10 Best Things To Buy With SNAP at Trader Joe’s

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One of the best things about SNAP benefits, aside from helping low-income recipients get the sustenance they need by expanding their healthy food budget, is that they can be used at so many good stores that accept them — including Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s has become known for its quality food at low prices, which counts even more when inflation is at an all-time high. And while not every item on your shopping list will yield the best value when it comes to using your SNAP benefits at the grocery chain, there are plenty that will. 

Here are the 10 best things to buy with SNAP the next time you’re at Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s Single-Serve Yogurt

• Price: $2.69 for a 4-pack

If you’re a fan of 4-ounce servings of yogurt, Trader Joe’s offers 4-packs in a variety of flavors, including raspberry, blueberry and Meyer lemon. You’ll pay $2.69 for a 4-pack, which is about $0.67 per serving or $0.15 per ounce. These are a great addition to pack in a lunch or grab for breakfast on your way out the door. 

Trader Joe’s Ready Veggies

• Price: $2.99

A blend of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, kale, carrots and snow peas is what you’ll find in TJ’s 12-ounce bag of raw Ready Veggies. While Target, Walmart, Costco and other grocers have vegetable bag options, all seem to pale in comparison to the variety of veggies offered by Trader Joe’s at a very reasonable price, and most importantly, SNAP eligible. 

Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken

• Price: $4.99

When you need a weeknight dinner in a snap, TJ’s Mandarin Orange Chicken is the perfect solution. Each 22-ounce bag serves about five, which is around $1 per serving. Add some rice and veggies and you’ll have a tasty, satisfying meal that’s very affordable. Other brands of frozen orange chicken can easily cost several dollars more.

Trader Joe’s Classic English Muffins

• Price: $1.99

English muffins are a versatile food, as you can substitute them for toast, use them to make breakfast sandwiches or create two mini pizzas from each one. Trader Joe’s offers a six-pack at an amazing price. For other brands, you’ll easily pay at least $1 more.

Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter With Honey

• Price: $2.99 for 16 ounces

Made from a blend of just three ingredients, including dry roasted peanuts, honey and salt, this creamy and crunchy concoction is a healthy version of a family favorite. Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter with Honey can be spread on bread or crackers or eaten with fruit. At $2.99 for a 16-ounce jar, it’s a great deal. 

Trader Joe’s Cara Cara Navel Oranges

• Price: $3.99 for 3 pounds

Cara Cara Navel Oranges aren’t your garden variety fruit. TJ’s describes their appearance as a cross between a blood orange and a grapefruit with a taste that’s reminiscent of raspberries and strawberries. Whatever your take is on the flavor of this citrus wonder, you’ll no doubt save. If you opt for the cheaper Trader Joe’s variety, you’ll be happy to know Cara Caras are higher in both vitamin A and C than regular navels.

Trader Joe’s Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry

• Price: $3.79 for 16 ounces

If you’re watching your carbs or you’d prefer an extra serving of veggies over a starch, a bag of the chain’s Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry is a good option for a filling meal. In addition to the riced cauliflower, the stir fry blend also contains red bell pepper, grilled corn, green peas and spring onions. To round out the meal, TJ’s recommends topping it with a fried egg, avocado slices and a squirt of its house-brand Sriracha sauce. 

Trader Joe’s Cheese Party Tray

• Price: $5.99

Although its name makes it sound like this pound of cheese is reserved for parties, this item’s layers of Colby Jack, Swiss, mild cheddar and pepper jack cheeses are perfect for everyday snacking. You don’t have to feel like you’re overspending because TJ’s offers it at an outstanding price. If you try to pick up the same size cheese tray at Target, you’ll pay a whopping $4 more.

Organic Bananas

• Price: $0.29 each

If organic fruit matters to you, you’ll be happy to know Trader Joe’s sells organic bananas for just over a quarter each, which makes it convenient if you don’t want to buy a whole bundle. Generally, about three bananas equals one pound, so six equals two pounds. 

At Trader Joe’s, that means you can get a standard bunch for $1.74. Plus, there’s the convenience factor at TJ’s; you can buy just one or two bananas rather than a whole bundle if you like, which can help you stretch your SNAP benefits a bit further.

Trader Joe’s Maple Chicken Breakfast Sausage

• Price: $4.69

These all-natural, fully-cooked breakfast sausages have no antibiotics or hormones and can be prepared quickly on the stovetop or under a broiler. Each package contains 12 links, which equals $0.39 per link. A comparable brand runs about $0.50 per link.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Editor’s note: Pricing is accurate as of Jun 3, 2025. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

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