Trader Joe’s 2021 Customer Choice Awards Winners

It’s 2021 (if you can believe it!), which means it’s Trader Joe’s 12th year doing their Customer Choice Awards. All of the votes are in, and this time we didn’t even have to wait anxiously for Georgia’s results. See the full list below, and click any of the links to read reviews or add your own!

Favorite Overall: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken

Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken

Runners-Up:
Everything But The Bagel Seasoning Blend
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Unexpected Cheddar

Favorite Vegan or Vegetarian Product: Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo

Trader Joe's Soy Chorizo

Runners-Up:
Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Vegetable Fried Rice
Vegan Banana Bread With Walnuts

Favorite Dessert: Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Runners-Up:
Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
O&H Danish Kringle
Brookie

Favorite Cheese: Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar

Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar Cheese

Runners Up:
English Cheddar with Caramelized Onions
Wild Blueberry & Vanilla Chèvre
Creamy Toscano Soaked in Syrah
Baked Lemon Ricotta

Favorite Beverage: Trader Joe’s Sparkling Black Tea with Peach Juice

Trader Joe's Sparkling Black Tea with Peach Juice Beverage

Runners-Up:
Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice Beverage
Non-Dairy Oat Beverages
Cold Brew Concentrate
Spiced Cider

Favorite Snack: Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels

Trader Joe's Peanut Butter-Filled Pretzels

Runners-Up:
Organic Corn Chip Dippers & Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers
Plantain Chips
Chili & Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Bamba

Favorite Produce: Teeny Tiny Avocados

Trader Joe's Teeny Tiny Avocados

Runners-Up:
Bananas
Honeycrisp Apples
Organic Arugula
Broccoli & Kale Slaw Kit

Favorite Entree: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken

Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken

Runners-Up:
Joe’s Diner Mac ‘n Cheese
Chicken Tikka Masala
Cauliflower Gnocchi
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Butter & Sage

Favorite Home/Bath/Beauty: Trader Joe’s Seasonal Scented Candles

Trader Joe's Vanilla Pumpkin Scented Candle

Runners Up:
Grapefruit & Lemon Hand Sanitizer Spray
Ultra Moisturizing Hand Creams
Rose Water Facial Toner
Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask

You can also view the list above on the official Trader Joe’s website!

Trader Joe’s Chicken & Turkey Cranberry Salads Recall

 

Several Trader Joe’s salads have been recalled due to potentially containing pieces of glass/hard plastic.

All of the relevant at-risk salads have been completely removed from store shelves (and destroyed!), so you don’t need to hold off on buying any version of these that you see still being sold at TJ’s.

Here’s the list of salads affected:

(Note: only the salads matching the exact criteria listed in parentheses are affected!)

 

Trader Joe's White Meat Chicken Salad
Trader Joe’s White Meat Chicken Salad

 

 

Trader Joe's Curried White Chicken Deli Salad
Trader Joe’s Curried White Chicken Deli Salad

 

 

Trader Joe's Turkey Cranberry Apple Salad
Trader Joe’s Turkey Cranberry Apple Salad

 

If you bought one of these salads in a different state than the ones listed, or with a different Use By date or “Inspected” code, it’s perfectly safe to eat (so enjoy and leave a review!).

Did you buy one of the affected salads? You can return it to your local TJ’s store for a full refund.

You can check out the official Trader Joe’s recall announcement here.

Trader Joe’s Mediterranean and White Bean & Basil Hummus Recalls

 

On December 1st, 2016, Trader Joe’s issued a recall for certain types of their Mediterranean Hummus and White Bean & Basil Hummus, due to potential listeria contamination. All of the problematic products have been removed from stores, but read on to find out if the version you might have recently bought is affected.

 

Trader Joe's Mediterranean Hummus
Trader Joe’s Mediterranean Hummus

SKU #: 90642

“Use By” date: up to and including 12/15/2016

Plant identification code: C (only sold in stores in AZ, CA, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT and WA)

 

Trader Joe's White Bean & Basil Hummus
Trader Joe’s White Bean & Basil Hummus

SKU #: 91107

“Use By” date: up to and including 12/15/2016

Plant identification code: C (only sold in stores in AZ, CA, ID, NM, NV, OR, UT and WA)

 

Note that versions of these types of hummus with plant identification code “J” are not part of this recall. Plant identification codes are located on the bottom of the hummus container after the expiration date.

To find out more, check out Trader Joe’s official recall announcement.

Trader Joe’s Middle Eastern Wrap Recipe

 

Ingredients:

1 package Trader Joe’s Falafel

1 package Trader Joe’s Pita Bread

1 container Trader Joe’s Tahini

1 container Trader Joe’s Balela

 

Directions:

  1. Heat falafel in oven as directed by package
  2. Heat pita in microwave (typically between 30 seconds and 1 minute)
  3. Spread tahini (or hummus, if you prefer) on warm pita
  4. Add balela as desired (we recommend one heaping spoonful per pita)
  5. Add several pieces of falafel
  6. Take a bite!

Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Tacos Recipe

 

Ingredients:

1 package of Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado

1 cup of Trader Joe’s Black Beans or Pinto Beans

1 package of Trader Joe’s Cilantro

1 package of Trader Joe’s Corn Tortillas

1 cup of Trader Joe’s Rice of your choice

Chopped Trader Joe’s Yellow Onion

1 package of Trader Joe’s Pico de Gallo 

 

Directions:

1. Boil water, add desired amount of rice and cook per package instructions (depending on the type of rice you want to use).

2. Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of olive oil to stovetop pan, heat and add cut pollo asado. Cook until desired texture.

3. Heat black beans in the microwave (or stovetop).

5. Serve tortillas with rice, beans, chicken, chopped cilantro, onion, and pico de gallo.

Trader Joe’s 4th of July Hours

Trader Joe's 4th of July

Wondering how early and late your local Trader Joe’s location opens and closes on 4th of July?

All Trader Joe’s locations close at 5pm on Monday, the 4th of July 2016. They open at the usual time for your local store, which you can find out here.

Check out some of your Trader Joe’s options for 4th of July BBQs:

Whether you’re a grill master or not, happy 4th of July!

Trader Joe’s Trader Joe’s Caesar Salad with Chicken Breast Recall (One Lot)

Trader Joe’s has issued a recall of one lot of their Trader Giotto’s Caesar Salad with Chicken Breast (with SKU 06832)­ sold in their CA, CO, ID, LA, NV, OK, OR, TX, UT, and WA locations.

This recall only applies to salads with a “USE BY” date of June 28th.

The reason for the recall? Undeclared fish (specifically anchovies), wheat, soy, and “Product may contain traces of shellfish” labeling. So if you’re not allergic to any of those things, no need to return it.