topic Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners in Recipes

Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Calibeach — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:13:21 GMT

Are any of these your TJ favorites? What are you adding to your next shopping list?

Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

This is the Best Overall winner

Best Overall

Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings
Sourdough Bread
Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice

Best New Products

Protein Pancakes
Sour Strawberry Belts
Garlic Butter Potato Chips
Hot Honey Popcorn
Ketchup Flavored Lattice Potato Chips

Best Beverages

Spiced Cider
Apple Juice
Triple Ginger Brew
Sparkling Lemonade Cans
100% Tangerine Juice

Best Cheese

Goat Cheese
Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread & Dip
Cheese Shopping Bag
Saint André Triple Crème Brie
English Cheddar with Caramelized Onions

Best Produce

Teeny Tiny Avocados
Gone Bananas!
Blueberries
Honeycrisp Apples
Persian Cucumbers

Best Appetizers

Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Wontons
Vegetable Bird’s Nests
Parmesan Pastry Pups
Greek Spanikopita

Best Breakfast and Brunch Products

Hashbrowns
Chocolate Croissant
Dutch Griddle Cakes
4 Almond Croissants
Protein Pancakes

Best Lunch and Dinner Products

Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings
Chicken Tikka Masala
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings

Best Snacks

Garlic Butter Potato Chips
Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers
Horseradish & Chives Ridge Cut Potato Chips
Patio Potato Chips
World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs

Best Sweet Treats

Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
Almond Kringle Pastry
Chocolate Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
Chocolate Chip Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
Mint Chip Ice Cream

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

bellaartiste — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:52:49 GMT

@Calibeach Thank you! I could use this list. I always buy the same things at Trader Joes. I am familiar with many on the list, and there are plenty I never considered. I am going to copy and print.

Thank again!

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

okaywitheasypay — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:57:24 GMT

I do not see many items there that I have tried or remember which. I like thier sourdough . Love some of their tortilla chips with flaxseed. They have terrific nuts and good prices. I especially love how they treat customers and checkout is super fast and polite.

I live closer to Aldi's and find they have more and more healthy items every time I go. I like to watch on You Tube 'Bobby approved'= a shopper that shops and describes the ingredients. I believe he has an app also.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Icegoddess — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:05:10 GMT

I only go a few times a year, but no, nothing I normally get is on the lists.

Brownie Crisp Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches

Hatch Chili Mac & Cheese - wish it came in a larger container though

Brownies

Blueberry Muffins

Toffee Chips - These are not chips like in chocolate chips. It's a small sqare chocolate covered toffee candies.

Their eggs are cheap

A lot of their stuff especially frozen foods, are sub-par in my opinion.

They do have a steak Pub-Syle pie that rivaled Marie Calender's Pub-Style pie, but I really preferred Marie Calender's chicken version. I found the steak version to be fatty. So, I would be quite happy if they brought a chicken version since MC has discontinued their Pub-Style pies.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Calibeach — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:14:25 GMT

@bellaartiste wrote:
@Calibeach Thank you! I could use this list. I always buy the same things at Trader Joes. I am familiar with many on the list, and there are plenty I never considered. I am going to copy and print.
Thank again!

@bellaartiste I have purchased some of the items on this list, but I'm especially insterested to try the overall winner soup dumplings which I have not purchased yet. The frozen dinner Butter Chicken is very good and we also like the Mac & Cheese and Lasagna for quick ready to heat up dinners.

TJ's is known for its frozen finds, so it’s no surprise that the Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings took home the top prize. (Even professional chefs) love this easy and flavorful meal.) Other overall favorites confirm that customers love frozen dinners, with Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese, Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings, Sourdough Bread, and Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice trailing closely behind the pork dumplings.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Calibeach — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:13:24 GMT

@okaywitheasypay wrote:
I do not see many items there that I have tried or remember which. I like thier sourdough . Love some of their tortilla chips with flaxseed. They have terrific nuts and good prices. I especially love how they treat customers and checkout is super fast and polite.

I live closer to Aldi's and find they have more and more healthy items every time I go. I like to watch on You Tube 'Bobby approved'= a shopper that shops and describes the ingredients. I believe he has an app also.

This past Fall I bought the seasonal version of their sourdough, it is delicious (breakfast toast), bought an extra one to put in the freezer. I would repurchase it again

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Icegoddess — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:23:42 GMT

Oh, and I forgot to mention, they used to have some Milk Bread rolls I really liked. "Used to" being the relevant term. Once again, I'm the kiss of death. For awhile they continued to carry the Chocolate Milk Bread rolls, but that was not what I wanted. Not sure if they still have those or not.

I think I have some of their frozen mushroom ravioli in the freezer. I'll freeze some of my spaghetti sauce when I make spaghetti and that makes a quick & easy meal.

I find the Kringle everybody raves about too sweet.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

LuvmyLab — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:33:46 GMT

I am surprised that their peanut butter cups are not on the list. They are absolutely delicious! Once you try them, you will never buy Reese's again.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Calibeach — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:40:57 GMT

@LuvmyLab wrote:
I am surprised that their peanut butter cups are not on the list. They are absolutely delicious! Once you try them, you will never buy Reese's again.

@LuvmyLab The peanut butter cups and a couple of other most loved items are now in the Hall of Fame. The HOF also includes the amazing Mandarin Orange Chicken (best if they are heated stovetop instead of microwave)

For anyone new to the TJ’s Customer Choice Awards, there is one important detail to note: Six category-sweeping favorites, including the Chili & Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, have been removed from the running after winning their respective categories at least five times. They’re now honored in the Trader Joe's Product Hall of Fame, freeing up more room on the winners’ podium for lesser-known picks and new products.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Etoile308 — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:58:22 GMT

Only thing on the list I buy is the tangerine juice.

I often think many of their items sound disgusting, especially when they have certain flavors of the month themed items.

They carry some unique items, but I've learned to pick and choose what I buy there.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Calibeach — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:16:40 GMT

I'm going to try this with the soup dumplings

This Viral Trader Joe’s Soup Dumpling Hack Makes the Fastest Dinner Ever

5-Minute Dinner with Trader Joe’s Soup Dumplings

No specific measurements, so you’ll have to do some estimating on how much broth and sauces you’ll need when putting your bowl of Trader Joe’s soup dumplings together. But we did write out a step-by-step process to make this magical soup dumpling hack happen!

Ingredients

Trader Joe’s Chicken or Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings
Chicken broth
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Chili crisp
Green onions, chopped
Sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1: Place the dumplings in a bowl with broth

Place your frozen dumplings in a large, microwave-safe bowl and pour chicken broth over the dumplings until covered. (You should have around 1 to 1-1/2 cups of broth in your bowl.)

Editor’s Tip: Working with shallow bowls would be best for a soup like this. We also recommend investing in chinese soup spoons, which will make the dumplings easier to pick up and eat without getting broth all over your shirt!

Step 2: Microwave for 2 minutes

Place the bowl of frozen dumplings and broth in your microwave, then microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Step 3: Drizzle in your sauces

To give your soup dumplings an extra pop of flavor, drizzle in soy sauce (about 1 tablespoon), sesame oil (about 1/2 teaspoon) and chili crisp (about 1 spoonful, or more depending on how spicy you want it).

Step 4: Top with extras

Sprinkle the chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top, as much as your heart desires. Then dig in!

Trader Joe’s Dumpling Soup Tips

Use a different broth: Don’t have chicken broth on hand? Play around with the different broths or stocks you have on hand, like a veggie broth or a beef broth. The broth is what gives those soup dumplings extra flavor, so keep that in mind when choosing the type of broth you use.
Add extra veggies: Looking for a pop of color (and fiber) in your soup? Sprinkle in a handful of spinach before microwaving the soup. The spinach will cook slightly in the broth and will give your soup a little something hearty.
Bring on the aromatics: Garlic and fresh ginger could also seriously elevate these soup dumplings, especially given they are already ingredients in Trader Joe’s soup dumplings themselves. Add in a dash of minced garlic and ginger into the broth before microwaving it to give the soup an extra burst of flavor.
Try other sauces: While soy sauce and sesame oil are classics for this type of soup, feel free to get creative. Fish sauce could be another great addition to this soup, as well as rice vinegar or even a spicy peanut sauce

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Sunshine Kate — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:10:25 GMT

Overall I like Trader Joe's.

However, many of their products are made in China or other countries. I don't buy food made in China.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

ID2 — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:35:38 GMT

I don't shop Trader Joe's. I just don't get the appeal whenever I have been there. And this "award winning" list? Looks like 90 percent junk food. Nope, certainly not for me.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Puppy Galore — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 15:48:28 GMT

@Calibeach

It's also my favorite, the Apple pieces aren't too big or too small and it has the right amount of cinnamon.

I want to say I eat 2 toasted slices, it's more like four slices.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

10sluvr — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:24:10 GMT

ketsup flavored potato chips sound gross!

they had a seasonal pancake mix-cinnamon roll , that was great. i hope it returns. they use to have a pretzel bagel, that hubs like, would like to see that back. i go because i'm a fan of the cheap wine.

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

aroc3435 — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:07:50 GMT

@Calibeach Thank you for this list and especially later providing the quick recipe for using their dumplings in a quick microwave soup. Sounds perfect!

aroc3435

Washington, DC

Re: Trader Joe's 17th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners

Calibeach — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 17:38:56 GMT

@aroc3435 wrote:
@Calibeach Thank you for this list and especially later providing the quick recipe for using their dumplings in a quick microwave soup. Sounds perfect!

aroc3435
Washington, DC

@aroc3435 you're welcome! There are many quick meal recipes using TJ products. Some are posted on the TJ website. I always have some store bought broth in the pantry for quick soups.