The other day I was working when I got distracted by possibly the greatest Slack thread that has ever been started. A co-worker posted in my company’s #random channel explaining that he had received a $100 Trader Joe’s Gift Card and didn’t know where to start.
Oh-ho-ho let me tell you, I was both SHOOK and excited because TJ’s is literally the most magical and mystifying grocery store in the United States. (How is it so cheap? What kind of crack do they put in the Cookie Butter? And who tf is Joe and what is he trading to get all of these amazing items? *Investigation pending.*)
Anyway, as my co-worker Bailey put it:
But that’s dangerous and irresponsible. So to help you, I compiled a list of some of the recommendations my co-workers made, along with some of my own favorites:
☑️ Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
☑️ Brownie Crisp Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches
☑️ Fresh Pizza Dough
☑️ Brazilian Style Cheese Bread
☑️ Mandarin Orange Chicken
☑️ Acai Smoothie Bowls
☑️ Cauliflower Jalapeño Dip
☑️ Speculoos Cookie Butter
☑️ Baked Cheese Crunchies Cheese Flavored Corn Snacks
☑️ Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Butter and Sage
☑️ Sea Salt Brownies
☑️ Mushroom & Black Truffle Flatbread
☑️ Cold Brew Coffee and Boba Coconut Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
☑️ Thai Vegetable Gyoza
☑️ Grass Fed New Zealand Sharp Cheddar and 1,000 Day Gouda
☑️ Brookie (Brownie + Cookie)
☑️ Vegan Basil Pesto
☑️ Plantain Chip Croutons
☑️ Cacio e Pepe Pasta
☑️Ready to Bake Chocolate Croissants
☑️ Gluten Free Coffee Cake Muffins
☑️ Dark Chocolate PB Cups
☑️ “Just Sauce” Turkey Bolognese
My Personal Recommendations:
☑️ Thai Chili Veggie Burgers
☑️ Cowboy Caviar (A salsa-esque jar of corn and peppers I add to my egg scrambles.)
☑️ Medjool Dates (I swear they’re softer and better at TJs than any other store. Cut them open and add peanut butter — OMG.)
☑️ Three Layer Hummus
☑️ Everything But The Bagel Seasoning (and/or Everything But The Bagel Dip)
☑️ Field Fresh Salad with White Chicken (only in California stores though, I hate the different dressing they have in the Texas version)
☑️ Broccoli Slaw and Kale Salad with White Chicken
☑️ Gone Bananas! Chocolate Covered Banana Bites
Honestly I could double this list, but I’m going to stop to keep your cart from overflowing. Let me know if you have a favorite you think I need to try!
