Yahoo Lifestyle The 26 Best Things to Buy at Trader Joe's This October
As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, October is the perfect time to indulge in all things cozy and comforting. Whether you're preparing for Halloween or simply looking to embrace the flavors of fall, you can rest assured that your local Trader Joe's is stocked with seasonal gems you won't want to miss. To help you narrow down your shopping list, we've gathered up the best new finds that have the internet talking this month. Here are the top 26 Trader Joe’s picks for October that will make your fall even more delicious.
The 26 Best October Trader Joe's Finds
1. Enchilada Sauce
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You can stop hoarding your old TJ enchilada sauce because the nautical retailer has released a brand new jarred version this month. The red sauce, which is a mix of red jalapeño puree, tomato paste, ground red chiles, onion, garlic and ground chipotle is just what your dinner rotation needs. It's perfect for enchiladas, of course, but the Trader Joe's website suggests using it as a sauce for chilaquiles, which got us to thinking about how versatile this sauce could be.
People online are pumped this is back, too with one Redditor saying "I have a stash of the old bottled kind… I can’t live without it. I hope the new kind is similar enough. Who knows, maybe it’ll somehow be even better?" Find it for $4.49 per jar.
2. Coffee Panna Cotta
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For a limited time, Trader Joe's has released a brand new dessert: Coffee Panna Cotta. This chilled dessert is "decidedly creamy and more texturally akin to flan," according to the company. Caramelized syrup sits in the bottom of the two individual foil cups in each package. To serve, you invert the cups on a plate, which means the sweet, toasty syrup will end up on top of your dessert. Find it for $3.49 for two servings.
3. Hoisin Sauce
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"This plus the pork belly 🙌🙌" says one Instagrammer about Trader Joe's version of this sticky, sweet and savory sauce. Made for Trader Joe's by a supplier in Thailand, the sauce is made with a base of fermented soybean paste, black sesame paste, and brown sugar, and finished with star anise, garlic powder, coriander seed and Szechuan peppercorns. Find it for $1.99 per jar.
4. Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean Pancakes
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Online fans are excited these sweet little pancakes are back for the season. "This is "the one" I cannot have in my house. Their deliciousness is too much," says one Redditor, with others agreeing. "Try it with a scoop of the salted maple ice cream… yum! says another fan. Find them for $4.49 in the frozen section.
5. Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissant
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Redditors are split on this seasonal dessert that's back in the freezer case for the season, with a lot of people saying they're "meh" and others contemplating how to doctor them up. "A bit of glaze like you’d see on a cinnamon roll! Or, homemade butterscotch or salted caramel and drown the thing," suggests one shopper. Find the box for $4.49 and decide for yourself.
6. Red Leicester Cheese
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Grab a cute little wheel of this new cheery cheese and wait for your guests to ooh and aah over your charcuterie board. Made in the county of Leicestershire in England, this farmer-owned cooperative has been in the cheesemaking business for more than 100 years. They carefully craft, age and shape each puck-sized wheel to ensure only the most perfectly matured Leicester makes its way to TJ's. But act quickly because this one is a seasonal grab. Get one for $4.99.
Related: Top Trader Joe's Cheese Board Cheeses, According to Super Fans
7. Chile Lime Flavored Pork Rinds
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"All the keto Trader Joe’s fans have fallen to their knees. It’s me, I’ve fallen to my knees," says one very excited Redditor about these salty snacks. Others are super excited about this one as well with reviewers saying they're perfect with a sour cream dip for game day, or even, as one brilliant Redditor says, "This would be so good ground up and used as breading for chicken strips." Sold! Find them for $2.99 in the snack section.
8. Cinnamon Sugar Cashews with Honey and Brown Sugar
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Trader Joe's fans are craving a new sweet poppable snack and this new tin of cashews fits the bill. "see…things like this gotta come in single serve and/or snack size. cause this got spiral city written all over it 😂" says one Instagrammer. With a sweet spice and a buttery crunch, these cashews are just perfect for a cheese board, road trip snack or movie night. Find them for a limited time for $4.99 for 10 ounces.
9. Thick, Bold & Spicy Red Sauce
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Wondering what the heck to use this new sauce on? Well, let's break down what's in it first: diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic and diced onion mingle with basil, honey, sun-dried tomatoes and a combo of peppers crushed red pepper, ancho chili pepper powder, black pepper and paprika. The Trader Joe's site recommends pouring this one over pasta or using as a dip for your garlic bread. We'll happily start there but suspect we'll find tons of other uses for it. Find it in the sauce section for $3.99.
10. Nuts About Elote Mix
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This little 9-ounce container packs a serious flavor punch with a combination of corn kernels, seasoned roasted cashews, pretzels and pepitas sprinkled with a cheesy elote seasoning. "OMG, yesssssssss! 😋 🤤" says one excited Instagrammer. Find the can for $4.49.
Related: Make Danny Trejo's Dreamy Creamy-Spicy Elote Salsa
11. Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels
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We couldn't talk about October without mentioning at least two or three of the pumpkin offerings at Trader Joe's (although there are many!). This super snackable bag of pumpkin-spiced pretzels is one of the more popular items to add to your cart. "Soooo good. Dip them in the 🎃 cream cheese!!" says one Instagrammer. $3.49 per bag.
12. Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Corn
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Another very popular fall favorite that's finally back is this salty-sweet snack that's a great alternative to all of the pumpkin spice, well, everything. Complaints went around Reddit last year when this one was unavailable and Trader Joe's heard your voices loud and clear. Pick up a bag now for just $2.99.
13. Cinnamon Roll Blondie Bar Baking Mix
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Back for the season, this baking mix scores rave reviews online. Redditors say this one is impossible to mess up, too. "These were very yummy and fragrant with cinnamon. Texture was that of a true blondie—not cakey or overly gooey or crumbly. Just an excellent, if dense, cookie bar," says one fan. Find them for $3.99 per box.
14. Caesar Broccoli Bake Kit
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Coming soon to a shelf near you, this Caesar Broccoli Bake Kit includes broccoli florets with Romano Caesar dressing, crouton crumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese. Put it all on a sheet pan for a scrumptious side dish in minutes. Trader Joe's suggests pairing this kit with a seared steak, salmon or baked potato. Grab one for $4.99.
15. Chicken Uncured Bacon Ranch Dip
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"This is a fire combo," says one Redditor who discovered pairing this dip with the TJ's sourdough rye chips. "I didn’t know what to expect with a chicken dip but I’m really finding this to be enjoyable and flavorful!" This mixture of chicken, bacon, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar, cream cheese, mayo and buttermilk can be served hot or cold and is sure to be a hit for game day parties and other fall snacking occasions. Grab a tub for $5.49.
16. Sweet Chili Mango Salad
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This refreshing new salad with cruciferous veggies (cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and radicchio) and dried mango hits the sweet spot for TJ fans: "It was pretty good, spicier than I expected. If I had any complaint, it was a little stingy with the mango pieces," says one fan. "I ate it by itself, but I was thinking if I had some cooked shrimp to mix in it would have been a perfect light dinner." Find it for $3.99 in the prepared salad section.
Related: Trader Joe's Just Stocked a Popular Drink on Shelves, and Fans are Sprinting to Grab a Bottle
17. Pumpkin & Spice Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix
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Tips are flying all over the internet about how to bake these pumpkin-spiced cookies perfectly and people are absolutely loving them. "I made our batch yesterday! They’re divine ✨" says one Redditor. The best part? They're a snap to put together. Find them for $3.99 per box in the baking aisle.
18. All Butter Apple Shortbread Cookies
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"All butter" is the key term here because each cookie contains nearly one-quarter butter by weight! Dried apples and apple juice concentrate add the fall flavor. The early reports on these treats are pretty darn great. "HOLY MOLY they are PHENOMENAL! Easily one of the best new items I’ve tried in the last few years," says one Redditor. Find them now for $3.49 per box.
19. Sweet Potato Habanero Hot Sauce
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Made with vinegar, sweet potatoes, habanero, cinnamon, ginger, allspice & cloves, you're going to want to slather all of your meals in this new fall-inspired hot sauce. "I usually wouldn’t like these flavors for a hot sauce but it rly works here and is addictive," says one fan. Find it for $2.99 on shelves now.
20. Almond Paste
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A staple of serious bakers, almond paste is finally available at good old TJ's. Redditors are talking about the best way to use this one, with some commenting that they've been making almond cookies, cake and croissants and one brilliant commenter saying they're putting it in their morning lattes. Grab a tube for $3.99 in the baking aisle.
21. Organic Coconut Clusters
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These crunchy clusters are made with organic toasted coconut chips, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds. Fans online say they have some good ideas for these too (aside from just eating them by the handful out of the bag), with some saying they'll try these as a topper for oatmeal or yogurt. One fan shared a word of warning, though. "Confession, I almost finished the bag in one day," says one Instagrammer. "They are coco nutty and not too sweet the perfect snack. Highly suggest you try it." Find them now for $2.99 per bag.
22. Freeze Dried Tart Cherries
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Don't walk—run—to grab this new freeze-dried fruit. "I plan on crushing the freeze-dried cherries and adding them to vanilla buttercream to frost a cake," says one Redditor. "The tart cherries are so good! I had a whole bag yesterday," says another. Find them with the other freeze-dried fruits for $3.99.
23. Pumpkin Brioche Twist
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Fans are loving this seasonal loaf that's back for the fall, with some saying they buy it in bulk because it's *that* perfect for French toast. Others say they toast it and spread it with the cinnamon bun spread for the ultimate in breakfast-time perfection. "this is my favorite for making egg-in-the-hole! Just a little drizzle of real maple syrup on top and it's the perfect fall weekend breakfast," says one fan. Find it in the baked goods section for $4.99.
24. Halloween Sprinkle
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Trader Joe's is keeping the seasonal sprinkles fun coming with this Halloween version. These would be perfect for your spooky season cupcakes or brownies, but imagine sprinkling cute little ghosts and orange pumpkins on your morning oatmeal. What's more fun than that? And it's even better because it's made without hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors and flavors. Find it for $1.99 per bag in the baking aisle.
25. Savory Squash Pastry Bites
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These tiny pastry bites are just perfect for your next dinner party or game night. Made with a buttery crust brimming with a pumpkin and butternut squash filling, these bites also have four different cheeses—mascarpone, ricotta, feta and Parmesan. Find them for a limited time in the freezer case for $5.49.
Related: 30 Easy Halloween Dinner Ideas for Kids
26. GT's Synergy Blood Orange Solstice Kombucha
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This brand-new kombucha is a Trader Joe's exclusive fall favor of the popular GT's brand. Zesty blood orange juice is mixed with cardamom and ginger for all the sweater season vibes. This is a limited-time item and shoppers can grab supplies last—once they're gone, they're gone! Find them in the refrigerated drinks case for $3.49 per bottle.
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