Voting for Trader Joe’s Most Popular Products of 2022 Has Just Begun — And There’s a Big Change This Year

Mara Weinraub
Mara WeinraubSenior Editor of Groceries at The Kitchn
I nudged my way into writing about food after a too-long stint working in advertising. At first, I freelanced for several digital food media outlets, and then worked at Hearst Magazines as the Senior Food & Drink Editor across nearly all titles, including Delish, Good Housekeeping, and Pioneer Woman. I’ve been at The Kitchn since August 2021, and one of my proudest accomplishments is my feature detailing the fascinating grocer solutions to America’s food waste problem. (If you haven’t read it, now’s the time!) I nerd out over groceries. One of the best parts of my job is sharing little-known or untold stories that help shoppers navigate the aisles — and their budget — like the “two-finger” rule on how to pick out the perfect watermelon, our editors' favorite hot cocoa mix, or a corner of our country's food system. I’m always looking for new ways to expand the groceries conversation at The Kitchn.
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published Jan 3, 2023
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Trader Joe's grocery bag on countertop
Credit: Sarah Crowley

Earlier this week, Trader Joe’s opened the voting for its 14th annual Customer Choice Awards. If you’re a long-time fan, you’re probably familiar with this ritual. Every year, for the past 13 years, TJ’s tasks its most fervent shoppers with choosing the grocer’s most popular products across a range of different categories. A hard job, we know!

The grocer has switched up some of the categories throughout the years (who can forget the 2017 winner for best bakery item?), but this year’s list includes nine categories: Overall Product; Beverage; Cheese; Sweets or Dessert; Entrée; Home, Bath, and Beauty; Produce; Snack; and Vegan or Vegetarian Product. The categories look very similar to 2021 and 2020. (Okay, they’re exactly the same.)

Before you get to casting those delicious ballots, though, there is something different about the potential nominees … or, in this case, five somethings. And it will absolutely change which products will be dubbed winners in 2022.

Why Trader Joe’s Most Popular Products Will Absolutely Be Different This Year

According to the Trader Joe’s website, the grocer has “retired several Trader Joe’s products from these Awards due to their revered status and consecutive wins over the years.” Basically, there are five past winners that are no longer eligible to win any of the nine categories this year … and maybe, ever? New year, new winners. Amiright?

The five retirees are a very impressive bunch, and cover several of our favorite sections of the store (looking at you, freezer and snack aisles!): Mandarin Orange Chicken (the overall winner for five out of the last six years), Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Unexpected Cheddar, Soy Chorizo, and Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets. 

While technically you can still vote for them (you can type any product’s name into the form), TJ’s will no longer be tallying votes made for these products. (All is not lost, though! The five champs are being memorialized in a virtual hall of fame.) Personally, I’m excited to see some fresh (vegan) meat, and cheese, and sweets, and snacks step out of the shadows and receive some much-deserved attention. 

The voting period runs until Monday, January 9 (at 11:59 p.m., for those procrastinators out there). 

What Trader Joe’s products are you voting for this year? Tell us in the comments below.