The #1 Holiday Food at Trader Joe's (2024)

If you're the type of fall-weather enthusiast who hangs Halloween decorations on October 1 and counts down the days to pumpkin spice lattes, chances are that Thanksgiving is a pretty big deal in your house. And what better way to mark the holiday than by stocking up on some Thanksgiving foods from Trader Joe's?

Trader Joe's has everything you need to make the most of this magical season, and the store is constantly rolling out new specialty fall items at the chain's everyday unbeatable prices. From Autumn Maple Coffee to Pumpkin Spiced Ginger Brew, these autumnal faves will make any meal feel like a feast.

And for more, don't miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix

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Trader Joe's has the pumpkin market cornered. They've got pumpkin soups, pumpkin bars, and a whole lot more. But if you make a point of buying just one of these things, make it the Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix. There's nothing cozier than walking into a home smelling of freshly baked cookies, and these confectionaries capture the essence of fall in every rich, gooey bite.

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Autumn Maple Coffee

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Yes, you'll enjoy the Trader Joe's Autumn Maple Coffee. But you know who will appreciate it even more? Whichever family member wakes up on Thanksgiving morning at 8 a.m. to help you figure out how your oven works. This holiday of marathon cooking isn't for the faint-hearted, and given that most families throw their festivities in the early afternoon, you're going to need to get an early start. Make sure it includes this delicious seasonal blend to get your cooking team in the Thanksgiving spirit.

Frozen Riced Cauliflower Stuffing

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Love stuffing, but want to avoid filling up on a heaping plate of carbs? This cauliflower-based alternative skips the breadcrumbs but retains everything you love about Thanksgiving's most beloved side dish: a rich and savory, herb-infused flavor and a moist, fluffy texture. This particular blend is made with vegetable stock instead of chicken or turkey stock, meaning it's also vegan-friendly!

Maple Streusel Bread

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Not all Thanksgiving products need to be saved for Thanksgiving day itself. Trader Joe's Maple Streusel Bread is the perfect way to gear up for the holiday's festivities, as early as the first leaves begin to turn. Toast it and spread on some salted butter for an extra decadent treat! The crumb and icing topping elevate this sweet, flavorful bread from your standard slice.

Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish

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If you're the traditional type‒a real cranberry sauce purist‒TJ's has got you covered. But if you're up for a little more adventure this year and looking to branch out into a new flavor profile, the Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish is the way to go. It adds a citrus twist and a sweet-yet-tangy kick that takes the whole meal up a notch.

The easy way to make healthier comfort foods.

Spiral Sliced Uncured Hams

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You don't need the internet to tell you to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving. Instead, we're here to remind you that it's not the only option for the big day, and in fact offering something else may be a welcome change after years of predictable Thanksgiving meals. Trader Joe's Spiral Sliced Uncured Hams are antibiotic-, nitrate-, and hormone-free, not to mention vegetarian-fed and kept out of crates. If you're not up for six hours of hand-wringing over a turkey or simply want to offer a second option, this could be the solution for you!

Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Pecans

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Cooking for Thanksgiving is a behemoth task, especially if you insist on doing everything from scratch. That's why there's absolutely nothing wrong with cutting a few corners here and there, freeing you up from the kitchen to actually enjoy your time with family—not to mention freeing up your stovetop burners, which are prime real estate on Thanksgiving Day. A box of Trader Joe's Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Pecans takes just three minutes to heat up and tastes as rich and delicious as if you'd peeled, mashed, and seasoned the potatoes yourself.

Cornbread Mix

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Cornbread may not take center stage on Thanksgiving, but make no mistake: It matters that you get it right. Instead of risking a dry, grainy loaf, you can ensure a moist, cakey consistency by using TJ's Cornbread Stuffing Mix. The premade mix is ready in just 30 minutes and is as close to fool-proof as possible. Enjoy a warm piece fresh from the oven with some salted butter, a drizzle of honey, or both!

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Ginger Brew

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If you've never tried a Mule made with Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie Spiced Ginger Brew, you're missing out. This holiday favorite can be served alone as a virgin drink for all to enjoy or with a dash of added alcohol for the grown-ups at the party. Made with a fizzy apple cider and ginger purée base, the ginger brew has a brooding, aromatic flavor that reveals hints of cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove.

Pumpkin Bisque

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Rich and creamy, nutty and savory, Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bisque is a multidimensional soup that's about to be your new favorite fall meal. This is gourmet comfort food you can keep on hand in your pantry, sure to hit the spot on those chilly autumn days. Stock up for the winter before they're gone!

Riced Cauliflower and Butternut Squash Risotto

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Looking for a filling, fuss-free meal that combines all the best fall-harvest flavors? Look no further than the Trader Joe's frozen section. The Riced Cauliflower and Butternut Squash Risotto packs all the punch of a butter-herb risotto but skips the rice base for a low-carb alternative. This hearty blend of cauliflower, carrots, butternut squash, garlic, and cheese works perfectly as a side dish, or it can shine on its own as the main attraction.

Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip

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Looking for a way to ensure that each of your family members has something to be thankful for? Serve up an appetizer of Trader Joe's Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip with slices of toasted baguette. Job done! Melted Swiss and parmesan top off an already decadently creamy texture, but with all that spinach and chopped artichoke, you'll be able to look the other way.

Spiced Cider

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This one's a no-brainer: fall is synonymous with cider! Trader Joe's Spiced Cider happens to be a particularly bright, tangy, tasty type‒free of added preservatives, colors, flavors, and sugar. Add a steaming hot mug of cider to your daily ritual and snuggle in for the season.

For more, check out these 108 most popular sodas ranked by how toxic they are.

The #1 Holiday Food at Trader Joe's (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular item at Trader Joe's? ›

Best Overall Trader Joe's Item: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips. When it comes to Trader Joe's products, there's one that shoppers believe is a cut above the rest—snack category winner Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips.

Does Trader Joe's pay 10 extra on Sundays? ›

Trader Joe's reviews. The company gives back to the community and donates all unsellable food. You're also available for a raise in your hourly rate every 6 months and receive a $10/hr bonus every Sunday.

What is Trader Joe's jingle jangle? ›

Inside each generously sized tin you'll find mini pretzels covered with milk and dark chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate; dark chocolate-covered caramel popcorn; dark chocolate-covered broken Joe-Joe's cookies; milk chocolate gems with a red candy coating; and milk and dark chocolate mini peanut butter cups.

What is the slowest day at Trader Joe's? ›

In addition to being the best days to go, the hours between 8-10 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are usually the most leisurely times to shop. A bonus for the morning shopper is if you arrive just as they open you have a chance to get first choice at some of TJ's best products.

What is Trader Joe's most popular chicken? ›

Mandarin orange chicken

It's been winning the hearts of shoppers since its release in 2004, earning multiple of the chain's Customer Choice Awards and finally snagging a long-overdue spot in the Trader Joe's Hall of Fame in January of 2023.

How much does the average person spend at Trader Joe's? ›

The Average Trip to Trader Joe's

Now when it comes to average spending, Americans are dishing out about $66.00 every time they go to Trader Joe's.

Do you get paid more on Sundays at Trader Joe's? ›

Yes, they do. As of about a year ago, Trader Joe's pays an extra $10 per hour for crew members working Sundays and certain holidays celebrated on Mondays. I know this doesn't sound right. We thought so too till we started getting paid…and then making sure we were working every Sunday and holiday we could.

What's the best time of day to shop at Trader Joe's? ›

If You're Looking to Avoid the Trader Joe's Crowds

The key word being almost. (Sorry to start you off with a scare!) But Engelhardt says that you can sometimes avoid crowds by shopping early in the morning on a weekday or late in the evening on a weeknight, about an hour or so before they close.

How much do Trader Joe's employees get off groceries? ›

Trader Joe's is dedicated to making an investment in and for you. All Crew Members currently receive up to a 20% discount on all products in our stores. We offer exceptional medical, dental and vision plans to eligible Crew Members.

What did Trader Joe's used to be called? ›

Trader Joe's is named after its founder, Joe Coulombe. The company began in 1958 as a Greater Los Angeles area chain known as Pronto Market convenience stores.

What does Trader Joe's call their employees? ›

Instead of calling their workers employees, Trader Joe's has nautical titles for positions. crew members are entry-level workers. Merchants are crew members who've received recognition for stellar customer service.

What are Trader Joe's mystery bags? ›

So What's the Mystery? Some of the bags come from different areas of the country — for example, you might get a bag with another state on it — and others just have unique designs only available in the mystery pack. Either way: It's a super-fun way to stock up on reusable bags when you shop!

Is Trader Joes a stressful job? ›

Fun environment but can be stressful

I had a great time working at Trader Joe's but it got progressively more stressful at the store I was working at. It is a nonstop job which is great but in the middle of a busy street in Miami, it started to get too much with the increasing population.

What are Trader Joe's weaknesses? ›

Trader Joe's Weaknesses
  • Product recalls. Trader Joe's has had some product recalls in the past that hurt its brand image. ...
  • Geographical limitation. Trader Joe's has heavily invested in the American market and has about 560 stores across U.S. states. ...
  • Lack of deliveries. ...
  • Discouraging customer reviews.
Mar 17, 2024

What is the smallest Trader Joe's? ›

Spanning 5,200 square feet in Downtown, Boston, the Boylston Street Trader Joe's hold the title as “the smallest Trader Joe's in the known universe.” For context, the SoHo Trader Joe's in New York City is 19,000 square feet (more than triple in size!).

What do people love about Trader Joe's? ›

She mentioned the outgoing, charismatic employees who are encouraged to strike up conversations, its quirky hand-drawn signs, its low prices, its unique seasonal products, and its fun, laid-back atmosphere that helps it to stand out from the hustle and bustle of other popular supermarket chains.

Do celebrities shop at Trader Joe's? ›

Because of those low prices, you might not necessarily expect A-list celebrities to make Trader Joe's their grocery store of choice, but many of them do, in fact, frequent the store's aisles.

What is the hype with Trader Joe's? ›

Ask any fan why they prefer Trader Joe's over any other grocery store, and many will likely point out the chain's private-label items. The grocery store sells nearly exclusively products that are branded under the Trader Joe's name, which is partly a money-saving maneuver and partly a marketing strategy.

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