19 Best Thanksgiving Items At Trader Joe's 2023
Thanksgiving can be stressful with relatives coming in from out of town, coordinating schedules, cooking the food, and cleaning up afterward. But at least one of those steps can be made easier by going to Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's actually offers many good options for Thanksgiving, and while you might not want to do all of your shopping there, there are some solid items you should consider.
From a plethora of dessert items to appetizers and even sides like stuffing, anything you get at Trader Joe's for Thanksgiving is bound to be good (if you know, you know). But if you're not on board quite yet, or if you want some specific ideas of what to buy when you're there instead of aimlessly wandering up and down the aisles, we have done the research and taste-testing to compile the list of ultimate Trader Joe's Thanksgiving items you should consider buying.
Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish
If you're sick of cranberry sauce, this item will come in clutch this Thanksgiving. While not necessarily a sauce, this Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish is a unique option to put out on the dinner spread. It's a chunky, almost pink relish that would do well on a traditional Thanksgiving plate. But we think it would excel even more on a day-after-Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich (Ross Geller, we're looking at you). The leftover sandwich is, in our opinion, a quintessential part of the Thanksgiving experience, and this relish could add a zing you've been missing.
It's very tart, and we like that you can taste the orange notes here. The orange really balances out all that cranberry, and this might just be the product to turn you on to cranberry sauce if you haven't been a fan in the past. Thank you, Trader Joe's.
Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes
These Trader Joe's Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Cakes are a delightful sugar overload. They are very easy to make — just open the plastic and pop them in the oven.
What's nice about these cakes is that they're frozen. That means can have them ready to go in the freezer for a week before Thanksgiving and won't have to worry about them spoiling before the big day comes. Only two come in the package, but they are so sweet that you'll probably want to share. And if you don't want to share, then we say just buy more of them (if you have the freezer space, of course). The only thing we will note about these toffee cakes is that despite the cake being moist and the flavor being exciting and sweet, there are little bits of toffee scattered throughout the cakes. If you're a fan of caramel or toffee, you'll love that. If you're not a big caramel or toffee person, maybe go for a pie or ice cream instead — but try a bite anyway, because you may be surprised by how much you like it.
Non-Dairy Pumpkin Oat Beverage
If you like oat milk and pumpkin, this beverage is going to be a winner for you. Located in the coffee section of Trader Joe's (not refrigerated), this Non-Dairy Pumpkin Oat Beverage is TJ's latest variation on the oat beverage. We like to think of this product as a creamer for coffee, but you could really put it in anything that calls for milk if you want to add some pumpkin flavor to it.
It's not super sweet like an actual coffee creamer, as it is pumpkin-flavored oat "milk." So if you do plan on adding it to coffee and you like things on the sweeter side, add a little bit of sugar in there, too. This is a great option to have for Thanksgiving to add to people's coffees, warm cocktails, or even baked goods.
Pumpkin Spread
If you're wondering what a pumpkin "spread" is, we've got the answers for you. This Pumpkin Spread from Trader Joe's is basically a pumpkin-flavored jam, and it comes in the most adorable packaging. The employee we spoke to at TJ's said that they loved to put this spread on crackers, sandwiches, and even on a charcuterie board. It's a multidimensional product, that's for sure!
If you are doing a charcuterie board this Thanksgiving, this Pumpkin Spread would be a seasonally-appropriate add-on to dip pretzels, crackers, and anything else your guests want in it. It's sweet to be sure, but it could add a nice contrast to a savory Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich. It would also work perfectly slathered on a biscuit or piece of bread with your Thanksgiving dinner, so putting it out next to the butter could give your guests a fun new spread option.
Spiced Cider
Looking to spice up your drinks station this Thanksgiving? This Spiced Cider from Trader Joe's is exactly what you need. Perfect for kids and adults alike, this variation isn't too sweet and gives you that apple bite you want in a good non-alcoholic cider.
Of course, you can use this as a base for an alcoholic beverage, too. The Trader Joe's website even has a recipe for you, adding bourbon, mandarin juice (though you could just use orange juice), and a cinnamon stick. That sounds like the perfect Thanksgiving drink to us. And if you don't want to make it alcoholic, it's perfectly tasty on its own as it is. While you're at it, pull out the copper Moscow Mule mugs (or any fun cups) to make the holiday even more festive. Who doesn't love that?
Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Kettle Chips
We were so skeptical about these at first. It's a bit hard to get into the idea of trying chips that taste like turkey and gravy, but these absolutely blew us away. Genuinely, these were some of the most unique chips we've ever had. Called the Thanksgiving Stuffing Seasoned Kettle Chips, we wouldn't say they taste exactly like stuffing, but we will say they taste exceptionally good.
With a flavor akin to sour cream and onion chips, they were very flavorful without being spicy or abrasive. Even someone with the mildest palate would enjoy these chips. We think they would make the perfect pre-Thanksgiving dinner snack for your guests to nosh on, as the flavor is so fun it makes you want to reach back for more. The kettle-cooked element upgrades them, too, in our opinion, adding a nice crunch without being difficult to eat at all. We're obsessed, and will be going back to TJ's for more.
Pumpkin Bisque
Even if you think you're sick of pumpkin at this point in November, think again. This Pumpkin Bisque brings new life to the pumpkin spice flavor, and if you serve it on Thanksgiving, we guarantee your guests will be asking for your recipe.
This soup is creamy, so easy to make (no outside ingredients required — just open the jar, put it in a bowl, and warm it up), and delicious. The pumpkin flavor isn't too sweet or too savory, and this soup would serve as the perfect start to your Thanksgiving meal. We recommend buying a few jars of it if you have a large party. One jar serves about three people, but with how good it is, we have a feeling folks will be coming back for seconds.
Apple Crumble Pie
There is absolutely no shame in the store-bought pie game, especially if you go with a pie from Trader Joe's. This Apple Crumble Pie is a unique take on an apple pie, with some oats mixed in the crumble topping for some extra texture and intrigue. If you have a loved one who makes overnight oats, oatmeal, and baked oats like it's their job, you have to get this pie for them on Thanksgiving.
The pie crust is flavorful and not too crumbly, and the apple filling is satisfying and sweet without being sickly. It's likely that the Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pies will be sold out, as pumpkin pie is very popular, and if you went in looking for pumpkin pie and see this Apple Crumble Pie in the store, it's worth the money. Your guests may even thank you for switching it up this year and ask you for the recipe for this pie.
Pumpkin Bagels
The Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bagels will make you wonder why all bagels don't taste as good as they do. Obviously, nothing is comparable to a local New Jersey or New York bagel, but these are very solid for a pre-made grocery store bagel. The pumpkin flavor works wonderfully in these bagels, especially if you put a nice cold cream cheese on top after toasting it.
You may be wondering how bagels could possibly fit into your Thanksgiving eating plans. But you have a few smart options for when to indulge in these sweet bagels. First, you could have them on hand the morning of Thanksgiving when you're preparing for people to come over so that you have a festive but quick breakfast before the main meal. Alternatively, if you and your crew do an earlier Thanksgiving meal, like a brunch situation, you could put the bagels out as an appetizer.
Gluten-Free Stuffing Mix
The saving grace for all folks with Celiac disease and gluten sensitivities, Trader Joe's Gluten-Free Stuffing Mix is outstanding. Your gluten-intolerant guests will be very thankful (pun intended) that you have this option available for them. And even your guests who can tolerate gluten would adore this, too.
You would have no idea this is a gluten-free stuffing just based on taste and texture; it tastes exactly the same as regular packaged stuffing. The seasoning mix in there is tasty, the directions are easy to follow, and it tastes best when it's eaten right after being made. We found that the leftovers of this just were not as good as the day we made it, but that's the case with most things, right?
Organic Crescent Rolls
Move over Pillsbury: There's a new crescent roll in town. But actually, if you enjoy Pillsbury crescent rolls, you'll be blown away by the subtle differences in these Trader Joe's Organic Crescent Rolls. Every minor complaint we've had about Pillsbury rolls over the years has been resolved with these Trader Joe's ones, which is incredible.
First of all, the can comes in the same style as you're used to with crescent rolls, in that you have to rip the packaging off and then twist the container until it pops open. But what's nice about these rolls is that there are even more directions for how to open the container than other brands, so that's helpful. Next, baking these guys is as simple as baking any other crescent roll. The part we enjoyed the most about them was the fact that they were void of the bitter, floury flavor that sometimes comes with Pillsbury rolls. Instead, they were fluffy, warm, delicious, and not at all bitter or floury. Make these for the perfect Thanksgiving day side of bread.
Cornbread Stuffing
This unique stuffing comes in a microwavable meal package style, and we're not mad about it. While there's not a lot of stuffing in here — maybe enough for two or three people, that means it's perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving dinner or for a crowd that's just not wild for stuffing. Volume aside, the Cornbread Stuffing itself is pretty much exactly what you'd expect. It's a Trader Joe's product, so of course, it had to do things a bit differently and use cornbread instead of any other standard stuffing type. We happened to enjoy the cornbread element. It made things a bit grainy, but that's to be expected from cornbread in the first place.
What really sold this stuffing for us was the flavors. It was a powerfully flavorful side dish, complete with some soft apple slices and bits of cranberries to add texture and dimension to the dish. If you're sick of your same old stuffing and want to try something different, give this one a whirl.
Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart
If you've never thought of presenting a savory tart as an option with your Thanksgiving spread, it's not a bad idea. It's a great way to mix things up from your usual Thanksgiving rut while using familiar flavors and comforting ingredients. This Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart from Trader Joe's may sound off-putting to some, but it was actually quite delicious.
While it isn't a large tart meant to feed a horde of hungry Thanksgiving diners, it is the perfect size to please those few people who really love butternut squash and think it belongs on the Thanksgiving table. The caramelized onions made this dish for us — they were a perfect balance of sweet and savory, and the crust on the outside was perfectly crunchy and thick. We made this dish in the toaster oven, which was very easy to do.
Apple Blossoms
These are massively hyped up with the Trader Joe's community for an excellent reason — they're absolutely delicious. Trader Joe's does frozen foods very well, but these Apple Blossoms take things to a whole new level. First of all, they're easy to cook and have simple directions to follow, and you can bake them in either an oven or microwave. We chose to make one in the toaster oven in order to give this bad boy its best shot. And we're glad we did because it turned out crispy on the outside and chewy, soft goodness on the inside. When you first open the box, you'll notice that the two apple blossoms (yes, sadly, the box only contains two of them, this being our only complaint) are individually wrapped, which we think is nice if you want to give one to a friend to try. The second thing you'll notice is that they really do look like beautiful apple blossoms, with the puff pastry on the outside forming the dainty petals with the apple slices, cinnamon, and sugar on the inside waiting to be discovered.
After cooking them for about 12 minutes, you'll be left with a warm, gooey, perfect Thanksgiving morsel. They reminded us of the apple pies at McDonald's, but better. We'd recommend getting these for those two people at your Thanksgiving table who love apple pie or going for a ton of boxes and getting enough so everyone has one.
Pumpkin Pie
What's Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? We decided to give Trader Joe's pumpkin pie a taste test to see if it was worth buying, and our results were a bit split. First of all, this pumpkin pie is stunning. It has the perfect crust and inside filling color, and it's simply ready to eat as-is, which is a huge bonus on such a busy cooking day.
When it came down to the actual flavors, we thought this pumpkin pie would work for a certain type of crowd. We found the filling to be very spice-heavy rather than pumpkin-forward, and this made it a different pie experience than we're used to. We're not saying that we want to eat a flavorless pumpkin pie (yuck); we just don't want to taste the crunch of the spices, you know? But for folks who need flavors amped up a level, people who really dig pumpkin pie spice, or a crowd who's going to cover the whole thing in ice cream anyway, this pie is a winner. It's not bad by any stretch of the imagination; it's quite tasty and edible; you just might get a kick in the tongue from some intense fall spices.
Mini Marshmallows
Trader Joe's Mini Marshmallows are delightfully exactly what you'd think they would be. In fact, we found them to be better than your standard grocery store mini marshmallows, like the Jet-Puffed brand. We have found in the past that, although we enjoy any Jet-Puffed product, sometimes the marshmallows are a bit dry and have a strange chalky coating on them. These Trader Joe's mini marshmallows didn't have that issue at all.
They were the perfect size for plopping in your Thanksgiving hot chocolate or on top of your potato soufflé. You could even eat them straight out of the bag if you want — they're that good. And the best part? These marshmallows are both gluten-free and vegan, which means your guests with dietary restrictions will really appreciate them.
A Turkey Walks Into A Pumpkin Patch Cookie Kit
If you recall last year's Gingerbread Turkey Trot Cookie Decorating Kit, get even more excited about the A Turkey Walks Into A Pumpkin Patch Cookie Kit from Trader Joe's. This kit features multiple festive Thanksgiving-shaped pre-made cookies, including an acorn, a turkey, a pumpkin, and a leaf. We greatly prefer this to last year's cookie options, which were limited to a turkey.
The kit comes with the cookies, two pre-filled icing bags (one orange and one white), and a few packs of sprinkles to add on top. If you enjoy the baking aspect of making cookies, this might not be the kit for you. But if you're scrambling on Thanksgiving day with everything else, this cookie decorating kit is a perfect activity to keep the kids entertained.
Maple Espresso Black Tea Blend
If you're wondering if this product is either a coffee or a tea, you'd be correct in saying it's both and neither. Trader Joe's Maple Espresso Tea product name leaves customers wondering, so we'll set the record straight for you. When you first open this box, you'll notice that each tea bag is individually wrapped in plastic. While we don't love the overuse of plastic, we suppose it's a helpful way to be able to toss a tea bag into your bag on the go. Anyway, once you've boiled your water and let the tea bag simmer in your mug, you'll find that this tea smells uncannily like real maple syrup. Like, if you closed your eyes and smelled the mug, you'd think it was full of maple syrup.
Once taking your first sip, you'll find that, rather than tasting like maple or espresso, it tastes simply like black tea with some sweetener in it, with a small note of coffee underlying everything. We found the little hint of coffee to taste like regular coffee and not espresso at all, which is probably good considering how strong espresso is. Overall, this tea probably isn't for everyone, but it is perfect for folks who have a long drive home ahead of them after Thanksgiving and want to get a tasty boost of caffeine without drinking an actual cup of coffee.
Autumn Maple Coffee
For the parties who love ending their Thanksgiving meal with a nice warm cup of coffee, you might want to check out Trader Joe's Autumn Maple Coffee for a perfect fall brew. It's advertised as being a light roast, but we found the flavor to be verging on a medium roast, so definitely keep that in mind. The bag of coffee comes already ground, which is nice, so you don't have to own a grinder for this one.
On its own, without any creamer in it, it tastes just like normal, unflavored straight black coffee that's incredibly bitter. But once we added a little bit of cream into our mug, stirred it around, and took a sip, we found that we could taste the maple flavor a bit more, which we greatly appreciated. The cream seemed to bring out the maple flavor, so we'd advise you to add your cream first and then taste it before adding any extra sugar because it might just be enough sweetness for you.