Trader Joe’s is a favorite shopping spot of Whole30 fans. Why? It’s a grocery store packed with organic, all-natural foods, and often at a much cheaper price compared to health store competitors like Whole Foods.
For most Whole30-ers, if there’s a Trader Joe’s within a 40 mile radius, they’ll make sure to make a stop! With the wonder of Trader Joe’s in mind, we’ve made this list of our Trader Joe’s Whole30 must haves!
Our Favorite Trader Joe’s Whole30 Picks
Of course that’s not all – below is our extended list of Whole30-must-haves.
Please note that we haven’t tried all these items ourselves. This list is a compilation of our personal Trader Joe’s favorites, plus items we’ve seen advocated for on other Whole30 websites.
(*) The star means this item is a Whole30 fan favorite!
As always, please read ingredient labels before throwing anything in your basket! While these are all compliant items, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of creating this list, ingredients are changed from time to time. If you find an item on this list that is not compliant, let us know so we can update it!
Trader Joe’s Oils, Butters, Sauces, Etc
- TJ’s Crunch (Or Smootth) Almond Butter
- TJ’s Clarified Butter (aka ghee)
- TJ’s Organic Tahini Sauce
- TJ’s Organic Coconut Milk
- TJ’s Light Coconut Milk
- TJ’s Avocado Oil
- TJ’s Organic Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
- TJ’s Horseradish
- TJ’s Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Squash
- TJ’s Sauerkraut With Pickled Persian Cucumbers
- Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos
- Sunbutter Sunflower Seed Butter
Snacking
TJ’s Roasted Plantain Chips *(all types of chips are no longer allowed on Whole30)- TJ’s Seaweed Chips
- TJ’s New Zealand Apple Rings *
- TJ’s Freeze Dried Banana Slices
- TJ’s Pineapple Slices
- TJ’s Freeze Dried Blueberries
Meats
- TJ’s Sliced Prosciutto
- TJ’s Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage
- TJ’s Grass Fed Beef Sirloin Roast, Fully Cooked & Sliced
- TJ’s Uncooked Ground Buffalo Burgers
- TJ’s Turkey Burgers
- TJ’s Uncooked Grass Fed Angus Beef Burgers
- TJ’s Grass Fed Angus Beef Strip Loin Steak
- TJ’s Rack of Lamb With Herbs
- TJ’s Salsa (Authentic & Verde)
- TJ’s Ground Turkey
- TJ’s Fully Cooked Pork Belly (produce, near bacon) – said to satify bacon cravings and is much cheaper than compliant Whole30 bacon. Cut to desired thickness & fry. Render and save fat for cooking.
- TJ’s Seafood Blend (frozen mix of shrimp, scallops, and calamari)
- Wild Sockeye Smoked Salmon
- Trade Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burgers
- Applegate Organic Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
Nuts
- TJ’s Dry Roasted & Unsalted Oregon Hazelnuts
- TJ’s Almonds
Veggies & Fruit
- TJ’s Organic Broccoli Slaw
- TJ’s Cruciferous Crunch (blend of shredded broccoli, red cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts)
- TJ’s Healthy 8 Chopped Veggie Mix (produce section)
- TJ’s Heirloom Carrots
- TJ’s Frozen Pineapple (for smoothies)
- Medjool Dates
Convenience Items
- TJ’s Chunky Spicy Guacamole
- TJ’s Fresh & Cut Butternut Squash
- TJ’s Riced Cauliflower
- TJ’s Shredded Carrots
- TJ’s Shredded Brussel Sprouts
Stock Up Items
- TJ’s Tomato Sauce
- TJ’s Mashed Sweet Potatoes (frozen)
- TJ’s Yellow & Red Peppers
General & Other Items
What to generally look for at Trader Joe’s.
- Chopped veggies & veggie mixes
- Dried fruit
- Nuts & trail mixes
- Fresh & frozen meats & fish
- Larabars
Have anything you want to add to this list? Share your favorite Whole30 Trader Joe’s top picks in the comments!
Whole30 Trader Joe’s Shopping List FAQs
Is Trader Joe’s mayo Whole30 compliant?
No, Trader Joe’s mayo is not compliant as it contains dairy and/or sugars.
Is Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi Whole30 approved?
Yes! Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi is Whole30 compliant because it includes a non-grain based flour.
Is Trader Joe’s bacon Whole30 approved?
Most bacons at Trader Joe’s are not Whole30 approved, since they contain sugar. However, the No Sugar Dry Rubbed Uncured Bacon, at TJ’s is compliant. Just make sure to check the ingredient list to confirm, in case ingredients have changed.
Is Trader Joe’s cauliflower pizza crust Whole30 approved?
No, Trader Joe’s cauliflower pizza crust is not Whole30 compliant because it contans corn flour and cornstarch in the ingredient list.
Is Trader Joe’s pesto Whole30 approved?
Some pestos from Trader Joe’s are OK for Whole30 – notable the Vegan Kale, Cashew and Basil Pesto. Many other pestos are not complaint because they contain cheese.
Is Trader Joe’s mixed nut butter Whole30 approved?
Yes – Trader Joe’s Mixed Nut Butter is Whole30 compliant because it includes almonds, cashews, walnuts, brazil nuts, hazelnuts and pecans – but no peanuts, which are NOT Whole30 approved.
Is Trader Joe’s Fiesta Cashew Dip Whole30 approved?
Yes, TJ’s Fiesta Cashew Dip is Whole30 compliant (ingredients: cashews, potatoes, carrots, onions, green chile peppers, tomato paste, salt, vinegar, garlic powder, natural flavors and jalapeno peppers)!
The Turkish apricots aren’t Whole30 compliant because they contain sulphur dioxide (which if on the Whole30 “not allowed” additive list)
What a shame, I didn’t notice that. Thank you Rebecca, will remove those now.
Actually, I double checked and the organic Turkish apricots from TJ are compliant, as they are unsulfured and contain no sulphur dioxide: http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article/1190
Thank you for putting this together!
Hard to believe the TJ’s Misto Alla Griglia Marinated Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini (frozen) is Whole30 compliant as 80% (or more) of most NON-organic zucchini varieties in the US are GMO.
The Misto Alla Griglia is made in Italy. Also, all Trader Joe’s label products are non-profit gmo… Check out their website for information.
Also, any meat or dairy that is NOT organic is coming from factory farms (aka, torture houses for animals). Not only does this mean these meats and dairy are coming from tortured animals, but the meats and dairy coming from these animals contain hormones and antibiotics (and other disgusting things like puss and blood in dairy products). Not sure why you’re listing any non-organic TJs items (especially meats and dairy) as being Whole30 compliant when the Whole30 program is against all of that. (???) As far as the rest of the list, again, anything non-organic most likely contains toxic pesticides/fungicides/herbacides, etc. Non-organic nuts for one (which again you have listed) are sprayed. Unfortunately, it seems you need to completely revamp your list. 🙁
Hey Dana – you don’t need to eat organic for Whole30. While organic is preferred, you can still complete the program eating non organic meats, fruits, and veggies. Organic simply isn’t in many folks budget, unfortunately.
Love this list!! Thank you!!!
@Dana We also need to stop pretending that just because it’s organic/grass fed doesn’t mean it’s less awful. Animals are still being murdered,
Organic, grass fed is a “recommendation” not a “requirement” according to the Whole30 website.
I love this list. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
So wonderful of you to put this together — and so easy to skim, too. Thank you!
You’re welcome Hilary!
Thanks for much for the great list!!
You are welcome Katie!
This is such a helpful list!
Thank you SO much!
You’re welcome!
I am looking into paleo and whole30 diets and trying to determine which way to go. My hesitancy was the time it would take to figure out what foods were ok. You just shortened that and removed my excuse so thank you so very much!
You’re welcome!
What about the TJ’s Just Chicken, I believe that’s what it’s called. It’s just roasted chicken with olive oil , salt and pepper.
Sounds promising! What section is it in? I’ll keep a look out next time I go!
Thank you for sharing!!!!!! Also, thanks for clarifying that whole no gmo, non-organic info! To each his own!
They also have the Chomps meat sticks, which I love!
I am just starting the Whole 30. Thanks so much for this list!
You’re welcome Lori!
Thank you so much. I love TJ’s and you just made my journey so much better.
You’re welcome Debra! TJ’s rocks!
Thank you for this list! You have saved me hours of time and research
The wild smoked sockeye salmon has sugar in the ingredients list.
Looks like there might be more than one kind. This one doesn’t have sugar. Just always double check!
Thank you! What a great list! Used it this weekend to start our Whole30 journey!
So glad it helped you Leigh!
Just starting whole 30 thank u
Thank you for this list! You do have an odd typo in your categories though, Connivence Items should be Convenience Items.
Thanks for the catch JJ!
Love your list! TJs also now carries Rx bars- of which most are compliant (not the peanut butter or maple ones). They are delish and a good indulgence for when you really need it!
Yay, so great that they carry Rx Bars!
Any type of store-bought chip is not whole 30 compliant: https://whole30.com/2017/03/chips-and-aminos/
Thanks for bringing this to our attention Alissa – we’ll begin working on updating content.
Glad to find this list. I never thought of using pork belly sliced like you mentioned. I get pancetta and sugar-free bacon online, but nice to know there’s something local I can run out and grab. I’ll be looking for some of the product you mentioned for sure!
Happy to help Donna!
Thank you!! Printing this out to take to TJ’s this weekend!
TJ precooked carnitas. Not far from the pork belly in my store. Also TJ Harissa
Thank you so much for this list. Starting today, but have tried (unsuccessfully) several times. Is the precooked carnitas really Whole 30. Yea. Trader Joes run today!
I love spindrift sparkly water which is sold here as well. Thank you for your list. – very helpful!
You’re welcome! I’ve never tried Spindrift, I’ll keep an eye out for it.
Chomps meat sticks
So helpful! Starting my first round of Whole-30 in 2 days and this made creating a shopping list so much easier!
Happy to hear it 🙂
This is a super helpful list, thank you! And I wanted to compliment you on your graciousness in response to annoying, nit-picky comments that often don’t actually include accurate information.
Thanks Sher! All part of a day’s work 😉
Why avocado oil and not actual avocado
Avocado is fine, but avocado is compliant no matter where you get it from. Avocado Oil can have additives or bad ingredients, which is why we are highlighting Trader Joe’s as an appropriate compliant option!
Do you have a personal shopper service that would put together the “whole 30” list and we could just pay @ pick up?
Sorry Lisa, I’m afraid that’s not an option.
The Lara Bars at my TJ’s are not the compliant ones 🙁
I actually have better luck finding them at WalMart!
I would add the Cilantro Lime Chicken burgers and turkey burgers! So good!
Great suggestion!
I have to ask, are dried fruits now compliant? I haven’t done a Whole 30 in a while (planning for my January 2020 Whole 30) and I seem to recall that they’re a no-no. Thanks!
Dried fruits are compliant. However, there are a sensitive area since it’s easy to overdo them and use them to feed your sugar dragon. Some people choose not to eat them for this reason, but ingredient-wise they are compliant and they are allowed on the Whole30 program.