The 7 Best Trader Joe’s Tips, Straight from Employees

It’s clear that certain Trader Joe’s products (and even the store itself) have earned a devoted following. But just as passionate as people are about the items they adore, they’re equally enthusiastic about the clever ways they use them in the kitchen.

In the latest episode of the 'Inside Trader Joe’s' podcast, hosts Tara Miller and Matt Sloan chat with a variety of crew members about their favorite ways to cook with Trader Joe’s top products.

Before diving in, crew member Kathleen takes a moment to explain what exactly a 'hack' is. She describes it simply: 'I’m going to use something in an unexpected way, and it’s going to be amazing.' She adds, it’s about 'finding new value in something you might have once discarded.'

The last time we shared Trader Joe’s employee hacks, they were a big hit. So, without further delay, here are even more top tips from the folks who work there.

Use Everything But the Bagel Seasoning On, Well, Just About Anything

One of my favorite hacks from this podcast segment involves another beloved Trader Joe’s item: the crescent rolls. Matt suggests unrolling the dough, sprinkling it with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, rolling them back up, and baking them into a savory pastry that's perfect for brunch. I can’t wait to try it!

The hosts continue to share even more creative ways to use this seasoning, such as mixing it with olive oil to make a flavorful bread dip, stirring it into scrambled eggs for extra flavor and texture, or adding it to your breading before coating chicken or fish. So clever!

Air Fry Canned Greek Chickpeas with Parsley & Cumin

We’re already big fans of these chickpeas for mezze platters, salads, grain bowls, soups, and sandwiches. But when Matt suggests heating them up, Tara takes it further by recommending you air-fry them for a crispy, irresistible snack. Genius!

This is one hack I absolutely stand by. While I’ve never tried them in an air fryer, I often roast them alongside other veggies I have on hand. The oil and seasoning from the canned chickpeas flavor the veggies perfectly, and the chickpeas still get wonderfully crispy. It’s definitely my favorite way to prepare them.

Make a 3-Ingredient Chicken & Dumpling Soup

This simple recipe comes from crew member Kathleen, who shared it with the team on a cold, rainy day. She starts by bringing a box of Organic Free Range Chicken Broth to a boil, then takes a tube of Organic Biscuit Dough, quarters each biscuit, and rolls them into balls to form dumplings. She drops them into the boiling broth for 15 minutes, which makes the broth thick and creamy thanks to the starch from the biscuits.

As for the chicken, here's a hack: Kathleen uses the BBQ Teriyaki Chicken from the frozen section. She saves the sauce packet for later, then tosses the pre-cooked, bite-sized chicken pieces straight into the soup to heat through. It’s a quick, protein-packed addition!

Always Keep Pasta Water in Your Fridge

I’m the kind of cook who saves just enough pasta water for the dish I’m making, and then I dump the rest down the drain. But according to crew member Kathleen, that’s a big mistake.

"Pasta water is amazing, by the way. I keep it in my fridge," says Kathleen. "I have a deli container with that cloudy, golden liquid ready to add to anything. It's like liquid gold, they call it. And you should definitely store your liquid gold in the fridge."

How can you use it, you ask? Kathleen suggests adding it to anything that could use a little extra 'lusciousness.' The starch in the water helps thicken sauces, soups, and other dishes just a bit.

Use Salsa for a Quick Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner

Matt and Tara couldn’t stop raving about Trader Joe’s Guajillo Salsa. It has the perfect balance of spice and smokiness that makes it stand out from any other salsa in the store. But the best part? They shared ideas for using it in ways that go way beyond just dipping chips.

Pour some salsa into a pan and cook eggs or chicken thighs in it. The moisture in the salsa will gently cook your food, making the eggs or chicken incredibly tender while infusing them with smoky flavor. It’s perfect served over toast, rice, or even veggies for a simple meal anytime.

Eat Chips & Salsa by the Spoonful

Here’s a fun snack hack for when you're down to the last bits of salsa and only crumbs left in your chip bag. Pour the crumbs into the almost-empty salsa jar, mix it all together, and eat it with a spoon. You get a mess-free snack and waste nothing. Win-win!

Use Taiwanese Green Onion Pancakes as Tortillas

While discussing ways to use Tara’s favorite Chicken-Less Riced Cauliflower Stir-Fry, Matt suggests using it as a burrito filling. This reminds Tara of a coworker who swaps Taiwanese Green Onion Pancakes for tortillas to make flavorful tacos. So why not use them for a burrito too? This is one hack we’re eager to try!