15 Trader Joe's Products I Swear By For Lazy But Satisfying Meals

From umami seasoning to cauliflower pizza, my kitchen wouldn't be complete without these products.

There are lots of reasons that I love Trader Joe's from the affordable prices to the extensive aisle of nut butters. But above all, I love the creative grocery items you won't find anywhere else that make it easy to whip up an impressive meal. Here are a handful of my absolute favorite products you'll always find in my kitchen.

1. Chili Onion Crunch

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It might just be the greatest condiment of all time. This spicy, crunchy garlic and chili spread upgrades anything from grilled chicken or roasted vegetables to pasta and fried rice. Read the full review about chili onion crunch here.

2. Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce

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You know those nights when you're feeling really tempted to order in from your favorite take-out spot but you also would love to save money? That's when this sauce comes in handy. This Thai-inspired green curry sauce is coconut-y and creamy. All you do is heat it up in a sauce pan, add your favorite protein and veggies, and dinner is served.

3. Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend

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If you like the taste of mushrooms, you'll adore this seasoning. It's a blend of porcini and white button mushroom powder plus salt, onion powder, ground mustard seed, and dried thyme, and it adds a savory depth to whatever you're cooking. Oh, and you'll want to try adding a generous shake to your microwave popcorn to take it to the next level.

4. Parmesan Pastry Pups

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Growing up, my family served Hebrew National pigs in a blanket at just about every gathering, party, and event, so I never knew a better version of this party app existed until I tried T.J's Parmesan Pastry Pups. They're like your average pigs in a blanket, but so much better. They're cheesy, flakey, doughy, and the ultimate finger food. My freezer would be incomplete without at least two packages at a time.

5. Frozen Thai VegetableGyoza

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There's no shortage of ways to turn Trader Joe's frozen Thai vegetable gyoza into a delicious meal. They pair perfectly with T.J's frozen fried rice or Mandarin chicken, but they're also delicious when simmered in chicken broth or miso ginger soup with some Asian-inspired veggies.

6. Organic Coconut Smoothie

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Goodbye coconut milk, hello T.J.'s organic coconut smoothie. These babies are made with a single ingredient: coconut. Thanks to a combination of coconut meat and water, this drink is slightly thick and super creamy. When I'm craving a mid-morning snack or a light breakfast, this is a my go-to.

7. Gluten Free Cheese Pizza With A Cauliflower Crust

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Trader Joe's offers a handful of lower-carb pizza options in the frozen aisle, but IMHO, nothing compares to the cheese pizza with a cauliflower crust. It comes fully assembled with sauce and cheese so all you have to do is pop it in the oven for 12 minutes. While it contains fewer carbs than classic pizza, it still tastes indulgent and delicious. I often jazz it up with some extra toppings like more cheese, prosciutto, or arugula.

Read the full review of gluten-free cheese pizza with a cauliflower crust here.

8. Pizza Dough

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While we're on the topic of pizza, frozen 'za is fine for lazy nights, but it doesn't hold a candle to a fresh, homemade pie. When I'm feeling really ambitious I'll make pizza dough from scratch, but I almost always have T.J's refrigerated pizza dough on hand (and it tastes just as good). I make my pizza on a pizza stone, but you can also just use a baking sheet that you've pre-heated in a very hot oven.

9. Traditional Carnitas

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I made carnitas from scratch once in my life, and I will probably never do it again. While delicious, it's too much work and too messy. Which is what brings me to Trader Joe's full cooked carnitas. Sold in vacuum-sealed packaging, these carnitas last for a good month un-opened in the fridge, so I always keep them on hand for lazy nights. Then, I just heat them in a pan and eat in tacos or burrito bowls.

10. Instant Ramen Soup

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I know what you're probably thinking: Isn't this ramen the same as your basic Cup Noodles? Well, the answer is no. Trader Joe's instant ramen is the best I've ever tried. The noodles are totally different — long, thin, and chewy as opposed to curly — and the broth is rich and flavorful, not at all artificial tasting. I love taking one of these cups of Trader Joe's ramen as a base and then adding whatever vegetables are in my fridge plus a soft-boiled egg.

11. Gone Bananas

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I almost always have a pack of these chocolate covered bananas in my freezer. They're bite-sized, sooo delicious, and the perfect remedy for whenever I'm craving a little something sweet. Pro tip: I often blend two or three of these banana bites into my smoothies when I'm craving something with a little chocolate.

12. Frozen Garlic Naan

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There is something so deeply satisfying about a piece of Trader Joe's doughy, chewy, garlicky naan straight from the oven. This stuff cooks in about a minute flat, and it's the perfect accompaniment to just about anything I'm making for dinner. I also love topping it with my favorite pizza toppings when I'm feeling lazy and need a quick dinner.

13. Vegetable and Soba Noodle Stir Fry Kit

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When it comes to easy meals, it doesn't get much better than this salad kit. It comes with shredded cabbage, broccoli, snow peas, and green onion, soba noodles, and a really tasty soy ginger sauce. I just throw everything into a skillet with whatever protein I have like frozen shimp, chicken breast, or salmon, and dinner is ready in a snap.

14. Creamy Tomato Soup

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As far as I'm concerned, this is the best boxed soup on the planet. It's so rich and creamy and it doesn't feel totally loaded with sodium like other packaged soups do.

15. Smoked Chicken Tenders Dog Treats

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While not a product for humans to consume, I can't talk about my favorite Trader Joe's products without mentioning these dog treats. My dog is a weirdly picky eater, and he has no interest in most treats. But he goes absolutely bonkers for T.J.'s smoked chicken tenders. I also feel good feeding him these treats because they're made with one ingredient: boneless, skinless chicken breasts. These treats have become so essential that I've been ordering them on Amazon at a 500% mark-up during quarantine when I haven't had access to my local Trader Joe's.

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.68.