10 Trader Joe's Buys for Your Next Viewing Party
Every Monday night, we get together with a few of our friends to sit around a coffee table filled with copious amounts of Trader Joe's goodies while watching The Bachelor / The Bachelorette / Bachelor in Paradise – depending on the season. We feast on similar renditions of the always mouth-watering spread at book clubs, pier concerts, you name it.
While you can't really go wrong with any of the items that Trader Joe's offers, we wanted to give you a list of 10 must-have items for your next viewing party or get together with good friends.
WINE
We love rosé in the summertime & reds in the cooler months, but we're not picky about our wines – in fact, the cheaper the better! Fancy wine is for dining out at restaurants, but "cheap wine" is perfect for nights at home on the couch.
Charles Shaw
- You can't go wrong with some good 'ol two buck chuck. Our favorites are the Nouveau (when they have it!), Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot.
Blue Fin - This pinot noir is only $4.99!
Alamos Malbec - You can find a bottle of this pretty much anywhere, but not for only $8.99.
J.L Quinson Côtes de Provence Rosé - This refreshing rosé is $6.99 for those of you in California
MEDITERRANEAN SPREADS
Mediterranean Hummus- It is topped with pine nuts & a multitude of flavors that you mix in before eating with a knife, spoon or pita chip!
Cilantro & Chive Yogurt Dip - Eat with pita chips alone, or add a creamy flavor to your favorite hummus.
Tzaziki - This dip even has thinly sliced cucumbers throughout for a yummy crunch.
DIPS
Feta Cheese Spread - When we worked at the same place, we used to split this & a bag of pita chips for lunch. It's that good.
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip - This is the best frozen spinach & artichoke dip money can buy. It's only $2.99 and it tastes like an appetizer you'd get at a restaurant.
Reduced Guilt Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip - We're also guilty of eating this with pita chips as our "lunch."
Chunky Artichoke & Jalapeño Dip - This dip is pretty mild in spice for having jalapeños in it, but the chunks of artichokes & creamy texture are to die for!
CRACKERS & CHIPS
Multigrain Pita Bite Crackers - Use these crackers as an accompaniment for cheese (below) & feta spread.
Organic White Corn Tortilla Chips - These are best used with salsa & guacamole (duh!) and spinach & artichoke dip.
Reduced Guilt Sea Salt Pita Chips - Pair these with just about anything. Aka have them in your pantry at all times.
Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips - Maybe it's because they're blue corn, but these chips feel more authentic!
CHEESE
**Most of the TJs cheeses are priced by weight, so if you're on a budget, just look for the smallest slice! Also, TJs cheese is SO much cheaper than any other grocery store. We refuse to buy cheese anywhere else!
Manchego Anejo - This is a hard sheep milk cheese that's been aged for one year! SO good.
Supreme Brie - Trader Joe's has their own brand of brie, but we're ashamed to admit that we haven't tried it yet! In the meantime, check out this brie by Supreme - always yummy. Pair it with fig spread for a perfect snack (or meal!).
Unexpected Cheddar - You usually think of cheddar as a boring cheese right? Well this one is PACKED with flavor. Try it!!
Goat Cheese Crottins - It's hard to pick a favorite goat cheese at Trader Joe's because they're all delicious – from the plain, to the Silver Goat herbs log, to the smaller logs infused with a variety of flavors. But this one is great because it comes with three! So if your guests don't like one, they're bound to like the others.
GREENS
To be honest, we rarely have salad involved in these spreads of ours, but when we do we get the
Broccoli & Kale Slaw - for only $2.49. The salad kit comes with everything you need, including dressing, dried fruit & nuts.
BITES
Pastry Bites - The feta cheese & caramelized onions pair perfectly in these bite-sized cups. Keep them in the package they come in to ensure they stay as cute as they look on the box!
Arancini Bites - Cheese and rice in a ball? Yes please!
Spinach & Kale Bites - These little bites of deliciousness are packed with spinach & kale. Pro tip: the longer you keep them in the oven, the better! They should be crunchy on the outside & soft on the inside.
Spanakopita - We've been known to have a whole pack as our dinner...the flaky phyllo dough paired with the spinach & feta mixture is delish!
BRUSCHETTA
Burrata - Only $4.99 for two big balls – save one for later or eat both like we do.
Bruschetta - This is our favorite bruschetta option at TJs, but they also have another in the refrigerated section with really fresh-tasting tomatoes!
French bread - All of the baguettes are delicious, so just pick your favorite once you're there. Toast the bread (or not) & assemble all of the ingredients for an amazing snack!
PIZZA
Wild Mushroom & Black Truffle Flatbread - This pizza changed our mind on hating mushrooms!
Arugula Pizza - A fairly standard pizza, but we add jalapeños for a kick.
Pizza Greco-Roman - This pizza has goat cheese & kalamata olives on it (YUM) & each package comes with two!
Burrata, Prosciutto & Arugula Flatbread - Let's face it, anything with burrata is amazing! We keep the prosciutto on the side for our carnivorous friends ;)
DESSERT
We aren't typically big on desserts, but it's not really an at-home viewing party unless you have some sweet treats.
Ice Cream Bon Bons - These little bites of deliciousness have a chocolate cookie bottom, vanilla ice cream center & chocolate shell.
Dark Chocolate Cookie Butter Cups - Everyone loves eating cookie butter (by the jar), but this play on chocolate peanut butter cups is even better than the original.
Pumpkin Joe Joe's - Since it's finally fall, we can rant & rave about these cookies all over again!
Chocolate Lava Cakes - We'll confess that we haven't actually tried this item yet...but it looks AMAZING!
What key ingredients are we missing? We want to know the items that are on your must-buy list at TJs! **most photos courtesy of TraderJoes.com