18 Trader Joe's Vegan Products I Swear By
18 Vegan Trader Joe's Products You Didn't Know Existed
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For me, walking into Trader Joe's is overwhelmingly calming, and yes, I know that's an oxymoron. I typically go on Sundays, when I'm ready to hit the reset button and shop for a fresh week of healthy eating. This is both exciting for me (since being kind to my body feels good!) and yet so comfortingly familiar. As a vegan, I strive to try as many plant-based foods as I can, both so that I am fuelled for my workouts and prepared to introduce any of my interested friends and family to the lifestyle I practice with some tasty options. Of course, I am not perfect — there are times I'm out at a restaurant and find myself ordering a dish that contains eggs, dairy, or even fish because there is such a limited menu — but I believe that by buying as little meat as possible, I am doing better for the environment.
Knowing that Trader Joe's will continue to offer an abundance of vegan products is such a relief, and by being one of the brand's plant-based shoppers, I'm also ensuring the future stock of my favourite items. "We believe that customers 'vote' on what they love — and what they want to see more of — with their dollars. If a product isn't selling well, we'll discontinue it to make room for something new that we hope our customers will love — and the attributes of said new products are determined by customer feedback," a Trader Joe's representative explained to me over email. While not all of the selections I've listed here are advertised as being "vegan" on the label, they all help me round out my diet and provide me with the nutrients I know I need. Scroll to discover some delicious picks you might not have known about, all available to shop at Trader Joe's, and even sometimes on Amazon, too!
Trader Joe's Mixed Nut Butter
I look forward to eating this Trader Joe's Mixed Nut Butter ($12) every single day. It's not made with any peanuts but almonds, cashews, walnuts, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and pecans instead. I buy these 12-ounce containers in bulk and usually go through one a week!
Trader Joe's Multiseed With Tamari Soy Sauce Rice Crackers
As a vegan, it's so great to get the added benefit of sesame and flax seeds in your cracker. The Trader Joe's Multiseed With Tamari Soy Sauce Rice Crackers ($24 for two) are low in calories, too, with 37 of these delicious little rounds equaling one serving size. I put them in everything from soups to salads, but I also grab them by the handful or use them for dipping at parties. True story: one of my friends looks forward to coming over just so she can snack on these — she knows I'll always have them in my cupboard.
Trader Joe's Soyaki Sauce
If you like to experiment with different marinades on your tempeh and tofu, your meals will instantly get more creative once you start using this Trader Joe's Soyaki Sauce ($13). The brand recently launched an island variation, too, which offers a slight twist and is just as good.
Trader Joe's Vegan Caesar Dressing
I can't rave enough about all the dressings at Trader Joe's, which you'll find in the produce section. From the Carrot Ginger to the Spicy Cashew, mostly all the flavours are vegan, too. But the Trader Joe's Vegan Caesar Dressing ($4) is undoubtedly my favourite. I swear you could serve me this at a five-star restaurant and I'd write home about it.
Trader Joe's Romesco Dip
The Trader Joe's Romesco Dip is only available in stores with no direct product links online, but it's worth searching for near the other dips. If you like roasted red peppers and don't mind a mild kick, this is for you. If I'm feeling spicy, I even use it on my pasta. Would you believe me if I said I'm eating it right now as I write this?
Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend
As a vegan, it's incredibly important to eat your grains, and the Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend ($23 for a pack of three) offers the perfect combination of couscous, orzo, garbanzo beans, and quinoa. If you enjoy a slightly al dente bite, boil your water with a pinch of salt, follow the directions on the package, and this mix will satisfy you as is. I often add some Earth Balance to the pot after simmering for a creamier texture.
Trader Joe's Herbed Tahini Sauce
I love adding a dollop of Trader Joe's Herbed Tahini Sauce ($3) to all my Mediterranean-style dishes, though I'll also dip my Multiseed crackers straight into the eight-ounce container for a quick snack.
Trader Joe's Peanut Udon Noodle Salad
This Trader Joe's Peanut Udon Noodle Salad ($5) is hands down my favourite on-the-go prepackaged vegan offering for lunch. The dressing is delicious, and the peanuts help to pack in some protein in a crunch.
Trader Joe's Vegan Tzatziki Dip
During my transition to veganism, I sadly bid farewell to the TJ Avocado Tztaziki spread (which is made with yoghurt) and picked up the Trader Joe's Vegan Tzatziki Dip ($4) instead. I wasn't one bit disappointed by the taste, and I like to team this one with hummus and baba ghanoush for some pita dipping on the regular.
Trader Joe's Vegan Bolognese Style Pasta Sauce
I have to admit, as a meat eater, a hearty dish of bolognese over pasta was a go-to at any Italian restaurant. But I'm still getting my fill with this Trader Joe's Vegan Bolognese Style Pasta Sauce ($4), which I simmer with onions and garlic over soy noodles. Even though it already has plant-based crumbles, I sometimes add a Gardein meatless ball or two and always a grating of Violife's Prosociano Wedge.
Trader Joe's Shredded Parmesan Cheese Alternative
I find that this Trader Joe's Shredded Parmesan Cheese Alternative ($4) is easy to melt, whereas I haven't had the same experience with other vegan shreds. Trader Joe's also has dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds made from cashews, but if you like a sharper taste, this pack is for you.
Trader Joe's Hearts of Palm Pasta
If you want to skip the soy or courgette noodles, you can also try Trader Joe's Hearts of Palm Pasta ($3) with that vegan bolognese sauce I talked about. Just be prepared for a bite that's a bit more bitter.
Trader Joe's Gluten Free Falafel Mix
My favourite thing about the Trader Joe's Gluten Free Falafel Mix ($9) is that you can fry these up, then freeze them, rather than eating them all at once. I find that one or two will suffice for a meal that also includes plenty of nuts, seeds, grains, and maybe some avocado to balance out the texture.
Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi
Yes, Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi ($3) really is vegan. You'll hear so many TJ shoppers buzz about this package from the frozen section. My nonvegan future husband looks forward to this meal just as much as I do.
Trader Joe's Raises the Bar Gluten Free Chewy Granola Bars
These Trader Joe's Raises the Bar Gluten Free Chewy Granola Bars ($15 for two boxes) also come in a peanut butter flavour. I like them because they're soft enough to break apart over my Harmless Harvest Coconut yoghurt alternative, and they're delicious enough to have for dessert.
Trader Joe's Organic Maple Butter
Personally, I like to mix the Trader Joe's Organic Maple Butter ($49 for 20 ounces) with my overnight oats for a deliciously luxurious taste. You'll need zero sweetener, and these jars last a very long time once opened and refrigerated.
Trader Joe's Gourmet French Onion Pieces
The Trader Joe's Gourmet French Onion Pieces ($18 for a pack of two) is a seasonal item that I scan the shelves for every time I enter the store. I love adding a handful to salads or side dishes such as brussels sprouts and string beans.
Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps
While the Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps ($4) are a far cry from a taco shell, they still taste delicious piled with avocado, rice, guac, hot sauce, and TJ's beef-less ground crumbles.
