7 Essential Thanksgiving Groceries from Trader Joe’s, According to Chefs

With so many dishes to whip up in so little time, it’s important to find yummy, store-bought ingredients that can take your menu to the next level. If you want to save time, energy, and potential tears of dicing onions, try the Gourmet Fried Onion Pieces. Chopped into teeny, tiny chunks, this secret ingredient will add a stealth crunch to your both mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. It’s no wonder why Chef Brooke Stockwell—the executive chef of Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe in Los Olivos, California—calls this crispy container a “delicious time-saver.”

Thanksgiving might be all about that jumbo-sized, juicy turkey, but a charcuterie board is a great way to satiate peckish guests before the big feast. If you’re looking for a cheese that looks good and tastes good, Chef Stockwell is partial to the store’s Cranberry Chèvre Goat Cheese.  “The log is perfect for your cheese and charcuterie board for grazing,” she says. The creamy, dreamy cheese is sprinkled with a mix of cranberries to bring a sweet burst to your savory board.

According to Christina Ferrari—president of  Silicon Shores Corporation, which owns American Bistro in Mountain View, California—Trader Joe’s is an excellent place to shop for nuts and dried fruit. “I love getting them there, because the quality is consistently good, they offer a fantastic assortment including specialty varieties, which can be difficult to find at other larger grocery stores,” she says. “And you can’t beat the price!” There are plenty of dried cranberries, strawberries, and tart cherries to add to your cart, but if you want to try something new? Give your Thanksgiving spread a kick with these chile-seasoned dried mangoes.

Not only does Ferrari like to add nuts and dried fruit into her baked goods—hello, fruit cake—but she also loves to sprinkle them over brie. Translation? You might as well add Trader Joe’s gooey, double cream brie to your cart. While this cheese is delicious on its own, Ferrari says to bake it in the oven for a “lovely Thanksgiving treat.” “You can also source different types at Trader Joe’s, for a reasonable price,” she adds.

You could roast chestnuts on an open fire, but Katy Monti of catering company Sweet + Salty in Salt Lake City says store-bought is fine. “Save yourself the trouble of peeling these ready-to-eat chestnuts and you will find the flavor and texture you didn’t know you needed,” she says. Since Trader Joe’s organic chestnuts are peeled and cooked, you can reallocate the time you would spend preparing them to whipping up something delicious.

“Roughly chop, toast in a sauté pan and add to your stuffing recipe, and you will elevate the classic dish to a level truly worthy of the Thanksgiving table,” she says. “The earthy flavors pair well with savory herbs like thyme and sage, and the creaminess of salty butter.” Craving something even simpler? Monti recommends using them to garnish a salad or blend them into your homemade viniagrette. 

If your seasonal spread features a lot of savory bites, add some sweetness with some cranberry sauce. Jessica Randhawa—owner and head chef of the Forked Spoon, who resides in California’s El Dorado Hills—says Trader Joe’s take is always a “standout” at her Thanksgiving table year after year. “It strikes a delightful balance between tart and sweet, enhancing the flavor of the turkey without overwhelming it,” she explains. “The sauce also features whole cranberries, which add a lovely texture and burst of flavor that canned varieties simply can’t match.” And, at under $4 per container, we’d totally buy enough for next-day leftovers.

Of course, no Thanksgiving feast is complete without a heaping pile of stuffing. For the perfect mix of simple and scrumptious, Randhawa reaches for Trader Joe’s Cornbread Stuffing Mix. “The stuffing is rich with a buttery flavor and seasoned beautifully with herbs, making it the perfect complement to any main dish,” she says. “The texture is also ideal, soft with just enough chew, which makes it a hit with everyone at the dinner table.” This side might taste like it’s made from scratch, Randhawa points out it’s incredibly simple to put together: Simply add water and butter—and you’ll have fluffy, flavorful stuffing in no time.