{Psssst! I’ve updated this list with my 2019 Trader Joe’s toddler favorites, and I even made a printable shopping list to bring to the store with you. Check it out!}
Trader Joe’s is the mecca of all grocery stores. The cream of the crop, the best of the best, the G.O.A.T. (that’s “greatest of all time,” for you non-hip-moms). And for toddler moms, especially, it’s nothing short of a lifesaver.
Because as mother to a toddler (or, heavens,multiple toddlers), you are responsible for all the snacks, all the time. And Trader Joe’s is, without a doubt, the number one place to find tasty snacks and easy meals for toddlers.
However, if you’ve never been, it can be a little daunting. It’s organized differently than most stores, and nearly everything is Trader Joe’s brand, so it can take a few aimless, wandering trips to get the lay of the land and figure out what the real gems are.
Toddler moms ain’t got time for that, so lucky for you, you’ve got me!
This is my ultimate toddler mom Trader Joe’s favorites list. Treats for you, treats for your toddler, some healthy stuff, some not-so-much. It’s all about balance, folks.
The Best Trader Joe’s Meat & Produce
1. Flowers
The first thing you’ll see and smell upon entering this glorious place is flowers. TJ’s has gorgeous flowers, at a great price. Get a pre-arranged bouquet, or arrange your own, and stick it in the middle of your otherwise wrecked house to present the illusion of order.
2. Produce
We’ll start with the healthy stuff. They’ve got great fresh produce here, again at a great price. I almost always get a bag of baby spinach because I toss it into everything to try and force my child to eat greens (like my secret spinach toddler smoothie and my Instant Pot Italian Sausage Pasta), and I basically can’t ever enter a store without getting some berries for him.
And most of the time I pick up some carrots to dip in my…
3. Trader Joe’s Cilantro and Jalapeno Hummus
This stuff is the bomb. Quick, high-protein snacks are a must-have for moms of tiny lunatics. They also have super soft naan bread and crispy pita chips to eat with this, if you prefer that.
4. Trader Joe’s Packaged Salads
It’s hard impossible to pick one favorite item at Trader Joe’s, but their packaged salads come pretty dang close. This Mexicali Salad is one of my go-tos, but they’re all delish. And if there’s anything we toddler moms need, it’s quick and easy lunches.
5. The Best Trader Joe’s Cheese: Unexpected Cheddar
I can’t even begin to adequately describe this stuff. Sharp white cheddar, mixed with parmesan and perfection… just try it.
6. Baked Goods
There’s always this table, right next to the fruits & veggies, that just taunts you. Your cart is so healthy and colorful, and you’re feeling great about your life choices, and then you come across this table and it will break you down.So just accept that now. Pick literally anything off of it and know you can’t make a bad choice.
7. Trader Joe’s Almond, Cashew & Chocolate Trek Mix
This is my favorite thing to bring to preggos and new moms. When I was pregnant, Ialwayshad a bag with me. I kept one in my desk, one in my purse, one next to the couch, one in my nightstand.It’s an awesome protein-filled snack that you don’t have to feel too guilty about.
8. Trader Joe’s Marinated Meats
Trader Joe’s has tons of great marinated meats to choose from. My family and I love pesto, so this one’s a clear winner for us, but we also love the Cabernet roast and pretty much everything we’ve tried.
The Best Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods
9. Trader Joe’s Frozen Chile Lime Chicken Burgers
Onto the frozen aisles – this is where the real magic happens. These chicken burgers are everything. They’re healthy, tasty, easy to prepare.The trifecta.
10. Trader Joe’s Frozen Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese
If I need to convince you to try this, then I can’t help you. Trader Joe’s regular frozen mac & cheese is delicious enough, but this is hatch chile mac & cheese, for God’s sake, and it’s ready in 5 minutes.
11. Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
This is one of our favorite last-minute dinners. Just drop this in the oven, whip up some fried rice (which TJ’s also has in the frozen section), and it’s ready in 30 minutes. The whole family loves it!
12. Trader Joe’s Frozen Mac & Cheese Bites
TJ’s frozen apps are LIFE. These Mac & Cheese Bites are the top of the pyramid (for obvious reasons), but the Parmesan Pastry PupsandSpanakopitaare both awesome, too.
13. Trader Joe’s Tater Tots
Tbh, I don’t know why these are any better than regular tater tots. But they really are. They’re crispy and soft and flavorful and wonderful.
14. Trader Joe’s Turkey Corn Dogs
I still maintain that it’s impossible to pick one TJ’s favorite, but if I were to attempt that, these would be a top contender.
No corn dog could ever stand next to a Fletcher’s Corny Dog from the State Fair of Texas, but these are a damn good substitute (and they’returkey dogs! I would never be able to tell the difference.).
Buy them “for your toddler,” but eat them for yourself.
The Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
15. Trader Joe’s Pinks & Whites Cookies
The secret to Trader Joe’s is that all the really good stuff is spread out above the freezers in the frozen aisles. That’s where you’ll find these delightful cookies that are like theCircus cookiesof your childhood, but laced with crack (I assume, because I can’t stop eating them).
I actually can’t buy these anymore, because between my 3-year-old and myself, we’ll eat a whole box in a single day, and that doesn’t go well for anyone.
16. All the Trader Joe’s Chocolate
There are too many amazing, to-die-for, chocolatey goodies at Trader Joe’s to include here. They’re all delicious, but these two–Dark Chocolate Almonds and Mini Peanut Butter Cups–are my current favorites.
I also highly recommend the Cowboy Bark and S’mores Bites, assuming you don’t care about things like pants sizes and diabetes (moderation, okay?!).
17. Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Ice Cream
So, I intentionally didn’t include Cookie Butter on this list, because it’s too obvious. Cookie butter from Trader Joe’s is a given. If you don’t have a jar of Cookie Butter stashed away in your pantry at all times, you’re doing it wrong.
But Cookie Butter Ice Cream is worth including on the list. It’s everything you imagine it to be and more.
18. Trader Joe’s Frozen Gone Bananas
Another contender for a “favorite” TJ’s item. These are so simple–just frozen, chocolate-covered banana slices–and yet, they’re magical.
19. Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute
A tasty seasoning mix that improves anything and everything it touches. Chicken, pasta, meat, eggs, whatever. Just toss this in.
20. Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck
$2 wine, because, TODDLERS.
Toddler moms, what are your other Trader Joe’s favorites? Share ’em in the comments!
