Yes, Professional Chefs Shop at Trader Joe’s — Here Are Their 9 Favorite Items

Everyone has an opinion on which Trader Joe’s items are the best. Some content creators build their entire channels on giving product recommendations, or taste-testing through the highly coveted seasonal releases. But if you really want insight on what to buy at the cult-favorite grocery store, you should look to the people who know food best — professional chefs.

We asked F&W Best New Chefs for their go-to products at Trader Joe’s. From easy meals to affordable booze, these are their favorite items.

Cheese & Green Chile Tamales

These tamales, which are less than $5 for a pack of two, are a breakfast staple for 2022 F&W Best New Chef Calvin Eng. “I always have them stashed in my freezer,” he says. “I microwave them for four minutes while I dice some tomatoes, shred some lettuce, and slice an avocado. I serve [them] with sour cream and a fried egg.”

Related: The 12 Best Snacks You Can Buy at Trader Joe’s, According to Dedicated Shoppers

Portuguese Custard Tarts

“My wife recently picked up a pack of Portuguese egg tarts,” says 2017 F&W Best New Chef Diego Galicia. “I demolished them all.” Trader Joe’s imports these treats from Portugal, where they’re traditionally called pasteis de nata. Just like the versions you might find at a Portuguese bakery, these tarts are made from puff pastry and a soft, sweet egg custard that turns golden-brown in the oven. The TJ’s version comes frozen — heat them up in 20 minutes in the oven or one minute in the microwave.

Cheddar Rocket Crackers

A lot of people consider Cheddar Rockets to be the Trader Joe’s version of Goldfish, but really, they’re an entirely different snack. Not only are they shaped like spaceships, but they have a much more subtle, toasted cheddar flavor. 2021 F&W Best New Chef Carlo Lamagna picks up a box during his regular grocery haul. “They’re a big hit with the kids — and to be honest, myself, too.”

Related: 10 Ways to Make Tamales With Pork, Chicken, Mushrooms, and More

Rear Admiral Joseph’s London Dry Gin

Wait, gin at Trader Joe’s? Depending on your state’s liquor laws, your local TJ’s might stock bottles of booze. And, according to 2008 F&W Best New Chef Gerard Craft, this gin is surprisingly high-quality. “The gin is as good as any other London Dry I drink,” he says. “And it’s under $8.” Use it for your next Gin & Tonic or Martini.

Sea Salt Brownie Bites

2023 F&W Best New Chef Isabel Coss swears by TJ’s Sea Salt Brownie Bites. These fudgy brownies, cut into eight squares, are packed with chocolate chips and finished with flaky sea salt. “I think they are perfect," she says. "It’s dangerous to keep them in the house because they won’t last long.”

Coconut Shrimp

2021 F&W Best New Chef Fermín Nuñez’s eye doctor is right next to a Trader Joe’s. “Every time I have to go, I get excited because it means I get to stock up on one of my all-time favorite frozen food items, their coconut shrimp,” he says. “I actually hate most coconut shrimp because usually, they either taste too much like fake coconut or fake sweet pineapple juice, but this one has the perfect balance of awesomeness. They’re easy to pan-fry or heat up in the oven or air fryer at home.”

Blueberry & Pomegranate Green Tea

“Lately, I’ve been cutting back on sugary drinks, so Trader Joe’s Blueberry & Pomegranate Green Tea has become a staple in my house,” says 2021 F&W Best New Chef Angel Barreto. Infused with natural blueberry and pomegranate flavors, this green tea comes in a large bottle, ideal for pouring over ice or making nonalcoholic cocktails. “It's a fantastic thirst quencher and pairs well with almost any meal, offering a burst of flavor without being overly sweet.”

Related: 6 Tea Cocktails We Love for Spring

Reusable bags

There’s been a lot of hype around Trader Joe’s mini tote bags (at one point, they were sold on eBay for up to $500), but its typical reusable shopping bags are equally useful. “They’re the perfect size, and at only 99 cents, they never break,” says 2019 F&W Best New Chef Mutsuko Soma.

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