15 Foolproof Trader Joe’s Products For The Perfect Girl Dinner

Meredith Holser
Jun 05, 2024
trader joe's snacks for girl dinner

Girl dinner requires no cooking, no intricate ingredient list – just a series of snacks and a dream. Think charcuterie, but less polished. Some cheese here, a few grapes there. Maybe a lil’ microwave meal action.

Of course, one would look to no other than Trader Joe’s for the best snacks. It’s what the quirky grocer does best! If you’re looking to amp up your next girl dinner (AKA your ‘I’m feeling lazy and don’t want to be bothered’ meal), these 15 Trader Joe’s products will set you right.

Eat just one of these picks, or try a mix of a handful of ‘em, your girl dinner cravings are sure to be satisfied.

Panzerotti Pizza Bites

It's giving elevated Totino's pizza rolls – and I am obsessed. If you want to tune into the cravings of your inner child, these tiny bites are the way to go.

Crispy Battered Calamari

Nothing says 'girl dinner' like straight-up calamari with a nice little aioli. Maybe throw in a Caesar salad and a dirty martini, and you're set! It's what the girls want!

Prosciutto-Wrapped Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

Meat, cheese... what's not to like? The ultimate girl dinner experience would require that you eat the whole pack, but I'd say these would go exceptionally well alongside some fresh berries and a baguette.

Gone Bananas!

These dark chocolate-dipped frozen banana bites have me in a very strong chokehold, and while I wouldn't recommend you eat them solely for your next girl dinner, they sure do make a sweet complement to any snack lineup you'd got in mind! Finger foods are key!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This buffalo dip is dangerously addictive, I could honestly eat it by itself with a spoon. It's creamy, spicy, tangy – all the best qualities of a buffalo dip. For a fuller girl dinner, make sure you've got some crackers and veggie sticks on-demand to balance out the dip with some crunch.

Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

I really shouldn't have to explain myself with this one. Mozz sticks are a lazy meal staple, and these TJ's ones are supremely melty and cheesy! Get yourself a lil' sauce action going, and to the dreamiest girl dinner you go.

Dark Chocolate-Covered Cherries

Any snack that has a fruity element to it is a great contends for a girl dinner spread that may be taking a savory direction. See: these mouthwatering dark chocolate cherries. Beware, they're gooood.

Chickpea Fusilli Pasta

This chickpea-based pasta is definitely a more substantial option when it comes to girl dinner (hello, protein!). To hack it the lazy girl way, simply cook the whole box (or two) to have ready for the week's hunger pangs! From there, throw a little sauce and veg in, and you've got a truly easy dinner on your hands.

Reduced Guilt Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

There's absolutely no shame in having a girl dinner that's all fried foods and salty crackers, but sometimes you want to balance things out with a splash of ~health~. That's where this epic TJ's dip comes in – it's made from a Greek yogurt base and is packed with greens (hence its "reduced guilt" label).

Organic Dried Mango Unsulfured & Unsweetened

In the same vein, any dried fruit is gonna do you good for girl dinner. I have to get a bag of this dried mango every single time I take a trip to Trader Joe's. It's just a great snack to have close for when the sweet cravings strike, offering a healthier alternative.

Pastry Bites Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions

Like I said before: finger foods are key! Not only would these warm pastry bites make your girl dinner more elegant, they'd also be a massive hit at any book clubs or dinner parties you plan to host. The best part is they're fairly no-fuss, requiring just a few minutes in the oven.

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This spinach-artichoke dip comes frozen, but after a few minutes in the microwave, it turns to cheesy, heavenly goodness. Grab some crackers to go with, and don't even worry about whipping up a whole dinner! This is it!

Herbes de Provence Triangles

These tiny triangular puffs work well with any sort of sliced cheese, but I'd say brie is the way to go. They're made from puff pastry, so you'll get layers upon layers of crunchy, buttery yumminess in each crunch.

Speculoos Cookies

Made from TJ's famous cookie butter, these crunchy cookies are tasty on their own, but are even better crumbled on top of some ice cream. Finalize your girl dinner with this sweet treat, and you'll never want to eat any other way.

Crunchy Curls

When you need some textural variety with your girl dinner, you really won't regret reaching for TJ's Crunchy Curls. Their fun shape makes 'em fun to eat!

Mini Chocolate Mousse Flowers

These sweet 'n' small blooms filled with chocolate cake and mousse filling will brighten up your girl dinner spread in just one bite! You surely won't want to share once you've tried them.

Subscribe to our newsletter to peep more of our favorite Trader Joe's items to try on your next grocery run!

Images via Trader Joe's.

The 16 Best Bougie Trader Joe's Buys Under $10

The chokehold Trader Joe's has on me is atrocious. They truly can do no wrong with their wide array of snacks and sweet treats, and I really appreciate that my TJ's grocery hauls are typically way cheaper than if I did my shopping elsewhere. Trader Joe's is packed to the brim with delicious, life-changing finds under $10. So, if you're balling on a budget (but still want to make room for a lil' 'treat yourself' time), look no further than this list of my absolute favorite finds!

Let's dive into the best Trader Joe's buys you can add to your cart for under $10!

Trader Joe's

Organic Joe Medium Roast Ground Coffee

For just $6.99, Trader Joe's medium roast coffee tastes divine. No matter how you brew it, I promise you'll be thoroughly impressed.

Trader Joe's

Non-Dairy Oat Creamer Gingerbread

Trader Joe's collection of $1.99 non-dairy creamers are all delicious, but this limited-time seasonal offering is the literal cream of the crop.

Trader Joe's

Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies

Nothing says 'bougie' quite like finger foods do. Take the sweet route with this grouping of $4.99 tiny pecan pies!

Trader Joe's

Shaved Parmesan, Romano & Asiago Cheeses

I love topping salads, pastas, and soups with this $3.49 blend of shredded cheeses. Once it gets melty is where the fun really begins.

Trader Joe's

Cheesy Herby Biscuits

Biscuits are undoubtedly a considerably fancy thing to make yourself, but luckily you don't have to put in all that effort just to please a crowd, thanks to this $4.99 box o' biscuits!

Trader Joe's

Butter with Brown Sugar & Maple Syrup

This $2.99 butter infused with brown sugar and maple syrup will instantly elevate any piece of toast or baking project you've got going on.

Trader Joe's

Dark Chocolate Ganache Mini Sheet Cake

I'm simply obsessed with these $4.99 sheet cakes from Trader Joe's. They come in all kinds of flavors, but who can ever resist chocolate?! This is an easy (yet impressive) grab-and-go buy to bring to the office for your team or to share with the fam at home after a long week.

Trader Joe's

Truffle Dip

In my mind, truffle equates to some real fancy stuff. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this creamy dip was just $5.49!

Trader Joe's

Steamed Vegetable Soup Dumplings

I will live and die on the hill that Trader Joe's soup dumplings are some of the best ready-made options around. This $3.49 box is my go-to if I simply don't feel like cooking dinner (which happens more than I'd like to admit), but still want something warm that's gonna fill me up.

Trader Joe's

Sliced Black Truffle Monterey Jack Cheese

Another fun truffle find! Kick your grilled cheeses up a notch for just $4.99.

Trader Joe's

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This is another one of my TJ's must-haves. If I don't buy this $3.79 box every single time I go, I at least buy it every other visit. Yummm.

Trader Joe's

Coffee Bean Blast Ice Cream

They are not kidding when they say this ice cream is a true coffee blast. It's so full on flavor, luxuriously creamy, and for just $4.49 a pint, I think that's pretty dang good.

Trader Joe's

Chocolate Brooklyn Babka

This rich babka bread is laced with lotsa chocolate. You can get the loaf for $5.99, but beware: it's gonna go fast.

Trader Joe's

Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste

This bourbon-y vanilla bean paste is so fun to use for cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and the like. It has a perfect smoky, woody finish (but still sweet), plus a little goes a very long way. Snag it at your local TJ's for $4.99.

Trader Joe's

Speculoos Cookie Butter

I fear I could eat this entire jar of cookie butter in one sitting. It always tastes expertly crafted and undeniably sweet. I love putting it on toast, ice cream, and even in my morning coffee. The jar sells at $3.99!

Trader Joe's

Candy Cane Green Tea

This $2.79 green tea has become a wintertime staple for me since I discovered it at Trader Joe's last year. I've already bought 3 boxes to stock up for the season.

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more of our favorite hidden gems from Trader Joe's!

snacksgrocery shoppingtrader joe'sdrinksnsfwfood

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner Are Getting Awfully Close Again Post-J.Lo Split

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner may have split back in 2015, but they're spending an awfully lot of time together as of late. Ben's latest divorce from Jennifer Lopez was the split heard 'round the world this summer, after giving us the ever-enigmatic 'Bennifer 2.0' and its whirlwind marriage. However, we would be lying if we didn't say we were so sad when he and our favorite 13 Going On 30star ended things almost a decade ago.

Jen and Ben share three children together, and have found a way to successfully co-parent together. But could they be back on their way to finding something more? These two seem to be out and about together quite a lot lately, and it's got us thinking: could Ben reunite with yet another Jennifer from his past? Here's what's going on!

Everything you need to know about Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner's latest outings together!

Page Sixreported that Jennifer and Ben were driving out in LA together this weekend, ultimately grabbing bagels and heading back to Ben's place. This outing comes after a source shared with PEOPLE that Jen and Ben are actually spending the holidays together this year.

"Jen truly just wants her kids to be happy. She will continue to make sure that they spend time together as a family and include Ben," the source said. "They have Christmas plans with the kids too. The kids enjoy when they all spend time together."

Christmas isn't the only holiday this former family of five will share this year. They all spent Thanksgiving together as well, and a source told Page Sixthat Ben Affleck "felt blessed" for that time together. Apparently, Ben feels like he "can just be himself" when he's with her. “Even though Ben and Jen have been split for a while now, he feels a certain level of comfort with her," the source said. “Ben has a strong relationship with Jen that will never dissipate because they have a lot of history together and she’s the mother of his kids.”

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Meanwhile, another source shared with PEOPLEthat Jen, Ben, and their kids all worked together at The Midnight Mission's Thanksgiving Street Fair this year. The source said, “They truly enjoy giving back to their community and cherishing quality time together as a family."

Right now, Jen's technically still dating John Miller, according to PEOPLE. However, we'd be remiss not to notice how close the former couple is at the moment. Could there be rekindled feelings? Is this the REAL second chance love story we deserve? Is it really just about the mutual respect these two have for each other — and their family? Definitely keeping an eye on this space to see what happens next!

Regardless of their romantic relationship status, it's honestly so nice to see Ben spending time with his family at the holidays. Thankfully his highly dramatized relationship with Jennifer Lopez didn't seem to harm any goodwill Ben has with his kids and ex-wife, and there's something really lovely about that! So, here's hoping this modern family has a happy, happy holiday season!

Looking for more celebrity news? Be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

celebrity couplescelebrity newscelebrity relationshipscelebrities

23 Impressive Last-Minute Halloween Snacks To Serve At Your Spooky Party

Halloween is on its way people! With just a handful of weeks to go, it's crunch time to find a costume and figure out what you'll be doing the night of October 31. Whether you're throwing a Halloween party and still need to figure out a food and drink recipes or you need a fun dish to bring to the one you're attending, these quick and easy Halloween snacks are here to help! After all, you don't want guests to be left hangry – that would be frightening. Have no fear! We have some last-minute Halloween snacks that are fast, festive, and tasty AF.

Brit + Co

Mummy Jalapeño Poppers

This savory Halloween snack can be made as spicy as your guests want it – just scoop a little or all of the jalapeño seeds out before stuffing these 'mummies' with cheese and wrapping them in store-bought crescent roll dough.

Brit + Co

Deviled Egg Brains

Your party pals will definitely be freaked out by this bite! Red food coloring aids in turning traditional deviled egg filling a spooky pink color.

Half Baked Harvest

Sweet and Salty Healthier Caramel Apples

Made without any processed sugar, these caramel apples require just a few ingredients: apples, maple syrup, honey, cream, vanilla, chocolate, and flaky salt.

A Spicy Perspective

Halloween Popcorn Mix

This candy-coated bowl of popcorn loads up on festive accoutrements like candy corn, pumpkins, and Halloween sprinkles.

Salt & Lavender

Halloween Puppy Chow

Add Halloween-themed sprinkles to some classic Chex mix for a spooky seasonal snack.

Handmade Charlotte

Monster Party Bark

Melt a few chocolate bars with some pretzels, candy eyes, and coconut flakes for a salty-sweet Halloween snack that will be ready in only three minutes.

Sally's Baking Addiction

Halloween Pretzel Bites

Just place small pieces of chocolate on top of pretzels, heat them long enough for the chocolate to soften, then lightly place a candy corn on top. Viola! Simple, tasty treats with a twist – and no tricks!

The Healthy Family and Home

Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus

We don't know anyone who doesn't love hummus. This quick dip can be served with crackers or veggies for a healthy Halloween party snack.

Crowded Kitchen

Halloween Pumpkin Covered Strawberries

If you have some strawberries on-hand, this recipe is made even easier. Just grab some orange candy melts and decorate away!

Polka Dot Chair

Caramel-Dipped Marshmallows

Simply dip marshmallows in caramel, then cover them in some cute holiday sprinkles for an easy treat that everyone won't stop snacking on.

Skinnytaste

Banana Boo Pops

Put a festive touch on the classic frozen chocolate “boo-nana" by giving them a ghostly makeover. The only heavy lifting you'll have to do for this recipe is let them sit in the freezer for a bit.

Delia Creates

Spiderweb Pretzels

Melt some chocolate, then swirl it over pretzel sticks for a spooky spiderweb-like snack. These could be served alone, or on a cake or ice cream.

Completely Delicious

Halloween Candy Bark

Whether you're using new or leftover Halloween candy, this bark recipe is super simple.

Home Made Interest

Apple Kabobs

Buy a package of pre-sliced apples, then dip them in chocolate and caramel for an easy alternative to a favorite Halloween pastime. Plus, they're just easier to eat!

Suburbia Unwrapped

Candy Corn Fruit Parfait

For a sweet treat that's still healthy, skip the candy corn and cut up some colorful fruit in its place.

This Wife Cooks

Sweet and Salty Pumpkin Seeds

For flavors both sweet and salty, these pumpkin seeds can be made in a jiffy.

Miss Candiquik

Strawberry Ghosts

Dip some strawberries in white chocolate, then give them chocolate chip eyes and a mouth for these cute and tasty snacks.

Bren Did

Tangerine Pumpkins

Peel a few tangerines and place a small piece of celery in the middle to make these tangerine pumpkins. Bonus: these can definitely double as the perfect kid's snack for school.

Feel Good Foodie

Witches' Brooms

To make these adorable 'brooms,' you'll push a pretzel in the end of a sliced string cheese stick.

Culinary Hill

Halloween Walnuts

These nutty little guys are the perfect snacking companion for the holiday.

Averie Cooks

Loaded Halloween Cream Cheese Brownies

These super soft and gooey brownies are the ultimate snack that'll melt in your mouth. They're perfect for anyone who has a sweet tooth and loves a combination of fudge, oreo cookies, and cream cheese. Plus, you'll taste a hint of vanilla extract in it that serves as a nice surprise!

Completely Delicious

Halloween Candy Bark

Looking for chill Halloween snacks to munch on throughout the day? Make this holiday candy bark that has all the makings of a trick-or-treat explosion. You'll need everything from bittersweet chocolate to your favorite Halloween candies for this fun recipe.

Kathryn's Kitchen Blog

Halloween Popcorn Mix

Got a taste for something that involves trail mix and popcorn? This Halloween snack has your name written all over it! It takes less than an hour to perfect and involves popcorn, a little sugar, honey, salt, and more delicious ingredients! In our mind, it's the perfect sweet and salty treat you'll want to recreate every season!

What are some of your favorite Halloween snacks? Let us know in the comments, and join our newsletter for more holiday inspiration!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

halloweensnackssnapguidefood

I Can't Handle How Cute The Latest Adorable 'Daisy Jones & The Six' Reunion Is

Deep breaths – Daisy Jones And The Six might actually return for Season 2. Even though the Amazon Prime show ended its first season on March 24, fans are demanding more of their favorite band of six, and TBH...we can’t blame them!

The show, which was set to be a limited series with one season, might return for more, according to cast member Josh Whitehouse (Eddie Roundtree). He uploaded a rather cryptic TikTok earlier this year that alluded to a potential second season, but our hopes of seeing a tour were dashed. But, not all hope is lost!

Here's what we know so far.

www.instagram.com

Sadly, we won't be getting a Daisy Jones And The Six Tour due to the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike that halted many ongoing and new projects — bummer! Riley Keough took to Instagram to share the gloomy news where Reese Witherspoon commented, "Aghhhh! Still hoping for this live performance.. one day !!"

She's not the only one who's saddened over this news though. Other comments mimicked her sentiments and we can't help but long for what could've been. Let's keep our fingers crossed that someone will give the fans what we want later this year!

www.tiktok.com

Hm, funny thing happened today 😙🎸🎶🕺🏻🤭 #daisyjonesandthesix

Prior to this, Josh Whitehouse previously captioned an unavailable TikTok video “Just arrived at a rehearsal studio, to, uh, have a band practice with Daisy Jones and the Six. But we already finished the TV show, so why would we be doing that?” Whitehouse questioned.

Taylor Jenkins Reid, the bestselling author and co-producer of Daisy Jones and The Six (who also wrote some of our other favorite books, BTW) has “certainly thought” about a second season.

Reid and Executive Producer Brad Mendelsohn aren’t ruling anything out. “I think we’re in a really fortunate position where we have a story that is final, and has an ending that feels really good,” Reid said in an exclusive interview with Variety. “I would only open that back up if it felt like there was a story here that we have to tell. Have I been thinking about what that is? I certainly have.”

Fans have already flooded social media with demands for more of their favorite ‘70s show.

Daisy Jones and The Six is based on the novel by Jenkins Reid, which is loosely inspired by the tortured IRL romance of Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. The incredibly talented cast also produced an album, AURORA, which we truly cannot stop listening to.

In a TikTok posted by Sam Claflin (Billy Dunne), some of the Daisy Jones crew could be seen in a studio with guitars and mics in hand.

www.tiktok.com

Cooking.

This mysterious post followed the album “Special Gift to Our Fans,” which included two singles that initially debuted during the show. The releases were, “It Was Always You,” sung by leading lady Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and a second rendition of “Aurora,” which was performed by the whole band on Saturday Night Live.

www.tiktok.com

THE RIVER FT SIMONE WHEN?? 💳 💥💳💥💳💥 also whoever authorized this release I hope you live a long, happy life. #daisyjonesandthesix #djats #daisyjones #billydunne #foryou #daisybilly #daisybilly #booktok #rileykeough #djandthesix #samclaflin #itwasalwaysyou #amazonprime

The rumors of a rumored tour circled ever since the show aired, and cast members shared their thoughts on taking the band from TV to real life.

“You know there’s rumblings…I don't know if we have anything in terms of a full tour, but there might be an opportunity for us to get together in places. So if anyone’s looking forward to something like that I’d say just, eh, keep an eye out,” Will Harrison (Graham Dunne) said in an interview. When asked if he received a call about a tour, Harrison replied, “I would absolutely answer the call in a second.”

www.tiktok.com

Will Harrison tells @saragoretv about an opportunity for “Daisy Jones & The Six” to play live. Plus, he tells us what he thinks about going on tour. #NewYorkLive #WillHarrison #DaisyJones #daisyjonesandthesixshow #daisyjonesandthesix @daisyjonesandthesix

Since an IRL tour isn't happening any time soon, we'll be on the lookout for a second season of our favorite band.

www.tiktok.com

suki waterhouse bringing out camila morrone at new york n1 AHHH #sukiwaterhouse #camilamorrone #daisyjonesandthesix #concerts #livemusic #newyork #nyc

You know what's better than a tour? Seeing Suki Waterhouse and Camila Morrone unite onstage again! They both looked so freakin' good with Suki wearing a cropped purple fur coat and metallic boots while Camila wore a pink, fur-trimmed, and shimmery number. As far as we can tell, Suki and Camila looked like they were excited to surprise unsuspecting fans.

Comments on the fun clip ranged from "THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME" to "This makes me want to rewatch Daisy Jones for the 4th time." All I can say is something about seeing Suki and Camila share a carefree moment is making my heart smile.

Tell us, Brit + Co readers, what do you think about Daisy Jones and the Six? Do you think a follow up is in our future?

Stay updated on all things entertainment with Brit + Co.

This post has been updated.

amazon primedaisy jones & the sixtaylor jenkins reidtventertainment

'The Holiday' Cast Would Actually "Love" To Do A Sequel (& Kate Winslet Has The Perfect Idea)

The Holiday movie ending might tie the whole story with a perfect bow, but that hasn't stopped fans from hoping for a sequel! (Although, I'm not sure what kind of drama a sequel might bring...and I don't want Iris and Miles OR Amanda and Graham to go through anything else for crying out loud.) The cast has spoken on the idea of a The Holiday sequel more and more in recent years, and good news for any fans of the 2006 movie — the cast is totally open to The Holiday 2!

Here's what The Holiday cast members Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, and Cameron Diaz have said about reuniting for a sequel.

'The Holiday' cast would "love" to revisit the characters.

Sony Pictures

It's been almost 20 years since The Holiday premiered and star Jude Law is super interested in seeing what the characters' lives look like in the 2020s. “I’d love to see where they’re at. I’d love to see where they were,” he says on Today. “I’m a yes. You need to check in with everyone else...I'll ask Kate."

“I think Graham still has cardigans and glasses, and reads,” he adds in an interview with E! News. “He’s probably worried sick 'bout the girls, right? The daughters will be 28, 29.”

Kate Winslet has also imagined that, post-The Holiday, Iris and Miles would have settled down and started a family. “It would be so fun to see Miles and Iris get back together,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022. “I kind of imagine, like, how cute would their children be?…Tiny Jack Blacks running around everywhere.”

And as for her onscreen beau Jack Black? Well, he already has the perfect sequel title idea: “Once in a while, I slide into Nancy Meyers’s DMs and say, ‘Holiday 2: Electric Boogaloo. Anyone with me?’” he joked in a Vanity Fair interview last December.

Cameron Diaz spills on why the original film is so special.

I'm so torn on whether I'd want a sequel to The Holiday because a huge part of its charm, and its nostalgia, is that it's like a time capsule for the early 2000s — and specifically a time right before iPhones and social media changed the world forever. It's a comforting movie to put on that really feels like balm for my soul on days my mind feels heavy. Plus the fact the movie is a standalone film makes it feel more special!

"People look at Nancy's movies as a statement, in a way," Cameron Diaz said in a 2020 interview with Vulture. "It's set in the real world, but it's like, 'Who's getting on first class, and flying, and taking this cute little cottage in the middle of England?' Who gets to do that? You always wish that was you."

"When people watch The Holiday, it's just so aspirational," she continues. "They're like, 'One day, I'll be able to do that.' It's almost like a modern-day Prince Charming, but not a helpless princess. It's more like the fully capable princess who could have whatever she wants, but she can't have it until she breaks open her heart and is vulnerable, and lets in the right man. And not just Prince Charming, but the guy who's actually capable of showing up in all the ways she needs him to."

The Holiday shows that the most important part of, not just the holiday season but life in general, is being surrounded by the people we love. It truly feels like a modern storybook fairytale that proves dreams you were too afraid to wish could actually come true. And THAT's the true magic of Christmas.

Would you want to see a sequel to The Holiday or would you rather the movie remain a standalone film? Let us know in the comments and check out 20 Brand New Christmas Movies To Add To Your Calendar!

pop cultureentertainmentthe holidaymovies