Trader Joe’s is one of the go-to grocery stores in the USA, but there’s no denying that these shops can be difficult to navigate. Trader Joe’s is unlike any other grocery store in the USA, and when you first visit one, it can be difficult to find where anything is. But, once you learn to navigate this store you can find some excellent Paleo finds, and for some excellent prices too.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best Paleo finds that are exclusive to Trader Joe’s. Of course, Trader Joe’s isn’t an all paleo store, so you will have to avoid getting distracted by all the different foods that you aren’t allowed. But, if you can do this, you will be able to find some excellent paleo bargains that can really switch up your diet. So, let’s jump right in.
Grass-Fed Ground Beef
Let’s start out with some of the best meat finds that you can get in Trader Joe’s, beginning with beef. In the frozen section at Trader Joe’s, you will find grass-fed ground beef at a bargain price of $5.99/pound. Grass-fed meat tends to be a lot more expensive, so this is an absolute bargain. Especially for grass-fed beef.
This is not a sale price, it is the standard price for this beef, and you will be hard-pressed to find it cheaper anywhere else. Of course, you might find it cheaper in the sale elsewhere, but if you want cheap ground-beef all year-round, then this is probably the cheapest that you will find.
Albacore Tuna in Water
If you prefer fish to meat, then you might want to check out the Albacore Tuna in Water that Trader Joe’s sells. This fish costs less than $2 a tin, and it makes the perfect tuna-mayo. Whether you make your own mayo, or buy it ready-made, simply add a tin of this tuna to it, and you will not be disappointed.
This tuna is made without any added salt, and it tastes incredible. If you aren’t a fan of tuna mayo, then simply drain this tuna and pair it with some green vegetables instead. You could even use it to make a tuna salad. The opportunities with this tuna are endless, and it is an absolute bargain, so you should definitely add it to your basket.
Sun dried Tomato and Basil Chicken Sausage
In the fresh section at Trader Joe’s, you will find these wonderful sausages. They aren’t pre-cooked, so you will have to take on this task yourself, but they are definitely worth the hassle. If you love chicken sausages, then these are right up your street. And if you love flavored chicken sausages, they’ll be even better.
When it comes to flavor pairings, tomato and basil is perfect, and sun dried tomato makes it even better. These sausages are a little more pricey than the other options we have looked at, but they can make a complete meal, So, if you fancy sausages, check these out next time you visit Trader Joe’s.
Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage
Sticking with the theme of chicken sausages, you should also check out these spicy Italian chicken sausages. They are a little different to the sausages we just looked at, as they are pre-cooked and ready to eat. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, in fact, we see it as a good thing as it makes cooking a meal just that much easier.
So, if you fancy pre-cooked sausages that are 100% Paleo, then these are the perfect option. Although they are pre-cooked, you can still find them in the fresh section at Trader Joe’s, so keep an eye out next time you visit the store.
Fruit Sauce Crushers
If you have young children that are following a Paleo diet, or fancy treating yourself to a child’s snack, then you’ll be pleased to know that fruit sauce crushers are Paleo friendly. These drinks are organic, and are also packed with fruits and vegetables, so you can laugh at drinking a child’s treat, but they are actually a very healthy option.
These drinks travel well, they are portable, and they are perfect for a packed lunch. So don’t frown upon them because they are designed for kids. They could be the perfect treat to add to your diet, and they are also very cheap. So be sure to pick some up when you go to Trader Joe’s next.
Organic Dried Turkish Apricots
Sticking with the theme of fruit and vegetables, let’s move onto the classic treat that is dried apricots. If you want paleo dried apricots, then the Organic dried Turkish apricots that Trader Joe’s sells are perfectly safe. You will find them in the dried goods section at Trader Joe’s, and they taste wonderful.
If you pick these up at Trader Joe’s, be warned that they likely won’t last very long. These treats are incredibly moreish, and you will find yourself constantly going back to eat more. So, if you do pick these up on your next visit, you might want to buy more than one to ensure they last till your next trip to the store.
Plantain Chips
On the topic of moreish snacks, we can’t ignore the plantain chips that Trader Joe’s sell. They are insanely good, and so cheap. You will find yourself constantly snacking on these treats, and this is mainly because they taste wonderful with lots of different dips and sauces.
Some people even choose to pair plantain chips with the dried apricots that we just spoke about. We’re not too sure how we feel about this duo, but it might be one to try. But, whether you want to enjoy plantain chips on their own, or you like them with a dip, these are an absolute bargain. So, check out the chips section next time you go to Trader Joe’s.
Roasted Not So Salty Cashew Pieces
If you are more of a nut person, then a bag of roasted not so salty cashew pieces will likely be right up your alley. You might be wondering why you would buy the cashew pieces, when Trader Joe’s sells complete cashew pieces in this style, and there is one answer for that. This is, of course, the price.
Nuts generally aren’t that cheap, especially flavored nuts. Even when you buy in bulk, you might find that these are quite expensive. So, if you want to cut costs right down, you should consider buying these cashew pieces, because they will save you money in the long run.
Pickled Cauliflower Medley
Moving into the universe of pickled treats, let’s start with the Trader Joe’s pickled cauliflower medley. Trader Joe’s sells lots of different pickled things, and this is by far one of their most popular. As an outsider, this can seem like a strange creation, but by all accounts, it tastes amazing.
This jar of pickled treats does contain sugar, but this sugar content is negligible, so there’s no need to worry about it affecting your diet. But, to be on the safe side, it is best to eat this treat in small amounts. You’ll find it for a bargain price in the deli section at Trader Joe’s, so remember to keep an eye out for it.
Spicy Pickled Vegetables
When it comes to pickled treats, Trader Joe’s offers some wonderful products. We’ve spoken about their cauliflower medley, but another great edition for your can cupboard is their spicy pickled vegetables. Again, you can find these in the deli section at Trader Joe’s.
Just like the pickled cauliflower medley, there is sugar in this jar. But, the amount of sugar is negligible, and Trader Joe’s even went to the effort to use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar. So, if you love pickled things, be sure to check out this product on your next visit.
Organic Coconut Sugar
Speaking of coconut sugar, Trader Joe’s actually sells this in bulk at their stores. So, if you fancy sugar, but are following a Paleo diet, this is the perfect addition to your cupboard. Life without sugar can be difficult, but thanks to the invention of coconut sugar, you can make your food and drinks sweeter without it impacting your diet.
Of all the places that sell coconut sugar, the Organic Coconut Sugar at Trader Joe’s is one of the cheapest options. Not only is it cheap, but it is also organic, which means that it is better for you and the environment too. So, if you like coconut sugar, it is definitely worth picking a bag up to put in your pantry for the future.
Roasted Flax Seed
No matter what type of diet you are following, flax seed is an excellent ingredient to incorporate into your meals. From smoothies to granola to baking, there are so many things that you can use flaxseed in, and it also has the added benefit of being incredibly healthy. This is because it contains Omega 3.
Our favorite flax seed on the market is actually the Golden Roasted Flax Seed that Trader Joe’s sells. It can be tricky to find it in store, but it is so cheap and tastes wonderful. This flax seed can take any dish to the next level, so it is always worth picking some up next time you visit Trader Joe’s.
Almond Meal
In a similar category, we have to mention the almond meal that Trader Joe’s sells. This isn’t almond flour, because the skins were left on the almonds during the production process. This is why it is called almond meal instead. But, it can actually be used in a very similar way to flours.
If you aren’t a big fan of almond meal, then this probably isn’t for you. But if you are, then trading to the Trader Joe’s almond meal can be an excellent way to save money. It comes in large packets and is perfect for baking. But depending on the recipe, you might have to sift through the meal for the almond shells before you use it in your dish.
Kerry gold Grass-Fed Butter
We mentioned earlier that grass-fed meat is more expensive than regular meat, and the same goes for dairy products. But, thankfully, Trader Joe’s stock Kerry gold grass-fed butter, and you can get it for a real bargain if you buy it in one of their stores.
This butter is made with milk taken from cows that exclusively ate grass, so it will not contain any nasty or harmful chemicals. If you are a Paleo that cannot tolerate dairy, then you can still pick up this butter and convert it into ghee to use in your dishes. The decision is entirely up to you, but there’s no denying this is a bargain.
Cashew Butter
If you cannot tolerate dairy butters, then cashew butter could be a total game-changer for you. Likewise, if you miss peanut butter, then you might want to consider giving the cashew butter at Trader Joe’s a try. We can guarantee that you won’t look back.
Cashew butter is considerably more expensive than peanut butter, so you might struggle to see this as a bargain. But, for the wonderful taste, and the fact that this butter is paleo-safe, there is no denying that it is excellent value for money.
Almond Butter
If you can’t bring yourself to pay for cashew butter, then almond butter is its cheaper alternative. It is by no means as good, but this option from Trader Joe’s is as close as you will get.
The almond butter at Trader Joe’s is raw, and because of this it has a crunchy texture, which isn’t for everyone. But, in the right dishes, this consistency can really switch up a meal, and take it to the next level. So, whether you are baking, or just fancy almond butter, this is a great choice.
Summary
In short, we have looked at 16 of the best paleo finds at Trader Joe’s. All the products that we have looked at in this guide are paleo-friendly, and can be picked up for a real bargain. So, next time that you visit Trader Joe’s, keep an eye out for some of these wonderful products.
