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Lyssa stands in a Trader Joe's aisle pushing a shopping cart filled with groceries.
Shopping at Trader Joe's helped me cut down on my grocery bill.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

  • I'm a busy tech professional who regularly shops at Trader Joe's for my household of two.
  • In my experience, the store has the best prices on gluten-free chicken nuggets and GoMacro bars.
  • Trader Joe's smoked salmon and jasmine rice are perfect for when I don't have time to cook.

A few years ago, I realized my grocery spending was out of control. I relied on major grocery chains in my area, and was resistant to try shopping at Trader Joe's because it's a 40-minute drive from me.

However, once I made the switch, I realized I could have hundreds of dollars on my grocery bill each month. The longer drive is worth it for the money I save, and I can still buy items that support my demanding work schedule as a remote tech worker.

Here are the 12 items I always buy at Trader Joe's.

I think Trader Joe's egg bites are even better than the Starbucks version.
A hand holding packages of Trader Joe's egg bites in the refrigerator section of the store.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

I love Trader Joe's egg bites so much that I think they're better than the version from Starbucks. Just pop them in the microwave for 60 seconds, and they're ready to go.

I buy at least six packages at a time and love to pair them with hash browns for an easy, satisfying breakfast.

I think the store's hash browns taste restaurant-quality.
A hand holding a package of Trader Joe's hash browns.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

These hash browns cook in just a few minutes in the air fryer and have a restaurant-quality taste.

Since I only shop at Trader Joe's once a month, frozen items like these are perfect to stock up on.

I enjoy Trader Joe's Wine Country chicken salad for lunch.
A hand holding a container of Trader Joe's Wine Country chicken salad.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

Trader Joe's Wine Country chicken salad is one of my favorite items at the store. I often get two or three containers at a time to stock up.

I can make a delicious, protein-packed sandwich in under a minute, and I think it tastes better than the chicken salads I've tried from other supermarkets.

Trader Joe's balela salad adds fiber and protein to any meal.
A hand holding a container of Trader Joe's balela salad.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

Trader Joe's balela is a Middle Eastern-inspired salad with chickpeas, tomatoes, and black beans. It is easily one of my go-to items.

I use it as a side dish with sandwiches to add extra fiber and protein to my meal.

I quickly devour Trader Joe's California roll.
California sushi rolls on display at Trader Joe's.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

Anytime the store has a California roll in stock, I always get it. It makes for a light, convenient lunch that's easy to grab from the fridge.

I usually eat it within the first few days after my shopping trip. It's a nice balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

The chain's smoked apple chardonnay chicken sausage is minimally processed.
A hand holding a package of Trader Joe's smoked apple chardonnay chicken sausage.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

Trader Joe's smoked apple chardonnay chicken sausages are a staple for me. Since they're already fully cooked, I can easily chop them up and put them in a salad.

I like to heat them in the air fryer for seven to 10 minutes for a flavorful, freezer-friendly, and super versatile source of protein.

Trader Joe's smoked salmon makes an easy weeknight dinner.
A hand holding a bag of Trader Joe's smoked salmon filet.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

This smoked salmon comes ready to eat, which makes it convenient to use and easy to customize.

I like to eat it on a bagel, toss it into a salad, or heat it up. Paired with rice and vegetables, it makes an easy and delicious weeknight dinner.

When I'm in a rush, this jasmine rice is a lifesaver.
A hand holding a box of Trader Joe's jasmine rice.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

Trader Joe's jasmine rice packets are a total lifesaver. I pop them in the microwave for 3 minutes, and they come out perfectly every time.

They're great for busy work weeks when I don't have time to cook.

Trader Joe's kimbap is perfect for air frying.
A hand holding a package of Trader Joe's Kimbap.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

I usually pick up multiple packages of this kimbap. It's a Korean-style seaweed rice roll with tofu and vegetables, found in the store's frozen section.

They can be eaten as is, but I love to air fry them to crisp them up.

When it comes to gluten-free chicken nuggets, I think Trader Joe's does it best.
A hand holding a bag of Trader Joe's gluten-free chicken nuggets in the frozen foods section.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

Trader Joe's gluten-free chicken nuggets are so good, I'd recommend them to anybody.

They're best cooked in the air fryer and make a great addition to chicken Caesar salads. Plus, I've found that they're often more affordable than similar products at other grocery stores.

I think Trader Joe's gluten-free mac and cheese tastes homemade.
A hand holding a box of Trader Joe's gluten-free mac and cheese.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

I have a gluten sensitivity but my partner doesn't, and we both enjoy Trader Joe's gluten-free mac and cheese.

It takes about 25 to 35 minutes to cook in the oven and makes an incredible side dish.

GoMacro bars are perfect for busy workdays.
A hand holding a GoMacro bar on display in Trader Joe's.

Lyssa Leigh Jackson

GoMacro bars aren't exclusive to Trader Joe's, but I always grab them there because that's where I've found the best prices.

My favorite flavor is Everlasting Joy, which has coconut, almond butter, and chocolate chips. It's a great snack to enjoy between meetings.

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I save hundreds on groceries by shopping at Trader Joe's. Here are 12 items I a…