I've Tried Dozens of Trader Joe's Fall Foods and This Is My Pick for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is coming up quickly, and you’re in full meal-planning mode. In 2023, the average cost of this holiday dinner was $6.12 per person, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. That’s over $61 for a family or group of 10 friends.

If you’re looking for ways to lower this cost, we’ve got you covered with the best Trader Joe’s hacks for saving money. We’ve sampled the retailer’s most popular picks and narrowed the list to these must-have Thanksgiving buys.

Here are my top seven Trader Joe’s fall picks, including one winner with a guaranteed spot on our Thanksgiving table.

Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $3.99

Score a 16-ounce bag of vegetable fries for less than $4 right now. This limited-time side features fall favorites, including sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and beets. Not only is this a tasty addition to your Thanksgiving meal, but the bold autumn colors will accent your holiday table.

Serve this runner-up as-is or sprinkle TJ’s Shaved Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago Cheese blend ($3.49) on top.

Price: $4.99

TJ’s adorable (and affordable) Teeny Tiny Pecan Pies edged out the larger version of the dessert this year. The three-inch sweets are perfect for families who can’t agree on one type of treat. Instead of wasting money on two, three, four, or more full-sized pies, create an after-dinner buffet with this pick and other mini munchies.

How do shoppers feel about this under-$5 buy? Food scientist and Redditor favoriteanimalbeaver notes the filling is “Very sweet. Very brown-sugar flavored. It tasted almost exactly like the brown sugar flavor Pop Tart. Gooey in the best way. The texture was lovely.”

Price: $6.49

Your gluten-sensitive family and friends won’t have to skip this side. Instead of traditional croutons, this specialty stuffing is made with rice flour, tapioca flour, potato flour, and brown rice flour.

And don’t worry about the taste. Poultry spices, chicken broth, celery, garlic, mushrooms, and onions give this gluten-free gourmet goody a classic flavor you’ll savor.

Compare Trader Joe’s $6.49 price for 12.4 ounces to $12.95 for a nine-ounce box of Williams Sonoma’s gluten-free stuffing.

Price: $2.99

Thanksgiving in a chip? This returning fall food has the savory taste of stuffing — minus the actual side.

While this salty snack made it onto our list of favorites, it may not land on your holiday dinner table. Instead, serve a bowl of kettle-cooked crisps as a starter. And don’t worry if you have leftovers. Crush the chips and mix them into a tangy turkey salad sandwich, or sprinkle them on top of baked mac and cheese.

The Trader Joe’s subreddit is packed with praise for this foodie find. User lubelle12 raved, “This chip is delicious. Lots of flavor and because it’s a kettle chip, lots of nice crunch and texture. Very pleased and will purchase again.”

Price: $3.99

This autumn app is back in stock.

Cheddar and Gouda cheese, Thanksgiving-inspired spices, and a dreamy creamy bechamel sauce make this 10-ounce box of bites one of the season's best buys.

Bake them in the oven or air fry the mac and cheese balls to golden perfection.

Price: $6.99

Pumpkin pie is a classic Thanksgiving dessert that deserves a spot on our list — and your holiday table.

If you don’t have time to bake this traditional holiday dessert from scratch, snag TJ’s ready-to-eat nine-inch version for less than $7. A smaller half-pie costs $7.49 at Whole Foods Market.

Pair TJ’s bargain buy pie with the retailer’s Salted Maple Ice Cream, a spritz of whipped topping, or caramel topping.

Price: $5.99

Why did TJ’s refrigerated Cornbread Stuffing get the top spot on our list? This subtly sweet side combines quality, cost, and convenience — making it our number-one Thanksgiving buy.

Cornbread croutons, sage, dried cranberries, and roasted apples give this prepared pick a tangy, homemade taste. But instead of spending extra time in the kitchen chopping, mixing, and baking your own recipe from scratch, simply microwave the ready-to-heat-and-eat stuffing.

While other retailers sell boxed mixes, you aren't likely to find this type of budget-friendly fridge find elsewhere. Williams Sonoma’s boxed organic cornbread stuffing mix costs $19.95. That’s almost $14 more than TJ’s version.

Trader Joe’s has a seasonal stock of fall foods that are budget-friendly fan favorites. Whether you need a side, starter, or dessert, our top picks are sure to please your family’s palate.

The savings don’t stop at the store’s register. Use the best cash back credit cards to earn perks and other rewards on eligible fall holiday grocery purchases.