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12 Trader Joe’s Pantry Finds You'll Never Regret Buying

Cookie butter and coconut milk are great for baking and upgrading your morning coffee.

Collage of Trader Joe's store front and picture of their avocado oil with avocado toasts around it
Updated June 4, 2025
Fact checked

There is no secret that Trader Joe's offers an endless array of snack options and seasonal offerings that surpass other retailers. You can join the party as Trader Joe's is set to open 21 new stores this year across the nation. 

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.

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

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Joe's Os Cereal Bars

Courtesy of Trader Joe's bowl with cereal and peanut butter dripping and yellow box of Joe's Cereal bars next it

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.

Speculoos Cookie Butter

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Jar of Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter

Price: $3.99

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. 

Organic Diced & Fire Roasted Tomatoes with Green Chiles

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Organic Tomatoes Diced & Fire Roasted can

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.

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Avocado Oil

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Bottle of Avocado Oil from Trader Joe's and avocado toasted all around it

Price: $6.99

With some of the best pricing on the market, at just under $7, 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.

Gluten Free Organic Rolled Oats with Ancient Grains & Seeds

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Bowl or rolled oats with blood orange and bag of Trader Joe's rolled oats next to it

Price: $4.99

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 Organic Rolled Oats with Ancient Grains & Seeds 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.

10 Minute Farro

Courtesy of Trader Joe's bowl of food and Trader Joe's 10 Minute Farro Rice bag next to it

Price: $1.99

Trader Joe's carries a super affordable 8.8-ounce farro option for $1.99, 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.

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

methaphum/Adobe person holding a wallet

June is here, and with it comes the start of summer, Father’s Day (June 15), and a fresh wave of markdowns. Keep an eye out for savings on:

  • Tools, grills, and outdoor gear

  • Swimwear and summer fashion
  • Patio furniture and garden decor
  • For grocery savings, stock up on seasonal produce like blueberries, corn, and zucchini

While you're soaking up the sun, retailers are already thinking ahead to back-to-school prep, making June a great time to save on summer essentials and snag fresh deals before the crowds catch on.

Spanish Manzanilla Olives with Pimento Paste

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Bowl of dip and toasts with olives and two jars of Kalamata and Manzanilla olives from tarder Joe's next to it

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.

Organic Couscous

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Bowl of food and Trader Joe's Organic Couscous next to it

Price: $1.79

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.

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Nutritional Yeast

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Nutritional Yeast bag

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.

Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Courtesy of Trader Joe's two bowls of soup and a box of Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper soup next to it

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.

Organic Coconut Milk

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Bowl of quinoa with can of Trader Joe's Coconut Milk next to it

Price: $1.69

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.

Black Beans

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Bowl of food with a can of Trader Joe's Black Beans next to it

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.

Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill

Halfpoint/Adobe mother with son outside grocery store

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.

Bottom line

ColleenMichaels/Adobe Trader Joe's grocery store from outside

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.

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