Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Winners Revealed

Sure, you’ve heard of the Golden Globes and the Oscars. But Trader Joe’s has its own awards to give out this season, too. In the most recent episode of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast, co-hosts Tara Miller and Matt Sloan revealed the winners of the beloved chain’s 17th annual Customer Choice Awards.

Shoppers voted for their favorite products, from freezer-aisle staples to iconic snacks, which resulted in this list of the 11 products customers loved most over the past year. There are winners across 10 categories, plus one overall favorite. Want to know the results? Grab a bag of chili pineapple popcorn and keep reading. 

These ready-to-heat, gluten-free pancakes are made with cottage cheese, egg whites, and oat flour, and come in a package of four (amounting to 20 grams protein total). They quickly became a standout among new arrivals, according to Miller and Sloan.

Speaking of breakfast, Trader Joe’s Customers’ Favorite Breakfast and Brunch Product is, unsurprisingly, the famous hashbrowns (we love them too!). According to Sloan, the hashbrowns are a repeat winner, and they’re one victory away from entering the Trader Joe’s Hall of Fame (which means they’ll be ineligible for future awards). 

“Really reliable, excellent, easy entrée,” says Tara. This flavorful frozen entrée is another one that just continues to win over customers looking for a quick meal with restaurant-quality taste. (The Chicken Tikka Masala is pretty good, too.) 

Because customers can write in their votes (rather than choose from a list of nominees), this year many simply put “Apple Cider” for the favorite beverage category, without distinction of which kind: sparkling cider, Honeycrisp cider, spiced cider, or straight-up apple cider. “It could be any of the above. It could be all of the above,” says Tara. That’s why multiple cider styles were combined, making any and all Trader Joe’s apple ciders the winner in the beverage category.

Small, snackable, and perfectly portioned, these avocados are a longtime customer favorite and were recognized again for their consistency and quality. And speaking of the Hall of Fame, Teeny Tiny Avocados have now won for five straight years in a row, which officially moves them to the Hall of Fame and prevents them from entering any future Customer Choice Awards. 

Bold, savory, and garlicky, these chips edged out stiff competition to claim the top snack spot. Valiant runners-up included the following: World’s Puffiest White Cheddar Corn Puffs, Patio Potato Chips, Horseradish and Chive Ridge Cut Potato Chips, and Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers. We’re not all too surprised that Garlic Butter Irish Potato Chips won, as they were flying off shelves last year.  

Cheese is Sloan’s favorite category, and among his “long list of favorites” (English Cheddar with Caramelized Onions, Saint André Triple Crème Brie, and Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread) is the winner this season: goat cheese. Which goat cheese? Well, all of them! It’s another apple cider situation — and really, you can’t go wrong with any. 

Originally a limited release, Brazil Nut Body Butter was so beloved that it has become a permanent part of TJ’s lineup and a fan-favorite item (clearly!), thanks to its rich texture and signature tropical and nutty scent.

Another repeat winner (and only a few more until its Hall of Fame-bound destiny). These ice cream sandwiches continue to impress customers year after year with their delicious balance of cookies and ice cream. 

And the top honor goes to … Steamed Pork & Ginger Soup Dumplings! “You don’t have to do much. You cut off a corner of the outer package, pop them in the microwave for less than a minute, and they’re done — and they’re perfect,” says Miller. Praised for their rich broth, bold flavor, and quick microwave preparation, these freezer-aisle stars emerged as the most beloved product in the entire store.

What’s your favorite Trader Joe’s item? Tell us in the comments below!