These Are the Best Trader Joe’s Products of the Year, According to Customers
The results of Trader Joe’s 14th Annual Customer Choice Awards are in.
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If you’re a regular Trader Joe’s shopper, you probably have your own specific go-tos that you always have to add to cart. And you might even be able to wax poetically about some of these favorites. Whether it’s a frozen food, snack, dessert, condiment, cheese, or bread item… there’s a Trader Joe’s product (or more) that has iconic status on your grocery list. So what are your favorites?
Each year, Trader Joe’s likes to ask their customers that very question through its Customer Choice Awards. For the 14th annual awards, they asked, “If you were to spend the rest of your life on a deserted island, which nine Trader Joe’s products would you take with you?”
After more than 18,000 people responded, the retailer tallied everything up and just announced the winners in nine different categories (plus, runner-ups in each). Take a look at the results below. And if you’re wondering, “Where is the Orange Chicken?” or, “They left out Unexpected Cheddar?!,” do not fret—earlier this month, Trader Joe’s added five beloved products—including the Orange Chicken and Unexpected Cheddar—to their new Hall of Fame list.
#1 Overall: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
These rolled chips are a nice balance of spicy and zesty, and go great with dips.
Runners-up:
2. TJ’s Hashbrowns
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3. Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings
4. Everything But the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend
5. 4 Chocolate Croissants
#1 Beverage: Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice Beverage
A seasonal buy, this drink is sweet and sparkling—enjoying it is like a little celebration.
Runners-up:
2. Triple Ginger Brew (seasonal)
3. Sparkling Peach Black Tea with Peach Juice
4. Sparkling Cranberry & Ginger Beverage (seasonal)
5. Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer
#1 Cheese: Cheddar with Caramelized Onions
A full-bodied English cheddar meets onion marmalade for the right mix of savory and sweet. Try making a grilled cheese with it… mmm.
Runners-up:
2. Syrah Soaked Toscano
3. Baked Lemon Ricotta (seasonal)
4. Blueberry & Vanilla Chèvre
5. Brie (various)
#1 Entree: Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
TJ’s Butter Chicken is creamy with just a bit of spice. Pair it with their samosas. Honestly, Trader Joe’s is singlehandedly helping us all save money on takeout.
Runners-up:
2. Chicken Tikka Masala
3. Kung Pao Chicken
4. Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese (seasonal)
5. BBQ Teriyaki Chicken
#1 HABA/Household: Scented Candles
Trader Joe’s has a great selection of household goods and beauty products. These seasonally-available candles have a burn time of 20 hours and come in delicious scents, like Peony Blossom, Cedar Balsam, Honeycrisp Apple, and Vanilla Pumpkin.
Runners-up:
2. Daily Facial Sunscreen
3. Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Cream
4. Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo & Conditioner
5. Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask
#1 Produce: Bananas
Bananas at 19 cents each and organic ones at 25 cents each? You really can’t beat that.
Runners-up:
2. Teeny Tiny Avocados
3. Honeycrisp Apples
4. Brussels sprouts
5. Organic Carrots of Many Colors
#1 Snack: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
The number-one overall pick is also the the number-one snack.
Runners-up:
2. Organic Elite Corn Chip Dippers
3. Organic Corn Chip Dippers
4. World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs
5. Crunchy Curls
#1 Sweet/Dessert: Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
The mini ice cream cones are the perfect little dessert. And depending on the season, they come in different ice cream flavors like pumpkin ginger and peppermint.
Runners-up:
2. Danish Kringle (various)
3. Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
4. Chocolate Lava Cakes
5. Brookie
#1 Vegan/Vegetarian: Kale & Cashew Pesto
You seriously won’t miss the cheese in this pesto. Use it for pastas, sandwiches, and heck, just as a dip!
Runners-up:
2. Vegetable Fried Rice
3. Beefless Bulgogi
4. Palak Paneer
5. Cauliflower Gnocchi
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