I Have Tried Way Too Many Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Products, And These Are The Ones I Buy On Repeat (And The Others I Won't Be Picking Up Again)
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, which means you're probably already finalizing your holiday menu. And if you're a Trader Joe's fan (like me), you're probably wondering which products are worth stocking up on.
I've tried a ton of festive Thanksgiving foods from Trader Joe's, and they're not all created equally. Here are 12 I'd highly recommend you stock up on, and nine others that frankly aren't worth buying.
1.BUY: Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes
So rich. So moist. So delicious. Maybe don't look at the nutrition label. And maybe do serve with ice cream.
2.SKIP: Pumpkin Cheesecake
For a dessert with great potential, this one is underwhelming. The graham cracker crust is almost unnoticeable, the pumpkin flavor is weak, and the cheesecake is lacking in the richness you're probably hoping for.
3.BUY: Cornbread Mix
This OG product is one of the better cornbread mixes I've come across. It does fall on the sweet side of the flavor spectrum, which is why I love baking it with some sharp cheddar for a savory component.
4.BUY: Brie En Croute
When you're busy cooking a whole Thanksgiving dinner, you want to make the appetizers simple (or even better, maybe you just want to pop them from frozen into the oven). This is one Thanksgiving party appetizer that never disappoints.
5.SKIP: Glazed Maple Donuts
I love a lot of things about Trader Joe's (obviously), but donuts are, sadly, not their strong suit. These smell so delicious, but the maple flavor falls really flat. If you're going to buy them, try popping them into the microwave or air fryer for about a minute before serving to improve the texture.
6.BUY: Rustic Apple Tart
This is one of the better frozen pies I've ever come across, but I'd highly recommend baking it for about five minutes longer than the directions suggest. And when you do, cover the edges with tin foil so they don't burn. The result is store-bought dessert perfection.
7.SKIP: Apple & Pumpkin Hand Pies
I love the strawberry rhubarb hand pies that Trader Joe's sells during the summer months, but I was hesitant about this combination of pumpkin and apple pie in one. The result, as expected, is a bit strange. By all means, serve both apple and pumpkin pie at your holiday feast, but I wouldn't recommend combining the two.
8.BUY: Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissants
I was worried that this frozen pastry would be overly sweet, but to my delight, it was actually on the savory side of the spectrum. Think: pumpkin purée baked into a buttery, flaky crust.
9.SKIP: Red Pepper Cranberry & Walnut Dip
This new dip was nothing like what I expected. I was imagining something sweeter, and it was confusing to my taste buds. Personally, I'll stick with the cranberry goat cheese chèvre.
10.BUY: Pumpkin Cobbler
With custardy pumpkin pie at the base, a sugar cookie layer on top, and a sprinkling of sweet pecans, this ready-to-eat dessert is one of my favorite new finds. The whole thing tastes slightly underbaked, which I personally love.
11.SKIP: Sweet & Savory Lightly Spiced Pumpkin Spread
I was expecting way more complexity from this spread given the label, but it's almost cloyingly sweet. If you like sweet spreads and pumpkin-flavored things, you'll probably enjoy this pumpkin version. But if you're looking for the spicy-meets-savory factor, you won't find it here.
12.BUY: Everything But The Leftovers Seasoning Blend
You're going to want to stock up on a few of these jars before they're gone. Use them to enhance pretty much any vegetable side dish, from roasted Brussels sprouts to green bean casserole.
13.BUY: Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread & Dip
I think I might be addicted to this stuff. It's a thick and creamy spread that tastes a lot like beer cheese, only it's loaded with shredded cheese chunks and gets a flavor boost from the syrah.
14.SKIP: Brined Bone-In Half Turkey Breast
This is good enough for a weeknight meal (it's moist, easy, and plentiful) but it doesn't cut it for Thanksgiving dinner. There's no crispy skin to speak of and no dark meat, two musts for any holiday turkey situation, IMO.
15.BUY: Scallopini Potatoes
Don't feel up to making the potato side dish this year? This decadent, four-cheese potato dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and no one at the table will be able to resist seconds.
16.SKIP: Mashed Sweet Potatoes
The texture of this frozen side is thin and slightly watery. You can probably make it tastier with the addition of some extra ingredients (cream or butter would be crucial). Sure, they're convenient, but if you have the time to boil and mash sweet potatoes yourself, the flavor and texture will be much better.
17.BUY: Truffle Dip
Pro tip: Put a generous dollop of this creamy, truffle-infused spread in your mashed potatoes.
18.SKIP: Pumpkin Bisque
I'm a big fan of some T.J.'s soups (read: creamy tomato), but this one is a bust. It's weirdly sour, packed with sodium, and frankly tastes nothing like homemade.
19.BUY: Butternut Squash Mac 'n' Cheese
Every Thanksgiving spread demands some mac 'n' cheese, and this festive fall version is just about the best frozen mac I've ever come across.
20.BUY: Maple Butter
This stuff is creamy, sweet, spreadable perfection. There are so many ways to incorporate it into your holiday meal. Lather it on cornbread or baked sweet potatoes or even add it to your charcuterie board.
21.SKIP: Gobbler Quesadilla
Year after year, this item returns to shelves, and year after year you should avoid it. For something packed with such seemingly tasty ingredients, this is bland and boring. And since repurposing Thanksgiving leftovers is arguably the best thing about this holiday, you're far better off making your own.
