I promise that this newsletter will not be all about consumerism! Serious topic coming next. But, since I have been living in the US for the past year with easy access to not one, but two Trader Joe’s within a 10-minute drive, and the opportunity to try a bunch of things, I bring you this important advice. But even before my time here, I was a frequent flyer at the Trader Joe’s in South Burlington. If you are passing through, you should make this an obligatory stop on your way back to Montreal.
For those who have never been, it is hard to capture the breadth and depth of a Trader Joe’s shopping experience. There is truly nothing else like it, and nothing even comparable in Montreal. It started as a gourmet grocery store for the masses and now is a one-stop shopping for all that your gastronomic heart desires— multiple aisles of grocery items that are: 1) specialty (unique to TJ) items you cannot find elsewhere, 2) “gourmet” items that have been repackaged with the TJ label and made easily accessible, at much cheaper prices, 3) hyper-affordable grocery staples, and/or 4) (almost) ready-to-eat foods that make for very convenient and delicious meals. They also have a huge selection of both vegetarian/vegan items and organic items that Montreal just cannot compete with.
I had a very tough time narrowing this list down to my must-haves. I look forward to the comments! I am including only items that are on my own must-have list— and only things that 1) cannot be found easily in Montreal or 2) because they really are that much cheaper (even with an unfavourable exchange rate). This place is jam-packed, wall-to-wall filled with amazing things. I hope this will just whet your appetite. Allow yourself an hour there; you’ll thank me. But you will also leave with the inevitable feeling that you should have gotten more. I already feel like I have left out too much!
Overall tips:
Bring a cooler or cooler bag(s) if you can manage it; many of the best things are refrigerated or frozen. (I am not going to tackle the frozen aisles here— it’s overwhelming -- there are like 10 types of frozen gnocchi alone!—and most things are pretty difficult to transport for the 2 hours home.)
Know the rules about taking food and alcohol over the border. While some think that it is not permitted to take dairy and meat into Canada— it is actually okay. All dairy produced in the USA can come in, and cheese from anywhere (e.g., Gruyere from Switzerland, brie from France) can come in (up to 20kg or 20L!).
Check expiration dates if you’re stocking up.
Kitchen Staples
I use this term rather loosely to capture some of the essential refrigerator and pantry items I buy at Trader Joe’s to have on hand at all times.
Butter
So, this is where I admit that the American in me just cannot get used to the 1 lb. butter brick. But it’s not just the stick format that makes me grab for this every time. It’s the amazing price-quality ratio. This butter routinely comes in first in taste tests and baking tests and you can, of course, freeze butter for when you need it. So this one is a no-brainer.
Pound Plus Dark Chocolate Bar
Sadly, I remember when this bar was just over $2USD. It is right now somewhere around $5USD, but this is still an unbeatable price. It comes in 72%, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and with almonds. I honestly don’t know where I would buy baking chocolate if I didn’t have this on hand. I am also a big fan of their semi-sweet chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, and dark chocolate chips.
Unexpected Cheddar
If I could find a local substitute for this, I would buy it here in an instant. I have never had a cheese quite like it. Creamier than parmesan but much saltier than a cheddar. It also comes in a convenient shredded cheese form, but I prefer this one. By the way, all of the cheese and dairy products at TJ’s are a great deal. So stock up if you can carry more home.
Salted Peanut Butter
I have a friend who loves this peanut butter so much that she now has a devoted stash in her kitchen because every friend coming through town from the US will bring her a jar. I did not realize how hard it is to find a natural-style peanut butter with salt until I started looking for it here. This one has a great roasted flavour and salt. Creamy or crunchy.
Everything but the Elote Seasoning Blend
This is another seasoning that has spawned its own Trader Joe’s line (with a similar Greek yogurt dip and a corn chip). But I love the seasoning to put on popcorn and so many other things.
Tinned Smoked Trout
If I am being 100% honest here, this is probably the Trader Joe’s item I buy the most of and need on hand in a pinch. This makes for a great lunch at work, on a salad, on crackers, etc. It’s also great with scrambled eggs and on a bagel. I don’t like canned tuna or canned sardines, but somehow this hits me just right. I haven’t seen anything like it in Montreal and I have been looking.
Zhoug Sauce
You’ll find this one in the refrigerated section with the pestos and other condiments. I always buy one of these— the zhoug (pronounced SHOO-g, sorta), chimichurri, or a pesto. This one is, as it says, very spicy. Zhoug is originally from Yemen and you often find it as an Israeli falafel condiment. It has a great kick to it to add as a condiment to veggies, fish, meat, etc. It’s like a Middle Eastern salsa. Must like cilantro.
Snack and Sweets
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
I would not be surprised if this was the #1 item brought across the St. Armand/Philipsburg border. It is almost certainly the most trafficked in my circles. Incomparable to a Reese’s cup or even the artisanal varieties available locally, these bite-sized treats have the perfect ratio of dark chocolate to peanut butter. Be warned. They are addictive. I always have a bin squirrelled away somewhere. Try the dark chocolate almond cups too— maybe even better, but also more expensive.
Cheese Crunchies
These might look like your dep Cheetos, but don’t be fooled. These are crunchier, taste more like real cheese, and you won’t risk accidentally buying the flaming hot version. We keep a bag of these in the cupboard for impromptu parties and live sporting events. We would be lost without them.
Chocolate Bark with Almond, Pretzel, & Sea Salt
If you’re reading along thinking that everything here is old news, then I hope you’re reading carefully because this is a pretty new item. Once again, TJ’s nails the sugar/salt combo. All things pretzeled are good here and these are no exception.
Organic Jalapeño Limeade
I cannot wait to serve this one up this summer. Stop at a Vermont State Liquor Store for some tequila and you have taqueria-quality margaritas on your hands. They’re a little too good (ask me how I know!). From an inside tip: coat the rim of your guest’s glass with the Tj’s chile lime spice ($2!) and some sugar and you can call yourself a mixologist.
All of the dips, spreads, and refrigerated salsas
This is a bit of a dodge because it was too hard for me to choose these for you. There are great vegan options in here — all of the hummus options, bruschetta, guacamole, salsas to name a few that you might find elsewhere, and also a vegan caramelized onion dip that is very good! I usually stick with many of the above, but for the unique Trader Joe’s-ness of it, this is the one to try:
Everything but the Bagel . . . Greek Yogurt Dip
For those unfamiliar, when Trader Joe’s stumbles upon a good thing, it goes all in. They started out with the Everything but the Bagel Seasoning which people started sprinkling on all sorts of things. Now it’s a product line. . with a dip, crackers (also v good!), smoked salmon, a brand new mini sandwich cracker (if I try it, I’ll report back), nut mix, and even a potato chip.
It goes without saying that finding the perfect pairing for the many, many cheeses, dips, salsas, and spreads amongst the many, many crackers and chips is a big part of the fun.
Vegetarian and vegan items
Montreal is catching up to the rest of the world for specialty vegan and vegetarian items, but they often need a special trip or they’re really expensive. Trader Joe’s is way out ahead on this one in terms of variety and cost. Of course they have lots of items that are vegetarian and vegan by nature, but these are the ones that turn a non-vegan thing vegan (if you’re into that sort of thing.) Obviously, just because these are vegan does not make them healthy, so check your labels (again, if you’re into that sort of thing).
Spinach and Cashew Ravioli
You can find this in the refrigerated section with the other ravioli. This is one of the only vegan ones and it is genuinely good. All of the other regular ones are also delicious. (I like the corn, burrata and basil and also the lemon zest and ricotta).
Soy Chorizo
This is a super good thing to keep around to spice up a dish that calls for chorizo or bacon. And it’s only $2.69USD.
Kale, Cashew and Basil Pesto
This vegan pesto is a great deal and gets a little more greens into your life. You can use it pretty liberally and it is good on everything.
Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower
This is a frozen item, but I needed to include it. This was likely the first of the many, many cauliflower-based items to come out at Trader Joe’s and also in the line of “just because I’m vegan doesn’t mean I don’t like junk food.” In the frozen section you’ll also find the more keto-friendly, gluten-free cauliflower-crazed items: riced cauliflower, cauliflower pizza crusts, cauliflower pancakes, cauliflower gnocchi, and I am not even close to done. This one does not taste healthy (nor is it!), but they’re pretty damn good if you put them in your air fryer.
Now that I think about it, the air fryer and Trader Joe’s are highly symbiotic. Many of the frozen TJ’s items are that much better when air fried (try the gyoza, tater tots, potato pancakes, cheese blintzes, etc). This could be its own whole post!
Beauty and household items
Daily Facial Sunscreen
Perhaps you’ve heard that this is the famous Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen dupe? Instead of the $49CAD price tag at our local Sephora, you can pick this up for a cool $8USD. The key thing about this is that it is an invisible gel, matte formula, great for everyday use and even a makeup primer. Not a mineral sunscreen— lots of chemicals, but now I can’t live without it.
Brazil Nut Body Butter
Grab it if you can find it! If you have a tik-tokker in your house, you may already know about this one— Trader Joe’s aficionados stalk the stores for the summer shipment of this body butter. It is another dupe — this time of the high-end Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum cream, but instead of a whopping $63CAD at Sephora, this is $6USD. It smells great and rubs in quickly. Just like the Everything but the Bagel phenomenon, Trader Joe’s is capitalizing on this one big time, complete with a body scrub, body wash, and scented candle this season. Needless to say, we have fallen for it over here.
Honey Mango Shaving Lotion
This is quite clearly made by Alba Botanica and another great deal . Particularly good for legs and underarms and smells great too.
Candles in a tin
The Trader Joe’s phenomenon continues with a near monthly release of a new candle scent. I have tried many; they are ALL good and $4USD. Big hit with the teen set and smells way better than Bath and Body Works.
Finally I am ending this list with the thing that won’t even make it over the border because you should just sit on the bench outside the store and eat them immediately- bonus: it will keep you awake for the drive home. . . .
Brownie crisp coffee ice cream sandwiches
In the pantheon of great Trader Joe items, this one is near the top. It’s a true decadent treat that is only about 2.5 bites of deliciousness.