Thanksgiving dinner is known for a lot of things, but being easy to assemble definitely isn’t one of them. Stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes—figuring out the timing of cooking them all in one kitchen and getting them on the table by dinnertime is like a math problem we’d rather not have to figure out. It’s no surprise that to make things a little bit easier, we turn to our grocery-store true love, Trader Joe’s, to help with the heavy lifting.
Trader Joe’s definitely isn’t lacking in the products they come out with specifically for Thanksgiving, and from full-blown turkeys to creative sides you can toss in the oven without a second thought (not to mention an inexpensive wine selection that will accompany dinner perfectly), they’re the only place you need to go to shop for Thanksgiving dinner.
Ready to get cooking for your 2021 feast or find that perfect side dish to bring to your Friendsgiving? These 18 Trader Joe’s items will help you get to your dinner with no last-minute fretting included.
1. Cranberry sauce
Whether you love it or hate it, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without cranberry sauce on the table.
2. Creamed greens
Whipping up a veggie casserole from scratch isn’t a necessity with this frozen option you can toss in the oven with no hassle. The best part? Even the most judgmental eater at the table won’t know it was frozen first.
3. Turkey sausage stuffing fried rice
This fried rice is a perfect non-traditional side dish to offer to guests and would be a no-brainer to bring to a party so you don’t show up empty handed.
4. Turkey herbs
Cooking a turkey yourself this year? Skip the fuss of rounding up all the herbs you need to flavor it with and pick up this pre-selected assortment instead.
5. Pistachio pomegranate crisps
We’d never say no to a plain cracker with some cheese, but these pistachio pomegranate ones are perfectly festive to make Thanksgiving charcuterie a bit more special.
6. Brie en croute
Before dinner’s ready, pop this in the oven and leave it out for guests to snack on before the big meal.
7. Brined turkey
Skip the mess of pre-ordering or frantically searching for your meal’s bird this year and pick up one of TJ’s instead (we meant it when we said it’s the only place you need to go this year).
8. Turkey and stuffing en croute
If you’re having a smaller party or don’t think your get-together needs a full turkey, this turkey tenderloin wrapped in puff pastry is the perfect compromise—just as delicious but with way less commitment.
9. Green bean casserole bites
Green bean casserole is a love it or hate it kind of thing, but these green bean casserole bites are going to turn even the biggest casserole hater into a convert.
10. Camembert cheese and cranberry sauce bites
These cranberry-sauce-filled bites are begging to be included with your assortment of hors d’oeuvres—and we bet they’ll be the first thing to be completely gone.
11. Cornbread mix
Making cornbread from scratch? Not necessary with this easy-to-bake mix.
12. Corn and chile salsa
For an appetizer that’s a bit less mainstream, this corn salsa (and some chips) is perfect for guests to snack on while mingling.
13. Thanksgiving stuffing seasoned kettle chips
Stuffing-flavored chips? We’re mad we didn’t think of it first, but that isn’t going to stop us from devouring the whole bag.
14. Turkey flavored gravy
Like the package says: Just pour, heat, and serve. Gravy has never been easier.
15. Peeled and cooked chestnuts
Odds are, you probably have a chestnut lover or two in your crowd, and these pre-peeled and cooked ones are perfect to present when dinner is done.
16. Holiday vegetable hash
Adding veggies to your stuffing or soup isn’t necessary, but when they’re pre-cut and presented like this, it’s an easy way to make your side dish a little more delicious.
17. Mashed sweet potatoes with pecans
Sure, mashed potatoes are good, but this twist on the classic dish with sweet potatoes and pecans is even better.
18. Cranberry orange bars
This frozen treat is a different yet tasty addition to any dessert spread—and requires no work whatsoever.
Source: The Every Girl
