When guests text, “Almost there,” these are the Trader Joe’s staples I rely on.

As a Tasty contributor, I write test-driven stories about grocery store staples, viral recipes, and cozy comfort foods, focusing on what’s actually worth making at home.

Why it’s great: I love honey-inspired products year-round, but there’s something about this chevre that I'm especially fond of in the spring season. It’s light, a little whimsical, and perfect for last-minute spring patio soirées. 

Serve it: This cheese is delightful spread on crackers with a tiny dollop of raspberry preserves.

Why it’s great: You’ll find three of these jars in my pantry at any given point in time and two in the fridge. They’re super buttery and savory (“meaty” as they say), and I love that they’re pitted, then placed on a hot grill to get those sear marks.

Serve it: Simply pour them into a small bowl with an orange peel and fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme), then serve with some good crackers. You can also warm them in a skillet with lemon zest and chili flakes.

Why it’s great: Marcona almonds can get pricey at other places, but Trader Joe’s keeps the gourmet approachable with this bag of sea salt-dusted and rosemary-sprinkled wonder.

Serve it: Pour them into a little ceramic bowl, and your work is done. I also love adding them to a spring board with a bowl of olives and some crusty bread with olive oil and balsamic for dipping. For a wine pairing, a cold, crisp Sauvignon Blanc does the trick.

Why it’s great: This cake remains one of my favorite Trader’s items of all time. It’s perfectly rich with just the right amount of frosting and always feels like a mini celebration. Because, why wait? Celebrate.

Serve it: Cut into small squares and serve with fresh strawberries or berries tossed in lemon zest. 

Why it’s great: I always pick up a block of this when I do my TJ’s run. And if you’ve read my other articles, like this one on two-ingredient summer appetizers, you already know I love it! It tastes like an aged cheddar, but it’s smooth, creamy, a little tangy, and super approachable. 

Serve it: Slice onto a wooden board with strawberries, Fig & Olive crisps, and serve with a lighter-bodied red like Pinot Noir.

Why it’s great: This French-style flatbread is topped with crème fraîche, caramelized onions, thinly sliced ham, and Gruyère cheese, and it only takes 8 to 10 minutes to bake. 

Serve it: Slice into squares and serve alongside a simple green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan.

Why it’s great: I discovered my love for this one while researching Super Bowl dips. This dip originated in Middle Eastern cuisine, where it’s called toum, and has a uniquely fluffy, emulsified texture I can’t get enough of.

Serve it: Go a little wild and serve it as a dipping sauce for French fries, although it’s really good served with snap peas or pita chips, too (just make sure your guests love garlic first).

Why it’s great: Made with flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds, dried mission figs, and Kalamata olives, these little crackers are the holy grail of boxed Trader’s treats for me. 

Serve it: Add a little brie, a little fig jam, and some minced fresh thyme or rosemary. Pair with a glass of Prosecco or sparkling water with a lemon wedge.

Why it’s great: These versatile little bites are great for everything from holiday hosting to summer gatherings. In other words, it’s a good idea to keep them in your freezer at all times.

Serve it: Place them on a platter with toothpicks and a dollop of whipped ricotta mixed with a little honey. (TJ’s sells this Creamy Dreamy Whipped Ricotta Cheese.)

Why it’s great: Nothing says springtime like a good old-fashioned lemon bar. I love making these sweet, custardy little treats homemade, but I also love that TJ’s sells them in the frozen aisle. 

Serve it: Let them defrost for an hour at room temp, then arrange them on a plate with fresh raspberries or blueberries and mint leaves.

Why it’s great: What would a TJ’s app lineup be without these mini chicken tacos? Loved by kids and adults alike, they’re a spring host’s secret weapon for spontaneous get-togethers. (And, I’ve said it before, but these cute little tortillas are handmade.)

Serve it: Pile them onto a platter with avocado or guacamole, lime wedges, fresh cilantro, sliced radish, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese.

Why it’s great: It’s pink, festive, bubbly, and a fun patio or porch sipper.

Serve it: Pour over ice with lemon slices, mint, or strawberries. Adult guests can add a Prosecco topper if they please.

Why it’s great: Sometimes, you just don’t have the time to marinate and cook your own shawarma on a vertical spit. Luckily, TJs makes their own shawarma spice marinade with onion, garlic, sea salt, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and parsley. 

Serve it: Grill or bake, then slice thin and serve family style with hummus, Tzatziki, sliced cucumbers, olives, and warm pita. 

Why it’s great: This is such a delightful, easy combo and works well for days when you’re not interested in doing anything elaborate, but still want a light, tasty appetizer. 

Serve it: Spread burrata onto a platter, spoon over TJ’s Bruschetta Sauce, drizzle olive oil, and serve with toasted baguette slices.

Why it’s great: Wrapped in butter puff pastry and sprinkled with parm, these are a longtime, loyal fan favorite of TJ’s enthusiasts everywhere. Why not keep a box or two in the freezer when the moment of spring hosting strikes?

Serve it: Arrange on a platter with a full TJ’s mustard lineup, like hot honey, whole grain, aioli garlic, and dill pickle for dipping. And on that note, don’t forget the pickle pairings, too. These deliciously briny Kosher Dill Pickles are my absolute favorite store-bought pickles.

Why it’s great: These are wildly snackable, and everyone always loves them. 

Serve it: Serve warm with sweet chili sauce and a crunchy slaw on the side. I love something simple with cabbage, carrots, lime, and sesame oil. Add lime wedges and fresh cilantro if you want to make the platter feel a little more spring-dinner-party-ish.

Why it’s great: These playful, colorful bites are a limited-time-only product at TJ's, so stock up while you can. They're so fun!

Serve it: Pour into a pretty bowl and set out with fresh berries or after-dinner coffee for an easy sweet treat. You can also scatter them onto a dessert board with lemon bars and sliced strawberries.

Why it’s great: Why did it take me so long to discover this delicious combo of julienned onions and carrots with chopped kale fried in tempura batter? They’re crispy, crunchy, and so fun for dipping!

Serve it: You can serve it with the soy sauce that comes with it, but I also love setting out a dip lineup with spicy mayo, sweet chili sauce, and a sesame-ginger dipping sauce so guests can mix and match.

Why it’s great: These are a year-round staple in my house. I recently did a comparison on different ways to cook gyoza/potstickers, and found that I love roasting them in the oven, especially when I’m feeding a big group. 

Serve it: Serve them hot with TJ’s Gyoza Dipping Sauce, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. You can also place them on a board with a side of cucumber slices.

Why it’s great: These are made by an expert pasta-maker in Italy and take less than five minutes to cook. They’re affordable and good for a gathering, so toss a few into the cart during your spring TJs haul.

Serve it: Toss with extra virgin olive oil, flaky salt, cracked pepper, and plenty of Parmesan. Sometimes I add fresh peas and lemon zest and serve with arugula on the side. 

Why it’s great: I’ve been buying this beautiful, buttery cheese at Trader Joe’s for years. It’s indulgent and decadent, but also mild, so even non-brie lovers tend to like it. Plus, it has an edible rind, which makes it easy when hosting. 

Serve it: Let this cheese sit out for 30 minutes before serving so that it gets as creamy as possible. Serve with a seasonal jam of your choice and some fresh bread or crackers. I'm on a honey kick in the spring, but I also love it with a simple drizzle of honey.