Chefs Swear by These Thanksgiving Shortcuts from Trader Joe’s

You might feel the urge to make everything from scratch on Thanksgiving, but it’s okay to take some shortcuts in order to save your time and sanity, helping you enjoy the day better. In fact, even professional chefs rely on store-bought items for their feasts.

And when it comes to store-bought items, Trader Joe’s really shines with its offerings. The popular grocery store has plenty of interesting and unique items to supplement your Thanksgiving menu, whether you snap up some frozen appetizers and baked goods, or use the the pre-made gravy, mushroom soup for casseroles, and cranberry sauce to serve alongside your homemade roasted turkey.

Professional chefs shared their favorite TJ’s shortcuts with us—mark these down for your next shopping trip.

Appetizers

Courtesy of Trader Joe’s

“Their appetizers are perfect for guests. Just heat and serve! I love the arancini [now discontinued] and dumplings for something easy and impressive.” —Michael Reed, chef/owner, Poppy & Seed

Cheese and Charcuterie

“I also utilize Trader Joe’s for all of my charcuterie and cheese needs. Assembling a beautiful and delicious charcuterie board with spreads and crackers is easy with Trader Joe’s help. This is a wonderful time of the year. We should spend as much time as possible enjoying time spent with the people we love and not stressing about the details of dinner!” —Travis Watson, executive chef, Hotel Californian

Sweet Pull Apart Aloha Rolls

“Having Trader Joe’s as your personal sous chef is a huge win! Grab a few bags of the Pull Apart Aloha Rolls and two essential items are off your prep list, and you can serve them with the confidence that your loved ones are going to love them!” —Watson

Pre-Diced Mirepoix, Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, and More

“I am a huge fan of Trader Joes! They sell so many different products that are ready to go such as pre-diced mirepoix for sauces and stuffing, turkey gravy that you can easily elevate by steeping in additional herbs and spices, delicious rolls ready to be heated, and a very solid fresh cranberry sauce! With the amount of work that goes into cooking Thanksgiving dinner, it is smart to buy some premade products that will cut down on your prep time!” —Ethan Diamant, chef de cuisine, Tavernetta Vail

Trader Joe’s Condensed Cream of Portabella Mushroom Soup

“It has been our household go-to for our green bean casserole. The flavor of portabella elevates this traditional side dish and when using fresh green beans, it can present itself as made from scratch.” —Ritchard Cariaga, executive chef at Ka’ana Kitchen at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

Turkey Gravy

“Trader Joe’s has a wonderful Gluten‑Free Turkey Gravy. If you have gluten-free guests and are struggling to cater to them, this is a great option to meet their dietary restrictions.” —Devin Pinto, executive chef, The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa

Shaved Brussels Sprouts

“They’re pre-cut and ready to season. Try tossing them with black garlic, sesame, and roasted chili for a DIY take on The Front Yard’s (at The Garland) signature ‘Caramelized Brussels.’” —Larry Greenwood, executive chef, The Garland

Pre-Cut Butternut Squash

“One of my favorite Thanksgiving Trader Joe’s shortcuts is getting my hands on their pre-cut butternut squash. They’re peeled and already cut into big chunks. Peeling, deseeding, and cutting into a butternut squash can be time consuming. It’s one of my favorite fall vegetables to eat, especially for Thanksgiving. It makes a great soup or roasted side dish.” —Yulissa Acosta, chef de cuisine, Hearth ‘61 at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale

Other Pre-Cut Vegetables

“The selection of prepped, cleaned and trimmed vegetables, like haricots verts, can be quickly sauteed with shallots and butter.” —Peter Lai, executive chef, Splashes at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

“There are a few items from Trader Joe’s that make Thanksgiving Day prep much easier! None better that the Loaded Mashed Potatoes from Trader Joe’s.” —Watson

Stuffing Mix

“Trader Joe’s has a great stuffing mix that helps skip the time-consuming homemade stuffing. People always like the boxed kind better anyways!” —Joel Hammond, chef de cuisine, Uchi West Hollywood

Gluten-Free Stuffing Mix

“The gluten-free stuffing mix is a great option when entertaining guests with restrictions, and the best part is that you can’t really tell the difference!” —Cariaga

Rosemary Croissant Croutons

“When it comes to making stuffing, having the right base is everything. I love using Trader Joe’s Rosemary Croissant Croutons—they’re buttery, flaky, and packed with flavor, which makes them the perfect foundation for a rich Thanksgiving stuffing. I just sauté some mirepoix, add chicken stock, and let those croutons soak up all that goodness. It’s quick, easy, and tastes completely homemade.” —Brandon Sloan, executive chef, Pendry San Diego

Organic Pumpkin

“They have organic pumpkin puree for the perfect pies.” —Christopher McLean, executive chef and beverage director, The Wigwam