Here's what to serve and what to skip at your holiday table.
Trader Joe's offers some pretty great eats for your holiday table — and fittingly, if there's one meal I could eat over and over again, it's Thanksgiving dinner. Here are 60-plus Trader Joe's Thanksgiving items ranked from bottom to top so you know what to stock up on and what to skip. 🥧
![I Ranked 60+ New and Classic Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Products From "Skip It" To "Must Try" (3) I Ranked 60+ New and Classic Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Products From "Skip It" To "Must Try" (3)](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2020-11/12/16/asset/4cfe2be386eb/sub-buzz-2378-1605198166-17.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
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If I missed your favorite, leave it in the comments!
66. Harvest Apple Salad Kit
![I Ranked 60+ New and Classic Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Products From "Skip It" To "Must Try" (4) I Ranked 60+ New and Classic Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Products From "Skip It" To "Must Try" (4)](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2020-11/12/16/asset/184616d5f766/sub-buzz-2482-1605200318-12.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
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Because no one gets excited about salad on Thanksgiving.
65. Holiday Vegetable Hash
![I Ranked 60+ New and Classic Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Products From "Skip It" To "Must Try" (5) I Ranked 60+ New and Classic Trader Joe's Thanksgiving Products From "Skip It" To "Must Try" (5)](https://i0.wp.com/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2020-11/12/16/asset/2cb53cb4f073/sub-buzz-2504-1605200392-29.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
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You could probably do without this watery medley of diced squash, sweet potato, celery, and herbs.
64. Roasted Cauliflower With Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Black Pepper
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You can (and should) roast your own cauliflower.
63. Roasted Vegetables Simply Dressed With Garlic and Herbs
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Again, it's worth the extra five minutes of prep work to make your own roasted veggies.
62. Pie Crusts
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It's tough to get excited about store-bought piecrust with no filling, amirite?
61. Breaded Turkey-Less Stuffed Roast With Gravy
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I don't love thinking about what actually goes into this vegan roast, but to its credit, it actually looks and feels a lot like real turkey. (The taste, though? Not so much.)
60. Cranberry Sauce
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Nothing much to see or taste here, just a plain jar of store-bought cranberry sauce.
59. Roasted Potatoes With Peppers & Onions
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The least impressive of T.J.'s many potato options. You can find better.
58. Pumpkin Bisque
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TBH, I wouldn't recommend eating this in soup form, but it does taste great as a pasta sauce.
57. Riced Cauliflower Stuffing
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The leeks, onions, and cranberries are a festive touch, and it's a nice keto-friendly option. (But it's a holiday, so I'll be reaching for the traditional stuffing.)
56. Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Pecans
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Unless you have a real sweet tooth, you'll probably find this side dish a bit too dessertlike.
55. Brussels Sprouts Stalks
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Are these any different from bagged Brussels sprouts? Absolutely not. Are they cute and festive? Heck yes.
54. Camembert Cheese and Cranberry Sauce Fillo Bites
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These are heavy on the puff pastry and light on the fillings, and I wish it were the opposite.
53. Apple Pie With a Lovely Lattice Crust
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Trader Joe's, I love you unconditionally, but you missed the mark with this pie.
52. Mashed Cauliflower
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Definitely decent, but doesn't hold a candle to the potato version.
51. Mini Mushroom en Croute Duo
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If you're hosting guests who follow a vegan diet, this is a solid appetizer that anyone who loves mushrooms can appreciate.
50. Pastry Bites With Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions
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The flavors of tangy feta and sweet caramelized onions shine through in these mini finger foods.
49. Hasselback Potatoes With Butter & Sea Salt
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Look, I understand that sometimes people get lazy. But really, how hard is it to bake potatoes and slice them a few times?
48. Brined Bone-In Half Turkey Breast
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If you're intimidated by the idea of making turkey at home or don't have the time, this is a handy (and decently tasty) option. That being said, it's a small portion and fairly pricey, so you're better off roasting a bird if you can!
47. Cut and Peeled Butternut Squash
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While this might seem boring, don't underestimate the convenience of precut and peeled squash. Roast these bad boys and drizzle with some maple syrup or puree them into soup.
46. Turkey Stock
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While turkey stock may not be the sexiest item in the aisle, it's a great thing to have on hand come Thanksgiving for sautéing veggies, rehydrating mashed potatoes, etc....
45. French Onion Soup Bites With Caramelized Onions & Swiss Cheese
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These have so much potential, but unfortunately, they're lacking in the flavor department.
44. Gourmet Fried Onion Pieces
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These are obviously delicious and should be a required topping on your green bean casserole, but there's nothing unique about them.
43. Condensed Cream of Portabella Mushroom Soup
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While you probably won't get excited about cream of mushroom soup, you wouldn't want to make a casserole without it.
42. Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix
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These sound like they should be phenomenal, but sadly there are way better Thanksgiving desserts to stock up on at T.J's.
41. Savory Corn Pie
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I was expecting this savory pie to taste more like cornbread, but it has a soufflélike texture to it and a slightly mealy taste.
40. Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole
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Thanks to spaghetti squash noodles, this is a lower-carb alternative to mac 'n' cheese that still satisfies your comfort food cravings.
39. Harvest Chocolate Collection
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These won't change your life, but they're certainly a cute idea for your holiday tablescape.
38. Turkey Gravy
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Surprisingly rich and decadent, you won't regret picking up a box of this stuff for your mashed potatoes.
37. Cornbread Mix
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If you want to whip up something homemade that isn't technically from scratch, this cornbread mix is moist and a delectable mix of sweet and savory.
36. Butternut Squash Soup
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While available all year, T.J.'s super-creamy butternut squash soup is the perfect addition to any holiday menu, IMO. Top it with a drizzle of pesto and pine nuts, a dollop of sour cream, or some cranberries and pistachios and you've got something that looks (and tastes) seriously fancy.
35. Mashed Potaotes
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While they'd benefit from a bit more salt, pepper, and garlic, these mashed potatoes are easy, fluffy, and delicious.
34. Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque
u/themiddlechildedit via Reddit / Via reddit.com
On its own, this soup is totally decent, but go the extra mile and dress it up with some extra cream and toppings like pepitas or fried onions.
33. One Potato Two Potato Gratin
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You shouldn't have to choose between regular potatoes and sweet potatoes, and now you don't have to. Heck, T.J.'s even threw some mushrooms into the mix too.
32. Cranberry Orange Relish
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Much better than the jarred version, this tangy cranberry sauce with a kick of citrus tastes homemade.
31. Mini Brie en Croute
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Pair these cute little cheesy puff pastries with the cranberry orange relish above.
30. Herbaceous Cheesy Bites
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Honestly, what could be bad about three kinds of cheese that are breaded and coated in garlic and herbs? And you know what else? I'm going to start using the word "herbaceous" more often.
29. Hold the Corn! Appetizers
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It's creamed corn with a crunchy shell in finger food form, and I'm here for it.
28. Nantucket Style Cranberry Pie
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If you're pressed for time or afraid to tackle a homemade dessert, this cranberry pie will save the day. Plus, it's a welcome break from all the pumpkin and apple dishes.
27. Turkey & Stuffing en Croute
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This frozen turkey, stuffing, and gravy creation is surprisingly tasty. If you're cooking Thanksgiving for just a few people, this is a wonderful main dish. Just plan ahead because it has to thaw overnight in the fridge.
26. Sparkling Pomegranate Punch Beverage
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Give your margaritas or Moscow mules a festive kick with a splash of this sparkling drink.
25. Pumpkin Rolls
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Start Thanksgiving morning off right (and repeat all throughout fall).
24. Apricot Cherry Cranberry Goat's Milk Cheese
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Lather this creamy, spreadable cheese onto T.J.'s pumpkin cranberry crisps for the easiest party app ever.
23. Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissants
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Pumpkin cheesecake for breakfast? Sign me up.
22. Mac 'n Cheese
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Don't even think about inviting me to your Thanksgiving if there's no mac 'n' cheese involved. If you don't want to make your mac from scratch, this is rich and cheesy and better than the boxed stuff.
21. Pumpkin Ice Cream
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It's never too cold for ice cream, especially when it's pumpkin-flavored.
20. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese Bites
Hannah Loewentheil
Looking for a crowd pleasing party app? Grab a box or two of these breaded and fried pumpkin mac 'n' cheese balls.
19. Fully Baked Apple Blossoms
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It takes just one minute to heat up these single-serve, frozen apple pies. They taste best with a scoop of ice cream on top.
18. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
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Not overly sweet and perfectly creamy, this needs to be on every Thanksgiving table.
17. Cornbread Stuffing Mix
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Now, THIS is the good stuff. Try adding some browned sausage if you want to take things to the next level.
16. Chocolate Mousse Pumpkins
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If you don't feel like baking, let Trader Joe's cover the dessert portion of the evening. These cakey, fudgy pumpkin mousse bites taste way better than store-bought.
15. Cauliflower Tot Casserole
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You'll want to grab a few boxes of this indulgent, cheesy side dish because everyone will be helping themselves to seconds.
14. Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
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Every party needs a good party dip, and this should be yours.
13. Everything But The Leftovers Seasoning Blend
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Pretty much any Thanksgiving side from green bean casserole to mashed potatoes will benefit from a sprinkle of this magic flavor-enhancer.
12. Pumpkin Pie
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Save yourself the hours of baking and grab one of these. You definitely won't regret it.
11. Green Bean Casserole Bites
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Yet another really excellent appetizer that won't let you down (and actually makes green beans exciting).
10. Mushroom & Truffle Pesto
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Made with mixed mushrooms, white truffle oil, and Romano cheese, the flavor is seriously bold and every little bit is like an umami bomb. Level up your Thanksgiving party apps with a little drizzle.
9. Italian Custard Cream Puffs
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Plan ahead because this frozen dessert needs to thaw at room temperature for at least 90 minutes, but once baked they are a heavenly, no-fuss holiday dessert.
8. Creamed Greens With Brussels Sprouts, Kale, & Parmesan Cheese
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There should be at least one green side dish on your holiday table, so do the right thing and pick something covered with melted cheese.
7. Mini Cheesecake Cones
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I have this thing for handheld desserts.
6. Cornbread Bites With Pepper Jack Cheese & Serrano Chile Peppers
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They're crunchy, they're savory, they're cheesy, they're spicy, and they're darn GOOD.
5. Broccoli & Cauliflower Gratin
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Thanksgiving is all about disguising vegetables under a thick, melty layer of cheese. This cruciferous side dish is no exception.
4. Pumpkin Caramel Kringle
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This pastry is large enough to feed a crowd and wildly good. It's flaky, doughy, sugary, and pretty much melts in your mouth.
3. French Apple Tart
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As far as store-bought pies go, this is the crème de la crème. It's all about the shortbread crust.
2. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
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Butternut squash gives plain old mac 'n' cheese a sophisticated and seasonal twist. But don't worry, there's still plenty of Gouda, cheddar, and Parmesan in there.
1. Scallopini Potatoes
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Not one, but FOUR! CHEESES! 😋