Three Foods from Trader Joe’s

As busy and broke college students, we all need a place to get cheap food and snacks. When I try to think of a place that can get me this stuff, the first store that comes to mind is always Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite grocery stores and they have everything a person could need food-wise. They even have pre-made foods which you just refrigerate and heat up at your convenience. So, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite Trader Joe’s recommendations, particularly some of the pre-made foods, as someone who does not have the time nor the energy to cook. They have many locations around New York City, with the closest NYU location being right next to Palladium Hall, one of NYU’s upperclassmen dorms! As a Palladium resident myself, Trader Joe’s has become one of my second homes. 

As a mouthwatering appetizer to your delicious meal, what could be better to munch on than some chips and dips? I love both TJ’s caramelized onion dip and buffalo chicken dip, paired with any kind of cracker, especially my favorite, the garlic naan ones!

Courtesy of Khushi Bhutra

As a caramelized onion enthusiast, we have to start with my personal favorite: the caramelized onion dip. It is flavorful, rich, and stacked with onions. The flavor really comes out and you can taste the onion so vividly in your mouth. The buffalo chicken dip is also delicious! It’s not overly spicy so even people who don’t tolerate spice very well, including myself, can enjoy it. It is still yummy though and definitely not particularly bland or boring. Both cost around 5 dollars each, and last at least three snack portions, but of course, everyone has a different appetite level so for some people it may last longer than for others. I also love Trader Joes’ pre-made items, such as their wraps — my favorite is the veggie and hummus one! 

Courtesy of Khushi Bhutra

It’s great if you need something on the healthier side to eat, which is also cheap and easy to access. The hummus is creamy and really delicate on the palette while the veggies are crisp and add a really nice texture to the wrap. It is also packaged very conveniently so it is easy to eat on-the-go. Since there are two separate wraps per box, I am able to utilize one box over the course of two meals. Since each box costs 5 dollars, I am only spending $2.50 per meal. If there is one pre-made meal that I can not live without, however, it has to be the chicken enchiladas. 

Courtesy of Khushi Bhutra

You just take it out of the packaging, microwave it for a few minutes (to your personal liking, I normally microwave for two minutes) and you are left with wonderful, flavorful, and soft enchiladas. The chicken is easy on the teeth and the salsa is creamy and gives it so much flavor. It’s also cheesy so when you put it in the microwave the cheese gets really melty and gooey and it is just wonderful. The best part is that they always give three or four per pack, so depending on how hungry you are, they can last you for 2-3 meals. They are only 7-8 dollars, so it is an amazing deal. 

To me, these are all very convenient and affordable, and depending on your appetite and meal portions, can also be a great deal if you are getting multiple meals or snacks from one item. They also taste delicious and are without-a-doubt, worth buying. Trader Joe’s really is a great place to find convenient groceries. It has such a wide variety of items as well, and you’re likely to find anything you need there.