“Trader Joe’s are the worst.” said no one ever. We all can relate to the fact that we go to TJ’s intending to buy hummus and come out with ten different snack products, three frozen goods, and a bottle or two of wine.
No matter what, Trader Joe’s undeniably has a great list of items to choose from. Whether you want to store for future snack craving or if you plan to bring some items for a scheduled summer picnic, Trader Joe’s grocery store is the place to visit.
Here are a few of the best Trader Joe’s picnic snacks you can pick up from one of your local Trader Joe’s grocery stores:
9 Best Trader Joe’s Snacks for Summer Picnic
1. Chili and Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
These crispy and crunchy gluten-free chips will spice up your picnic with its spicy scrolls. The chili and lime make for a tangy taste and spicy profile, which you will love.
Trader Joe’s did not go crazy with the chili, so it’s perfect as a stand-alone snack, or you can bring a dip to add to your picnic fare. Keep reading this snack list so you’ll know what dips are perfect for these chips.
2. Sprouted Whole Grain Pizza Crust
If you’re crazy about pizza during picnics, but on a strict diet, worry not! This pizza from Trader Joe’s is a healthier option. The crust came from wheat berries, quinoa, millet, oat groats, barley, rye berries, and amaranth. No doubt, it’s worth bringing and enjoying a summer picnic with.
3. These Peanuts Go On A Date Bars
Whether you’re going on a summer picnic with a date, with your friends and family, or yourself, these bars are phenomenal. Adding dry roasted peanuts and a dollop of date paste together, Trader Joe’s have created a perfect match.
Sparks flew, even more when they added a bit of peanut butter, flaxseed meal, and sea salt to the milieu. Food for everyone, I swear!
4. Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip
Sometimes, we prefer a little extra taste to what we are initially eating. Cue the Trader Joe’s “reduced-guilt” dip made with Greek yogurt, spinach, and kale; hence, the name.
This dip is a perfect alternative to the other heavier dips as you won’t feel sluggish when you decide to do some picnic activities.
5. Avocado Tzatziki Dip
Another dip to add to your picnic fare dips is this Avocado Tzatziki dip. Tzatziki is a creamy garlic-cucumber-mint dip that’s a staple in Greek cuisine. This dip is best with veggies, chips, or pita bread.
You can even go crazy a little bit and add it in your sandwiches or on your salads. Use it how you would use your “regular” guacamole.
6. Hot Smoked Scottish Salmon
Whether you plan to go to an early morning picnic or just want to relax and enjoy yourself on your porch, these salmon fillets are perfect. You can pack these fillets on top of your cream cheese and bagels or for whatever purpose it may serve you.
The smoky aroma and the texture are two of the things that will make you indulge.
7. Organic Watermelon Fruit Spread
Pretty-in-pink this summer fruit spread is a blend of organic watermelon purée, cane sugar, organic cherry juice concentrate, and fruit pectin. Spread this on toast, ice cream, cake, or whatever it is you can think of.
Food choices have no limit. Trader Joe’s definitely jammed the sweet taste of pure summer in a jar.
8. Simpler Wines Italian Sparkling Wine
A drink to beat the summer heat is perfect with your picnic snacks. These sparkling drinks come in 4 cans, a pack. It may not be for some, but it is decent enough to bring to a picnic and enjoy the refreshing wine to spruce up your picnic lightly.
9. Parmesan Pastry Pups
Parmesan cheese on corn dogs? No way, right? Right? Well, Trader Joe’s beg to differ. With these pastry pups, Trader Joe’s have made easy, premade picnic snacks. The parmesan cheese is the real kicker on these as it adds a nice salty element in the mix.
Perfect finger food, but some say it gets better with a little ketchup and mustard.
Where To Find
Trader Joe’s are all over the U.S. with 505 stores nationwide as of April 2020. With each store designed to represent their respective area, Trader Joe’s staff create artwork for the store representing the surrounding neighborhood.
TJ is essentially tiki-nautical themed, but each store may incorporate props to blend into the local area. Find out the nearest stores near you through their website, or you can check the locations of Trader Joe’s stores in each state in Trader Joe’s location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What snacks to get at Trader Joe’s?
Honestly, there are way too many to choose from. Whether for a picnic, movie, or random snacking experience, you can head on to the local Trader Joe’s and see what you can get for yourself. They have different snack variety, ranging from biscuits, chips, dips, drinks, crusts and more.
What food do you bring on a picnic date?
These Peanuts Go On A Date Bars are definitely a must bring. Also, if you like to add in a little flavor to your picnic date fare, the dips can go a long way, paired with pita, or any finger food you and your date like.
Snack Summary
All in all, Trader Joe’s does offer a good set of snacks to bring outdoors. They even have healthier options on their list of must-tries! I definitely don’t regret coming out of their stores with two or three unplanned snack purchases.
If you haven’t visited your local TJ store yet, maybe it’s time to go out and explore their aisles. What better way for you to get Vitamin D than being out in the sun, right?
Plus, you go home with a bunch of snack goodies that you will definitely enjoy eating and sharing with your friends during summer- or any season, really.