Cedar Rapids Mom’s Top 10 Trader Joe’s Favorites

Do you have a favorite store? Did you think Target, Home Goods, or Trader Joe’s? You’re in the right place if it’s one of those three. Specifically, Trader Joe’s is the one up to bat today! Cedar Rapids Moms recently had someone venturing down to Coralville to go on a Trader Joe’s adventure and asked for some of our favorites. We thought, why not share them with the rest of our mom friends so we all can have them or add them to the list! We’re sharing this list with you in no particular order of our favorites because asking us to share our *absolute* favorite item would be like asking us to pick our favorite child, and that’s not something you say out loud. Here is the list of our top 10 Trader Joe’s favorites.

1. Gnocchi

   I won’t limit this one to the famous cauliflower gnocchi, which I highly recommend making in the oven or air fryer and not on the stovetop for crispy gnocchi versus soggy. I will tell you that my favorite gnocchi they have is the Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Butter and Sage! It is the perfect amount of savor with a bit of sweetness.  

2. Pizza Dough

   I had never tried the dough until this last Trader Joe’s trip as it came from another mom a highly recommended to try, and she was right! There is both plain and garlic and herb dough. Right next to the dough was pizza sauce and cheese, all in one spot (depending on if you wanted anything additional on your pizza)! It was easy to roll out, bake, and DELICIOUS.

3. Chocolate Chip Chewy Coated Granola Bars

   Kids and moms alike love these for snacks! Most of us said we tend to go to Trader Joe’s for snacks! Also, check out the animal crackers, graham crackers, and chocolate chip cookies! They’re a hit in many of our homes!  

4. Sriracha and Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce

   Trader Joe’s is famous for all their different sauces and dressings. This BBQ sauce is a favorite in our house because it has just enough kick and flavor for any of our favorite meats.

5. Prepped and Chopped Vegetables

   We couldn’t pick a favorite because they all make our lives easier. The Garden Vegetable Hash is great in eggs for breakfast or Asian Style Vegetable Stir Fry, making our stir-fry a breeze without having to do all the chopping!

6. Mandarin Orange Chicken

   A quick dinner after a sports practice, dance class, or band lesson! There’s also Beef and Broccoli that goes great with their microwave Jasmine Rice. Grab one of these for a quick, delicious dinner!

7. Bread

   If you’re not making your sourdough at home like every influencer out there, Trader Joe’s has your back! We also love the Sliced French Brioche for French toast on the weekend. The Soft Multigrain Rustico Bread is also a favorite among Cedar Rapids Moms.

8. Ice Cream Treats

   Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone ice cream cones and Mini Mouthful ice cream sandwiches are the perfect sweet treat for you and your littles! These come in 8 and 12 packs and disappear quickly, so grab a couple!

9. Greeting Cards

   Bet you didn’t consider getting your greeting cards from Trader Joe’s. They have a variety of cards, all for 99 cents! You can’t go wrong with their unique cards for every occasion. 

10. FLOWERS!

    My personal favorite! You never need an excuse to buy yourself flowers. Trader Joe’s has pre-made bouquets or individual flowers to create your bouquets. Creating bouquets is also a great way to help keep little hands busy and brighten your home. 

Honorable mentions include: 

• Chocolate Croissants 

• Vegetable and Fruit Wash Concentrate

• Peanut Butter Cups (Milk and Dark Chocolate)

• Reduced Strawberry Preserves

• Cheeses – from shredded to goat to other cheeses needed for the perfect after-school snack or charcuterie board.

• Cranberry Chicken Salad

Add these to this list during your next Trader Joe’s run, and let us know your favorites!

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