Here Are the Most-Loved Trader Joe's Products of the Year, According to Customers
Each year, fan-favorite grocery store Trader Joe's invites its legions of customers to vote for the best products of the previous year, and the winners for 2021 (collected in early 2022) are in. Some might argue that everything at Trader Joe's is worth buying, but regulars certainly have their favorites—and their votes don't lie.
Many winners of the 13th Annual Customer Choice Awards are tried-and-true classics, but some are trendier, newer options, or even some products that aren't necessarily offered at all stores.
In the announcement of the winners, the grocery store chain does note that availability of all items is not guaranteed, especially when it comes to seasonal favorites, so don't be surprised if you have to wait until the next holiday to get your hands on certain items. As any savvy TJ's customer knows, the chain doesn't stock the same items (particularly niche or seasonal pieces) at every single store; if you see an item on the list of the best products at Trader Joe's that you haven't seen in your store, it likely just hasn't arrived yet, or is a more niche item.
In the past, the awards were split into 16 categories, with one winner and four runners-up for each, for a total of 80 top-ranked Trader Joe's items. This year, the awards were simplified a little bit, with just nine categories, though long-time fans of the grocery chain will still see some familiar products, plus a few shake-ups. (Spoiler alert: Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Blend has been dethroned in one major category.)
Get your grocery list ready and scroll on for the 2021 winners—these top items may give your next TJ's run a new purpose.
1 Favorite Overall: Mandarin Orange Chicken
Runners-Up: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups; Unexpected Cheddar; Everything but the Bagel Seasoning Blend; Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese.
2 Favorite Beverage: Non Dairy Oat Beverage
Runners-Up: Spiced Apple Cider; Ginger Beer; Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice Beverage; Tangerine Juice.
3 Favorite Cheese: Unexpected Cheddar
Runners-Up: English Cheddar with Caramelized Onions; Baked Lemon Ricotta; Syrah Soaked Toscano; Triple Crème Brie.
4 Favorite Sweets/Dessert: Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
Runners-Up: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups; O & H Danish Kringle; Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches; Brookie.
5 Favorite Entrée: Mandarin Orange Chicken
Runners-Up: Chicken Tikka Masala; Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice; Joe's Diner Mac 'n Cheese; Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese.
6 Favorite Home, Bath, and Body Product: Scented Candle Tins
Runners-Up: Body Butters (all); Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream; Hand Sanitizers (all); Tree Tingle Shampoo & Conditioner.
7 Favorite Produce: Teeny Tiny Avocados
Runners-Up: Bananas (conventional and organic); Persian Cucumbers; Arugula (conventional and organic); Carrots of Many Colors (all).