12 Pantry Essentials Always Worth Buying at Trader Joe's

There is no secret that Trader Joe's offers an endless array of snack options and seasonal offerings that surpass those of other retailers. You can join the party as Trader Joe's is set to open 4 new stores this November. 

Try these Trader Joe's shopping hacks to help you save some money when stocking up on the store's affordable frozen foods and pantry staples. We've compiled 12 pantry essentials you should pick up on your next trip to Trader Joe's.

Many of these picks cost less than $4, and several pull double duty in both sweet and savory recipes.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $2.99

If you are a fan of classic, crunchy cereal and enjoy a good breakfast bar on the go that helps you feel full, then the Joe's Os Cereal Bars are a great pantry item to keep in stock.

The sweet and savory balance of lightly salted peanut butter, roasted peanuts, and deliciously light and crispy Joe's Os makes for a particularly flavorful and addictive snack. These bars pack less sugar than competitors and boast a lower everyday price of $2.99.

Each box holds five bars, and each bar has 120 calories, 7 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber. A light drizzle of peanut-flavored coating finishes them off.

Price: $4.49

Speculoos Cookie Butter is a spectacular topping for breads, breakfast platters, crackers, and desserts. You can substitute it for peanut butter in most sandwiches and recipes, and many people add it to their coffee in the morning for a kick. 

The spread is made from crushed Speculoos cookies, which are classic Belgian biscuits with a caramelized, almost gingerbread-like flavor, blended with vegetable oils. Each 14.1-ounce jar holds about 13 servings.

 Trader Joe's suggests using it as a dip for pretzels or apple slices, or melting a bit in the microwave and pouring it over ice cream. Just note that it contains wheat and soy.

Price: $1.99

Trader Joe's Organic Diced & Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chiles have a smokiness that will work well with a bevy of sweet and savory options. They're a perfect addition to meals, sauces, soups, and spreads. With guaranteed organic ingredients and standout flavor, this is a great go-to.

Before they're diced and canned, the vine-ripened organic tomatoes are charred over a flame, which brings out their natural sweetness. Organic green chiles add spicy heat. Each 14.5-ounce can has just 25 calories per half-cup serving. 

Trader Joe's suggests mixing a can with corn and black beans for a take on cowboy caviar or using it as the base for homemade chili.

Price: $7.99

With some of the best pricing on the market, at just under $8, Trader Joe's Avocado Oil elevates your everyday food experience and is a great way to save more money. Not only is it made from healthy fats, but it can help to add a bit of flavor or whimsical texture to your dish. 

It's a healthier substitute for canola, vegetable, pine oils, and other alternatives, and can be used in baking, skincare, dressings, and sauces.

Made from avocados grown in Mexico, the 16.9-ounce bottle has a smoke point of roughly 500 degrees, compared to about 350 degrees for olive oil, so it works well for searing and sauteing.

Price: $3.99

Packaged in a gluten- and nut-free facility, these fiber-packed ancient grains are an incredible option for breakfast and baked goods. These gluten-free rolled oats come in a resealable bag for convenience.

Overnight or stove-cooked oats can be made with a variety of milks and toppings for a boost of nutrition. Fans of the Trader Joe's brand say they have a great flavor and texture, and people like to make granola bars, cookies, and protein bites with them.

The 32-ounce bag holds about 20 servings. Each 1/3-cup serving has 5 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. Trader Joe's says the oats are tested in the field, during harvest and after rolling to ensure purity.

Price: $2.19

Trader Joe's carries a super affordable 8.8-ounce farro option for just over $2, and it's ready in just ten minutes. Historically, whole farro has a cooking time of about 30-45 minutes. 

But Trader Joe's has a partial pre-cook process, making this product prime for quick and convenient meals. Make a farro salad for lunch, or use these grains in a dinner casserole or protein skillet.

The farro comes from an Italian supplier and has a nutty, chewy texture that holds up well, so it won't get mushy in a packed lunch. Each 1/4-cup dry serving has 5 grams of protein. You can also stir it into soup for extra protein and fiber.

Price: $2.99

If you like going out for tapas but don't like the tapas price tag, then Trader Joe's Spanish Manzanilla Olives are something you should be keeping in your pantry. 

With pimento inside, people like to enjoy these olives in dips, charcuterie, tapas, and cocktails. The $2.99 price on a full jar makes these snacking olives an incredible deal.

The olives come pre-pitted, with a firm, briny bite that balances the fruity, peppery pimento. Each jar holds about 20 servings, and four olives have just 15 calories. 

Pair them with aged Manchego or prosciutto and melon, or drop a few into a dry martini.

Price: $3.49

Not only is Trader Joe's nutritional yeast kosher, but it also has three grams of protein per serving and is fortified with B12. This yeast also has bigger flakes than other brands and comes in a resealable package. 

The pricing is inexpensive when compared to competitors and their often smaller packaging.

The 4-ounce package is vegan and gluten-free, with just 10 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon. Its cheesy, umami flavor works well sprinkled over popcorn, roasted broccoli or baked potatoes. 

You can also use it to make kale chips, add richness to soups and gravies, or whip up a batch of vegan mac and cheese.

Price: $1.99

Couscous is a beautifully textured ancient grain that can take on a variety of flavors. For just $1.79, you can stock up on eight servings of this mild, fluffy, buttery dish. 

Add it to roasted veggies in the oven, mix it into a soup for extra carbohydrates, or enjoy it as simply as with garlic, parmesan, and a garnish.

The 12-ounce box is made from organic durum wheat semolina grown and milled in the U.S. Each serving has 6 grams of protein. To make it, bring a cup of broth and two tablespoons of butter to a boil, stir in a cup of couscous, cover and let it sit for five minutes.

Price: $3.49

You cannot find an organic, kosher tomato and roasted red pepper soup on the market at this size (32 ounces) for a price this good. 

This soup comes in a box for easy recycling and can be stored in your pantry for months and maintaining its homemade, wholesome, robust flavor the whole time. Customers enjoy it on its own as soup, as a curry, chili, and dolled-up soup base as well.

The velvety soup gets a slightly sweet finish from roasted red bell peppers. The box holds four 1-cup servings, each with 120 calories. It contains milk and butter, so it isn't vegan.

Price: $0.99

Trader Joe's Black Bean cans consistently come in under $1. With a canned option, you can skip the exhausting process of rinsing and drying beans.

This option is a true basic and will take on the flavor of other ingredients. People put black beans in brownies or sweet dips. You can also store this can in your pantry for the night you need a base for chili or soup.

Each 15.5-ounce can contains just black beans, water and salt. A half-cup serving has 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Aside from salt, they're unseasoned, so they work as an easy base for burrito bowls or a quick salad.

Price: $1.89

Trader Joe's waited to get this formulation right because they wanted to ensure that their coconut milk could be fully organic. Sri Lankan King Coconut is at the base of their creamy, flavorful coconut milk, which contains no fillers or gums of any kind, a rare find. 

It's great right off the shelf in soups, stews, curries, and beverages like smoothies and coffee.

The only ingredients are organic coconut and water. Each 13.5-ounce can holds about six servings, and the milk has a smooth texture that's neither too thick nor too thin. It also works as a dairy-free swap in tea.

These must-have pantry essentials should help you save money on groceries. With inflation in mind, be sure to grab these items while browsing the aisles at Trader Joe's.

The retail giant is constantly testing out new recipes and releasing limited runs of items that may eventually become staples in your kitchen.

Shelf-stable staples like canned beans, grains and boxed soups are especially easy to buy in multiples, since they keep for months in the pantry. Keep a running list as you cook, and stock up on your favorites when you're running low so you're not making extra trips. Seven of the 12 items on this list cost less than $3.