This is an updated post to include more of my Favorite Trader’s Fall items. I love Autumn…especially at Trader Joe’s! Here are my Favorite Trader Joe’s Fall Items with tips on how to use them. Some of these things, like the spiced pumpkin seeds, are only available at this time of year!
1. Flowers and Pumpkins
2. Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Thins
These are very sweet so just one is great with tea (30 calories for one).
2. Roasted Red Pepper Soup
This is a great lunch or first course with a small dollop of creme fraiche or sour cream and cracked pepper.
3. Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
Good on salads, especially this Autumn Pear and Arugula Salad.
4. Trader Joe’s Olive Oil Spray
5. Heirloom carrots
So pretty! I serve them as crudites or roasted in the oven with olive oil.
6. Honeycrisp Apples
Delicious snack when on the go.
7. Vacuum-packed lentils
These are in the refrigerated vegetable section. Make a healthy salad by adding: chopped carrots, celery, red onion, parsley, drizzles of olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste.
8. Fontina cheese, prosciutto, and fresh pizza dough.
9. Frozen Cubes of Ginger and Garlic
My friend, JoAnn recommended these…These great to have on hand in the freezer for recipes like Ginger Lime Chicken and Grilled Steak With Delicious Chimichurri Sauce.
10. Frozen almond croissants
Take them out the night before to freshly bake in the morning. Great for when you have house guests.
11. Uncured Apple Smoked Thick-sliced bacon (sprinkle with pepper)
The pepper adds a little taste and texture. I bake the slices on a rack and pan in the oven. You could also drizzle with honey.
12. Bruschetta Sauce
Makes a great appetizer on toasted baguette slices or as an addition to scrambled eggs.
13. Butternut Squash Ravioli
Serve with fresh sage fried in olive oil, a pat of butter, and shredded parmesan.
14. Well Priced Wine From Bordeaux
Chateau de Seguin Bordeaux Prestige. Doesn’t this look fancy for $12? Tastes pretty good too!
15. Spatchcock Lemon Rosemary Chicken.
We make this often, many times instead of store-bought rotisserie chicken.
Tip for a crisper skin: Remove the lemon slices even though the directions above say to leave them on. Sprinkle with black pepper. Cook at a higher temperature (425 degrees–preheated) for 20 minutes and then reduce to 350 degrees for the remainder.
You may also like: What A Chef Buys At Trader Joes by Domino.
Did I miss anything? What are some of your Favorite Trader Joe’s Fall Items?
Karen B. says
This is a great list. I love Trader Joe’s and always appreciate someone else’s list of favorites. I hope they will someday be allowed to cook samples. I used to find some great things by tasting things I might not have tasted before. I love making my own pizzas using TJ’s pizza dough.
xo,
Karen
Julane Borth says
Mary Ann – I noticed some sparkling water in one of your photos. One of my favorite items from Trader Joe’s is Gerolsteiner Mineral Water (in glass bottles). I drink it with fresh lime squeezed in it. Delicious and healthy.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Wow…thanks for the tip, Julane. I think I will pick up some tomorrow.
Susan Anderson says
I use Trader Joe’s Tomato and Red Pepper soup to make a quick Tortilla Soup. I add pieces of leftover, cooked, and shredded chicken, chicken broth, and some of TJ’s bottled red enchilada sauce (to taste according to the heat you like). Pour over crumbled tortilla chips. Top with chunks of avocado, chopped green onions, shredded cheddar cheese or sour cream. Fresh lime juice and cilantro are great too.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Sounds fantastic, Susan!
Karen B. says
Mary Ann,
I love hearing what other’s enjoy at TJ’s, especially now that we can’t have samples of some of the items. We currently love the pre-mixed pizza dough and I mix up what we top it with. My husband says it’s so much better than our take-out pizza place (which isn’t good). We’re also big fans of the Mandarin Orange Chicken (not sure if I have that name right). It’s in the frozen food section and we serve it with rice and a salad. They really do make weeknight dinners easier.
Great post, as usual. I loved the slippers but already have a fleece lined pair that I look forward to wearing if the weather in Southern California ever cools down.
xo,
Karen
Mary Ann Pickett says
Good idea about the Mandarin Chicken. We have so much good Chinese takeout here in SF though 🙂
cindy hattersley says
So many of my favorites and some new ones! I must try the pasta, those lentils, and the lace cookies! You are such a good entertainer. I always learn so much from you! FYI those tomatoes from your grocery are addicting!
Claudia says
I love TJ’s gluten-free pumpkin spice pancake mix!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I will!
cindy says
So many of my favs here…love the spatchock chix, the almond croissants (did you tell me about those?) I use them as a backup all the time. I keep the soup in my pantry when I can’t think of anything else for lunch and add fresh basil (yum). Now I need to go try all your other selections!!
Didi says
Thank you for showing the olive tree and spatchcock chicken. They’re new to me. I may need tjpse–and can pick up some lacey cookies while I’m there!
Great post as ever.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much!
Karen B. says
Your daughter’s place looks great. The apple doesn’t fall far… 🙂
I especially appreciate the TJs ideas. I love their items for sale this time of year and it’s always nice to get a few recommendations. They sell so many great things and I may have missed a few of these
Karen
Elizabeth says
Hello Maryann, I love trader Joes!!!! IF it has pumpkin spice in it I love it. If you like pasta look for the butternut squash ravioli or the pumpkin ravoli they are both delicious with just butter and fried sage. The mulling spices are always great to have around as well.
Thank you for sharing.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yum! I should make that tonight!
Susan says
HI,
Thanks for all the suggestions, I am a TJ regular. I went to the blog for your Pear and Arugula Salad, but when I clicked on the recipe nothing came up. Any chance you could share it again? It looks delicious!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much, Susan. Someone else told me about that. I need to fix it!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Fixed the recipe. It’s there now! Thanks again.
LA CONTESSA says
I better GET OFF the COMPUTER and GO TO TRADER JOES STAT!
That soup is GOOD and Gluten FREE too I think!
I need LENTILS just saw a recipe for them!
Those LACE COOKIES have been around for YEARS!There was a bakery in NORTH BEACH I do believe who made them a MISTER MUSSO’S?ANYONE recall that place?
OLIVE TREES for $7.00 GOT MY ATTENTION!
THANK YOU and I will look for that COCK CHICKEN!!!!!!!I do believe YOU spoke of it last week!!!?
I never GO to TJ because the PARKING IS A NIGHTMARE in my HOOD!But I do like the one in WC!!
THANK YOU I ALWAYS NEED FOOD IDEAS!
FUN FACT: do as YOU PLEASE!
THE REAL ITALIANS SAY TO ALWAYS RIP THE BASIL NO CUTTING IT TASTES BETTER MORE FRAGRANCE!
HAVE A DEMO and tell me if it’s TRUE!!!
XX
Mary Ann Pickett says
I am sure you are right about tearing. The chiffonade cut is more French…but does look pretty.
Speattle says
I just tried the Maple Ginger Cookie swirl Ice Cream, and it rocketed up to the top of my “favorites” list!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Wow!! Sounds great!
Kathysue says
Their pumpkin bread mix, pumpkin biscotti, I always keep on hand. It sells out so I buy multiples. The lentil soup is wonderful. Ginger snap cookies.
Gayle says
Great post. A new one is open near me on Miami Beach, it will be a first for me.
Mary Ann Pickett says
enjoy!
Sheila in SF says
Thanks I definitely will try some if these items–I love shopping there. Today they were selling olive trees very reasonsbly priced around $7.
Mary Ann Pickett says
My daughter bought that tree and it’s pretty in her kitchen…think I will post that on Instagram.
Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com says
Now that it is officially fall I have resigned myself to the truth of the matter, summer is no more. So, you have reminded me that I need to get myself to TJ’s stat and get me some of their pretty pumpkins too. Your list of favorites looks a lot like mine! Love Trader Joe’s, just wish I didn’t have to drive 45 minutes to get there. Happy Fall!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Our Trader Joe’s is our closed “big grocery store” (not a mom and pop) with lots of parking…so I’m glad about that!
Georgi says
Several of my favorites, too!
Have you made their “dip” made from mixing the vacuum- packed lentils and their Bruschetta Sauce with a container of their crumbled feta cheese? My FAVORITE! Open the containers, dump into bowl and mix. It is sooooo delicious. Serve with crackers or baguette slices. I guarantee your guests will devour it! 😋
Mary Ann Pickett says
Sounds fab! I will definitely make it. I did just make the lentil salad with the already chopped celery, carrots and onion mixture.