It should come as no surprise that Trader Joe’s is a great place to get deals on groceries. But as with most grocery stores, some deals are better than others.

When I shop at Trader Joe’s, I have my go-to items that I buy all the time. However, I like to treat myself to one new food product per grocery trip. By doing so, I’ve discovered some of my favorite products: Naan bread, potstickers, and tomato and roasted red pepper soup, just to name a few.

In general, I think Trader Joe’s has great prices. Although I tend to shop around to get great deals on food (see previous post on ALDI and Whole Foods), I usually leave Trader Joe’s with a bag full of groceries.

Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite food items from Trader Joe’s, and showing a few sample bags of groceries and what I paid. I would love to hear about your favorite products. Please comment below or share your thoughts on my Facebook page.

Here are some of my favorite budget-friendly items at Trader Joe’s:

Top left : I often find amazing deals on fruits and vegetables in the produce section. I bought four of these red peppers, chopped them up, and put them in my freezer for future use.

: I often find amazing deals on fruits and vegetables in the produce section. I bought four of these red peppers, chopped them up, and put them in my freezer for future use. Top right : A bag of fresh pizza dough costs just $1.29, good for one large or two medium pizzas.

: A bag of fresh pizza dough costs just $1.29, good for one large or two medium pizzas. Bottom left : I find TJ’s heavy whipping cream to be much cheaper than other grocery stores. They also sell shelf-stable whipping cream in the pantry section. This is a good item to have on hand for baking emergencies.

: I find TJ’s heavy whipping cream to be much cheaper than other grocery stores. They also sell shelf-stable whipping cream in the pantry section. This is a good item to have on hand for baking emergencies. Bottom right: Coconut oil is all the rage because it’s healthy and versatile. And at Trader Joe’s, it’s also very affordable.

Cheese

TJ’s is my go-to store for buying certain types of cheese (namely Feta, Brie, and smoked Gouda). If I need a very small amount of cheese for a recipe, I often hit up the grocery store salad bar.

Other Budget-Friendly Finds at Trader Joe’s (Ideas From Readers)

Three dollar wine

Maple syrup

Greek yogurt

Cereal

Multi-grain pita chips

Blueberry goat cheese logs

Jarred and fresh salsas

Frozen langoustines

Frozen vegetables

Boxed soups

Olive oil

Trader Joe’s Grocery Bag #1

This is what I like to call my “superfood grocery bag”, proof that it doesn’t cost a lot of money to eat amazingly healthy food. I didn’t save the receipt for this particular bag of groceries, but it was under $16. And that’s a whole lot of superfoods for $16: Raspberries, beans, seaweed, sweet potatoes, kale, black bean soup.

Trader Joe’s Grocery Bag #2

Granola: $2.99

Grape tomatoes: $2.49

Black beans (organic): $1.19

Garbanzo beans (organic): $1.19

Farro: $1.79

Red pepper: $.69

Almond butter: $5.99

Peanut butter: $2.79

Total cost for groceries pictured above: $19.12

Trader Joe’s Grocery Bag #3

Coconut oil: $5.99

Strawberries (organic): $2.99

Almond milk: $1.99

Broccoli slaw: $1.99

Bananas: $.76

Feta cheese: $2.79

Total cost for groceries pictured above: $16.51

…………………………………………..

One of my favorite things about Trader Joe’s is that they’re always featuring new and interesting food items. And because of their affordable prices, it’s fun to try new products without worrying about cost. When in doubt, I ask employees for recommendations. They’re usually pretty honest. By the way: during your next trip to Trader Joe’s, don’t forget to stop by the sample station to try some of their featured foods.

Now it’s your turn: What are your favorite budget grocery picks at Trader Joe’s? Please share your ideas below!