I tried it so you don’t have to.

Brutally honest, occasionally dramatic, and always snack-obsessed—this is where I spill the tea on what’s worth your cart space and what’s better left on the shelf. No fluff, no filters, just real-deal reviews with a side of sass.

Trader Joe's, Reviews, Dessert Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Dessert Katelyn Kleinheinz

Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies

This is everything I want in a pumpkin spice cookie. The pumpkin spice wasn’t overbearing and it paired nicely with the yogurt coating. If you aren’t super into pumpkin spice but are wanting to try a seasonal treat, I’d recommend these! I enjoyed the texture from the little sprinkles too! This is a very short review but I don’t have much to say other than I love these! They are festive and delicious… what more could I ask for? Will you be trying these cookies?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Breakfast Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Breakfast Katelyn Kleinheinz

Pumpkin Overnight Oats

To be honest with you, I haven’t enjoy TJ’s overnight oats in the past. I picked this up because I was intrigued by the pumpkin… and I thoroughly enjoyed it! This tasted like a cleaner version of a pumpkin pie filling. The pumpkin was not overpowering at all which is great for those who aren’t super into it. I took off two points because of the texture. It was just a big pile of mush, which wasn’t appealing. I would have loved for the oats to be a tad more bulky versus just blending in with everything else. With that being said, the combo of the oats, strawberries and pecans easily bumped this product up to a 9/10. I can look past the consistency with all the added chazzle dazzle, but obviously I want to base my review on the product by itself! Have you tried the overnight oats at TJ’s?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Salad Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Salad Katelyn Kleinheinz

Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Quinoa and Wheatberry Salad

Apparently this isn’t even a seasonal salad, but I was getting fall vibes so I decided to give it a try! I loved it! You’d think the combo of ingredients wouldn’t mesh well together… yet it worked. I felt like Remy in Ratatouille when he tries cheese paired with strawberries for the first time and fireworks were going off in his mouth. The squash was seasoned to perfection with oregano which paired lovey with the cranberry, peppers and goat cheese. The dressing was sweet but not overwhelmingly sweet. I took off two points because there wasn’t enough squash and cheese. There were only a few pieces of the squash and I deserved more than that! Luckily there was a plethora of the other ingredients. Have you tried this salad?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Drink Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Drink Katelyn Kleinheinz

Non-Dairy Maple Oat Beverage

This was my first time trying the infamous maple oat milk. It was so fun to shake it up in the morning and put this in my coffee. The milk on its own is very very sweet, but it paired nicely with my coffee. I took off a couple of points due to the amount of sugar and the sweetness level. I found it to be too sweet for a stand-alone milk (aka not in coffee, cereal etc.).

Personally, this isn’t something I’d pick up again but I’m glad I tried it! If goes well in my coffee but I don’t think I’d drink it alone or use it in another way! Have you tried this?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Frozen Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Frozen Katelyn Kleinheinz

Korma Fish Curry

I saw this on my feed one day and got inspired to try it. I didn’t hate it, but it certainly wasn’t my favorite. The curry flavor was flavorful and paired nicely with the fish. It wasn’t overly fishy smelling at all. In all honesty, it didn’t even stink up my apartment! I took off points because the pieces of fish were extremely small and because it was a tad over cooked. Of course it gets touchy when discussing fish in the microwave, but the fish was dry and not flaky. I’ve also heard some controversy over the type of fish used (swai) which left me a little uneasy.

Overall, the flavor was good and it’s not a terrible option if you’re on the go. I just don’t see myself getting this in the future. If I’m craving fish, I will prepare my own! Have you tried this meal?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack, Chips Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack, Chips Katelyn Kleinheinz

Salt & Pepper Potato Chips

I didn’t realize how much I needed these chips in my life until my mom gave me a taste test of her bag. If you enjoy pepper… these are for you. They have the perfect salt and pepper ratio. The bag is pretty massive in comparison to other chips sold at TJ’s, which I also love. I took off one point because all of the chips were minuscule! I don’t know if my chips were crushed or if it were intensional, but I would have enjoyed a larger chip. Not huge, but a good in between! What’s your favorite chip from TJ’s?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Frozen, Pasta Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Frozen, Pasta Katelyn Kleinheinz

Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese

This is my favorite frozen mac and cheese that Trader Joe’s has to offer! It’s inexpensive ($2.99) and is super convenient to throw in the microwave… or oven if you have the time for it. The hatch chiles add great flavor to the mac without overpowering it. Hatch chiles are not spicy so don’t be scared of this product if you have a lower heat tolerance. If you’re looking for some more heat, one time I added crispy jalapeños on top and it gave some extra chazzle dazzle. Another thing I love about this mac is how large the portion is! Of course it’s labeled as 2 servings, but no one splits a frozen meal in half. No one. I always have this product in my freezer and highly recommend if you’re looking for a jazzed up mac and cheese! Have you tried this?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz

Veggie Sticks

My childhood = veggie straws. I wanted to see how these compare and they did not disappoint. The flavors are potato, tomato and spinach. You can definitely taste the different flavors which I love. It’s almost like a patio chip moment… but not really. I took off one point because these were more like puffs than crispy sticks like the original veggie straws. With that being said, I will definitely keep purchasing these. I found myself shoveling multiple in my mouth at once and I have no complaints with that. Should I try the veggie chip version next?

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz

Crunchy Cinnamon Squares

Believe it or not, this was my first experience with a TJ’s cereal… and I didn't even use it in a traditional manner (aka with milk). I used this product to make 3 ingredient cinnamon crunch treats and it worked out nicely! I enjoyed the price of these and how well they worked in my recipe, but I don’t know if this would be my first choice of cereal. The squares were puffed so I found them to be less crunchy and the cinnamon flavor was pretty muted. Overall, I wouldn’t pick this up for traditional cereal purposes but I would definitely use them again for my recipe!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Candy Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Candy Katelyn Kleinheinz

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

I’ve been eyeing this sweet treat for months and I finally pulled the trigger (the $1.99 trigger). These did not disappoint. The dark chocolate was rich and the caramel was creamy. The caramel is a fudgey consistency, not liquidy. I really enjoyed how thick the dark chocolate was because that gave a luxurious feel. I took off one point because of the salt inconsistency. A couple of chocolates had a huge block of salt on top, whereas others had barely any. Despite the inconsistency, the plethora of sea salt balanced out the chocolate nicely. This product is perfect for satisfying your dark chocolate sweet tooth (on a budget) and would be so cute in a gift basket! What is your favorite dark chocolate dessert?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews Katelyn Kleinheinz

Tikka Vegetables

This product is a staple in my pantry. I tried this randomly years ago and now I can’t live without it. There was a shortage at my store once and I literally bought 5+ pouches from that point on, just in case it disappeared again. All you have to do it plop this in the micro for 60 seconds. That’s it! I was shocked at how the vegetables remained FIRM in the pouch. The potatoes and peas weren’t mushy at all, which is why I love it so much. I also really appreciate the amount of flavor for being a shelf stable pouch. It has a nice little kick but isn’t overpowering.

In case you weren’t picking up what I was putting down, let me say it directly. I will ALWAYS have this in my pantry. It’s such a great meal option, especially over cauliflower rice (or any grain)! What’s your favorite Indian Fare pouch?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz

Cheddar Rocket Crackers

Consider these to be a TJ’s version of Goldfish. I’m not sure if goldfish use real cheddar but I found these to have a better, bolder flavor. I love the box and the little rocket shape (despite them basically looking like little fishy). I took off one point because I would have loved for the rockets to have some salt on top. There are a few goldfish in each batch that have a plethora of salt on top and I was really hoping for that with these! But hey, it’s probably better this way. Overall, I’d definitely buy these again! I only feed myself so the size of the box works for me. If you’re feeding a family though, you’re probably better off buying in bulk at Costco! Have you tried this snack?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Drink Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Drink Katelyn Kleinheinz

Rhubarb and Strawberry Soda

People had recommended this after I reviewed the sparkling watermelon/strawberry drink and it wasn’t my favorite. I’ve had a couple of desserts that contain rhubarb but never a drink, and it did not blow my skirt up. It just tasted off to me, personally. This soda wasn’t very sweet and the rhubarb was definitely the star of the show. It wasn’t bad, but it’s not something I’d pick up again. I’d much rather get one of the other sparkling drinks! Have you tried this?

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Beauty Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Beauty Katelyn Kleinheinz

Watermelon Overnight Face Mask

This face mask has been one of my favorites since it originally came out! I don’t know about every else, but my least favorite part about a facemask is taking it off… which leads me to leaving it on for hours to avoid the inevitable. With this mask, I get to let the gel just soak into my skin as I sleep (aka minimal work for me). This mask is so cooling and doesn’t weigh down my face. The watermelon scent is really subtle which is nice for those who don’t want potent masks. This is a spring/summertime seasonal item so be sure to grab one before the season is over! I just picked up a couple so that I am set until next year! What is your favorite beauty product from TJ’s?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Chips, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Chips, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz

Ghost Pepper Potato Chips

I tried these once years and and felt it was time for an official review! These were good, but I wasn’t overly obsessed. I enjoyed the smokiness of them yet I feel like it overpowered the heat. The heat was definitely tolerable so don’t be scared by the “ghost pepper”. You’d think that these would pack a punch but unfortunately they didn’t. Hey, that means more people who have a lower heat tolerance can enjoy them as well!

Like I said, these were good… but there are other options that I enjoy more! I was expecting some serious heat but didn’t get that. This wouldn’t be my first (or second) spicy snack option. I get the iconic chili lime rolled chips or the jalapeño puffs before getting these again. What’s your favorite spicy snack?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz

Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzel Slims

We all know how much I love dark chocolate, so it was time that I try out these pretzel slims. The proportion of dark chocolate to pretzel was perfect. The pretzels are quite large as well which is a plus. There could have been a little sprinkle of salt on the pretzels but they were still delicious. I wish there was more in the bag because I literally blinked, and then the bag was empty! This isn’t unusual for a TJ’s bagged product to be half empty, but come on… give me more! I would definitely get these again, but never in a situation where I’d be sharing with others. Hey, I need to take advantage of the single serving size.

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Pasta Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Pasta Katelyn Kleinheinz

Mushroom Risotto

You wouldn’t believe how impressed I was with this product. I never thought a frozen risotto would embody a dish you’d get in a restaurant. The rice was cooked perfectly (al dente) and NEVER got mushy. That was my biggest concern with the rice going into a pan with a sauce. The mushroom flavor was subtle but definitely still the star of the show. I got 2 servings out of this which I find fair! I paired this product with some rainbow carrots that I roasted in the oven (plus chicken thighs but I doused it in peri peri sauce and wanted to enjoy the risotto on its own).

Overall, I will most definitely keep this in my freezer at all times. It took me 8 minutes to prepare and made a perfect side dish. Are there any other frozen risottos at TJ’s?! I am now on a mission to try them all!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Wrap Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Wrap Katelyn Kleinheinz

Creamy Hummus and Vegetable Wrap

This wrap was so disappointing. There was so much tortilla and it was soggy from all of the hummus. This wrap was filled with a TON of hummus and then some cabbage, bell pepper and spinach sprinkled in. There wasn’t any flavor other than the purple cabbage (aka super bitter). Overall, I wouldn’t get this again. I appreciate the vegan option but I truly believe we can all make a way better homemade version! Who’s with me?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews, Snack Katelyn Kleinheinz

Bamba Peanut Snacks

Would you believe me if I told you this was my first time trying this snack? The price of $0.99 was really intriguing, so I decided to pull the trigger today. I ended up really enjoying these! Consider these puffs to be puffed peanut butter. They were super light and airy which I loved because sometimes peanut butter is really heavy. I took a point because I was hoping these would be crunchy and they just melted in my mouth. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but I was wanting that crunch! And lastly, they have this wet texture to them which I didn’t love. It didn’t stop me from eating them but just know that they aren’t 100% dry. Does that even make sense?! Either way, I’d get these again! Peanut butter is something that I normally add to my cart so it was fun to shake it up! Have you tried these?!

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Trader Joe's, Reviews Katelyn Kleinheinz Trader Joe's, Reviews Katelyn Kleinheinz

Cut Beets in Vinaigrette

When I first tried these, I was obsessed. But then as the days went on, I had realized that these weren’t as special as I thought. This could have just been my specific jar of beets, but the vinaigrette had no flavor! I had expected this to be a step up from a plain jarred/canned beet, yet I found them to be so similar. I gave this a 5 because I’m impartial. I’d pick these up again if I had no plans of going to any other grocery store, but these beets in “vinaigrette” are equivalent to the plain canned beets I eat. Maybe the jar I got was lacking? All I know is that I would just grab the beets that are the cheapest and most convenient, and that I wouldn’t go out of my way for this product!

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