These Are the Most Popular Trader Joe's Items of the Year, According to Customers

The grocery store chain is back with their 10th-annual Customer Choice Awards where shoppers vote for their can't-live-without products. This year, there are some returning favorites — along with a few surprise newcomers.
By Ana Calderone
January 17, 2019 04:16 PM

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FAVORITE OVERALL

Trader Joe's

Mandarin Orange Chicken

Trader Joe’s fans are so in love with the tangy frozen chicken that it claimed the top spot again for the third year in a row. 

Runners Up:
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Unexpected Cheddar

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FAVORITE APPETIZER

Trader Joe's

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This category was a tough race. Customers told Trader Joe’s they liked “all the frozen apps—too hard to choose just one!”

Runners Up:
Spanakopita
Pastry Bites with Feta & Caramelized Onions
Vegetable Bird’s Nests
Parmesan Pastry Pups

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FAVORITE BAKED GOOD

Trader Joe's

Danish Kringle

The popular pastry is a seasonal holiday item at TJ’s, so when customers get their hands on one, they cherish it. “Other pastries are traitorous imposters!” they said.

Runners Up:
Sliced French Brioche
Chocolate Brooklyn Babka
Sliced Sourdough Bread
Vegan Banana Bread

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FAVORITE BEVERAGE

Trader Joe's

Sparkling Mineral Waters

These refreshing bottles of bubbly come in flavors like grapefruit, raspberry lime, green apple and berry.

Runners Up:
Triple Ginger Brew
Spiced Cider
Charles Shaw Wines
Brewed Ginger Beer

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FAVORITE CANDY

Trader Joe's

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Customers can’t get enough of the store’s spin on a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

Runners Up:
Scandinavian Swimmers
Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds
Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

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FAVORITE CHEESE

Trader Joe's

Unexpected Cheddar Cheese

“Unexpected Cheddar will go down in history!” shoppers said of this cheddar-parmesan mashup, which also took the top prize for favorite cheese last year. 

Runners Up:
Coastal Syrah Toscano
French Brie
Cheddar with Caramelized Onions
Triple Crème Brie

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FAVORITE CONDIMENT

Trader Joe's

Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend

This fan-favorite spice mix brought joy to carb-lovers everywhere who wanted to incorporate the bagel flavor into everything they ate.

Runners Up:
Blue Cheese Mustard (seasonal)
Green Dragon Hot Sauce
Organic Ketchup
Sweet Chili Sauce

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FAVORITE DESSERT

Trader Joe's

Hold The Cone! Mini Vanilla Ice Cream Cones

We’re not sure if it’s the nostalgia-factor at work, or just how cute they are, but these mini treats were a hit in 2018.

Runners Up:
Macaron Variés
Gone Bananas
Chocolate Lava Cakes
Key Lime Pie

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FAVORITE ENTRÉE

Trader Joe's

Mandarin Orange Chicken

Oh, you thought a product could only win once? Nope. Manadrin Orange Chicken was so popular that it claimed two spots. 

Runners Up:
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Chicken Tikka Masala
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Kung Pao Chicken

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FAVORITE HOME, BATH, AND BEAUTY

Trader Joe's

Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo

Trader Joe’s has a full line of beauty products made with tea tree oil, including this shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

Runners Up:
Rose Water Facial Toner
Coconut Body Butter
Honey Mango Shave Cream
Organic Argan Oil

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FAVORITE MEAL ON THE GO

Trader Joe's

Black Bean & Jack Cheese Burrito

This Mexican staple was not only a hit with shoppers, but it’s also a favorite among Trader Joe’s workers. 

Runners Up:
Rainbow Wrap
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tofu Spring Rolls
Mediterranean Style Orzo Pasta Salad

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FAVORITE MEAT

Trader Joe's

Carne Asada Autentica

“Carne Asada is a BBQ champ!” say customers. 

Runners Up:
Lemon Rosemary Spatchcocked Chicken
Chicken Shawarma Thighs
Applewood Smoked Bacon
Turkey Meatballs

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FAVORITE PRODUCE

Trader Joe's

Teeny Tiny Avocados

These little guys are the perfect size so no slice of avocado goes uneaten before going bad. 

Runners Up:
Bananas
Avocados
Shaved Brussels Sprouts
Honeycrisp Apples

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FAVORITE SNACK

Trader Joe's

Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels

Introducing another consecutive champ. The pretzel bites have beaten out the competition three years in a row.

Runners Up:
Roasted Plantain Chips
Organic Corn Chip Dippers
World’s Puffiest White Cheddar
Bamba

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FAVORITE VEGAN/VEGETARIAN

Trader Joe's

Soy Chorizo

Try the meatless favorite in tacos, breakfast burritos or chili.

Runners Up:
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto
Vegan Tikka Masala
Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers

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FAVORITE SEASONAL

Trader Joe's

Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s

A PEOPLE staffer bakes these holiday cookies inside chocolate chip cookie dough for an extra-special surprise. 

Runners Up:
Chocolate Covered Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s
Jingle Jangle
Mini Mint Stars
Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix

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