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Image: Trader Joe'sThe awards season is here, and it’s not just about the Oscars and Golden Globes. The winners of the 16th Annual Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards have been revealed, with the announcement made by Trader Joe’s employees Matt Sloan, the director of customer relations communications, and Tara Miller, the vice president of marketing, during the latest episode of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast.
For those new to these awards, they showcase customers’ favorite products from the previous year across a variety of categories. These include top snack, drink, sweet treat, and more, offering a mix of popular staples and exciting new finds. A new category this year—favorite new products—highlights items launched in 2024.
Additionally, the five-time winners of the Trader Joe's Product Hall of Fame, such as Mandarin Orange Chicken, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut Butter-Filled Pretzel Nuggets, Unexpected Cheddar, and Soy Chorizo, are no longer eligible for the Customer Choice Award, though they remain beloved by shoppers nationwide.
“The purpose of the Customer Choice Awards is to share recommendations so everyone can enjoy the top picks,” Sloan said. “If the same products kept winning, the awards wouldn't highlight new things we haven’t yet celebrated.”
Ready to discover your new favorite Trader Joe’s item? Keep scrolling to see the 2024 winners.
1. Top Trader Joe’s Breakfast and Brunch Item: Hashbrowns
Trader Joe's is known for more than just its unique snacks; its hashbrowns are a standout product. While eggs may be a common breakfast choice, it was the hashbrowns that truly took the spotlight. With so many possible uses, from sandwiches to casseroles, it's clear why these frozen hashbrowns are adored by so many.It turns out that eggs didn’t make the top five in the most popular breakfast and brunch choices at Trader Joe's. Instead, hashbrowns claimed the top spot, with shoppers rallying behind them. These frozen delights, available in the frozen section, have endless uses, from traditional breakfast pairings to more innovative dishes like hashbrown sandwiches and burritos.
The Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip stands out as a top Trader Joe’s appetizer. This creamy, rich dip combines spinach and artichokes into the perfect party snack, beloved by many for its delicious flavor and comforting texture.
Trader Joe's continues to be a favorite among shoppers, offering a wide variety of unique products. Their frozen section, in particular, is home to some of the most popular items, including appetizers and cheeses that make quick meals or snacks an easy choice.When it comes to appetizers, convenience is key, which is why Trader Joe's frozen section shines. The top-rated appetizer? The Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip, which can be heated in both the oven and microwave. While it doesn't have the same browned top when microwaved, it still delivers great taste. This beloved dish has been a favorite at TJ's for years.
Trader Joe’s Goat Cheese is the top choice when it comes to cheeses. Loved for its rich flavor and creamy texture, this cheese has earned a well-deserved spot at the top of many lists, making it the go-to option for cheese lovers everywhere.
Trader Joe's has built a loyal following with its variety of cheeses, including the widely adored Goat Cheese. Known for its smooth, creamy texture and bold flavor, it's a must-have for anyone who enjoys a rich, flavorful cheese experience.Trader Joe’s cheese section rivals that of a specialized cheese shop, offering a variety of delicious choices. When it was time to pick a favorite cheese of the year, customers kept their answer simple, naming “goat cheese” as the top contender. If you've ever looked for goat cheese at Trader Joe’s, you’ll know that they offer several varieties of this tangy cheese, including Chevre Goat Cheese and Chevre with Honey. 'What people mean by ‘goat cheese’ is fresh goat cheese,' Sloan explained. 'That soft, somewhat crumbly cheese, but not necessarily goat Gouda.'
4. Favorite Bath, Body, and Home Item from Trader Joe’s: Brazil Nut Body Butter
Trader Joe'sThe Brazil Nut Body Butter has such a devoted following that it won in this category despite not being available in stores right now. 'It’s not even on shelves, yet people still rave about it,' Miller said. 'It’s still fresh in everyone’s mind.' Made with coconut oil, shea butter, açai extract, guarana extract, and Brazil nut seed butter, this product is intended to hydrate and nourish the skin. Fans of this popular product will be pleased to learn that it’s expected to return to Trader Joe’s stores in 'May or June of this year,' according to Miller.
5. Favorite New Trader Joe’s Product: Cashel Blue Cheese Irish Potato Chips
This is a new category introduced for this year's awards, and it certainly deserves attention. 'This is a very significant category,' Miller commented. 'If one of the main goals of the Customer Choice Awards is to let customers recommend products to others, this category reveals new products that are truly gaining popularity.'
Miller also pointed out that every product eligible in this category was launched in 2024. The winner, Cashel Blue Cheese Irish Potato Chips, was introduced in November and highlights Trader Joe's exceptional ability to create irresistible snacks. 'These chips are produced by an Irish chip factory using Irish-grown potatoes and Irish-made blue cheese, which might sound tempting, yet perhaps not for everyone,' Sloan explained. 'However, the feedback for these chips has been overwhelmingly positive, which is great because we love this chip maker.' If you’re a fan of TJ’s chips, you’ll be happy to know that the producer is currently working on a roasted garlic and butter variety, which will hit shelves later this year.
Products that came close to winning in this new category include the 'really delicious' Garlic Gondolas, Strawberry Mini Hold the Cone!, and the delightful Crispy Potato & Poblano Pepper Tacos.
6. Favorite Lunch and Dinner Item at Trader Joe’s: Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
Trader Joe'sFor the second consecutive year, Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice claimed the top spot in this category, surpassing other frozen options. 'This category is filled with items from our frozen section,' Miller noted. 'I believe our customers are telling us they want something quick and easy to prepare, but also satisfying without requiring much time or effort.'
7. Favorite Trader Joe’s Produce: Teeny Tiny Avocados
Trader Joe'sWhile Trader Joe’s may not be renowned for having the best produce section, there are still some gems to discover if you know where to look. The winner in this category, Teeny Tiny Avocados, is a TJ's exclusive. These 'personal-sized' avocados are smaller in size, reducing waste and eliminating the hassle of dealing with the rapid ripening of this fruit. 'I think that's a fantastic win,' Miller commented. 'We recognized a need and collaborated with our suppliers to create a solution.'
8. Favorite Trader Joe’s Snack: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
The Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips claimed the top spot in this category. Having won the award five times, they’ve now earned a permanent place in the Trader Joe's Product Hall of Fame, making them ineligible for future Customer Choice Awards. Celebrate their snack dominance by grabbing a bag of these tangy, spicy chips!
9. Favorite Trader Joe’s Beverage: Spiced Cider
Trader Joe's'Our winner is actually a product that’s not available in most stores right now because it’s only stocked in the fourth quarter of the year,' Miller explained, naming the seasonal Spiced Cider as the winner. 'It's a fall tradition at Trader Joe's, and we know its arrival means that autumn is approaching,' she added. Though this delightful beverage only hits shelves when the temperatures begin to cool, it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed both hot and cold. 'I’ve made countless apple cider mimosas with this, and I look forward to its return every year.' Expect to see it back in stores by late 2025.
10. Favorite Trader Joe’s Sweet Treat: Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches
Trader Joe'sWhile you can find ice cream sandwiches with vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookies in nearly every grocery store, Trader Joe’s version—called Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches—stands out. This top-tier sweet treat is a favorite of many, including Miller. 'They are the best ice cream sandwiches I've ever had in my entire life,' she shared. 'Every bite is simply delicious, without fail.'
11. Favorite Overall Trader Joe’s Item: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Trader Joe'sThe Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, which triumphed in the snack category, emerged victorious as the Favorite Overall Item, outshining stiff competition. Products like Vegetable Fried Rice, Kimbap, Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, and Steamed Pork and Ginger Soup Dumplings were all contenders for the prestigious award, but none could match the deliciousness of these chips. Better luck next year to the others!
