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Today I’m sharing 20+ of my favorite vegan Trader Joe’s products.
They are always adding something new to their shelves. I like to try out different things every time I go. So consider this a work in progress!
(Want to take this list with you to the store for easy shopping? Scroll to the bottom for a printable list!)
Once upon a time, I lived within walking distance of Trader Joe’s. I had a little cart that I’d roll down the hill and right into the store to pick up any essentials. (It also meant I got to skip the hairy parking situation out front, which was a serious win.)
There was no reason to do a huge weekly grocery run, because it was no big deal to pop down and get what I needed for the day.
Then I left California, and for many years, Trader Joe’s was a place I’d seek out when I was away from home. If possible, I’d stock up on favorites, so that my cupboard could be full of those items I’d grown to love that are only available at TJ’s.
As luck would have it, Trader Joe’s has been adding more Iowa locations. (We’re up to two now! Woot!) So a regular Trader Joe’s run is back in my life again.
Here are my favorite vegan Trader Joe’s products…
Thai vegetable gyoza
These veggie-packed envelopes of deliciousness have won over everyone I’ve served them to – from grandparents to grandkids.
There’s rarely a time when I don’t have a bag in the freezer ready to go for a quick snack, or to use as a side dish to a stir fry. Of course, they also have a starring role in vegan potsticker soup.
Filled with cabbage, carrots, chives, white radishes, onions, ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, they have a great taste that isn’t too overpowering.
These days I usually fry them in the air fryer (400 degrees for 10 minutes with a spritz of oil, stopping once to shake.) However, they’re also great fried or steamed in a skillet.
I like to serve them with tamari or Chinese hot mustard for dipping.
Vegetable spring rolls
Unlike uninspiring, cabbage-heavy spring rolls, these are stuffed with kale, edamame, tofu, and mushrooms. The wrapper gets delightfully light & flaky in the air fryer.
A simple noodle stir fry or easy fried rice is instantly more exciting once there’s a vegetable spring roll on the side.
I serve them with Chinese hot mustard for dipping.
Grilled artichoke halves
I may be a little bit obsessed with these grilled artichoke halves.
I’ve been an artichoke lover for decades, but these grilled ones add a certain something that makes them totally craveable. The artichokes take on a smokiness from the grill and have those beautiful, dark grill marks that I adore.
Put them on a vegan cheeseboard, throw them into pesto, use them as a topping on pizza hummus or artichoke crostini, or slice them into an Israeli couscous salad.
Prefer water-packed artichoke hearts? (I usually have both kinds on hand.) Trader Joe’s has those as well, and they are good for warm vegan spinach & artichoke dip or using for fried artichoke hearts.
Organic kosher sandwich pickles
It may seem strange to put sliced pickles on the list, but when Trader Joe’s wasn’t in my area, I’d stock up with 5 or 6 jars when I happened to be near one.
They have a good dill flavor, crunch, and work perfectly for those of us who want our sandwich to include a taste of pickle with every bite.
Plus, they’re organic and only $2.99. That’s a really good deal when organic pickles can sometimes cost $5 or more. (It’s just cucumbers, people!)
Put them in a vegan banh mi sandwich, dice them into vegan tuna salad, add them to vegan potato salad along with a splash of pickle juice, and use them as a topping on chili dog pizza.
Trader Joe’s hashbrowns
While I often make hashbrowns from scratch on the weekends, sometimes I want the delicious crispy crunch of hashbrowns without having to clean the food processor afterwards.
These hashbrown patties remind me of a certain non-vegan fast food establishment I used to visit as a kid. They are great with a tofu scramble. Don’t forget the seitan bacon & avocado!
Balela
I just got into this chickpea salad recently. It’s a really fresh & simple chickpea salad made with chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, and parsley.
It’s one of those things that would be easy to make at home. (I’d make mine with cilantro instead of parsley!) But on the other hand, sometimes it’s nice when you’re in a rush not to have to make something from scratch.
It’s tasty on its own as a snack or in a bowl with brown rice, avocado, and romaine. It goes well on a vegan cheeseboard (above in center bowl) as a heartier element along with dolmas, pickles, non-dairy cheese, Castelvetrano olives, grilled artichoke halves, and Herbivorous Butcher pastrami.
Marcona almonds
Trader Joe’s is my go-to stop for nuts. I always have a wide variety in my lazy susan – peanuts, raw & roasted cashews, shelled pistachios, salt & pepper pistachios, gochujang almonds…
Two of my favorites are these Marcona almonds in truffle & rosemary. Marcona almonds are the best, because they aren’t as dry as your typical almond. I love their thin crunch.
These are seasoned and go beautifully on a vegan cheeseboard, with salad, or as a snack.
Plus, since they have a very specific flavor, it’s easy to be satisfied with a few. (That sounds like a back-handed compliment, but it’s true!)
Dolmas
Canned dolmas are another thing I would buy in groups of five whenever I went to a Trader Joe’s location out of town. Obviously they keep well in the cupboard, and so there’s no worry about them going bad before I can use them.
I know that canned food often doesn’t inspire confidence, but these stuffed grape leaves are really good! They are tightly packed and firm, not mushy like some underwhelming dolmas you buy in cans.
I serve them on a vegan cheeseboard, with kalamata olive hummus, warmed Castelvetrano olives, or as a snack on their own.
Extra firm tofu & baked tofu
Trader Joe’s is my go-to stop for alllllll of the tofu.
First, my main, all-purpose tofu is extra firm in vacuum packaging. I like that it doesn’t require pressing before using.
It is a little drier than the water-packed kind. However, now I’ve been using vacuum-packed tofu for so long, I really don’t even notice.
I use it for vegan egg & toast, my favorite baked tofu recipe, bulgogi tofu bowls, curried tofu salad, and vegan egg salad sandwiches.
And while it’s easy enough to bake your own tofu slabs, sometimes you can’t beat the convenience of having it already done for you.
Trader Joe’s teriyaki flavor is a good snack on its own straight out of the fridge. I also like to put it on avocado toast.
It is an easy to transport lunch with a salad or bowl. It also works well in a cooler if you’re heading on a road trip or taking food on a plane.
When I need a quick stir-fry in a flash, I like to cut the baked tofu into cubes and pop it into the air fryer until crisp around the edges. I served it above with riced cauliflower stir fry & Thai vegetable gyoza.
For another baked tofu option, they also have a sriracha flavor that I like a lot too.
Frozen riced cauliflower, riced cauliflower stir fry, and organic brown rice
The first time I had cauliflower rice, I wasn’t totally sold on it. I tend to be a chewy grain person, and cauliflower rice kind of reminded me of couscous, which I’m not really keen on.
(I realize that couscous is actually a pasta, and cauliflower rice is actually not rice… but the point stands. I tend to prefer chewier things like barley or brown rice.)
However, cauliflower rice has really grown on me.
When I’m making plain cauliflower rice for a stir-fry or rice bowl, I sometimes add an equal or half part brown rice. That way you get some of that texture and oomph, while still getting the flavor and nutrients of cauliflower.
Lately, I’m really loving this cauliflower rice stir-fry. It already has added vegetables packed into it and is seasoned with sesame oil. So it’s ready to go for a quick lunch.
Serve it with vegan orange chicken (Trader Joe’s & Gardein make a version), potstickers, or cubed baked tofu.
The frozen brown rice is really handy for quick bowls, stir fries, or burritos. It’s also great for a quick weeknight meal of vegan pesto rice.
Pico de gallo
I could go through a tub of this salsa in a day or two without a problem. It is nice and chunky with fresh tomatoes, onions, and garlic. I’ll eat a cooked salsa, but I’d always prefer a raw one.
I don’t have to tell you what to do with salsa, but I will…
It’s great on its own with chips, black bean tacos, burritos, a vegan burrito bowl, or on top of nachos. You could also use it as a layer in vegan 7-layer dip instead of making your own pico de gallo. (I recommend draining first, if you go that direction. Watery 7 layer dip is no bueno.)
Organic tomato basil marinara
Funnily enough, I always have spaghetti sauce on hand, but I rarely make pasta with marinara. More often I use it as a spread on bagel pizzas or a dipping sauce with fried ravioli.
It can be hard to find spaghetti sauce that doesn’t include sugar in the ingredients. I’m not a hardcore sugar avoider by any stretch, but it just seems unnecessary in pasta sauce. So I like that the Trader Joe’s version doesn’t have any of that. The ingredient list is really wholesome.
Plus, it has a V for “vegan” right on the label. That’s super handy when you’re scanning the list of options at the store.
Monteli Organic Pizza Crusts
These frozen, organic pizza crusts have become a staple. They come two to a package, have a neutral flavor, and great texture.
They are all ready to go straight into the oven. No rolling required – just ladle on your favorite pizza sauce and toppings.
Lately, we’ve been making a lot of supreme-style pizzas with Beyond Meat sausage, Herbivorous Butcher pepperoni, bell pepper, and onions. It’s also an awesome base for a vegan taco pizza.
The cooking time on the package suggests 6 to 7 minutes at 420 degrees. I like to cook it for 12 minutes to get a crispier crust.
The ingredients are wheat flour, water, sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil, salt, malted wheat flour, dextrose, semolina, dried wheat sourdough, and yeast.
Under the allergens it says that it “may contain” milk and soy. Because I’m not allergic to dairy, I don’t worry about possible cross contamination.
Ridge cut potato chips
These potato chips are my obsession. (They’re #1 on my list of best vegan junk food.) I hardly ever buy them, because once the bag is open, I can’t stop thinking about them. I love the balance of salt and pepper, and the crunch from the ridges.
They are just like the salt and pepper Kettle Chips, and may well just be them re-branded.
Put them into a vegan packed lunch, serve them with vegan tuna salad sandwiches, or alongside your favorite veggie burger for vegan grilling season.
If you’re a horseradish fan, you should also check out the horseradish & chive potato chips! They would be great with a vegan French dip sandwich.
For another crispy snack, their organic corn chip dippers have a wonderfully fresh snap that’s perfect right out of the bag or in vegan walking tacos. If you like Fritos, you’ll love these.
Mini Vegetable Samosas
When I’m making curry lentil soup or Indian fried rice, it’s fun to have a crispy, filled appetizer to serve alongside it. Enter mini vegetable samosas.
These flaky samosas are made with a phyllo-type dough and loaded with peas, carrots, potatoes, lentils, onions, and spices.
I cook them in the air fryer. They get beautifully crisp on the outside. Cook them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes. Stop once to flip half way through.
I like to serve them with homemade apple chutney, Trader Joe’s mango chutney, or Zhoug sauce.
Frozen fully cooked falafel
Sometimes you just need a hummus bowl with falafel, dolmas, kale salad with lemon tahini dressing, sauerkraut, and brown rice.
I like to make my own homemade hummus. Then I throw some frozen brown rice in the microwave, whip up a kale salad, and make frozen falafel in the air fryer.
The Trader Joe’s falafel is on the dense side, but it gets the job done. They are very filling, and usually two are plenty with a bowl. That means that I can really stretch one bag out for a while.
To see more vegan items available at Trader Joe’s, visit the Trader Joe’s website. They have a rundown of some of their vegan offerings.
Want to take this with you to the store? Click here for a printable list.
Elena Christian says
Alllllll the hummus.white bean, beet, jalapeno…….
Cadry says
Good call, Elena!
Laura vanZandt says
This post reminds me that I don’t go to TJs nearly enough! The basil pesto is my new favorite, and I’m also a fan of the gyoza. I make my own dipping sauce for them with vegan mayo and chili garlic paste (which is good with anything, let’s be honest). Thanks for this post – I’m bookmarking it!
Cadry says
I’ve been buying that kale basil pesto on occasion lately too. I like to jazz it up with nutritional yeast flakes. I’m loving your mayo/chili garlic paste idea for the gyoza! I have to try that next time!
Don says
Oh my, I’m so glad you posted on this topic. I’ll be stopping there after work this week.
Thank you…thank you.
Cadry says
That’s great, Don! I’m glad it’s helpful and that the timing worked out. I hope you find lots of good stuff!
Jill says
Thanks for this great list! The potstickers are amazing! I really like their Island Salsa….I try to buy salsas low in sodium and so many are just loaded but the island salsa is low. The Spicy Smoky Peach Salsa is also good with under 100 mg sodium.
Cadry says
Oh, thanks for the salsa suggestions! Those both sound like salsas I would really like.
Janis Ware says
Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes!!! I realized I probably first learned about all of the TJ’s favorites from your blog! I would add VEGAN TIKKA MASALA!!! This is one of my most very favorite things from Trader Joe’s. I’d also add portabella fries but sadly, super sadly, they do not offer those anymore. Sorry, zucchini fries are not even close to being the same but good try, TJ’s employee. I will have to try the marcona almonds, the balela salad and the dolmas. Thanks for all of your awesome recs!
Cadry says
I haven’t tried the vegan tikka masala yet. We bought it once, but I sent David to work with it for lunch. I need to try it!
Ah, it’s so sad when Trader Joe’s discontinues something that you loved. You never know when it’s going to happen! I’m glad the suggestions are helpful!
Autumn says
I LOVE that cauliflower stir fried rice. I have always loved those veggie pot stickers…. I cannot believe I didn’t think tk our them in my air fryer!! What would I do without you darling!! We miss you here in LA. 😉
Cadry says
Yes! Isn’t it so good? I love that all of the work is done with the cauliflower stir fried rice. Just heat & eat. We miss you two too!! Hugs to you and Sharon!
Elise says
I could go on forever, but here are a few of my favorites you didn’t mention:
-Maple leaf cookies
-Sriacha baked tofu (amazing with…)
-Japanese fried rice (in the freezer section; this was a recent purchase and I cooked it with the sriacha tofu and it was AMAZING)
-Bagged salad mixes (the baby kale mix is amazing)
-Frozen falafel
-Hummus…any flavor!
-Bruschetta sauce
I could go on, but that’s all I can think of for now.
Cadry says
Thanks for the suggestions, Elise!
I’ve never tried the maple leaf cookies or baby kale salad mix. (I’ve gotten baby kale there, but I’m assuming this is a different thing?) I love the sriracha tofu too, and I came very close to adding the falafel to this list. It was getting a little long, and so I stopped short of it. But maybe I should go back and add it!
I’ve been a little wary of the Japanese fried rice, because it includes seaweed. Nori makes me gag, and so I was afraid it would have some of that seaweed flavor I don’t like. What do you think? Is the seaweed flavor prominent?
Elizabeth says
Nooooo it’s not at all! I’m not a fan of seaweed flavor either (at all!) but I absolutely love this rice & so does everyone I’ve served it to! It’s great with the vegan Mandarin orange chicken morsels! Try it! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Cadry says
Awesome! I will check it out. Thanks, Elizabeth!
Kathleen Gancayco says
Awesome list! Thank you for sharing 🙂 I’ll look for these in my next visit to TJ’s.
Cadry says
Great, Kathleen! Happy shopping!
Shell says
I just added a lot of these items to my Trader Joe’s list. I need to try the cauliflower rice, and I’ve been looking for a new marinara sauce. I’ll try the one you suggested. Thanks!
Cadry says
I could see you really liking the cauliflower rice! Let me know how it goes with your new list additions. 😀
Bianca Phillips says
YESSSSSS! My faves are Bagel Seasoning, Onion Salt, Garlic Spread, the peanut puffs that I’ve forgotten the name of, and Speculoos Spread! Oh, and Two Buck Chuck Shiraz.
We don’t have TJ’s here YET! But I always stock up when I’m in Nashville or Atlanta. We’re supposed to be getting one, but they’re taking a LONG time with building permits and plans and such.
Cadry says
I don’t use the bagel seasoning nearly often enough! I kind of forgot about it in my cupboard. I forgot about that garlic spread too! I was really into it for a while. I can’t believe that we got a Trader Joe’s before you did! I never would have guessed that would happen. I hope the permits & plans go through soon.
Mandy says
Yay!! I finally got a moment to sit and read this post!! Obviously we looooooove Trader Joe’s and I think it’s always so much fun to see what products people find there. It’s also fun because not every TJ’s carries the same products. Those gyoza were my favorite during my pre gluten free days! I bet they’re so good in the air fryer. Those marcona almonds are dangerously good!! Yum!!! That organic baked tofu was my go-to before I had to go soy-free! Not sure if you have it at your TJ’s, but the kale cashew pesto in the refrigerated section is amazing – we add it to pasta, salads, potatoes and pizza. I can’t eat them, but Josh buys the high protein veggie burgers (in the frozen section) on a weekly basis. We also buy the organic riced cauliflower all the time! I could seriously talk about Trader Joe’s products all day!! I’m lucky that Josh still works for TJ’s so he keeps me in the loop about new products 😊 I couldn’t imagine living without a TJ’s nearby!! Haha!!
Cadry says
Oh, yes, I’ve been buying the kale cashew pesto lately too. It’s handy for when you just want a few dollops of pesto on something or to use as a spread in a vegan quesadilla or sandwich. I’ve never tried those veggie burgers! How lucky for you to have a Trader Joe’s insider in the family. 😀
Dianne says
I see some of my favorites on your list, too! There are a few things here that I need to look for the next time I’m there!
Cadry says
There’s always something new to check out! Even since I finished this list a few days ago, I’ve thought about more that I could add. Happy shopping, Dianne!
Susan says
So fun! I have mostly been a Wholefoods person when I have been in the US, because I found the layout of some Trader Joe’s a little confusing and I often wasn’t able to find much. I think because I just didn’t know where to look. But it has so much awesome stuff! Next time I’m in the US, I’ll have to get someone in the know to give me a tour. 😉
Cadry says
Whole Foods is lots of fun too and has so many vegan specialty products (like different types of seitan & vegan cheeses) that are not always available elsewhere. Maybe I should start a side gig, offering grocery store tours to tourists. 😉
Taylor Filaroski says
Those gyoza are SO good!! They really add an extra oomph to a lot of dishes but I also enjoy them as an after-work snack! My new favorite vegan item at TJ’s has been the green tea mochi. I’d never had mochi before since they’re not vegan but now TJ’s carries two vegan flavors, and the green tea one is amazing! My other favorite vegan items include the vegan cream cheese (best vegan cream cheese around, imo), the popcorn with herbs and spices, and the dried mango! They also used to carry a vegan frozen pizza that was DELICIOUS but I haven’t seen it in months 🙁
Cadry says
You’re the second person to mention the green tea mochi recently. I’m usually not into green tea, but I’m really intrigued!
I am a big fan of their cream cheese too. I like the Kite Hill cream cheese a little better, but it’s over twice the price! Plus, the Kite Hill cream cheese goes bad really fast. I can never finish it before it’s moldy. So that makes the Trader Joe’s one an even better deal. I’m not wasting it.
I haven’t tried the popcorn or dried mango. So I’ll keep an eye out for those.
That’s too bad about the frozen pizza! It’s always disappointing when they discontinue a favorite.
Taylor Filaroski says
I love Kite Hill cream cheese but you’re right, it’s just way too expensive for every day bagel eating! Plus I enjoy mixing the TJ’s cream cheese into marinara for a pasta sauce with an extra something and don’t like the Kite Hill brand as much for this purpose 🙂 you should post about the mochi if/when you try them because I’m not a huge green tea fan either but they have a certain je ne sais quoi!
Cadry says
I would never have thought about mixing cream cheese into my marinara, but I bet that’s really tasty! I’m going to try that. I’m glad to hear that you’re not a huge green tea fan either. Now I’m even more excited to try the mochi – especially if they have a certain je ne sais quoi! 😉
Katie Koteen says
Trader Joe’s is just the best! I love how many vegan friendly products they keep on the shelves.
Cadry says
Agreed! And they’re always adding something new.
Sarah De la Cruz says
Ok, we have all of the same favorites! I get about half of this stuff each time I go. I’m not sure I’ve seen the pickles yet (haven’t looked) and I MUST! I LOVE pickles in my sandwiches, and the sandwich slices make it so much easier to hold together. Recently I found the Matcha Joe Joe’s and they were really good! And yeah, what’s up with the parking lot? We just got a brand new TJ’s this fall and the parking lot is already awful. Definitely not designed for my Toyota Highlander!
Cadry says
Yay! I’m glad we’re on the same page with Trader Joe’s favorites. I didn’t realize that there are matcha Joe Joe’s cookies. David tends to be the big Joe Joe’s fan in our house, and he’s also the one who likes matcha. I bet he’d enjoy them!
Trader Joe’s parking lots tend to be almost universally bad! Although, one exception, the new Coralville, Iowa location is pretty good as long as it isn’t a weekend.
Marissa says
Thanks for this post! Your favorites are some of my favorites too. My daughter and I are vegan too and here are her favorites that we get (doubles of) each time we go:
*Kung pao tempura cauliflower (soo good!)
*Vegetable bird’s nests ( more tempura…a kale/onion/carrot blend with a yummy dipping sauce)
*the maple leaf cookies that someone else mentioned in the comments
*the nondairy chocolate ice cream
*the soft baked snickerdoodles
*the blueberry and vanilla coconut milk yogurt
*brownie crisps
Cadry says
Oh, you have so many good things on your list that I need to try, Marissa! I finally tried the vegetable bird’s nests, because they were sampling them last week at the store. Very tasty! I need to get to the rest of the items on your list, though. Thanks for the tips!
Sharon says
Thank you Cadry for the TJ list and followers for their comments. I am going to TJ’s tonight! In general, I love their produce and their non-dairy ice cream. BTW, Hancher is having Trumpet Blossom prepare a culinary experience again on April 24, 5-8 pm! For those vegans in the Iowa City area, it was fabulous the last time and I am looking forward to it!
Cadry says
I always forget about their non-dairy ice cream, but I know lots of people love their soy creamy cherry chocolate chip. I’ve never tried it, though. Thanks for the heads up on the Hancher culinary experience with Trumpet Blossom in 2019! I went last time too, and it was a great event.