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Photo:Melissa Renwick/Toronto Star/Getty Images
Melissa Renwick/Toronto Star/Getty Images
I’ve been a dedicated Trader Joe’s shopper for years and, as a result, I have a curated list ofmy go-to products. From sliced prosciutto to riced cauliflower, I do my best to stick to the staples I’ve fallen in love with while still allowing room in my budget to try one unexpected product on occasion.
But on a recent TJ’s trip, I decided to throw my list out the window and only buy new-to-me products. The goal? Find my newest Trader Joe’s gem, whether it was a fun beverage or a veggie-packed pantry item. I ended up buying five items I’ve never tried—and three were so delicious, they’re now on my must-buy list.
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Jamaican Style Beef Patties
TJ’s recommends preparing these patties in the oven, microwave or air fryer. I chose the air fryer and I’m glad I did. The flaky pastry came out slightly crisp on the bottom and edges, which contrasted nicely with the soft filling. Although I can’t speak to the authenticity of the patties compared to ones you’d find in Jamaica, overall, I really enjoyed them. I ate these patties on their own, but next time, I plan to serve them alongside a simple salad for an easy dinner.
Sour Cream & Onion Flavored Rings
Trader Joe’sSour Cream & Onion Flavored Ringshave been around for years, but I’ve always hesitated buying them. While sour cream-and-onion–flavored potato chips are my favorite, this crunchy snack is made from red lentils and rice. I thought the lentil flavor might be overpowering. And when I opened the bag and a strong aroma of dried herbs and legumes met my nose, it was off-putting at first. But I ignored it and grabbed one of the thin rings. The taste was more subtle than the initial scent suggested, and I found the earthy legumes actually enhanced the classic sour cream-and-onion flavor profile. I munched my way through the bag quickly, a telltale sign of a great snack.
As a bonus, one 28-gram (1-ounce) serving of these rings contains 4 grams of protein, in part thanks to the legumes. That’s twice the amount found in the same serving of Lay’s sour cream and onion potato chips. There’s also slightly more fiber in the rings compared to potato chips, 2 grams per serving in the rings and 1 gram in the chips.
Organic Cold Brew Black Tea Concentrate
This year, I’ve made an effort to reduce my added sugar intake.Eating too much added sugarmay lead to weight gain, heart disease and more, so I’ve been swapping products when I can. I started buying plain yogurt instead of flavored, and found a differentgranola bar—but I was still looking for a replacement for my daily glass of iced tea. Enter: Trader Joe’s Organic Cold Brew Black Tea Concentrate.
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