within reach, it's hard to settle for your modest grocery haul back home. That said, Trader Joe's always manages to come up with a few intriguing ready-made options that tend to end up in my cart. Because as much as I love cooking from scratch at home, the reality is that some workdays only allow time for something quick and week, after being won over by its growing popularity online, I made it a point to get my hands on Trader Joe's Korean Style Bibim-Guksu. It's a light and refreshing cold noodle salad inspired by the treasured staple of Korean cuisine. It's sold in a decently sized 9.81-ounce clear container and is packed with fresh ingredients for a cool $4.99. As a newcomer to this Trader Joe's find, I was instantly impressed by how well it held up in the fridge days after purchase. I didn't get around to opening the container until the day of the suggested 'Use By' date, and I was shocked by how fresh, green and inviting everything still looked inside. Like much of Asian cuisine, the packaging is impressively efficient—no space wasted, with every inch of the compact container put to good use. Inside, a variety of textures and bold flavors await, including a hearty mix of spicy somen noodles, napa cabbage, carrots, cucumber, scallions, kimchi and two (yes, two!) packets of gochujang dressing. After emptying one gochujang dressing packet and giving the vegetable and noodle medley a good mix, I quickly realized I had a new lunch option to add to my rotation. Even four days after purchase, each bite was still fresh, crispy and crunchy. The noodles were soft and plentiful, while the sauce itself was tangy and delicious, with a gentle heat that lingered as a background kick rather than hitting you head a review shared online by @traderjoeslist, one fan suggested adding TJ's pineapple teriyaki chicken meatballs as the protein, saying, 'It's sooo bomb together.' Another chimed in with a tip to add sesame oil and sesame seeds, claiming, 'It will brighten the flavor,' while a third recommended the classic addition of a boiled egg for protein. Whichever approach you take, you'll be impressed by the excellent mix of healthy ingredients, firm and juicy cucumber chunks, plenty of tangy gochujang dressing and the fact that you only spent $5 on lunch. Stock your fridge for a few days and enjoy a fresh alternative to the all-too usual delivery app Crunchy, Tangy and Spicy $5 Trader Joe's Find is My New Lunchtime Obsession first appeared on Parade on Jul 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Yahoo
Let Trader Joe's upgrade your picnic
One of the greatest joys of living in New York City is coming out of a dreary winter hibernation to experience summer. After months of seeking reprieve inside tightly enclosed apartments, everyone is buzzing to be outdoors as much as possible. That includes day trips to Coney Island, beach getaways and picnics at the park — my personal favorite summer pastime. When it comes to enjoying the perfect picnic, your choice of food and drinks matters. My rule of thumb is to have a nice mix of sweet and savory items — whether that's a packaged snack or non-perishable meal options — along with something fresh, like cut-up fruits and veggies, and a fun beverage. For meals, you'll want to stick to things that are easy to make, easy to pack and require only a few utensils to serve. As for where to find good picnic foods and ingredients, Trader Joe's has got you covered. The retailer announced several new, seasonal products that are perfect to enjoy outdoors with company. Here's what to buy to throw the ultimate summer picnic. Sandwiches are a picnic staple. So, of course, TJ's Deli Sandwich Style Potato Chips are also a must-have. Per the brand, the chips are seasoned with a medley of seasonings 'that evoke notes of smoky ham, dilly pickle, sharp cheese, and zesty mustard, and kettle-cooked for a consummately crisp texture, creating a savory synthesis of two culinary icons in one snack.' The chips can be enjoyed on their own or or layered inside homemade sandwiches. They are also great for dipping, whether that's in guacamole, hummus or cottage cheese. These chips scream 'summer picnic,' so be sure to snag them during your next trip to TJ's. Whether you love it or loathe it, the hot honey trend has taken the culinary world by storm in recent years. Hot honey has been drizzled on pizza, fried chicken, grilled meats, breakfast eggs and, yes, even ice cream. Now, thanks to TJ's, the sweet and spicy condiment is getting its own flavored popcorn. TJ's Hot Honey Popcorn is 'savory, salty, sweet, and spicy, all at once.' Each kettle corn popcorn is generously coated in honey powder and hot cayenne pepper, providing the perfect balance of two bold flavors. Try making a picnic-friendly trail mix with this popcorn. TJ's recommends mixing the popcorn with a combination of sweet and spicy snacks, like its Bite-Sized Candy Coated Milk Chocolate Candies, Thai Lime & Chili Cashews and Sweet & Spicy Pecans. On the topic of chips, TJ's rendition of Takis is perfect as a stand-alone snack or for dipping in guacamole (like TJ's Avocado's Number Guacamole) or hummus (like TJ's Roasted Garlic Hummus). The chips are shaped like little scrolls and are dusted in hot Chili & Lime Flavored seasoning, which is why they're so addictive. It's also worth mentioning that TJ's Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips were crowned the top fan-favorite item for the second year in a row in the 2024 Customer Choice Awards. The chips also won the #1 Snack category for the second year in a row. In addition to being a pantry staple, they are an absolute picnic must-have. If you're planning on assembling a picnic charcuterie board, be sure to grab TJ's Savory Squares during your next grocery trip. The bite-sized, gluten-free crackers are a cheese lover's dream come true. They are made with a mix of nut and seed flours and coated in a cheddar-y coating that makes them a more satisfying alternative to Cheez-Its. Top them with your favorite cheeses, spreads and preserved meats. The crackers can also be crushed up and used as breadcrumbs for making fried chicken or chicken cutlet sandwiches. Crafted in the U.K. by a team of 'expert cheesemakers,' TJ's Shropshire Blue English Cheese is made with pasteurized cow's milk, vegetarian-friendly microbial enzyme and annatto, which gives the cheese a beautiful pale orange color. The cheese itself 'offers tangy flavors, rich aromas, and a crumbly, elegantly easy-eating texture,' as described by TJ's. It's stellar on a charcuterie board with dried fruit, fruit preserves, fresh figs and crackers. The cheese can also be crumbled over a picnic-ready salad. Enough about the savory options, because no picnic is complete without its sweet fixings — and no summer picnic is complete without a cold treat to help battle the heat. TJ's limited-edition Black Sesame Mochi is filled with ice cream infused with a paste made from roasted and finely-ground black sesame seeds. 'This paste not only lends a rich gray-black hue, but also brings that characteristic nuttiness with a hint of savory to contrast with the flavor of the frozen sweet cream,' TJ's writes, adding that the 'resulting couple-bite-sized frozen treat is intriguingly tasty, and an instant conversation starter during your dinner-party dessert course.' If you're planning on enjoying these mochis at a picnic, be sure to carry them in an insulated cooler bag. The mochis are ready to eat after three to four minutes resting at room temperature. TJ's Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews touts roasted cashews covered in a thin, caramel-like coating and a layer of rich dark chocolate. It's the perfect picnic dessert that can be enjoyed on its own or in a homemade trail mix with crackers, dried fruit and salted nuts. The dark chocolate-covered cashews can also be crushed up and included in homemade cookies or topped on freshly-baked fudgy brownies. A colorful and refreshing sweet treat, TJ's Watermelon Freeze Dried Candies are made with spirulina, paprika, vegetable juice, turmeric and fruit juice. They are deliciously sweet yet slightly tangy. And they melt in your mouth shortly after they hit your tongue. 'As they melt, these Candies gently fizz on your tongue,' per TJ's. 'Another fun fact? You'll find Trader Joe's Watermelon Freeze Dried Candies on our shelves, every day.' These candies are a great option for those who want to enjoy something light and fruity while picnicking. TJ's Tangerine Vanilla Sparkling Water is infused with natural Tangerine and Vanilla flavors, making it a healthy alternative to soft drinks. It's fizzy, crisp and flavorful — simply put, it's got everything you'd want in a summer beverage! Enjoy this drink plain or in a mocktail made with fresh fruit juice, like TJ's Tangerine Juice, and a creamsicle, like TJ's Tangerine Cream Bar. I won't recommend bringing alcoholic beverages to the park, as it's illegal in specific states. But if you're planning on moving things indoors, then try adding a splash of rum or tequila to boozify your drink. The post Let Trader Joe's upgrade your picnic appeared first on Solve the daily Crossword
