Trader Joe's is a great place to save on everyday essentials and also discover tasty new finds. September's offerings run the gamut, from sweet treats and fruity delights to richly flavored entrées, and you're sure to find something you enjoy.
Whether you're planning a picnic or just treating yourself, these 15 picks are definitely worth a try. And who knows? A few might even become TJ's staples for years to come.
Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Tropical Dragon Fruit Drink Concentrate
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Price: $3.99
There's not much you can't do with this tart, tangy drink mix. It's a blend of dragon fruit purée, passion fruit juice, and a hint of green tea. Just add water and ice for an instant cooler. You can blend it with almost any fruit, frozen berries, coconut milk, or even bananas. Make it part of a smoothie or add a splash of something stronger.
Please note that it contains caffeine from green tea extract.
Crunchy Milk Chocolate & Sea Salt Thins
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Price: $3.49
A sprinkle of sea salt on Colombian milk chocolate with crunchy caramelized candy is the ultimate sweet-salty fix. They're amazingly good on their own, but with a creamy cheese like Stilton or a strong cup of coffee? You may think you've landed in paradise.
Luckily, these chocolatey thins are individually wrapped for perfect portions.
Fried Shallots
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Price: $2.49
Fried onions, step aside. Fried shallots are in town! These savory, aromatic bits of umami are made in Thailand by a master of fried veggies. They're delightfully crispy and add crunch to salads, soups, casseroles, and even pizza. They're also a fantastic topping for steamed veggies or sandwiches.
Feel free to nosh straight out of the bag. They're that good.
Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles
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Price: $4.99
These chewy, ruffly-edged noodles are more than a few steps up from ramen. They cook in just four minutes and come with rich soy and sesame sauce. You get four portions with separate sauce packs — perfect for quick lunches or dinners.
Just add your favorite protein and veggies or enjoy as-is when you're short on time.
Organic Iced Oatmeal Baked Whole Grain Bar
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Price: $4.69
Oatmeal takes on a new look in these lightly sweet snacks. Hearty oats and a sweet fig paste are blended with just a hint of spice to make these gluten-free bars deeply satisfying. They're individually wrapped and perfect for a quick breakfast, a post-workout boost, or an afternoon pick-me-up when you just can't wait for dinner.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
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September marks the start of a new season and a new shopping mindset. As summer winds down, it's the perfect time to take advantage of transitional savings and post-summer sales. Look for deals on:
- Light layers and early fall fashion
- Outdoor clearance items
- Back-to-school essentials
- For grocery savings, grab peak-season produce, like apples, squash, grapes, and sweet potatoes
As retailers begin to roll out fall promotions, September is the sweet spot for scoring deals on both end-of-summer clearances and early autumn items. Shop now to get the best of both seasons.
Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews
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Price: $4.99
Cashews are a good source of protein and minerals, but you'll forget about that when you bite into these caramelized delights. Who knew healthy could be this good? They're dipped in rich dark chocolate for the ultimate crunchy combo.
Arrange them on a dessert plate or take a bag to the movies. They're perfect with coffee or wine, any time.
Baladi Egyptian Sourdough Pocket Bread
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Price: $2.49
So many possibilities. Baked in Egypt (really!) and ready in minutes, these tangy sourdough flatbreads puff up soft and toasty. You can fill them with anything you like. For starters, try falafel and veggies drizzled with tahini, or stuff them with gyros meat or chicken.
Or keep it simple. Just tear and dip into hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush and enjoy.
Crunchy Sesame Sunflower Seeds Pepitas Salsa Macha
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Price: $4.49
This Oaxacan-inspired salsa macha swaps the usual peanuts with a crunchy mix of sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and pepitas (pumpkin seeds). It's all blended with olive oil and spiced with Pequin chiles for an amazing Mexican-style taste experience.
Why not drizzle it over tacos, roasted veggies, or pizza? You can even use it as a dip for bread and chips.
All Butter Apricot Shortbread Cookies
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Price: $3.49
If you love shortbread, you'll adore these. Crafted in the U.K., each cookie is close to 25% butter by weight. Freeze-dried apricots and apricot juice concentrate give these cookies their mouthwatering sweet-tart flavor.
Enjoy them with tea or savor straight from the box. With the decorative apricot imprint, they're an elegant addition to a dessert board.
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Organic Black Pepper Barilotti Pasta
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Price: $2.99
Trader Joe's sure knows where to go for the finest pasta — Italy, of course. These rustic, barrel-shaped Italian pasta curls are made with organic durum wheat semolina and black pepper. They're chewy and peppery and especially good with a creamy Alfredo or tomato basil sauce. You could even make a cold pasta salad.
In case you're wondering, "barilotti" means barrels in Italian.
Joe's Avocado Mash
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Price: $3.49
Ever bought avocados that don't get ripe when you need them? They're tricky, but this ready-to-spread mash solves the problem. They're made with perfectly ripe Hass avocados plus lemon juice and sea salt. It's fresh and mess-free. Use the mash for toast, tacos, or dips, anytime you need creamy avocado without the wait.
Did you know the lemon juice keeps it green? Now you do.
Deli Sandwich Style Potato Chips
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Price: $2.99
These chips will make you think you're in a kosher deli in New York City. They're kettle-cooked for a perfect crunch, with smoky ham, dilly pickle, sharp cheese, and zesty mustard flavor in every bite. They're sturdy enough for dipping and a chip-lover's dream right out of the bag.
Try layering them right in your sandwich for the ultimate deli experience.
3 Cheese Spinach & Artichoke Pasta
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Price: $3.79
The ever-popular spinach-artichoke dip has found a new home in orecchiette pasta. In this hearty frozen entrée, pasta is smothered in Swiss, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses with tender spinach and artichokes. It's ready in just a few minutes for an easy weeknight dinner or work lunch.
Orecchiette pasta looks like little ears, which is what orecchiette means in Italian.
Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill
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Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:
- Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
- Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
- Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.
Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.
Uncured Pepperoni Pizza
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Price: $5.99
Ordinary pizza dough needs only an hour or two for rising, but this wood-fired pizza is special. It starts with dough that rises for 24 hours, then it's hand-stretched and topped with tomato sauce. Mozzarella, provolone, real Parmigiano Reggiano, and savory uncured pepperoni top it off.
Of course, it's pre-baked in Italy and frozen, so you can enjoy authentic Italian pizza.
Strawberry Ice Cream
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Price: $3.79
This ice cream is so delectably rich, it's almost too good to be true. It's made with real strawberries and gets its pink hue from the berries, plus fruit and vegetable juices — no artificial colors like other ice cream. No artificial flavors, either.
Plus, it's made with rBST-free milk. It's creamy, velvety, and perfect in a cone or cup. Or eat it straight from the pint. We'll never know.
Bottom line
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One of the joys of shopping at Trader Joe's is discovering treasures you didn't plan on buying. Seasonal items fly off the shelves fast, so if something catches your eye, grab it while you can.
While you're at it, treat yourself to some Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. They're not new, but they've been a cult favorite for years. You'll find them on the shelves above the frozen foods section. Some stores feature a small bag of 10 pieces near the registers. They're simply divine — smooth and rich. Trust us.
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