Oh by golly there's a lot to discover this holiday season at your neighborhood Trader Joe's! In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're sharing an inside look at just a few – okay, 16, so... several? – of our favorite finds for this festive season. Breakfast goodies and crunchy cookies. A quartet of trios ready for gifting to the foodies on your list (including yourself!). Cheeses for all the occasions. And salads and apps to make every gathering great. Tune in, make a list, then hop on your sleigh and head to TJ's to pick up everything you need (and want!) to make your holidays merry and bright. Transcript (PDF)
There's a big holiday meal on the horizon, and Trader Joe's is here to help with all your last-minute planning. In this episode, we're sharing three of our favorite (in this moment) recipes to help make your holiday feast a rousing success. A no-fuss appetizer that overdelivers on flavor. A different – and delicious! – twist on a holiday classic. And a meatless main dish that will make the non-meat-eaters at your table truly thankful they joined your gathering. You'll find all these recipes – and so many more, for every occasion – at traderjoes.com/recipes. [Links to the featured recipes below.] Transcript (PDF) Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Garlicky Sweet Chili Green Beans Risotto-Stuffed Delicata Squash
Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we have a couple of super suggestions for wines to serve for Thanksgiving. It's a big meal, filled with big flavors, and the right wine pairing for such a varied feast can seem elusive. Not anymore. Join us for a conversation with one of our resident wine whizzes, where we uncork a classic California Chardonnay, and a Pinot Noir that proves you can (and perhaps should) serve red wine with poultry. Then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle for today, and another for your holiday meal, without busting your budget! Transcript (PDF)
Gummies, gummies, everywhere, and more each time we blink! Sure, it's not as poetic as Coleridge, but Trader Joe's really has upped the ante in our Gummy game – and we are here for it! Do you like the classics? We have those. You're more the sour sort? Saunter on in and get ready to pucker! Is a filled gummy your jam? We truly understand, and we're filling that void. Thanks to a visit from our resident Gummy Guru (aka, our Candy Category Manager), this episode is downright bouncy, packed with fun info about the wide variety of gummies at Trader Joe's, and a look into the wider world of gummy invention – we'll admit we were unaware of just how wide that world was, and this conversation opened our eyes and tingled our tastebuds. What's YOUR favorite Trader Joe's Gummy? Transcript (PDF)
We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe's. And we really love answering them. One question we get all the time is about our product names. Why are some of them just descriptive (say, Cauliflower Gnocchi) while others are decidedly silly (This Strawberry Walks Into a Bar, anyone?)? Every Trader Joe's product has a story to tell – sometimes that story is really straightforward, and sometimes it's silly and whimsical and fun. In the spirit of making grocery shopping a fun and exciting adventure rather than a mundane chore, we're always looking for the silly, the whimsical, and the fun. Have a listen, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to find your favorite. (Midnight Moo, perhaps?) Transcript (PDF)
Is it still summer in your neck of the woods? Scorching temps and sunny skies? Call us crazy, but even when the weather is wonderful, we're hankering for the flavors of fall. And it just so happens that fall is well underway at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Maple Ice Cream Sandwiches, Juicy Apple Gummies, Maple Brown Sugar Cold Foam (YES!), Butternut Squash Risotto, Maple Brown Butter Almonds… perhaps you've realized we're mad for maple! This list is filled with so many new products, destined to be seasonal stalwarts. Have a listen, then pay us a visit and pick up your faves. Check out traderjoes.com and @traderjoes on Instagram for more on what's new and what's back (finally!) at your Trader Joe's. Transcript (PDF)
When the weather's warm (okay, scorching hot), and the last thing you want to do is heat up your kitchen, turning up the heat on your grill is a great way to get dinner on the table. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're going outside for some grilling tips from some of our grill-grate gurus. In place of the usual suspects, we're firing up some unexpected burgers and well-seasoned lamb. Then we're taking a trip through the garden to discover some truly delightful (and delicious!) veggies and fruits that really shine after a few quick minutes over an open flame. Have a listen, then switch off the oven, heat up the grill, and enjoy these dog (and burger!) days of summer. Transcript (PDF)
It's a known known that people across the land love a good contest. It's also a known known that Trader Joe's Crew Members across the country know the very best ways to use Trader Joe's products. The known unknown in the 2025 Store Recipe Contest scenario… which store would come up with the very best recipe, crafted using a mere five Trader Joe's products? That, dear podcast listeners, is revealed in this episode of Inside Trader Joe's. We'll go inside the winning store, talk to the creative Crew behind the winning entry, and find out how the judges came to their decision. You'll find the winning recipe at traderjoes.com, and all the ingredients you need to recreate it at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Transcript (PDF)
Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we're going all-in on super sippers for summertime soirees, with bottles you may have missed in our wine section; wines that are excellent for afternoon barbecues, evenings with friends, and weekends relaxing on a patio chair. Listen in for a quick introduction to our favorite Italian Vermentino and a classic Pacific Northwest Pinot Noir, then head to your neighborhood Trader Joe's to pick up a bottle of each! Transcript (PDF)
Here comes summer! And Trader Joe's is READY. There's nothing summerier than watermelon, and we are wading in 'em – the yellow variety, and the marshmallow variety. Have a listen, and this will make sense. A skincare set to give you a little summertime glow-up? Yes, please. A new Mini Sheet Cake? OMS – again, listen and ye shall understand. We have buns a-plenty, dogs for dressing, and did we mention an all-new mochi? Yes! Plus, a root beer float you can bring along in your backpack or purse. A noodle salad that will knock your socks off. And just the thing to add a finishing flourish to your sweltering-summer-day ice cream treat. Fourteen products in all, each and every one available this summer at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Transcript (PDF)
We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe's. And we really love answering them. Especially when it means we get to eat ice cream. For research. To all those who ask what makes Trader Joe's ice cream so special, we say, all the things! It starts with high quality ingredients, and a dedication to making ice cream that over-delivers on all of your expectations – it's rich, it's creamy, it's incredibly flavorful, and you may be surprised by how it stacks up next to other so-called "premium" ice creams out there. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to really get the scoop on Trader Joe's ice cream. Transcript (PDF)
Imagine a small town in western Italy, home to a family-owned company that got its start canning fresh fruits and veggies more than 80 years ago. Now imagine that company in 2025, still owned by the same family, and still preserving the flavors of the local produce – not just in canned fruits and veggies, but in supremely satisfying sauces, too. And now imagine you're listening to a podcast… oh, wait, here's where reality and imagination intersect. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're up close and personal with the supplier of a number of Trader Joe's sauces – including Lemon Pesto, recently returned to our grocery shelves for a limited time. It's a captivating conversation that covers topics as wide-ranging as tradition and innovation, and definitely left us hungry for more. Pass the pesto, please! Transcript (PDF)
In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're taking you inside our customers' shopping carts to find out what keeps them coming back to Trader Joe's again and again. For this edition of our Customer Cart Conversations, we go to Trader Joe's number 691 in Chicago's iconic Lincoln Park neighborhood. Captain Ken, a Chicago native – who may or may not have a favorite Chicago baseball team – gets up close and personal with the contents of customers' carts, with questions about favorites. Along the way, we get some insights into how Trader Joe's brings a little joy and deliciousness into their busy lives. We even talk to some Crew Members who share their go-to product recommendations for customers (and podcast listeners!). What's in YOUR cart? Transcript (PDF)
Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. This sip-sized segment has us blushing a bit. Because, of course, we're talking about Rosé. Contrary to the opinions of some, Rosé is a serious wine, and we sat down for a serious conversation about three of our favorite Rosé options in the wine section at your neighborhood Trader Joe's. While all three share similar (yet different) pink-ish hues, each has its own story to tell and its own flavor profile to enjoy. What they all have most in common is the incredible value they represent – whether you choose La Ferme Julien Rosé, Emma Reichart Rosé of Pinot Noir, or Maison Barboulot Cinsault Rosé, you'll enjoy superior quality wine at a great price. Every day. Transcript (PDF)
There are certain foods that are synonymous with their place names. Parmigianno Reggiano. Kalamata Olives. And the focus of this episode, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. A world-renowned product with a long and fascinating history, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is produced exclusively in the Modena region of Italy. In this episode we sit down (and do a bunch of walking!) with one of Modena's largest and most respected producers of this vigorous vinegar – they've been supplying Trader Joe's for decades – where we learn some history and get a behind-the-scenes look at how it's made. Listen in for a sneak peak at a new TJ's product coming soon to your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Trasncript (PDF)
We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe's. And we see things in the news that make us ask questions, too. Recently, we've seen a bunch of stories about so-called "Retail Media." So what the heck is Retail Media, and does Trader Joe's do it? In a nutshell, Retail Media is all about using screens and media and technology in retail stores, ostensibly to replace humans. That doesn't make sense to us – instead of investing in technology and media resources to tell our stories, in our stores, we invest in our people and our products, so every experience you have with Trader Joe's is a great one. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get our take on Retail Media. Transcript (PDF)
It's nearly spring. And at Trader Joe's, that means new products popping up like flower buds after an early thaw. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're getting up close and personal with a baker's dozen of our favorite new (and returning) things for spring. Looking for Easter candy and treats? You'll find them here, and you'll be impressed not only with how they look, but how they taste. A new Mini Sheet Cake that happens to be gluten free? Oh. Yes. Potato chips made with Irish potatoes and butter? Aye. A new blend of greens to elevate your salad game and a pasta sauce that's simple, elegant, and extraordinarily delicious? Well… yes. Would you believe a wine made with oranges? You should believe, and you should try it. One last thing… no bunnies were harmed in the making of this episode. Transcript (PDF)
Welcome to another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this sip-sized segment, we're going grass-roots – or at the very least, grass-noted – with a conversation about New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. More specifically, we're highlighting Raorao Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region, an area on the South Island renowned for this varietal (among others). This wine is an excellent expression of Marlborough Sauv Blanc – a quick listen here will reveal what makes this wine so special, some delicious pairing ideas, and what a tremendous value it is at Trader Joe's. Transcript (PDF)
We often talk about traveling the world to find the most delicious products we can offer, so we can bring them to our customers at a great value. Decades ago, when we began our search for truly excellent frozen pizza, it occurred to us that maybe the best place to go was the birthplace of the stuff… Italy. Turns out we were right, and our frozen pizzas became the stuff of lore – they're just that good. Our frozen pizza selection has evolved since those early days, yet some of our favorites still come from Italy. And perhaps even more striking, some of our favorites still come from the same supplier we serendipitously stumbled upon all those years ago. In this episode, we take you on a journey of pizza-rific proportions, visting this same Italian pizza producer and getting the inside scoop on how it all started, how they manage to make such delicious pies, and what the future may hold. Spoiler alert: the future is round, cheesy, and well-sauced. Transcript (PDF)
The votes are in, and the time has come to reveal the winners of the 16th Annual Trader Joe's Customer Choice Awards! Sixteen years of celebrating our customers' favorite products, as voted by you, our customers. It's just as exciting to us this year as it was in year one. This year, we've added a New category. That's right, a New category – Favorite New Product! There are so many possibilities… can you guess what it might be? We're also welcoming another product to our Hall of Fame, that rarefied space populated by products you've named as favorites a total of five times. With awards season well-underway, we're happy to present awards that eschew glitz and glamour to bring you the only awards where the winners are (almost) all edible! Transcript (PDF)
As listeners of this podcast know, the Trader Joe's mothership is located in Monrovia, CA. Monrovia is really close to one of the wildfires that's devastated Southern California recently. We have a lot of Crew Members and customers who've been impacted by these fires, and we wanted to take a minute to send our best wishes to them and everyone who's dealing with the aftermath of these events. We recorded this episode not too long ago in our other mothership, in Boston. It's a little silly, and, we hope, fun. We could all use a little fun and silly right about now. Winter is jam-packed with snacking opportunities, and if updating your snack routine is on your 2025 agenda, listening to this episode of Inside Trader Joe's should be atop your to-do list. Whether it's a big game or a fashion-forward awards show, when people pop by, you need snacks! We sat down with some Crew Members in our other mothership in Boston to discuss their favorite "snacktivities" using Trader Joe's products. They shared spicy hacks and savory hacks, simple hacks and slightly more involved hacks. What every snack hack has in common? Great taste and a near-100% guarantee of good times. Have a listen, then pay us a visit to pick up what you need to enjoy some snacktivities of your own. Transcript (PDF)
We're back with another episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. In this seasonally inspired sip-sized segment, we're focusing on those most festive wines, the sparklers. Focusing in even further, we're celebrating Champagne, perhaps the greatest gift France has ever given the wider world (we love you, Baguettes and Brie, but Champagne… it's so festive and delightful it even comes with its own bubbles!). As New Year's Eve approaches, join us as we learn a bit about what makes this wine special, some unexpected pairing ideas, and our recommendation for a high-quality, value-priced Champagne you'll find on our wine shelves right now. Transcript (PDF)
Every year, just as most of our holiday decorations are packed away and the world is focused on winter's snowscapes and the coming thaw of spring, the product development teams at Trader Joe's are laser-focused on the holidays, nearly a full year in the future. Consider this episode of Inside Trader Joe's a bit of back-to-the-future, or at least back-to-the-present, where we take you inside the Holiday Tasting Panel. This is a multi-day sensory extravaganza, where our panelists focus all their attention taste, value, and all the attributes that make a product just right for the holiday season lineup at Trader Joe's. Best of all, each of these gems is now available at your neighborhood Trader Joe's, just for the ho-ho-holiday season. Transcript (PDF)
The Holiday Season is truly the most festive time of year at your neighborhood Trader Joe's, with hundreds of celebration-worthy products making appearances on our shelves for a limited time. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're making a list, checking it twice (thrice, even!), and delivering it right to you. English Toffee Ice Cream AND a British Shortbread Collection? Right-o! Lemon Peel Stuffed Olives and an Elevated Cracker Assortment to take your holiday hors d'ouevres to a higher level? Step right up! A cute cousin for a TJ's holiday classic and even an option for your pup? Yes, at Trader Joe's, the Jingle Jangles for us all. Tune in, make your own list, and head on over to your neighborhood Trader Joe's for some holiday cheer! Transcript (PDF)
Welcome to the premiere episode of the Trader Joe's Wine Club, brought to you by Inside Trader Joe's. There's no membership fee and no shipping charges – and that's because this isn't an actual Wine Club. In these occasional, sippable episodes of Inside Trader Joe's (there we go being all figurative again – you can't really sip this episode), we'll uncork some information about some of our favorite wines of the moment – like tasting notes, origin stories, and pairing suggestions. In this inaugural pour, we're focusing on two wines we think will be right at home on any Thanksgiving dinner table. Transcript (PDF)
Trader Joe's has been a destination for winning wine finds since our earliest days, and more than 57 years into our journey, our stores remain a source of tremendous values on wines from the world's best growing regions. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we sit down with four folks from our wine team who are doing the work, day after day, to find those wines and get them to our shelves. Grenache? Great. Champagne? 'Course! Cabernet? Rosé? Okay, okay! Have a listen, then take a trip to your neighborhood Trader Joe's wine section, where a Crew Member can help you find just the right bottle for any occasion. Transcript (PDF)
We all know that every neighborhood is unique. And because Trader Joe's is a national chain of neighborhood grocery stores, every Trader Joe's is as unique as the neighborhood of which it is a part. In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're taking you inside two distinctive neighborhood Trader Joe's stores, that just so happen to be in the same neighborhood. (Right? It's amazing what a few blocks can do!) Starting with our original Back Bay store in Boston – the smallest Trader Joe's in the known universe – and traveling almost five blocks away to Boston's newest TJ's (also in the Back Bay), it's plain to see that every store is a reflection of its surroundings – the customers, the Crew, and the physical space it inhabits. And a super-exciting bonus – we're learning about stand pipes and rack rooms! Yes! Transcript (PDF)
We get a lot of questions at Trader Joe's. One of those we hear the most is, "Hey, when are you opening a store in my neighborhood?" And "How do you decide where to put a Trader Joe's?" – that comes up a lot, too. As you can imagine, like Trader Joe's stores themselves, choosing store locations isnot a one-size-fits-all approach. Truth is, we'd like to be in thousands of neighborhoods all across the country – and it's going to take some time. Tune in to the latest in our series of bite-sized episodes, ITJ ICYMI, to get the scoop. Transcript (PDF)
In this episode of Inside Trader Joe's, we're taking you inside our customers' shopping carts to find out what keeps them coming back to Trader Joe's again and again. For this inaugural iteration of our Customer Cart Conversations, we go to Trader Joe's number 122 in Studio City, California, where our store Captain Jay Jay gets up close and personal with the contents of customers' carts, with questions about favorites. Along the way, we get some insights into how Trader Joe's brings a little joy and deliciousness into their busy lives. We'll get answer to pressing questions like: Savory or sweet? Snack or dessert? And even, Regular Fries or Sweet Potato Fries? What's in YOUR cart? Transcript (PDF)
It's September at Trader Joe's. That, of course, means the Pumpkin-palooza is underway. You'll find more than 70 pumpkin-forward products on our shelves this season – including new entries like Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate and the much-anticipated Pumpkin Mini Sheet Cake. And despite the plethora of pumpkin, this season is also about so much more. Like Apple (Shortbread Cookies), Maple (Brown Sugar Butter), Vanilla Cardamom (Cold Brew Coffee), and Butternut Squash (Mac & Cheese). There are returning faves and new finds filled with fabulous flavors in every corner of your neighborhood Trader Joe's. Listen in to this episode of Inside Trader Joe's to get the scoop on a few of our favorites. Check out traderjoes.com and @traderjoes on Instagram for more on what's new and what's back (finally!) in your Trader Joe's. Transcript
