15 Things You Should Never Buy Anywhere but Trader Joe’s

From weekly shops to party prep, Trader Joe’s used to be my one-stop shop. Even though I’ve moved to a place where there isn’t a Trader Joe’s on every corner, there are certain things I will make the trek for and won’t buy anywhere else. Here’s my list of the things you should always buy at Trader Joe’s — whether it's from your usual neighborhood store or the brand-new one that just opened in Greenwood.

Cinnamon

If you love cooking or baking, Trader Joe’s cinnamon is a must-buy. Not only is it rich and flavorful, but it also comes at a budget-friendly price compared to other grocery stores. Trader Joe’s is known for offering great value on spices, so you can stock up without the usual high price tag. Why pay more when you can get top-notch cinnamon for less?

Peanut butter

Made with simple ingredients — often just peanuts and a pinch of salt — Trader Joe’s peanut butter is free from unnecessary additives and tastes incredibly fresh. Plus, it’s more affordable than many name-brand options. Whether you love it creamy or crunchy, it’s the perfect budget-friendly, protein-packed staple for sandwiches, smoothies and snacks.

Chocolate bars

It never hurts to have a few emergency bars of chocolate stashed away, and they are a great deal at Trader Joe’s. Pick from milk, dark, crispy rice and more in a variety of sizes. Do I keep a few of these hidden away from my kids? You bet. 

Mandarin Orange Chicken

While we’re on the subject of meat, the frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken seems to appear on every must-buy shopper’s list. It’s even in the Trader Joe’s product Hall of Fame. As a vegetarian, I always opt for the Chicken-Less Mandarin Orange Morsels. Similar products, if you can find them, often cost $1 to $2 more at other stores.

Pesto

My kids have always been huge fans of pesto, and the jars from Trader Joe’s are their favorite by a landslide. They are inexpensive and I always grab a few when I’m at the store. Running out of this is considered a crisis at my house! 

Bottled water 

A reusable water bottle is best, of course. But I like to have a few bottles on hand for emergencies, or when my kids are running out the door and their reusable bottle has disappeared once again. The sports-top bottles are our favorites, and $0.49 each is a price you just can’t beat. 

Spanakopita

There’s just something so consistently good about this appetizer-sized spanakopita from Trader Joe’s. They are the perfect two-bite size, keep forever (because they’re frozen), and also make a good quick meal when served with a salad and some cottage cheese. I have been buying these from Trader Joe’s for nearly 20 years and I have never had a bad batch. I’ve tried other brands from other stores and they just aren’t the same.

Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage

I am a vegetarian and have been for more than 30 years so I asked someone I know who is also a Trader Joe’s devotee what meat products she recommends. Without hesitation, she said these sausages. Made with real Vermont maple syrup, they’ve been a bestseller at TJ’s since 2004.

Wine

Not only will you find the famous “two-buck chuck,” you will find many high-end wines at great prices. Look for familiar labels like Kendall Jackson and other small wineries. They also have one of the best selections of Italian wines I’ve seen around, including Barolo and Amarone.

Olives

Specifically, Trader Joe’s colossal stuffed olives. In most grocery stores, it seems like you have two choices: cheap, salty olives to drop into a martini glass or big, stuffed olives that cost $10 or more for barely enough to satisfy guests. I always stock up on the garlic-stuffed colossal olives. At under $5, you have guaranteed flavor and quality without having to spend twice that at other outlets.

Brie

So much brie! Trader Joe’s always has a solid selection of cheese, including its award-winning Unexpected Cheddar, but I always nab some brie whenever I’m at Trader Joe’s. There’s often a new import added to the selection and the prices are significantly lower than other stores near me. Recently, I saw the same brie at another store for nearly double the price. Buy the brie.

Enrich Moisturizing Facial Lotion

This simple, lightweight moisturizer feels very similar to Oil of Olay’s Daily Moisturizer but at half the cost. It has a very mild smell (it’s labeled as fragrance-free) and broad-spectrum SPF 15. If you’re in the market for an affordable non-comedogenic daily moisturizer with vitamins A, C and E, give this a try. I like that it comes in a nice 4-ounce size because it fits better on my shelves, but I always buy two!

Fresh flowers

With maybe the exception of Whole Foods’ floral department, Trader Joe’s is unrivaled for grocery store bouquets. I am an avid plant nerd and professional gardener, and I have never been disappointed in Trader Joe’s flowers. They’re beautiful, fresh and well-priced. Beyond lively seasonal bouquets, you can also get orchids, succulents and more.

Midsummer Night’s Cream Hand and Body Lotion

There is at least one bottle of this at my house at all times. This lotion is thick and rich yet is easy to rub in. It has a lovely light scent and all kinds of lush ingredients, including shea butter, squalane, and plenty of powerful plant oils (safflower seed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, clary sage oil, Moroccan argan oil and more). You’ll love how soft your hands will feel, and at $3.99 it’s a total deal. 

Hash browns

I didn’t think I’d end on breakfast food, but when I started to really think about something I go out of my way to buy every time I’m near a Trader Joe’s, these frozen hash brown patties fit right in my cart next to sparkling wine and roses. You get 10 of them for less than $3 and kids love them. They crisp up nicely, like a big, flat tater tot.

Bonus: Mini canvas tote bags

The mini canvas tote bags are a must-have item — if you can get your hands on them, that is. Just released for spring in four pastel colors, these adorable totes retail for $2.99 and are flying off the shelves.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published last year and was updated in March 2025 with current deals by ParentMap’s associate editor, Kari Hanson. New details regarding the Greenwood Trader Joe’s location and seasonal items were added on April 14, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba.