20 “Fancy” Trader Joe’s Finds Under $10 For A Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Date Night At Home

Trader Joe's Valentine's Day Appetizers

Maître Pierre Tarte d' Alsace

Per TJ's, this flatbread is based on a 100-year-old recipe from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. Sounds fancy, right? Covered in crème fraîche, caramelized onions, thinly sliced ham, and Gruyère cheese, it bakes so easily in the oven for 8-10 minutes for a great V-Day starter.

Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip

I don't know about you, but there's something about spinach and artichoke dip that screams 'romantic dinner' to me. It's typically on the appetizer menu at any Italian restaurant, and I'd say this $4 TJ's version measures up quite nicely. The herby cheese gets deliciously bubbly and gooey after being baked. Serve with toasted baguette bits to seal the deal!

Mini Brioche Bites

Need a bougie bite-size appetizer for your Valentine's feast? Look no further than these brioche bites that are stuffed with a sweet apricot jam and creamy brie cheese. Yeahhh, I'm drooling for this TJ's find.

Lemon Stuffed Olives

If you're plotting an abundant charcuterie for the holiday, these lemon-stuffed olives definitely deserve a spot in your spread. Equal parts tart, zesty, briny, and salty, they're worthy of snacking on by themselves. You could also slap some on a homemade pizza, toss 'em into pasta, or bake them into some focaccia for a unique flavor boost.

Olive Tapenade Hummus

This "mezze marvel" makes a simple and satisfying opening number for your V-Day date night at home alongside some veggie sticks, crackers, or bruschettas. The smooth and nutty base is expertly complemented by the salty olive tapenade in the center.

Trader Joe's Valentine's Day Main Courses

Plain Pizza Dough

I highly encourage you to make your own pizza using this TJ's pizza dough, no matter how you're celebrating Valentine's Day. It always comes out perfectly pillowy, plus it's just pure fun to let your culinary creative side run wild in terms of the sauce and toppings. If you need some recipe inspo, check out this post!

Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Chicken Tenders

This TJ's product makes cooking yummy, flavorful chicken a total breeze. It comes pre-marinated, so you don't have to do the hard work of making one yourself. It boasts a nice balance between sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, and onion, so it'd make a good pairing with something fancy-feeling like pasta or salad.

Mushroom Risotto

Risotto will always be fancy in my mind, even if it's frozen like this TJ's pick. This bag's packed with fragrant mushroom flavors, onion, garlic, and even gets boosted with extra Porcini mushroom seasoning to max out the umami vibes. Trader Joe's recommends lighting some candles, dimming the lights, and serving this meal with Caesar salad and ciabatta and EVOO for dipping. Sounds like the ultimate V-Day setting to me!

Spaghetti Carbonara

Same thing goes for this heat-and-eat carbonara dish. It's "rich, creamy, and satisfying," and even comes straight from a supplier in Italy, so you can trust its authenticity. Eat it alongside some salad or oven-roasted veggies to complete your Valentine's Day feast!

Chicken Meatballs

These meatballs can put in work way beyond your typical pasta dish. Add some to a stir-fry, sandwich, or soup, and you've got a great, tasty protein source with just enough seasoning that you don't have to add any more yourself.

Fresh Atlantic Salmon Boneless Fillet

I love cooking this TJ's salmon fillet for a fancier dinner. I'll simply season it up with salt, pepper, and a medley of whatever spices I've got in my cabinet, rub some olive oil and lemon juice on it, and bake it in the oven at 400 F for 20-30 minutes. It goes extremely well with roasted Brussels sprouts and hits the spot every freakin' time. Try it out for V-Day this year – you won't regret it!

Trader Joe's Valentine's Day Desserts

Brookie

Now, onto the sweet stuff! TJ's classic brookie never misses. Equal parts brownie and cookie, you and your partner will wanna eat the entire box.

Strawberry Mini Hold The Cone!

For a frozen delight, these chocolate and strawberry mini cones taste just like chocolate-covered strawberries.

Dark Chocolate Ganache Mini Sheet Cake

Snag this moist and flavorful $5 chocolate cake, decorate it with some pink and red icing, and boom – your V-Day dessert is ready.

Sprinkle Cake Bites

These tiny lil' cake bites (hello, Starbucks dupe!) are sprinkled appropriately for the lovey-dovey occasion.

Trader Joe's Valentine's Day Beverages

Super Happy Cabernet Sauvignon Sangiovese & Malbec

Made of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Malbec, this "bold and complex" red wine makes a great pairing with barbecue, pork ribs, pizza, cheese plates, and chocolate cake. Mmm, cake.

Caretaker Pinot Noir 2022

For notes of cherries, plums, and fresh strawberries, add this $10 bottle to your cart!

Vignobles Lacheteau Touraine Sauvignon Blanc

This "deeply aromatic" white wine comes in with bright notes of citrus and spring blossoms, pairing deliciously well with foods like goat cheese and sweet Italian sausage.

Aperito Spritz

This bottled Aperol spritz ($7 for 3) is about to become your absolute favorite drink – V-Day or not!

Big Churn Chardonnay California

Finally, this $7 Chardonnay is super oaky and buttery for all you Chardonnay lovers out there. TJ's notes it's a good pairing with braised Brussels sprouts and seafood.