Fall In Love with Trader Joe’s: Meal Ideas, Must Haves, and Fall Features
You’re one of the lucky ones if your city has been graced with the presence of a Trader Joe’s. If you haven’t been to one or don’t have one? Get there now or take the first chance you get because by the end of this article I’m going to have you living out your dreams of being a Trader Joe’s pro.
The first thing that you need to know? Location. Thankfully Trader Joe’s has 2 locations in San Antonio, one by the Quarry and the other one at Sonterra Village.
Do you know what’s just as great as 2 locations spread across the city? The hours. Both locations are open from 8 am to 9 pm so you can browse and create delicious meals all day, seven days a week.
The best way to start your Trader Joe’s journey? Start at the location that’s closest to you. Each location generally carries the same items but there are a few items and features that vary from store to store, which is heartbreaking, but you know you’ll make that drive to kill that craving.
You’ll be mesmerized once you enter, but resist going towards the crowd where the produce and bread are. Instead, start in the wine area and work your way row by row ending at the cold section because there’s no reason to be in the crowd and you definitely don’t want any of your bargain frozen finds to melt.
One last warning: you will be mesmerized and you’ll come out with more things than you actually even need or came for. But the following items are a must-buy:
Cookie Butter $3.69
Everything But The Bagel Seasoning $1.99
Belgian Chocolate Pudding $3.49
Vegetable Fried Rice $2.49
Cauliflower or Potato Gnocchi $3.99
As I’m sure you know it’s no secret that Pumpkin Spice is taking over our lives, well, at least for the fall season. Like other grocery stores, Trader Joe’s rotates their seasonal items while keeping their key features. Sometimes shoppers get lucky enough that a seasonal item becomes so popular it becomes a staple. So here are all the things fall that Trader Joe’s kindly gifted us with such fun displays.
Fall features any and all pumpkin flavored cookies, coffee, bagels and more. A favorite of many is the Cinnamon Roll spread for $3.49. Personally, you can’t go wrong with the Pumpkin Spice Bagels - such a classic. Prices per item range from $1.99 to $7.99.
Now that the must-buys and fall features are out of the way, you’re probably like, what the heck can I even make? Well if you’re headed back to school, working in the office, or generally on the go then you can make plenty from items found.
Here are two healthy meal ideas or meal prep options for you to choose from using Trader Joe’s finds.
The Quinoa-it-all:
When you’re hitting the books, you gotta fuel your brain to know it all. Essentially this is a DIY Quinoa bowl - this dish is vegetarian-friendly and can be made vegan-friendly without adding the Queso Cheese Dip.
Time: 20 minutes.
Ingredients from Trader Joe’s:
White Quinoa $3.99
Stuffed Gnocchi $3.99
Queso Cheese Dip $2.49
21 seasoning salute $1.99
Cilantro (to taste)
Tomato
Lime
Instructions:
Follow the instructions for each item listed on its bag
slice the tomato, cilantro, and lime while the quinoa and gnocchi are cooking
Mix all ingredients in a bowl
drizzle with queso
plate or pack up for on the go.
The Deskling:
When you work a desk or office job sometimes you don’t have the time to fit in lunch, but luckily this is a quick and simple meal-prep that doesn’t require any heat up. This dish can be made vegetarian-friendly by subbing the Chicken Wontons for Trader Joe’s Vegetable Dumplings.
Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients from Trader Joe’s:
Sesame Crunch Chopped Salad Kit $2.99
Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons $2.99
Everything But The Bagel Seasoning $1.99
Instructions:
Microwave the Chicken Wontons (Veggie Dumplings) as instructed on the bag
Mix with the Sesame Crunch Chopped Salad
Top with Everything but the bagel seasoning to taste.
Now how do you feel? Overwhelmed? Probably. But now you’re basically a pro at navigating Trader Joe’s and making delicious creations. Trader Joe’s carries so many items that are binge-worthy but remember we’re on a mission for the meals and deals. If you’ve fallen in love with Trader Joe’s try making it a weekly thing, Trader J Sunday has a nice ring to it - happy hunting!
Address to locations:
The Quarry
350 East Basse Road
San Antonio, TX 78209 US
(210) 826-1110
Sonterra Village
403 N Loop 1604 W
San Antonio, TX 78232 US
(210) 545-3123
Mirella Gonzales is a senior at UTSA studying PR, digital media and professional writing. When she’s not studying you can probably find her at the gym where she’s training for her first bikini competition.