Two years at Trader Joe's taught her what to buy

Susanna Maize worked at Trader Joe's for two years and has shopped there for over twenty years. She knows which items are worth buying for quick, budget-friendly meals in her small apartment kitchen.

Frozen pie crusts make easy quiches with leftovers

Trader Joe's frozen pie crusts taste as good as homemade versions but are far more convenient.Maize throws in whatever vegetables she has to make an easy quiche with plenty of leftovers to take to work.

“I think Trader Joe's frozen pie crusts taste just as good as homemade versions, but are way more convenient to use.”

Soy chorizo works in quesadillas, tacos, and burritos

Maize keeps Trader Joe's flavorful soy chorizo on hand because it is versatile. She uses it for quesadillas, tacos, burritos, or taco salads, giving her plenty of options throughout the week.

Seasonal whole vegetables give the most bang for the buck

Although Trader Joe's pre-prepared and frozen sections are enticing, Maize gets the most value by buying whole ingredients and cooking them herself.

Sheet-pan gnocchi becomes crispy and chewy when roasted

Maize adds Trader Joe's gnocchi to a well-oiled sheet pan with cherry tomatoes, chopped onion, zucchini, and sausage.

Broccoli-and-kale slaw holds up better than leafy greens

Maize uses Trader Joe's sturdy broccoli-and-kale slaw to prep meals for the week.It fares much better than leafy greens, so she packs up a batch of the salad without dressing to enjoy throughout the week.

Vegetarian chili pairs with grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or baked potatoes

Maize always keeps a can of Trader Joe's organic vegetarian chili in the pantry. It is classic and comforting, and she pairs it with grilled cheese for dipping, adds it to mac and cheese, or…

Thai-style red-curry sauce does the heavy lifting for quick dinners

Trader Joe's bottled sauces are Maize's secret to quick, flavorful dinners that require minimal prep. Instead of ordering takeout, she makes a delicious curry with onion, peppers, and broccoli using the Thai-style red-curry sauce.

Greek chickpeas come packed in a flavorful herby marinade

Trader Joe's Greek chickpeas come packed in a flavorful, herby marinade, so no dressing is required. Maize adds cucumbers, tomato, onion, and feta to make a delicious Mediterranean-style salad for a high-protein lunch.

Miso-ginger broth becomes a hearty noodle soup with simple additions

Trader Joe's miso-ginger broth is great on its own, but Maize jazzed it up with sautéed veggies, frozen potstickers, and a soft-boiled egg.