These Were the Most Popular Products at Trader Joe’s in 2017

updated May 1, 2019

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(Image credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com)

For the past nine years, Trader Joe’s has held its Customer Choice awards at the beginning of January to figure out which products were the most popular the previous year. The categories for the awards include things like the best item from the bakery, best meal on the go, best candy, and the best product overall. There were a couple years (like 2014 and 2015) where the most popular product was the cookie butter, but last year things changed.

Did your favorite product make this list?

For the second year in a row, the Mandarin Orange Chicken from Trader Joe’s has been ranked the number-one fan-favorite item. Trader Joe’s describes this product as “tender chunks of juicy chicken in a crispy breading with a sweet and spicy orange sauce.” This freezer meal costs just $4.99. I haven’t tried it myself, but I know that a lot of people love this item.

(Image credit: Trader Joe’s)

Runners-up for the best product include Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, Unexpected Cheddar, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, and Cookie Butter (because, of course). I’m personally a huge fan of the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups; I love putting them into cookies instead of chocolate chips (hot tip!)

Other category winners include Almond Kringle for best bakery item, Spiced Cider for favorite beverage item, and Mini Vanilla Cream Cones for favorite frozen dessert (I really need to try these).

I think it’s super fascinating that for the last few years there’s been many repeat items on the favorites list. For example, bananas are the most popular produce item, organic ketchup is the most popular condiment, and the most popular meat/meatless product is the soy chorizo. It just goes to show you that even when there are a ton of new products to try, consumers like to stick to their favorites.